playwright.

She herself, according to the "Biographia Dramatica," when young
"dabbled in dramatic poetry; but with no great success." The first of
her plays, a tragedy entitled "The Fair Captive," was acted the
traditional three times at Lincoln's Inn Fields, beginning 4 March,
1721.[8] Aaron Hill contributed a friendly epilogue. Quin took the part
of Mustapha, the despotic vizier, and Mrs. Seymour played the heroine.
On 16 November it was presented a fourth time for the author's
benefit,[9] then allowed to die. Shortly after the first performance the
printed copy made its appearance. In the "Advertisement to the Reader"
Mrs. Haywood exposes the circumstances of her turning playwright,
naïvely announcing:

"To attempt any thing in Vindication of the following Scenes, wou'd
cost me more Time than the Composing 'em took me up...

"This Tragedy was originally writ by Capt. Hurst, and by him deliver'd
to Mr. Rich, to be acted soon after the opening of the New House;[10]
but the Season being a little too far elaps'd for the bringing it on
then, and the Author oblig'd to leave the Kingdom, Mr. Rich became the
Purchaser of it, and the Winter following order'd it into Rehearsal:
but found it so unfit for Representation, that for a long time he laid
aside all thoughts of making any thing of it, till last January he
gave me the History of his Bargain, and made me some Proposals
concerning the new modelling it: but however I was prevail'd upon, I
cannot say my Inclination had much share in my Consent.... On Reading,
I found I had much more to do than I expected; every Character I was
oblig'd to find employment for, introduce one entirely new, without
which it had been impossible to have guessed at the Design of the