THE
Love-ſick Court.
OR THE
Ambitious Politique.
A
C O M E D Y
Written by Richard Brome:
Nil mea, ceu mos eſt, commendes carmina curo
Se niſi comendent carmina diſpereant.
LONDON,
Printed by J. T. for A. C. and are to be ſold by
Henry Broom, at the Gun in Ivie-lane, 1658.
[F6]
PROLOGUE.
[Link] A little wit, leſſe learning, no Poetry
This Play-maker dares boaſt: Tis his modeſty.
For though his labours have not found leaſt grace,
It puffs not him up or in minde or face,
Which makes him rather in the Art diſclame
Bold Licenſe, then to arrogate a Name;
Yet to the wit, the ſcholler, and the Poet,
Such as the Play is, we muſt dare to ſhow it
Our judgements to but too: And without fear
Of giving leaſt offence to any ear.
If you finde pleaſure in’t, we boaſting none,
Nor you nor we loſe by expectation.
Sometimes at poor mens boards the curious finde
’Mongſt homely fare, ſome unexpected diſh,
Which at great Tables they may want and wiſh:
If in this ſlight Collation you will binde
Us to believe you’ have pleaſd your pallats here,
Pray bring your friends w’you next, you know your
(cheer.
[F7]Drammatis
Drammatis Perſonœ.
[Link]
| King of Theſſaly. |
| Philargus, the Prince, ſuppoſed Son of the late |
| ſlain General. |
[Link]
Diſanius
Juſtinius | } | Two Lords. |
[Link]
| Stratocles a Politician. |
| Philocles, A young Nobleman ſon of the late |
| General, and twin with Philargus. |
| Euphalus, A Gentleman belonging to the King |
| Geron, A curious Coxcomb and a Schollar, |
| Matho, A villain, ſervant to Stratocles. |
| Terſulus, A Taylor, ſervant to Philargus. |
| Varillus, A Barbar, ſervant to Philocles. |
| Eudina, The Princeſſe. |
| Themile, Philocles Mother |
| Placilla, Her Daughter. |
| Garula, An old Midwife. |
| Doris, Themilis Waiting-woman. |
| 4. Ruſticks. |
The Scene THESSALY.
[F7v]T H E
THE
L O V E-S I C K
COURT.
OR THE
Ambitious Politique.
ACT. I. SCENE. I.
Diſanius. Juſtinius. Meeting.
Diſ.Good morrow my good Lord. How
Jus.More ſick in mind then body, by
(Not onely of the ſkilful Doctors, but)
That come about him.
(of all
Diſ.I that have not ſeen him
Since he was ſick, can gueſs then at the cauſe,
Of his diſtemper. He is ſick o’th’ſubject;
Th’unquiet Commons fill his head and breaſt
With their impertinent diſcontents and ſtrife.
The peace that his good care has kept’hem in
For many years, ſtill feeding them with plenty,
Hath, like ore pampered ſteeds that throw their Maſters,
Set them at war with him. O miſery of kings!
His vertue breeds their vices; and his goodneſs
Pulls all their ills upon him. He has been
[F8]Too
The Love-ſick Court.
Too long too lenetive: A thouſand heads
(Or ſay a hundred, or but ten) cut off
Of the moſt groſs ones, the prime, leading heads
Of theirs a moneth ſince, had preſerv’d him better
Then all his doctors pills can purge him now.
Jus.You are too ſharp
Diſanius. There’s a means,
As milde as other of the Kings clear Acts,
In agitation now, ſhall reconcile
All to a common peace no doubt.
Diſ.What’s that
Juſtinius?
Jus.Stay: Here comes
Stratocles. Ent. Strat.
Ambitious pate lies the combuſtable ſtuff
Of all this late commotion.
They con-
Preſcrib’d on earth to imitate the Gods,
But to come neareſt them in power and action?
That is to be a King! That onely thought
Fills this capacious breaſt. A King or nothing!
Jus.He’s deep in meditation.
It is ſome divelliſh waking dream affects him.
I’le put him out– – –And as I was about
Diſ.About a moneth ſince,
It ſtick ſtill in my jaws. Be not ambitious,
Affect not popularity ’Tis the moſt
Notable break-neck in a kingdom.
Diſ.I 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 kingdoms good,
Not yours I do aſſure you, my great Lord;
Yet mine own Peer, if you forget me not.
[F8v]Str.
The Love-ſick Court.
Str.You take your time Sir to make me your mirth.
Diſ.When you may be my King,
And then up goes
Diſanius. Is’t not ſo?
Str.Yes, up to Court, to be king
Stratocles fool.
Diſ.The Court now priviledges thee, or I would change
A cuffe with your great Souldier-ſhip and popular great-
With clowns and Citizens, and Gentry, ſprung
(neſs
By their late peaceful wealth, out of their dongue.
But let’em thank our pious King, not you
That claim (as merit for your ſervice done)
Jus.Ceaſe my Lords this ſtrife.
The King may hear on’t, whoſe perplexities
Already are too grievous. Pray be ſilent,
The king approaches.
Enter king
Diſ.Wee’ll attend his entrance.
& Euphathus
King.Upon thoſe terms they are come then,
Eupathus?
Eu..Four of the chief in the commotion,
Upon the ingagement of my faith, that you
Had paſt your kingly word for their return
In ſafety, I have brought to Court, who wait
Your predent will and pleaſure.
Diſanius, welcome. I thought well to ſend for you
To take a Councellors part of my late cares
King.Nearer good
Diſanius.They talk privately.
Str.Do you deal in ſecret king? The Commons ſent
To their examination, and this old
(for
Antagoniſt of mine cal’d to confront me,
And I prepar’d by no intelligence
To fit me for th’incounter? Let’em come.
I muſt not be deny’d to ſtand as fair
G [1]In
The Love-ſick Court.
In competition for the Crown as any man
The King himſelf elects for his ſucceſſor;
The people are mine own thro’all his parts:
He may command their knees, but I their hearts.
King.Stratocles, Juſtinius, Diſanius ſit.
My Lords, altho’our Lawes of
Theſſaly
To you, as well as to our ſelf, are known,
And all our cuſtoms, yet for orders ſake
I ſhall lay open one to you. That is, when
A king deceaſeth without iſſue male
(As I unfortunately muſt) the Commons
Are to elect their King, provided that
He be of noble blood, a ſouldier, and one
That has done publick ſervice for the Crown– – –
King.Or elſe the ſon of ſome
Great General ſlain in battel for his countrey
King.Twenty years ſorrow for that Souldiers loſs
Has not worn out his memory.
Forgets not then Souldiers of freſher fame.
King.Some other time to boaſt good
Stratocles.
Diſ.Twere good youl’d hearthe king– – –A general,
Or a Generals ſon may be elected. There
King.Or if the ſonleſs King
Yet has a daughter, and he match her in
His life time to a huſband that is noble,
He ſtands immediate heir unto the Crown
Againſt all contradiction.
Str.Now think upon my ſervice, Royal Sir.
Diſ.Now think upon my Nephewes, Royal Maſter,
The ſons of brave
Adraſtus, who was ſlain
Twenty years ſince in fighting of your battel.
[G1v]Stra.
The Love-ſick Court.
Str.Twere good you would hear the king. The huſband
Your daughter muſt be elected. There you left, ſir.
(of
King.It reſts now that a ſpeedy choice be made
Of a fit huſband, one that may acquire
Eudynas love, and peoples approbation,
The people, (for whoſe noiſe I muſt not reſt
Till my ſucceſſor be appointed to them)
Are wild till this election be made:
They have, in arms, made their demand, and wait
Enter
My preſent anſwer.
Eupathus
Diſ.O here they come. Theſe be the principals
4 Ruſtiks.
The heads, the heads, forſooth they call themſelves.
Head-carpenter, head-ſmith, head-plowman, and head-ſhep-
Kin.Nay, pray approach; and ſeem no more abaſh’d
(herd.
Here then amongſt your giddy-headed rowts,
they all
Where every man’s a King, and wage your powers
kneel.
Gainſt mine in ſoul defiance. Freely ſpeak,
Your grievance, and your full demand.
1. Rus.Tis humbly all expreſt in this petition.
2. Rus.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 then we took him for at home.
3. Rus.I ſweat for’t. I am ſure I have ſcarce a dry
thred in my leather lynings.
4. Rus.They made us heads i’ the countrey: But if
our head-ſhips now, with all our countrey care ſhould be
hang’d up at court for diſpleaſing of this good King, for
the next Kings good our necks will not be ſet right a-
gain in the next Kings raign I take it.
1. Rus.My head itches to be at home again.
2. Rus.My head itches to be at home again.
3. Rus.My head and heart both akes with fear. Would
I were honeſtly hang’d out o’the way to be rid on’t.
King.There you may read my Lords what we before
Found would be their demand. Tis for a King
G 2Diſ
The Love-ſick Court.
Govern’d them long in peace, by which they thrive
Their wiſdom would have you intail that piece
On them for after times; and ſo they nominate
Ambitious
Stratocles to be your heir.
Str.Envious
Diſanius, my merit is
King.Ceaſe your ſtrife.– – –You have ſtood more in-
To lay your choiſe on
Philocles, or
Philargus (clin’d
The Twin-born ſons of long ſince ſlain
Adraſtus.
1. Rus.May’t pleaſe your Majeſty we are inform’d
That in their travails unto
Delphos, both
Was meerly by ſuggeſtion (I dare ſpeak it)
Inſinuated by
Stratocles. They both live
Lord
Stratocles then ſhould pardon us. Hee’s a man
Gracious amongſt us. But– – –
Brave
Philocles is the man.
Str.Falſe, empty weathercocks.
4. Rus.I ſay Lord
Stratocles is the man we know
Str.There lives yet ſome hope.
Jus.What ſtrange confuſions this? Or whither will
You run by ſeveral wayes?
Philargus one,
Another
Philocles; a third cries
Stratocles.
In this you ſay you’l have no king at all.
This muſt be reconcil’d, or you pull ruine
Upon your ſelves. He, whom the king is pleas’d
To give his daughter to muſt be your King.
1. Rus.All that we crave (and that upon our knees)
[G2v]Is,
The Love-ſick Court.
Is, that the king will graciouſly be pleas’d
To make a ſpeedy choice, and give us leave
With pardon to depart, and ſignifie
His Royal pleaſure to the doubtful countreys.
King.Tell’em they ſhall expect, then, but a moneth,
In which ſhort time my daughters marriage
All Rus.The Gods protect your Majeſty.
Ex. Ruſt.
King.And now, my Lords, the commons being at peace,
Let me prevail your private jarrs to ceaſe.
Exeunt omnes.
ACT. I. SCENE. 2.
Eudyna. Thymele weeping.
Eud.Madam, 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 onely comforts
Upon this earth, you but reſigne to heaven
The bleſſings that it lent you. But to me
They were a pair of equal lovers; and
By me ſo equally belov’d; and by
The king my father ſo’bove all men reſpected
That I by either had been made a Queen.
Which title I for ever will diſclaim
Thy.O my
Philargus. O my
Philocles!
Ye Gods I know they did not ſeek your Counſels
Nor dare to approach your altars, but with all
Due reverence and required ceremony.
And could your
Delphian Oracle, when they
Were friendly competitioners for love,
Anſwer them but with death?
Carries ſo little ſhew of truth, that you
Do ill to take ſo deep a ſenſe of it;
G 3Much
The Love-ſick Court.
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 councel-giver; and muſt I
Find cauſe to chide you now? come dry theſe tears.
Enter
Gar.Where’s my ſweet princeſs?
Garrula.
Where’s my Lady governeſs?
Eud.O
Garrula, welcome. I could never wiſh
Thy company more uſefully: For thou bring’ſt
Some recreation on thy countenance alwayes.
Gar.I am glad my countenance pleaſes you. It may
For I have on it now (could you diſcern’em)
A thouſand joyes dancing within theſe wrincles
More then my feeble failing tongue can utter.
And that’s a grief to me ’mong all my joyes;
The failing of the tongue, the tongue, the tongue
Is a great grief to any woman. But
To one in years, and well in years, as I am,
It is a grief indeed, more then the loſs
Let not that grief deprive us of the hearing
Of, at leaſt, one of thy whole thouſand joyes.
Gar.Tis a report of joy and wonder, princeſs;
Enough to make not onely you, and you,
But King and kingdom glad, could I but utter’t.
Eud.Thou doſt ſpeak well enough, and enough too,
Thy.Tis ſome faign’d ſtuffe
She hopes to palliate our ſorrowes with.
Gar.’Tis a report, worth more then all the ſtories
That I my ſelf have told in child-bed chambers,
To reſtore ſpirit to the pallid ſleſh.
And I have been a woman as good at it
(Without vain boaſt bee’t ſpoke) as any ſhe
In
Theſſaly, that ere durſt undertake
[G3v]The
The Love-ſick Court.
The office of a midwife: And that the queen
Your Mother knew, when I delivered her
Of the ſweet babe (your ſelf.) She is in bliſſe
Now in
Eliſium: But you, Madam Governeſſe,
Can yet remember good old
Garrula,
That took into the light your twin-born ſons,
And thereby hangs a tale– – –
Thy.What means this woman?
Eud.Good
Garrula, thy newes? thy preſent ſtory?
Gar.’Tis ſuch a ſtory, that could I but utter’t
With volubility of tongue!– – –But O
This tongue, that fails me now; for all the helps
Of Syrups, and ſweet ſippings. I ſtill go
She ſips oft of
Provided, as you ſee, to cheriſh it.
a bottle at her
And yet it falters with me.
girdle.
Anon I hope.
Placilla, whats your news?
Ent. Placilla.
Pla.’Tis excellent Madam. And I was ambitious
To bring you the firſt taſte of it. But if
Garrula has in that prevented me,
I can with no leſſe joy relate it yet.
My brothers are return’d, and ſafe, from
Delphos.
Thy.Be thou as true as th’Oracle.
Gar.’Tis that I would ha’told you
Had not my tongue fail’d me i’th’utterance.
Eud.Thy tongue ran faſt enough, but loſt its way.
Pla.Three minutes, Madam, brings’em to your preſence.
Eud.How is it with you, Madam? Let not joy
Beget a worſe effect then did your fears.
Thym ſwounds.
Gar.Ods pity, what dee mean.
Madam, look up, and ſpeak up too you were beſt,
(too.
Do you know who talks to you? Speak; and ſpeak well
I ſhall ſpeak that will be worſe for you elſe.
G 4Madam,
The Love-ſick Court.
Madam, you know, that I know what I know.
Thy.I am well I thank you,
Garrula.
Eud.I have obſerv’d that often in her language,
This chattring Midwife glanceth at the knowledge
Of ſome ſtrange hidden thing, which like as with
A Charm, ſhe keeps my Governeſs in aw with.
I gueſs it but ſome trifle: For I know
The Lady is right vertuous; yet it may
Be worth my inquiſition at fit time.
(rula,
Thy.You have felt the comforts of my friendſhip
Gar-
And had you common charity, you’d forbear me.
Gar.I– – –done Madam. Be ſecure. But yet,
Though I forbear to ſpeak, I not forget.
Eud.You have not yet,
Placilla, told the means
A ſhout &
Of your rich knowledge.
crying Phi-
Pla.Nor ſhall I need now Madam
lar & Phi-
Theſe ſhouts of joy that follow’d them to
locles. &c.
Attend them to your preſence.
(Court
Eud.O let us meet’em. Madam, come away.
Thy.O ye Gods, I thank ye.
Ex. omnes pret. Gar.
Gar.I have a ſon there too, as dear to me
As any Mothers onely born can be,
Whoſe name’s not voic’d with theirs. Yet by your favour
Great Madam Governeſs, he has diſcharg’d
The office of a Governor ore your ſons,
As well as you have over the Kings daughter.
And they have ſuck’d more of his Helycon
Then ſhe has of your doctrin: which their breeding
ſips he
Together with their Travels through his care
bottle.
Will teſtifie (I doubt not) to my honor
That have brought forth a ſon of ſuch performance.
Diſ.Did not I ſay, ’twas
Stratocles that rais’d
Ent. Dis.
That hideous rumor of their deaths, among
Jus. Phila.
His wilde idolators, in hope to gain
Philo. Eud. Thy.
Election by their ignorance and rudeneſs?
Pla. Geron.
[G4v]Jus.
The Love-ſick Court.
Jus.’Twas well thoſe factious heads were wrought to
Before the King to finde his clemencie,
(come
And probabilily that theſe were living.
(Stratocles!
Diſ.And how they then ſhrunk in their necks from
It has ſo laid the flames of his ambition,
That theſe may ſafely now tread out the fire.
Phila.Welcom again my princely Nephews, welcom.
Phil.Thanks, courteous Uncle.
Thy.You interrupt me, brother.
(things!
Diſ.Good woman, cry thee mercy. Mothers are ſuch
Gar.Why, what things are we mothers?
(her.
Diſ.O the old night-piece with her dark lanthorne by
Gar.You’l give us leave to take
The comforts due unto us in our age,
For which we ſuffer’d ſorrow in our youth!
Our children are our children young or old.
Diſ.So is my horſe my horſe.
As
Whilome did a Councellour at Law,
Who ſaid his adverſe Advocate had pleaded
To as much purpoſe as a hen i’th’ forehead.
Diſ.Geron, th’art welcom. Thou ſtill keepſt thy humor,
Thy travels ha’not chang’d thee. Thou cameſt home
As wiſe as thou wentſt out.
A miſer, having much increas’d his ſtore,
H e had as much ſtill as he had before.
Diſ.Enough, I’le give thee over.
Thy.O my dear off-ſpring; every ſight of you
Is a new recompence, and ſatiſfaction
For all the pain and travel of your birth.
In you your fathers memory ſhall live
Beyond the malice of the grave and death:
And I, when my rejoycing ſhall be full,
And cannot take addition, freely yeelding
My fleſh to duſt, ſhall yet be bleſt by thoſe
Who ſhall give teſtimony to your vertue.
[G5]Philar.
The Love-ſick Court.
Philar.’Twere a ſufficient ſpur to noble actions
To be rewarded but with your content,
Which to procure we make our buſineſſe.
Your brow is clouded. Has the Oracle
Adjudg’d againſt you. Pray let us partake
The knowledge of the
Delphian decree;
And which of you ſtands higheſt in the favour
Of wiſe
Apollo, to be huſband to
Princeſſe
Eudyna here the Kingdoms heir.
Requires an
OEdipus to conſtrue it.
I neither know’t, nor am ſolicitous
Gar.Wiſely ſpoken, Pupil.
So
Whilome anſwered an Ægyptian Porter
To one demanding what he bore conceal’d?
Tis therefore cover’d that thou ſhouldſt not know.
Cannot your Tutor
Geron play the
Hermes
Gar.I am not
Ænigmatical.
But all for
Apothegmes. Beſides, I ſay
(As
Whilome Ariſtippus of a Riddle)
It is not ſafe to looſe what being bound
Diſ.Yes by all means: For as one
Whilome ſaid
The blinde are beſt i’th’dark.
Are ever ſhot at me. Blinde 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, then all
[G5v]You
The Love-ſick Court.
You can, with all your wiſe conſtructions.
Thy.Not in anger,
Garrula.
Gar.Madam, you know I know. I muſt take leave
Diſ.And Governour
Geron, wait upon your mother,
Truſt our cares with your charge.
A School boy, when another rais’d his top,
Let me alone, my ſelf can keep it up.
Exit
Eud.And now let me entreat that we may hear
The hidden ſentence. Happily ſo many
May gueſſe at the intent.
Which of the two is prickt to be her huſband.
Phi.Here it is. If there be any thing.
Diſ.Let 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 fool’d mine.
Philo.Nothing but contradictions.
Contend not for the Jewel– – – we agree,
Eudyna is the Jewel
– – – which ſhall both of you enrich.
How ſhall ſhe enrich us both? Can ſhe be wife to us both?
Purſue your Fortune.– – – And we both agree
Eudyna is that Fortune too: ſhe’s both
The Jewel we muſt not contend for; and
The Fortune we muſt both purſue. Then here
He ſayes tis ſhe ſhall make us what we ſeem to be.
What do we ſeem? we are no Hypocrites
In fleſh or ſpirit; no phantaſtick bodies
[G6]Or
The Love-ſick Court.
Philar.No,
Delphos is but a den of jugglers which
(profanely
Abuſe divinity, and pretend a God
Their Patron to authorize their deluſions.
Diſ.Nephews, the Gods had need be cautilous
For what they ſpeak if you may be their Judges.
Thy.What thinks good
Juſtinius?
Jus.My 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 obey’d;
Contend not for her as to violate
Your unexampled friendſhip, which you are
Renown’d for ore all
Greece; And both purſue
Your fortune in her without eithers grudge,
At tothers happineſs in her choice.
Philar.And for the happineſs which we both aſpire to
We here confirm the friendſhip long ſince plighted,
Which never ſhall be broken by
Philargus.
’Tis not the cloudy language of the Gods
Shall make our breaſts tempeſtuous or ſtormy;
But with the ſame ſerenity and quiet,
As heretofore our hearts ſhall mingle ſtill,
And fortiſie their truce. Let the event
Expound their Ridle. If good, it is our merit;
If bad, we know our vertue can correct it.
Mean time
Philargcus take the word of
Philocles,
That though there be no happineſs on earth
I can eſteem above
Philargus friendſhip,
But fair
Eudynas love, which onely is
The treaſure I can covet from
Philargus;
And cannot look to live but to enjoy it
[G6v]Ra-
The Love-ſick Court.
Rather then juſtle with his friendſhip, I
Philar.You have made my vow, my brother
Philocles,
And friend, which is above it. I will ſeek
And rather die then fail to gain her love:
But that, and the whole kingdom in addition
Muſt divide our friendſhip or affection.
As we are Twins in birth, we’le be in mind
Unto our lateſt breath. Let
Greece hereafter
Forget to mention the
Tyndarides
With their alternate Deities, and tell
Of two
Theſſalian brothers could refuſe
A happineſs (which onely is not Heaven)
In deteſtation of priority;
Would not be happy, ’cauſe they might not ſhare
An individual, both Time and Thing.
Eud.Love, and ambition (I have heard men ſay)
Admit no fellowſhip; It holds not here.
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 tane, yet muſt gain neither,
Unleſs I could enjoy them both together. O, ye Gods!
Why made ye them two perſons, and aſſign’d
To both but one inſeparable mind?
Or, Why was I mark’d out to be that one,
That loves and muſt embrace, or two, or none;
Diſ.Look to the Princeſs.
Philar.Madam. How fares the life of goodneſs.
Philoc.She ſinks. Dear Mother, Siſter; bring your aids.
Philar.To keep the world alive give your aſſiſtance.
Jus.Ye Gods be now auſpicious.
To bed with her and call for
Cupids aid,
[G7]He
The Love-ſick Court.
He beſt can cure the wound that he has made.
Exeunt omnes.
Explicit Actus primus.