Apparently the reception of her comedy was not sufficiently encouraging to induce Mrs. Haywood to continue writing plays, for six years elapsed before she made a third effort in dramatic writing with a tragedy entitled, “Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburgh,” which was first produced at Lincoln’s Inn Fields on 4 March, 1729,[12] and shortly afterward published with a dedication to Frederick Lewis, Prince of Wales.  The intention of the dedication was obviously to bid for royal patronage, but the intended victim was too astute to be caught.  In eulogizing the Emperor Frederick (c. 1400) the author found abundant opportunity to praise by implication his namesake, but unfortunately for the success of the play none of the royal family “vouchsafed to honour it with their Presence.”  Mrs. Haywood complains that hers “was the only new Performance this Season, which had not received a Sanction from some of that illustrious Line,” and the “unthinking Part of the Town” followed the fashion set by royalty.  Unlike “The Fair Captive,” which suffered from a plethora of incidents, Mrs. Haywood’s second tragedy contains almost nothing in its five acts but rant.  An analysis of the plot is but a summary of conversations.

Act I. The German princes hail Frederick, recently elected Emperor.  Count Waldec and Ridolpho, in league with the Archbishop of Metz, conspire against him.  Waldec urges his sister Adelaid to marry the gallant Wirtemberg.  Sophia, her woman and confidant, also urges her to marry, but Adelaid can only reply, “I charge thee Peace, Nor join such distant Sounds as Joy and Wirtemberg,” and during the rest of the act proclaims the anguish inspired by her unrequited passion for Frederick, married three years before to a Saxon princess.

Act ii.  The conspirators plan to kill Frederick.  Adelaid reproaches him for abandoning her.  He welcomes his imperial consort, Anna, and takes occasion to deliver many magnanimous sentiments.

Act III.  Adelaid declares that she cannot love Wirtemberg.  Waldec excites the impatient lover to jealousy of Frederick.  Ridolpho is banished court for murder.

Act IV.  Frederick is distressed by Wirtemberg’s discontent.  The Empress, seeking to learn the reason for it, is infected by Wirtemberg’s suspicions.  Adelaid overhears Ridolpho and Waldec plotting to slay Frederick, but hesitates to accuse her own brother.  Wirtemberg reproaches her for her supposed yielding to Frederick, and resolves to leave her forever.

Act V. Adelaid, in order to warn him, sends to ask the Emperor to visit her.  Waldec intercepts the letter and resolves to murder Frederick in her chamber.  Wirtemberg learns that he has been duped and defends the Emperor.  Waldec and Ridolpho are killed, though not before they succeed in mortally wounding Frederick, who dies amid tears.

Genest says with truth that the love scenes are dull, and that the subject is not well calculated for dramatic representation.  The play was acted only the usual three times, and fully deserved the deep damnation of its taking off.