[Saturday, March 2, 1667] . . . After dinner, with my wife, to the King’s house to see “The Mayden Queene,” a new play of Dryden’s, mightily commended for the regularity of it, and the strain and wit; and, the truth is, there is a comical part done by Nell, which is Florimell, that I never can hope ever to see the like done again, by man or woman. [. . .] But so great performance of a comical part was never, I believe, in the world before as Nell do this, both as a mad girle, then most and best of all when she comes in like a young gallant; and hath the notions and carriage of a spark the most that ever I saw any man have. It makes me, I confess, admire her. (Source)
Here's an excerpt from The Maiden Queen, in which the roguish Celadon (played by Nell's then-lover, the actor Charles Hart) attempts to guess the fair Florimell's features behind her mask. I find this an intriguing passage because it gives a detailed description of Nell's looks (playwrights, like Dryden, would often tailor their parts to a certain performer):
Flo. What kind of beauty do you like?
Cel. Just such a one as yours.
Flo. What's that?
Cel. Such an oval face, clear skin, hazel eyes, thick brown eye-brows, and hair as you have, for all the world.
[. . .]
Cel. A turned up nose, that gives an air to your face:—Oh, I find I am more and more in love with you!—a full nether lip, an out-mouth, that makes mine water at it; the bottom of your cheeks a little blub, and two dimples when you smile: For your stature, 'tis well; and for your wit, 'twas given you by one that knew it had been thrown away upon an ill face.—Come, you're handsome, there's no denying it. (Source)
This passage from her biography written by Charles Beauclerk, her direct descendant, contains a charming poem written in her praise by one of the other noted playwrights:The year 1668 was probably Nell's busiest yet in the theatre, as more playwrights were inspired to write for her. The results, however, were not always worthy of her talent. In the autumn she played Lysette in Richard Flecknoe's Damoiselles à la Mode. The play was an abject failure and, according to Pepys, 'when they came to say it would be acted again to-morrow, both he that said it, Beeson, and the pit fell a-laughing, there being this day not a quarter of the pit full'. Flecknoe himself was nevertheless charmed by Nell's performance and sent her a poem entitled 'On a Pretty Little Person' as a mark of his appreciation:
She is pretty, and she knows it;
She is witty, and she shows it;
And besides that she's so witty,
And so little and so pretty,
Sh'has a hundred other parts
For to take and conquer hearts.
’Mongst the rest her air's so sprightful,
And so pleasant and delightful,
With such charms and such attractions
In her words and in her actions,
As whoe'er do hear and see,
Say there's none do charm but she.
But who have her in their arms,
Say sh'has hundred other charms,
And as many more attractions
In her words and in her actions.
But for that, suffice to tell ye,
’Tis the little pretty Nelly. (From Nell Gwyn: A Biography)
And finally, my favorite quote about her, from her friend, the authoress Aphra Behn: [Y]ou never appear but you glad the hearts of all that have the happy fortune to see you, as if you were made on purpose to put the whole world into good Humour, whenever you look abroad [. . .] (Source)
There you have it, gentle readers - Happy Birthday, dear, merry Nelly! :)
