CALANTHA, Daughter of Amyclas. PENTHEA, Sister of Ithocles and Wife of Bassanes. EUPHRANEA, Daughter of Crotolon, a Maid of honour. CHRISTALLA, PHILEMA, } Maids of honour. GRAUSIS, Overseer of Penthea. SCENE-SPARTA. THE BROKEN HEART. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I. A Room in CROTOLON'S House. Enter CROTOLON and ORGilus. Crot. Dally 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 : To kick against the world, turn cynic, stoic, 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. Crot. Not that, sir! As a father, I command thee T'acquaint me with the truth. Org. Thus I obey ye. 16 After so many quarrels as dissension, Fury, and rage had broached in blood, and sometimes With now-dead Thrasus and yourself, my lord; 20 Your eager swords and sealed a gentle peace; Friends you professed yourselves; which to confirm, Betwixt your families was entertained, By joining in a Hymenean bond Me and the fair Penthea, only daughter Crot. 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, And prouder in his power, nourished closely 40 The memory of former discontents, To glory in revenge. By cunning partly, With Bassanes, a nobleman, in honour And riches, I confess, beyond my fortunes. 45 Crot. All this is no sound reason to impórtune My leave for thy departure. Org. Now it follows Beauteous Penthea, wedded to this torture 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 virt 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. Euphranea, thus upon thy cheeks I print I must prefer a suit t' ye. Euph. My brother, a command. 90 You may style it, |