*p1680 06 00 dg The Souldiers Fortune. Edition of 1681: Beaugard-Betterton; Courtine-Smith; Sir Davy Dunce-Nokes; Sir Jolly Jumble-Leigh; Fourbin-Jevon; Bloody Bones-Richards; Vermin-A Boy; Lady Dunce-Mrs Barry; Sylvia-Mrs Price; Prologue by the Lord Falkland-; Epilogue-.*c1680 06 00 dg The <i>Duke's Company</i>. The date of the first performance is not known; an entry in <i>L. C.</i> 5@145, p. 120, lists it for 1 March, but leaves the year in question. See also <i>Nicoll, Restoration Drama</i>, p. 349. Because the <i>Prologue</i> upbraids the audience for deserting <i>Dorset Garden</i> to see <i>The Female Prelate</i> at <i>Drury Lane</i> (beginning 31 May 1680) and because the <i>Epilogue</i> refers to railing at the <i>Penny Post</i>, a service inaugurated on 1 April 1680, a performance in mid-June 1680 seems the likely first production. If so, the <i>L. C. entry</i> for 1 March probably represents a revival for 1 March 1680@1. A song, <i>Bonny lass gin thou wert mine</i>, with music by $Thomas Farmer=, is in <i>Choice Ayres and Songs</i>, The Third Book, 1681. For $Leigh= as <i>Sir Jolly</i>r and $Nokes= as <i>Sir Davy</i>r, see <i>Cibber, Apology</i>, ed. $Lowe=, I, 147-48. $Downes= (<i>Roscius Anglicanus</i>, p. 36): These two Comedies [<i>The Soulder's Fortune</i> and $D'Urfey='s <i>The Fond Husband</i>] took extraordinary well, and being perfectly Acted; got the Company great Reputation and Profit.