ACT. 2. SCENE. I.
Doris reading a Letter.
Do.My
Leſbia, my
Cinthia, my
Licoris
Or (which is beſt of names) my lovely
Doris – – that’s I.
I ſtill am thine and cannot commutate,
I am as certain to thee as thy fate.
Tis not my ſtudy, or my travails can
Make me to thee appear another man:
Thou may’ſt affirm of me as
Whilom did
Xantippe of her huſband whom ſhe chid,
Grave
Socrates regardleſs of his worth
He ſtill return’d the ſame that he went forth.
Before I viſit thee, thus may’ſt thou hear on
Thine in the tribulation of love– – –
Geron.
Ha, ha, ha. Old
whilom Geron! art thou come again
Could
Delphos not detain, nor the Sea-ſwallow thee
But I muſt be in danger to be puniſh’d
With the porcupine briſtles? Fate deliver me.
En. Placilla.
Pla.Doris, you muſt be vigilant in attendance,
And ſee that no man paſs this lobby, towards
Her graces lodging. Tis your charge: look to’t.
Dor.Miſtreſs you know your Mother laid that charge
On me before, and I am ready here
To anſwer every commer in his kind
But my care hurts not. One thing more good
Doris.
If my dear brother
Philocles come to viſit,
Prithe call me. Speak, wilt thou.
[G7v]I
The Love-ſick Court.
I muſt not ſtir from hence, yet I muſt come
To call you forth. Away, ſome body comes.
Pla.I truſt unto thee
Doris.Exit
Dor.What a ſick Court is here? Shee’s love-ſtruck too.
I can with half a ſenſe find her diſeaſe;
But cannot gueſs the object of her love.
She keeps the fire ſo cloſe up in her boſom,
That ſhe will ſooner periſh by’t, then ſuffer
A ſpark of it flie out to make diſcovery.
The Princels ſhe’s love-ſick for two; and her
Deſpair of gaining either’s her conſumption.
But what think I of their loves, when mine own
Is trouble enough? Now the viſitants;
My great Lords Howdies are upon the entry,
And the unwelcom’ſt firſt
Ent. Matho.
May I crave admittance to the Lady Governeſs?
Dor.Yes, you may crave it Sir, But not obtain it:
Her nearneſs to the Princeſs at this time
Is by ſo ſtrict neceſſity requir’d.
Ma.May I prevail then, to impart the duty
I have in charge, unto the Ladies daughter?
Dor.That is the Miſtriſs whom I wait upon,
Though now at remote diſtance: She attends
Her Mother at this inſtant, and her Mother
The Princeſs in much privacy. If I
May be thought worthy to receive the knowledge
Of what you have in truſt unto the Princeſs.
It ſhall be orderly convey’d unto her Grace.
Ma.Lord
Stratocles, ſolicitous for glad tydings,
(Beſeeching that her Grace be pleas’d to take
The tender of his ſervice; and affirming
Upon his honour that no reſt affects him
Until he ſhall receive a perfect knowledge
Of her recovery) prayes to be advertis’d
In what condition of health ſhe fares;
[G8]Or
The Love-ſick Court.
Or to gain leave to viſit her himſelf.
Dor.Sir, you have loſt much time: you might have ſaid
How does the Princeſs? And I anſwer thus,
She is moſt dangerouſly ſick; not to be ſeen
My Lords obſequious care for her recovery.
Dor.I’le tell my Miſtriſs, who ſhall certifie
Unto my Lady, who ſhall intimate
Unto the Princeſs what you have left in truſt
With me, her Graces hand-maid thrice remov’d.
Ma.I will acquaint my Lord; who for your care
Shall upon his advancement to the Crown
Give me command, who will give preſent order
Unto my man for your promotion.
Your diligence deſerves it.
Exit
Dor.My great Lords eſpecially paraſite. I am beholden
Here comes another; an importunate,
Ent. Terſu-
Though impertinent ſuitor of mine own.
lus.
Ter.My beauteous
Doris, firſt my love preſented
Unto your ſelf, my Lord
Philargus craves
To know how fares the Princeſs.
To my regard then tother; and deſerves
A comfortabler anſwer. She’s not well Sir,
But much amended in her health. ’Tis like,
Your Lord (would he approach to viſit her)
Shall find a fair admiſſion to her Grace.
Ter.I dare not (to delay my Lord a minute
Of theſe glad tidings) ſtay to proſecute
My love-ſuit to your ſelf.
Away good
Terſulus; and hazard not
Your Lords, for your own fortunes.
G8vDor.
The Love-ſick Court.
Ter.Be pleas’d to think of
Dor.I ſhall, and better of you when you are gone.
Ter.Wing’d with that hope, I fly.
Exit
Dor.A pretty nimble fellow and a Taylor.
Ent. Varill.
I could almoſt affect him, did not this
More ſupple handed Barber put him by.
Var.Sweet
Doris! thus, by me Lord
Philocles
Salutes the Princeſs.
Kiſs.
Dor.This requires an anſwer
Var.How fares her highneſs?
Dor.Well. Exceeding well, and longs to ſee your Lord
Var.I’le haſt to tell him ſo.
I have not gain’d a conference with you
Since your return from
Delphos.
I’le tell thee wonders,
Doris.
Var.Ha’you ſeen your lover
Geron, the old tutor,
Came from him to my hands this morning. Hang him.
Var.Well: he has been the whole mirth of our journey
In the diſcovery of his love to you.
His meat, his drink, his talk, his ſleep, has all
Been
Doris, Doris, nothing but your remembrance
Has been thee trouble of his company;
Ile tell the at large hereafter. The fair Princeſs
Dor.She was well when I left her,
But ſubject to much paſſion: She is well
And ill, and well again all in three minutes.
Great Ladies may be ſo. But if I ſhould
Be ſick and well, and ſick again and well
Again as oft as ſhe; the world would ſay
H [1]I
The Love-ſick Court.
I had it– – –And had been a courtier, to ſome purpoſe.
Var.They would ſay the Handmaid had been handled
Dor.Like enough, but great ones muſt not be be talk’d on
Var.You have detain’d me to my undoing.
See, my Lord!
Enter Philocles.
Dor.Ile ſend his ſiſter to appeaſe him.
Exit.
Philo.You have done ill
Varillus to neglect
A duty of that conſequence, that I
Expected in your quick return, was this
Var.My good Lord, the Princeſs
Is well again; reſtor’d to abſolute health.
Philoc.Tis happy news. But why was I delay’d
In this accompt? was it too precious for me?
Redeem your fault by ſome inſuing ſervice,
Or you may loſe a maſter, that has lov’d you.
Ex. Var.
I muſt proceed to gain
Eudinas love
From my
Philargus or I looſe my ſelf.
And gaining it, I muſt forgo
Philargus,
And equally be loſt. O ſiſter, welcome.
Enter Placilla.
Wherein I may be uſeful, beſt of brothers.
Philoc.I would intreat you be my advocate
In love unto
Eudina – – – –O, but hold,
Shall I be treacherous unto my brother?
A brother! What’s a brother? A meer name;
A title which we give to thoſe that lodg’d
In the ſame womb; ſo bedfellowes are brothers;
So men, inhabiting one town, or countrey
Are brothers too: for though the place containing
Be greater, the relation is the ſame.
A friend! I that’s the thing I violate,
(cred,
Then which, nor earth nor heaven hath ought more ſa-
Tis my
Philargus, nay my ſelf I injure,
[H1v]If
The Love-ſick Court.
Pla.Why, brother
Philocles – – –
Did I ſay brother? How my tongue conſpires
To torture me! If Brother be a naked
Title or name (as he ſuggeſts) I would
It had nor being, name, nor title.
Philocles
Philoc.Fond reaſon I diſclaim thee,
Love is a ſtrain beyond thee, and approaches
The Gods eſtate: Friendſhip’s a moral vertue
Fitter for diſputation, then obſervance.
Eudina. O Eudina! In what price
Art thou with me, for whom I caſt away
The Souls whole treaſury Reaſon and Vertue?
Placilla, you muſt wo
Eudina for me;
Do you ſtartle at it? Pray do’t, as you love me.
Pla.If I were ſhe you ſhould not need an advocate.
Philoc.I charge you by this kiſs.– – –
Corrupts your agent to be falſe. O whither;
Into what Sands will the raſh Pilot, Love?
Drive this weak veſſel? did I call it Love?
Tis ſooty, helliſh fire; unlawful flame:
Yet ſuch as we may eaſier tax, then tame.
Philoc.What troubles you
Placilla? O you are
Already entertain’d to mediate
For him you better love,
Philargus, do:
He beſt deſerves her; Ile wo for him
too. Enter Doris.
Dor.Madam, my Lady calls for you? My Lord
The Princeſs has tane notice of your viſit.
Exit Plac.
And wiſhes you draw nearer if you pleaſe.
Philoc.I meet that wiſh with ſwiſt, but fearful feet.
My joyes are bitter, and my woes are ſweet.
Exit
Dor.I have heard men ſay when they on gameſters look
(Though equally affected to both parties,
Or both were ſtrangers to’em yet) they’l yeeld
H 2A
The Love-ſick Court.
A ſecret inclination which ſhould win.
I am for
Philocles, now, againſt
Philargus,
Who is as noble, and as free to me,
As ever
Philoclcs was. But tarry
Doris;
You have a bett upon the game I take it,
Your love unto
Varillus. If his Lord
Riſe to a Kingdom, you may hope to climbe
The ladder of a Ladyſhip by the man.
But not too faſt: Here’s one purſues the game
That is as like to win. Why if he does?
Enter Philargus
His follower
Terſulus loves me paſt
Varillus,
And may as much advance me. But I love not
Him, And the love of honour above huſbands
Has been ſo common among Ladies, that
The faſhions ſtale and ougly.
And ſo by tranſpoſition of my love
I ſhall be quiet, and
Philocles double happy
Doris, go ſeek my mother, and perceive
If I may ſee the Princeſs.
Philar.Love, thou art well compar’d to fire, which
It doth obey and ſerve being commanded
(where
By higher powers of the ſoul, it fares
Like to the ſtone or jewel of a ring,
Which joyns the orb, and gives it price and luſter:
So glorious is that love, ſo neceſſary.
But, where it rules and is predominant,
It tiranizeth; Reaſon is impriſon’d;
The will confined; and the memory
(The treaſury of notions) clean exhauſted;
And all the ſences ſlaviſhly chain’d up
To act th’injunctions of inſulting love,
Pearch’d on the beauty of a woman. Thou
Maſculine love, known by the name of friendſhip
Art peaceful and morigerous: But that
[H2v]Of
The Love-ſick Court.
Of woman, is imperious and cruel.
Why ſhould I then loſe
Philocles for
Eudina?Ent. Eudi-
Why? Can I look on her and aſk a Reaſon?
na. Thymile
O the divinity of woman! ſure
Eudi. rea-
There is no heaven without’em. If the Gods
ding a
Should thruſt out
Fove as he depos’d his Father
letter.
And elect me to be their thonderer
I’ld not drink Nectar to forgo
Eudina.
Thy.Fie, fie
Philargus, y’are a ſlugiſh Lover.
I have been careful for you, yea and partial
Againſt your brother
Philocles, to prefer
Your love to his: And you to ſuffer him
A whole hour opportunity before you!
Thy.And is. Onely for you
I have beguil’d him of her preſence, that
Till you have made firſt preſentation
Of love to her he ſhall have no acceſs.
Philar.Now
Philocles, I ſuffer in thy injury;
And to proceed in it were treachery.
I would retire– – –But that magnetique beauty
To which are chain’d thouſands of hearts and eyes
Has captiv’d mine: nor muſt I ſeem to ſlight
.A mothers care. Shes not the firſt (tis known)
That of two ſons hath beſt affected one.
(ceſſe.
Thy.Why move you not
Philargus towards the Prin-
Philar.Madam, you ſee ſhe’s buſy.
Eud. throws a-
Eud.Stratocles – –
way the Let-
May thy ambition hoiſt thee into air;
ter.
And thy looſe wings, like thy licentious paper,
There ſailing thee, let fall thy vicious body
To earth, as here thy name lies to be trod on.
Philargus, you are welcome.
That language from you gracious lips is powerful
To ſave him from the grave, that onely lives
H 3By
The Love-ſick Court.
Eud.Nay, my dear
Philargus,
I thought me nearer to you, then that you
Should rove at me with Courtſhip.
Stratocles
(The emblem of whoſe pride lies there in paper)
Shot from afar indeed; yet, like a Jove
(A ſelf-conceited one) preſum’d to ſtrike
Love by command into me by his Letters.
Philar.I cannot flatter pride, nor undervalue
Abilities. ’Tis true that
Stratocles
Has been a uſeful ſervant to the State;
But, doubtleſs he would make as ill a Maſter.
And therefore Madam, by your fair command,
To avoid all Court-circumlocutions,
I tender thus my ſervice, and crave hearing.
I will withdraw my ſelf.
Exit.
Philar.The King has graciouſly been pleas’d in lieu
Of my ſlain fathers ſervices; and for love
To us his ſons, (by us much undeſerv’d)
To recommend unto your noble choice
My brother and my ſelf. You ſtanding doubtful
Whether to chuſe, we to avoid diſpute
Of violating friendſhip, did implore
The Councel of the Oracle to direct
You in th’election. But the hidden ſence
In the dark ſentence hath perplext both you
And us with more anxiety.
Philar.Yet you are not preſcrib’d; your choice is free.
To take your lot in
Philocles or me.
We both, by ſtrong injunction muſt purſue
Your ſacred Love, yet keep our friendſhip true.
[H3v]Then
The Love-ſick Court.
Then thus illuſtrious Madam.
He kneels.
Philar.As low as future duty muſt compel me.,
When you ſhall be my Queen, let me beſeech
The ſavour that I ſeek and would obtain,
Equal with heavenly bliſs, to ſhine on
Philocles.
Eud.That he may be your King?
Philar.Friendſhip, with ſavour, may
Hold between King and Subject: But one throne
Cannot eſtate two Kings; Love’s number’s one.
Eud.O my
Philargus, you have open’d now
The meaning of the Oracle. I have the ſence
Moſt perfectly. You have beyond example
Preſerv’d your friendſhip with your brother; and
In wooing for him have won me to your ſelf.
I am your own.
She kiſſes him.
The wealth o’th’world, the beauty of the Heavens,
And powers of both ſhall not redeem my intereſt.
– – –Provided that I loſe not
Philocles.
Ent. Philo.
Eud.In that your conſtancy you win me more.
Thy. Pla.
Thy.Your importunity hath prevail’d. See
Philocles,
The Princeſs, and
Philargus.
Philoc.O, you are partial.
He ſinks.
Pla.O help, my brother; ſpeak, dear
Philocles.
Philar.Ye Gods, how comes this? Let me raiſe him up,
Brother, and friend; ſpeak, ’tis
Philarus calls thee.
Philoc.Philargus, let me go. ’Tis your advantage.
Eud.Let me requeſt the cauſe of your diſturbance,
Honour’d
Eudyna: For, who ſeeds to danger
Upon a diſh he loves, ought not to blame
The meat, but his unbridled appetite.
H 4Pla.
The Love-ſick Court.
Pla.How do you now? What a cold moiſture
Spreads ore his temples here.
Thy.I can read his grief.
Eud.What’s that to the redreſs?
Thy.The
Delphian God, medcines inventor knowes
Eud.His grief’s a jealous paſſion
Upon my ſuppos’d ſavour to
Philarus.
Shake it off
Philocles, I am thine, as much
Onely a ſear
Philargus had broke friendſhip:
So my ſouls better part exited, leſt
In that belies, and I had underſtood it,
My ſhadow ſhould have poſted aſter yours
Unto the
Eliſian fields to vindicate
You charg’d my ſon with partiallity .
Let us remove,
Philargus, come
Placilla.
Eud.You will not take him from me. Stay
Philargus
Thy.What would you do with both?
When ſhe, whoſe power above me countermands
The precepts of the Gods requires my ſtay.
Thy.What not to give your brother
Philocles
An opportunity for equal hearing?
Your grace will not deny’t him.
Philar.That ſpell convinces all. Friendſhips above,
And muſt control obedience, and love.
Exit with Thym
[Link] Tis not to injure thee my dear
Philargus,
& Placil.
That here I linger, to oppoſe thy love;
[H4v]But
The Love-ſick Court.
Eud.What ſayes
Philocles?
Philoc.To ſay I love you, Madam, with a zeal
That dares to meet the tryal of Martyrdom,
And ſuffer’t for your ſake, might get a name,
A glorious one, and an immortal Crown:
Yet ſo I ſhould forgo (in leaving you
On earth, a heaven on it) the bliſs,
Which, grieving, I ſhould in
Eliſiuin miſs.
No, I will love you better then to die,
And be mine own chies mourner; yet muſt crave,
Under your gracious ſavour, leave to ſuffer
More then a thouſand deaths, that is, to live
And part with my fair hopes in you for ever.
Eud.What means my
Philocles?
Conſider the neceſſity, which now
By further ſearch I gather from the hidden
Oraculous perduit; by which I am tied
Not to contend for you, that is, I muſt not
Wound friendſhip in
Philarguſs: But purſue
My fortune, which is to gain love from you.
For whom it ſayes not, but the meanings plain,
I for
Philargus ſhould your love obtain.
The Gods deal aſter as they pleaſe with me,
My ſute is that you take
Philargus.
Philocles you have made a double conqueſt
For you have got the victory of me
Which was before aſſign’d unto
Philargus.
Your fortune thus embraces you.
ſhe kiſſes him.
And with
Philargus friendſhip were to me
A fortune ’bove the envy of the Gods.
Eud.He cannot diſallow t. He woo’d me for you,
And won me to himſelf, as you have now
[H5]Philoc.
The Love-ſick Court.
His title, as his friendſhip precedes mine.
Eud.Yet ſtill the choice is mine. I may take you
Without offence to him. But now he comes,
Ent. Philar.
And has again an equal intereſt,
Thy. Pla.
Strange love! In others abſence I took either
And lov’d each beſt; Now both at once appear,
Neither is mine. Fate, let me die to one
Rather than live in this confuſion.
Thy.Now madam, whethers love do you approve.
Eud.Conſound me notwithqueſtion. They are each
Wedded to others friendſhip: Either is
More ſtudious for the other then himſelf.
For both of you then for my ſelf.
Eud.Then let’s continue thus with Maiden love,
With modeſt freedom, unſuſpected joyes,
As we had all been formed in one womb,
Till Heaven determine of us.
Ent. King and
King.To determine
Eupathus.
Of you
Eudyna, is by heaven committed
In preſent unto me. On you depends
The future glory and proſperity,
Both of my houſe and Kingdom. Tis beſides,
Exacted of me by my near Allies,
And by my Subjects (whom I muſt ſecure)
To conſtitute a Succeſſor: And no longer
Will I expect your anſwer, then five dayes.
By then you muſt declare who is your huſband;
Or elſe expect one from my ſelf; the man
Whoſe name I am as l0th to mention
As you to hear, even
Stratocles.
[H5v]King.
The Love-ſick Court.
King.Be you obedient; and by the way,
Take my approvement of Lord
Philocles,
Not that I ſlight
Philargus.
Eud.Here’s a myſtery too,
As dark as that from
Delphos. He approves
My choice of
Philocles, ſlighting not
Philargus.
King.Come both you equal brothers; leave her to
Ambo.In all obedience.
Ex. King, &c
Thy.What ſtrange amazement hath ſurpriz’d you Ma-
No ſtudy, nor no ſtrife can alter fate
(dam?
Or the decrees, the Gods determinate.
A huſband you ſhall have, be confident.
Be, as you were; ſecure of the event,
Eud.Yet five dayes for love’s war.
Jove grant I have
By then, to end the ſtrife, a peaceful grave.
Explicit Actus ſecundus.