Act 5 — THE BROKEN HEART
Reading edition
BY JOHN FORD
THE SPEAKERS’ NAMES FITTED TO THEIR QUALITIES
Amyclas, Common to the Kings of Laconia.
Ithocles, Honour of loveliness, a Favourite.
Orgilus, Angry, son to Crotolon.
Bassanes, Vexation, a jealous Nobleman.
Armostes, an Appeaser, a Councillor of State.
Crotolon, Noise, another Councillor.
Prophilus, Dear, Friend to Ithocles.
Nearchus, Young Prince, Prince of Argos.
Tecnicus, Artist, a Philosopher.
Hemophil, Glutton, } two Courtiers.
Groneas, Tavern-haunter,
Amelus, Trusty, Friend to Nearchus.
Phulas, Watchful, Servant to Bassanes.
Lords, Courtiers, Officers, Attendants, etc.
Calantha, Flower of beauty, the King’s Daughter.
Penthea, Complaint, Sister to Ithocles [and Wife to Bassanes].
Euphranea, Joy, a Maid of honour [Daughter to Crotolon].
Christalla, Christal, } Maids of honour.
Philema, A Kiss,
Grausis,[4124] Old Beldam, Overseer of Penthea.
Persons included.
Thrasus, Fierceness, Father of Ithocles.
Aplotes, Simplicity, Orgilus so disguised.
Scene—Sparta.
PROLOGUE
Our scene is Sparta. He whose best of art Hath drawn this piece calls it The Broken Heart. The title lends no expectation here Of apish laughter, or of some lame jeer At place or persons; no pretended clause Of jests fit for a brothel courts applause From vulgar admiration: such low songs, Tun’d to unchaste ears, suit not modest tongues. The Virgin Sisters then deserv’d fresh bays When Innocence and Sweetness crown’d their lays; Then vices gasp’d for breath, whose whole commerce Was whipp’d to exile by unblushing verse. This law we keep in our presentment now, Not to take freedom more than we allow; What may be here thought fiction,[4125] when time’s youth Wanted some riper years, was known a truth: In which, if words have cloth’d the subject right, You may partake a pity with delight.