it From your owne mouth alone I am a messenger But to her pleasure Ith. Excellent Nearchus Be Prince still of my seruices and conquer Without the combat of dispute I honour 'ee Near. The King is on a sudden indispos'd Physicians are call'd for 't were fit Armostes You should be neere him Arm. Sir I kisse your hands Exeunt Manent Nearchus Amelus Near. Amelus I perceiue Calantha's bosome Is warm'd with other fires then such as can Take strength from any fuell of the loue I might addresse to her young Ithocles Or euer I mistake is Lord ascendant Of her deuotions one to speake him truly In euery disposition nobly fashioned Ame. But can your Highnesse brooke to be so riual'd Considering th' inequality of the persons Near. I can Amelus for affections iniur'd By tyrannie or rigour of compulsion Like Tempest-threatned Trees vnfirmely rooted Ne're spring to timely growth obserue for instance Life-spent Penthea and vnhappy Orgilus Ame. How does your grace determine Near. To be iealous In publike of what priuately I 'le further And though they shall not know yet they shall finde it Exeunt omnes Enter Hemophil and Grone as leauing Amyclas and placing him in a Chayre followed by Armostes Crotolon and Prophilus Amy. Our daughter is not neere Arm. She is retired Sir Into her gallery Amy. Where 's the Prince our Cozen Proph. New walk'd into the Groue my Lord Amy. All leave vs Except Armostes and you Crotolon We would be priuate Proph. Health vnto your Maiesty Exeunt Prophilus Hemophil Groneas Amy. What Tecnicus is gone Arm. He is to Delphoi And to your Royall hands presents this box Amy. Vnseale it good Armostes therein lyes The secrets of the Oracle out with it Apollo liue our patron read Armostes Arm. The plot in which the Vine takes root Begins to dry from head to foot The stocke soone withering want of sap Doth cause to quaile the budding grape But from the neighboring Elme a dew Shall drop and feed the Plot anew Amy. That is the Oracle what exposition Makes the Philosopher Arm. This breife one onely The plot is Sparta the dry'd Vine the King The quailing grape his daughter but the thing Of most importance not to be reueal'd Is a neere Prince the Elme the rest conceal'd Tecnicus Amy. Enough although the opening of this Riddle Be but it selfe a Riddle yet we construe How neere our lab'ring age drawes to a rest But must Calantha quaile to the young grape Vntimely budded I could mourne for her Her tendernesse hath yet deseru'd no rigor So to be crost by Fate Arm. You misapply Sir With fauour let me speake it what Apollo Hath clouded in hid sense I here coniecture Her marriage with some neighb'ring Prince the dew Of which befriending Elme shall euer strengthen Your Subiects with a Soueraignty of power Crot. Besides most gracious Lord the pith of Oracles Is to be then digested when the euents Expound their truth not brought as soon to light As vtter'd Truth is Child of Time and herein I finde no scruple rather cause of comforte With unity of kingdomes Amy. May it proue so For weale of this deare Nation where is Ithocles Armostes Crotolon when this wither'd Vine Of my fraile carkasse on the funerall Pile Is fir'd into its ashes let that young man Be hedg'd about still with your cares and loues Much owe I to his worth much to his seruice Let such as wait come in now Arm. All attend here Enter Ithocles Calantha Prophilus Orgilus Euphranea Hemophil and Groneas Cal. Deare Sir King Father Ith. O my royall Master Amy. Cleane not my heart sweet Twins of my life's solace With your fore-iudging feares there is no Physicke So cunningly restoratiue to cherish The fall of Age or call backe youth and vigor As your consents in duty I will shake off This languishing disease of time to quicken Fresh pleasures in these drooping houres of sadnesse Is faire Euphranea married yet to Prophilus Crot. This morning gracious Lord Org. This very morning Which with your Highnesse leaue you may obserue too Our sister lookes me thinks mirthfull and sprightly As if her chaster fancy could already Expound the riddle of her gaine in losing A trifle Maids know onely that they know not Pish prethe blush not 't is but honest change Of fashion in the garment loose for streight And so the modest maid is made a wife Shrewd businesse is 't not sister Euph. You are pleasant Amy. We thanke thee Orgilus this mirth becomes thee But wherefore sits the Court in such a silence A wedding without Reuels is not seemely Cal. Your into indisposition Sir forbade it Amy. Be it thy charge Calantha to set forward The bridall sports to which I will be present If not at least consenting mine owne Ithocles I haue done little for thee yet Ith. Y'haue built me To the full height I stand in Cal. Now or neuer May I propose a suit Amy. Demand and haue it Cal. Pray Sir giue me this young man and no further Account him yours then he deserues in all things To be thought worthy mine I will esteeme him According to his merit Amy. Still th' art my daughter Still grow'st vpon my heart giue me thine hand Calantha take thine owne in noble actions Thou 'lt find him firme and absolute I would not Haue parted with thee Ithocles to any But to a mistresse who is all what I am Ith. A change great King most wisht for cause the sam Cal. Th' art mine Haue I now kept my word Ith. Diuinely Org. Rich fortuness guard to fauour of a Princesse Rocke thee braue man in euer crowned plenty Y' are minion of the time be thankfull for it Ho here 's a swinge in Destiny Apparent The youth is vp on tiptoe yet may stumble Amy. On to your recreations now conuey me Vnto my bed-chamber none on his forehead Were a distempered looke Omnes The gods preserue'ee Cal. Sweet be not from my sight Ith. My whole felicity Exeunt carrying out of the King Orgilus stayes Ithocles Org. Shall I be bold my Lord Ith. Thou canst not Orgilus Call me thine owne for Prophilus must henceforth Be all thy sisters friendship though it cease not In marriage yet is oft at lesse command Then when a single freedome can dispose it Org. Most right my most good Lord my most great Lord My gracious Princely Lord I might adde royall Ith. Royall a Subiect royall Org. Why not pray Sir The Soueraignty of Kingdomes in their nonage Stoop'd to desert not birth there 's as much merit In clearenesse of affection as in puddle Of generation you haue conquer'd Loue Euen in the loueliest if I greatly erre not The sonne of Venus hath bequeath'd his quiuer To Ithocles his manage by whose arrowes Calantha's brest is open'd Ith. Can 't be possible Org. I was my selfe a peece of suitor once And forward in preferment too so forward That speaking truth I may without offence Sir Presume to whisper that my
THE BROKEN HEART A Tragedy ACTED By the KINGS Majesties Seruants at the priuate House in the BLACK-FRIERS Fide Honor LONDON Printed by I. B. for HVGH BEESTON and are to be sold at his Shop neere the Castle in Corne-hill 1633 TO THE MOST VVORTHY DESERVER OF THE noblest Titles in Honour VVILLIAM Lord CRAVEN Baron of Hamsteed-Marshall MY LORD THE glory of a great name acquired by a greater glory of Action hath in all ages liu'd the truest chronicle to his owne Memory In the practise of which Argument your grouth to perfection even in youth hath appear'd so sincere so vn-flattering a Penneman that Posterity cannot with more delight read the merit of Noble endeauours then noble endeavours merit thankes from Posterity to be read with delight Many Nations many eyes have beene witnesses of your Deserts and lou'd Them Be pleas'd then with the freedome of your own Nature to admit ONE amongst All particularly into the list of such as honour a faire Example of Nobilitie There is a kinde of humble Ambition not vn-commendable when the silence of study breakes forth into Discourse coveting rather encouragement then Applause yet herein Censore commonly is too severe an Auditor without the moderation of an able Patronage I have ever beene slow in courtship of greatnesse not ignorant of such defects as are frequent to Opinion but the Iustice of your Inclination to Industry emboldens my weaknesse of confidence to rellish an experience of your Mercy as many brave Dangers have tasted of your Courage Your Lordship stroue to be knowne to the world when the world knew you least by voluntary but excellent Attempts Like Allowance I plead of being knowne to your Lordship in this low presumption by tendring to a favourable entertaiment a Deuotion offred from a heart that can be as truely sensible of any least respect as ever professe the owner in my best my readiest services A Lover of your naturall Love to Vertue Iohn Ford The Prologue OVr Scene is Sparta HE whose best of Art Hath drawne this Peece cals it the Broken Heart The Title lends no expectation here Of apish laughter or of some lame Ieere At place or persons no pretended clause Of iest's fit for a brothell Courts' applause From vulgar admiration such low songs Tun'd to vnchast eares suit not modest tongues The Virgine Sister then deseru'd fresh bayes When Innocence and Sweetnesse crown'd their layes Then vices gasp'd for breath whose whole Commerce Was whip'd to Exile by vnblushing verse This law we keepe in our Presentment now Not to take freedome more then we allow What may be here thought a fiction when Times youth Wanted some riper yeares was knowne A Truth In which if words haue cloath'd the subiect right You may pertake a Pitty with Delight The Sceane SPARTA The Speakers names fitted to their Qualities AMYCLAS Common to the Kings of Laconia ITHOCLES Honour of louelinesse A fauourite ORGILVS Angry Sonne to Crotolon BASSANES Vexation A iealous Nobleman ARMOSTES An appeasor A Counsellor of State CROTOLON Noyse Another Counsellor PROPHILVS Deare Friend to Ithocles NEARCHVS Young Prince Prince of Argos TECNICVS Artist A Philosopher LEMOPHIL Glutton Two Courtiers GRONEAS Tauernhaunter Two Courtiers AMELVS Trusty Friend to Nearchus PHVLAS Watchfull Seruant to Bassanes CALANTHA Flower of beauty The Kings daughter PENTHEA Complaint Sister to Ithocles EVPHRANEA Ioy A Maid of Honor CHRISTALLA Christall Maids of Honour PHILEMA A kisse Maids of Honour GRANSIS Old Beldam Ouerseer of Penthea Person 's included THRASVS Fiercenesse Father of Ithocles APLOTES Simplicity Orgilus so disguis'd THE BROKEN HEART Actus primus Scaena prima Enter Crotolon and Orgilus Crot. Dally not further I will know the reason That speeds thee to this iourney Org. Reason good Sir I can yeeld many Crot. Giue me one a good one Such I expect and e're we part must haue Athens pray why to Athens you intend not To kicke against the world turne Cynicke Stoicke Or read the Logicke Lecture or become An Areopagite and Iudge in causes Touching the Common wealth for as I take it The budding of your chin cannot prognosticate So grave an honour Org. All this I acknowledge Crot. You doe then Son if books and loue of knowledge Enflame you to this trauell here in Sparta You may as freely study Org. 'T is not that Sir Crot. Not that Sir As a father I command thee To acquaint me with the truth Org. Thus I obey 'ee After so many quarrels as dissention Fury and Rage had brauch't in blood and sometimes With death to such confederates as sided With now dead Thrasus and your selfe my Lord Our present King Amiclus reconcil'd Your eager swords and Seal'd a gentle peace Friends you profest your selues which to confirme A resolution for a lasting league Betwixt your Families was entertain'd By ioyning in a Hymenean bond Me and the faire Penthea onely daughter To Thrasus Crot. What of this Org. Much much deere sir A freedome of conuerse an enterchange Of holy and chast loue so sixt our soules In a firme grouth of vnion that no Time Can eat into the pledge we had enioy'd The sweets our vowes expected had not cruelty Preuented all those triumphs we prepar'd for By Thrasus his vntimely death Crot. Most certaine Org. From this time sprouted vp that poysonous stalke Of Aconite whose ripened fruit hath ravisht All health all comfort of a happy life For Ithocles her brother proud of youth And prouder in his power nourisht closely The memory of former discontents To glory in reuenge by cunning partly Partly by threats a wooes at once and forces His virtuous sister to admit a marriage With Basanes a Noble-man in honour And riches I confesse beyond my fortunes Crot. All this is no sound reason to import me My leave for thy departure Org. Now it followes Beauteous Penthea wedded to this torture By an insulting brother being secretly Compeld to yeeld her virgine freedome vp To him who neuer can vsurpe her heart Before contracted mine is now so yoak'd To a most barbarous thraldomes misery Affliction that he sauour not humanitye Whose sorrow melts not into more then pitty In hearing but her name Crot. As how pray Org. Bassanes The man that calls her wife considers truly What Heaven of perfections he is Lord of By thinking faire Penthea his This thought Begets a kinde of Monster-Loue which Loue Is nurse vnto a feare so strong and seruile As brands all dotage with a Iealousie All eyes who gaze upon that shrine of beauty He doth resolue doe homage to the miracle Some one he is assur'd may now or then If opportunity but sort preuaile So much out of a selfe-vnworthinesse His feares transport him not that he findes cause In her obedience but his owne distrust Crot. You spin out your discourse Org. My griefs are violent For knowing how the Maid was heretofore Courted by me his iealousies grow wild That I should steale againe into her fauours And vndermine her vertues which the gods Know
Chrystalla Groneas Philema Chry. With me Phil. Indeed I dare not stay Hem. Sweet Lady Souldiers are blunt your lip Christ. Fye this is rudenesse You went not hence such creatures Gron. Spirit of valour Is of a mounting nature Phil. It appeares so Pray in earnest how many men apeece Haue you two beene the death of Gron. Faith not many We were compos'd of mercy Hemo. For our daring You heard the Generals approbation Before the King Christ. You wish'd your Countries peace That shew'd your charity where are your spoyles Such as the Souldier fights for Phil. They are comming Chri. By the next Carrier are they not Gron Sweet Philena When I was in the thickest of mine enemies Slashing off one mans head anothers nose Anothers armes and legs Phil. And altogether Gron. Then would I with a sigh remember thee And cry deare Philena 't is for thy sake I doe these deeds of wonder dost not loue me With all thy heart now Phil Now as heretofore I haue not put my loue to vse the principall Will hardly yeeld an Interest Gron. By Mars I 'le marry thee Phil. By Vulcan y' are forsworne Except my mind doe alter strangely Gron. One word Chri. You lye beyond all modesty forbeare me Hem. I 'le make thee mistresse of a City 't is Mine owne by conquest Chri. By petition sue for 't In Forma pauperis City Kennell Gallants Off with your Fathers put on aprons Gallants Learne to reele throm or trim a Ladies dog And be good quiet soules of peace Hobgoblins Hem. Christalla Chri. Practise to drill hogs in hope To share in the Acorns Souldiers Cornecutters But not so valiant they oft times draw blood Which you durst neuer doe When you have practis'd More wit or more civility wee 'll ranke 'ee I' th list of men till then braue things at armes Dare not to speake to vs most potent Groneas Phil. And Hemophill the hardy at your seruices Gron. They scorne vs as they did before we went Hem. Hang 'em let vs scorne them and be reueng'd Eexunt Chri. at Philema Gron. Shall we Hem. We will and when we sleight them thus Instead of following them they 'll follow vs It is a womans nature Gron. 'T is a scuruy one exeunt omnes Scaene 3. Enter Tecnicus a Philosopher and Orgilus disguised like a Scholler of his Tecn. Tempt not the Stars young man thou canst not play With the seuerity of Fate this change Of habit and disguise in outward view Hides not the secrets of thy soule within thee From their quicke-piercing eyes which dive at all times Downe to thy thoughts in thy aspect I note A consequence of danger Org. Giue me leaue Graue Tecnicus without fore-dooming destiny Vnder thy roofe to ease my silent griefes By applying to my hidden wounds the balme Of thy Oraculous Lectures if my fortune Run such a crooked by-way as to wrest My steps to ruine yet thy learned precepts Shall call me backe and set my footings streight I will not court the world Tecn. Ah Orgilus Neglects in young men of delights and life Run often to extremities they care not For harmes to others who contemne their owne Org. But I most learned Artist am not so much At ods with Nature that I grutch the thrift Of any true deseruer nor doth malice Of present hopes so checke them with despaire As that I yeeld to thought of more affliction Then what is incident to frailty wherefore Impute not this retired course of liuing Some little time to any other cause Then what I iustly render the information Of an vnsetled minde as the effect Must clearely witnesse Tecn. Spirit of truth inspire thee On these conditions I conceale thy change And willingly admit thee for an Auditor I 'le to my study Org. I to contemplations In these delightfull walkes thus metamorphiz'd I may without suspition hearken after Pentheas vsage and Euphranias faith Loue thou art full of mystery the Deities Themselues are not secure in searching out The secrets of those flames which hidden wast A breast made tributary to the Lawes Of beauty Physicke yet hath neuer found A remedy to cure a Louers wound Ha who are those that crosse your priuate walke Into the shadowing groue in amorous foldings Prophilus passeth ouer supporting Euphrania and whispering My Sister ô my Sister 't is Euphrania With Prophilus supported too I would It were an Apparition Prophilus Is Ithocles his friend It strangely pusles me Againe helpe me my booke this Schollers habit Must stand my priuileges my mind is busie Mine eyes and eares are open walke by reading Enter againe Prophilus and Euphrania Proph. Doe not wast The span of this stolne time sent by the gods For precious vse in nicenesse Bright Euphrania Should I repeat old vowes or study new For purchase of beleefe to my desires Org. Desires Proph. My seruice my integrity Org. That 's better Proph. I should but repeat a lesson Oft conn'd without a prompter but thine eyes My Loue is honourable Org. So was mine To my Penthea chastly honourable Proph. Nor wants there more addition to my wish Of happinesse then hauing thee a wife Already sure of Ithoclas a friend Firme and vn-alterable Org. But a brother More cruell then the graue Euphr. What can you looke for In answer to your noble protestations From an vnskilfull mayd but language suited To a diuided minde Org. Hold out Euphranea Euphr. Know Prophilus I neuer vnder-valued From the first time you mentioned worthy loue Your merit meanes or person It had beene A fault of iudgement in me and a dulnesse In my affections not to weigh and thanke My better Starres that offered me the grace Of so much blisfulnesse For to speake truth The law of my desires kept equall pace With yours nor haue I left that resolution But onely in a word what-euer choyce Liues nearest in my heart must first procure Consent both from my father and my brother E're he can owne me his Org. She is forsworne else Proph. Leaue me that taske Euphr. My brother e're he parted To Athens had my oath Org. Yes yes 'a had sure Proph. I doubt not with the meanes the Court supplies But to preuaile at pleasure Org. Very likely Proph. Meane times best dearest I may build my hopes On the foundation of thy constant suffrance In any opposition Euphr. Death shall sooner Diuorce life and the ioyes I haue in liuing Then my chast vowes from truth Proph. On thy faire hand I seale the like Org. There is no faith in woman Passion ô be contain'd my very heart strings Are on the Tenters Euphr. Sir we are over-heard Cupid protect vs 't was a stirring Sir Of some one neere Proph. Your feares are needlesse Lady None haue accesse into these priuate pleasures Except some neere in Court or bosome Student From Tecnicus his Oratory granted By speciall fauour lately from the King Vnto the graue Philosopher Euphr. Me thinkes I heare one talking to himselfe I see him Proph. 'T is a
Should yeeld presumption of a faulty soule Looke to the doores Phul. The horne of plenty crest him Exit Phul. Bass. Swormes of confusion huddle in my thoughts In rare distemper Beauty ô it is An vnmatcht blessing or a horrid curse Enter Penthea and Gransis an old Lady Shee comes she comes so shoots the morning forth Spangled with pearles of transparent dew The way to pouerty is to be rich As I in her am wealthy but for her In all contents a Bankrupt Lou'd Penthea How fares my hearts best ioy Gran. In sooth not well She is so ouer-sad Bass. Leaue chattering Mag-pye Thy brother is return'd sweet safe and honour'd With a Triumphant victory thou shalt visit him We will to Court where if it be thy pleasure Thou shalt appeare in such a rauishing lustre Of Iewels aboue value that the Dames Who braue it there in rage to be out-shin'd Shall hide them in their Closets and unseene Fret in their teares whiles euery wondring eye Shall craue none other brightnesse but thy presence Choose thine owne recreations be a Queene Of what delights thou fanciest best what company What place what times doe any thing doe all things Youth can command so thou wilt chase these clouds From the pure firmament of thy faire lookes Gran. Now 't is well said my Lord what Lady laugh Be merry time is precious Bass. Furies whip thee Pen. Alas my Lord this language to your Hand-maid Sounds as would musicke to the deafe I need No braueries nor cost of Art to draw The whitenesse of my name into offence Let such if any such there are who couet A curiosity of admiration By laying out their plenty to full view Appeare in gawdy out-sides my attires Shall suit the inward fashion of my minde From which if your opinion nobly plac'd Change not the Liuory your words bestow My Fortunes with my hopes are at the highest Bass. This house me thinkes stands somewhat too much inward It is too melancholy wee 'll remoue Nearer the Court or what thinks my Penthea Of the delightfull Island we command Rule me as thou canst wish Pen. I am no Mistresse Whither you please I must attend all wayes Are alike pleasant to me Gran. Island prison A prison is as gaysome wee 'll no Islands Marry out vpon 'em whom shall we see there Sea-guls and Porpiseis and water-rats And Crabs and Mewes and Dogfish goodly geere For a young Ladies dealing or an old ones On no termes Islands I 'le be stew'd first Bass. Gransis You are a Iugling Bawd This sadnesse sweetest Becomes not youthfull blood I 'le haue you pounded For my sake put on a more chearefull mirth Thou't marre thy cheekes and make me old in griefes Damnable Bitch-foxe Gran. I am thicke of hearing Still when the wind blowes Southerly What thinke 'ee If your fresh Lady breed young bones my Lord Wood not a chopping boy d' ee good at heart But as you said Bass. Or chop thee into collops Gran. Pray speake louder Sure sure the wind blowes South still Pen. Thou prai'st madly Bass. 'T is very hot I sweat extreamely Now Enter Phulas Phul. A heard of Lords Sir Bass. Ha Phul. A flock of Ladies Bass. Where Phul. Shoalds of horses Bass. Peasant how Phul. Caroches In drifts th' one enter th' other stand without sir And now I vanish Exit Phulas Enter Prophilus Hemophil Groneas Christalla and Philena Proph. Noble Bassanes Bass. Most welcome Prophilus Ladies Gentlemen To all my heart is open you all honour me A tympany sweis in my head already Honour me bountifully How they flutter Wagtailes and Iayes together Proph. From your brother By virtue of your loue to him I require Your instant presence fairest Pen. He is woll Sir Proph. The gods preserue him euer yet deare beauty I finde some alteration in him lately Since his returne to Sparta My good Lord I pray vse no delay Bass. We had not needed An inuitation if his sisters health Had not fallen into question Hast Penthea Slacke not a minute lead the way good Prophilus I 'le follow step by step Proph. Your arme faire Madam Exeunt omnes sed Bass. Gran. Bass. One word with your old Bawdship th' hadst bin better Raild at the sinnes thou worshipst thou haue thwarted My will I 'le vse thee cursedly Gran. You dote You are beside your selfe A Politician In iealousie No y' are too grosse too vulgar Pish teach not me my trade I know my cue My crossing you sinks me into her trust By which I shall know all my trade 's a sure one Bass. Forgiue me Gransis t was consideration I rellisht not but haue a care now Gran. Feare not I am no new-come-too't Bass. Thy life 's vpon it And so is mine My Agonies are infinite Exeunt omnes Scaene 2. Enter Ithocles alone Itho. Ambition 't is of vipers breed it knawes A passage through the wombe that gaue it motion Ambition like a seeled Doue mounts vpward Higher and higher still to pearch on clouds But tumbles headlong downe with heauier ruine So squibs and crackers flye into the ayre Then onely breaking with a noyse they vanish In stench and smoke Morality appli'd To timely practice keeps the soule in tune At whose sweet musicke all our actions dance But this is forme of books and schoole-tradition It physicks not the sicknesse of a minde Broken with griefes strong Feauers are not eas'd With counsell but with best receipts and meanes Meanes speedy meanes and certaine that 's the cure Enter Armoster and Crotolon Armo. You sticke Lord Crotolon vpon a point Too nice and too vnnecessary Prophilus Is euery way desertfull I am confident Your wisdome is too ripe to need instruction From your sonnes tutillage Crot. Yet not so ripe My Lord Armoster that it dares to dote Vpon the painted meat of smooth perswasion Which tempts me to breach of faith Itho. Not yet Resolu'd my Lord why if your sonnes consent Be so auaileable wee 'll write to Athens For his repaire to Sparta The Kings hand Will ioyne with our desires he has beene mou'd too 't Armo. Yes and the King himselfe importun'd Crotolon For a dispatch Crot Kings may command their will Are Lawes not to be questioned Itho. By this marriage You knit an union so deuout so hearty Betweene your loues to me and mine to yours As if mine owne blood had an interest in it For Prophilus is mine and I am his Crot. My Lord my Lord Ith. What good Sir speak your thoght Crot. Had this sincerity beene reall once My Orgilus had not beene now vn-wiu'd Nor your lost Sister buried in a Bride bed Your Vnckle here Armoster knowes this truth For had your father Thrasus liu'd but peace Dwell in his graue I haue done Armo. Y' are bold and bitter Itho. 'A presses home the iniury it smarts No reprehensions Vncle I deserue 'em Yet gentle Sir consider what the heat Of an vnsteady youth a giddy braine Greene indiscretion flattery of greatnesse Rawnesse of iudgement wilfulnesse
in folly Thoughts vagrant as the wind and as vncertaine Might lead a boy in yeeres too 't was a fault A Capitall fault for then I could not diue Into the secrets of commanding Loue Since when experience by the extremities in others Hath forc'd me to collect And trust me Crotolon I will redeeme those wrongs with any seruice Your satisfaction can require for currant Armo. Thy acknowledgement is satisfaction What would you more Crot. I 'me conquer'd if Euphranea Her selfe admit the motion let it be so I doubt not my sonnes liking Itho. Vse my fortunes Life power sword and heart all are your owne Enter Bassanes Prophilus Calantha Penthea Euphranea Chrystalla Philema and Gransis Armo. The Princesse with your sister Calan. I present 'em A stranger here in Court my Lord for did not Desire of seeing you draw her abroad We had not beene made happy in her company Ith. You are a gracious Princesse Sister wedlocke Holds too seuere a passion in your nature Which can engrosse all duty to your husband Without attendance on so dear a mistresse 'T is not my brothers pleasure I presume T' immure her in a chamber Bass. 'T is her will Shee gouernes her owne houres noble Ithocles We thanke the gods for your successe and welfare Our Lady has of late beene indispos'd Else we had waited on you with the first Itho. How does Penthea now Pen. You best know brother From whom my health and comforte are deriu'd Bass. I like the answer well 't is sad and modest There may be tricks yet tricks Haue an eye Gransis Calan. Now Crotolon the suit we ioyn'd in must not Fall by too long demurre Crot. 'T is granted Princesse For my part Armo. With condition that his sonne Fauour the Contract Calan. Such delay is easie The ioyes of marriage make thee Prophilus A proud deseruer of Euphranea's loue And her of thy desert Proph. Most sweetly gracious Bass. The ioyes of marriage are the heauen on earth Life's paradise great Princesse the soules quiet Sinewes of concord earthly immortality Eternity of pleasures no restoratiues Like to a constant woman but where is she 'T would puzzle all the gods but to create Such a new monster I can speake by proofe For I rest in Elizium 't is my happinesse Crot. Euphrania how are you resolu'd speake freely In your affections to this Gentleman Euphr: Nor more nor lesse than as his loue assures me Which if your liking with my brothers warrants I cannot but approue in all points worthy Crot. So so I know your answer Ith. 'T had bin pitty To sunder hearts so equally consented Enter Hemophill Hem. The King Lord Ithocles commands your presence And fairest Princesse yours Calan. We will attend him Enter Groneas Gron. Where are the Lords all must vnto the King Without delay the Prince of Argos Calan. Well Sir Gron. Is comming to the Court sweet Lady Calan. How The Prince of Argos Gron. 'T was my fortune Madam T' enioy the honour of these happy tidings Ith. Penthea Pen. Brother Ith. Let me an howre hence Meet you alone within the Palace groue I haue some secret with you Prethe friend Conduct her thither and haue speciall care The walks be clear'd of any to disturbe vs Proph. I shall Bass. How 's that Ith. Alone pray be alone I am your creature princesse on my Lords Exeunt Bassanes Bass. Alone alone what meanes that word alone Why might not I be there hum hee 's her brother Brothers and sisters are but flesh and blood And this same whorson Court ease is temptation To a rebellion in the veines Besides His fine friend Prophilus must be her guardian Why may not he dispatch a businesse nimbly Before the other come or pandring pandring For one another bee 't to sister mother Wife Couzen any thing 'mongst youths of mettall Is in request It is so stubborne Fate But if I be a Cuckold and can know it I will be fell and fell Enter Groneas Gron. My Lord y' are call'd for Bass. Most hartily I thanke ye where 's my wife pray Gron. Retir'd amongst the Ladies Bass. Still I thanke 'ee There 's an old waiter with her saw you her too Gron. She sits i' th presence Lobby fast asleepe sir Bass. Asleepe sleepe Sir Gron, Is your Lordship troubled You will not to the King Bass. Your humblest Vassaile Gron. Your seruant my good Lord Bass. I wait your foot steps Exeunt Scaene the third Prophilus Penthea Proph. In this walke Lady will your brother find you And with your fauour giue me leave a little To worke a preparation in his fashion I haue obseru'd of late some kind of slacknesse To such alacrity as Nature And custome tooke delight in Sadnesse growes Vpon his recreations which he he hoards In such a willing silence that to question The grounds will argue skill in friendship And lesse good manners Pen. Sir I 'me not inquisitiue Of secrecies without an inuitation Phoph. With pardon Lady not a sillable Of mine implyes so rude a sense the drift Enter Orgilus Proph. Doe thy best To make this Lady merry for an houre Exit Org. Your will shall be a law Sir Pen. Prethe leaue me I haue some priuate thoughts I would account with Vse thou thine owne Org. Speake on faire nimph our soules Can dance as well to musicke of the Spheares As any 's who haue feasted with the gods Pen. Your Schoole terms are too troublesome Org. What heauen Refines mortality from drosse of earth But such as vncompounded beauty hallowes With glorified perfection Pen. Set thy wits In a lesse wild proportion Org. Time can neuer On the white table of vnguilty faith Write counterfeit dishonour turne those eyes The arrowes of pure loue vpon that fire Which once rose to a flame perfum'd with vowes As sweetly scented as the License smoking like The holiest Altars Virgin teares On Vesta's odours sprinkled dewes to feed 'em And to increase their feruour Pen. Be not franticke Org. All pleasures are but meere imagination Feeding the hungry appetite with steame And sight of banquet whilst the body pines Not relishing the reall tast of food Such is the leannesse of a heart diuided From entercourse of troth-contracted lones No horror should deface that precious figure Seal'd with the liuely stampe of equall soules Pen. Away some fury hath bewitch'd thy tongue The breath of ignorance that flyes from thence Ripens a knowledge in me of afflictions Aboue all suffrance Thing of talke be gone Be gone without reply Org. Be iust Penthea In thy commands when thou send'st forth a doome Of banishment know first on whom it lights Thus I take off the shrowd in which my cares Are folded vp from view of common eyes What is thy sentence next Pen. Rash man thou layest A blemish on mine honour with the hazard Of thy too desperate life yet I professe By all the Lawes of ceremonious wedlocke I haue not giuen admittance to one thought Of female change since cruelty enforc'd
much dull'd my infected braine I 'le cheere inuention for an actiue straine Itho. Mad man why haue I wrong'd a maid so excellent Enter Bassanes with a ponyard Prophilus Groneas Hemophill and Gransis Bass. I can forbeare no longer more I will not Keepe off your hands or fall vpon my point Patience is tyr'd for like a slow-pac'd Asse Ye ride my easie nature and proclaime My sloth to vengeance a reproach and property Itho. The meaning of this rudenesse Proph. Hee 's distracted Pen. O my grieu'd Lord Grans. Sweet Lady come not neere him He holds his perilous weapon in his hand To pricke 'a cares not whom nor where see see see Bass. My birth is noble though the popular blast Of vanity as giddy as thy youth Hath rear'd thy name vp to bestride a cloud Or progresse in the Chariot of the Sunne I am no clod of trade to lackey pride Nor like your slaue of expectation wait The baudy hinges of your dores or whistle For mysticall conueyance to your bed-sports Gron. Fine humors they become him Hem. How 'a stares Struts puffes and sweats most admirable lunacy Itho. But that I may conceiue the spirit of wine Has tooke possession of your soberer custome I 'de say you were vnmannerly Pen. Deare brother Bass. Vnmannerly Mew Kitling smooth formality Is vsher to the ranknesse of the blood But Impudence beares vp the traine Indeed sir Your fiery mettall or your springall blaze Of huge renowne is no sufficient Royalty To print vpon my forehead the scorne Cuckold Itho. His Iealousie has rob'd him of his wits 'A talkes 'a knowes not what Bass. Yes and 'a knowes To whom 'a talkes to one that franks his lust In Swine-security of bestiall incest Ith. Hah deuill Bass. I will hallo 't though I blush more To name the filthinesse than thou to act it Ith. Monster Proph. Sir by our friendship Pen. By our bloods Will you quite both vndoe vs Brother Grans. Out on him These are his megrims firks and melancholies Hem. Well said old Touch-hole Gron. Kick him out at dores Pen. With fauour let me speake My Lord what slacknesse In my obedience hath deseru'd this rage Except humility and sin lent duty Haue drawne on your vnquiet my simplicity Ne're studied your vexation Bass. Light of beauty Deale not vngently with a desperate wound No breach of reason dares make warre with her Whose lookes are soueraignty whose breath is balme O that I could preserue thee in fruition As in deuotion Pen. Sir may euery euill Lock'd in Pandora's box showre in your presence On my vnhappy head if since you made me A partner in your bed I haue beene faulty In one vnseemely thought against your honour Ithoc Purge not his griefes Penthea Bass. Yes say on Excellent creature Good be not a hinderance To peace and praise of vertue O my senses Are charm'd with sounds caelestiall On deare on I neuer gaue you one ill word say did I Indeed I did not Pen. Nor by Iuno's forehead Was I e're guilty of a wanton error Bass. A goddesse let me kneele Grans. Alas kind Animall Itho. No but for pennance Bass. Noble sir what is it With gladnesse I embrace it yet pray let not My rashnesse teach you to be too vnmercifull Itho. When you shall shew good proofe that manly wisdome Not ouer-sway'd by passion or opinion Knowes how to lead iudgement then this Lady Your wife my sister shall returne in safety Home to be guided by you but till first I can out of cleare euidence approue it Shee shall be my care Bass. Rip my bosome vp I 'le stand the execution with a constancy This torture is vnsufferable Itho. Well Sir I dare not trust her to your fury Bass. But Penthea sayes not so Pen. She needs no tongue To plead excuse who neuer purpos'd wrong Hemo. Virgin of reuerence and antiquity Stay you behind Gron. The Court wants not your diligence Exeunt omnes sed Bass. Grans. Grans. What will you doe my Lord my Lady 's gone I am deny'd to follow Bass. I may see her Or speake to her once more Grans. And feele her too man Be of good cheare she 's your owne flesh and bone Bass. Diseases desperate must find cures alike She swore she has beene true Grans. True on my modesty Bass. Let him want truth who credits not her vowes Much wrong I did her but her brother infinite Rumor will voyce me the contempt of manhood Should I run on thus Some way I must try To out-doe Art and cry a Iealousie Exeunt omnes Flourish Enter Amyclas Nearchus leading Calantha Armostes Crotolon Euphranea Christalla Philema and Amelus Amy. Cozen of Argos what the heauens haue pleas'd In their vnchanging Counsels to conclude For both our kingdomes weale we must submit to Nor can we be vnthankfull to their bounties Who when we were euen creeping to our graues Sent vs a daughter in whose birth our hope Continues of succession As you are In title next being grandchilde to our Aunt So we in heart desire you may sit nearest Calantha's loue since we haue euer vow'd Not to inforce affection by our will But by her owne choyce to confirme it gladly Near. You speake the nature of a right iust father I come not hither roughly to demand My Cozens thraldome but to free mine owne Report of great Calantha's beauty vertue Sweetnesse and singular perfections courted All eares to credit what I finde was publish'd By constant truth from which if any seruice Of my desert can purchase faire construction This Lady must command it Calan. Princely Sir So well you know how to professe obseruance That you instruct your hearers to become Practitioners in duty of which number I 'le study to be chiefe Near. Chiefe glorious Virgine In my deuotions as in all mens wonder Amy. Excellent Cozen we deny no libertie Vse thine owne opportunities Armostes We must consult with the Philosophers The businesse is of weight Armost. Sir at your pleasure Amy. You told me Crotolon your sonne 's return'd From Athens wherefore comes 'a not to Couet As we commanded Crot. He shall soone attend Your royall will great Sir Amy. The marriage Betweene young Prophilus and Euphranea Tafts of too much delay Crot. My Lord Amy. Some pleasures At celebration of it would giue life To th' entertainment of the Prince our kinsman Our Court weares grauity more then we rellish Armo. Yet the heauens smile on all your high attempts Without a Cloud Crot. So may the gods protect vs Calan. A Prince a subiect Near. Yes to beauties sceptere As all hearts kneele so mine Calan. You are too Courtly To them Ithocles Orgilus Prophilus Itho. Your safe returne to Sparta is most welcome I ioy to meet you here and as occasion Shall grant vs priuacy will yeeld you reasons Why I should couet to deserue the title Of your respected friend for without Complement Beleeue it Orgilus 't is my ambition Org. Your Lordship may command me your poore seruant
see How weary I am of a lingring life Who count the best a misery Calan. Indeed You haue no little cause yet none so great As to distrust a remedy Pen. That remedy Must be a winding sheet a sold of lead And some vntrod-on corner in the earth Not to detaine your expectation Princesse I haue an humble suit Calan. Speake I enioy it Vouchsafe then to be my Executrix And take that trouble of 'ee to dispose Such Legacies as I bequeath impartially I haue not much to giue the paines are easie Heauen will reward your piety and thanke it When I am dead for sure I must not liue I hope I cannot Calan. Now beshrew thy sadnesse Thou turn'st me too much woman Pen. Her faire eyes Melt into passion Then I haue assurance Encouraging my boldnesse In this paper My Will was Character'd which you with pardon Shall now know from mine owne mouth Calan. Talke on prethe It is a pretty earnest Pen. I haue left me But three poore Iewels to bequeath The first is My youth for though I am much old in griefes In yeares I am a child Calan. To whom that Pen. To Virgin wiues such as abuse not wedlocke By freedome of desires but couet chiefly The pledges of chast beds for tyes of loue Rather than ranging of their bloode And next To married maids such as preferre the number Of honorable issue in their vertues Before the flattery of delights by marriage May those be euer young Calan. A second Iewell You meane to part with Pen. 'T is my Fame I trust By scandall yet vntouch'd this I bequeath To memory and Times old daughter Truth If euer my vnhappy name find mention When I am falne to dust may it deserue Be seeming charity without dishonour Calan. How handsomely thou playst with harmlesse sport Of meere imagination speake the last I strangely like thy will Pen. This Iewell Madam Is dearely precious to me you must vse The best of your discretion to imploy This gift as I entend it Calan. Doe not doubt me Pen. 'T is long ago since first I lost my heart Long I haue liu'd without it else for certaine I should haue giuen that too but instead Of it to great Calantha Sparta's heire By seruice bound and by affection vow'd I doe bequeath in holie rites of loue Mine onely brother Ithocles Calan. What saydst thou Pen. Impute not heauen-blest Lady to ambition A faith as humbly perfect as the prayers Of a deuoted suppliant can indow it Looke on him Princesse with an eye of pitty How like the ghost of what he late appear'de A' moues before you Calan. Shall I answer here Or lend my eare too grossely Pen. First his heart Shall fall in Cynders scorch'd by your disdaine E're he will dare poore man to ope an eye On these diuine lookes but with low-bent thoughts Accusing such presumption as for words A' dares not vtter any but of seruice Yet this lost creature loues 'ee Be a princess In sweetnesse as in blood giue him his doome Or raise him vp to comfort Calan. What new change Appeares in my behauiour that thou dar'st Tempt my displeasure Pen. I must leaue the world To reuell Elizium and 't is iust To wish my brother some aduantage here Yet by my best hopes Ithocles is ignorant Of this pursuit But if you please to kill him Lend him one angry looke or one harsh word And you shall soone conclude how wrong a power Your absolute authority holds ouer His life and end Calan. You haue forgot Penthea How still I haue a father Pen. But remember I am a sister though to me this brother Hath beene you know vnkinde most vnkinde Calan. Christalla Philema where are 'ee Lady Your checke lyes in my silence Both Madam here Calan. I thinke 'ee sleepe 'ee drones wait on Penthea Vnto her lodging Ithocles' wrong'd Lady Pen. My reckonings are made euen Death or Fate Can now nor strike too soone nor force too late Exeunt Actus Quartus Scaena prima Enter Ithocles and Armostes Itho. FOrbeare your Inquisition curiosity Is of too subtill and too searching nature In feares of loue too quicke too slow of credit I am not what you doubt me Arm. Nephew be then As I would wish all is not right Good heauen Confirme your Resolutions for dependance On worthy ende which may aduance your quiet Ith. I did the Noble Orgilus much iniury But grieu'd Penthea more I now repent it Now Vncle now this Now is now too late So prouident is folly in sad issue That after-wit like Bankrupts debts stand tallyed Without all possibilities of payment Sure he 's an honest very honest Gentleman A man of single meaning Arm. I beleeue it Yet Nephew 't is the tongue informes our cares Our eyes can neuer pierce into the thoughts For they are lodg'd too inward but I question No truth in Orgilus The Princesse Sir Ith. The Princesse ha Arm. With her the Prince of Argos Enter Nearchus leading Calantha Amelus Christalla Philema Near. Great faire one grace my hopes with any instance Of Liuery from the allowance of your fauour This little sparke Cal. A Toy Near. Loue feasts on Toyes For Cupid is a child vouchsafe this bountye It cannot deny'd Calan. You shall not value Sweet Cozen at a price what I count cheape So cheape that let him take it who dares stoope for 't And giue it at next meeting to a Mistresse Shee 'le thanke him for 't perhaps Casts it to Ithocles Ame. The Ring Sir is The Princesses I could haue tooke it vp Ith. Learne manners prethe To the blessed owner Vpon my knees Near. Y' are sawcy Cal. This is pretty I am belike a Mistresse wondrous pretty Let the man keepe his fortune since he found it He 's worthy on 't On Cozen Ith. Follow Spaniell I 'le force 'ee to a fawning else Ame. You dare not Exeunt Manent Itho. Armost Arm. My Lord you were too forward Ith. Looke'ee Vncle Some such there are whose liberall contents Swarme without care in euery sort of plenty Who after full repasts can say them downe To sleepe and they sleepe Vncle in which silence Their very dreames present 'em choyce of pleasures Pleasures obserue me Vncle of rare obiect Here heaps of gold there Increments of honors Now change of garments then the votes of people Anon varieties of beauties courting In flatteries of the night exchange of dalliance Yet these are still but dreames giue me felicity Of which my senses waking are partakers A reall visible materiall happinesse And then too when I stagger in expectance Of the least comfort that can cherish life I saw it Sir I saw it for it came From her owne hand Arm. The Princesse threw it t' ee Itho. True and she said well I remember what Her Cozen Prince would beg it Arm. Yes and parted In anger at your taking on 't Ith. Penthea Oh thou hast pleaded with a powerfull language I want a fee to gratifie thy myrit But I
proper Throne but what 's the miracle More new I I haue seene it and yet liue Bass. You may delude my senses not my iudgement 'T is anchor'd into a firme resolution Dalliance of Mirth or Wit can ne're vnfixe it Practise yet further Org. May thy death of loue to her Damne all thy comforts to a lasting fast From euery ioy of life Thou barren rocke By thee we haue bee split in ken of harbour Enter Ithocles Penthea her haire about her eares Philema Christalla Ith. Sister looke vp your Ithocles your brother Speakes t' ee why doe you weepe Deere turne not from me Here is a killing sight lo Bassanes A lamentable obiect Org. Man dost see 't Sports are more gamesome am I yet in merriment Why dost not laugh Bass. Diuine and best of Ladies Please to forget my out-rage mercy euer Cannot but lodge vnder a root so excellent I haue cast off that cruelty of frenzy Which once appear'd Impostors and then iugled To cheat my sleeps of rest Org. Was I in earnest Pen. Sure if we were all Sirens we should sing pittifully And 't were a comely musicke when in parts One sung anothers knell the Turtle sighes When he hath lost his mate and yet some say A' must be dead first 't is a fine deceit To passe away in a dreame indeed I 'ue slept With mine eyes open a great while No falshood Equals a broken faith there 's not a haire Sticks on my head but like a leaden Plummer It sinkes me to the graue I must creepe thither The iourny is not long Ith. But thou Penthea Hast many yeeres I hope to number yet E're thou canst trauell that way Bass. Let the Swan first Be wrap'd vp in an euerlasting darknesse Before the light of nature chiefly form'd For the whole worlds delight feele an Ecclipse So vniuersall Org. Wisdome looke 'ee Begins to raue art thou mad too antiquitye Pen. Since I was first a wife I might haue beene Mother to many pretty pratling Babes They would haue smil'd when I smil'd and for certaine I should haue cry'd when they cry'd truly brother My father would haue pick'd me out a husband And then my little ones had beene no bastards But 't is too late for me to marry now I am past child-bearing 't is not my fault Bass. Fall on me if there be a burning Etna And bury me in flames sweats hot as sulphure Boyle through my pores affliction hath in store No torture like to this Org. Behold a patience Lay by thy whyning grey dissimulation Doe something worth a Chronicle shew Iustice Vpon the Author of this mischiefe dig out The Iealousies that hatch'd this thraldome first With thine owne ponyard euery anticke rapture Can roare as thine does Ith. Orgilus forbeare Bass. Disturbe him not it is a talking motion Prouided for my torment what a foole am I To bawdy passion e're I 'le speake a word I will looke on and burst Pen. I lou'd you once Org. Thou didst wrong'd creature in despite of malice For it I loue thee euen Pen. Spare your hand Beleeue me I 'le not hurt it Org. Paine my heart to Complaine not though I wring it hard I 'le kisse it O 't is a fine soft palme harke in thine care Like whom doe I looke prethe nay no whispering Goodnesse we had beene happy too much happinesse Will make folke proud they say but that is he points at Ithocles And yet he paid for 't home alas his heart Is crept into the cabinet of the Princesse We shall haue points and bridelaces Remember When we last gather'd Roses in the garden I found my wits but truly you lost yours That 's He and still 't is He Ith. Poore soule how idely Her fancies guide her tongue Bass. Keepe in vexation And breake not into clamour Org. She has tutor'd me Some powerfull inspiration checks my lazinesse Now let me kisse your hand grieu'd beauty Pen. Kisse it Alacke alacke his lips be wondrous cold Deare soule h 'as lost his colour haue 'ee seene A straying heart all crannies euery drop Of blood is turn'd to an Amethist Which married Bachelours hang in their eares Org. Peace vsher her into Elizium If this be madnesse madnesse is an Oracle Exit Org. Ith. Christalla Philema when slept my sister Her rauings are so wild Chri. Sir not these ten dayes Phil. We watch by her continually besides We cannot any way pray her to eat Bass. Oh misery of miseries Pen. Take comfort You may liue well and dye a good old man By yea and nay an oath not to be broken If you had ioyn'd our hands once in the Temple 'T was since my father dy'd for had he liu'd He would haue don 't I must haue call'd you father Oh my wrack'd honour ruin'd by those Tyrants A cruell brother and a desperate dotage There is no peace left for a rauish'd wife Widdow'd by lawlesse marriage to all memory Penthea's poore Penthea's name is strumpeted But since her blood was season'd by the forfeit Of noble shame with mixtures of pollution Her blood 't is iust he henceforth neuer heightned With tast of sustenance Starue let that fulnesse Whose plurisie hath seuer'd faith and modesty Forgiue me ô I faint Arm. Be not so wilfull Sweet Neece to worke thine owne destruction Ith. Nature Will call her daughter monster what not eat Refuse the onely ordinary meanes Which are ordain'd for life be not my sister A murthresse to thy selfe Hear'st thou this Bassanes Bass. Fo I am busie for I haue not thoughts Enow to thinke all shall be well anon 'T is tumbling in my head there is a mastery In Art to fatten and keepe smooth the outside Yes and to comfort vp the vitall spirits Without the helpe of food fumes or perfumes Perfumes or fumes let her alone I 'le search out The tricke on 't Pen. Lead me gently heauens reward ye Griefes are sure friends they leaue without controule Nor cure nor comforts for a leprous soule Exeunt the maids supporting Penthea Bass. I grant t' ee and will put in practice instantly What you shall still admire 't is wonderfull 'T is super singular not to be match'd Yet when I 'ue don 't I 'ue don 't ye shall all thanke mee Exit Bassanes Arm. The sight is full of terror Ith. On my soule Lyes such an infinite clogge of massie dulnesse As that I haue not sense enough to feele it See Vncle th' augury thing returnes againe Shall 's welcome him with Thunder we are haunted And must vse exorcisme to coniure downe This spirit of maleuolence Arm. Mildly Nephew Enter Nearchus and Amelus Near. I come not Sir to chide your late disorder Admitting that th' inurement to a roughnesse In Souldiers of your yeares and fortunes chiefly So lately prosperous hath not yet shooke off The custome of the warre in houres of leisure Nor shall you need excuse since you are to render Account to that faire Excellence the Princesse Who in her priuate Gallery expect