A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 09

A lively early‑17th‑century comedy unfolds as two scholarly friends, Arthur and Lusam, debate the puzzling case of a marriage that has gone sour. Through witty banter and spirited repartee, the play explores how a man might discern a virtuous partner from a less suitable match, all while lampooning the pretensions of love and courtship. The dialogue crackles with broad humor, and the characters—ranging from earnest masters to a meddling justice—are drawn with vivid, almost caricatured clarity.

The piece balances rib‑tickling farce with moments of genuine feeling, offering listeners a taste of the period’s theatrical flair. Its brisk pacing, clever wordplay, and lively ensembles bring the bustling streets of London to life, inviting audiences to enjoy both the laughter and the subtle moral reflections embedded in the early scenes.