[1] The first published version of this play (February 1696) included the first biography of Behn, and this was probably written by Charles Gildon.
The original cast included John Verbruggen as Prince Frederick, Benjamin Johnson as Sir Rowland Marteen, George Powell as George Marteen, Hildebrand Horden as Welborn, William Pinkethman as Sir Merlin Marteen, William Bullock as Sir Morgan Blunder, Thomas Kent as Brittone, Frances Maria Knight as Mirtilla, Susanna Verbruggen as Olivia, Elizabeth Willis as Mrs Menage and Mary Powell as Lady Blunder.
[3] The old but wealthy Lady Youthly is due to marry George, an impoverished younger brother.
George's father, Sir Rowland, is due to marry Lady Youthly's granddaughter, Tereisa.
However, Peggy Thompson calls the play Behn's "bleak final vision" about the lot of women, saying that "the final lines remind us that the weddings in this play also mark the triumph of a patriarchal, objectifying system: George gloats that his 'younger Brother's share is one that's Rich, Witty, Young and Fair'".