Thomas Middleton - Your Five Gallants: "Let me feel how thy pulses beat."

The life of Thomas Middleton, a notable figure in early 17th-century London, is marked by personal loss and literary controversy. Orphaned young, he faced a protracted legal battle over his inheritance. His provocative works, including the denounced *Microcynicon*, incited public outrage, while his collaborations—particularly with Thomas Dekker—sparked rivalries with other playwrights. Notable achievements include *The Roaring Girl* and *The Changeling*, alongside his role as the City of London’s chronologer. His final play, *A Game at Chess*, drew significant attention before his untimely death in 1627.