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Informationen zum Autor Edited and with an Introduction by Frank Kermode Klappentext Edited and with an Introduction by Frank Kermode A Woman Killed with Kindness by Thomas Heywood Volpone by Ben Jonson The Revenger's Tragedy by Cyril Tourneur The Maid's Tragedy by John Fletcher and Francis Beaumont A Chaste Maid in Cheapside by Thomas Middleton The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster The Changeling by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley The lyrical, bloodthirsty tragedies and witty urban comedies in this original collection were first performed during the reign of King James I (1603—25). Though nearly four centuries old, they display surprisingly modern sensibilities regarding sex, violence, morality, and honor. Brilliantly introduced and annotated by Frank Kermode, these seven Jacobean masterpieces are the finest and most representative plays of a time when drama was the most vital and important mirror of English society.A Woman Killed with Kindness Thomas Heywood DRAMATIS PERSONAE MASTER FRANKFORD MISTRESS ANNE FRANKFORD, his wife SIR FRANCIS ACTON, her brother SIR CHARLES MOUNTFORD MASTER MALBY MASTER WENDOLL, befriended by Frankford MASTER CRANWELL, an old gentleman NICHOLAS JENKIN SPIGOT, Butler CICELY MILKPAIL Other serving-men and women JACK SLIME ROGER BRICKBAT JOAN MINIVER JANE TRUBKIN ISBELL MOTLEY Musicians FALCONER and Huntsmen SUSAN, sister to Sir Charles Mountford SHERIFF, Officers, KEEPER, SHAFTON OLD MOUNTFORD, uncle SANDY, former friend RODER, former tenant TIDY, cousin Serving-woman and ANNE's two little children Carters, Coachman PROLOGUE I come but like a harbinger,1 being sent To tell you what these preparations mean. Look for no glorious state; our Muse is bent Upon a barren subject, a bare scene. We could afford this twig a timber-tree, Whose strength might boldly on your favors build; Our russet, tissue; drone, a honey-bee; Our barren plot, a large and spacious field; Our coarse fare, banquets; our thin water, wine; Our brook, a sea; our bat's eyes, eagle's sight; Our poet's dull and earthly Muse, divine; Our ravens, doves; our crow's black feathers, white. But gentle thoughts, when they may give the foil, Save them that yield, and spare where they may spoil 1. The officer who goes ahead of the court to arrange for its entertainment. A WOMAN KILLED WITH KINDNESS ACT I, SCENE I Enter Master John Frankford, Mistress Anne [Frankford,] Sir Francis Acton, Sir Charles Mountford, Master Malby, Master Wendoll, and Master Cranwell SIR F. Some music, there! None lead the bride a dance? SIR C. Yes, would she dance The Shaking of the Sheets; But that's the dance her husband means to lead her. WEN. That's not the dance that every man must dance, According to the ballad. SIR F. Music, ho! By your leave, sister,-by your husband's leave, I should have said,-the hand that but this day Was given you in the church I'll borrow.-Sound! This marriage music hoists me from the ground. FRANK. Ay, you may caper; you are light and free! Marriage hath yoked my heels; pray, then, pardon me. SIR F. I'll have you dance too, brother! SIR C. Master Frankford Y'are a happy man, sir, and much joy Succeed your marriage mirth: you have a wife So qualified, and with such ornaments Both of the mind and body. First, her birth Is noble, and her education such As might become the daughter of a prince; Her own tongue speaks all tongues, and her own hand Can teach...
