arrested. Shortly after he was bailed out by his political friends, but
he presently fled in terror lest he should pay the penalty of his
follies and crimes, inasmuch as a true bill for high treason had been
found against him. It was natural that at such a crisis the stage and
satire (both prose and rhyme), should become impregnated with party
feeling; and the Tory poets, with glorious John Dryden at their head,
unmercifully pilloried their adversaries. In 1682 Mrs. Behn produced
three comedies, two of which are mainly political. _The Roundheads_,
a masterly pasquinade, shows the Puritans, near ancestors of the Whigs,
in their most odious and veritable colours. _The City Heiress_ lampoons
Shaftesbury and his cit following in exquisite caricature. The wit and
humour, the pointed raillery never coarsening into mere invective and
zany burlesque, place this in the very front rank of her comedies.[36]
_The False Count_, the third play of this year, is non-political, and
she has herein borrowed a suggestion from Moliere. It is full of
brilliant dialogue and point, whilst the situations are truly ludicrous
and entertaining. As might well be surmised, _The Roundheads_ and _The
City Heiress_ were not slow to wake the rancour of the Whigs, who looked
about for an opportunity of vengeance which they shortly found. On
10 August, 1682, there was produced at the Duke's Theatre an anonymous
tragedy _Romulus and Hersilia; or, The Sabine War_. It is a vigorous
play of no small merit and attracted considerable attention at the
time.[37] Mrs. Behn contributed both Prologue and Epilogue, the former
being spoken by that sweet-voiced blonde, winsome Charlotte Butler, the
latter by Lady Slingsby, who acted Tarpeia. There was matter in the
Epilogue which reflected upon the disgraced Duke of Monmouth, for whom,
in spite of his known treachery and treasons, Charles still retained the
fondest affection. Warm representations were made in high quarters, and
the following warrant was speedily issued:--

Whereas the Lady Slingsby Comoedian and Mrs. Aphaw Behen have by
acting and writeing at his Royall Highnesse Theatre committed
severall Misdemeanors and made abusive reflections upon persons of
Quality, and have written and spoken scandalous speeches without any
License or Approbation of those that ought to peruse and authorize
the same, These are therefore to require you to take into yo'r
Custody the said Lady Slingsby and Mrs. Aphaw B