performed in person the
part of the wife, Mrs. Graspall, a character well suited to her romping
disposition. It is difficult to imagine how the play could have
succeeded on its own merits, for the intricacies of the plot tax the
attention even of the reader. A certain Ann Minton, however, revived the
piece in the guise of "The Comedy of a Wife to be Lett, or, the Miser
Cured, compressed into Two Acts" (1802).

Apparently the reception of her comedy was not sufficiently encouraging
to induce Mrs. Haywood to continue writing plays, for six years elapsed
before she made a third effort in dramatic writing with a tragedy
entitled, "Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburgh," which was first
produced at Lincoln's Inn Fields on 4 March, 1729,[12] and shortly
afterward published with a dedication to Frederick Lewis, Prince of
Wales. The intention of the dedication was obviously to bid for royal
patronage, but the intended victim was too astute to be caught. In
eulogizing the Emperor Frederick (_c_. 1400) the author found abundant
opportunity to praise by implication his namesake, but unfortunately for
the success of the play none of the royal family "vouchsafed to honour
it with their Presence." Mrs. Haywood complains that hers "was the only
new Performance this Season, which had not received a Sanction from some
of that illustrious Line," and the "unthinking Part of the Town"
followed the fashion set by royalty. Unlike "The Fair Captive," which
suffered from a plethora of incidents, Mrs. Haywood's second tragedy
contains almost nothing in its five acts but rant. An analysis of the
plot is but a summary of conversations.

Act I. The German princes hail Frederick, recently elected Emperor.
Count Waldec and Ridolpho, in league with the Archbishop of Metz,
conspire against him. Waldec urges his sister Adelaid to marry the
gallant Wirtemberg. Sophia, her woman and confidant, also urges her to
marry, but Adelaid can only reply, "I charge thee Peace, Nor join such
distant Sounds as Joy and Wirtemberg," and during the rest of the act
proclaims the anguish inspired by her unrequited passion for Frederick,
married three years before to a Saxon princess.

Act II. The conspirators plan to kill Frederick. Adelaid reproaches him
for abandoning her. He welcomes his imperial consort, Anna, and takes
occasion to deliver many magnanimous sentiments.

Act III. Adelaid declares that she cannot love Wirtemberg. Waldec
excites the impatient love