DRAMATIS PERSONE. AMYCLAS, King of Laconia. ITHOCLES, a Favourite. ORGILUS, Son of Crotolon. BASSANES, a jealous Nobleman. ARMOSTES, a Counsellor of State. PROPHILUS, Friend of Ithocles. HEMOPHIL, } GRONEAS, Courtiers. AMELUS, Friend of Nearchus. PHULAS, Servant to Bassanes. Lords, Courtiers, Officers, Attendants, &c. CALANTHA, Daughter of Amyclas. PENTHEA, Sister of Ithocles and Wife of Bassanes. EUPHRANEA, Daughter of Crotolon, a Maid of honour. THE BROKEN HEART. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I. A Room in CROTOLON'S House. Enter CROTOLON and ORgilus. Crot. Pally not further; I will know the reason That speeds thee to this journey. Org. I can yield many. Crot. Reason! good sir, Give me one, a good one; Such I expect, and ere we part must have: An Areopagite, and judge in cases Touching the commonwealth; for, as I take it, Org. All this I acknowledge. 5 ΙΟ Crot. You do! then, son, if books and love of knowledge Inflame you to this travel, here in Sparta You may as freely study. Org. 'Tis not that, sir. = After so many quarrels as dissension, Fury, and rage had broached in blood, and sometimes With death to such confederates as sided With now-dead Thrasus and yourself, my lord; 20 Our present king, Amyclas, reconciled Your eager swords and sealed a gentle peace; Friends you professed yourselves; which to confirm, A resolution for a lasting league Betwixt your families was entertained, By joining in a Hymenean bond Me and the fair Penthea, only daughter Crot. Org. What of this? 25 Much, much, dear sir. A freedom of convérse, an interchange Can eat into the pledge: we had enjoyed Crot. Most certain. 30 35 Org. From this time sprouted-up that poisonous stalk Of aconite, whose ripened fruit hath ravished All health, all comfort of a happy life; For Ithocles, her brother, proud of youth, 40 The memory of former discontents, To glory in revenge. By cunning partly, Partly by threats, he woos at once, and forces With Bassanes, a nobleman, in honour 45 And riches, I confess, beyond my fortunes. Crot. All this is no sound reason to impórtune My leave for thy departure. Now it follows Org. Crot. Org. 50 55 As how, pray? Bassanes, The man that calls her wife, considers truly All eyes who gaze upon that shrine of beauty He doth resolve do homage to the miracle; If opportunity but sort, prevail : So much, out of a self-unworthiness, 60 65 His fears transport him; not that he finds cause 70 Crot. You spin out your discourse. 75 Hence, from hence, I undertake a voluntary exile ; 80 Crot. Enough, my Orgilus, enough. To Athens, I give a full consent.-Alas, good lady!— We shall hear from thee often? Org. Often. See, 85 Thy sister comes to give a farewell. Euph. Enter EUPHRANEA. Brother! Org. Euphranea, thus upon thy cheeks I print I must prefer a suit t' ye. Euph. My brother, a command. You may style it, 90 |