ABSTRACT
Probably first performed in February 1678; the play was staged by the King's Company at the Theatre Royal. For D'. s association with Lee see 'To Mr Lee, on his Alexander'. Lee's Mithridates King of Pontus, A Tragedy was published by James Magnes and Richard Bentley in 1678; reprinted 1685, 1693. It was dedicated to the Earl of Dorset. The Epilogue is spoken by a man, probably either Hart or Mohun prostitute dupes, adulterated, impure. Ziphares and Semandra, 'In men, what is called love is, when closely examined, just pride in gaining a woman and vanity in boasting of it'. Tis prodigality that buys deceit, where both the giver and the taker cheat. Men but refine on the old half-crown way, and women fight, like Switzers, for their pay.
