An early version of the satirical play The Rehearsal, by George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, is prepared for production in London, but is cancelled due to an outbreak of bubonic plague. In this early version, the hero, "Bilboa," mocks Sir Robert Howard; when the play is finally staged in 1672, changed conditions in the theatre world inspire a rewrite, and "Bilboa" is replaced by "Bayes," a protagonist inspired by John Dryden.