Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the
Post Man, 8-10 June 1697, suggests a first performance in late May or the beginning of June. Preface: I [
Motteux] write the
Masque of Hercules, and
Mr Eccles, having set it with his usual Success, and yet more masterly than my
Mars and Venus, if possible, I prevail'd with the ingenious
Mr J. Oldmixon to give me a short Pastoral, while I scribbled over a Farce after the
Italian Manner, and an Imitation of part of a diverting
French Comedy of one Act (for such Plays are very common in Foreign Parts). Then I wanted nothing but a Tragedy....At last I bethought myself of one already studied, called
The Unnatural Brother, written by an ingenious Gentleman and acted 6 Months ago, tho not with the success it deserv'd. Yet the latter Part was extremely applauded: So I was persuaded to make bold with it, as I do....I could easily contract the most moving Part of the Story into the Compass of one Act, with some Additions....All this was done in a very short time, the warm Season threatening me with your Absence....The foregoing Lines were published as a Preface to that Masque, some few copies of which were printed for the use of the Audience, the first day of the Novelty's being Acted.
A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 20: Every Word stolen, and then Damn'd