Thomas Middleton - A Chaste Maid in Cheapside: "She that in life and love refuses me, In death and shame my partner she shall be."

The life of Thomas Middleton, born in London in 1580, was marked by early loss and legal struggles over inheritance. He gained notoriety as a playwright in the early 17th century, producing controversial works like "Microcynicon" and "Penniless Parliament of Threadbare Poets." His collaborations with Thomas Dekker and later with William Rowley resulted in notable plays, including "The Roaring Girl" and "The Changeling." Middleton's patriotic themes culminated in the contentious "A Game at Chess," which was silenced after just nine performances. He passed away in 1627, leaving a significant legacy in English theatre.