The City Bride (1696): Or, The Merry Cuckold

"The City Bride" by Joseph Harris is a comedy written in the late 17th century. This play adapts William Rowley and John Webster's earlier work "A Cure for a Cuckold" and centers on the themes of fidelity and love, specifically through the character of Arabella who is confronting the complexities of marriage and infidelity. The opening of "The City Bride" introduces us to a festive atmosphere celebrating a wedding, with guests in attendance and music being played. As the characters interact, secrets and tensions emerge, particularly surrounding the relationships between the main characters, Bonvile, Arabella, and Friendly. The narrative quickly sets up a backdrop of potential conflict, as Friendly receives a troubling letter from Clara, commanding him to kill his best friend, Bonvile, stressing themes of loyalty and betrayal. The scene is rich in witty banter, character dynamics, and hints at deeper emotional struggles that foreshadow turmoil beneath the surface of merriment.