Act 5 — A WOMAN KILLED WITH KINDNESS
Reading edition
BY THOMAS HEYWOOD
[DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Sir Francis Acton, Brother to Mistress Frankford.
Sir Charles Mountford.
Master John Frankford.
Master Malby, friend to Sir Francis.
Master Wendoll, friend to Frankford.
Master Cranwell.
Master Shafton, false friend to Sir Charles.
Old Mountford, Uncle to Sir Charles.
Master Sandy.
Master Roder.
Master Tidy, Cousin to Sir Charles.
Nicholas, } Household Servants to Frankford.
Roger Brickbat,
Jenkin,
Jack Slime, }
Spigot,
Butler,
Sheriff.
Keeper of Prison.
Sheriff’s Officers, Serjeant, Huntsmen, Falconers, Coachmen, Carters, Servants, Musicians.
Mistress Anne Frankford.
Susan, Sister to Sir Charles Mountford.
Cicely, Maid to Mistress Frankford.
Women Servants in Master Frankford’s household.]
PROLOGUE
I come but like a harbinger, 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,5 Whose strength might boldly on your favours 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;10 Our poet’s dull and earthy Muse, divine; Our ravens, doves; our crow’s black feathers, white. But gentle thoughts, when they may give the foil,[2802] Save them that yield, and spare where they may spoil.