From 1694 to 1696, Manley travelled extensively in England, principally in the southwest, and began her dramatic career. At this time she wrote her first play, a comedy, "The Lost Lover, or, The Jealous Husband" (1696), and the she-tragedy "The Royal Mischief" (1696), which became the subject of ridicule and inspired the anonymous satirical play "The Female Wits". The satire mocked three female playwrights, including Manley, Catharine Trotter, and Mary Pix. Manley retired from the stage for ten years before returning with her 1707 play, "". Ten years later, Manley's "Lucius, The First King of Britain", was staged.