- Thomas Arden, Gentleman, of Feversham
- Franklin, his Friend
- Mosbie
- Clarke, a Painter
- Adam Fowle, Landlord of the Flower-de-Luce
- Bradshaw, a Goldsmith
- Michael, Arden’s Servant
- Greene
- Richard Reede, a Sailor
- Black Will } Murderers
- Shakebag }
- A Prentice
- A Ferryman
- Lord Cheiny, and his Men
- Mayor of Feversham, and Watch
- Alice, Arden’s Wife
- Susan, Mosbie’s Sister
ARDEN OF FEVERSHAM
ACT I
A Room in Arden’s House.
Enter Arden and Franklin.
Franklin. Arden, cheer up thy spirits, and droop no more!
My gracious Lord, the Duke of Somerset,
Hath freely given to thee and to thy heirs,
By letters patents from his Majesty,
All the lands of the Abbey of Feversham.
Here are the deeds, [He hands them.
Sealed and subscribed with his name and the king’s:
Read them, and leave this melancholy mood.
Arden. Franklin, thy love prolongs my weary life;
And but for thee how odious were this life, 10
That shows me nothing but torments my soul,
And those foul objects that offend mine eyes!
Which makes me wish that for this veil of heaven
The earth hung over my head and covered me.
Love-letters pass ’twixt Mosbie and my wife,
And they have privy meetings in the town:
Nay, on his finger did I spy the ring
Which at our marriage-day the priest put on.
Can any grief be half so great as this?
Franklin. Comfort thyself, sweet friend; it is not strange 20
That women will be false and wavering.
Arden. Ay, but to dote on such a one as he
Is monstrous, Franklin, and intolerable.