*p1696 02 00 dl Neglected Virtue; or, The Unhappy Conquerors. [The Dedication is signed by $Hildebrand Horden=, who does not claim it for his own.] Edition of 1696: The Prologue [Writ and-Mr Horden; Phraates-Powell; Artaban-Horden; Memnon-Dizney; Castillio-Mills; Lysander-Hill; Castillio Jr-Penkethman; Bretton-Bullock; Lycastes-Harland; Curio-Simpson; Thermusa-Mrs Knight; Alinda-Mrs Rogers; Eudora-Mrs Powell; Emilia-Mrs Mills; Ariena-Mrs Temple; Aramdine-Mrs Cross; The Epilogue by Mr Motteux-Mr Haynes [Acting the Mad-Man.*c1696 02 00 dl <i>Rich's Company</i>. The date of the first performance is uncertain, and the play has been sometimes assigned to December 1695. There are indications, however, that the play first appeared at a later time, but certainly not later than 14 March 1695@6, the date attached to the Dedication. The Epilogue has some allusions which suggest mid-February, for it refers to the "Fasting time" of <i>Lent</i> and to "Dancing at <i>Drapers-Hall</i> last Masquerade" (a masquerade ball was held there on 4 Feb. 1695@6). Dedication, Edition of 1696: This Play was given to my Care by a Friend: I promis'd him not to neglect it in the Difficulties it was to pass through. It has had hitherto but an unpleasant Journey; and I knew no better way to make Amends, than by taking up its Rest with you [$Sir John Smith=]; where I am assured its Reception will be the best a truly Noble and Generous Soul can give. I beg not your Protection, Sir, from those wide-mouth'd Curs, the Criticks: But since they have had their Ends in running it down, 'tis under the Shelter of your Name I desire a poor maim'd Thing, that did its best to shew them Sport, may lye secure from farther Danger....$H. Horden=. <i>A Comparison Between the Two Stages</i> (1702), p. 18: Damn'd.