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The Love-Sick Court:
or the Ambitious Politique.

Dramatis Personae.n5225

KING of Thessalyn5695.
PHILOCLESn5219, the Prince, supposed son of the late slain Generaln5693.
EUDINA, the Princess.
DISANIUS
JUSTINIUS		}Two lords.
EUPATHUS,n5226 a gentleman belonging to the King.
STRATOCLES, a politician.
PHILARGUSn5220, a young nobleman, son of the late General, [nephew to Disanius] and [supposed]n4943n5222 twin with Philoclesn5221.
THYMELE, Philargus’n5223 mother
PLACILLA, her daughter.
DORIS, Thymele’s waiting-womann6776.
GERONn5224, a curious coxcombgg3016 and a scholar.
GARRULA, an old midwife, [mother to Geron].
MATHO, a villain, servant to Stratocles.
TERSULUS, a tailor, servant to Philargus.
VARILLUS, a barber, servant to Philocles.
RUSTIC 1
RUSTIC 2
RUSTIC 3
RUSTIC 4
[2 Rustics]
[SOLDIERS]
[Attendants]
[Nymphs who dance]

The scene: Thessaly.

PROLOGUE


2PrologueA little wit, less learning, no poetry
        This playmaker dares boast: ’tis his modesty.
        For though his labours have not found least grace,
        It puffs not him up orgg3456 in mind or face,
        Which makes him rather in the art disclaim
        Bold license, than to arrogategg5914 a name.
        Yet to the wit, the scholar, and the poet,
        Such as the play is, we must dare to show it
        Our judgements to but toon4942; and without fear
        Of giving least offence to any ear.
        If you find pleasure in’t, we boasting none,
        Norgg3457 you nor we lose by expectation.
        Sometimes at poor men’s boardsgg3458 the curious find
        ’Mongst homely fare some unexpected dish,
        Which at great tables they may wantgg491 and wish:
        If in this slight collationgg3227 you will bind
        Us to believe you have pleased your palates here,
        Pray bring your friends wi’ you next, you know your cheergg1410.
ACT ONEn9333
1.1
[Enter] DISANIUS [and] JUSTINIUS [from different doors] meeting.

3DisaniusGood morrow, my good lord. How fares the King?n5233

4JustiniusMore sick in mind than body, by th’opinion
        Not only of the skillful doctors, but of all
        That come about him.

5DisaniusI, that have not seen him
        Since he was sick, can guess then at the cause
        Of his distempergs619. He is sick o’th’ subjectgg3459;
        Th’unquiet commonsgg3460 fill his head and breast
        With their impertinent discontents and strife.
        The peace that his good care has kept ’emn7914 in
        For many years, still feeding them with plenty,
        Hath, like o’er-pamperedn4944 steedsgg3461 that throw their masters,
        Set them at war with him. O misery of kings!
        His virtue breeds their vices, and his goodness
        Pulls all their ills upon him. He has been
        Too long too lenitivegg3462: a thousand heads
        (Or, say, a hundred, or but ten) cut off
        Of the most grossgs620 ones, the prime, leading heads
        Of theirs a month since, had preserved him better
        Than all his doctors’n5227 pills can purge him now.

6JustiniusYou are too sharp, Disanius. There’s a means,
        As mild as other of the King’s clear acts,
        In agitationgg3463 now shall reconcile
        All to a common peace, no doubt.

7DisaniusWhat’s that, Justinius?

8JustiniusStay. Here comes Stratocles.
Enter STRATOCLES.

9DisaniusI fear in that
        Ambitious pategg904 lies the combustiblegg5915 stuff
        Of all this lategg162 commotion.   They confer aside.   

10StratoclesWhy is man
        Prescribedgs1633 on earth to imitate the gods,
        But to come nearest them in power and action?
        That is to be a king! That only thought
        Fills this capacious breast. A king or nothing!n5230

11JustiniusHe’s deep in meditation.

12DisaniusOn no good.
        It is some devilish waking dream affects him.
        I’ll put him outgg22.   [Aloud]   And as I was about
        To say, my lord —

13StratoclesWhat? When, Disanius?

14DisaniusAbout a month since,
        It stick still in my jaws. Be not ambitious,
        Affect not popularity: ’tis the most
        Notable break-neckgg3464 in a kingdom.

15StratoclesIn whom?

16DisaniusI know to whom I speak. Would Stratocles
        As well knew who he is, and what he does:
        It would be better for him. Thank me not,
        I wish it for the King and kingdom’s good,
        Not yours, I do assure you, my great lord;
        Yet mine own peer, if you forget me not.

17StratoclesYou take your time, sir, to make me your mirth.
        A time may come –

18DisaniusWhen you may be my king,
        And then up goes Disaniusn5231. Is’t not so?

19StratoclesYes, up to court, to be King Stratocles’ fool.

20DisaniusThe court now privileges thee, or I would changegg203
        A cuffgg3465 with your great soldiership and popular greatness
        With clowns and citizens and gentryn5232, sprung
        By their late peaceful wealth out of their dungn4945.
        But let ’em thank our pious King, not you
        That claim (as merit for your service done)
        Their loves and voices.

21JustiniusCease, my lords, this strife!
        The King may hear on’t, whose perplexitiesgg5916
        Already are too grievous. Pray be silent,
        The King approaches.
Enter KING and EUPATHUS [in conversation].n4946

22DisaniusWe’ll attendgs621 his entrance.

23KingUpon those terms they are come then, Eupathus?

24EupathusFour of the chief in the commotion,
        Upon the engagement of my faith, that you
        Had passed your kingly word for their return
        In safety, I have brought to court, who waitgg318
        Your presentgs378 will and pleasure.

25KingBring ’em in.[Exit EUPATHUS]
        Disanius, welcome. I thought well to send for you
        To take a counsellor’s part of my late cares
        Into your consideration.

26DisaniusI attend
        Your Highness’ pleasure.

27KingNearer, good Disanius.   They talk privately.   

28Stratocles   [Aside]   Do you deal in secret, King? The commons sent for
        To their examinationn5234, and this old
        Antagonist of mine called to confront me,
        And I prepared by no intelligence
        To fitgs622 me for th’encounter? Let ’em come.
        I must not be denied to stand as fair
        In competition for the crown as any man
        The King himself elects for his successor.
        The people are mine own through all his partsgg4491:
        He may command their knees, but I their hearts.

29KingStratocles, Justinius, Disanius, sit.
        My lords, although our laws of Thessaly
        To you, as well as to ourself, are known,
        And all our customs, yet for order’s sake
        I shall lay open one to you. That is, when
        A king deceaseth without issuegg2097 male
        (As I unfortunately must) the commons
        Are to elect their king, provided that
        He be of noble blood, a soldier, and one
        That has done public service for the crown –

30StratoclesThat makes for me.

31KingOr else the son of some
        Great general slain in battle for his country
        (As my Adrastusn7633 was).

32DisaniusO my brave brother!

33KingTwenty years’ sorrow for that soldier’s loss
        Has not worn out his memory.

34StratoclesYour grace
        Forgets not then soldiers of fresher fame.

35KingSome other time to boast, good Stratocles.

36Disanius   [To STRATOCLES]   ’Twere good you’d hear the King.   [To the KING]   A general
        Or a general’s son may be elected. There
        Your Majesty leftgg353.

37KingOr if the sonless king
        Yet has a daughter, and he match her in
        His lifetime to a husband that is noble,
        Hen5235 stands immediate heir unto the crown
        Against all contradiction.

38StratoclesNow think upon my service, royal sir.

39DisaniusNow think upon my nephews, royal master,
        The sons of brave Adrastus, who was slain
        Twenty years since in fighting of your battle.

40Stratocles   [To DISANIUS]   ’Twere good you would hear the King.n5236   [To the KING]   The husband of
        Your daughter must be elected. There you left, sir.

41KingIt rests now that a speedy choice be made
        Of a fitgs420 husband, one that may acquire
        Eudina’s love, and people’s approbationgg3112.
        The people, for whose noisegs1634 I must not rest
        Till my successor be appointed to them,
        Are wild till this electiongg828 be made:
        They have, in arms, made their demand, and waitgg318
        My present answer.
Enter EUPATHUSn7915 [with] four RUSTICS.

42DisaniusOh, here they come. These be the principals,
        The heads, the heads, forsooth they call themselves:
        Head-carpenter, head-smith, head-ploughman, and head-shepherd.n7726

43KingNay, pray approach, and seem no more abashedgg3466
        Here than amongst your giddygg5917-headed routsgg3467,
They all kneel.
        Where every man’s a king, and wage your powers
        ’Gainst mine in foul defiance. Freely speak
        Your grievance and your full demand.

441. Rustic’Tis humbly all expressed in this petition.   [Handing over petition]n7727   

452. Rustic   [To other RUSTICS]   By all means have a care that, to any question, we give the King good words to his face. He is another manner of man here than we took him for at home.

463. RusticI sweat for’t. I am sure I have scarce a dry threadn9197 in my leather liningsgg3468.

474. RusticThey made us heads i’ the country. But if our headships now, with all our country care, should be hanged up at court for displeasing of this good King, for the next king’s good our necks will not be set right again in the next king’s reign,n9196 I take it.

481. RusticMy head itches to be at home again.

492. RusticMy heartn4947 itches to be at home again.

503. RusticMy head and heart both aches with fear. Would I were honestly hanged out o’ the way to be rid on’tgg776.

51King   [Indicating petition]   There you may read, my lords, what we before
        Foundgs623 would be their demand. ’Tis for a king
        That must succeed me.

52DisaniusAnd because you have
        Governed them long in peace, by which they thrive,
        Their wisdom would have you entailgg3469 that piecen5237gs624
        On them for after-times; and so they nominate
        Ambitious Stratocles to be your heir.

53StratoclesEnvious Disanius, my merit is
        Their motive.

54KingCease your strife.   [To RUSTICS]   You have stood more inclined
        To lay your choice on Philocles or Philargus,
        The twin-born sons of long-since slain Adrastus.

551. RusticMay’t please your majesty, we are informed
        That in their travelsn5238 unto Delphosn5694 , both
        Of them are dead.

56DisaniusThat information
        Was merely by suggestion (I dare speak it)n5696
        Insinuated by Stratocles. They both live
        And are upon return.

571. RusticWould we knew that.n5697
        Lord Stratocles then should pardon us. He’s a man
        Gracious amongst us. But –

582. RusticPhilargus! O
        Philargus, be he living.

593. RusticI say Philocles!
        Brave Philocles is the man.

60Stratocles   [Aside]   False, empty weathercocksgg3845.

614. RusticI say Lord Stratocles is the man we know
        And ought to honour.

62Stratocles   [Aside]   There lives yet some hope.

63JustiniusWhat strange confusion’s this? Or whither will
        You run by several ways? ‘Philargus’, one;
        Another, ‘Philocles’; a third cries ‘Stratocles’.
        In this you say you’ll have no king at all.
        This must be reconciled, or you pull ruin
        Upon yourselves. He whom the King is pleased
        To give his daughter to must be your king.

641. RusticAll that we crave (and that upon our knees)n5698
        Is that the King will graciously be pleased
        To make a speedy choice, and give us leave
        With pardon to depart and signify
        His royal pleasure to the doubtful countriesgg1959.

65KingTell ’em they shall expectgs1635, then, but a month,
        In which short time my daughter’s marriage
        Shall be consummate.

66All Rus[tics]The gods protect your majesty.Exit RUSTICS.

67KingAnd now, my lords, the commons being at peace,
        Let me prevail your private jarsgg1231 to cease.[They all exit.]n11290
1.2
[Enter] EUDINA [and] THYMELE weeping.

68EudinaMadam, the cause is mine; ’tis mine to mourn
        In chief, if they be dead. They were your sons,
        ’Tis true, and though they were your only comforts
        Upon this earth, you but resign to heaven
        The blessings that it lent you. But to me
        They were a pair of equal lovers; and
        By me so equally beloved; and by
        The King, my father, so ’bove all men respected
        That I by either had been made a queen,
        Which title I forever will disclaim
        If they be dead.

69ThymeleO my Philargus. O my Philocles!
        Ye gods, I know they did not seek your counsels
        Nor dare to approach your altars, butgs307 with all
        Due reverence and required ceremony.
        And could your Delphian oraclen5699, when they
        Were friendly competitionersgg3846 for love,
        Answer them but with death?

70EudinaThe rumour, madam,
        Carries so little show of truth, that you
        Do ill to take so deepgs1186 a sense of it;
        Much worse t’expostulate, as if you had
        An injury done you by the gods. Have you
        Been from mine infancy my governess
        And careful counsel-giver? And must I
        Find cause to chidegg1365 you now? Come, dry these tears.
Enter GARRULA.

71GarrulaWhere’s my sweet princess?
        Where’s my lady governess?

72EudinaOh Garrula, welcome. I could never wish
        Thy company more usefully, for thou bring’st
        Some recreationgs709 on thy countenance always.

73GarrulaI am glad my countenance pleases you. It may,
        For I have on it now (could you discern ’em)
        A thousand joys dancing within these wrinkles
        More than my feeble, failing tongue can utter.
        And that’s a grief to me ’mong all my joys;
        The failing of the tongue, the tongue, the tonguen5700
        Is a great grief to any woman. But
        To one in years, and well in yearsgg2128, as I am,
        It is a grief indeed, more than the loss
        Of any other membergg1311.

74EudinaBut I pray thee,
        Let not that grief deprive us of the hearing
        Of, at least, one of thy whole thousand joys.

75Garrula’Tis a report of joy and wonder, princess;
        Enough to make not only you, and youn5702,
        But King and kingdom glad, could I but utter’t.

76EudinaThou dost speak well enough, and enough too.
        I pray thee tell it.

77Thymele’Tis some feignèdgg1860n4948 stuff
        She hopes to palliategg3847 our sorrows with.

78Garrula’Tis a report, worth more than all the stories
        That I myself have told in child-bed chambers,
        To restore spirit to the pallidgg3848 flesh.
        And I have been a woman as good at it
        (Without vain boast be’t spoke) as any shen5703
        In Thessaly, that e’er durst undertake
        The officegg352 of a midwife. And that the Queen
        Your mother knew, when I delivered her
        Of the sweet babe (yourself). She is in bliss
        Now in Elysiumgg3293. But you, Madam Governess,
        Can yetgg1497 remember good old Garrula,
        That took into the light your twin-born sons,
        And thereby hangs a talen7888 –

79ThymeleWhat means this woman?n5704

80EudinaGood Garrula, thy news? Thy presentgs378 story?

81Garrula’Tis such a storyn5706 that could I but utter’t
        With volubility of tongue! – But oh
        This tongue, that fails me now, for all the helps
        Of syrups and sweet sippings. I still go
        Providedn5705, as you see, to cherish it.
        And yet it falters with me.
She sips oft of a bottle at her girdlegg3849.n4949

82EudinaWe shall ha’t
        Anongg236 I hope.
Enter PLACILLA.
        Placilla, what’s your news?

83Placilla’Tis excellent, madam. And I was ambitious
        To bring you the first taste of it. But if
        Garrula has in that preventedn5707 me,
        I can with no less joy relate it yet.
        My brothers are returned, and safe, from Delphos.

84ThymeleBe thou as true as th’oracle.

85EudinaNow, madam.n5710

86PlacillaMother, ’tis true.

87Garrula’Tis that I would ha’ told you
        Had not my tongue failed me i’th’ utterance.

88EudinaThy tongue ran fast enough, but lost its way.

89PlacillaThree minutes, madam, brings ’em to your presence.

90Eudina   [To THYMELE]   How is it with you, madam? Let not joy
        Begetgg5189 a worse effect than did your fears.
THYMELE swoundsgg3853.
        Help, Garrula.

91Garrula’Odsgg3854 pity, what d’ye mean?
        Madam, look up, and speak up too, you were best,
        Do you know who talks to you? Speak; and speak well too.
        I shall speak that will be worse for you else.
        Madam, you know that I know what I known5715.

92ThymeleI am well, I thank you, Garrula.

93GarrulaOh, are you so?

94Eudina   [Aside]   I have observed that often in her language,
        This chatt’ring midwife glancethgg3858 at the knowledge
        Of some strange hidden thing, which, like as with
        A charm, she keeps my governess in awe with.
        I guess it but some trifle, for I know
        The lady is right virtuous; yet it may
        Be worth my inquisitiongg5918 at fitgg761 time.

95ThymeleYou have felt the comforts of my friendship, Garrula,
        And had you common charity, you’d forbeargs711 me.

96GarrulaI– – done, madamn5721. Be secure. But yet,
        Though I forbeargs712 to speak, I not forget.

97EudinaYou have not yet, Placilla, told the means
        Of your rich knowledge.
A shout and crying ‘PHILARGUS’ and ‘PHILOCLES’, etc.n4950

98PlacillaNor shall I need now, madam.
        These shouts of joy that followed them to Court
        Attend them to your presence.

99EudinaOh, let us meet ’em. Madam, come away.

100ThymeleO ye gods, I thank ye.They exit; GARRULA remains.n4951

101GarrulaI have a son there too, as dear to me
        As any mother’s only born can be,
        Whose name’s not voiced with theirs. Yet by your favour,
        Great Madam Governess, he has discharged
        The office of a governor o’er your sons
        As well as you have over the King’s daughter.
        And they have sucked more of his Helicongg3359
        Than she has of your doctrine:
Sips [t]he bottle.n4952
        which their breeding,
        Together with their travels through his care,
        Will testify (I doubt not) to my honour
        That have brought forth a son of such performance.
Enter DISANIUS, JUSTINIUS, PHILARGUS, PHILOCLES, EUDINA, THYMELE, PLACILLA [and] GERON.

102DisaniusDid not I say ’twas Stratocles that raised
        That hideous rumour of their deaths among
        His wild idolatersgg3859, in hope to gain
        Election by their ignorance and rudeness?

103Justinius’Twas well those factiousgg806 heads were wroughtgg1029 to come
        Before the King to find his clemencygg697,
        And probabilitygg3860n4953 that these were living.

104Disaniusn4954And how they then shrunk in their necksn5725 from Stratocles!
        It has so laidgs713 the flames of his ambition,
        That these may safely now tread out the fire.
        Welcome again, my princely nephews, welcome.

105Phil[argus and Philocles]n4955Thanks, courteous uncle.

106ThymeleYou interrupt me, brother.

107DisaniusGood woman, cry thee mercy. Mothers are such things!

108GarrulaWhy, what things are we mothers?

109Disanius   [Aside]n5726   Oh, the old night-piecen5735 with her dark lanternn4956 by her.

110GarrulaYou’ll give us leave to take
        The comforts due unto us in our age,
        For which we suffered sorrow in our youth!
        Our children are our children, young or old.

111DisaniusSo is my horse, my horse.

112Geronn5815You have replied
        As whilomgg3861 did a counsellor-at-lawgg3862,
        Who said his adversegg3863 advocategg958 had pleaded
        To as much purpose as a hen i’th’ forehead.n7889

113DisaniusGeron, th’art welcome. Thou still keepst thy humourgg222;
        Thy travels ha’ not changed thee. Thou camest home
        As wise as thou wentst out.

114GeronSo whilom said
        A miser, having much increased his store,
        He had as much still as he had before.

115DisaniusEnough, I’ll give thee overgg396.

116ThymeleOh, my dear offspring; every sight of you
        Is a new recompense and satisfaction
        For all the pain and travailn5736gs714 of your birth.
        In you your father’s memory shall live
        Beyond the malice of the grave and death.
        And I, when my rejoicing shall be full,
        And cannot take addition, freely yielding
        My flesh to dust, shall yet be blessed by those
        Who shall give testimonygs1238 to your virtue.

117Philargus’Twere a sufficient spur to noble actions
        To be rewarded butgs29 with your content,
        Which to procure we make our business.

118ThymelePhilocles,
        Your brow is cloudedgg3868. Has the oracle
        Adjudgedgg3869 against you. Praygg3327, let us partakegg3870
        The knowledge of the Delphian decree;
        And which of you stands highest in the favour
        Of wise Apollo, to be husband to
        Princess Eudina here, the kingdom’s heir.
        What speaks the oracle?

119PhiloclesSuch a verdict, madam,
        Requires an Oedipusgg3871 to construegg3872 it.
        I neither know’t, nor am solicitousgg3873
        After the meaning.

120Geronn5816Wisely spoken, pupil.
        So whilom answered an Egyptian porter
        To one demanding what he bore concealed:
        “’Tis therefore covered that thou shouldst not know”.
        The cases are aliken5793.

121EudinaPray, let us hear it.
        Cannot your tutor, Geron, play the Hermesgg3874
        T’interpret it?

122Geronn5816I am not enigmaticalgg3897,
        But all for apothegmsgg3899. Besides, I say
        (As, whilom, Aristippusn5845 of a riddle)
        It is not safe to loosegg5208 what being boundgg3989
        Doth trouble us so much.

123GarrulaLet me come to’t.

124DisaniusYes, by all means. For as one whilom said,
        The blind are best i’th’ dark.n9340

125GarrulaMy lord, your trumpsgg3916
        Are ever shot at me. Blind as I am,
        I perceive that. And make much of your riddle,
        I know both what it can and will come to,
        Better without the sight of it, than all
        You can, with all your wise constructions.
        And so I leave you.

126ThymeleNot in anger, Garrula.

127GarrulaMadam, you know I know.n5874 I must take leave
        To take a nap.   [She] exits.   

128DisaniusAnd Governor Geron, waitgs155 upon your mother;
        Trust our cares with your charge.

129GeronSo whilom said
        A schoolboy, when another raised his topn5875:
        Let me alone, myself can keep it up.   [He] exits.   

130EudinaAnd now let me entreat that we may hear
        The hidden sentence. Happily so many
        May guess at the intent.

131DisaniusShe longs to hearn5876
        Which of the two is prickedgg3483 to be her husband.
[Producing a paper]

132Philoclesn4958Here it is, if there be anything.
[Taking paper]

133DisaniusLet me be clerk. I hope at least to read it:
        Contend not for the jewel which
        Ere long shall both of you enrich.
        Pursue your fortune: for ’tis she
        Shall make you what you seem to be.
        Apollo, thy great wisdom hath quite fooled mine.

134PhiloclesNothing but contradictions.

135ThymeleAs how, Philocles?

136PhiloclesHe commands here:
        Contend not for the jewel– we agree
        Eudina is the jewel– which shall both of you enrich.
        How shall she enrich us both? Can she be wife to us both?
        Then here he bids:
        Pursue your fortune.– And we both agree
        Eudina is that fortune too: she’s both
        The jewel we must not contend for, and
        The fortune we must both pursue. Then here
        He says ’tis she shall make us what we seem to be.
        What do we seem? We are no hypocrites
        In flesh or spirit; no fantasticgs739 bodies
        Or shadowsgg2448 of humanity.

137PhilargusNo, Delphos is but a den of jugglersgg5209 which profanely
        Abuse divinity, and pretend a god
        Their patron to authorise their delusions.

138DisaniusNephews, the gods had need be cautelousgg3951
        For what they speak, if you may be their judges.

139ThymeleWhat thinks good Justinius?

140JustiniusMy lords, here’s two commands:
        One, that you not contend to gain the jewel;
        The other, that you both pursue your fortune.
        Both these commands are thus to be obeyed.
        Contend not for her as to violate
        Your unexampled friendship, which you are
        Renowned for o’er all Greece; and both pursue
        Your fortune in her without eithers’ grudge,
        At tother’sgg1195 happiness in her choice.

141PhilargusNoble Justinius, thanks.

142PhiloclesThis we can do.

143PhilargusAnd for the happiness which we both aspire to,
        We here confirm the friendship long since plightedgg3952,
        Which never shall be broken by Philargus.

144EudinaNoble Philargus.

145PhiloclesSo vows Philocles,
        ’Tis not the cloudy language of the gods
        Shall make our breasts tempestuous or stormy;
        But with the same serenity and quiet
        As heretoforegg3953, our hearts shall mingle stillgg410,
        And fortify their truce. Let the event
        Expound their riddle.n5939 If good, it is our merit;
        If bad, we know our virtue can correct it.
        Meantime, Philargus, take the word of Philocles,
        That though there be no happiness on earth
        I can esteem above Philargus’ friendship,
        But fair Eudina’s love, which only is
        The treasure I can covetgg5919 from Philargus;
        And cannot look to live but to enjoy it
        Rather than justlegg3954 with his friendship, I
        Will die to lose it.

146EudinaNoble Philocles.n7721

147PhilargusYou have made my vow, my brother Philocles,n7720
        And friend, which is above it. I will seek
        And rather die than fail to gain her love:
        But that, and the whole kingdom in addition,
        Must dividen7917 our friendship orgs752 affection.
        As we are twins in birth, we’ll be in mind
        Unto our latestgg3955 breath. Let Greece hereafter
        Forget to mention the Tyndaridesn5940
        With their alternate deitiesn5943, and tell
        Of two Thessalian brothersn5944 couldn5945 refuse
        A happiness (which only is not heaven)n7722
        In detestation of priorityn5946;
        Would not be happy, ’causegg2756 they might not share
        An individualn5948, both time and thing.

148Eudina   [Aside]   Love and ambition (I have heard men say)n7719
        Admit no fellowship; it holds not here.n7723
        These will have neither wife nor crown alone.
        They each desire my love; but neither can
        Enjoy’t unless he were the other man.
        My love is doubly ta’en, yet must gain neither,
        Unless I could enjoy them both together. O ye gods!
        Why made ye them two persons, and assigned
        To both but one inseparable mind?
        Or, why was I marked out to be that one
        That loves and must embrace orgg3456 two or none.
        Oh my perplexitygg5920 !   [She] sinks.   

149DisaniusLook to the princess!

150PhilargusMadam! How fares the life of goodness?

151PhiloclesShe sinks. Dear mother, sister, bring your aids.n7724

152PhilargusTo keep the world aliven7725 give your assistance.

153JustiniusYe gods be now auspiciousgg2609.

154DisaniusA love-qualmgg3958.
        To bed with her and call for Cupid’sgg3708 aid;
        He best can cure the wound that he has made.[They all exit.]n11290

Edited by Eleanor Lowe


n5225   Dramatis Personae. There are several mistakes in this list which suggests that Brome did not create it himself, but that perhaps a member of the printing house put it together. The compiler confuses the characters of Philocles and Philargus, something which is crucial to the resolution of the plot in Act 5, and mistakenly names one of the characters as Euphalus when his entrances denote him as 'Eupathus'. [go to text]

n5695   Thessaly Fertile area in the north-east of Greece surrounded by mountains (including Mount Olympus), here presented as a kingdom. [go to text]

n5219   PHILOCLES ] Philargus [go to text]

n5693   late slain General The General was Adrastus, brother to Disanius, wife to Thymele, and father to Philargus, Placilla and (supposedly) Philocles. [go to text]

n5226   EUPATHUS, ] Euphalus The name only appears in the list of characters, confirming suspicions that this list was not compiled by Brome. Throughout the play, the character appears as 'Eupathus'. [go to text]

n5220   PHILARGUS ] Philocles [go to text]

n5222   [supposed] For the purpose of the plot, the audience needs to believe (as do the majority of the other characters) that Philocles and Philargus are twins. Their true history is revealed in Act 5 by Thymele ([LS 5.3.speech868] onwards). [go to text]

n4943   [supposed] Added by a previous reader of the Folger copy. [go to text]

n5221   Philocles ] Philargus [go to text]

n5223   Philargus’ ] Philocles [go to text]

n6776   Thymele’s waiting-woman However, in Act 3 scene 1, Doris is also referred to by Garrula as Placilla's 'handmaid' [LS 3.1.speech321], which suggests either an error on the part of the drunken midwife, or a fault belonging to whoever compiled the dramatis personae. [go to text]

n5224   GERON Greek for 'old man' (pronounced with a hard 'g' and long 'o') presumably referring to the character's pedantic nature. [go to text]

gg3016   coxcomb conceited ass (the term is derived from the cap worn by professional fools, which was shaped like a cock's crest or comb, which came to be the natural substitute for the word "fool", the emblem representing the man) [go to text]

gg3456   or either [go to text]

gg5914   arrogate claim (without reason or through self-conceit) [go to text]

n4942   but too In the Folger copy of the play, a previous reader has annotated the edition, underlining 'but too' and writing 'boot' in the margin. [go to text]

gg3457   Nor neither [go to text]

gg3458   boards tables [go to text]

gg491   want lack [go to text]

gg3227   collation light meal [go to text]

gg1410   cheer what is provided by way of entertainment: fare, provisions, viands, food (OED n. 6a) [go to text]

n9333   ACT ONE Two equally lengthy scenes make up Act One, both involving several characters on stage and plenty of detailed exposition. The play opens with its central political concern: the King of Thessaly is dying and has no known son to inherit the throne from him, only a daughter, Eudina. Brome provides exposition through a discussion between Disanius and Justinius, both lords and advisors to the King. They also point to two factors threatening the peace of the kingdom: the common people (who have been rioting to demand settlement of the inheritance issue) and Stratocles, the ambitious politician of the play’s sub-title, both of whom are subsequently introduced during the scene.
Stratocles enters almost immediately, meditating on man’s proximity to the gods and the desirability of kingship. It is clear from the conversation which follows that Stratocles and Disanius are at loggerheads (and they continue to bicker throughout the scene), while Justinius functions as pacifier before the King’s entrance.
Emphasis is placed on the national importance of Eudina’s choice of husband: whoever she chooses to marry will inherit the crown and kingdom, and until her choice is made the people do not know who will succeed to the throne. Four Rustics are invited to deliver their petition to the King: a demand for a known successor and for it to be Stratocles. It is revealed that this choice is partly from necessity, since two other strong candidates for the vote are Philargus and Philocles, believed dead whilst journeying to Delphos. When Disanius reveals that this latter was a rumour circulated by Stratocles, the Rustics reconsider their choice but all praise different candidates. The King attempts to impose order by stating that the decision will be made within the month.
Scene Two begins in direct contrast with Scene One, apparently presenting the female domestic side of court, and introducing the focal character of Scene One and the play in general, Eudina. She and Thymele (mother to Philargus and Philocles) are mourning the supposed death of the two men, thus also taken in by the political scheming of Stratocles. Eudina’s first speech of this scene perfectly encapsulates the key themes which dominate Brome’s play, both demonstrating its focus on neo-platonism and frustrations: she describes Philocles and Philargus as ‘a pair of equal lovers … equally beloved’, both respected by the King. This is not going to be a straightforward plot involving a pair of lovers whose union is forbidden. On the contrary, marital union is the yearned for conclusion; the sticking point is that Eudina loves the brothers equally (and they love her and each other in equal measure also) and neither she nor her father, the King, can decide which of them she should marry. The rest of the plot hangs on this impasse, tests it, ridicules and mimics it.
Light relief is brought in the form of the midwife, Garrula, who constantly sips from a flask at her side. Despite carrying an extremely important and joyful message (that the men are returned home), Garrula’s verbosity prevents her from delivering it, and the boys’ sister, Placilla, is instead bearer of the good news. When Thymele swoons at the news, Brome gives Eudina the opportunity to reveal her suspicions of some secret knowledge between Thymele and Garrula in an aside to the audience. This secret is continually hinted at and used as a threat by Garrula throughout the play (no doubt with plenty of winking and nose-tapping) until its resolution in the final act. Placilla, Thymele and Eudina’s exit to be reunited with the twins gives Garrula time to describe her own son, Geron.
Finally the wonder boys, Philargus and Philocles, enter the stage, bringing with them their relatives, the King’s advisors and the message fetched from the Oracle. A sketchy interpretation of the riddle suggests they must contend for Eudina’s love, but both swear allegiance to each other as well as to her. The scene also cleverly juxtaposes Philargus and Philocles with their ‘governor’, Garrula’s son, Geron, whose bookish learning has made him less than an attractive prospect in marriage to one female servant. Like his mother, Geron also provides some comic relief, with repetitious phrases and scholarly references which are either inappropriate or misunderstood by the rest of the assembled company. The scene ends when Eudina, overcome by the difficulty of choosing between Philargus and Philocles, faints, the cerebral and emotional decision affecting her physically. This moment would also serve as a summary of the play in dumb show. [go to text]

n5233   How fares the King? Disanius' question is supposed to inform the audience that he is newly arrived to court. Later in the scene, while the King discusses affairs with Disanius privately, Stratocles refers to him as an 'old/ Antagonist of mine called to confront me' [LS 1.1.speech28], suggesting an old rivalry between the two, also supposed by Disanius' wish to fight with Stratocles [LS 1.1.speech20]. [go to text]

gs619   distemper ill health, disorder [go to text]

gg3459   subject one (or a group) ruled by a monarch [go to text]

gg3460   commons common people, community; also those who represent them (in England, the Lower House of Parliament) [go to text]

n7914   ’em MacLeod modernises the original text's 'hem' to 'him', but this edition argues that Disanius is referring to the Commons, and therefore the emendation should be to 'em' for 'them'. [go to text]

n4944   o’er-pampered ] ore pampered [go to text]

gg3461   steeds horses (used for state occasions or war) [go to text]

gg3462   lenitive lenient, gentle [go to text]

gs620   gross flagrant, striking, monstrous [go to text]

n5227   doctors’ ] doctors. Moving the apostrophe to signify one doctor would also make sense, however Justinius has referred to 'doctors' earlier [LS 1.1.speech4]. [go to text]

gg3463   agitation motion, discussion [go to text]

gg904   pate head [go to text]

gg5915   combustible easily kindled to violence or passion (OED, a. and n. 2) [go to text]

gg162   late recent [go to text]

gs1633   Prescribed ordered, directed (in writing beforehand) [go to text]

n5230   A king or nothing! Stratocles' ambitious thoughts are resonant of Doctor Faustus, the protagonist of Marlowe's play, who muses in Scene 1 that despite his extensive knowledge he remains an earth-bound human being: 'Yet are thou still but Faustus, and a man' (1.23). Like Faustus (and Ben Jonson's Sejanus), Stratocles desires power, honour and fame, and like Faustus, he falls from favour, though without resorting to necromancy or by selling his soul to the devil; Stratocles' tactics are political, that is, the use of rumour and hearsay, and power harnessed by wooing the people and (as he intends) marrying into the monarchic family. [go to text]

gg22   put him out to forget one's lines (or words); for further examples of this usage, see also Moth, 'They do not mark me, and that brings me out' (Love’s Labour’s Lost, 5.2.172); and Coriolanus, 5.3.40-2, 'Like a dull actor now/ I have forgot my part, and I am out/ Even to a full disgrace.' [go to text]

gg3464   break-neck i.e. breaker of necks [go to text]

n5231   up goes Disanius Disanius mocks Stratocles' combined warning and politician's promise that one day he may have greater power and use it to elevate Disanius' status too. Alternatively, this could be a reference to hanging, i.e. that when Stratocles gains the throne he will do away with anyone who has questioned or threatened his authority. [go to text]

gg203   change (v) exchange [go to text]

gg3465   cuff blow [go to text]

n5232   gentry The following clause only refers to the gentry, not to the clowns and citizens too. This is a topical reference to the aspirant English middle classes, ever keen on social climbing, and Brome's metaphor seems to be to asparagus, which indeed grew from human dung in London's gardens, as featured in The Sparagus Garden. [go to text]

n4945   dung ] dongue. OED directs one to 'dung' so it has been adopted it here. [go to text]

gg5916   perplexities troubles, complicated circumstances [go to text]

n4946   Enter KING and EUPATHUS [in conversation]. Obviously the King and Eupathus need to begin their entrance just before they are noticed by Justinius. [go to text]

gs621   attend wait for; expect; ready to be of service [go to text]

gg318   wait await [go to text]

gs378   present immediate, current [go to text]

n5234   To their examination to be examined [go to text]

gs622   fit prepare [go to text]

gg4491   parts attributes, qualities, abilities, gifts [go to text]

gg2097   issue child, offspring [go to text]

n7633   Adrastus Also the name of Polynices' father-in-law, upon whom he calls for assistance when attempting to reclaim the reign of Thebes which he had agreed to share with his brother, Eteocles, after their father (Oedipus) had retired. The brothers are referenced by Philargus in Act 5 when contemplating that he and Philocles cannot share Eudina, unlike a kingdom [LS 5.1.speech686]. [go to text]

gg353   left left off [go to text]

n5235   He i.e. the husband [go to text]

n5236   ’Twere good you would hear the King. Stratocles demonstrates his petty rivalry with his 'antagonist' Disanius by repeating the latter's formula of reprimand for speaking in place of the King, followed by a 'helpful' (yet unctuous) reminder of where he left off speaking, demonstrative of Stratocles' oily political ambition. [go to text]

gs420   fit suitable, proper [go to text]

gg3112   approbation approval, satisfaction [go to text]

gs1634   noise disturbance, clamour; common talk; reputation [go to text]

gg828   election choice, preference [go to text]

gg318   wait await [go to text]

n7915   EUPATHUS MacLeod emends this, explaining it as a printer's error for 'Euphalus', however no explanation is given other than that the dramatis personae is being trusted. This edition argues that the dramatis personae contains enough errors to suggest its compilation by someone other than the author, perhaps within the printing house. [go to text]

n7726   Head-carpenter, head-smith, head-ploughman, and head-shepherd. Video This scene is particularly complex because the stage is congested with both the seated King and counsellors, and kneeling Rustics, whose asides need to be audible to the audience. Two workshopped stagings are recorded in the following video clips. In the first, the King is positioned stage centre, with Justinius and Disanius on one side and Stratocles on the other; the Rustics enter and kneel along the stage-front, after bowing individually to the King as Disanius names their titles (which could also be signified by key items of clothing or tools) . One problem with this staging is that the Rustics have their backs to the audience; the solution was to have Eupathus (as general court messenger) urge them to turn around away from the King (while he considers their petition), facing the audience, so that their asides are audible .
The second possible staging angles the presentation, placing the King in the upstage right-hand corner, again with Disanius and Justinius on one side and Stratocles on the other; a consequence of this diagonal presentation is that Stratocles occupies the central position on stage, with the Rustics assembled on stage left . In this version, recorded with a different set of actors, the tension between Disanius (here played by Mike Burrell) and Stratocles (Alan Morrissey) was palpable, and clearly irked the sickly King (Philip Cumbus) during its full performance. [go to text]

gg3466   abashed disconcerted, subdued [go to text]

gg5917   giddy foolish, angry, excitable [go to text]

gg3467   routs rowdy fellows, company [go to text]

n7727   [Handing over petition] Video In the workshop it became clear that if the Rustics are already kneeling, it is difficult for them to present the petition, unless Eupathus acts as a go-between for them to the King and does not sit. Sam Alexander (who plays Eupathus in ) experimented with ushering the Rustics on and off the stage. [go to text]

n9197   I have scarce a dry thread Either the Rustic has wet himself or is sweating excessively, both from fear at being in the presence of the King. [go to text]

gg3468   linings inner linings of clothing; underwear [go to text]

n9196   our necks will not be set right again in the next king’s reign, The fourth Rustic is anxious that he and his fellows might be made an example of with some kind of punishment (punning on the dual meaning of 'head' as 'representative' or 'leader' and as part of the body), perhaps by hanging. This latter action is not something the next king will be able to undo, since, being hanged, they will be dead. [go to text]

n4947   heart ] head. This change means that the Third Rustic repeats and compounds both his fellows' statements. [go to text]

gg776   on’t of it [go to text]

gs623   Found suspected, thought [go to text]

gg3469   entail bestow on (permanently) [go to text]

gs624   piece form of action (bequest), function, quality (OED n. 5) [go to text]

n5237   piece It is tempting to alter this to 'peace', to echo the line above, however this edition reads the repetition as an intended pun, especially since the two words as set by the compositor in octavo follow modern spelling in denoting difference in meaning. 'Piece' fits the second context of bequeathal, and although 'peace' would make sense, the former choice contributes an extra layer of meaning. [go to text]

n5238   travels ] travails. This edition chooses the journeying aspect as the primary meaning, however, exertion and toil (travails) is an obvious secondary meaning. [go to text]

n5694   Delphos This is the 'usual Elizabethan name for Delphi'; according to Sugden, a Greek city, south of Thessaly, situated on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus. It was the site of the famous Delphic oracle of the god Apollo, which provided answers to questions put by visitors. Thus, in The City Wit, 3.4, Toby says 'You are more dark than Delphos' [CW 3.4.speech511]. [go to text]

n5696   (I dare speak it) Disanius takes a moment mid-sentence to reassure himself he can name Stratocles as the origin of the rumour that the twins have died. An actor may wish to experiment between delivering this as an aside directed to the audience or something uttered under his breath. Perhaps Disanius also checks the proximity of the King and Stratocles to him when he speaks these words. [go to text]

n5697   Would we knew that. I wish we had known that (before making our decision to choose Stratocles). [go to text]

gg3845   weathercocks weather-vane designed to point in the direction from which the wind is blowing, often in the shape of a cockerel; used of persons who are changeable, inconstant (likely to change their minds with the wind or common opinion) [go to text]

n5698   (and that upon our knees) There are two main significations of this line: the First Rustic is reiterating the Rustics' subservience to the King by pointing to its physical demonstration; the second supposes that the Rustics become excitable upon learning that the twins are not dead, and leap up in recommendation of each of their preferred choices, returning to their knees for this speech in humble deference to the King. [go to text]

gg1959   countries counties; rural regions outside of London/Middlesex and Westminster; generally, neither court nor city [go to text]

gs1635   expect wait (for) [go to text]

gg1231   jars discord, want of harmony, disagreement; a divergence or conflict of opinions (OED 5) [go to text]

n11290   [They all exit.] ] Exeunt Omnes. [go to text]

gs307   but except [go to text]

n5699   Delphian oracle Belonging to the god Apollo and Greece's most important oracle, it is more commonly called the Delphic oracle, however this edition preserves the original 'Delphian' since a change would sometimes affect the metre (although Brome clearly also uses it as a disyllabic word). Worshippers could present questions and receive an answer supposedly from Apollo, delivered through one of his priestesses. Philargus and Philocles have visited the oracle to determine which of them should marry Eudina and inherit the kingdom of Thessaly. [go to text]

gg3846   competitioners competitors; fellow-petitioners, co-petitioners (OED 1 and 2) [go to text]

gs1186   deep profound, earnest [go to text]

gg1365   chide give loud and angry expression to dissatisfaction and displeasure; scold (OED 1b) [go to text]

gs709   recreation pleasure, entertainment, comfort [go to text]

n5700   the tongue, the tongue, the tongue This repetition could point to Garrula's drunken forgetfulness, so that the actor playing this part might choose to forget what she is saying part-way through the line. It may also prepare the audience for Garrula's unsubtle hints that she possesses concealed knowledge (which Thymele does not want her to reveal), the tongue being the organ of speech. It is also possible that Garrula distracts herself with the word 'tongue', pointing to a latent penis joke. See also The Antipodes, 4.1., where the Man-Scold uses 'tongue' in a context where one might expect 'penis' [AN 4.1.speech753]. [go to text]

gg2128   well in years old [go to text]

gg1311   member part of the body; penis [go to text]

n5702   and you Presumably Garrula points to Thymele after Eudina, since they are the only two onstage. It forms another of Garrula's threats to reveal information. [go to text]

n4948   feignèd ] faign'd. Although the original text's apostrophe signifies a short 'e', the metre requires a grave accent. [go to text]

gg1860   feignèd invented [go to text]

gg3847   palliate alleviate, relieve (OED v. 1) [go to text]

gg3848   pallid pale, faint (in colour) [go to text]

n5703   she i.e. woman [go to text]

gg352   office service, duty, employment, responsibility [go to text]

gg3293   Elysium 'The supposed state or abode of the blessed after death in Greek mythology' (OED). [go to text]

gg1497   yet still [go to text]

n7888   thereby hangs a tale Proverbial (Tilley, T48), i.e. there's a story to be told about that. [go to text]

n5704   What means this woman? There are two main options for performance of this line: either Thymele is feigning ignorance and surprise at Garrula's words and interrupts in order to silence her; or, Thymele is irritated by Garrula's threat to disclose the information and unsure what Garrula is trying to achieve by revealing it. [go to text]

gs378   present immediate, current [go to text]

n5706   ’Tis such a story Garrula's storytelling is reminiscent of the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet 2.4, who teases Juliet whilst interrupting the news she delivers from Romeo in complaining of various bodily aches. The character of Closet in Brome's A Mad Couple Well Matched is another midwife who finds it difficult to relay messages, in her case due to a bad memory (see [MC 2.2.speech412]). [go to text]

n5705   Provided Garrula refers to the bottle she carries on her which contains 'medicinal' (i.e. alcoholic) liquids. [go to text]

n4949   She sips oft of a bottle at her girdle. This stage direction has been moved from its marginal position alongside the speech. [go to text]

gg3849   girdle belt worn around the waist, from which personal items could be suspended [go to text]

gg236   Anon soon; immediately; in good time [go to text]

n5707   prevented i.e. by delivering the news already [go to text]

n5710   Now, madam. It seems evident that Thymele gives some physical response to the news, such as falling to her knees, prompting Eudina to assist her. That Eudina's line is directed to Thymele (not Placilla) is compounded by Placilla's response to her mother, not Eudina. Eudina further enquires as to Thymele's health at [LS 1.2.speech90] shortly before Thymele faints. Eudina could also be sharing Thymele's hope and joy that the news is correct. [go to text]

gg5189   Beget generate, father [go to text]

gg3853   swounds faints, swoons [go to text]

gg3854   ’Ods God's (abbreviated oath) [go to text]

n5715   you know that I know what I know This and the line above form Garrula's thinly-veiled threats to reveal Thymele's secret, but also serve to alert the audience to the anticipation of intrigue and a revelation. [go to text]

gg3858   glanceth alludes or refers (to) [go to text]

gg5918   inquisition investigation, scrutiny [go to text]

gg761   fit (a) appropriate; necessary [go to text]

gs711   forbear spare; leave (me) alone [go to text]

n5721   I– – done, madam Either these dashes indicate a short pause, during which Garrula changes her mind about what she is to say and decides to acquiesce to Thymele's demand, or they represent a compositorial error, or misreading of the copy text. 'Am' would fit the metrical gap left by the dashes. [go to text]

gs712   forbear cease, refrain (from) [go to text]

n4950   A shout and crying ‘PHILARGUS’ and ‘PHILOCLES’, etc. This direction has been moved from its original position in the right-hand margin alongside Eudina and Placilla's lines. [go to text]

n4951   They exit; GARRULA remains. ] Ex.omnes pret. Garula [go to text]

gg3359   Helicon a mountain in Beotia, in myth the haunt of the Muses, and thus a figure for art, especially poetry [go to text]

n4952   Sips [t]he bottle. Moved from original marginal position alongside Garrula's speech. [go to text]

gg3859   idolaters devoted admirers, worshippers [go to text]

gg806   factious seditious [go to text]

gg1029   wrought (literally) moulded, shaped; (in context) persuaded [go to text]

gg697   clemency mercy, leniency [go to text]

n4953   probability ] probabilily (MacLeod) [go to text]

gg3860   probability outcome; likelihood of this happening [go to text]

n4954   Disanius ] Phila. The Folger copy reader has annotated this speech prefix, pointing out that it is Disanius who must speak these words to his nephews. The error of 'Phila.' is probably confusion of prefixes in the copy text where the next line should be spoken as a response from both brothers. [go to text]

n5725   shrunk in their necks as if snails, drawing in their heads for protection [go to text]

gs713   laid cause to subside [go to text]

n4955   Phil[argus and Philocles] Although the original speech prefix is 'Phil.' it is clear that both brothers speak in response to their uncle, as suggested by the erroneous speech prefix in the line above (which must be spoken by their uncle, since it references his nephews). [go to text]

n5726   [Aside] Disanius could deliver this as an aside to the audience or to other characters onstage (such as Justinius), however it is clear that he does not allow Garrula to overhear him. [go to text]

n5735   night-piece Williams' second definition of 'piece' is that it is used of a woman and often in disparaging terms, while MacLeod glosses as 'mistress', which is supported by Middleton's A Chaste Maid in Cheapside where the expression is used of a mistress: 'some merchants would ... dye/ Their conscience in the bloods of prodigal heirs/ To deck their night-piece' (1.2.41-44).
Additionally informing Disanius' description is Garrula's status as a midwife, with its nocturnal duties. His reference to her 'lantern' presumably means the bottle she carries at her girdle, so she is likened to the traditional presentation of the man in the moon, with lantern, dog and bush (as in the play within A Midsummer Night's Dream), or simply that just as a lantern befits someone who works at night, the bottle suits Garrula as a metonymic marker. The 'dark lantern' or 'lanthorne' might refer to the vessel's construction out of horn, or point to the dark colouration of the liquid contained within. [go to text]

n4956   lantern ] lanthorne [go to text]

n5815   Geron ] Gar. From this point there are three mistaken speech prefixes which muddle 'Gar.' for Garrula and 'Ger.' for Geron. The repetition of Geron's 'whilom' identify which of the lines properly belong to him and not his mother. MacLeod's edition also notes these errors, as does the previous reader of the Folger copy, who emends 'Gar.' to 'Ger.'. [go to text]

gg3861   whilom in times past [go to text]

gg3862   counsellor-at-law one who gives legal advice to clients, barrister [go to text]

gg3863   adverse opposite in position [go to text]

gg958   advocate lawyer [go to text]

n7889   To as much purpose as a hen i’th’ forehead. 'As fat as a hen in the forehead' is proverbial (Tilley, H416). The suggestion that Geron is demonstrating his muddled learning here by misquoting the proverb is supported by Lyly's Mother Bombie. Accio, described as an 'idiot boy' in the dramatis personae, says: 'I'll warrant 'tis to as much purpose as a hem in the forehead' (4.2.9), to which the response comes: 'There was an ancient proverb knocked in the head'.
MacLeod additionally suggests that The Love-Sick Court could present a printer's error of 'hen' for 'hem', so that 'the meaning may lie with the definition of hem – a guttural sound made in clearing the throat. This would better fit the context since a guttural utterance in the forehead is unintelligible, as is the 'adverse Advocate's' legal argument.' [go to text]

gg222   humour mood, temper, attitude, frame of mind [go to text]

gg396   give thee over finish, give up, i.e. stop (OED, give, v. 63) [go to text]

gs714   travail exertion and suffering of childbirth [go to text]

n5736   travail ] travel [go to text]

gs1238   testimony evidence, proof [go to text]

gs29   but only [go to text]

gg3868   clouded troubled, obscured [go to text]

gg3869   Adjudged decided, decreed (by judicial sentence) [go to text]

gg3327   Pray a contraction of 'I pray you', or 'I ask you' [go to text]

gg3870   partake share [go to text]

gg3871   Oedipus 'With allusion to Oedipus's deciphering of the riddle of the Sphinx: a person who is clever at solving riddles or puzzles' (OED n) [go to text]

gg3872   construe interpret, decipher [go to text]

gg3873   solicitous anxious, eager [go to text]

n5816   Geron ] Gar. [go to text]

n5793   The cases are alike Because both concern concealment of something: in the Egyptian porter's case, what he is carrying; in the case of the oracle's decree the concealment is of meaning through language. [go to text]

gg3874   Hermes interpreter (in Greek mythology, son of Zeus, skilled in interpretation) [go to text]

n5816   Geron ] Gar. [go to text]

gg3897   enigmatical (good at deciphering) obscure references [go to text]

gg3899   apothegms short, pithy sayings [go to text]

n5845   Aristippus A Greek philosopher, known for the luxuriousness of his living, about whom Diogenes writes. On two occasions he 'loosed' his belongings: upon a journey across the deserts of Africa he told servants to throw away money (as it was too burdensome); on a sea voyage, he threw property overboard (on discovering the ship he was on belonged to pirates) adding that he chose rather to lose his property than his life. [go to text]

gg5208   loose (v) release [go to text]

gg3989   bound obliged, indebted (OED adj.2, 7a) [go to text]

n9340   The blind are best i’th’ dark. Possibly proverbial, but no mention is made in Tilley. [go to text]

gg3916   trumps loud proclamations, triumphant comments (OED, trump, n1. 4) [go to text]

n5874   Madam, you know I know. Perhaps delivered as a warning aside to Thymele, out of earshot of the other characters, while Garrula's final words are spoken to all. [go to text]

gs155   wait tend (upon someone); accompany as a servant [go to text]

n5875   raised his top pulled his hair upwards; or perhaps a reference to a spinning top, a child's toy [go to text]

n5876   She longs to hear Possible aside, either to the audience, or to Justinius. [go to text]

gg3483   pricked selected from a list by marking beside the name [go to text]

n4958   Philocles The octavo has 'Phi.' here, by which either Philocles or Philargus could be meant. This edition augments the abbreviation to 'Philocles' simply because he is speaking in the next few lines, and it doesn't appear to be of too much importance which of the brothers hands over the oracle's message. [go to text]

gs739   fantastic imaginary [go to text]

gg2448   shadows ghosts; delusions [go to text]

gg5209   jugglers tricksters, deceivers [go to text]

gg3951   cautelous cautious [go to text]

gg1195   tother’s other (of two) [go to text]

gg3952   plighted promised, solemnly pledged [go to text]

gg3953   heretofore in times past, formerly [go to text]

gg410   still always; continually; ever; on every occasion [go to text]

n5939   Let the event Expound their riddle. It is unclear whether 'their riddle' refers to the gods (mentioned at the beginning of Philocles' speech) or brothers' hearts. If the latter, the 'event' refers to the pledging of the oath of friendship, perhaps with a physical marker, such as handshaking or embracing (where the 'riddle' is the enigmatic friendship between the two). In the former case, the 'event' could still refer to the pledge, where the 'riddle' is the oracle's declaration (supposed a message from Apollo). [go to text]

gg5919   covet desire, long for (what belongs to another) [go to text]

gg3954   justle push against, collide with [go to text]

n7721   Noble Philocles. Eudina could make her courtesy to Philocles at this point, in formal courtly gratitude for his speech. [go to text]

n7720   You have made my vow, my brother Philocles, Video During the workshop of this scene, it was noted by Brian Woolland, the director, that these formal, poetic speeches are unusually complex syntactically, in direct contrast with Brome's usually translucent, elegant prose. Much time was spent working through the speeches ensuring actors knew what each phrase meant and how it could be delivered. Olivia Darnley, playing Philargus, noted that this speech is to be addressed to Philocles, not Eudina, which sets up an interesting tension between the three characters, as explored by Hannah Watkins (playing Eudina) in her frustrated version of this scene . [go to text]

n7917   Must divide MacLeod follows the handwritten intervention of a previous reader on the Newberry copy by arguing that 'not' has been omitted from between 'must divide'. [go to text]

gs752   or and [go to text]

gg3955   latest last [go to text]

n5940   Tyndarides The name given in Greek myth to twin brothers, Castor and Pollux (whose mother, Leda, was married to Tyndareus, King of Sparta). They are referenced as a classical example of loyal (half-) brothers. See also [LS 5.1.speech686] and [NOTE n7634]. [go to text]

n5943   alternate deities Castor and Pollux can stand in for one another as deities. In some versions of their story, both were sons of Leda and Zeus (who approached her in the form of a swan), in others, only Pollux was Zeus's son, Castor being the natural son of Leda's husband, Tyndareus. [go to text]

n5944   two Thessalian brothers i.e. Philargus and Philocles [go to text]

n5945   could who could [go to text]

n7722   (which only is not heaven) i.e. Eudina, who is one step from heaven; this is Philargus' one deviation in Eudina's direction from his proclamation of love and friendship to Philocles. [go to text]

n5946   In detestation of priority Neither Philocles or Philargus wants to take priority over the other by putting himself forward for Eudina's love and the kingdom. [go to text]

gg2756   ’cause because [go to text]

n5948   individual An individual, by definition, cannot be divided; a rather depersonalised description of the woman both men are vying for, and one that is representative of their neo-platonic love for each other and her. [go to text]

n7719   Love and ambition (I have heard men say) Video During the workshop session, Hannah Watkins (playing Eudina) experimented with different performance modes. In the first clip, she remains between the two brothers and expresses shock at the thought of having both of them on 'O ye gods!' . The acknowledged formality of this staging was highlighted when, in clip 2, Philocles moves to embrace Philargus, breaking the symmetry and enabling Eudina to come forward to the audience ; behind her the brothers engage in a family conference with Thymele and Placilla (their mother and sister). Given the way in which this play is mocking the complicated, courtly ways of constructing relationships and the neo-platonism of Queen Henrietta Maria's court, the actors also experimented with testing the comedic aspects of the scene, delivering a more melodramatic version of Philargus's speech (played by Olivia Darnley) and an exasperated Eudina, who resorts to swooning in order to reclaim the brothers' attention from each other . Although it is not suggested that the play be performed in this way (and given that the workshopped sequence only tests a small section of the text rather than producing a coherent through-reading of character), however it is an interesting experiment which reveals the tensions at work, both for the actors and characters. [go to text]

n7723   it holds not here. i.e. generally it is the case (that ambitious men in love with one woman cannot be friends), but not for Philocles and Philargus. [go to text]

gg3456   or either [go to text]

gg5920   perplexity confusion, uncertainty, distress [go to text]

n7724   Dear mother, sister, bring your aids. In the workshop, the actors experimented with the idea that Philocles and Philargus, as young men, would not be allowed to touch Eudina; therefore they instruct their mother and sister, her female attendants, to assist. [go to text]

n7725   To keep the world alive i.e. because the King is ill and Eudina is his only known heir, but also because the brothers delight in describing Eudina in such hyperbolic statements. [go to text]

gg2609   auspicious kind, showing favour (OED adj. 2b) [go to text]

gg3958   love-qualm sudden feeling of faintness or sickness attributed to love [go to text]

gg3708   Cupid’s blind boy-god of love or infatuation, son of Venus [go to text]

n11290   [They all exit.] ] Exeunt Omnes. [go to text]

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