chosen, although the piece was ill received, and withdrawn after being
only thrice represented. It was printed in 1678.


Footnotes:
1. Reasons for Mr Bayes changing his Religion, p. 24.

2. See State Trials, vol. viii. pp. 17, 18.




TO

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

JOHN,

LORD VAUGHAN, &c[1].


MY LORD,

I cannot easily excuse the printing of a play at so unseasonable a
time[2], when the great plot of the nation, like one of Pharaoh's lean
kine, has devoured its younger brethren of the stage. But however weak
my defence might be for this, I am sure I should not need any to the
world for my dedication to your lordship; and if you can pardon my
presumption in it, that a bad poet should address himself to so great
a judge of wit, I may hope at least to escape with the excuse of