1–2 John… Turvey John Mordaunt (c. 1599–1642), a court favourite, created 1st Earl of Peterborough in 1628

8 freedom distinction

10–12 Your… presentment Mordaunt had enjoyed seeing the play in performance (‘in the action’), which led Ford to dedicate to him the printed version (‘this presentment’).

14 gravity… lightness playing on (a) seriousness versus levity and (b) physical heaviness versus lightness; ‘the lightness of the title’ also carries an implication of sexual licentiousness (with reference to its use of the word ‘whore’).

14–15 otherwise… guilt Ford himself would not have approved the use of a licentious title in a less serious play.