forward (1 not pre-S.; the meanings ‘early’, ‘ready, prompt’, ‘precocious’, ‘pert, bold’ occur)
1.
situated at the front
Tp. II. ii. 98
“His voice,”
All'sW. III. ii. 116
“Whoever charges on his
breast,”
V. iii. 39
“Let's take the instant
by the forward top.”
2.
eager, ardent,
zealous
R2 IV. i. 72
“How fondly dost thou
spur a
horse,”
2H4 I. i. 173,
R3 III. ii. 46
“ Upon his
party,”
H8 IV. i. 9, Tit. I. i. 56.