Anne Bracegirdle

She became particularly well known for the song "I burn" which Eccles originally wrote for Bracegirdle to perform in Thomas D'Urfey's play The Comical History of Don Quixote (1694).

As it became apparent that audiences preferred her rival, Anne Bracegirdle quit the stage, making only one reappearance at Betterton's benefit in 1709.

[3] Colley Cibber described Bracegirdle in his autobiography as she appeared in 1690, when he first joined the company at Drury Lane: She had no greater Claim to Beauty than what the most desirable Brunette might pretend to.

It was even a Fashion among the Gay and Young to have a Taste or Tendre for Mrs. Bracegirdle… In all the chief Parts she acted, the Desirable was so predominant, that no Judge could be cold enough to consider from what other particular Excellence she became delightful.Cibber was smitten.

The jealous Hill and a gang of toughs led by the infamous Lord Mohun attempted to abduct Anne and murdered Mountfort, her presumed lover, in the street.