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ROMIERO.

Thou'st cull'd the best: my lips are parch'd and dry.

May I——(Putting his hand to the basket.)

NURSE.

Nay, good my Lord, I'll choose you one.

ROMIERO (rejecting what she offers).

Not that: the further peach my fancy courts.

(Putting his hand into the basket.)
But there be dainty viands and cakes besides!

ZORADA.

A charitable dole for age and want. (Looking to the Nurse significantly.)

That is the reason why I bade her show it,

Ere she should take it to the poor distress'd.

ROMIERO.

Ha! let me then restore my robbery;

And here, to make amends. (Putting money into the basket.)

What have we here?

(Taking out a picture.)
Is this a present for your villager?

NURSE.

Yes, please you.—No, she but desired to see it.

ROMIERO (with bitter irony).

A most refined and sentimental gossip!

Or does she mean to use it as a charm
To cure old aching bones?