wins, and establishes himself the new king, finally allowing himself and Palmyra to be married. The second storyline, which intertwines with the first, concerns Rhodophil and his friend Palamede. Palamede has fallen in love with Rhodophil's wife Doralice, and Rhodophil is in love with Palamede's fiancée Melantha. Each of the women seem to find their pursuers agreeable, and great care is taken by all parties to keep their meetings secret from each other, with disastrous results as the two couples seem to always choose the same locations and tactics for meeting. When finally the actions of everyone are discovered, Palamede and Rhodophil decide that since their tastes in women are so similar, each would be best sticking to his rightful claim. Palamede then manages to win the heart of Melantha, and amicably break off his relationship with Doralice. Sources Dryden borrowed from two plays by John Fletcher and his collaborators for Marriage À-la-Mode. He adapted its main plot from Beggars' Bush and its subplot from Rule a Wife and Have a Wife. Production history The King's Company first performed Marriage à la Mode in London in 1673. William Wintershall played Polydamas, Edward Kynaston was Leonidas, Michael Mohun was Rhodophil, Edward Lydall was Argaleon, Marmaduke Watson was Eubulus and Nicholas Burt was Palamede; the role of Hermogenes was taken by William Cartwright the younger. Elizabeth Cox played Palmyra, Rebecca Marshall played Doralice, Elizabeth James was Amalthea, and Elizabeth Boutell was Melantha. Arthur Hutchings composed a comic opera based on the play in 1956. References External links Text of Marriage à-la-Mode at Online Literature 1673 plays Plays by John Dryden Restoration comedy West End plays Plays set in the 17th century Cultural depictions of Leonidas I