The antient and modern stages survey'd, or, Mr. Collier's view of the immorality and profaness of the English stage set in a true light wherein some of Mr. Collier's mistakes are rectified, and the comparative morality of the English stage is asserted upon the parallel.
         Drake, James, 1667-1707.
      
       
         
           1699
        
      
       Approx. 520 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 203 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
       
         Text Creation Partnership,
         Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :
         2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).
         A36512
         Wing D2123
         ESTC R22914
         12125740
         ocm 12125740
         54591
         
           
            This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of
             Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal
            . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.
          
        
      
       
         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A36512)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 54591)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 92:12)
      
       
         
           
             The antient and modern stages survey'd, or, Mr. Collier's view of the immorality and profaness of the English stage set in a true light wherein some of Mr. Collier's mistakes are rectified, and the comparative morality of the English stage is asserted upon the parallel.
             Drake, James, 1667-1707.
          
           [33], 367 p.
           
             Printed for Abel Roper ...,
             London :
             1699.
          
           
             Written by J. Drake. Cf. Halkett & Laing (2nd ed.).
             Errata: p. [33].
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.
         Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors.
      
       
         EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.
         EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).
         The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.
         Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.
         Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.
         Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.
         The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.
         Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).
         
          Keying and markup guidelines are available at the
           Text Creation Partnership web site
          .
        
      
       
         
         
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Collier, Jeremy, 1650-1726. -- Short view of the immorality and profaneness of the English stage.
           Theater -- Moral and ethical aspects.
           Theater -- England.
        
      
    
     
        2006-10 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
        2006-10 Aptara
        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2006-11 Jonathan Blaney
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2006-11 Jonathan Blaney
        Text and markup reviewed and edited
      
        2007-02 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
         
         
         
           
             The
             Antient
             and
             Modern
             Stages
             survey'd
             .
          
           OR
           ,
           Mr
           
           COLLIER's
           View
           OF
           THE
           Immorality
           and
           Profaness
           OF
           THE
           English
           Stage
           Set
           in
           a
           TRUE
           LIGHT
           .
        
         
           Wherein
           some
           of
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           Mistakes
           are
           rectified
           ,
           and
           the
           comparative
           Morality
           of
           the
           English
           Stage
           is
           asserted
           upon
           the
           Parallel
           .
        
         
           
             Rode
             Caper
             Vitem
             ,
             tamen
             hinc
             cum
             stabis
             ad
             Aram
             ,
          
           
             In
             tua
             quod
             fundi
             Cornua
             possit
             ,
             erit
             .
          
           
             Ov.
             
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Abel
             Roper
          
           ,
           at
           the
           
             Black
             Boy
          
           over
           against
           St.
           Dunstans
           Church
           in
           Fleetstreet
           .
           1699.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           Right
           Honourable
           CHARLES
           Earl
           of
           Dorset
           ,
           and
           Middlesex
           ,
           Baron
           Buckhurst
           ,
           one
           of
           the
           Lords
           of
           His
           Majesty's
           Most
           Honourable
           Privy
           Council
           ,
           Lord
           Lieutenant
           of
           the
           County
           of
           Sussex
           ,
           and
           Knight
           of
           the
           most
           Noble
           Order
           of
           the
           Garter
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
          
        
         
           IN
           addressing
           to
           Your
           Lordship
           ,
           tho
           I
           betray
           my
           Ambition
           ,
           I
           shall
           strengthen
           the
           
           opinion
           of
           my
           Integrity
           .
           For
           by
           appealing
           to
           so
           great
           ,
           and
           so
           impartial
           a
           Judge
           ,
           I
           give
           the
           World
           sufficient
           demonstration
           ,
           that
           I
           trust
           more
           to
           the
           Merit
           of
           my
           Cause
           ,
           than
           of
           my
           Performance
           ,
           and
           depend
           rather
           upon
           the
           matter
           ,
           than
           the
           manner
           of
           what
           I
           deliver
           ,
           for
           my
           Justification
           .
        
         
           The
           Tyde
           of
           Prejudice
           runs
           high
           for
           my
           Adversary
           ,
           and
           the
           less
           discerning
           part
           of
           the
           Town
           are
           so
           prepossess'd
           with
           the
           Specious
           Title
           ,
           and
           the
           Plausible
           Pretence
           of
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           Book
           ,
           that
           they
           think
           the
           whole
           Interest
           of
           Virtue
           and
           Religion
           embark'd
           on
           that
           Bottom
           .
           Immorality
           and
           Prophaness
           are
           things
           so
           justly
           abhorrd
           ,
           that
           whoever
           enters
           the
           Lists
           against
           'em
           ,
           has
           all
           Good
           Men
           for
           his
           Seconds
           .
           And
           their
           
           zeal
           for
           the
           Cause
           so
           far
           blinds
           many
           of
           'em
           ,
           that
           they
           neither
           see
           ,
           nor
           suspect
           any
           Defect
           or
           Treachery
           in
           their
           Champion
           .
           For
           men
           are
           very
           unwilling
           to
           hear
           Truth
           ,
           against
           Prejudice
           ,
           and
           suffer
           Reason
           to
           triumph
           over
           Inclination
           .
        
         
           The
           Town
           is
           divided
           in
           its
           Judgment
           of
           the
           Piece
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           Contest
           lies
           betwixt
           those
           that
           are
           Judges
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           are
           not
           ,
           as
           Cardinal
           Richlieu
           said
           upon
           another
           occasion
           .
           The
           latter
           are
           of
           the
           Opposite
           Faction
           ,
           and
           are
           as
           much
           more
           numerous
           than
           the
           former
           ;
           as
           Vanity
           and
           Presumption
           are
           more
           Universal
           ,
           than
           Understanding
           .
        
         
           This
           makes
           the
           Prefixing
           your
           Lordships
           name
           ,
           by
           your
           own
           Permission
           ,
           whose
           Judgment
           is
           as
           little
           to
           be
           byass'd
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           to
           
           be
           question'd
           ,
           not
           only
           matter
           of
           Honour
           to
           me
           ,
           but
           of
           necessary
           Defence
           .
           Not
           that
           I
           expect
           any
           Protection
           for
           those
           Errors
           which
           I
           may
           have
           committed
           .
           They
           must
           be
           left
           to
           the
           mercy
           of
           Readers
           of
           far
           less
           Judgment
           and
           Candour
           ,
           than
           
             Your
             Honour
          
           .
           To
           be
           tried
           by
           such
           a
           Grand
           Jury
           ,
           is
           a
           happiness
           I
           am
           so
           far
           from
           expecting
           ,
           that
           I
           know
           it
           impossible
           .
           But
           the
           Deference
           due
           to
           so
           great
           a
           Name
           may
           procure
           me
           a
           fair
           hearing
           amongst
           some
           ,
           upon
           whom
           a
           bare
           regard
           to
           Justice
           wou'd
           hardly
           prevail
           so
           far
           .
        
         
           Did
           Mr
           Collier
           contend
           only
           for
           the
           better
           Establishment
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           Reformation
           of
           Manners
           ,
           I
           shou'd
           be
           asham'd
           to
           appear
           against
           him
           .
           But
           there
           is
           a
           Snake
           in
           the
           Grass
           .
           Mr
           Collier
           
           undertakes
           the
           Patronage
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           as
           Cunning
           Men
           do
           the
           Guardianship
           of
           rich
           Orphans
           ,
           only
           to
           make
           his
           Markets
           of
           it
           .
           That
           this
           is
           his
           case
           ,
           the
           following
           Sheets
           will
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           sufficiently
           demonstrate
           .
           His
           Vehemence
           gives
           us
           just
           ground
           to
           suspect
           his
           Integrity
           ,
           and
           to
           believe
           that
           he
           has
           some
           conceal'd
           Interest
           ,
           or
           Pique
           at
           the
           bottom
           .
           The
           disinterested
           enquiry
           after
           Truth
           is
           always
           accompany'd
           with
           Candour
           ;
           where
           that
           is
           wanting
           ,
           there
           is
           just
           reason
           to
           suspect
           some
           further
           design
           .
           In
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           management
           ,
           the
           Heat
           and
           Smoke
           are
           too
           great
           and
           apparent
           for
           the
           Fire
           to
           be
           long
           conceal'd
           .
           His
           Design
           is
           manifestly
           not
           to
           argue
           the
           Poets
           out
           of
           their
           Faults
           ,
           but
           to
           bully
           his
           Readers
           out
           of
           their
           Understandings
           ,
           
           and
           by
           violence
           to
           alter
           the
           Impressions
           already
           receiv'd
           of
           those
           matters
           ▪
           which
           he
           treats
           of
           .
           His
           Style
           is
           adapted
           to
           his
           purpose
           ,
           fierce
           and
           bold
           ,
           full
           of
           vehement
           exaggerations
           ,
           and
           haughty
           menaces
           ,
           he
           racks
           Sentences
           ,
           and
           tortures
           Expressions
           ,
           to
           extort
           a
           Confession
           from
           'em
           of
           things
           to
           which
           they
           are
           absolute
           Strangers
           .
           The
           consequence
           of
           this
           way
           of
           writing
           is
           ,
           that
           Women
           ,
           and
           Weak
           Men
           ,
           whose
           Fears
           are
           stronger
           than
           their
           Judgments
           ,
           will
           be
           aw'd
           into
           a
           Perswasion
           before
           they
           are
           convinc'd
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           it
           .
           For
           such
           People
           in
           most
           cases
           measure
           the
           certainty
           of
           Assertions
           by
           the
           Confidence
           of
           him
           that
           pronounces
           'em
           ,
           and
           the
           Importance
           by
           the
           false
           weight
           that
           is
           laid
           upon
           '
           em
           .
        
         
         
           'T
           was
           this
           consideration
           ,
           not
           any
           extraordinary
           Affection
           for
           the
           Stage
           ,
           that
           engag'd
           me
           in
           this
           Argument
           .
           I
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           an
           attempt
           towards
           usurping
           the
           Soveraignty
           of
           Men's
           Understandings
           ,
           and
           restoring
           the
           Tyranny
           of
           Bigottry
           ,
           whose
           Yoak
           we
           have
           scarce
           yet
           sufficiently
           shaken
           off
           .
           My
           Reason
           is
           the
           dearest
           ,
           and
           freest
           part
           of
           me
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           so
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           puts
           the
           Dice
           upon
           that
           ,
           affronts
           me
           in
           the
           most
           sensible
           manner
           .
           I
           had
           rather
           be
           bubbled
           of
           my
           Money
           than
           my
           Intellects
           ,
           and
           shou'd
           chuse
           rather
           to
           be
           thought
           his
           Cully
           ,
           than
           his
           Fool.
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           these
           tricks
           are
           not
           to
           be
           put
           upon
           a
           man
           that
           is
           aware
           of
           'em
           ,
           and
           consequently
           I
           might
           have
           secur'd
           my self
           without
           making
           a
           publick
           
           discovery
           .
           But
           I
           think
           it
           a
           Cowardly
           piece
           of
           Caution
           ,
           a
           sort
           of
           Criminal
           Misprision
           to
           connive
           at
           the
           cheating
           of
           others
           ;
           and
           while
           I
           am
           able
           to
           inform
           'em
           ,
           the
           Clamour
           of
           Knaves
           or
           Fools
           shall
           never
           awe
           me
           to
           Silence
           .
        
         
           That
           this
           is
           no
           extravagant
           Surmise
           ,
           no
           Hypochondriacal
           Fancy
           ,
           is
           evident
           from
           the
           Tenour
           of
           the
           whole
           Book
           ,
           especially
           the
           third
           Chapter
           .
           Every
           thing
           is
           deliver'd
           with
           an
           air
           so
           haughty
           ,
           so
           magisterial
           ,
           so
           decisive
           ,
           that
           he
           seems
           rather
           to
           serve
           us
           with
           an
           Injunction
           to
           believe
           him
           ,
           than
           an
           Argument
           .
           That
           this
           Imposition
           may
           be
           the
           more
           tamely
           submitted
           to
           ,
           he
           palms
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Church
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           pretends
           her
           Commission
           to
           make
           Fools
           of
           the
           Laity
           .
        
         
         
           The
           Church
           is
           by
           no
           means
           oblig'd
           to
           him
           ,
           for
           endeavouring
           to
           cast
           the
           Odium
           of
           his
           own
           Arrogance
           and
           Ambition
           upon
           her
           .
           How
           great
           soever
           his
           Zeal
           for
           her
           service
           may
           be
           ,
           his
           Indiscretion
           in
           it
           does
           not
           come
           a
           whit
           behind
           it
           .
           For
           to
           extend
           the
           Power
           and
           Authority
           of
           the
           Priest
           ,
           he
           curtails
           the
           Articles
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           denies
           the
           King's
           Supremacy
           ,
           which
           she
           has
           already
           oblig'd
           him
           to
           swear
           to
           the
           belief
           of
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           not
           trespass
           so
           far
           upon
           Your
           Honour's
           patience
           ,
           as
           to
           recapitulate
           the
           several
           Invidious
           things
           ,
           which
           he
           fathers
           upon
           the
           Church
           .
           I
           will
           hope
           well
           of
           his
           Design
           ,
           tho
           I
           fear
           the
           effects
           of
           his
           Performance
           will
           not
           turn
           to
           her
           Service
           .
           And
           I
           cou'd
           wish
           his
           Motives
           were
           better
           ,
           
           or
           not
           so
           apparent
           .
           If
           Demetrius
           was
           a
           Stickler
           for
           the
           honour
           of
           Diana
           ,
           't
           was
           because
           he
           made
           Shrines
           for
           her
           ,
           the
           interest
           of
           his
           trade
           engag'd
           him
           in
           her
           Party
           .
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           Case
           is
           not
           much
           different
           .
           The
           Poets
           had
           sometimes
           made
           bold
           to
           display
           a
           vicious
           ,
           or
           a
           foolish
           Priest
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           were
           Knaves
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           Drolls
           in
           the
           Pulpit
           ,
           had
           been
           made
           Cheats
           and
           Buffoons
           upon
           the
           Stage
           .
           The
           Mask
           of
           Formality
           and
           Sanctity
           was
           pull'd
           off
           ,
           and
           the
           Block-head
           and
           the
           Hypocrite
           shewn
           bare-fac'd
           .
           Thus
           the
           Profane
           Vulgar
           were
           suffer'd
           to
           peep
           ,
           and
           pry
           into
           Mysteries
           .
           This
           Mr
           Collier
           resents
           as
           if
           he
           were
           personally
           concern'd
           ,
           and
           wou'd
           perswade
           the
           world
           ,
           that
           to
           expose
           Hypocrisie
           is
           to
           affront
           the
           
           Church
           ,
           than
           which
           her
           Enemies
           cou'd
           not
           have
           suggested
           any
           thing
           more
           malicious
           .
           However
           ,
           this
           mistaken
           Injury
           has
           rais'd
           a
           Flame
           ,
           which
           will
           cost
           the
           effusion
           of
           abundance
           of
           Ink
           before
           it
           is
           extinguish'd
           .
           
             Manet
             alta
             Mente
             repostum
          
           ,
           and
           is
           never
           to
           be
           forgiven
           while
           Mr
           Collier
           can
           wag
           a
           Goose-quill
           .
        
         
           Our
           Clergy
           deservedly
           have
           both
           at
           home
           and
           abroad
           the
           reputation
           of
           the
           most
           learned
           Clergy
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           I
           shall
           venture
           to
           affirm
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           the
           Best
           in
           the
           World.
           Their
           Candour
           towards
           those
           that
           differ
           from
           'em
           in
           Opinion
           ,
           their
           Modesty
           in
           asserting
           their
           own
           ,
           and
           their
           sober
           Conduct
           in
           the
           discharge
           of
           their
           own
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           not
           assuming
           the
           dominion
           of
           those
           of
           other
           men
           ,
           
           will
           prove
           what
           I
           say
           to
           to
           be
           no
           Paradox
           .
           And
           therefore
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           in
           making
           so
           large
           a
           demand
           in
           their
           names
           ,
           has
           obliquely
           traduc'd
           'em
           ,
           by
           giving
           occasion
           to
           those
           that
           don't
           sufficiently
           know
           'em
           ,
           to
           suspect
           that
           he
           acts
           by
           their
           Approbation
           and
           Authority
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           forget
           ,
           that
           while
           I
           talk
           to
           Your
           Lordship
           ,
           I
           wrong
           the
           Publick
           ,
           which
           claims
           so
           great
           a
           share
           in
           your
           thoughts
           and
           time
           .
           I
           shall
           not
           attempt
           the
           Character
           of
           Your
           Lordship
           :
           For
           ,
           to
           write
           of
           you
           ,
           as
           I
           ought
           ,
           to
           do
           you
           Justice
           ,
           I
           must
           write
           like
           you
           ,
           which
           I
           hope
           I
           shall
           never
           have
           the
           vanity
           to
           pretend
           to
           .
           But
           the
           Name
           of
           
             My
             Lord
             Dorset
          
           alone
           carries
           more
           Panegyrick
           than
           the
           fruitfullest
           Invention
           can
           furnish
           .
           Those
           Adventurous
           
           Gentlemen
           ,
           that
           have
           already
           tried
           their
           Strength
           at
           it
           ,
           have
           by
           their
           foils
           taught
           me
           caution
           .
           Their
           Performances
           fall
           so
           extreamly
           short
           of
           the
           Merit
           of
           their
           Subject
           ,
           that
           when
           they
           have
           exhausted
           their
           Fancies
           ,
           their
           whole
           stock
           of
           Rhetorick
           looks
           like
           an
           Ostentation
           of
           Beggery
           .
           This
           consideration
           alone
           is
           sufficient
           to
           deter
           me
           from
           presuming
           further
           upon
           Your
           Lordship's
           Goodness
           ,
           except
           to
           ask
           Pardon
           for
           my
           Ambition
           of
           taking
           this
           Publick
           Occasion
           to
           declare
           with
           what
           profound
           Respect
           I
           am
        
         
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
          
           
             Your
             Honour
             's
             Most
             humble
             and
             devoted
             Servant
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           TABLE
           .
        
         
           
             INtroduction
             .
             p.
             1
          
           
             The
             quarrel
             to
             the
             Modern
             Stage
             first
             formally
             commenc'd
             in
             Spain
             .
             5
          
           
             Shows
             among
             the
             Heathens
             of
             Religious
             parentage
             .
             6
          
           
             The
             Drama
             of
             the
             same
             extraction
             .
             7
          
           
             Tragedy
             and
             Comedy
             originally
             one
             thing
             8
          
           
             When
             first
             distinguisht
             .
             9
          
           
             The
             Stage
             under
             the
             patronage
             of
             
               Bacchus
               .
               ibid
            
          
           
             Paganism
             a
             Religion
             contrived
             for
             popularity
             .
             10
          
           
             Heathen
             Religion
             all
             Ceremony
             .
             12
          
           
             Idolatry
             of
             the
             Stage
             ,
             the
             principal
             argument
             of
             the
             Fathers
             against
             it
             .
             13
          
           
             Heathen
             Plays
             dangerous
             temptations
             to
             the
             new
             Christian
             Converts
             .
             17
          
           
             Zeal
             of
             the
             Fathers
             against
             them
             not
             unnecessary
             .
             18
          
           
             Disingenuity
             of
             Mr
             Collier
             .
             20
          
           
             Idolatry
             the
             main
             Objection
             of
             the
             Fathers
             to
             the
             antient
             Drama
             .
             21
          
           
             Mimi
             c
             Shews
             among
             the
             Romans
             scandalously
             lewd
             ,
             the
             Drama
             not
             at
             all
             .
             23
          
           
             
             
               Clemens
               Alexandrinus
            
             falsly
             cited
             against
             the
             Drama
             .
             24
          
           
             The
             Fathers
             sometimes
             over
             rigorous
             .
             25
          
           
             The
             authority
             of
             the
             Fathers
             short
             of
             the
             Case
             .
             33
          
           
             
               Caution
               of
               Mr
            
             C
             —
             II
             —
             r.
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Plato's
             authority
             considered
             .
             34
          
           
             Xenophon
             '
             s.
             35
          
           
             Aristotle
             '
             s.
             36
          
           
             Plays
             forbidden
             to
             young
             People
             upon
             the
             score
             of
             the
             temptations
             from
             the
             company
             .
             36
          
           
             Licentiousness
             not
             defended
             .
             39
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             Character
             of
             Terence
             and
             Plautus
             .
             40
          
           
             This
             Character
             insidious
             .
             41
          
           
             His
             Citations
             patched
             up
             of
             incohe
             rent
             fragments
             .
             42
          
           
             The
             invention
             of
             the
             Roman
             Comic
             Poets
             barren
             .
             43
          
           
             Poetic
             Justice
             neglected
             by
             them
             .
             44
          
           
             Livie's
             authority
             abused
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             The
             Luxury
             and
             expensiveness
             of
             these
             Shews
             ,
             not
             their
             immorality
             condemned
             by
             Livy
             .
             46
          
           
             Valerius
             Maximus
             misquoted
             .
             47
          
           
             Falseness
             and
             absurdity
             of
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             Paraphrase
             .
             48
          
           
             His
             Conclusion
             not
             to
             be
             found
             in
             Valerius
             49
          
           
             Stage
             allow'd
             at
             Marseilles
             .
             50
          
           
             Seneca's
             Authority
             nothing
             to
             the
             purpose
             ibid
          
           
             Yet
             perverted
             52
          
           
             Tacitus
             ,
             &c.
             impertinently
             cited
             .
             54
          
           
             Ovid
             and
             Mr
             Wycherley
             say
             nothing
             against
             the
             Stage
             ,
             but
             the
             Audience
             .
             55
          
           
             Too
             great
             severity
             of
             no
             service
             to
             Morality
             .
             56
          
           
             Mr
             Collier's
             licentious
             method
             of
             misquoting
             unsufferable
             .
             57
          
           
             
             The
             Athenians
             the
             greatest
             Friends
             in
             the
             World
             to
             the
             Stage
             .
             58
          
           
             The
             Law
             against
             Judges
             making
             of
             Comedies
             a
             direct
             Argument
             against
             Mr
             Collier
             .
             59
          
           
             The
             old
             Comedy
             of
             the
             Greeks
             exceeding
             licentious
             .
             60
          
           
             Comedy
             ,
             why
             no
             proper
             Exercise
             for
             a
             Judge
             .
             61
          
           
             Opinion
             of
             the
             Spartans
             .
             62
          
           
             Theft
             tolerated
             at
             Lacedaemon
             .
             63
          
           
             Character
             of
             the
             Spartans
             .
             64
          
           
             Plutarch's
             Authority
             falsified
             by
             Mr
             Collier
             .
             65
          
           
             Politeness
             the
             Objection
             of
             the
             Spartans
             to
             the
             Drama
             .
             66
          
           
             All
             sorts
             of
             Plays
             not
             prohibited
             at
             
               Lacedaemon
               .
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             Morality
             not
             the
             reason
             of
             rejecting
             the
             Stage
             .
             67
          
           
             Adultery
             tollerated
             at
             Lacedaemon
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Livy's
             Authority
             considered
             .
             69
          
           
             Antient
             Romans
             an
             unrefined
             people
             .
             70
          
           
             Acting
             of
             Plays
             first
             left
             off
             by
             the
             Roman
             youth
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             difficulty
             .
             71
          
           
             Histriones
             ,
             who
             so
             called
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Conjectural
             Reasons
             why
             Players
             were
             noted
             with
             infamy
             .
             73
          
           
             Two
             first
             most
             probable
             .
             75
          
           
             Drama
             at
             first
             necessitated
             to
             use
             the
             Actors
             of
             the
             
               Ludi
               Scenici
            
             .
             76
          
           
             The
             Actors
             of
             Tragedy
             and
             Comedy
             therefore
             only
             call'd
             
               Histriones
               .
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             The
             Praetorian
             Edict
             against
             them
             .
             77
          
           
             Labeos
             exposition
             shews
             the
             intent
             of
             that
             Edict
             .
             78
          
           
             Mr
             Collier's
             Disingenuity
             in
             this
             point
             .
             ibid
          
           
             
             The
             Roman
             Censure
             extended
             only
             to
             the
             Mercenary
             Actors
             as
             such
             .
             79
          
           
             Scipio
             and
             Laelius
             Writers
             to
             the
             Stage
             ,
             or
             assisting
             to
             it
             .
             80
          
           
             Julius
             and
             
               Augustus
               Caesar
            
             and
             Seneca
             did
             the
             same
             .
             81
          
           
             Law
             of
             the
             
               Theodosian
               Code
            
             considered
             .
             83
          
           
             Meaning
             of
             the
             Theodosian
             Law.
             84
          
           
             Parallel
             instance
             85
          
           
             Authority
             from
             the
             Councils
             already
             answered
             .
             87
          
           
             Quarrel
             to
             the
             Stage
             unjust
             .
             88
          
           
             Antient
             Stage
             infinitely
             more
             scandalous
             and
             lewd
             than
             the
             Modern
             .
             89
          
           
             Stage
             dancing
             ,
             as
             now
             practised
             ,
             inoffensive
             to
             Modesty
             .
             90
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             notion
             of
             the
             extravagant
             power
             of
             Music
             ridiculous
             .
             91
          
           
             Power
             of
             Music
             owing
             to
             contingent
             circumstances
             .
             94
          
           
             Influence
             of
             sounds
             indeterminate
             .
             95
          
           
             Mr
             Collier
             a
             Platonist
             .
             97
          
           
             Not
             acqnainted
             with
             the
             subject
             he
             treats
             of
             .
             98
          
           
             His
             charge
             rash
             .
             99
          
           
             Comparative
             Morality
             of
             the
             Vocal
             Music
             of
             the
             ancient
             and
             modern
             Stages
             .
             100
          
           
             Antient
             Vocal
             music
             .
             101
          
           
             Chorus
             ,
             its
             Office
             102
          
           
             Their
             Mimi
             .
             103
          
           
             Mr
             ▪
             
             Collier's
             Objections
             from
             the
             Topic
             of
             Love
             a
             Declamatory
             Rant
             .
             105
          
           
             Meer
             Frenzy
             .
             106
          
           
             Revenge
             not
             encouraged
             by
             the
             Stage
             .
             108
          
           
             Instance
             in
             the
             
               Mourning
               Bride
               .
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             Passion
             not
             proper
             in
             Comedy
             .
             109
          
           
             
             Love
             ,
             Jealouly
             ,
             &c.
             how
             to
             be
             used
             in
             Comedy
             .
             111
          
           
             Exposition
             of
             an
             Observation
             of
             Horace
             .
             112
          
           
             
             Horace's
             instance
             from
             Terence
             examined
             .
             113
          
           
             Tragedy
             ,
             what
             in
             the
             Iudgment
             of
             Aristotle
             .
             114
          
           
             Duelling
             and
             Rencounters
             against
             the
             nature
             and
             Laws
             of
             Comedy
             .
             115
          
           
             Duell
             in
             
               Love
               in
               a
               Tub
            
             against
             the
             rules
             of
             Comedy
             .
             116
          
           
             Comic
             Poet
             obliged
             to
             draw
             according
             to
             nature
             .
             117
          
           
             No
             breach
             of
             Morality
             without
             offending
             against
             the
             Laws
             of
             the
             Stage
             .
             118
          
           
             Mr
             Collier
             right
             in
             his
             end
             of
             Stage
             Poetry
             .
             120
          
           
             Mistaken
             in
             his
             method
             of
             prosecuting
             that
             end
             .
             ibid
          
           
             Morals
             of
             a
             Play
             wherein
             shewn
             .
             121
          
           
             Folly
             and
             Knavery
             the
             subjects
             of
             Comedy
             122
          
           
             Mr
             
             Colller's
             Character
             of
             the
             Antient
             Poets
             invidious
             .
             124
          
           
             Fable
             the
             principal
             part
             of
             a
             Play.
             125
          
           
             Fable
             of
             the
             Oedipus
             of
             Sophocles
             .
             126
          
           
             Piety
             of
             Oedipus
             .
             129
          
           
             Oedipus
             '
             
               s
               Proclamation
            
             .
             130
          
           
             Moral
             of
             the
             Fable
             defective
             .
             131
          
           
             Moral
             of
             the
             
               English
               Oedipus
            
             the
             same
             .
             132
          
           
             Meerly
             Speculative
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Not
             very
             natural
             .
             133
          
           
             Moral
             of
             Seneca
             .
             137
          
           
             Seneca
             the
             Philosopher
             supposed
             the
             Author
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             His
             Moral
             neglected
             by
             the
             Author
             of
             the
             
               English
               Oedipus
               .
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             Summ
             of
             
             Seneca's
             Moral
             140
          
           
             Oedipus's
             justification
             of
             himself
             .
             141
          
           
             
             Harmony
             of
             the
             
               Greek
               ,
               Roman
            
             ,
             and
             English
             Authors
             .
             142
          
           
             Levity
             of
             Fortune
             not
             the
             occasion
             of
             the
             fall
             of
             Oedipus
             .
             143
          
           
             Opposition
             of
             Providence
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Presumption
             of
             Laius
             .
             144
          
           
             Another
             Moral
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Presumption
             of
             Oedipus
             .
             145
          
           
             Oedipus
             in
             Sophocles
             and
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Tragedians
             ,
             a
             Predestinarian
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             French
             Moral
             .
             146
          
           
             Necromancy
             and
             all
             sorts
             of
             Divination
             allowed
             by
             the
             Heathens
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Conjecture
             of
             the
             Reasons
             that
             induced
             the
             Authors
             of
             the
             
               English
               Oedipus
            
             to
             prefer
             the
             Greek
             Moral
             to
             the
             Latin.
             147
          
           
             Seneca's
             Moral
             not
             proper
             for
             the
             English
             Stage
             .
             148
          
           
             Greek
             and
             Roman
             Moral
             unserviceable
             to
             virtue
             .
             149
          
           
             Oedipus
             ,
             why
             so
             minutely
             examined
             .
             150
          
           
             
               Fable
               of
            
             Ajax
             Flagellifer
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             The
             Moral
             somewhat
             obscure
             ;
             two
             may
             be
             guessed
             at
             .
             152
          
           
             The
             First
             not
             arising
             naturally
             from
             the
             action
             .
             153
          
           
             The
             Second
             Moral
             not
             very
             natural
             .
             154
          
           
             Fable
             of
             the
             Electra
             .
             155
          
           
             The
             Moral
             of
             it
             .
             156
          
           
             Fable
             of
             
               Antigone
               .
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             The
             Moral
             of
             it
             .
             157
          
           
             Oedipus
             Coloneus
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             The
             Fable
             of
             it
             .
             159.
             
          
           
             No
             Moral
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Trachiniae
             ,
             its
             Fable
             .
             ibid
          
           
             
             Moral
             of
             Sophocles
             .
             160
          
           
             Philoctetes
             ,
             the
             Fable
             161
          
           
             No
             Moral
             .
             162
          
           
             Speech
             of
             Hercules
             not
             pertinent
             to
             the
             Action
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Character
             of
             the
             Plays
             of
             Euripides
             in
             general
             .
             164
          
           
             Fable
             of
             the
             Orestes
             .
             165
          
           
             The
             Characters
             all
             vitious
             .
             167
          
           
             Not
             of
             a
             piece
             all
             through
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             The
             Moral
             of
             it
             .
             168
          
           
             The
             Medea
             ,
             &c.
             of
             Euripides
             .
             170
          
           
             Fable
             of
             the
             
               Hippolitus
               .
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             Ion
             usurp'd
             by
             Mr
             Dacier
             ,
             a
             Moral
             Tragedy
             .
             172
          
           
             Fable
             of
             Ion
             precedent
             to
             the
             Action
             .
             173
          
           
             Fable
             commencing
             with
             the
             Action
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Main
             condition
             of
             Moral
             Tragedy
             neglected
             in
             this
             .
             174
          
           
             Creusa's
             a
             wicked
             Character
             .
             175
          
           
             
             Ion's
             Character
             indifferent
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Of
             no
             service
             to
             Morality
             .
             177
          
           
             Hercules
             Furens
             
               compared
               with
               the
            
             Trachiniae
             of
             Sophocles
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Character
             of
             Aeschylus
             .
             178
          
           
             His
             Prometheus
             immoral
             .
             180
          
           
             Jupiter
             abused
             by
             the
             Poet
             under
             the
             Persons
             of
             Power
             and
             
               Force
               .
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             The
             abuse
             backed
             by
             ▪
             Vulcan
             .
             181.
             
          
           
             Deficiency
             of
             the
             Greek
             Tragedy
             .
             182
          
           
             Tragedy
             at
             Rome
             borrowed
             from
             the
             
               Greeks
               .
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             Seneca
             the
             Philosopher
             ,
             supposed
             the
             Author
             of
             some
             of
             those
             Plays
             that
             go
             under
             his
             name
             .
             184
          
           
             Seneca
             unjustly
             aspersed
             by
             Mr
             
               Collier
               .
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             Seneca
             careless
             of
             Poetick
             Justice
             .
             186
          
           
             
             
               Ajax
               Oileus
            
             an
             improper
             instance
             of
             it
             .
             187
          
           
             Seneca
             limited
             by
             Precedent
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Hippolytus
             of
             Seneca
             examined
             .
             188
          
           
             More
             artificial
             than
             the
             Hyppolytus
             of
             Euripides
             .
             189
          
           
             The
             rest
             close
             Copies
             from
             the
             Greek
             .
             190
          
           
             Octavia
             ill-contrived
             and
             insipid
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             General
             Reflections
             on
             the
             antient
             Tragedy
             .
             191
          
           
             
             Aristotle's
             division
             of
             Tragedy
             .
             192
          
           
             Moral
             Plays
             not
             much
             encouraged
             at
             
               Athens
               .
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             Alcestis
             of
             Euripides
             a
             Moral
             Tragedy
             .
             193
          
           
             Antients
             careless
             of
             the
             general
             Moral
             of
             the
             Plays
             .
             164
          
           
             Consequence
             of
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             loose
             way
             of
             writing
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Turned
             upon
             the
             Antients
             .
             196
          
           
             Socrates
             by
             this
             means
             condemned
             .
             198
          
           
             Aeschylus
             arraigned
             by
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             Precedent
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             And
             Sophocles
             .
             199
          
           
             Extravagance
             of
             this
             way
             of
             declaiming
             .
             200
          
           
             Shakespear
             prefixed
             to
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             English
             Dramatics
             .
             201
          
           
             Censure
             of
             Hamlet
             unjust
             .
             202
          
           
             Fable
             of
             Hamlet
             before
             the
             commencement
             of
             the
             Action
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Fable
             after
             the
             Action
             commences
             .
             203
          
           
             Poetic
             Justice
             exactly
             observed
             in
             this
             Play.
             204
          
           
             Moral
             of
             Hamlet
             .
             205
          
           
             Tragedies
             of
             this
             Author
             generally
             Moral
             .
             206
          
           
             The
             Orphan
             .
             207
          
           
             The
             Moral
             good
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             Zeal
             for
             the
             Pagan
             Priesthood
             in
             jurious
             to
             Christian
             Ministry
             .
             208
          
           
             
               Don
               Sebastian
            
             a
             religious
             Play.
             210
          
           
             Reasons
             of
             Mr
             Collier's
             quarrel
             to
             the
             Cleomenes
             .
             211
          
           
             Moral
             wanting
             to
             the
             Cleomenes
             .
             212
          
           
             Moral
             inference
             .
             213
          
           
             The
             Poet
             too
             faithful
             to
             the
             History
             .
             ibid
          
           
             Mourning
             Bride
             .
             214
          
           
             Fable
             very
             just
             and
             regular
             .
             215
          
           
             Moral
             excellent
             .
             216
          
           
             Advantages
             of
             the
             Moderns
             over
             the
             Antients
             in
             the
             Morals
             of
             their
             Fables
             .
             218
          
           
             Providence
             not
             employed
             to
             promote
             villany
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Nor
             to
             oppress
             Virtue
             .
             ibid
          
           
             Nor
             to
             protect
             Malefactors
             .
             ibid
          
           
             Modern
             Poets
             more
             religious
             than
             the
             Antients
             .
             219
          
           
             The
             Fable
             of
             the
             Poets
             disposal
             ,
             Characters
             and
             Expressions
             not
             so
             .
          
           
             The
             Fable
             ,
             if
             any
             ,
             the
             Evidence
             of
             the
             Poets
             Opinion
             .
             220
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             a
             false
             and
             perverse
             measure
             .
             221
          
           
             The
             Fable
             the
             Engine
             of
             the
             greatest
             and
             most
             secret
             Execution
             upon
             the
             Audience
             .
             222
          
           
             Not
             abused
             to
             any
             ill
             end
             by
             our
             Poets
             .
             223
          
           
             Apology
             for
             the
             Antients
             .
             224
          
           
             Moral
             Plays
             not
             esteemed
             at
             Athens
             .
             225
          
           
             Moral
             and
             Pathetick
             reconciled
             ,
             and
             united
             by
             the
             Moderns
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Poetick
             Justice
             neglected
             by
             the
             Antients
             in
             general
             226
          
           
             Monsieur
             
             Dacier's
             exception
             to
             Monsieur
             Corneille
             answered
             .
             228
          
           
             
             Poetical
             Justice
             a
             modern
             Invention
             .
             229
          
           
             The
             Modern
             Stage
             on
             this
             account
             preferable
             to
             the
             Antient.
             230
          
           
             Fable
             of
             Comedy
             considered
             .
             231
          
           
             In
             Comedy
             the
             action
             and
             persons
             low
             232
          
           
             The
             correction
             of
             Folly
             the
             proper
             business
             of
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Perfect
             virtue
             excluded
             the
             Comic
             Stage
             .
             233
          
           
             Some
             infirmity
             required
             to
             qualify
             a
             Character
             for
             Comedy
             .
             234
          
           
             No
             Gentlemen
             ,
             but
             men
             of
             pleasure
             fit
             for
             Comedy
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Comic
             Poetry
             ,
             and
             Droll
             Painting
             compared
             .
             235
          
           
             Such
             Characters
             real
             and
             common
             .
             236
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             mistake
             concerning
             the
             nature
             of
             Comedy
             .
             237
          
           
             Heads
             of
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             charge
             against
             English
             Comedy
             .
             238
          
           
             His
             first
             Article
             examined
             .
             240
          
           
             This
             Rule
             repugnant
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             Comedy
             ▪
             241
          
           
             Reason
             why
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Indulgence
             of
             Plautus
             and
             Terence
             to
             vicious
             young
             people
             misplaced
             by
             Mr.
             Collier
             .
             242
          
           
             
               Plautus
               and
               Terence
            
             faithful
             Copyers
             from
             nature
             243
          
           
             Opinion
             of
             Horace
             enquired
             into
             244
          
           
             This
             not
             a
             bare
             character
             ,
             but
             a
             rule
             .
             245
          
           
             Sense
             of
             Horace
             in
             this
             place
             mistaken
             or
             prevented
             by
             Mr.
             Collier
             246
          
           
             Parity
             of
             reasoning
             betwixt
             Mr.
             Prynn
             and
             Mr
             Collier
             247
          
           
             Another
             outrage
             to
             
               Horace
               ibid
            
          
           
             Use
             of
             a
             Chorus
             according
             to
             Horace
             248
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             answer
             to
             an
             objection
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
             A
             reply
             to
             Mr
             Collier's
             answer
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Chorus
             in
             old
             Comedy
             251
          
           
             Double
             mistake
             of
             Mr
             Collier
             about
             the
             Plutus
             of
             Aristophanes
             .
             252
          
           
             Tripartite
             Division
             of
             the
             Greek
             Comedy
             .
             253
          
           
             By
             this
             the
             Plutus
             old
             Comedy
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Fable
             of
             Old
             Comedy
             of
             what
             kind
             .
             254
          
           
             Characters
             of
             
               Cratinus
               ,
               Eupolis
            
             ,
             and
             Aristophanes
             how
             differenced
             .
             255
          
           
             New
             Comedy
             how
             differing
             from
             the
             
               Old.
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             Plutus
             not
             new
             Comedy
             .
             256
          
           
             Satire
             of
             the
             old
             Comedy
             particular
             of
             the
             general
             .
             257
          
           
             Aristophanes
             the
             beginner
             of
             the
             middle
             Comedy
             .
             258
          
           
             No
             Chorus
             in
             the
             Plutus
             .
             259
          
           
             Office
             of
             the
             Chorus
             in
             Comedy
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             The
             parts
             Essential
             to
             a
             Chorus
             omitted
             in
             the
             Plutus
             .
             260
          
           
             Inconclusive
             inference
             from
             Aristotle
             .
             263
          
           
             Silence
             of
             Aristotle
             no
             argument
             in
             this
             case
             .
             ibid
          
           
             Reason
             of
             Aristotle's
             silence
             in
             this
             point
             .
             264
          
           
             His
             account
             of
             the
             Rise
             of
             the
             Drama
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Progress
             of
             Comedy
             obscure
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Brevity
             of
             Aristotle
             .
             265.
             
          
           
             A
             particular
             Treatise
             of
             Comedy
             written
             by
             Aristotle
             ,
             but
             lost
             .
             266
          
           
             Chorus
             not
             used
             in
             the
             New
             Comedy
             .
             267
          
           
             Chorus
             altogether
             improper
             for
             the
             Comic
             Stage
             in
             England
             .
             268
          
           
             Used
             at
             Puppet
             Shews
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Function
             assigned
             the
             Chorus
             by
             Mr
             Collier
             .
             269
          
           
             Original
             errour
             of
             Mr
             Collier
             .
             270
          
           
             
             Loose
             Characters
             in
             Comedy
             no
             encouragement
             to
             Debauchery
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Ridiculous
             fear
             of
             Mr
             Collier
             .
             271
          
           
             Theatres
             wrongfully
             accused
             by
             him
             .
             272
          
           
             Sense
             of
             Horace
             again
             perverted
             .
             273
          
           
             
             Horace's
             advice
             Political
             ,
             not
             Moral
             .
             275
          
           
             Manners
             here
             fignify'd
             Poetical
             not
             Moral
             .
             277
          
           
             Mr
             Collier
             '
             
               s
               description
               of
            
             Poetical
             Manners
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Defective
             and
             Equivocal
             .
             279
          
           
             Aristotle
             '
             
               s
               description
            
             .
             279
          
           
             Propriety
             of
             Manners
             required
             .
             289
          
           
             Wherein
             it
             consists
             .
             281
          
           
             Similitude
             of
             Manners
             what
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Equality
             of
             Manners
             what
             .
             283
          
           
             Faults
             of
             Characters
             what
             .
             284
          
           
             Faults
             of
             Expression
             manifold
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Some
             heads
             of
             Mr
             Colliers
             charge
             .
             285
          
           
             Mistaken
             in
             his
             first
             point
             .
             286
          
           
             Faults
             of
             particulars
             no
             reflection
             upon
             the
             Sex
             in
             general
             .
             287
          
           
             Universals
             and
             Individuals
             improper
             Characters
             .
             288
          
           
             What
             Characters
             proper
             .
             289
          
           
             Two
             sorts
             of
             resemblances
             in
             Poetry
             .
             290
          
           
             Quality
             no
             just
             reason
             for
             exemption
             .
             291
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             Collection
             from
             the
             Antients
             very
             loosely
             made
             .
             292
          
           
             Objection
             to
             Ophelia
             .
             293
          
           
             
               Character
               of
            
             Ophelia
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Objection
             groundless
             and
             frivolous
             .
             295
          
           
             Mad
             Song
             .
             296
          
           
             Foolish
             but
             inoffensive
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
             Antients
             more
             faulty
             than
             this
             .
             297
          
           
             
               Instance
               in
               the
            
             Antigone
             os
             Sophocles
             .
             ibid
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Instance
             in
             Electra
             of
             the
             same
             Author
             .
             301
          
           
             Antigone
             in
             Sophocles
             not
             so
             nice
             .
             304
          
           
             Cassandra
             not
             so
             nice
             as
             Mr
             Collier
             pretends
             .
             305
          
           
             Extravagance
             of
             Cassandra
             .
             306
          
           
             Indecency
             against
             Character
             .
             307
          
           
             Misbehaviour
             of
             Hecuba
             .
             310
          
           
             Love
             and
             tenderness
             used
             by
             the
             Moderns
             .
             Lust
             and
             Violence
             by
             the
             Antients
             .
             311
          
           
             Numerous
             instances
             of
             this
             kind
             to
             be
             found
             〈◊〉
             Euripides
             .
             312
          
           
             Some
             referred
             to
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Seneca
             examined
             upon
             this
             Article
             .
             313
          
           
             Miscarriage
             of
             Phaedra
             .
             314
          
           
             Modesty
             of
             Lycus
             considered
             .
             318
          
           
             Reference
             to
             other
             instances
             .
             319
          
           
             These
             faults
             less
             pardonable
             in
             Tragedy
             then
             in
             Comedy
             .
             320
          
           
             Slaves
             the
             Top
             Characters
             of
             the
             Roman
             Comedy
             .
             321
          
           
             Very
             little
             variety
             in
             their
             Plots
             .
             322
          
           
             Greater
             Liberty
             taken
             by
             Aristophanes
             .
             323
          
           
             Aristophanes
             whether
             an
             Atheist
             or
             not
             ,
             nothing
             to
             the
             purpose
             .
             324
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             Argument
             in
             defence
             ef
             Socrates
             considered
             .
             325
          
           
             Rigour
             of
             the
             Athenians
             to
             Socrates
             a
             sort
             of
             acquitment
             to
             
               Aristophanes
               .
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             instances
             no
             proof
             of
             his
             assertion
             .
             327
          
           
             
             The
             Opinion
             of
             the
             Man
             not
             measured
             by
             the
             Expressions
             of
             the
             Poet
             at
             
               Athens
               .
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             Liberties
             of
             Plautus
             greater
             than
             those
             of
             the
             English
             Stage
             .
             328
          
           
             Instances
             from
             the
             Amphitryo
             .
             329
          
           
             Remarkable
             circumstances
             of
             a
             passage
             in
             Amphitryo
             .
             330
          
           
             The
             disguise
             under
             which
             Mercury
             appears
             no
             excuse
             for
             his
             misbebaviour
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Jupiter
             not
             more
             modest
             .
             331
          
           
             Instance
             from
             the
             
               Asinaria
               .
               ibid.
            
             
          
           
             Instance
             of
             singular
             Morality
             .
             332
          
           
             Plautus's
             Lovers
             more
             active
             than
             talkative
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Instanced
             from
             the
             Curculio
             .
             333
          
           
             Comparative
             modesty
             of
             the
             Virgins
             of
             the
             Antient
             Stage
             hence
             to
             be
             observed
             .
             334
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             own
             exceptions
             taken
             notice
             of
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             His
             instances
             in
             Olympio
             grosly
             mistaken
             or
             misrepresented
             .
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Another
             instance
             from
             the
             Asinaria
             .
             338
          
           
             Slaves
             not
             the
             only
             offenders
             of
             this
             kind
             in
             Plautus
             .
             339
          
           
             
             Plautus's
             Prologues
             and
             Epilogues
             not
             always
             inoffensive
             .
             340
          
           
             This
             proved
             from
             the
             Epilogue
             to
             the
             Casina
             .
             341
          
           
             Epilogue
             to
             the
             Asinaria
             an
             encouragement
             to
             Lewdness
             .
             342
          
           
             The
             Epilogue
             to
             the
             Captivi
             somewhat
             smutty
             .
             343
          
           
             Complaint
             of
             the
             Abuse
             of
             the
             Clergy
             not
             well
             grounded
             .
             344
          
           
             Their
             relation
             to
             the
             Deity
             considered
             .
             346
          
           
             Personal
             representation
             of
             the
             Deity
             considered
             .
             346
          
           
             
             The
             power
             of
             the
             Church
             not
             lodged
             with
             the
             Priest
             .
             347
          
           
             Mission
             of
             St
             Paul
             and
             the
             Apostles
             what
             and
             how
             circumstantiated
             .
             348
          
           
             Difference
             betwixt
             their
             Commission
             ,
             and
             that
             of
             the
             present
             Ministry
             .
             349
          
           
             Importance
             of
             their
             Office
             no
             exemption
             .
             352
          
           
             Some
             faults
             not
             cognizable
             by
             the
             Ordinary
             .
             353
          
           
             Priests
             not
             misrepresented
             ,
             unless
             faultless
             .
             355
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             plea
             from
             Prescription
             examined
             .
             357
          
           
             Instance
             to
             the
             contrary
             from
             
               Sophocles
               .
               ibid
            
          
           
             Euripides
             not
             more
             tender
             of
             Priests
             .
             359
          
           
             Seneca
             meddles
             little
             with
             them
             .
             360
          
           
             Euripides
             and
             Seneca
             full
             of
             profane
             expressions
             .
             361
          
           
             Rude
             treatment
             of
             the
             Nobility
             a
             false
             Charge
             .
             365
          
        
      
       
         
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           PAge
           28.
           l.
           7.
           r.
           
             'em
             off
          
           :
           p.
           52.
           l.
           ult
           .
           add
           in
           :
           p.
           68.
           l.
           22.
           r.
           Mulciber
           :
           p.
           73.
           l.
           5.
           dele
           not
           :
           p.
           74.
           l.
           5.
           r.
           Infancy
           :
           p.
           76.
           l.
           11.
           r.
           of
           :
           p.
           86.
           l.
           8.
           r.
           for
           :
           p.
           101.
           l.
           ult
           .
           r.
           possibly
           :
           p.
           132.
           l.
           5
           for
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ●
           .
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           :
           p.
           173.
           l.
           25.
           r.
           proud
           :
           p.
           190.
           l.
           11.
           r.
           disengage
           :
           p.
           235.
           l.
           25.
           dele
           not
           :
           p.
           255.
           l.
           23.
           r.
           
             waving
             particular
          
           :
           p.
           302.
           l.
           2.
           r.
           
             shewn
             .
             She
             was
          
           :
           p.
           306.
           l.
           17.
           r.
           
             push
             her
          
           :
           p.
           306.
           l.
           19.
           r.
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           :
           ibid.
           l.
           20.
           for
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           p.
           308
           l.
           2.
           r
           Indignation
           :
           3p
           .
           11.
           l.
           7.
           r.
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           :
           p.
           313.
           l.
           2.
           add
           made
           :
           p.
           315.
           l.
           18.
           for
           guge
           r.
           jugi
           :
           p.
           339.
           l.
           1.
           r.
           conspexeris
           :
           p.
           341.
           l.
           19.
           r.
           dare
           .
        
         
           
             Errata
             in
             the
             Margine
             .
          
           
             P.
             23.
             for
             
               se
               de
            
             r.
             
               sed
               &
            
             :
             p.
             29.
             for
             Verundia
             r.
             Verecundia
             .
             p.
             57.
             for
             ictaeo
             r.
             dictoeo
             :
             p.
             69.
             r.
             ac
             :
             for
             relicta
             r.
             relicto
             :
             for
             tribi
             r.
             tribu
             :
             p.
             71.
             for
             victus
             r.
             victis
             :
             p.
             113.
             for
             Dio
             r.
             Dii
             :
             p.
             169.
             r.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             :
             p.
             126.
             dele
             and
             :
             p.
             192.
             dele
             
               The
               Moral
            
             :
             p.
             226.
             r.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             p.
             317.
             r.
             
               Mr
               Collier's
               instances
            
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Mr.
           COLLIER's
           View
           OF
           THE
           English
           Stage
           ,
           &c.
           
           Set
           in
           a
           TRUE
           LIGHT
           .
        
         
           THe
           aim
           of
           all
           Writers
           is
           ,
           
           or
           ought
           to
           be
           ,
           to
           maintain
           or
           propagate
           Truth
           ,
           to
           inform
           the
           Judgment
           ,
           improve
           the
           Vnderstanding
           ,
           and
           rectifie
           the
           Mistakes
           of
           
           others
           .
           Where
           this
           is
           the
           real
           end
           and
           design
           of
           a
           Writer
           ,
           no
           Itch
           of
           Popularity
           ,
           or
           Awe
           of
           Faction
           ought
           to
           bear
           him
           from
           his
           Byass
           ,
           or
           make
           him
           give
           an
           inch
           to
           his
           Hopes
           ,
           or
           Fears
           ;
           and
           the
           more
           Universal
           and
           Important
           the
           Truths
           are
           ,
           which
           he
           discovers
           ,
           or
           defends
           ,
           the
           greater
           in
           proportion
           ought
           to
           be
           the
           Zeal
           and
           Application
           .
        
         
           Were
           these
           rules
           constantly
           ,
           and
           prudently
           pursued
           ,
           we
           might
           hope
           for
           an
           honester
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           wiser
           world
           ,
           than
           it
           has
           been
           my
           fortune
           yet
           to
           find
           any
           Memoirs
           of
           ,
           since
           the
           multiplication
           of
           Mankind
           .
           For
           tho
           the
           Declaimers
           of
           all
           Ages
           have
           inveighed
           with
           great
           bitterness
           against
           their
           own
           times
           ,
           and
           extoll'd
           the
           antecedent
           ;
           yet
           even
           hence
           we
           are
           furnish'd
           with
           an
           argument
           ,
           that
           all
           have
           been
           equally
           culpable
           ,
           since
           those
           times
           ,
           which
           we
           ,
           to
           humble
           our
           own
           ,
           affect
           so
           zealously
           to
           commend
           ,
           our
           Fore-fathers
           did
           as
           vehemently
           condemn
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           do
           not
           find
           the
           Topicks
           of
           Satyr
           to
           be
           in
           every
           Age
           the
           same
           ;
           we
           can
           only
           from
           thence
           conclude
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Mode
             ,
             and
             not
             the
             Measure
             of
             Iniquity
             is
             alter'd
             .
          
        
         
         
           But
           whether
           the
           rules
           be
           strictly
           observable
           ,
           or
           not
           ,
           may
           be
           matter
           of
           doubt
           .
           For
           ,
           besides
           that
           grand
           Seducer
           Interest
           ,
           which
           few
           withstand
           ,
           
             Passion
             ,
             Prejudice
          
           ,
           and
           Inclination
           ,
           have
           an
           almost
           irresistible
           Influence
           over
           us
           ;
           and
           even
           in
           the
           coolest
           ,
           and
           severest
           of
           our
           deliberations
           ,
           we
           are
           apt
           to
           give
           too
           much
           to
           Prejudice
           ,
           and
           to
           humour
           Appetite
           and
           Passion
           beyond
           Reason
           .
        
         
           That
           this
           is
           no
           uncommon
           case
           ,
           most
           of
           the
           present
           Paper-Combats
           demonstrate
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           War
           on
           both
           sides
           is
           carry'd
           on
           with
           an
           obstinacy
           and
           fury
           ,
           very
           disproportionate
           to
           the
           trifles
           generally
           contended
           for
           .
           The
           Combatants
           enter
           the
           lists
           against
           Chimerical
           Gyants
           of
           their
           own
           raising
           ,
           and
           lay
           about
           'em
           like
           Ajax
           ,
           or
           
           Cervantes's
           Hero
           ,
           amongst
           the
           Sheep
           ,
           Gyants
           ,
           or
           Windmills
           ,
           't
           is
           all
           one
           ,
           if
           they
           stand
           in
           their
           way
           they
           must
           be
           encounter'd
           .
        
         
           The
           most
           formidable
           of
           these
           ,
           is
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           
             Short
             View
             of
             the
             Immorality
             and
             Profaneness
             of
             the
          
           English
           Stage
           .
           This
           Gentleman
           ,
           some
           time
           or
           other
           ,
           between
           sleeping
           and
           waking
           ,
           had
           happen'd
           to
           hear
           some
           of
           Mr
           
           Durfy's
           
           Rattles
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           some
           saucy
           Jack
           or
           other
           of
           the
           Stage
           discharge
           an
           Oath
           or
           two
           ,
           and
           presently
           mistaking
           'em
           for
           a
           noise
           of
           Drums
           ,
           and
           volley
           of
           Shot
           ,
           falls
           to
           dreaming
           of
           Invasions
           and
           Revolutions
           ,
           that
           the
           Church
           Artillery
           was
           seiz'd
           ,
           and
           turn'd
           upon
           it
           ;
           of
           a
           terrible
           Stage
           Plot
           ,
           and
           a
           huge
           Army
           in
           Ambuscade
           behind
           the
           Play-house
           Scenes
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           cries
           out
           to
           have
           the
           Beacons
           lighted
           ,
           and
           the
           Bells
           rung
           backward
           in
           every
           Parish
           ,
           to
           raise
           the
           Posse
           of
           Fathers
           ,
           Councils
           ,
           Synods
           ,
           School-men
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Church
           Militia
           ,
           and
           cast
           up
           Retrenchments
           ,
           for
           the
           Vanguard
           of
           Parnassus
           are
           upon
           '
           em
           .
           Then
           he
           calls
           for
           his
           Durindana
           of
           a
           Goose-quill
           ,
           and
           thunders
           out
           
           Anathema's
           as
           thick
           as
           Hail
           shot
           .
        
         
           Thus
           instructed
           and
           appointed
           ,
           he
           draws
           out
           his
           forces
           ,
           and
           charges
           with
           such
           violence
           and
           fury
           upon
           the
           Forlorn-Hope
           of
           the
           Stage
           ,
           that
           it
           had
           been
           impossible
           for
           'em
           to
           have
           sustain'd
           the
           shock
           ,
           if
           Pegasus
           had
           not
           been
           train'd
           of
           old
           to
           the
           service
           ,
           and
           very
           well
           acquainted
           with
           the
           temper
           of
           the
           Enemies
           Fire
           .
        
         
         
           This
           Anti-poetick
           War
           has
           been
           carry'd
           on
           with
           abundance
           of
           heat
           at
           divers
           times
           and
           in
           divers
           Countries
           ;
           
           it
           broke
           out
           first
           in
           Spain
           ,
           about
           the
           close
           of
           the
           last
           Century
           ,
           under
           Mariana
           a
           Jesuit
           ,
           who
           published
           a
           Book
           
             Contra
             Spectacula
          
           ;
           and
           after
           that
           another
           ,
           by
           the
           Special
           Approbation
           of
           the
           Visitor
           ,
           and
           the
           Provincial
           of
           the
           Jesuits
           of
           the
           Province
           of
           Toledo
           ;
           from
           thence
           it
           travell'd
           into
           Italy
           ,
           where
           it
           was
           fomented
           by
           
             Francisco
             Maria
          
           ,
           a
           Sicilian
           Monk
           ,
           and
           
             P.
             Ottonelli
          
           ,
           a
           Jesuit
           ;
           and
           was
           thence
           translated
           into
           England
           ,
           about
           sixty
           years
           ago
           ,
           by
           Dr
           Reynolds
           and
           Mr
           Prynne
           ;
           to
           France
           ,
           about
           thirty
           years
           ago
           ,
           by
           the
           Prince
           of
           Conti
           ,
           the
           Sieur
           
             de
             Voisin
             ,
             &c.
          
           and
           tho
           bury'd
           for
           some
           years
           in
           its
           embers
           ,
           broke
           out
           again
           there
           not
           many
           years
           ago
           into
           a
           flame
           ;
           at
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           took
           fire
           ,
           and
           reviv'd
           the
           quarrel
           in
           England
           .
        
         
           All
           these
           disputes
           have
           been
           manag'd
           with
           great
           vehemence
           and
           fierceness
           on
           the
           Agressor's
           parts
           ,
           and
           had
           the
           success
           been
           answerable
           to
           their
           Resolution
           ,
           the
           scatter'd
           rout
           of
           Parnassus
           had
           been
           never
           able
           to
           have
           rally'd
           ,
           
           or
           made
           head
           again
           ;
           but
           their
           Onset
           was
           like
           that
           of
           the
           Turks
           and
           Tartars
           ,
           the
           Noise
           was
           much
           greater
           than
           the
           Execution
           .
           I
           cou'd
           never
           find
           that
           the
           Muses
           were
           famous
           for
           Martial
           Exploits
           ,
           or
           that
           their
           Votaries
           e're
           signaliz'd
           themselves
           by
           any
           extraordinary
           atchievements
           in
           the
           Polemicks
           .
           How
           comes
           it
           then
           ,
           that
           such
           impetuous
           Assailants
           have
           gain'd
           no
           more
           upon
           '
           em
           ?
           For
           as
           yet
           the
           very
           Outworks
           of
           Parnassus
           seem
           to
           be
           in
           no
           danger
           .
           Is
           it
           the
           natural
           strength
           of
           the
           Place
           ,
           or
           Resolution
           of
           the
           Defendants
           that
           Protects
           '
           em
           ?
        
         
           Before
           I
           give
           a
           direct
           answer
           to
           these
           questions
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           necessary
           to
           premise
           a
           short
           account
           of
           the
           occasion
           ,
           state
           ,
           and
           progress
           of
           the
           Controversie
           ,
           in
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Fathers
           down
           to
           our
           own
           Times
           ;
           by
           which
           we
           may
           be
           enabled
           to
           make
           a
           right
           Judgment
           ,
           how
           far
           the
           present
           Stage
           is
           affected
           by
           the
           Authorities
           ,
           and
           Arguments
           urg'd
           from
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           on
           all
           hands
           agreed
           ,
           
           that
           the
           Ludi
           and
           Spectacula
           of
           the
           Greeks
           and
           Romans
           ,
           were
           a
           great
           part
           of
           the
           Solemn
           and
           Publick
           Worship
           of
           their
           
           Gods
           ,
           instituted
           on
           purpose
           to
           commemorate
           ,
           or
           expiate
           some
           signal
           Benefit
           ,
           〈◊〉
           Calamity
           ,
           of
           which
           those
           Gods
           were
           the
           supposed
           Authors
           ,
           or
           Instruments
           :
           These
           Plays
           or
           Shows
           were
           usually
           preceeded
           by
           a
           Solemn
           Procession
           of
           the
           Gods
           to
           whom
           they
           were
           dedicated
           ,
           and
           the
           Priests
           and
           Sacrificers
           in
           their
           Formalities
           ,
           with
           the
           Victim
           in
           all
           its
           Religious
           Pomp
           ,
           (
           much
           after
           the
           manner
           of
           the
           Solemn
           Processions
           in
           use
           amongst
           the
           Roman
           Catholicks
           to
           this
           day
           )
           this
           was
           succeeded
           by
           Vows
           made
           ,
           and
           Sacrifice
           perform'd
           upon
           the
           spot
           ,
           whether
           it
           were
           Theatre
           ,
           Circus
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           place
           of
           publick
           Shows
           ,
           or
           Games
           .
           After
           all
           these
           were
           perform'd
           ,
           or
           finish'd
           ,
           the
           Play
           or
           Show
           was
           order'd
           to
           begin
           ,
           which
           was
           also
           a
           principal
           part
           of
           the
           Religious
           Worship
           ▪
           and
           concluded
           the
           Solemnity
           of
           the
           day
           .
        
         
           The
           Dramatick
           Representations
           spring
           both
           from
           one
           Original
           ,
           and
           were
           instituted
           for
           the
           same
           general
           end
           and
           purpose
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Heathen
           Games
           ,
           
           that
           is
           ,
           for
           Religious
           Worship
           .
           These
           (
           if
           I
           may
           be
           allow'd
           to
           use
           the
           plural
           number
           ,
           for
           that
           which
           in
           the
           Original
           ,
           was
           but
           one
           
           thing
           )
           were
           invented
           in
           honour
           to
           Bacchus
           ,
           and
           consisted
           of
           Songs
           in
           his
           praise
           ,
           Musick
           ,
           and
           Dancing
           about
           a
           Sacrific'd
           Goat
           ,
           intermixt
           with
           rustick
           raillery
           ,
           suitable
           to
           the
           Genius
           and
           Temper
           of
           the
           Boors
           ,
           and
           Villagers
           ,
           that
           were
           the
           performers
           .
           Tragedy
           and
           Comedy
           were
           not
           yet
           become
           Separate
           Provinces
           in
           Poetry
           ,
           
           but
           either
           name
           indifferently
           signify'd
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           the
           first
           being
           taken
           from
           the
           Sacrifice
           ,
           which
           was
           a
           Goat
           ,
           the
           other
           from
           the
           Performers
           ,
           which
           were
           the
           Peasants
           ,
           or
           Villagers
           ,
           or
           from
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           Entertainment
           itself
           ,
           which
           was
           compos'd
           of
           Rural
           Musick
           ,
           Songs
           ,
           and
           Dances
           .
           By
           what
           steps
           and
           gradations
           the
           improvements
           were
           made
           ,
           how
           the
           decorations
           of
           the
           Stage
           were
           introduc'd
           ,
           and
           when
           the
           Drama
           first
           branch'd
           into
           Tragedy
           and
           Comedy
           ,
           as
           distinct
           members
           ,
           are
           pretty
           speculations
           ,
           and
           afford
           an
           occasion
           ,
           which
           one
           ,
           that
           .
           like
           Mr.
           Collier
           ,
           affected
           to
           shew
           much
           reading
           to
           little
           purpose
           ,
           wou'd
           not
           let
           slip
           ;
           but
           not
           being
           to
           my
           purpose
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           prosecute
           'em
           any
           farther
           .
        
         
         
           'T
           is
           probable
           the
           partition
           of
           Tragedy
           and
           Comedy
           was
           first
           made
           ,
           
           when
           the
           Poets
           ,
           quitting
           the
           Dithyrambi
           ,
           or
           Hymns
           to
           Bacchus
           ,
           betook
           themselves
           to
           the
           representation
           of
           Stories
           or
           Fables
           of
           their
           own
           invention
           ;
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           subjects
           then
           becoming
           different
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Poets
           choice
           ,
           the
           names
           were
           divided
           betwixt
           'em
           Or
           perhaps
           ,
           that
           part
           which
           we
           now
           in
           a
           restrain'd
           sense
           call
           Tragedy
           ,
           being
           first
           refin'd
           and
           improv'd
           ,
           and
           becoming
           the
           study
           and
           diversion
           of
           more
           Polite
           Men
           ,
           the
           other
           continuing
           longer
           in
           the
           Possession
           of
           the
           Villagers
           ,
           retain'd
           the
           name
           of
           Comedy
           for
           distinction
           sake
           ,
           even
           after
           its
           utmost
           improvements
           .
        
         
           But
           when
           ,
           
           or
           howsoever
           this
           was
           ,
           tho
           the
           Sacrifice
           of
           the
           Goat
           at
           Plays
           was
           left
           off
           ,
           the
           Satyri
           in
           praise
           of
           Bacchus
           discontinued
           ,
           and
           the
           Plays
           appointed
           indifferently
           in
           honour
           of
           any
           of
           the
           Gods
           ,
           as
           occasion
           directed
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           ,
           as
           the
           Auditors
           rightly
           observed
           ,
           
             Nihil
             ad
             Bacchum
          
           ,
           yet
           the
           Stage
           remain'd
           sacred
           to
           and
           under
           the
           Protection
           of
           its
           old
           Patron
           ,
           who
           had
           amongst
           the
           Romans
           his
           Altar
           on
           the
           
           Right
           hand
           of
           the
           Stage
           ,
           and
           the
           particular
           God
           to
           whom
           the
           Play
           was
           for
           that
           time
           directed
           ,
           on
           the
           Left.
           This
           was
           the
           Posture
           and
           Condition
           of
           the
           Stage
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Fathers
           .
        
         
           This
           being
           the
           case
           ,
           a
           Christian
           cou'd
           not
           be
           present
           ,
           or
           assist
           at
           these
           representations
           ,
           without
           openly
           countenancing
           or
           conforming
           to
           the
           Idolatrous
           Worship
           of
           the
           Heathens
           ;
           which
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           as
           became
           careful
           and
           pious
           Pastors
           ,
           were
           extremely
           solicitous
           to
           prevent
           .
           They
           were
           sensible
           of
           the
           difficulties
           they
           had
           to
           encounter
           ,
           and
           the
           obstacles
           they
           had
           to
           surmount
           .
           The
           Christian
           Religion
           was
           yet
           but
           newly
           planted
           ,
           and
           therefore
           till
           it
           had
           taken
           sufficient
           Root
           was
           carefully
           to
           be
           cover'd
           and
           defended
           from
           the
           injuries
           of
           rude
           Blasts
           ,
           and
           the
           contagion
           of
           those
           rank
           superstitious
           Weeds
           that
           grew
           about
           it
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           Root
           might
           be
           kill'd
           ,
           or
           the
           Soil
           infected
           ,
           and
           the
           Sap
           withdrawn
           .
        
         
           Paganism
           was
           a
           Religion
           ,
           invented
           at
           first
           to
           oblige
           and
           captivate
           the
           people
           ,
           
           and
           gain'd
           its
           Credit
           and
           Authority
           among
           'em
           by
           indulging
           their
           Sensuality
           ,
           and
           even
           gratifying
           their
           Lusts
           ;
           it
           was
           
           augmented
           by
           degrees
           ,
           by
           ambitious
           ,
           cunning
           men
           ,
           who
           ,
           to
           render
           themselves
           more
           popular
           ,
           and
           gain
           an
           interest
           among
           the
           multitude
           ,
           recommended
           to
           'em
           ,
           under
           the
           notion
           of
           Religion
           ,
           what
           they
           found
           most
           acceptable
           to
           the
           humour
           and
           palate
           of
           the
           populace
           .
           By
           this
           means
           ,
           the
           various
           Processions
           ,
           Games
           ,
           and
           Shows
           were
           introduc'd
           ,
           and
           became
           the
           most
           formal
           part
           of
           their
           Solemnities
           ,
           men
           being
           easily
           perswaded
           to
           like
           what
           was
           so
           conformable
           to
           their
           inclinations
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           exercise
           and
           discharge
           of
           their
           Duties
           ,
           their
           Senses
           were
           entertain'd
           ,
           and
           their
           Appetites
           flatter'd
           .
        
         
           Against
           a
           Superstition
           thus
           fram'd
           for
           Luxury
           ,
           and
           contriv'd
           to
           cajole
           the
           Sences
           ,
           Christianity
           was
           to
           make
           its
           way
           ,
           and
           to
           drive
           out
           those
           Rites
           ,
           and
           destroy
           a
           Title
           founded
           upon
           the
           prescription
           of
           many
           ages
           ,
           supported
           by
           the
           authority
           of
           the
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           and
           fortify'd
           in
           its
           Possession
           by
           Prejudice
           ,
           Inclination
           and
           Interest
           ;
           and
           all
           this
           to
           be
           done
           with
           the
           assistance
           only
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           Simplicity
           of
           Doctrine
           and
           Manners
           ;
           the
           Pomp
           ,
           and
           Magnificence
           of
           their
           Solemn
           Worship
           
           was
           absolutely
           to
           be
           taken
           away
           ,
           and
           their
           licentious
           practices
           to
           be
           restrain'd
           ,
           and
           reform'd
           ;
           and
           instead
           of
           'em
           severe
           Principles
           ,
           and
           an
           austere
           course
           of
           Life
           were
           to
           be
           establish'd
           ,
           in
           an
           Age
           ,
           and
           amongst
           a
           People
           ,
           whom
           the
           Submission
           and
           Tribute
           of
           all
           the
           World
           for
           some
           ages
           ,
           had
           made
           wealthy
           ,
           proud
           and
           wanton
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           not
           therefore
           to
           be
           wonder'd
           ,
           if
           those
           early
           Champions
           of
           the
           Gospel
           proportion'd
           their
           Zeal
           and
           Vigilance
           to
           the
           pressingness
           of
           the
           occasion
           ,
           
           and
           the
           strength
           of
           the
           opposition
           .
           The
           Games
           and
           Shows
           of
           the
           antient
           Heathens
           were
           the
           parts
           of
           their
           Religion
           the
           most
           generally
           engaging
           ,
           that
           attracted
           most
           ,
           and
           kept
           the
           Multitude
           firmest
           to
           '
           em
           .
           The
           rest
           of
           their
           Religion
           sat
           but
           loosely
           about
           'em
           ,
           they
           had
           no
           fixt
           ,
           or
           necessary
           Faith
           ,
           aud
           their
           devotion
           consisted
           only
           in
           a
           frigid
           compliance
           with
           those
           Forms
           and
           Ceremonies
           ,
           which
           were
           purely
           matters
           of
           Worship
           ;
           their
           Zeal
           appear'd
           for
           nothing
           so
           much
           as
           their
           Games
           and
           Shows
           .
           For
           as
           Varro
           *
           and
           Seneca
           †
           informs
           us
           ,
           the
           preparatory
           Solemnities
           were
           ungrateful
           to
           the
           spectators
           ,
           who
           
           impatiently
           expected
           the
           Show
           .
           The
           Fathers
           ,
           who
           knew
           where
           their
           strength
           lay
           ,
           have
           employ'd
           all
           their
           Artillery
           against
           these
           Shows
           ,
           their
           Batteries
           have
           play'd
           incessantly
           upon
           'em
           ,
           as
           the
           only
           Forts
           that
           were
           capable
           of
           making
           resistance
           ,
           and
           stopping
           their
           Progress
           .
        
         
           Tho
           the
           antient
           Fathers
           bent
           their
           Rhetorick
           ,
           
           with
           all
           its
           Force
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           its
           Forms
           and
           Figures
           ,
           against
           the
           Heathen
           Shows
           ;
           tho
           they
           declaim'd
           with
           all
           their
           Nerves
           ,
           and
           Vehemence
           ,
           and
           display'd
           all
           their
           Arguments
           with
           the
           utmost
           strength
           of
           Colour
           and
           Proportion
           ,
           yet
           there
           was
           nothing
           in
           which
           they
           so
           much
           confided
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           so
           unanimously
           agreed
           ,
           as
           the
           objection
           drawn
           from
           the
           Idolatrous
           institution
           and
           end
           of
           '
           em
           .
           They
           were
           unwarrantable
           ,
           because
           Idolatrous
           .
           It
           was
           (
           in
           their
           opinion
           )
           impossible
           for
           a
           Christian
           ,
           how
           well
           principled
           ,
           or
           dispos'd
           however
           ,
           to
           partake
           of
           the
           Entertainment
           ,
           without
           sharing
           the
           Pollution
           ,
           or
           to
           abstract
           the
           Diversion
           from
           the
           Guilt
           .
           They
           thought
           it
           dangerous
           to
           trust
           their
           Converts
           ,
           however
           fortify'd
           ,
           to
           the
           
           temptations
           of
           so
           jolly
           a
           Religion
           ,
           which
           was
           so
           far
           from
           curbing
           the
           appetites
           ,
           and
           laying
           any
           restraint
           upon
           the
           desires
           of
           its
           Proselytes
           ,
           that
           many
           of
           its
           duties
           were
           but
           Pimps
           to
           their
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           almost
           all
           its
           acts
           of
           Devotion
           but
           so
           many
           entertainments
           of
           their
           Sences
           .
           They
           knew
           the
           frailty
           of
           humane
           Nature
           right
           well
           ,
           and
           were
           aware
           ,
           that
           tho
           Faith
           might
           in
           some
           be
           so
           strong
           as
           to
           triumph
           over
           all
           temptation
           ,
           yet
           that
           Multitudes
           wou'd
           fall
           before
           it
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           permitted
           to
           run
           the
           risque
           .
        
         
           The
           portion
           of
           those
           that
           embrac'd
           Christianity
           was
           Mortification
           ,
           and
           suffering
           ,
           perpetual
           discouragement
           ,
           and
           frequent
           Persecutions
           (
           till
           the
           time
           of
           Constantine
           )
           their
           Reward
           was
           in
           Reversion
           ;
           their
           Expectation
           indeed
           was
           large
           ,
           but
           the
           Prospect
           was
           distant
           .
           Now
           present
           Ease
           and
           Enjoyment
           are
           very
           apt
           to
           prevail
           against
           a
           remote
           Hope
           .
           In
           our
           common
           affairs
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           Futurity
           maintains
           itself
           but
           ill
           against
           the
           Present
           ,
           and
           neither
           the
           greatness
           ,
           nor
           the
           certainty
           of
           the
           Reversion
           ,
           make
           good
           head
           against
           immediate
           Possession
           .
        
         
         
           This
           was
           the
           case
           of
           Christianity
           in
           its
           Infancy
           .
           The
           Heathen
           Priesthood
           was
           contented
           with
           the
           Countenance
           and
           Encouragement
           of
           the
           State
           ,
           and
           submitted
           to
           the
           directions
           and
           appointment
           of
           it
           ,
           even
           in
           matters
           relating
           to
           their
           own
           Mysteries
           ;
           they
           assum'd
           no
           Dominion
           ,
           or
           Jurisdiction
           over
           private
           Consciences
           ,
           either
           in
           point
           of
           Principle
           or
           Practice
           ;
           but
           left
           those
           matters
           wholly
           to
           the
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           which
           made
           Laws
           for
           the
           regulation
           ,
           and
           appointed
           Magistrates
           for
           the
           inspection
           of
           Men's
           Manners
           ;
           in
           which
           regard
           was
           had
           chiefly
           ,
           if
           not
           only
           ,
           to
           the
           Publick
           Quiet
           and
           Security
           ,
           to
           the
           Preservation
           and
           Augmentation
           of
           the
           State.
           If
           a
           scrutiny
           was
           made
           into
           the
           Conduct
           and
           Behaviour
           of
           particular
           persons
           ,
           't
           was
           as
           they
           were
           subordinate
           to
           the
           Publick
           ,
           and
           might
           be
           instrumental
           or
           prejudicial
           to
           the
           common
           welfare
           ,
           either
           immediately
           ,
           by
           their
           practices
           ,
           in
           wronging
           the
           State
           ,
           or
           those
           under
           the
           Protection
           of
           it
           ;
           or
           by
           withdrawing
           themselves
           from
           ,
           or
           incapacitating
           themselves
           for
           its
           service
           ;
           or
           consequently
           by
           debauching
           ,
           and
           corrupting
           others
           by
           their
           Examples
           .
           
           In
           all
           these
           matters
           the
           Priest
           had
           no
           concern
           ;
           and
           therefore
           't
           was
           no
           wonder
           ,
           if
           the
           People
           receiv'd
           so
           easily
           ,
           and
           liv'd
           so
           contentedly
           under
           a
           Religion
           ,
           which
           ,
           tho
           false
           ,
           gave
           'em
           so
           little
           disturbance
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           satisfaction
           .
           For
           ,
           as
           for
           the
           Multitude
           ,
           their
           Theology
           was
           like
           their
           Worship
           ,
           suited
           and
           adapted
           to
           their
           capacities
           ,
           the
           one
           consisting
           of
           surprizing
           Fables
           ,
           the
           other
           of
           delightful
           Solemnities
           .
           Those
           that
           were
           wiser
           among
           'em
           ,
           and
           saw
           thro
           their
           Mysteries
           ,
           (
           who
           were
           not
           a
           few
           )
           were
           many
           of
           'em
           
             Sacris
             initiati
          
           ,
           and
           engaged
           in
           their
           support
           ;
           the
           rest
           having
           no
           higher
           warrant
           than
           their
           own
           Reason
           ,
           and
           nothing
           more
           certain
           to
           substitute
           in
           the
           room
           of
           'em
           ,
           were
           perhaps
           unwilling
           to
           unsettle
           matters
           ,
           and
           paying
           a
           languid
           Complacence
           ,
           suffer'd
           things
           to
           run
           on
           in
           the
           old
           Channel
           ;
           whose
           Banks
           shou'd
           they
           break
           down
           ,
           they
           knew
           not
           what
           course
           the
           Stream
           wou'd
           take
           ,
           nor
           how
           far
           the
           Confusion
           might
           spread
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           Gospel
           had
           none
           of
           these
           advantages
           ,
           it
           was
           not
           contriv'd
           and
           modell●d
           for
           Popularity
           ,
           it
           did
           not
           humour
           the
           Inclinations
           ,
           and
           indulge
           
           the
           Appetites
           of
           the
           People
           .
           To
           the
           Purity
           of
           its
           Doctrine
           ,
           a
           Conformity
           of
           Life
           ,
           and
           Manners
           were
           requir'd
           ,
           the
           Passions
           were
           to
           be
           curb'd
           ,
           and
           the
           Desires
           moderated
           ;
           instead
           of
           Pomp
           and
           Ceremony
           ,
           Simplicity
           and
           Sobriety
           were
           to
           be
           their
           Entertainments
           :
           their
           rampant
           Gods
           ,
           whose
           fabulous
           Histories
           gave
           countenance
           to
           Men's
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           encouragement
           to
           their
           Debaucheries
           ,
           were
           to
           be
           cashier'd
           ,
           and
           the
           knowledge
           and
           worship
           of
           the
           True
           One
           to
           be
           introduc'd
           ,
           whose
           Majesty
           was
           as
           awful
           ,
           as
           the
           other
           was
           represented
           frolicksome
           .
        
         
           These
           were
           the
           conditions
           of
           Conversion
           from
           Heathenism
           ,
           and
           the
           change
           must
           needs
           appear
           disadvantageous
           to
           meer
           Flesh
           and
           Blood
           The
           Fathers
           therefore
           ,
           who
           knew
           how
           hard
           it
           was
           to
           keep
           the
           Appetites
           in
           entire
           subjection
           ,
           took
           care
           to
           fortifie
           as
           strongly
           as
           possible
           those
           parts
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           expected
           the
           Rebellion
           shou●d
           first
           break
           out
           .
           
           The
           Plays
           ,
           of
           all
           the
           Heathen
           Solemnities
           ,
           were
           those
           that
           gave
           the
           strongest
           temptation
           to
           the
           new
           Converts
           ;
           they
           had
           so
           little
           
           of
           the
           Air
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           they
           thought
           if
           they
           did
           not
           approve
           of
           the
           end
           and
           design
           of
           'em
           ,
           they
           might
           ,
           without
           imputation
           ,
           partake
           of
           the
           Diversion
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           met
           with
           frequent
           .
           Examples
           of
           Innocence
           and
           Virtue
           .
           This
           alarm'd
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           who
           knew
           that
           
             the
             transition
             from
             one
             Religion
             to
             another
          
           (
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           observes
           )
           
             was
             natural
          
           ;
           and
           justly
           apprehended
           ,
           that
           from
           a
           liking
           of
           the
           Entertainments
           themselves
           ,
           they
           might
           proceed
           to
           approve
           the
           occasion
           of
           'em
           ;
           that
           the
           seeming
           Innocence
           and
           Virtue
           of
           'em
           might
           reconcile
           'em
           to
           a
           Superstition
           which
           recommended
           those
           excellent
           Gifts
           after
           so
           easie
           and
           agreeable
           a
           manner
           ,
           or
           that
           perhaps
           the
           delights
           of
           those
           places
           might
           soften
           the
           temper
           of
           their
           mind
           ,
           and
           relax
           the
           nerves
           of
           their
           zeal
           ,
           and
           so
           unqualifie
           and
           indispose
           'em
           for
           those
           Austerities
           ,
           which
           the
           Posture
           and
           Circumstances
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           at
           that
           time
           requir'd
           .
        
         
           To
           obviate
           these
           dangers
           ,
           they
           summon'd
           all
           their
           Prudence
           ,
           
           and
           all
           their
           Art
           ;
           they
           omitted
           no
           Topick
           which
           Rhetorick
           or
           Satyr
           cou'd
           supply
           ,
           to
           fright
           or
           perswade
           Men
           from
           those
           
           Diversions
           .
           Nor
           was
           all
           their
           Zeal
           and
           Caution
           any
           more
           than
           was
           necessary
           ,
           the
           Danger
           was
           great
           ,
           and
           so
           was
           the
           Temptation
           ;
           the
           Fort
           was
           to
           be
           maintain'd
           not
           only
           against
           an
           Enemy
           without
           ,
           but
           a
           strong
           Faction
           within
           ;
           the
           Sences
           ,
           Appetites
           ,
           and
           Passions
           were
           already
           gain'd
           to
           the
           Enemy's
           Party
           ,
           nothing
           remain'd
           but
           Religion
           and
           Reason
           ,
           to
           make
           good
           the
           defence
           ;
           those
           Generals
           therefore
           that
           wou'd
           hold
           out
           ,
           when
           the
           Garrison
           was
           inclin'd
           to
           Surrender
           ,
           must
           not
           only
           display
           their
           Courage
           and
           Conduct
           ,
           but
           exert
           their
           Authority
           likewise
           to
           the
           utmost
           This
           the
           Antient
           Fathers
           did
           ,
           whose
           examples
           have
           been
           follow'd
           by
           divers
           in
           our
           Age
           ,
           tho
           without
           the
           same
           Reason
           ,
           Authority
           or
           Success
           .
        
         
           Having
           thus
           open●d
           the
           Case
           ,
           as
           it
           stood
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           ,
           we
           shall
           proceed
           to
           examine
           ,
           Whether
           there
           be
           any
           manner
           of
           Analogy
           between
           the
           Roman
           Theatre
           (
           as
           to
           the
           particulars
           whereof
           they
           are
           arraign'd
           by
           the
           Fathers
           )
           and
           ours
           ?
           Whether
           
             the
             Satyr
             of
             the
             Fathers
             comes
             full
             upon
             the
             Modern
             Poets
             ?
          
           
           Whether
           
             the
             Parity
             of
             the
             Case
             makes
             their
             Reasons
             
             take
             place
             ,
             and
             their
             Authority
             revive
             upon
             us
             ?
          
        
         
           Thus
           backt
           ,
           
           as
           he
           supposes
           by
           
             the
             Worthies
             of
             Christendom
             ,
             the
             flower
             ef
             Human
             Nature
             ,
             and
             the
             Top
             of
             their
             Species
             ,
          
           Mr
           Collier
           bids
           defiance
           to
           all
           the
           Stage
           Poets
           in
           general
           :
           He
           declares
           'em
           to
           be
           
             gone
             over
             into
             another
             Interest
          
           ,
           
           Deserters
           to
           the
           Devil
           ,
           
           
             that
             aim
             to
             destroy
             Religion
          
           ,
           
           and
           whose
           business
           is
           an
           ana
           of
           
             Lewdness
             and
             Atheism
          
           .
           For
           he
           has
           a
           huge
           mind
           to
           try
           his
           strength
           with
           'em
           ,
           
           but
           he
           dares
           not
           enter
           the
           Theatres
           ,
           they
           are
           the
           
             Devils
             own
             Ground
          
           ;
           but
           he
           challenges
           'em
           to
           a
           tryal
           of
           skill
           at
           the
           laudable
           exercises
           of
           the
           Christian
           Olympicks
           of
           Moorfields
           ;
           which
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           so
           hardy
           as
           to
           accept
           ,
           he
           'll
           call
           a
           Ring
           ,
           and
           for
           a
           broken
           Head
           ,
           or
           Limb
           ,
           he
           and
           his
           Fathers
           defy
           both
           North
           and
           West
           .
           
        
         
           But
           hold
           ,
           Mr
           Vinegar
           !
           have
           you
           any
           commission
           from
           the
           Fathers
           to
           give
           this
           Challenge
           in
           their
           Names
           ?
           Does
           it
           appear
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           any
           ground
           ,
           or
           reason
           of
           quarrel
           to
           the
           present
           Stage
           ?
           I
           believe
           not
           ;
           but
           as
           things
           may
           be
           packt
           together
           ,
           and
           translated
           ,
           an
           able
           Interpreter
           may
           make
           'em
           speak
           
           as
           he
           pleases
           .
           If
           they
           don't
           speak
           to
           his
           mind
           he
           knows
           how
           to
           correct
           'em
           ,
           't
           is
           but
           
             throwing
             in
             a
             word
             or
             two
          
           (
           as
           he
           phrases
           it
           )
           
             to
             clear
             the
             sense
             ,
             to
             preserve
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Original
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             keep
             the
             English
             upon
             its
             Legs
             .
          
           'T
           is
           well
           he
           has
           the
           knack
           of
           Scowring
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           otherwise
           their
           Testimonies
           wou'd
           look
           but
           rustily
           upon
           the
           present
           occasion
           .
           But
           he
           can
           wash
           as
           well
           as
           scowr
           ,
           and
           underprop
           a
           failing
           Evidence
           upon
           occasion
           .
           'T
           is
           pity
           Mr
           Collier
           was
           not
           bred
           to
           the
           Bar
           ,
           this
           extraordinary
           quality
           had
           been
           of
           admirable
           service
           there
           ,
           to
           help
           a
           bad
           Memory
           ,
           and
           prompt
           a
           bashful
           Witness
           .
           The
           Fathers
           ,
           good
           men
           ,
           cou'd
           say
           but
           little
           to
           the
           Cause
           ,
           but
           Dexterity
           and
           Management
           may
           do
           much
           ,
           and
           an
           able
           Sollicitor
           (
           like
           Mr
           Collier
           )
           will
           make
           out
           notable
           proofs
           from
           very
           slender
           Evidence
           .
        
         
           The
           Fathers
           ,
           as
           they
           had
           reason
           ,
           
           prohibited
           Christians
           all
           resort
           to
           the
           Roman
           Games
           in
           general
           ,
           and
           without
           distinction
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           the
           Idolatry
           there
           practised
           :
           But
           what
           's
           that
           to
           our
           Theatres
           ,
           which
           have
           no
           such
           stain
           upon
           '
           em
           ?
           If
           the
           Heathen
           
           Gods
           appear
           upon
           our
           Stage
           ,
           't
           is
           neither
           for
           their
           own
           ,
           nor
           their
           Worshipers
           honour
           .
           Idolatry
           is
           as
           much
           abhorr●d
           ,
           and
           more
           expos'd
           there
           ,
           than
           any
           where
           else
           .
           Why
           then
           is
           the
           Satyr
           reviv'd
           upon
           it
           ?
           Is
           there
           any
           danger
           that
           the
           Spectators
           should
           turn
           Idolaters
           ,
           from
           our
           Representations
           ?
           That
           which
           scandaliz'd
           the
           Fathers
           most
           in
           the
           Dramatick
           Representations
           of
           Antiquity
           was
           ,
           that
           their
           Gods
           were
           represented
           lewd
           ,
           and
           unjust
           ,
           Adulterers
           ,
           Pimps
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           *
           St
           Augustine
           absolves
           their
           Comedies
           and
           Tragedies
           from
           any
           fault
           in
           the
           expression
           ,
           and
           accuses
           only
           the
           subject
           matter
           .
           The
           same
           Indictment
           he
           prefers
           against
           
             Homer
             ,
             (
             viz.
          
           )
           that
           he
           corrupted
           Mens
           Morals
           by
           drawing
           such
           vicious
           Pictures
           of
           his
           Deities
           .
           *
           Terence
           falls
           under
           his
           displeasure
           likewise
           ,
           for
           introducing
           his
           young
           Libertine
           animating
           himself
           to
           ,
           and
           vindicating
           himself
           after
           a
           Rape
           ,
           by
           the
           example
           of
           Jupiter
           ,
           whose
           Intrigue
           with
           Danae
           ,
           represented
           in
           a
           Picture
           ,
           afforded
           him
           both
           matter
           of
           Encouragement
           and
           Excuse
           .
           Notwithstanding
           which
           objections
           ,
           this
           
           *
           Father
           confesses
           himself
           to
           have
           profited
           by
           the
           reading
           of
           'em
           ,
           tho
           he
           thinks
           the
           same
           use
           might
           have
           been
           made
           of
           more
           pious
           Books
           ,
           which
           are
           fitter
           for
           the
           use
           of
           Children
           .
           Thus
           by
           the
           acknowledgment
           of
           this
           Father
           the
           Plays
           were
           not
           so
           bad
           .
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           wou'd
           infer
           from
           him
           .
           The
           quarrel
           of
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Fathers
           to
           the
           Drama
           ,
           was
           upon
           the
           same
           account
           ,
           tho
           Mr
           Surveyor
           has
           given
           a
           wrong
           prospect
           of
           it
           .
           I
           hope
           there
           's
           no
           reason
           to
           apprehend
           ,
           that
           Jupiter
           or
           Mercury
           shou'd
           be
           drawn
           into
           precedent
           at
           this
           time
           of
           day
           ,
           or
           that
           any
           person
           of
           Quality
           shou'd
           turn
           Whore-master
           ,
           or
           Pimp
           out
           of
           emulation
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           
           the
           Fathers
           frequently
           exclaim
           against
           the
           lewdness
           of
           the
           Roman
           Theatres
           ,
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           all
           along
           endeavours
           ,
           both
           by
           the
           turn
           and
           application
           ,
           to
           discharge
           upon
           the
           Dramatick
           Representations
           ,
           in
           which
           I
           admire
           his
           dexterity
           more
           than
           his
           ingenuity
           .
           For
           I
           can't
           suppose
           Mr
           Collier
           to
           be
           ignorant
           ,
           that
           there
           were
           divers
           sorts
           of
           
             Ludi
             Scenici
          
           ,
           which
           were
           all
           perform'd
           at
           the
           Theatre
           ,
           of
           which
           several
           were
           scandalously
           lewd
           ;
           but
           
           these
           he
           knows
           were
           no
           part
           of
           the
           Dramatick
           Entertainment
           .
        
         
           But
           he
           finds
           Comedy
           and
           Tragedy
           
           sometimes
           condemn'd
           for
           company
           among
           the
           other
           Shows
           of
           the
           Theatre
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           is
           resolved
           ,
           out
           of
           his
           singular
           regard
           to
           Justice
           and
           Ingenuity
           ,
           that
           whatsoever
           is
           pronounc'd
           against
           the
           Theatres
           in
           general
           ,
           shall
           light
           upon
           the
           Drama
           in
           particular
           ,
           which
           by
           the
           unanimous
           confession
           of
           'em
           all
           was
           the
           least
           offensive
           ,
           and
           consequently
           the
           least
           deserv'd
           it
           .
           
           To
           what
           purpose
           else
           is
           
             Clemens
             Alexandrinus
          
           cited
           ?
           He
           
             affirms
             ,
             that
             the
             Circus
             and
             Theatre
             may
             not
             improperly
             be
             call'd
             the
             Chair
             of
             Pestilence
             .
          
           Whence
           does
           it
           appear
           ,
           that
           the
           Dramatick
           Exercises
           are
           here
           aim'd
           at
           ?
           Were
           the
           
             Mimi
             ,
             Pantomimi
          
           ,
           and
           Archimimi
           ,
           less
           concern'd
           with
           the
           Stage
           ,
           or
           more
           reserv'd
           and
           modest
           in
           their
           practices
           upon
           it
           ?
           Were
           dancing
           naked
           ,
           and
           expressing
           lewd
           Postures
           less
           criminal
           ,
           or
           offensive
           to
           modesty
           ?
           No
           ,
           
             he
             won't
             say
             that
          
           ;
           
           altho
           the
           comparison
           were
           made
           with
           the
           English
           Stage
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           (
           according
           to
           him
           )
           much
           more
           licentious
           than
           the
           Roman
           ,
           yet
           that
           by
           his
           own
           confession
           has
           nothing
           so
           bad
           .
           
           But
           supposing
           the
           Father
           to
           take
           his
           aim
           from
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           direction
           ,
           and
           prophetically
           to
           have
           levell'd
           at
           our
           times
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           wondrous
           guilt
           ,
           that
           provokes
           this
           severe
           Judgment
           ?
           
             Noscitur
             ex
             socio
          
           ,
           why
           't
           is
           e'en
           as
           bad
           as
           Horse-racing
           ;
           a
           very
           lewd
           diversion
           truly
           .
           Woe
           be
           to
           you
           Inhabitants
           of
           
             New
             Market
          
           ,
           that
           live
           in
           the
           very
           Seat
           of
           Infection
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           Fathers
           were
           men
           ,
           
           meer
           men
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           and
           subject
           as
           well
           as
           he
           to
           be
           misled
           by
           passion
           ,
           and
           overacted
           by
           zeal
           ,
           in
           the
           transports
           of
           which
           they
           were
           apt
           sometimes
           to
           extend
           their
           rigour
           too
           far
           ,
           and
           would
           upon
           any
           terms
           have
           (
           as
           a
           certain
           Learned
           Recorder
           has
           it
           )
           
             enough
             for
             a
             decent
          
           Execution
           .
           
           Thus
           Tertullian
           ,
           none
           of
           the
           least
           considerable
           among
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           either
           for
           his
           Learning
           or
           Zeal
           ,
           in
           this
           case
           especially
           ,
           tho
           he
           had
           already
           convinc'd
           the
           Ancient
           Tragedy
           of
           Idolatry
           ,
           a
           Crime
           sufficient
           in
           a
           Christian
           Court
           of
           Judicature
           to
           be
           capital
           ,
           yet
           must
           needs
           
             ex
             abundanti
          
           bring
           a
           fresh
           Indictment
           of
           Blasphemy
           .
           
             The
             Devil
          
           ,
           says
           he
           ,
           
             mounted
             the
             Tragedians
             upon
             Buskins
             ,
             because
             he
             would
             make
             our
             Saviour
             a
             Liar
             ,
             who
             
             says
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             can
             add
             a
             Cubit
             to
             his
             Stature
             .
          
           Look
           to
           it
           all
           ye
           Tiptoe
           Beau's
           .
        
         
           Here
           the
           Devil
           shew'd
           himself
           an
           Engineer
           ,
           to
           lay
           a
           Trap
           so
           long
           before
           hand
           ,
           to
           contrive
           and
           invent
           these
           Buskins
           only
           to
           falsify
           in
           appearance
           ,
           what
           was
           said
           a
           thousand
           years
           after
           ;
           and
           the
           Father
           himself
           was
           a
           very
           Matchiavel
           to
           detect
           ,
           and
           counterplot
           him
           at
           last
           .
           I
           have
           read
           of
           a
           famous
           Scotch
           Divine
           ,
           that
           signaliz'd
           himself
           once
           upon
           occasion
           ,
           by
           much
           such
           another
           discovery
           ,
           when
           he
           found
           out
           ,
           that
           at
           the
           dismission
           of
           all
           Creatures
           out
           of
           
           Noah's
           Ark
           ,
           the
           reason
           why
           the
           Hawks
           were
           so
           merciful
           to
           the
           Doves
           ,
           as
           to
           let
           'em
           escape
           unhurt
           was
           ,
           that
           the
           Prophesie
           of
           Isaiah
           ,
           the
           
             Lamb
             should
             lye
             down
             with
             the
             Lyon
             ,
          
           might
           be
           fulfilled
           .
           This
           is
           the
           nearest
           parallel
           that
           occurs
           to
           me
           from
           all
           my
           reading
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           Scotch
           Father
           comes
           pretty
           near
           t'other
           for
           a
           strange
           reach
           of
           apprehension
           ,
           tho
           't
           is
           his
           misfortune
           to
           fall
           short
           in
           the
           importance
           of
           the
           discovery
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           wave
           all
           further
           instances
           of
           this
           kind
           from
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           which
           are
           to
           be
           found
           in
           great
           plenty
           among
           'em
           ,
           
           I
           leave
           'em
           to
           be
           gather'd
           by
           those
           that
           take
           more
           delight
           in
           such
           Flowers
           ;
           and
           shall
           confine
           my self
           to
           those
           which
           Mr.
           Collier
           has
           pickt
           out
           for
           a
           Nosegay
           for
           himself
           .
        
         
           
             To
             begin
             therefore
             with
          
           Theophilus
           Antiochenus
           ;
           
           
             He
             tells
             us
          
           ,
           that
           the
           Christians
           durst
           not
           see
           the
           Prizes
           of
           the
           Gladiators
           ,
           for
           fear
           of
           becoming
           accessary
           to
           the
           Murthers
           there
           committed
           ,
           nor
           their
           other
           Shows
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           their
           Indency
           and
           Prophaneness
           .
        
         
           Here
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           as
           an
           earnest
           of
           his
           future
           fair
           dealing
           uses
           the
           word
           Shows
           ,
           and
           because
           perhaps
           't
           is
           the
           only
           instance
           to
           be
           met
           with
           through
           all
           his
           Quotations
           ,
           he
           is
           resolv'd
           not
           to
           lose
           the
           benefit
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           therefore
           for
           fear
           it
           should
           slip
           by
           unheeded
           ,
           he
           gives
           it
           in
           a
           different
           character
           ,
           and
           an
           asterism
           along
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           claps
           in
           the
           Margin
           Spectacula
           .
           By
           this
           sample
           of
           his
           Fidelity
           to
           his
           Author
           ,
           he
           thinks
           his
           performance
           warranted
           to
           his
           Readers
           ,
           of
           whom
           he
           knows
           the
           greatest
           part
           can't
           nor
           the
           rest
           he
           hopes
           won't
           ,
           be
           at
           the
           trouble
           to
           confront
           his
           Translation
           with
           the
           Text
           ;
           and
           therefore
           before
           the
           end
           of
           this
           very
           Paragraph
           ,
           he
           throws
           
           off
           all
           obligation
           to
           Truth
           and
           Just●ce
           and
           falls
           to
           managing
           and
           instructing
           his
           Evidence
        
         
           *
           The
           Stage
           Adulteries
           of
           the
           Gods
           and
           Heroes
           are
           unwarrantable
           Entertainments
           .
           And
           so
           much
           the
           worse
           ,
           because
           the
           Mercenary
           Players
           set
           off
           'em
           with
           all
           the
           charms
           and
           advantages
           of
           speaking
           .
        
         
           The
           Translator
           very
           well
           knew
           ,
           that
           the
           Shews
           here
           aim'd
           at
           ,
           were
           not
           the
           Tragedies
           and
           Commedies
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           but
           the
           Shews
           of
           the
           Mimi
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Amours
           of
           the
           Gods
           or
           Heroes
           were
           not
           related
           only
           ,
           but
           sung
           to
           Musick
           in
           luscious
           fulsome
           Verse
           ,
           mimickt
           in
           lewd
           dances
           with
           obscene
           Gestures
           and
           naked
           Postures
           ,
           and
           even
           the
           very
           Adulteries
           and
           Rapes
           themselves
           express'd
           by
           scandalous
           actions
           ,
           for
           which
           purpose
           the
           very
           Stews
           were
           rak'd
           for
           Publick
           Prostitutes
           for
           the
           Service
           .
        
         
           These
           were
           the
           Shews
           ,
           that
           provok'd
           the
           just
           resentments
           of
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           which
           had
           nothing
           in
           Common
           with
           the
           Dramatick
           Representations
           ,
           but
           the
           Place
           ,
           and
           the
           end
           of
           their
           Representation
           ,
           which
           were
           the
           Publick
           Theatres
           ,
           and
           Worship
           .
           But
           of
           all
           the
           Publick
           Diversions
           of
           the
           Heathens
           ,
           
           the
           Drama
           only
           remaining
           to
           us
           ,
           to
           keep
           the
           Authority
           upon
           its
           Legs
           ,
           it
           was
           necessary
           to
           give
           it
           a
           new
           direction
           ,
           and
           turn
           in
           the
           version
           ,
           and
           therefore
           the
           word
           Players
           was
           thrust
           in
           ,
           to
           fix
           the
           Scandal
           in
           the
           wrong
           place
           .
        
         
           That
           these
           were
           the
           Indecencies
           ,
           and
           Lewdness
           of
           the
           Theatre
           ,
           so
           bitterly
           inveigh'd
           against
           by
           these
           Pious
           men
           ,
           I
           cou'd
           bring
           testimonies
           innumerable
           ;
           but
           to
           avoid
           being
           tedious
           in
           a
           plain
           case
           ,
           I
           shall
           single
           out
           St
           Cyprian
           ,
           who
           being
           one
           of
           the
           
             Worthies
             of
             Christendome
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Top
             of
             his
             Species
          
           ,
           I
           hope
           Mr
           Collier
           will
           not
           except
           against
           his
           Evidence
           .
           *
           
             The
             Theatres
          
           (
           says
           he
           )
           
             are
             yet
             more
             Lewd
             .
             There
             they
             strip
             themselves
             of
             their
             Modesty
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Clothes
             ,
             and
             the
             honour
             as
             well
             as
             screen
             of
             their
             Bodies
             is
             laid
             aside
             ,
             and
             Virginity
             expos'd
             to
             the
             affronts
             both
             of
             View
             ,
             and
             Touch.
          
           Which
           Mr
           Collier
           knows
           was
           not
           practis'd
           in
           the
           Drama
           .
        
         
           But
           our
           Histrio-Mastix
           was
           aware
           ,
           that
           there
           was
           nothing
           to
           be
           got
           by
           square
           play
           ,
           therefore
           he
           has
           recourse
           to
           slight
           of
           hand
           ,
           and
           palms
           false
           Dice
           upon
           us
           .
           In
           the
           very
           next
           Paragraph
           we
           find
           him
           prompting
           Tertullian
           to
           
           rail
           at
           the
           Play-house
           ,
           and
           the
           Bear-Garden
           *
           .
           Which
           latter
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           was
           brought
           in
           for
           the
           grace
           and
           dignity
           of
           the
           Conjunction
           .
           Here
           the
           Play-house
           ,
           by
           his
           old
           way
           of
           Legerdemain
           ,
           is
           substituted
           for
           the
           Theatre
           ;
           and
           the
           most
           innocent
           of
           the
           Roman
           Diversions
           charg'd
           with
           the
           Guilt
           and
           Pollutions
           of
           all
           the
           rest
           ,
           with
           which
           ,
           by
           his
           own
           Confession
           ,
           it
           was
           not
           so
           much
           as
           soil'd
           .
           But
           the
           shifting
           of
           Names
           levell'd
           the
           Scandal
           right
           for
           his
           purpose
           ,
           and
           the
           unlearned
           Reader
           might
           perhaps
           be
           induc'd
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           the
           Father's
           quarrel
           lay
           against
           Lincolns-Inn-Fields
           ,
           and
           Covent-Garden
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           was
           resolv'd
           not
           to
           lose
           the
           benefit
           of
           so
           advantageous
           a
           Cheat
           ,
           for
           so
           small
           a
           condescension
           as
           falsifying
           a
           Text.
           
        
         
           With
           the
           same
           honest
           view
           and
           intention
           ,
           he
           forces
           Tertullian
           to
           call
           Pompey's
           Theatre
           *
           ,
           a
           Dramatick
           Bawdy-house
           .
           Here
           ,
           to
           conceal
           the
           Fathers
           Age
           ,
           he
           shaves
           off
           his
           Beard
           ,
           and
           dresses
           him
           after
           his
           own
           fashion
           ,
           in
           a
           Steenkirk
           and
           a
           long
           Wig
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           look
           like
           an
           acq●aintance
           of
           our
           Stage
           ,
           and
           keep
           his
           Evidence
           in
           Countenance
           .
           A
           
           just
           Translation
           wou'd
           not
           answer
           his
           purpose
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           has
           taken
           the
           usual
           liberty
           of
           adding
           or
           altering
           ,
           and
           has
           clapt
           in
           the
           
             Dramatick
             Bawdy-house
          
           ,
           to
           clear
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           pervert
           the
           sense
           .
           It
           is
           no
           justification
           ,
           to
           say
           that
           he
           has
           not
           chang'd
           the
           Scene
           ,
           that
           the
           Place
           is
           the
           same
           ,
           tho
           he
           has
           made
           bold
           to
           change
           the
           Terms
           ;
           in
           changing
           the
           Terms
           he
           has
           chang'd
           the
           state
           of
           the
           case
           ,
           and
           made
           the
           Author
           accuse
           the
           Drama
           of
           those
           enormities
           ,
           which
           were
           peculiar
           to
           the
           Shews
           of
           the
           Mimi
           ,
           and
           inveigh'd
           against
           only
           by
           him
           .
           Thus
           he
           uses
           his
           Father
           like
           an
           Irish
           Evidence
           ,
           and
           makes
           him
           depose
           with
           as
           much
           latitude
           ,
           as
           in
           a
           Court
           of
           Record
           ,
           wou'd
           even
           in
           these
           corrupt
           times
           ,
           cost
           a
           man
           his
           Ears
           .
        
         
           To
           trace
           him
           through
           all
           his
           Quotations
           from
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           were
           a
           task
           much
           more
           tedious
           ,
           than
           difficult
           .
           It
           may
           suffice
           to
           take
           notice
           ,
           that
           he
           keeps
           to
           his
           Principle
           ,
           and
           never
           quotes
           any
           thing
           right
           ,
           which
           he
           thinks
           may
           be
           made
           more
           serviceable
           by
           being
           perverted
           .
           To
           prevent
           this
           Artifice
           from
           being
           seen
           through
           ,
           he
           endeavours
           ,
           like
           a
           Fish
           in
           the
           Water
           ,
           to
           conceal
           
           the
           bottom
           by
           muddying
           the
           Stream
           .
        
         
           St.
           
             Cyprian
             ,
             Lactantius
             ,
             Chrysostome
          
           and
           Augustine
           are
           all
           manag'd
           at
           the
           same
           rate
           ;
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           like
           a
           stanch
           Beagle
           ,
           makes
           the
           hits
           ,
           whilst
           his
           Fathers
           ,
           that
           like
           Whelps
           newly
           enter'd
           ,
           are
           running
           Riot
           ,
           have
           much
           better
           Mouths
           than
           Noses
           ,
           and
           make
           up
           a
           great
           part
           of
           the
           Cry
           ,
           but
           are
           of
           no
           service
           in
           the
           Chase
           .
           Those
           that
           have
           a
           mind
           to
           tumble
           and
           sift
           over
           Mr
           Collier's
           Rubbish
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           may
           find
           all
           his
           Quotations
           in
           
           Prynne's
           Histrio-Mastix
           ,
           honestly
           transcrib'd
           ,
           and
           more
           faithfully
           translated
           .
           To
           which
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           Fathers
           themselves
           ,
           I
           refer
           '
           em
           .
           His
           Translations
           are
           all
           of
           a
           stamp
           ,
           to
           repeat
           more
           of
           'em
           wou'd
           be
           tautology
           ;
           how
           different
           soever
           the
           Originals
           might
           be
           ,
           the
           Copies
           have
           all
           the
           same
           Features
           and
           Complexions
           ;
           both
           Draught
           and
           Colouring
           agree
           so
           well
           ,
           that
           a
           very
           indifferent
           Judge
           might
           infallibly
           discover
           'em
           all
           to
           be
           Copies
           by
           one
           Hand
           ,
           by
           the
           Harmony
           of
           the
           Faults
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           dismiss
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           who
           have
           been
           oblig'd
           to
           an
           unnecessary
           attendance
           ,
           thro
           the
           disingenuity
           of
           their
           
           Translator
           ,
           
           I
           shall
           once
           for
           all
           observe
           ,
           first
           ,
           that
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Fathers
           ought
           to
           affect
           us
           no
           farther
           than
           their
           Reasonings
           will
           come
           up
           to
           our
           case
           :
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           their
           Arguments
           drawn
           from
           the
           Idolatry
           ,
           lewd
           Representations
           ,
           and
           Cruelty
           practis'd
           upon
           the
           Roman
           Stage
           ,
           and
           at
           their
           Shows
           ,
           do
           not
           reach
           our
           Stage
           ,
           where
           those
           practices
           are
           had
           in
           abhorrence
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           as
           they
           are
           cited
           by
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           both
           their
           Authority
           and
           Arguments
           are
           subverted
           by
           the
           corrupt
           Version
           .
           If
           these
           three
           things
           be
           fairly
           made
           out
           ,
           as
           (
           I
           hope
           )
           they
           already
           are
           ,
           we
           need
           not
           be
           any
           longer
           alarm'd
           at
           this
           unseasonable
           clamour
           from
           the
           Fathers
           .
        
         
           But
           tho
           the
           main
           strength
           of
           this
           Attila
           of
           the
           Stage
           lies
           in
           these
           Worthies
           of
           Christendom
           ,
           
           yet
           ,
           like
           a
           cautious
           Commander
           ,
           lest
           they
           shou'd
           be
           surpriz'd
           ,
           or
           unable
           to
           sustain
           the
           shock
           of
           the
           Stage
           Militia
           alone
           ,
           he
           has
           provided
           an
           Auxiliary
           Body
           of
           Heathen
           Philosophers
           ,
           Historians
           ,
           Orators
           and
           Poets
           ,
           to
           guard
           the
           Passes
           ,
           and
           check
           the
           fury
           of
           the
           first
           Onset
           .
           Here
           again
           he
           shews
           his
           care
           by
           his
           choice
           ,
           he
           lists
           
           the
           bottom
           by
           muddying
           the
           Stream
           .
        
         
           St.
           
             Cyprian
             ,
             Lactantius
             ,
             Chrysostome
          
           and
           Augustine
           are
           all
           manag'd
           at
           the
           same
           rate
           ;
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           like
           a
           stanch
           Beagle
           ,
           makes
           the
           hits
           ,
           whilst
           his
           Fathers
           ,
           that
           like
           Whelps
           newly
           enter'd
           ,
           are
           running
           Riot
           ,
           have
           much
           better
           Mouths
           than
           Noses
           ,
           and
           make
           up
           a
           great
           part
           of
           the
           Cry
           ,
           but
           are
           of
           no
           service
           in
           the
           Chase
           .
           Those
           that
           have
           a
           mind
           to
           tumble
           and
           sift
           over
           Mr
           Collier's
           Rubbish
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           may
           find
           all
           his
           Quotations
           in
           
             Prynne's
             Histrio-Mastix
          
           ,
           honestly
           transcrib'd
           ,
           and
           more
           faithfully
           translated
           .
           To
           which
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           Fathers
           themselves
           ,
           I
           refer
           '
           em
           .
           His
           Translations
           are
           all
           of
           a
           stamp
           ,
           to
           repeat
           more
           of
           'em
           wou'd
           be
           tautology
           ;
           how
           different
           soever
           the
           Originals
           might
           be
           ,
           the
           Copies
           have
           all
           the
           same
           Features
           and
           Complexions
           ;
           both
           Draught
           and
           Colouring
           agree
           so
           well
           ,
           that
           a
           very
           indifferent
           Judge
           might
           infallibly
           discover
           'em
           all
           to
           be
           Copies
           by
           one
           Hand
           ,
           by
           the
           Harmony
           of
           the
           Faults
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           dismiss
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           who
           have
           been
           oblig'd
           to
           an
           unnecessary
           attendance
           ,
           thro
           the
           disingenuity
           of
           their
           
           Translator
           ,
           
           I
           shall
           once
           for
           all
           observe
           ,
           first
           ,
           that
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Fathers
           ought
           to
           affect
           us
           no
           farther
           than
           their
           Reasonings
           will
           come
           up
           to
           our
           case
           :
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           their
           Arguments
           drawn
           from
           the
           Idolatry
           ,
           lewd
           Representations
           ,
           and
           Cruelty
           practis'd
           upon
           the
           Roman
           Stage
           ,
           and
           at
           their
           Shows
           ,
           do
           not
           reach
           our
           Stage
           ,
           where
           those
           practices
           are
           had
           in
           abhorrence
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           as
           they
           are
           cited
           by
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           both
           their
           Authority
           and
           Arguments
           are
           subverted
           by
           the
           corrupt
           Version
           .
           If
           these
           three
           things
           be
           fairly
           made
           out
           ,
           as
           (
           I
           hope
           )
           they
           already
           are
           ,
           we
           need
           not
           be
           any
           longer
           alarm'd
           at
           this
           unseasonable
           clamour
           from
           the
           Fathers
           .
        
         
           But
           tho
           the
           main
           strength
           of
           this
           Attila
           of
           the
           Stage
           lies
           in
           these
           Worthies
           of
           Christendom
           ,
           yet
           ,
           
           like
           a
           cautious
           Commander
           ,
           lest
           they
           shou'd
           be
           surpriz'd
           ,
           or
           unable
           to
           sustain
           the
           shock
           of
           the
           Stage
           Militia
           alone
           ,
           he
           has
           provided
           an
           Auxiliary
           Body
           of
           Heathen
           Philosophers
           ,
           Historians
           ,
           Orators
           and
           Poets
           ,
           to
           guard
           the
           Passes
           ,
           and
           check
           the
           fury
           of
           the
           first
           Onset
           .
           Here
           again
           he
           shews
           his
           care
           by
           his
           choice
           ,
           he
           lists
           
           none
           but
           men
           of
           the
           first
           Magnitude
           ,
           he
           's
           so
           severe
           that
           a
           Volunteer
           under
           six
           foot
           can't
           pass
           Muster
           .
           But
           after
           all
           ,
           the
           Service
           of
           these
           Gigantick
           Men
           does
           not
           answer
           the
           terror
           of
           their
           Bulk
           and
           Figure
           ;
           they
           are
           prest
           men
           ,
           that
           enter
           the
           Service
           against
           their
           Wills
           ,
           and
           are
           plac'd
           in
           the
           Front
           ,
           like
           a
           Swiss
           painted
           upon
           a
           Door
           ,
           for
           shew
           ,
           not
           action
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           they
           are
           forc'd
           to
           appear
           with
           their
           Fire-locks
           ,
           and
           give
           one
           charge
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           ,
           like
           a
           Moorfields
           Volley
           ,
           without
           Ball
           ,
           or
           Bloodshed
           .
        
         
           The
           Leaders
           of
           these
           are
           a
           Triumvirate
           of
           Antient
           Greek
           Philosophers
           ,
           
             Plato
             ,
             Xenophon
          
           ,
           and
           Aristotle
           .
           The
           first
           of
           these
           appears
           not
           in
           person
           ,
           
           nor
           has
           his
           proxy
           much
           to
           say
           for
           him
           ,
           that
           I
           can
           find
           .
           Yet
           as
           little
           as
           't
           is
           ,
           he
           ought
           to
           have
           produc'd
           his
           Credentials
           ,
           or
           his
           Voice
           may
           fairly
           be
           protested
           against
           .
           For
           a
           hear-say
           Evidence
           ought
           at
           least
           to
           be
           as
           well
           attested
           ,
           as
           a
           Nuncupative
           Will
           to
           make
           it
           authentick
           .
           But
           ,
           after
           all
           ,
           what
           is
           it
           that
           he
           says
           ,
           or
           rather
           that
           Eusebius
           says
           for
           him
           ?
           Why
           ,
           
             that
             Plays
             raise
             the
             passions
             ,
             and
             pervert
             the
             use
             of
             'em
             ,
             and
             by
             consequence
             are
             dangerous
             ●o
             morality
             .
          
           But
           since
           he
           has
           not
           thought
           
           fit
           to
           specify
           either
           the
           nature
           or
           measure
           of
           the
           danger
           ,
           thus
           consequentially
           portended
           to
           morality
           ,
           we
           need
           not
           amuse
           our selves
           any
           longer
           about
           it
           .
        
         
           Much
           such
           another
           doughty
           Authority
           is
           that
           of
           Xenophon
           .
           
           *
           The
           Persians
           (
           he
           says
           )
           won't
           suffer
           their
           youth
           to
           hear
           any
           thing
           ,
           that
           's
           amorous
           or
           bawdy
           .
           They
           were
           afraid
           want
           of
           Ballast
           might
           make
           'em
           miscarry
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           was
           dangerous
           to
           add
           weight
           to
           the
           Byass
           of
           nature
           .
           This
           quotation
           is
           strangely
           drawn
           in
           ;
           it
           does
           not
           so
           much
           as
           squin●
           towards
           his
           purpose
           .
           Here
           's
           no
           mention
           of
           any
           thing
           relating
           to
           the
           Drama
           .
           Bawdry
           indeed
           was
           forbidden
           to
           be
           talk'd
           to
           those
           ,
           whose
           Reason
           was
           not
           yet
           grown
           sturdy
           enough
           to
           curb
           the
           looseness
           of
           their
           Appetites
           in
           those
           Countries
           ,
           where
           the
           heat
           of
           the
           Climate
           ,
           and
           the
           warmth
           of
           their
           Constitutions
           inclin'd
           'em
           very
           early
           ,
           and
           hurried
           'em
           very
           precipitously
           to
           irregularities
           of
           that
           nature
           .
           But
           if
           this
           passage
           wou'd
           not
           serve
           his
           Cause
           ,
           it
           wou'd
           his
           vanity
           and
           ostentatation
           of
           reading
           ,
           and
           therefore
           was
           not
           to
           be
           slighted
           .
        
         
         
           Of
           as
           great
           service
           is
           the
           Authority
           of
           Aristotle
           ,
           
           one
           single
           doubtful
           expression
           of
           whose
           ,
           he
           would
           wrest
           to
           the
           overthrow
           of
           one
           of
           the
           most
           elaborate
           and
           judicious
           of
           all
           that
           great
           Philosophers
           works
           ;
           I
           mean
           his
           Art
           of
           Poetry
           ;
           in
           which
           he
           has
           taken
           the
           pains
           to
           prescribe
           Rules
           for
           the
           more
           easie
           and
           regular
           composition
           of
           Dramatick
           Poems
           ;
           which
           certainly
           had
           been
           in
           him
           as
           well
           a
           scandalous
           ,
           as
           a
           ridiculous
           labour
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           not
           thought
           the
           practice
           of
           'em
           allowable
           .
           But
           he
           's
           so
           far
           from
           any
           such
           indifference
           ,
           that
           he
           frequently
           ,
           both
           in
           that
           piece
           ,
           and
           other
           parts
           of
           his
           Works
           ,
           commends
           the
           writing
           of
           Dramatick
           Poetry
           ,
           as
           the
           noblest
           exercise
           of
           the
           mind
           .
           Nor
           do
           we
           find
           any
           where
           in
           the
           works
           of
           that
           Philosopher
           ,
           who
           (
           by
           this
           Author
           's
           own
           confession
           )
           
             had
             look'd
             as
             far
             into
             humane
             Nature
             as
             any
             man
             ,
          
           a
           greater
           profusion
           of
           Rhetorick
           than
           in
           the
           praise
           〈◊〉
           of
           Tragedy
           ,
           which
           he
           takes
           to
           be
           the
           highest
           exaltation
           of
           humane
           Wit.
           
           
        
         
           As
           for
           this
           passage
           ,
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           pickt
           out
           ,
           and
           levell'd
           at
           the
           Comedy
           of
           our
           Age
           ,
           it
           amounts
           to
           no
           more
           
           than
           a
           general
           *
           caution
           against
           trusting
           youth
           into
           promiscuo●s
           Company
           ,
           such
           as
           resorted
           to
           publick
           places
           ,
           till
           they
           were
           sufficiently
           fortify'd
           against
           the
           danger
           of
           Corruption
           ,
           to
           which
           they
           might
           thereby
           be
           expos'd
           .
           Drunkenness
           was
           the
           Vice
           ,
           which
           the
           Philosopher
           particularly
           instanc'd
           in
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           plainly
           shews
           himself
           apprehensive
           of
           the
           Company
           ,
           not
           of
           the
           Play
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           would
           not
           have
           young
           people
           trusted
           with
           the
           liberty
           ,
           and
           opportunity
           of
           contracting
           an
           acquaintance
           ,
           before
           they
           were
           arriv'd
           at
           some
           tolerable
           maturity
           of
           Judgment
           .
           But
           Mr
           Collier
           with
           a
           dexterity
           peculiar
           to
           himself
           ,
           palms
           the
           general
           term
           of
           Debauchery
           ,
           for
           the
           particular
           one
           of
           Drunkenness
           upon
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           suspicion
           might
           thereby
           be
           shifted
           from
           the
           Audience
           to
           the
           Peformance
           .
        
         
           To
           back
           this
           ,
           and
           cover
           the
           conveyance
           ,
           he
           brings
           another
           Authority
           as
           little
           to
           the
           purpose
           ,
           
           concerning
           the
           force
           and
           power
           of
           Musick
           ,
           from
           whence
           he
           concludes
           ,
           that
           
             where
             the
             Representation
             is
             foul
             ,
             the
             thoughts
             of
             the
             Audience
             must
             suffer
             .
          
           What
           must
           they
           suffer
           ?
           Wou'd
           the
           Musick
           ,
           (
           as
           powerful
           
           as
           he
           supposes
           it
           )
           make
           the
           Audience
           drunk
           ,
           or
           in
           love
           with
           Drunkenness
           ?
           No
           ,
           that
           was
           no
           Vice
           of
           the
           Stage
           ,
           whatever
           it
           might
           be
           of
           the
           Spectators
           ,
           yet
           even
           by
           them
           the
           Scene
           was
           not
           laid
           at
           the
           Theatres
           ,
           tho
           the
           Plot
           might
           ,
           and
           the
           Company
           perhaps
           be
           pickt
           up
           there
           .
           I
           suppose
           this
           Informer
           ,
           as
           inveterate
           as
           his
           malice
           is
           against
           Play-houses
           ,
           will
           scarce
           charge
           'em
           as
           Schools
           of
           intemperance
           of
           that
           kind
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           Stage
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           as
           behind
           the
           Scenes
           ;
           and
           I
           believe
           he
           will
           acquit
           Pit
           ,
           Box
           ,
           and
           Gallery
           of
           it
           .
           For
           whatever
           some
           may
           bring
           in
           their
           Heads
           ,
           he
           will
           find
           but
           few
           with
           Bottles
           in
           their
           Hands
           there
           .
           This
           made
           him
           wave
           instancing
           in
           the
           particular
           of
           Aristotle
           ;
           the
           retail
           scandal
           wou'd
           not
           fit
           our
           Theatres
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           lumps
           it
           among
           'em
           by
           the
           general
           name
           of
           Debauchery
           ,
           and
           tacks
           this
           Citation
           concerning
           Musick
           to
           it
           ,
           which
           he
           hopes
           will
           give
           the
           Reader
           an
           Idea
           more
           serviceable
           to
           his
           Cause
           ,
           than
           Aristotle
           intended
           ,
           and
           make
           a
           suitable
           impression
           upon
           him
           .
        
         
         
           This
           Philosopher
           forbad
           the
           resort
           to
           Comedies
           ,
           only
           to
           those
           whose
           virtues
           he
           durst
           not
           trust
           ;
           not
           to
           hinder
           their
           diversion
           from
           the
           Stage
           ,
           but
           to
           prevent
           their
           corruption
           from
           the
           Pit
           ,
           as
           King
           Charles
           the
           2d
           suppress'd
           Conventicles
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           those
           ,
           whose
           principles
           he
           suspected
           ;
           not
           to
           disturb
           the
           Devotion
           of
           a
           few
           mistaken
           well-meaning
           Men
           ,
           but
           to
           prevent
           the
           practices
           of
           many
           crafty
           ill
           designing
           ones
           .
        
         
           Tully
           cries
           out
           upon
           licentious
           Plays
           and
           Poems
           ,
           
           as
           the
           bane
           of
           Sobriety
           ,
           and
           wise
           thinking
           :
           That
           Comedy
           subsists
           upon
           Lewdness
           ,
           and
           that
           pleasure
           is
           the
           root
           of
           all
           evil
           .
        
         
           No
           one
           ,
           
           I
           suppose
           ,
           will
           defend
           Plays
           ,
           that
           are
           really
           licentious
           ,
           or
           if
           they
           seem
           to
           patronize
           any
           ,
           wherein
           some
           warm-headed
           Enthusiastick
           Zealots
           pretend
           to
           find
           or
           make
           some
           passages
           exceptionable
           ,
           they
           are
           willing
           to
           leave
           those
           Passages
           ,
           if
           really
           guilty
           ,
           to
           the
           mercy
           of
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           Inquisition
           ,
           and
           yet
           not
           deny
           their
           Countenance
           ,
           and
           Encouragement
           to
           the
           prevailing
           merit
           of
           the
           main
           part
           of
           the
           performance
           .
        
         
         
           But
           here
           I
           must
           needs
           take
           notice
           ,
           that
           either
           Mr
           Collier
           or
           Tully
           ,
           are
           extremely
           mistaken
           ,
           or
           ,
           which
           is
           all
           one
           to
           our
           purpose
           ,
           that
           this
           quotation
           does
           not
           speak
           the
           sense
           of
           
             Tully
             .
             Plautus
          
           and
           Terence
           are
           the
           only
           Comedians
           of
           his
           acquaintance
           ,
           whose
           works
           have
           been
           preserv'd
           to
           our
           times
           ;
           and
           consequently
           are
           the
           only
           Standards
           ,
           by
           which
           we
           can
           form
           any
           Judgment
           ,
           or
           take
           any
           measure
           of
           the
           Roman
           Comedy
           before
           ,
           or
           about
           
           Cicero's
           time
           .
           
           These
           Mr
           Collier
           assures
           us
           are
           modest
           to
           a
           scruple
           ,
           especially
           
             Terence
             ,
             who
             has
             but
             one
             faulty
             bordering
             expression
             .
          
           
             Plautus
             ,
             who
             is
             of
             all
             antiquity
             the
             most
             exceptionable
             ▪
             rarely
             gives
             any
             smutty
             liberties
             to
             women
             ,
             and
             when
             he
             does
             ,
             't
             is
             to
             Vulgar
             and
             prostituted
             persons
             .
             The
             men
             who
             talk
             intemperately
             are
             generally
             Slaves
             .
             
             The
             Slaves
             and
             Pandars
             seldom
             run
             over
             ,
             and
             play
             their
             Gambols
             before
             women
             .
             Plautus
             does
             not
             dilate
             upon
             the
             progress
             ,
             successes
             ,
             and
             disappointments
             of
             Love
             in
             the
             modern
             way
             .
             This
             is
             nice
             ground
             ,
             and
             therefore
             he
             either
             stands
             off
             ,
             or
             walks
             gravely
             over
             it
             .
             He
             has
             some
             regard
             to
             the
             retirements
             of
             modesty
             ,
             
             and
             the
             dignity
             of
             humane
             Nature
             ,
             and
             does
             not
             seem
             to
             make
             lewdness
             his
             Business
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           a
           very
           fair
           character
           from
           an
           adversary
           ,
           
           a
           friend
           could
           scarce
           have
           given
           a
           more
           ample
           recommendation
           upon
           this
           head
           .
           Here
           seems
           to
           be
           a
           run
           of
           Candour
           and
           Ingenuity
           ,
           for
           at
           least
           a
           dozen
           pages
           together
           ;
           the
           ancient
           Dramatick
           Writers
           are
           treated
           with
           so
           much
           civility
           ,
           't
           is
           all
           such
           Halcyon
           Weather
           ,
           so
           fair
           a
           Sky
           ,
           and
           so
           smooth
           a
           Sea
           ,
           would
           tempt
           the
           cautiousest
           Pilot
           from
           his
           Anchor
           ;
           he
           would
           have
           no
           apprehensions
           of
           a
           Storm
           ,
           while
           all
           was
           so
           serene
           above
           ,
           and
           so
           quiet
           and
           calm
           beneath
           him
           .
           But
           this
           is
           all
           
             out
             of
             Character
          
           ,
           the
           Author
           forces
           his
           temper
           to
           serve
           his
           design
           ,
           and
           caresses
           the
           Ancients
           in
           pure
           spight
           to
           the
           Moderns
           ,
           as
           cunning
           Statesmen
           sometimes
           court
           and
           cajole
           a
           Party
           they
           hate
           ,
           only
           to
           make
           'em
           their
           tools
           against
           another
           they
           fear
           ,
           and
           so
           make
           'em
           ruine
           each
           other
           ,
           and
           save
           themselves
           both
           the
           trouble
           ,
           and
           the
           odium
           .
           This
           honest
           Policy
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           made
           use
           of
           ;
           for
           ,
           having
           routed
           (
           in
           his
           own
           vain
           conceit
           )
           by
           the
           help
           of
           these
           Ancients
           ,
           
           the
           present
           
             Stage
             Poets
          
           ,
           he
           makes
           head
           upon
           his
           Confederates
           ,
           and
           those
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           entrance
           of
           his
           Book
           deserv●d
           no
           censure
           ,
           in
           the
           conclusion
           of
           it
           are
           allow'd
           no
           quarter
           .
           The
           more
           plausibly
           and
           securely
           to
           put
           this
           Srratagem
           in
           execution
           ,
           he
           takes
           care
           to
           destroy
           his
           own
           Authority
           in
           their
           favour
           ,
           by
           that
           of
           much
           better
           men
           against
           'em
           ,
           or
           that
           are
           (
           as
           he
           manages
           the
           matter
           )
           at
           least
           in
           appearance
           against
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           This
           Author
           is
           a
           sort
           of
           a
           Long-lane
           Writer
           ,
           
           a
           Piece-Broker
           in
           Learning
           ,
           one
           that
           tacks
           ends
           and
           scraps
           of
           Authors
           together
           to
           patch
           up
           a
           slight
           Authority
           ,
           that
           hangs
           so
           weakly
           together
           ,
           that
           it
           won't
           bear
           the
           fitting
           .
           Thus
           he
           has
           linkt
           together
           two
           or
           three
           ill
           sorted
           sentences
           out
           of
           Tully
           ,
           that
           make
           as
           little
           to
           his
           purpose
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           had
           quoted
           so
           many
           Propositions
           out
           of
           Euclid
           ;
           the
           truth
           of
           which
           ,
           tho
           every
           body
           might
           acknowledge
           ,
           yet
           no
           body
           can
           find
           the
           use
           of
           in
           this
           place
           .
           But
           he
           found
           the
           name
           of
           Comedy
           joyn'd
           with
           an
           invective
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           was
           resolv'd
           ,
           if
           he
           did
           not
           find
           it
           so
           ,
           to
           make
           it
           of
           his
           Party
           ,
           before
           he
           took
           
           his
           leave
           of
           it
           .
           *
           Tully
           complains
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Poets
             gave
             Love
             ,
             the
             author
             of
             so
             many
             follies
             and
             disorders
             ,
             a
             place
             among
             the
             Deities
             ,
             the
             irregularities
             of
             which
             were
             the
             constant
             subject
             matter
             of
             the
             Comedies
             of
             his
             time
             .
          
        
         
           The
           severities
           of
           a
           harsh
           old
           Father
           ,
           
           the
           amours
           of
           the
           Rake
           his
           Son
           ,
           and
           the
           intrigues
           of
           the
           Knave
           his
           Servant
           ,
           or
           the
           wiles
           of
           a
           mercenary
           Prostitute
           ,
           generally
           made
           up
           the
           business
           of
           those
           
             Comedies
             .
             Hereupon
          
           Cicero
           
             cries
             out
             ,
             that
             if
             't
             were
             not
             for
             these
             Love
             extravagances
             ,
             the
          
           Comick
           Poets
           
             would
             be
             destitute
             of
             a
             Plot.
          
           In
           which
           he
           seems
           rather
           to
           tax
           'em
           with
           barrenness
           of
           Invention
           ,
           than
           Immorality
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           Moral
           of
           such
           designs
           cou'd
           not
           be
           very
           extraordinary
           ,
           nor
           cou'd
           any
           very
           edifying
           doctrine
           of
           application
           be
           rais'd
           from
           the
           usual
           Catastrophe
           of
           these
           Plays
           .
           For
           the
           Poet
           generally
           took
           care
           ,
           after
           he
           had
           embroil'd
           matters
           beyond
           all
           seeming
           possibility
           of
           a
           reconciliation
           ,
           to
           disentangle
           all
           by
           some
           
           Providential
           (
           if
           Mr
           Collier
           won't
           quarrel
           at
           the
           expression
           )
           Incident
           ,
           and
           crown
           the
           young
           Libertine
           with
           his
           wishes
           ,
           
           reconciling
           the
           Father
           to
           the
           Son
           ,
           and
           the
           Master
           to
           the
           Servant
           .
           By
           this
           means
           Poetical
           Justice
           was
           eluded
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           shou'd
           have
           been
           the
           ground
           and
           occasion
           of
           
             moral
             Instruction
          
           lost
           .
           The
           Antient
           Comedy
           was
           not
           therefore
           so
           innocent
           as
           his
           Character
           ,
           nor
           so
           lewd
           and
           impure
           as
           his
           corrupted
           Quotations
           wou'd
           make
           it
           .
        
         
           His
           next
           Authority
           is
           from
           Livy
           ,
           whose
           Evidence
           ,
           
           even
           tho
           it
           were
           faithfully
           reported
           by
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           comes
           not
           near
           our
           case
           .
           For
           Livy
           speaks
           here
           of
           the
           Stage
           Representations
           in
           general
           ;
           but
           the
           Drama
           ,
           properly
           so
           call'd
           ,
           was
           not
           known
           amongst
           the
           Romans
           at
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Pestilence
           ,
           when
           the
           
             Ludi
             Scenici
          
           were
           invented
           .
           But
           this
           is
           not
           all
           ,
           he
           is
           not
           contented
           to
           make
           a
           false
           Witness
           only
           of
           this
           Historian
           ,
           but
           he
           must
           add
           Forgery
           to
           Subornation
           ,
           and
           put
           his
           hand
           to
           what
           was
           not
           his
           act
           and
           deed
           .
        
         
           The
           Motives
           are
           sometimes
           good
           ,
           when
           the
           means
           are
           stark
           naught
           :
           
           That
           the
           Remedy
           in
           this
           case
           was
           worse
           than
           the
           Disease
           ,
           
           and
           the
           Attonement
           more
           infectious
           than
           the
           Plague
           .
        
         
           These
           words
           Livy
           utterly
           disowns
           ;
           *
           he
           says
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Ludi
             Scenici
          
           introduc'd
           upon
           this
           occasion
           ,
           consisted
           of
           certain
           dances
           ,
           or
           decent
           movements
           to
           Musick
           ,
           perform'd
           by
           Artists
           fetch'd
           out
           of
           Tuscany
           ,
           after
           the
           manner
           of
           their
           Country
           .
        
         
           Where
           lay
           the
           force
           of
           the
           Contagion
           in
           this
           ?
           What
           danger
           of
           Infection
           from
           a
           modest
           Dance
           ?
           After
           this
           Livy
           proceeds
           to
           shew
           what
           were
           the
           first
           steps
           that
           were
           made
           towards
           the
           improvement
           of
           these
           
             Ludi
             Scenici
          
           ,
           and
           concludes
           his
           short
           account
           of
           their
           earliest
           Gradations
           with
           this
           Reflection
           .
        
         
           *
           Amongst
           other
           things
           that
           have
           risen
           from
           small
           beginnings
           ,
           I
           thought
           fit
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           Plays
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           shew
           from
           how
           sober
           an
           Original
           this
           excessive
           Extravagance
           ,
           which
           scarce
           the
           wealthiest
           Nations
           can
           bear
           ,
           is
           deriv'd
           .
           
             This
             Mr
          
           Collier
           translates
           ,
           The
           motives
           are
           sometimes
           good
           ,
           when
           the
           means
           are
           stark
           naught
           .
           
             'T
             is
             pretty
             plain
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             not
          
           
           the
           Immorality
           ,
           
           but
           the
           excess
           of
           Luxury
           and
           Profusion
           at
           these
           Shews
           ,
           that
           Livy
           condemns
           ,
           by
           his
           adding
           that
           
             't
             was
             greater
             than
             the
             wealthiest
             Nations
             cou'd
             well
             bear
             .
          
           For
           't
           is
           to
           be
           suppos'd
           ,
           that
           wealthy
           people
           have
           as
           much
           need
           of
           Morality
           as
           the
           poor
           ,
           tho
           they
           are
           not
           oblig'd
           to
           the
           same
           measures
           of
           Thrift
           ,
           and
           good
           Husbandry
           .
           Whether
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           construction
           and
           application
           of
           this
           passage
           be
           the
           effect
           of
           his
           Malice
           or
           Ignorance
           ,
           I
           leave
           the
           World
           to
           judge
           .
        
         
           The
           following
           is
           yet
           a
           more
           perverse
           misconstruction
           ,
           to
           which
           both
           Malice
           and
           Ignorance
           have
           clubb'd
           their
           utmost
           ,
           even
           to
           emulation
           ,
           so
           that
           't
           is
           hard
           to
           distinguish
           which
           has
           the
           better
           title
           to
           it
           .
           Livy
           tells
           us
           *
           ,
           
             that
             the
          
           Romans
           
             were
             so
             solicitous
             about
             methods
             of
             appeasing
             the
             Gods
             ,
             that
             the
             anxiety
             of
             it
             was
             a
             greater
             affliction
             to
             their
             Minds
             ,
             than
             the
             disease
             to
             their
             Bodies
             .
          
           This
           our
           Remarker
           ,
           who
           out
           of
           his
           superabundant
           understanding
           ,
           knew
           better
           than
           the
           Author
           himself
           what
           ought
           to
           have
           been
           said
           ,
           thinks
           fit
           to
           render
           thus
           ,
           
             The
             Remedy
             in
             this
             case
             is
             worse
             than
             the
             
             Disease
             ,
             and
             the
             Atonement
             more
             infectious
             than
             the
             Plague
             .
          
           
        
         
           Of
           the
           same
           stamp
           is
           the
           Citation
           from
           
             Valerius
             Maximus
          
           ,
           whom
           he
           has
           quoted
           ,
           whither
           with
           less
           Faith
           or
           Uuderstanding
           ,
           is
           matter
           of
           doubt
           ,
           for
           he
           has
           given
           great
           cause
           to
           suspect
           both
           .
           This
           Author
           ,
           speaking
           of
           the
           Prizes
           of
           their
           Gladiators
           ,
           expresses
           his
           resentments
           of
           that
           barbarouscustom
           ,
           (
           in
           which
           Citizens
           of
           Rome
           were
           often
           butcher'd
           )
           after
           this
           manner
           .
           *
           
             These
             things
             which
             were
             at
             first
             invented
             for
             the
             Worship
             of
             the
             Gods
             ,
             and
             delight
             of
             Men
             ,
             were
             converted
             totheir
             destruction
             ,
             staining
             both
             their
             Religion
             and
             Diversions
             ,
             with
             the
             Blood
             of
             Citizens
             ,
             to
             the
             Scandal
             of
             Peace
             .
          
           'T
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           by
           the
           
             Animosae
             Acies
          
           this
           Author
           meant
           nothing
           but
           the
           Nurseries
           of
           Caestiarii
           ,
           and
           Gladiators
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           the
           
             Civilis
             Sanguis
          
           he
           intended
           no
           more
           of
           it
           ,
           than
           was
           spilt
           in
           arena
           at
           those
           Prizes
           in
           quality
           of
           Gladiators
           or
           Gaestiarii
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           Spectators
           had
           no
           concern
           further
           than
           in
           the
           barbarity
           of
           countenancing
           ,
           and
           encouraging
           so
           cruel
           a
           practice
           .
        
         
         
           This
           ,
           tho
           bloody
           and
           abominable
           enough
           to
           give
           an
           abhorrence
           to
           honest
           considerate
           Heathens
           ,
           won't
           suffice
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           he
           despises
           single
           Sacrifices
           ,
           and
           calls
           for
           Hecatombs
           ;
           he
           's
           for
           breathing
           the
           Veins
           of
           the
           State
           ,
           and
           slucing
           the
           Vitals
           of
           the
           whole
           Commonweath
           at
           once
           .
           
             They
             were
             the
             occasion
             of
             Civil
             Distractions
          
           ;
           
           
             and
             that
             the
             State
             first
             blush'd
             ,
             then
             bled
             for
             the
             Entertainmeut
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           rare
           Paraphrasing
           ,
           Mr.
           Collier
           allows
           himself
           a
           very
           Christian
           latitude
           in
           his
           interpretations
           .
           But
           less
           wou'd
           not
           serve
           his
           turn
           ,
           the
           Drama
           and
           Arena
           lay
           at
           some
           distance
           in
           Old
           Rome
           ,
           and
           therefore
           this
           Gentleman
           was
           resolv'd
           to
           correct
           the
           Map
           ,
           and
           bring
           'em
           together
           .
           But
           what
           occasion
           for
           bloodshed
           at
           a
           Comedy
           ?
           Why
           Mr.
           Paraphraser
           wou'd
           insinuate
           ,
           that
           the
           Spectators
           and
           the
           Actors
           ,
           like
           
             Don
             Quixot
          
           and
           the
           Puppets
           ,
           fell
           together
           by
           the
           Ears
           ,
           and
           so
           embroiling
           the
           State
           ,
           engaged
           the
           whole
           Commonwealth
           in
           a
           Civil
           War.
           If
           I
           could
           be
           perswaded
           of
           this
           ,
           I
           should
           allow
           this
           Divrsion
           to
           be
           altogether
           as
           Antichristian
           ,
           as
           Bear-baitings
           or
           Ridings
           ,
           and
           could
           be
           content
           ,
           that
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           like
           
           Hudibrass
           shou'd
           reduce
           both
           Actors
           and
           Spectators
           by
           force
           of
           Arms
           ;
           the
           Prowess
           of
           the
           Champions
           seems
           so
           so
           exactly
           equal
           ,
           that
           I
           see
           no
           cause
           to
           doubt
           ,
           their
           Atchievements
           and
           Success
           proving
           parallel
           .
        
         
           He
           concludes
           (
           
             says
             our
             Paraphraser
          
           )
           the
           consequence
           of
           Plays
           intolerable
           ;
           
           and
           that
           the
           Massilienses
           did
           well
           in
           clearing
           the
           Country
           of
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           Where
           he
           finds
           this
           conclusion
           I
           can't
           tell
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           not
           in
           either
           of
           the
           Chapters
           cited
           by
           him
           ,
           nor
           I
           doubt
           through
           the
           whole
           Book
           .
           But
           he
           's
           a
           Discoverer
           ,
           and
           has
           good
           eyes
           ,
           that
           will
           shew
           him
           at
           a
           vast
           distance
           what
           others
           can't
           see
           with
           the
           help
           of
           the
           best
           Telescopes
           .
           What
           he
           says
           of
           the
           Massilienses
           (
           as
           he
           calls
           'em
           )
           is
           no
           more
           to
           his
           purpose
           ,
           than
           the
           former
           Evidence
           against
           the
           Gladiatorial
           Shews
           .
           
             Valerius
             Maximus
          
           in
           his
           sixth
           Chapter
           says
           *
           ,
           
             That
             the
          
           Marseillians
           
             were
             a
             very
             severe
             People
             ,
             that
             wou●d
             not
             suffer
             the
          
           Mimicks
           
             to
             appear
             upon
             their
             Stage
             ,
             whose
             business
             generally
             it
             was
             to
             present
             the
             action
             
             of
             Rapes
             to
             publick
             view
             ,
             lest
             the
             sight
             of
             such
             licentious
             Practices
             ,
             shou'd
             debauch
             the
             Spectators
             to
             the
             Imitation
             of
             '
             em
             .
          
        
         
           'T
           were
           needless
           to
           insist
           long
           upon
           this
           passage
           ,
           having
           already
           shewn
           the
           vast
           difference
           between
           the
           Mimick
           and
           Dramatick
           Representations
           .
           I
           shall
           only
           observe
           ,
           that
           this
           Author
           ,
           by
           saying
           that
           the
           people
           of
           Marseilles
           deny'd
           the
           Mimi
           the
           liberty
           of
           their
           Stage
           ,
           
           intimates
           that
           they
           allow'd
           the
           Stage
           there
           ,
           tho
           under
           severer
           restrictions
           than
           at
           Rome
           .
           Now
           if
           they
           permitted
           it
           amongst
           'em
           at
           all
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           doubt
           but
           Tragedy
           and
           Comedy
           (
           which
           by
           the
           unanimous
           confession
           even
           of
           their
           Adversaries
           ,
           were
           the
           most
           innocent
           ,
           and
           instructive
           of
           all
           the
           
             Ludi
             Scenici
          
           )
           took
           their
           turns
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
           S●neca
           ,
           
           who
           is
           next
           produc'd
           ,
           has
           but
           little
           to
           say
           to
           the
           matter
           :
           He
           is
           a
           little
           angry
           that
           the
           Romans
           were
           so
           fond
           of
           their
           diversion
           ,
           as
           to
           bestow
           their
           whole
           time
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           neglect
           the
           study
           of
           Philosophy
           ,
           and
           the
           improvement
           of
           their
           Reason
           .
           Nor
           was
           his
           complaint
           unreasonable
           ;
           for
           the
           Romans
           ,
           who
           were
           never
           much
           addicted
           to
           Philosophy
           ,
           or
           any
           kind
           of
           
           Speculative
           Learning
           ,
           were
           yet
           more
           averse
           to
           'em
           than
           ever
           under
           the
           Reign
           of
           Nero
           ,
           when
           all
           sorts
           of
           Arts
           and
           Literature
           ,
           those
           excepted
           which
           contributed
           to
           the
           Prince's
           pleasures
           ,
           lay
           under
           publick
           discouragement
           ;
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           the
           Stage
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           Arts
           that
           gratify'd
           and
           indulg'd
           the
           Sences
           ,
           had
           not
           only
           the
           Countenance
           ,
           but
           the
           Practice
           and
           Example
           of
           the
           Emperor
           himself
           to
           encourage
           'em
           ,
           and
           to
           excel
           in
           any
           of
           'em
           was
           the
           high
           road
           to
           his
           Favour
           ,
           and
           to
           Preferment●
           It
           is
           not
           therefore
           to
           be
           wonder'd
           ,
           if
           the
           Roman
           Youth
           under
           that
           general
           corruption
           slighted
           those
           Studies
           ,
           the
           severity
           of
           which
           made
           'em
           as
           well
           unpallatable
           as
           unregarded
           .
           Nor
           are
           we
           to
           be
           surpriz'd
           ,
           if
           Seneca
           declaim'd
           against
           these
           Entertainments
           ,
           which
           drew
           away
           ,
           and
           alienated
           the
           minds
           of
           the
           People
           from
           those
           Studies
           ,
           upon
           the
           merit
           of
           which
           he
           peculiarly
           picqu'd
           himself
           .
        
         
           The
           summ
           of
           this
           Philosopher's
           Evidence
           amounts
           to
           no
           more
           than
           *
           that
           
           he
           thought
           Idleness
           a
           great
           corrupter
           of
           Manners
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Shows
           in
           use
           among
           the
           Romans
           ,
           contributed
           to
           the
           making
           the
           people
           Idle
           ,
           and
           tainting
           'em
           with
           Luxury
           ,
           and
           thereby
           rendring
           'em
           more
           dispos'd
           to
           Vice.
           His
           charge
           against
           the
           Shows
           is
           in
           this
           place
           general
           ,
           and
           respects
           indifferently
           any
           of
           'em
           ,
           many
           of
           which
           were
           in
           their
           own
           Natures
           innocent
           ,
           and
           void
           of
           offence
           ,
           yet
           were
           equally
           submitted
           to
           censure
           in
           this
           passage
           with
           the
           most
           scandalous
           Seneca
           was
           not
           so
           mean
           a
           Judge
           of
           Men
           ,
           
           or
           Things
           ,
           as
           to
           think
           all
           their
           Shows
           equally
           reprehensible
           ,
           but
           he
           found
           all
           liable
           to
           the
           same
           abuse
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           detaining
           the
           people
           from
           their
           business
           ,
           and
           giving
           them
           too
           great
           an
           itch
           after
           Diversions
           .
           But
           this
           had
           not
           been
           worth
           our
           notice
           ,
           were
           't
           not
           to
           shew
           ,
           that
           our
           modern
           Reformer
           ,
           tho
           he
           has
           been
           us'd
           to
           greater
           Stakes
           ,
           can
           play
           at
           small
           Game
           rather
           than
           stand
           out
           .
           For
           in
           the
           latter
           part
           of
           this
           short
           Citation
           he
           has
           made
           a
           shift
           to
           steal
           in
           two
           falfications
           *
           .
        
         
           For
           there
           Vice
           makes
           an
           insensible
           approach
           ,
           and
           steals
           upon
           us
           the
           disguise
           of
           pleasure
           .
        
         
         
           Here
           he
           wou'd
           insinuate
           that
           the
           Vice
           ,
           of
           which
           the
           Philosopher
           seems
           so
           apprehensive
           ,
           was
           of
           the
           growth
           of
           the
           place
           ,
           to
           which
           purpose
           he
           translates
           the
           words
           .
           
             Tunc
             enim
             ,
             For
             there
          
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           endeavours
           to
           make
           the
           infection
           local
           ,
           and
           renders
           the
           words
           ,
           
             Per
             voluptatem
             ,
             In
             the
             disguise
             of
             Pleasure
             ,
          
           that
           it
           may
           seem
           to
           come
           artificially
           ,
           and
           industriously
           recommended
           .
           Whereas
           ,
           all
           that
           he
           says
           imports
           no
           more
           ,
           than
           that
           ,
           when
           men's
           Minds
           ,
           by
           the
           flattery
           of
           those
           Diversions
           ,
           were
           disarm'd
           of
           that
           severity
           ,
           that
           the
           Stoicks
           (
           of
           which
           Sect
           he
           was
           )
           think
           requisite
           to
           the
           guard
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           they
           were
           more
           easily
           prevail'd
           upon
           ,
           and
           led
           away
           by
           vitious
           inclinations
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           yet
           behind
           in
           the
           Train
           ,
           
             Tacitus
             ,
             Plutarch
             ,
             Ovid
          
           ,
           and
           Mr.
           Wycherley
           ,
           whom
           (
           whether
           to
           shew
           his
           Judgment
           or
           his
           Manners
           I
           know
           not
           )
           he
           has
           rankt
           amongst
           ,
           and
           under
           the
           head
           of
           Pagan
           Authorities
           ;
           and
           truly
           I
           think
           he
           may
           as
           well
           make
           a
           Pagan
           of
           him
           ,
           as
           an
           Evidence
           in
           this
           case
           .
           But
           that
           ingenious
           Gentleman
           ought
           not
           to
           take
           it
           amiss
           ;
           for
           since
           all
           those
           great
           Men
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           nay
           ,
           even
           the
           Fathers
           
           themselves
           ,
           the
           
             Worthies
             of
             Christendom
             ,
             the
             Flower
             of
             Human
             Nature
             ,
             and
             the
             top
             of
             their
             Species
             ,
          
           are
           obliged
           every
           one
           of
           'em
           to
           wear
           a
           Fool
           's
           Coat
           ,
           he
           has
           the
           less
           reason
           to
           repine
           at
           the
           Livery
           .
        
         
           These
           are
           all
           summon'd
           to
           make
           up
           the
           Parade
           of
           Learning
           ,
           
           and
           have
           no
           more
           business
           than
           an
           Ambassador's
           Coach
           of
           State
           at
           his
           publick
           Entry
           .
           Tacitus
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             Nero
             did
             ill
             to
             make
             the
             necessities
             of
             decay'd
             Gentlemen
             pimp
             to
             the
             betraying
             of
             their
             honour
             and
             dignity
             .
             And
             that
             the
          
           Germans
           
             did
             well
             to
             keep
             their
             Wives
             out
             of
             harms
             way
             .
          
           The
           complaint
           of
           Tacitus
           is
           nothing
           to
           us
           ;
           his
           Caution
           indeed
           may
           be
           of
           service
           ,
           as
           matter
           of
           instruction
           to
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           and
           his
           Proselytes
           ,
           if
           he
           has
           any
           ,
           who
           I
           hope
           will
           reap
           the
           benefit
           of
           the
           German
           Example
           .
        
         
           Plutarch
           thinks
           ,
           that
           Licentious
           Poets
           ought
           to
           be
           checkt
           :
           Ay
           ,
           and
           licentious
           Criticks
           too
           ,
           and
           corrected
           into
           the
           bargain
           :
           tho
           
             Sancha
             Pancha
          
           and
           
             His
             Critick
          
           were
           both
           submitted
           to
           the
           lash
           ,
           till
           one
           learnt
           Wit
           ,
           and
           t'other
           Manners
           ,
           and
           both
           Modesty
           .
           For
           saw●y
           
           Reformers
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           lewd
           Poets
           ,
           require
           abundance
           of
           Discipline
           to
           keep
           'em
           within
           bounds
           .
        
         
           Ovid
           ,
           
           and
           Mr
           Wycherley
           ,
           as
           Poets
           ,
           and
           Men
           of
           Wit
           ,
           may
           be
           joyn'd
           ,
           tho
           not
           as
           Heathens
           ;
           and
           their
           Evidence
           ,
           being
           exactly
           of
           a
           piece
           ,
           is
           the
           more
           properly
           consider'd
           together
           .
           This
           amounts
           to
           a
           proof
           ,
           that
           at
           the
           Theatres
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           at
           all
           other
           places
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           a
           promiscuous
           resort
           of
           company
           of
           both
           Sexes
           ,
           the
           business
           of
           Intrigue
           will
           go
           forward
           .
           It
           were
           much
           to
           be
           wish'd
           ,
           that
           no
           body
           came
           to
           the
           Play-house
           for
           a
           less
           innocent
           diversion
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           the
           Stage
           ;
           to
           Churches
           and
           Conventicles
           with
           a
           less
           pious
           intention
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           Devotion
           ;
           to
           the
           Park
           for
           a
           less
           wholesome
           refreshment
           than
           that
           of
           
             Air
             ,
             &c.
          
           
           But
           't
           is
           as
           much
           to
           be
           fear'd
           ,
           that
           this
           universal
           Reformation
           will
           never
           be
           brought
           about
           ,
           till
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           the
           Prophesie
           (
           if
           I
           may
           call
           it
           so
           ,
           without
           offending
           Mr
           Collier
           )
           of
           one
           of
           our
           Poets
           
             Till
             Women
             cease
             to
             Charm
             ,
             and
             Youth
             to
             Love.
             
          
           
           So
           long
           as
           there
           are
           appetites
           ,
           
           there
           will
           be
           means
           found
           to
           gratify
           '
           em
           .
           I
           won't
           deny
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           promiscuous
           conflux
           of
           people
           of
           all
           Ages
           ,
           Sexes
           ,
           and
           Conditions
           ,
           facilitates
           enterprizes
           of
           this
           nature
           .
           But
           I
           question
           whether
           an
           absolute
           restraint
           wou'd
           not
           more
           inflame
           the
           desire
           ,
           than
           it
           cou'd
           prevent
           the
           practice
           ;
           and
           whither
           the
           Morals
           of
           the
           Public
           wou'd
           not
           suffer
           more
           by
           vitiating
           the
           Imaginations
           of
           the
           People
           in
           general
           this
           way
           ,
           than
           they
           cou'd
           gain
           by
           the
           severest
           methods
           of
           prohibition
           the
           other
           .
           Spain
           and
           Italy
           are
           Countries
           as
           jealous
           and
           vigilant
           in
           this
           point
           ,
           as
           any
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           people
           so
           generally
           lascivious
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           place
           where
           Virtue
           has
           less
           interest
           in
           the
           Chastity
           of
           either
           Sex.
           Whereas
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           in
           many
           places
           under
           the
           Line
           ,
           where
           the
           People
           go
           constantly
           naked
           ,
           the
           familiarity
           of
           the
           Objects
           takes
           away
           all
           wantonness
           of
           Imagination
           ,
           which
           the
           artificial
           difficulties
           of
           some
           Countries
           promote
           .
        
         
           But
           Ovid
           ,
           it
           seems
           ,
           does
           in
           some
           measure
           plead
           guilty
           ,
           and
           owns
           ,
           that
           
           not
           only
           the
           opportunity
           *
           ,
           but
           the
           business
           of
           the
           place
           sometimes
           promotes
           lewdness
           .
           Nor
           is
           it
           to
           be
           wonder'd
           at
           ,
           since
           some
           of
           the
           representations
           there
           were
           so
           scandalously
           lewd
           ,
           as
           to
           give
           offence
           to
           the
           loosest
           of
           their
           Poets
           .
           *
           Martial
           tells
           us
           ●
           ,
           that
           he
           saw
           the
           Story
           of
           Pasiphae
           acted
           upon
           their
           Stage
           .
           But
           these
           were
           the
           Representations
           of
           their
           Mimi
           ,
           the
           scandal
           of
           which
           reflects
           no
           way
           upon
           the
           Drama
           ,
           either
           Antient
           or
           Modern
           ,
           and
           will
           therefore
           give
           us
           no
           occasion
           to
           dilate
           upon
           'em
           here
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           at
           length
           run
           thro
           all
           his
           private
           Authorities
           against
           the
           Stage
           ,
           
           wherein
           I
           can't
           find
           so
           much
           as
           one
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           either
           impertinently
           ,
           or
           falsely
           cited
           ,
           as
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           will
           upon
           collation
           appear
           .
           For
           which
           reason
           I
           have
           all
           along
           put
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Original
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           most
           approv'd
           Version
           in
           the
           Margin
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           without
           trouble
           be
           collated
           ,
           and
           my
           charge
           justified
           .
           He
           owns
           ,
           that
           he
           
             has
             taken
             the
             liberty
             of
             throwing
             in
             a
             word
             or
             two
             ,
          
           (
           in
           translating
           the
           Fathers
           )
           
             to
             clear
             the
             Sense
             ,
             to
             preserve
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Original
             ,
             and
             keep
             the
          
           English
           
             upon
             its
             
             Legs
          
           .
           I
           hope
           by
           this
           it
           appears
           ,
           that
           he
           has
           confounded
           the
           
             Sense
             ,
             corrupted
          
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           set
           the
           English
           upon
           Stilts
           .
           His
           Modesty's
           too
           plain
           a
           counterfeit
           ,
           to
           cheat
           those
           that
           are
           not
           wilfully
           blind
           ,
           't
           is
           so
           slightly
           wash'd
           over
           ,
           that
           the
           Brass
           appears
           at
           first
           view
           ;
           so
           that
           whatever
           denomination
           he
           may
           give
           it
           ,
           like
           an
           Irish
           Half
           Crown
           ,
           't
           will
           soon
           fall
           to
           its
           intrinsick
           value
           .
           After
           all
           ,
           his
           pains
           in
           citations
           are
           as
           unluckily
           bestow'd
           ,
           as
           the
           Malefactors
           Fee
           ,
           who
           ,
           after
           he
           has
           brib'd
           the
           Ordinary
           ,
           is
           call'd
           to
           read
           over
           again
           to
           the
           Court
           ,
           and
           suffers
           at
           last
           for
           his
           ignorance
           .
        
         
           To
           close
           all
           ,
           and
           crown
           his
           Victory
           ,
           Mr
           Collier
           gives
           us
           some
           
             State
             Censures
          
           (
           as
           he
           calls
           'em
           )
           to
           shew
           how
           much
           the
           Stage
           stands
           discourag'd
           by
           the
           Laws
           of
           other
           Countries
           ,
           and
           our
           own
           .
        
         
           To
           begin
           with
           the
           Athenians
           .
           
           This
           People
           ,
           tho
           none
           of
           the
           worst
           Friends
           to
           the
           Play-house
           ,
           thought
           a
           Comedy
           so
           unreputable
           a
           Performance
           ,
           that
           they
           made
           a
           Law
           that
           no
           Judge
           of
           the
           Areopagus
           shou'd
           make
           one
           .
           
        
         
           'T
           is
           something
           surprizing
           to
           find
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Athenian
           State
           produc'd
           against
           the
           Drama
           ,
           of
           which
           
           they
           of
           all
           the
           people
           of
           the
           world
           were
           the
           greatest
           Encouragers
           .
           And
           this
           very
           Law
           ,
           which
           is
           urg'd
           against
           Comedy
           in
           particular
           ,
           is
           an
           argument
           of
           the
           general
           Esteem
           it
           was
           at
           that
           time
           possest
           of
           .
           For
           ,
           had
           the
           Writing
           of
           Comedy
           been
           so
           unreputable
           a
           performance
           ,
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           from
           this
           passage
           of
           Plutarch
           wou'd
           insinuate
           ,
           there
           had
           been
           no
           reason
           to
           suspect
           ,
           that
           any
           of
           the
           Judges
           of
           the
           Areopagus
           wou'd
           have
           been
           so
           madly
           indiscreet
           ,
           as
           to
           have
           forfeited
           his
           Character
           and
           Reputation
           ,
           by
           so
           open
           and
           publick
           a
           Scandal
           ;
           and
           consequently
           a
           provision
           by
           Law
           against
           a
           folly
           of
           that
           nature
           ,
           must
           have
           been
           as
           senseless
           a
           Caution
           there
           ,
           as
           an
           Act
           here
           wou'd
           be
           ,
           to
           forbid
           any
           of
           the
           twelve
           Judges
           dancing
           upon
           the
           Ropes
           ,
           or
           tumbling
           thro
           a
           Hoop
           in
           publick
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           Law
           makes
           directly
           against
           the
           purpose
           it
           was
           quoted
           for
           ,
           
           and
           seems
           plainly
           to
           argue
           ,
           that
           Comedy
           was
           in
           so
           great
           reputation
           amongst
           em
           ,
           that
           persons
           of
           the
           highest
           condition
           sought
           the
           applause
           of
           ,
           and
           made
           their
           court
           to
           the
           people
           by
           performances
           of
           that
           nature
           .
           For
           which
           reason
           they
           found
           it
           necessary
           to
           restrain
           their
           Judges
           by
           
           a
           Law
           ,
           from
           running
           into
           those
           popular
           amusements
           .
        
         
           That
           these
           Performances
           were
           not
           in
           fact
           dishonourable
           amongst
           the
           Athenians
           ,
           might
           be
           made
           appear
           from
           a
           million
           of
           instances
           ,
           were
           it
           necessary
           .
           But
           the
           credit
           that
           Aristophanes
           had
           among
           the
           Athenians
           ,
           which
           was
           powerful
           enough
           to
           ruine
           Socrates
           ,
           is
           singly
           sure
           sufficient
           to
           destroy
           an
           assertion
           so
           weakly
           founded
           .
           So
           far
           were
           they
           from
           having
           Comedy
           in
           disgrace
           ,
           that
           they
           encourag'd
           ,
           and
           maintain'd
           it
           at
           vast
           expence
           to
           the
           Publick
           ,
           and
           thought
           it
           so
           proper
           an
           instrument
           of
           Reformation
           *
           ,
           that
           they
           gave
           it
           free
           liberty
           of
           Speech
           ,
           and
           priviledg'd
           it
           to
           say
           any
           thing
           ,
           and
           of
           any
           body
           by
           name
           ;
           and
           this
           not
           by
           connivance
           ,
           but
           by
           Law
           ;
           there
           lay
           no
           Action
           of
           Scandal
           either
           against
           Poet
           or
           Actors
           .
        
         
           This
           probably
           gave
           occasion
           to
           the
           excessive
           liberties
           of
           the
           old
           Comedy
           ,
           
           which
           at
           length
           grew
           so
           offensive
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           way
           for
           a
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           the
           introduction
           of
           the
           new
           Comedy
           upon
           the
           Athenian
           Stage
           .
           And
           here
           the
           reason
           why
           the
           Areopagites
           were
           not
           allow'd
           to
           meddle
           or
           engage
           in
           Comedy
           ,
           appears
           pretty
           
           plain
           ;
           for
           the
           Liberties
           ,
           allow'd
           to
           the
           old
           Comedy
           ,
           naturally
           engag'd
           'em
           in
           Parties
           ,
           Factions
           ,
           and
           personal
           Quarrels
           ,
           which
           a
           Judge
           ought
           ,
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           his
           power
           ,
           to
           keep
           himself
           clear
           of
           .
           Beside
           ,
           the
           ancient
           Dramatick
           Writers
           were
           generally
           Actors
           in
           their
           own
           Plays
           ,
           which
           by
           no
           means
           befitted
           the
           gravity
           of
           a
           Judge
           .
        
         
           These
           reasons
           (
           since
           Plutarch
           is
           silent
           )
           may
           suffice
           to
           shew
           ,
           
           that
           the
           Athenians
           might
           have
           a
           very
           great
           honour
           for
           their
           Comick
           Writers
           and
           yet
           forbid
           their
           Judges
           to
           be
           of
           the
           number
           .
           The
           Avocation
           from
           their
           proper
           Studies
           ,
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Republic
           ,
           the
           quarrels
           ,
           and
           consequently
           the
           partialities
           they
           were
           by
           the
           exercise
           of
           that
           sort
           of
           Poetry
           liable
           to
           be
           engag'd
           in
           ,
           and
           the
           Indignity
           to
           their
           Office
           ,
           are
           sufficient
           to
           justify
           such
           a
           prohibition
           ,
           even
           amongst
           a
           people
           ,
           that
           had
           the
           highest
           respect
           for
           all
           other
           persons
           that
           excell'd
           in
           this
           kind
           .
        
         
           Nor
           was
           their
           kindness
           extended
           only
           to
           the
           Drama
           ;
           for
           the
           Bacchanalian
           Games
           ,
           even
           after
           the
           abdication
           of
           Tragedy
           and
           Comedy
           ,
           tho
           they
           held
           not
           an
           equal
           rank
           with
           the
           other
           ,
           yet
           had
           some
           share
           of
           their
           Favour
           ;
           and
           Aeschines
           ,
           who
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           
           testimony
           of
           *
           Demosthenes
           ,
           and
           †
           Plutarch
           ,
           was
           but
           a
           third
           rate
           Actor
           *
           ,
           yet
           was
           so
           well
           consider'd
           by
           the
           State
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           sent
           on
           several
           Embassies
           ,
           and
           particularly
           to
           conclude
           a
           Peace
           with
           Philip
           of
           Macedon
           ,
           than
           which
           the
           State
           cou'd
           not
           have
           given
           him
           a
           more
           honourable
           Employment
           .
        
         
           This
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           may
           almost
           amount
           to
           a
           demonstration
           ,
           that
           the
           Athenians
           had
           no
           such
           scandalous
           opinion
           of
           the
           Stage
           ,
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           wou'd
           insinuate
           ,
           making
           even
           Plutarch
           himself
           Judge
           in
           the
           case
           .
           It
           wou'd
           be
           impertinent
           after
           this
           to
           insist
           upon
           the
           great
           Employments
           ,
           with
           which
           Sophocles
           ,
           and
           some
           other
           of
           their
           Poets
           were
           honour'd
           ;
           since
           the
           already
           mention'd
           honours
           and
           privileges
           are
           a
           sufficient
           evidence
           of
           the
           Publick
           Esteem
           .
        
         
           
             His
             next
             State
             Opinion
             is
             that
             of
             the
          
           Lacedemonians
           ;
           
           
             and
             here
             after
             a
             flourish
             of
             his
             own
             ,
             he
             appeals
             to
          
           Plutarch
           again
           .
           The
           Lacedemonians
           ,
           
           who
           were
           remarkable
           
           for
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           their
           Laws
           ,
           and
           Sobriety
           of
           their
           Manners
           ,
           and
           their
           breeding
           of
           brave
           Men
           :
           This
           Government
           wou'd
           not
           endure
           the
           Stage
           in
           any
           Form
           ,
           nor
           under
           any
           Regulation
           .
        
         
           I
           find
           ,
           if
           this
           Author
           can
           but
           make
           his
           reading
           appear
           ,
           't
           is
           no
           matter
           whether
           his
           sense
           does
           or
           not
           .
           Here
           is
           a
           Period
           of
           five
           lines
           and
           a
           half
           ,
           without
           any
           principal
           Verb.
           But
           the
           Author
           is
           got
           into
           his
           Rhetorical
           strain
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           no
           matter
           for
           Grammar
           .
           For
           when
           his
           Fury's
           up
           ,
           Priscian
           had
           best
           stand
           out
           of
           his
           way
           ;
           or
           take
           a
           broken
           Head
           quietly
           ,
           or
           woe
           be
           to
           his
           bones
           .
        
         
           But
           who
           told
           him
           ,
           that
           the
           Lacedemonians
           were
           so
           remarkable
           for
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           their
           Laws
           ?
           They
           were
           indeed
           notorious
           for
           the
           unreasonable
           severity
           and
           singularity
           of
           '
           em
           .
           But
           I
           beg
           Mr
           Collier's
           pardon
           ,
           if
           ill
           Nature
           and
           Singularity
           ben't
           arguments
           of
           Wisdom
           ,
           a
           certain
           sowre
           ,
           singular
           Remark●r
           may
           have
           written
           a
           Book
           to
           call
           his
           own
           understanding
           in
           question
           .
        
         
           The
           Gentleman
           ,
           
           I
           suppose
           ,
           had
           heard
           of
           a
           famous
           Law-giver
           call'd
           Lycurgus
           ,
           who
           was
           a
           Lacedemonian
           ,
           and
           left
           his
           
           Country
           several
           wholesome
           Laws
           ,
           the
           just
           commendation
           of
           which
           particular
           Ordinances
           he
           was
           resolv'd
           to
           transfer
           to
           the
           whole
           Body
           ,
           or
           System
           of
           their
           Laws
           ,
           in
           which
           Violence
           ,
           Rapine
           ,
           and
           Theft
           were
           not
           only
           tolerated
           ,
           but
           recommended
           to
           practice
           and
           imitation
           ;
           but
           all
           ingenious
           Arts
           ,
           lay
           together
           with
           the
           Stage
           ,
           under
           discouragement
           .
        
         
           The
           Spartans
           were
           a
           people
           something
           of
           Mr
           Collier's
           Kidney
           ,
           
           Cynicks
           in
           their
           Temper
           ,
           Morose
           ,
           Proud
           ,
           and
           ill
           Natur'd
           ,
           that
           hated
           mortally
           ,
           as
           well
           the
           Improvements
           ,
           as
           the
           Persons
           of
           their
           polite
           Neighbours
           the
           Athenians
           ,
           were
           fond
           of
           their
           primitive
           Rust
           ,
           and
           Barbarity
           ,
           had
           an
           aversion
           to
           Elegance
           ,
           or
           Neatness
           of
           any
           kind
           ;
           their
           principal
           Virtues
           were
           a
           senseless
           inflexible
           obstinacy
           ,
           whether
           in
           the
           right
           or
           wrong
           ,
           and
           a
           sullen
           sufferance
           under
           Adversity
           .
           They
           were
           in
           short
           incorrigible
           Humorists
           ,
           a
           people
           that
           would
           neither
           lead
           nor
           drive
           ,
           men
           that
           were
           as
           hard
           to
           be
           perswaded
           to
           reform
           an
           old
           abuse
           ,
           as
           the
           Irish
           formerly
           to
           leave
           off
           drawing
           by
           their
           Horses
           Tails
           ,
           or
           a
           Spaniard
           would
           be
           to
           part
           with
           his
           Mustachio's
           ,
           or
           Mr
           Collier
           to
           retract
           
           an
           Error
           .
           This
           Frame
           and
           Constitution
           of
           mind
           ,
           might
           perhaps
           recommend
           and
           endear
           'em
           ,
           as
           it
           seems
           to
           ally
           'em
           to
           a
           person
           of
           the
           Authors
           complexion
           .
        
         
           But
           why
           did
           this
           Scourge
           of
           the
           Stage
           suppress
           the
           reason
           of
           this
           Aversion
           of
           the
           Spartans
           to
           the
           Drama
           ?
           Was
           it
           not
           for
           his
           purpose
           ?
           Well
           ,
           if
           he●s
           resolv'd
           not
           to
           to
           tell
           us
           ,
           Plutarch
           is
           better
           natur'd
           ,
           and
           will.
           He
           says
           ,
           *
           that
           the
           Lacedemonians
           allow'd
           neither
           Tragedy
           nor
           Comedy
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           not
           hear
           any
           thing
           contradictory
           to
           their
           Laws
           .
        
         
           Here
           was
           an
           Authority
           in
           appearance
           as
           serviceable
           to
           his
           purpose
           ,
           as
           the
           old
           broad
           Money
           was
           to
           the
           Clippers
           ,
           but
           he
           ,
           like
           some
           of
           those
           unconscionable
           Artists
           ,
           that
           when
           they
           had
           clipt
           a
           Six-pence
           ,
           woud
           clap
           a
           Nine-penny
           stamp
           upon
           it
           ,
           cou'd
           not
           be
           contented
           with
           the
           advantage
           of
           diminution
           ,
           but
           he
           by
           covetously
           endeavouring
           to
           raise
           the
           value
           ,
           spoiled
           the
           currency
           of
           his
           Authority
           .
        
         
           This
           Government
           (
           says
           he
           )
           wou'd
           not
           endure
           the
           Stage
           in
           any
           form
           ,
           nor
           under
           any
           Regulation
           .
        
         
         
           What
           warrant
           has
           he
           from
           Plutarch
           for
           this
           Assertion
           ?
           
           Plutarch
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           they
           did
           not
           admit
           Comedy
           nor
           Tragedy
           ,
           but
           he
           says
           not
           a
           syllable
           of
           Forms
           or
           Regulations
           .
           The
           Lacedemonians
           were
           a
           rough
           unpolish'd
           people
           ,
           that
           were
           afraid
           ,
           if
           the
           study
           of
           Politeness
           (
           the
           inseparable
           companion
           of
           the
           Drama
           )
           were
           introduc'd
           ,
           their
           Laws
           ,
           which
           were
           as
           Clownish
           ,
           and
           unlickt
           as
           themselves
           ,
           shou'd
           be
           affronted
           ,
           and
           therefore
           kept
           Tragedy
           and
           Comedy
           ,
           like
           Enemies
           ,
           at
           a
           distance
           .
        
         
           But
           what
           does
           he
           mean
           here
           by
           the
           Stage
           ?
           
           Wou'd
           he
           insinuate
           ,
           that
           all
           sorts
           of
           Shews
           and
           Games
           were
           prohibited
           ?
           If
           so
           ,
           his
           Position
           is
           absolutely
           false
           ;
           for
           all
           the
           rough
           
             Bear
             Garden
          
           Play
           (
           if
           I
           may
           call
           it
           so
           )
           was
           not
           only
           tolerated
           ,
           but
           very
           much
           encouraged
           by
           the
           State.
           Their
           Women
           too
           had
           their
           Religious
           Plays
           ,
           
           a
           memorable
           stoy
           of
           which
           Pausanias
           *
           tells
           .
           And
           't
           is
           probable
           ,
           that
           the
           Plays
           in
           use
           over
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           Greece
           ,
           were
           permitted
           there
           too
           in
           their
           Primitive
           Rudeness
           and
           Simplicity
           ,
           conformable
           to
           the
           humour
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           and
           the
           drift
           of
           their
           Policy
           .
        
         
         
           In
           the
           exclusion
           of
           the
           Drama
           ,
           they
           aim'd
           only
           to
           preserve
           that
           Martial
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           by
           the
           whole
           course
           and
           method
           of
           their
           Education
           and
           Exercises
           ,
           they
           endeavour'd
           to
           infuse
           into
           ,
           and
           nurse
           up
           in
           their
           youth
           ,
           which
           they
           were
           afraid
           the
           Delicacy
           and
           Luxury
           of
           the
           Drama
           ,
           as
           't
           was
           practic'd
           at
           Athens
           ,
           might
           soften
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Elegancy
           and
           Pleasure
           of
           those
           diversions
           wou'd
           breed
           a
           niceness
           ,
           which
           wou'd
           insensibly
           create
           a
           disgust
           in
           their
           youth
           to
           the
           Manners
           and
           Customs
           of
           their
           Country
           ,
           and
           consequently
           make
           'em
           think
           their
           Laws
           harsh
           and
           unpolish'd
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           not
           therefore
           the
           Virtue
           of
           the
           Spartans
           ,
           
           nor
           their
           care
           of
           Morality
           ,
           that
           made
           'em
           reject
           the
           Drama
           ,
           but
           an
           austerity
           of
           temper
           ,
           which
           render'd
           'em
           ambitious
           only
           of
           Military
           Glory
           .
           In
           which
           ,
           notwithstanding
           their
           Neighbours
           and
           Rivals
           the
           Athenians
           ,
           with
           all
           their
           Delicacy
           and
           Luxury
           ,
           were
           their
           equals
           ,
           if
           not
           superiours
           .
           What
           infection
           of
           Manners
           from
           the
           Stage
           ,
           cou'd
           that
           State
           fear
           ,
           which
           tolerated
           Theft
           and
           Adultery
           ?
           T
           is
           plain
           ,
           their
           fear
           was
           ,
           lest
           the
           natural
           asperity
           of
           their
           humours
           ,
           which
           they
           industriously
           
           cultivated
           ,
           should
           be
           softned
           ,
           and
           their
           minds
           enervated
           .
           For
           the
           same
           reason
           all
           sorts
           of
           Learning
           lay
           under
           neglect
           and
           discouragement
           .
        
         
           Whatever
           were
           the
           reasons
           that
           induc'd
           'em
           to
           banish
           the
           Drama
           ,
           if
           Virtue
           was
           not
           ,
           't
           is
           nothing
           to
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           purpose
           .
           As
           for
           their
           
             breeding
             brave
             Men
          
           ,
           I
           believe
           they
           may
           be
           match'd
           from
           the
           opposite
           State
           of
           Athens
           ,
           both
           for
           number
           and
           quality
           .
           But
           if
           the
           Athenians
           rivall'd
           'em
           in
           Military
           Glory
           ,
           they
           infinitely
           excell'd
           'em
           in
           all
           other
           valuable
           Qualities
           ,
           and
           had
           as
           much
           more
           Manners
           ,
           as
           they
           had
           Wit
           or
           Wealth
           .
           So
           that
           if
           Mr
           Collier
           will
           needs
           have
           them
           for
           his
           Champions
           ,
           I
           must
           oppose
           their
           old
           Antagonists
           to
           'em
           ,
           and
           leave
           them
           to
           decide
           the
           Fate
           of
           Greece
           .
           For
           I
           think
           the
           opposition
           as
           unequal
           ,
           as
           that
           of
           Ovid
           ,
           
             
               Mulieber
               in
               Trojam
               ,
               pro
               Trojâ
               stabat
               Apollo
               .
            
          
        
         
           The
           next
           step
           he
           takes
           is
           into
           Italy
           ,
           and
           there
           indeed
           he
           endeavours
           to
           draw
           a
           mighty
           Republick
           into
           a
           League
           Offensive
           and
           Defensive
           .
           And
           here
           ,
           
           by
           the
           means
           of
           St
           Austin
           ,
           he
           draws
           Tully
           in
           ;
           but
           since
           Tully
           does
           not
           appear
           in
           
             propriâ
             personâ
          
           we
           shall
           not
           spend
           Time
           and
           Ammunition
           upon
           him
           ,
           but
           pass
           on
           to
           Livy
           :
           
           Who
           ,
           making
           his
           personal
           appearance
           ,
           is
           more
           formidable
           .
        
         
           We
           read
           in
           Livy
           ,
           that
           the
           young
           people
           in
           Rome
           kept
           the
           
             Fabulae
             Atellanae
          
           to
           themselves
           .
           They
           wou'd
           not
           suffer
           this
           diversion
           to
           be
           blemish'd
           by
           the
           Stage
           .
           For
           this
           reason
           ,
           as
           the
           Historian
           observes
           ,
           the
           Actors
           of
           the
           
             Fabulae
             Atellanae
          
           were
           neither
           expell'd
           their
           Tribe
           ,
           nor
           refus'd
           to
           serve
           in
           Arms.
           Both
           which
           Penalties
           ,
           it
           appears
           ,
           the
           common
           Players
           lay
           under
           .
        
         
           Here
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           us'd
           a
           piece
           of
           Ingenuity
           uncommon
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           put
           the
           words
           ,
           
             Ab
             Histrionibus
             pollui
          
           in
           the
           Margin
           to
           justifie
           his
           Translation
           .
           This
           is
           a
           strain
           of
           fair
           play
           ,
           that
           he
           has
           not
           been
           persuaded
           to
           come
           up
           to
           ,
           since
           his
           first
           quotation
           from
           
             Theophilus
             
             Antiochenus
          
           .
           Not
           but
           that
           he
           was
           satisfy'd
           of
           the
           reasonableness
           of
           the
           conduct
           ,
           (
           as
           appears
           by
           his
           using
           it
           ,
           when
           't
           is
           for
           his
           turn
           )
           but
           because
           he
           had
           cause
           to
           fear
           the
           service
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           Translation
           is
           another
           of
           his
           elegancies
           of
           Speech
           :
           
             Were
             neither
             expell●d
             their
             Tribe
             ,
             nor
          
           refused
           
             to
             serve
             in
             Arms.
          
           He
           means
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           prohibited
           ,
           or
           denied
           the
           liberty
           of
           serving
           in
           Arms
           :
           for
           
             refus'd
             to
             serve
             in
             Arms
          
           is
           not
           English
           .
        
         
           To
           understand
           this
           passage
           of
           Livy
           rightly
           ,
           
           we
           must
           consider
           that
           the
           Romans
           in
           the
           Infancy
           of
           their
           State
           were
           a
           severe
           sort
           of
           people
           ,
           not
           much
           unlike
           in
           that
           particular
           to
           the
           Lacedemonians
           ,
           ambitious
           only
           of
           Empire
           ,
           and
           sollicitous
           for
           nothing
           so
           much
           as
           the
           glory
           of
           their
           Arms
           :
           This
           humour
           lasted
           some
           Ages
           ,
           and
           grew
           and
           encreas'd
           with
           their
           acquisitions
           ;
           every
           augmentation
           of
           their
           State
           animated
           'em
           to
           new
           Conquests
           ,
           and
           their
           Ambition
           rising
           with
           their
           hopes
           ,
           success
           made
           'em
           fierce
           and
           haughty
           .
           'T
           was
           the
           universality
           of
           this
           Spirit
           ,
           (
           which
           wou'd
           be
           dangerous
           to
           any
           other
           than
           a
           Popular
           Government
           )
           that
           laid
           the
           Foundation
           ,
           
           and
           was
           the
           Instrument
           of
           their
           future
           greatness
           .
           To
           support
           ,
           and
           keep
           up
           this
           Spirit
           ,
           all
           manner
           of
           Arts
           here
           ,
           as
           at
           Lacedemon
           ,
           lay
           under
           neglect
           and
           contempt
           ,
           except
           such
           as
           contributed
           to
           the
           forming
           of
           their
           Youth
           to
           hardiness
           ,
           and
           military
           virtue
           *
           .
           So
           that
           when
           there
           seem'd
           to
           be
           a
           necessity
           of
           instituting
           expiatory
           Plays
           ,
           the
           Romans
           were
           such
           absolute
           strangers
           to
           things
           of
           that
           nature
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           forc'd
           to
           fetch
           Artists
           out
           of
           Tuscany
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           no
           wonder
           if
           the
           Romans
           ,
           who
           *
           were
           a
           people
           very
           proud
           ,
           and
           conceited
           of
           their
           own
           performances
           ,
           treated
           all
           those
           Arts
           ,
           and
           Artists
           ,
           which
           were
           not
           adapted
           to
           their
           proper
           Genius
           with
           contempt
           ,
           especially
           after
           they
           had
           receiv'd
           those
           Improvements
           ,
           which
           render'd
           'em
           more
           artificial
           ,
           and
           consequently
           more
           difficult
           .
           By
           which
           means
           the
           Roman
           Youth
           ,
           who
           at
           first
           began
           to
           imitate
           the
           Tuscan
           Players
           ,
           were
           forc●d
           to
           throw
           up
           those
           refin'd
           diversions
           to
           their
           †
           Slaves
           ,
           and
           stick
           themselves
           to
           the
           old
           ,
           rude
           ,
           simple
           way
           of
           mixing
           indigested
           Verses
           ,
           and
           crude
           extempore
           raillery
           .
           
           Thus
           
           the
           
             Ludi
             Scenici
          
           being
           refin'd
           ,
           fell
           wholly
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           
             Mercenary
             Players
          
           ,
           who
           were
           upon
           this
           occasion
           distinguish'd
           by
           the
           name
           of
           *
           Histriones
           ,
           the
           Roman
           Youth
           retaining
           to
           themselves
           only
           the
           
             Fabulae
             Atellanae
          
           ,
           which
           ,
           ●ecause
           of
           their
           rudeness
           and
           simplicity
           ,
           requir'd
           no
           great
           skill
           or
           application
           ,
           as
           the
           other
           did
           ;
           which
           ,
           for
           that
           reason
           ,
           perhaps
           they
           were
           either
           too
           Saturnine
           ,
           or
           too
           proud
           to
           learn
           of
           those
           ,
           whom
           they
           esteem'd
           as
           Vassals
           ,
           or
           Slaves
           .
        
         
           That
           this
           was
           the
           reason
           of
           their
           giving
           over
           the
           acting
           their
           other
           Plays
           ,
           and
           not
           any
           turpitude
           ,
           or
           dishonesty
           in
           the
           things
           themselves
           ,
           Livy
           himself
           declares
           ,
           by
           saying
           *
           ,
           that
           after
           the
           introduction
           of
           the
           Fable
           ,
           they
           became
           too
           artificial
           for
           the
           practice
           of
           their
           youth
           ,
           and
           therefore
           reserving
           to
           themselves
           the
           Atellanae
           only
           ,
           they
           left
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Shews
           to
           those
           that
           made
           it
           their
           sole
           business
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           observable
           ,
           that
           the
           Historian
           in
           this
           account
           of
           Plays
           includes
           not
           the
           Drama
           at
           all
           ;
           for
           he
           speaks
           here
           only
           of
           the
           Fables
           ,
           which
           ,
           after
           the
           Satyrae
           ,
           were
           introduc'd
           by
           one
           Livius
           ,
           
           and
           were
           repeated
           in
           Verse
           with
           action
           and
           gestures
           to
           Musick
           .
           Tragedy
           and
           Comedy
           were
           not
           known
           to
           the
           Romans
           till
           some
           ages
           after
           ,
           the
           progress
           of
           their
           Arms
           had
           not
           made
           them
           acquainted
           with
           the
           Learning
           of
           Greece
           ,
           and
           the
           Wealth
           and
           Luxury
           of
           Asia
           .
        
         
           This
           mark
           therefore
           of
           Infamy
           ,
           which
           was
           set
           upon
           the
           Histriones
           (
           from
           which
           (
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           observes
           )
           the
           Actors
           of
           the
           
             Fabulae
             Atellanae
          
           were
           exempt
           ,
           can't
           properly
           stick
           upon
           the
           Actors
           of
           Tragedy
           ,
           and
           Comedy
           as
           such
           ,
           that
           Law
           having
           been
           made
           long
           before
           the
           Drama
           was
           brought
           to
           Rome
           from
           Greece
        
         
           But
           it
           was
           the
           misfortune
           of
           the
           Drama
           to
           make
           its
           Publick
           Entry
           into
           Rome
           ,
           
           not
           only
           long
           after
           this
           voluntary
           ,
           and
           unanimous
           secession
           ,
           or
           separation
           of
           the
           Youth
           of
           Rome
           from
           the
           
             Mercenary
             Players
          
           ,
           but
           even
           after
           the
           Law
           had
           branded
           these
           latter
           with
           Infamy
           and
           Disgrace
           ,
           by
           excluding
           'em
           from
           their
           Tribes
           ,
           and
           denying
           'em
           the
           liberty
           of
           bearing
           Arms.
           Whether
           ,
           because
           making
           a
           business
           ,
           and
           profession
           of
           diversion
           only
           ,
           the
           Roman
           State
           ,
           which
           encourag'd
           those
           exercises
           only
           
           that
           tended
           towards
           hard'ning
           their
           Youth
           ,
           for
           labour
           and
           military
           action
           ,
           as
           partly
           thro
           inclination
           ,
           so
           also
           out
           of
           necessity
           and
           State
           interest
           ,
           being
           in
           its
           infamy
           surrounded
           by
           Neighbours
           more
           potent
           than
           themselves
           ,
           and
           oblig'd
           to
           subsist
           almost
           altogether
           upon
           the
           purchase
           of
           their
           Swords
           ,
           thought
           fit
           ,
           by
           a
           publick
           discouragement
           ,
           to
           deter
           their
           Youth
           from
           giving
           themselves
           up
           to
           an
           Employment
           ,
           that
           so
           little
           suited
           the
           posture
           ,
           and
           condition
           of
           their
           Affairs
           at
           first
           ,
           and
           the
           vastness
           of
           their
           Ambition
           afterwards
           .
           Or
           ,
           that
           after
           the
           first
           separation
           ,
           occasion'd
           (
           as
           Livy
           hints
           )
           rather
           by
           the
           incapacity
           and
           unfitness
           of
           the
           Romans
           for
           Elegancy
           ,
           and
           polite
           Exercise
           ,
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           Stage
           ,
           fell
           wholly
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           Slaves
           ,
           and
           Mercenary
           Foreigners
           ,
           to
           joyn
           with
           whom
           ,
           the
           Magistrates
           and
           People
           ,
           who
           were
           extremely
           proud
           ,
           and
           jealous
           of
           the
           honour
           ,
           and
           dignity
           of
           their
           Citizens
           as
           such
           ,
           thought
           it
           so
           great
           an
           indignity
           and
           debasement
           that
           they
           made
           provision
           by
           this
           Law
           against
           it
           .
           Or
           ,
           lastly
           ,
           that
           their
           Mimes
           &
           Pantomimes
           were
           already
           ,
           before
           the
           making
           of
           this
           Law
           ,
           arriv'd
           at
           that
           lewd
           heighth
           of
           impudence
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           already
           
           taken
           notice
           of
           ,
           which
           obliged
           the
           Government
           to
           take
           this
           method
           to
           fright
           their
           Citizens
           from
           mixing
           in
           the
           proctice
           of
           such
           impurities
           .
        
         
           Of
           these
           Reasons
           the
           two
           first
           seem
           joyntly
           to
           have
           contributed
           to
           the
           production
           of
           this
           Law
           :
           
           and
           Livy
           ,
           tho
           he
           does
           not
           formally
           assign
           any
           reason
           for
           this
           severe
           usage
           of
           the
           Players
           ,
           yet
           seems
           implicitely
           to
           intimate
           'em
           to
           us
           in
           the
           notice
           that
           he
           has
           taken
           of
           'em
           ,
           tho
           not
           as
           causes
           ,
           yet
           as
           circumstances
           considerable
           at
           that
           time
           .
           The
           silence
           of
           Livy
           concerning
           any
           such
           licentiousness
           in
           their
           Shews
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           is
           a
           sufficient
           argument
           against
           the
           last
           cause
           .
           For
           that
           Historian
           ,
           who
           upon
           all
           occasions
           shews
           abundance
           of
           zeal
           for
           the
           honour
           of
           his
           Country
           ,
           would
           not
           have
           fail'd
           to
           have
           done
           'em
           justice
           upon
           this
           occasion
           ,
           had
           this
           rigour
           been
           the
           product
           of
           their
           Morals
           ,
           and
           regard
           to
           Virtue
           .
           It
           is
           apparent
           therefore
           ,
           that
           this
           discouragement
           of
           the
           Shews
           ,
           or
           rather
           this
           restraint
           of
           the
           Action
           to
           Servants
           and
           Strangers
           ,
           was
           the
           result
           of
           their
           Policy
           ,
           not
           Manners
           ,
           and
           is
           therefore
           an
           impertinent
           instance
           to
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           purpose
           ,
           
           who
           I
           suppose
           writes
           for
           the
           Reformation
           of
           Men's
           Morals
           ,
           not
           Politicks
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           probable
           ,
           
           that
           when
           Tragedy
           and
           Comedy
           came
           upon
           the
           Roman
           Stage
           ,
           being
           destitute
           of
           able
           Actors
           of
           a
           higher
           Character
           ,
           they
           were
           necessitated
           to
           make
           use
           of
           the
           Actors
           of
           the
           
             Scenic
             Shews
          
           ,
           who
           ,
           tho
           us'd
           to
           Representations
           differing
           very
           much
           both
           in
           their
           manner
           and
           end
           ,
           yet
           by
           their
           practice
           and
           pronunciation
           and
           gestures
           ,
           had
           both
           Voice
           and
           Motion
           under
           great
           command
           ;
           which
           made
           the
           exercise
           of
           the
           Tragick
           or
           Comick
           Stage
           ,
           tho
           new
           and
           unknown
           to
           'em
           before
           ,
           not
           difficult
           .
        
         
           By
           this
           means
           the
           Actors
           of
           Tragedy
           and
           Comedy
           ,
           
           who
           cou'd
           not
           be
           aim'd
           at
           by
           a
           Law
           made
           long
           before
           any
           such
           were
           in
           being
           ,
           might
           yet
           be
           brought
           under
           the
           censure
           of
           it
           in
           quality
           of
           Histriones
           ,
           or
           Scene
           Players
           before
           noted
           .
           Thus
           these
           different
           Characters
           meeting
           constantly
           in
           the
           persons
           of
           the
           same
           men
           amongst
           the
           undistinguishing
           Crowd
           ,
           the
           Infamy
           of
           one
           might
           affect
           the
           other
           .
        
         
         
           But
           granting
           the
           meaning
           and
           intention
           of
           that
           Law
           to
           reach
           the
           Dramatick
           Actors
           ,
           and
           that
           using
           a
           craft
           ,
           which
           submits
           'em
           to
           those
           compliances
           ,
           for
           which
           the
           other
           are
           censur'd
           ;
           they
           also
           are
           offenders
           against
           the
           design
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           consequently
           are
           comprehended
           within
           the
           intent
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           liable
           to
           the
           penalty
           .
           Yet
           even
           thus
           this
           instance
           ,
           giving
           it
           all
           the
           scope
           that
           may
           be
           in
           the
           utmostlatitude
           of
           construction
           ,
           is
           no
           way
           serviceable
           to
           this
           Reformer's
           purpose
           .
           This
           would
           have
           appear'd
           very
           plain
           ,
           had
           the
           Law
           itself
           ,
           instead
           of
           the
           instance
           from
           Livy
           ,
           been
           produc'd
           .
        
         
           *
           †
           
             The
             Pretorian
             Edict
             runs
             thus
          
           Whoever
           appears
           upon
           the
           Stage
           to
           speak
           ,
           or
           act
           ,
           is
           declar'd
           infamous
           .
           Which
           Labeo
           expounds
           thus
           .
           The
           Stage
           is
           any
           place
           fitted
           up
           for
           the
           use
           of
           Plays
           ,
           where
           any
           one
           is
           to
           appear
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           motion
           make
           himself
           a
           publick
           Spectacle
           .
        
         
           This
           Law
           being
           conceiv'd
           in
           general
           terms
           against
           all
           that
           speak
           or
           act
           ,
           upon
           the
           Stage
           for
           the
           diversion
           of
           
           the
           People
           ,
           seems
           indeed
           naturally
           to
           include
           Comedians
           ,
           and
           Tragedians
           ,
           who
           do
           both
           speak
           ,
           and
           act
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ,
           and
           make
           a
           show
           of
           themselves
           to
           the
           People
           too
           .
           Yet
           it
           does
           not
           serve
           our
           Adversaries
           cause
           at
           all
           ,
           who
           must
           shew
           ,
           that
           their
           Profession
           was
           branded
           for
           the
           Immorality
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           he
           talks
           nothing
           to
           the
           purpose
           .
        
         
           This
           Exposition
           of
           
           Labeo's
           upon
           this
           Law
           ,
           
           like
           the
           Preamble
           to
           one
           of
           our
           Acts
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           may
           let
           us
           into
           the
           meaning
           of
           the
           Letter
           ,
           and
           the
           motives
           that
           induc'd
           'em
           to
           make
           it
           .
           What
           this
           Learned
           Roman
           Lawyer
           here
           observes
           as
           matter
           of
           offence
           ,
           is
           only
           ,
           that
           they
           did
           ,
           
             Spectaculum
             sui
             praebere
             ,
             make
             a
             shew
             of
             themselves
          
           for
           hire
           ;
           which
           the
           Pride
           of
           the
           Romans
           might
           very
           naturally
           make
           'em
           think
           to
           be
           a
           Prostitution
           of
           the
           Dignity
           and
           Character
           of
           a
           Citizen
           of
           Rome
           ,
           which
           deserv'd
           to
           be
           punish'd
           with
           the
           privation
           of
           that
           which
           they
           had
           dishonour'd
           .
        
         
           To
           secure
           this
           point
           ,
           
           the
           words
           ,
           
             ab
             Histrionibus
             pollui
          
           ,
           which
           he
           renders
           
             to
             be
             blemish'd
             by
             the
             Stage
             ,
          
           are
           (
           as
           has
           
           already
           been
           observ'd
           )
           put
           into
           the
           Margin
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           hopes
           to
           cast
           that
           blemish
           upon
           the
           Morality
           of
           the
           performance
           ,
           which
           in
           strictness
           regarded
           only
           the
           Persons
           ,
           and
           Dignity
           of
           the
           Actors
           ,
           and
           that
           not
           upon
           any
           Moral
           ,
           but
           a
           Political
           Consideration
           .
           By
           these
           Instances
           it
           may
           appear
           ,
           what
           violence
           of
           Construction
           is
           used
           to
           rack
           and
           torture
           these
           antient
           Authors
           to
           confess
           ,
           and
           depose
           against
           their
           Consciences
           .
           Stretching
           the
           Text
           is
           nothing
           with
           him
           ,
           to
           serve
           his
           purpose
           it
           must
           be
           dismember'd
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           have
           the
           cementing
           the
           fragments
           as
           he
           pleases
           ;
           by
           which
           means
           he
           has
           shewn
           'em
           in
           more
           unnatural
           figures
           ,
           than
           even
           
             Posture
             Clark
          
           knew
           ;
           Heads
           and
           Tails
           are
           so
           promiscuously
           jumbled
           together
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           familiar
           posture
           you
           find
           'em
           in
           ,
           is
           that
           of
           a
           Dog
           couchant
           ,
           with
           their
           Noses
           in
           their
           A
           —
           s.
           
        
         
           But
           if
           after
           all
           ,
           
           this
           Censure
           shou'd
           reach
           the
           Mercenary
           or
           Hireling
           Actors
           only
           ,
           and
           meerly
           upon
           that
           account
           ,
           I
           think
           't
           will
           be
           pretty
           evident
           ,
           that
           't
           was
           not
           the
           exercise
           of
           their
           Mystery
           that
           made
           'em
           scandalous
           ,
           but
           the
           Motives
           
           that
           induc'd
           'em
           to
           it
           .
           To
           clear
           this
           point
           ,
           let
           us
           look
           a
           little
           forward
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           former
           Law
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           the
           following
           subjoyn'd
           .
        
         
           *
           Those
           that
           enter
           the
           Lists
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Gain
           ,
           or
           appear
           upon
           the
           Stage
           for
           Reward
           ,
           are
           infamous
           ,
           says
           Pegasus
           ,
           and
           Nerva
           the
           Son.
           
        
         
           Here
           't
           is
           plain
           that
           't
           was
           not
           the
           nature
           of
           their
           Profession
           that
           drew
           the
           censure
           upon
           'em
           ,
           but
           the
           condition
           of
           their
           exercising
           it
           ,
           which
           was
           for
           hire
           ,
           whereby
           they
           became
           Mercenaries
           .
           This
           disgrace
           ,
           affecting
           only
           the
           Mercenary
           Actors
           ,
           reflects
           no
           way
           upon
           the
           Poets
           of
           the
           Drama
           ,
           and
           their
           Performances
           .
           For
           had
           they
           been
           scandalous
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           to
           be
           imagin'd
           ,
           that
           so
           many
           of
           the
           greatest
           men
           that
           ever
           Rome
           bred
           ,
           and
           the
           tenderest
           of
           their
           honour
           ,
           wou'd
           have
           amus'd
           themselves
           about
           Works
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           must
           have
           employ'd
           abundance
           of
           Time
           ,
           Learning
           ,
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           to
           forfeit
           their
           Reputation
           and
           Dignity
           .
        
         
           
             Scipio
             Africanus
          
           and
           Laelius
           were
           
           publickly
           suspected
           to
           have
           assisted
           Terence
           in
           the
           composition
           of
           his
           Plays
           ;
           and
           the
           Poet
           ,
           when
           tax'd
           with
           it
           ,
           is
           so
           
           far
           from
           vindicating
           his
           great
           Patrons
           ,
           (
           which
           had
           it
           been
           matter
           of
           reproach
           and
           diminution
           of
           honour
           to
           those
           noble
           Persons
           ,
           he
           certainly
           would
           have
           done
           )
           that
           he
           does
           in
           a
           manner
           confess
           the
           charge
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           dexterity
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           was
           singularly
           happy
           ,
           converts
           what
           was
           intended
           as
           an
           imputation
           ,
           to
           a
           complement
           upon
           himself
           ,
           and
           values
           himself
           more
           upon
           the
           condescension
           ,
           and
           friendship
           of
           men
           of
           their
           high
           Character
           and
           Station
           ,
           than
           upon
           the
           merit
           of
           his
           performance
           ;
           which
           ,
           this
           objection
           was
           rais'd
           to
           lessen
           ,
           by
           dividing
           the
           honour
           .
        
         
           Julius
           and
           
             Augustus
             Caesar
          
           ,
           
           are
           both
           said
           to
           have
           busied
           themselves
           at
           vacant
           hours
           in
           Tragedy
           ;
           and
           even
           Seneca
           the
           Philosopher
           .
           However
           ,
           Mr
           
             Collier
             ▪
          
           has
           lately
           seduc'd
           him
           over
           to
           his
           Party
           ,
           and
           made
           a
           Malecontent
           of
           him
           ,
           was
           once
           very
           well
           contented
           ,
           and
           easy
           at
           a
           Play
           ,
           and
           that
           too
           ,
           not
           a
           sober
           Tragedy
           or
           Comedy
           ,
           *
           but
           one
           of
           their
           
             Noonday
             Drolls
          
           ,
           a
           kind
           of
           their
           
             Ludi
             Senici
          
           ,
           more
           wretched
           and
           contemptible
           ,
           than
           our
           
             Smithfield
             Farces
          
           ,
           and
           less
           modest
           .
           Yet
           his
           Gravity
           was
           it
           seems
           refresh'd
           by
           it
           ,
           tho
           he
           's
           grown
           
           so
           very
           squeamish
           ,
           since
           his
           acquaintance
           with
           Mr
           Collier
           that
           it
           would
           be
           a
           h●rd
           matter
           to
           reconcile
           〈◊〉
           to
           a
           grave
           Tragedy
           ,
           tho
           of
           his
           own
           Wri●ing
           (
           before
           his
           rigid
           new
           friend
           ,
           Mr
           Collier
           )
           some
           of
           which
           are
           suppos'd
           to
           be
           yet
           extant
           amongst
           his
           Name
           sake●s
           Collection
           of
           Tragedies
           .
        
         
           Brutus
           ,
           who
           left
           behind
           him
           (
           notwithstanding
           his
           fatal
           engagement
           in
           the
           assassination
           of
           Caesar
           ,
           )
           as
           high
           an
           Idea
           of
           his
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           perfect
           character
           of
           an
           excellent
           moral
           m●n
           ,
           as
           even
           Ca●o
           himself
           ,
           was
           as
           great
           an
           admirer
           and
           encourager
           of
           the
           Drama
           ,
           as
           any
           Roman
           of
           'em
           all
           .
           And
           Tully
           himself
           ,
           who
           had
           as
           much
           Vanity
           and
           Pride
           as
           any
           man
           breathing
           ,
           thought
           it
           no
           diminution
           of
           his
           dignity
           and
           character
           ,
           to
           contract
           an
           intimate
           friendship
           with
           Roscius
           an
           Actor
           ,
           and
           publickly
           to
           espouse
           his
           Interest
           ,
           and
           defend
           his
           Cause
           ,
           which
           a
           man
           of
           his
           vanity
           and
           caution
           would
           not
           have
           done
           ,
           had
           the
           Censure
           of
           that
           Law
           upon
           his
           Profession
           ,
           any
           way
           affected
           in
           the
           publick
           esteem
           the
           reputation
           of
           those
           among
           'em
           ,
           that
           had
           any
           personal
           merit
           ,
           as
           
             Roscius
             ,
             AEsopus
          
           ,
           and
           some
           others
           .
        
         
         
           But
           tho
           these
           ,
           and
           many
           others
           of
           the
           most
           eminent
           among
           the
           Romans
           ,
           were
           avow'd
           Patrons
           ,
           and
           the
           suppos'd
           at
           least
           ,
           if
           not
           the
           real
           Author
           of
           many
           of
           their
           Dramatick
           Pieces
           ,
           yet
           our
           Remarker
           finds
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           time
           of
           Theodosius
           all
           sorts
           of
           Players
           did
           not
           come
           up
           to
           the
           Reputation
           of
           those
           Great
           Men
           ,
           
           and
           make
           the
           top
           figures
           of
           their
           time
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           claws
           'em
           away
           with
           another
           swinging
           Authority
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           
             Theodosian
             Code
          
           ,
           Players
           are
           call'd
           
             Personae
             inhonestae
          
           ,
           
           that
           is
           ,
           to
           translate
           it
           softly
           ,
           persons
           maim'd
           and
           blemish'd
           in
           their
           Reputations
           .
           Their
           Pictures
           might
           be
           seen
           at
           the
           Playhouse
           ,
           but
           were
           not
           permitted
           to
           hang
           in
           any
           creditable
           *
           place
           of
           the
           Town
           .
        
         
           So
           says
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           but
           the
           Emperors
           
             Theodosius
             ,
             Arcadius
          
           ,
           and
           Honorius
           ,
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           whom
           this
           Law
           was
           enacted
           and
           continued
           in
           force
           ,
           were
           somewhat
           less
           severe
           ,
           and
           something
           more
           particular
           ,
           and
           this
           Gentleman●s
           Version
           of
           that
           Law
           ,
           however
           soft
           he
           may
           pretend
           it
           to
           be
           ,
           is
           no
           very
           fair
           one
           .
           Faithfully
           render'd
           it
           runs
           thus
           .
        
         
         
           If
           ,
           *
           in
           the
           publick
           Porches
           ,
           or
           other
           Places
           of
           the
           City
           where
           Statues
           use
           to
           be
           dedicated
           to
           us
           ,
           the
           Picture
           of
           any
           mean
           habited
           Pantomime
           and
           Charioteer
           with
           his
           ruffled
           Garment
           ,
           or
           base
           Droll
           Actor
           be
           put
           up
           ,
           let
           it
           be
           immediately
           pull●d
           down
           :
           nor
           shall
           it
           be
           lawful
           for
           the
           future
           to
           represent
           persons
           of
           such
           despicable
           Characters
           in
           places
           of
           honour
           .
           But
           in
           the
           entrance
           of
           the
           Circus
           ,
           or
           before
           the
           Stage
           of
           the
           Theatres
           they
           may
           be
           allow'd
           .
        
         
           This
           ,
           
           when
           produc'd
           faithfully
           ,
           and
           at
           length
           ,
           is
           a
           worshipful
           Authority
           for
           Mr
           Collier●s
           purpose
           ,
           and
           the
           Strowlers
           all
           over
           the
           Kingdom
           must
           needs
           be
           extreamly
           mortified
           ,
           when
           they
           reflect
           upon
           this
           Article
           ,
           and
           find
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           not
           yet
           so
           proper
           Companions
           for
           the
           King
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           
             hail
             fellow
             ,
             well
             met
          
           with
           him
           at
           a
           Publick
           Entry
           ,
           or
           Audience
           .
           These
           Emperours
           ,
           it
           seems
           ,
           thought
           it
           a
           sort
           of
           Indignity
           to
           have
           every
           Scoundrel
           
             Hackney
             Coachman
             ,
             Antick
             Tumbler
          
           ,
           or
           
             Droll
             Actor
          
           set
           up
           
           in
           Effigie
           by
           their
           own
           Statues
           ,
           which
           in
           the
           times
           of
           Paganism
           were
           the
           objects
           of
           Solemn
           Worship
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           of
           the
           highest
           veneration
           imaginable
           below
           it
           .
           They
           thought
           it
           a
           derogation
           to
           Majesty
           (
           as
           well
           they
           might
           )
           to
           have
           objects
           of
           ridiculous
           mirth
           and
           scorn
           plac'd
           so
           near
           'em
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           tickling
           to
           laughter
           ,
           which
           these
           produc●d
           in
           the
           people
           ,
           wou'd
           lessen
           the
           awful
           Respect
           and
           Reverence
           expected
           to
           be
           paid
           to
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           But
           not
           to
           carry
           matters
           so
           high
           ;
           
           If
           any
           one
           shou●d
           take
           a
           fancy
           to
           set
           Tom
           Dogget's
           Effigies
           in
           his
           Sailors
           dress
           ,
           familiarly
           cheek
           by
           jole
           in
           the
           same
           ,
           or
           the
           next
           Niche
           to
           the
           King
           upon
           the
           Exchange
           (
           tho
           that
           ben●t
           so
           solemn
           a
           place
           of
           honour
           to
           our
           Kings
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Roman
             Porticus
          
           to
           their
           Emperors
           )
           I
           suppose
           it
           wou●d
           be
           resented
           as
           an
           affront
           ,
           and
           be
           by
           order
           pull'd
           down
           .
           But
           if
           any
           man
           should
           take
           a
           fancy
           to
           the
           sign
           of
           the
           
             King●s
             Head
          
           ,
           and
           his
           next
           Neighbour
           to
           Mr
           
           Be●terton's
           ,
           I
           hardly
           think
           there
           would
           come
           any
           order
           from
           Whitchall
           to
           demolish
           or
           Lamb-black
           the
           Sign
           .
           And
           tho
           perhaps
           
           the
           two
           first
           may
           actually
           be
           found
           at
           Murray●s
           or
           some
           other
           eminent
           Limners
           in
           the
           same
           Room
           yet
           I
           fancy
           the
           Painter
           will
           hardly
           incur
           the
           penalty
           of
           
             Crimen
             laesae
             Majestatis
          
           ,
           tho
           he
           should
           happen
           to
           have
           drawn
           'em
           both
           with
           the
           same
           Pencil
           too
           .
           Princes
           ,
           tho
           very
           zealous
           and
           tender
           of
           their
           honour
           ,
           (
           as
           they
           have
           reason
           to
           be
           )
           yet
           are
           not
           half
           so
           nice
           and
           scrupulous
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           .
           These
           instances
           are
           exactly
           parallel
           to
           ,
           and
           shew
           the
           difference
           between
           the
           drift
           of
           the
           
             Theodosian
             Code
          
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           extravagant
           Paraphrase
           ,
           which
           having
           already
           given
           the
           words
           of
           ,
           I
           leave
           the
           Reader
           to
           judge
           of
           the
           Intention
           .
        
         
           His
           instances
           from
           our
           English
           Statutes
           and
           the
           Petition
           of
           his
           Godly
           Citizens
           ,
           I
           shall
           take
           no
           notice
           of
           ,
           both
           because
           I
           find
           it
           sufficiently
           done
           already
           to
           my
           hands
           ,
           and
           because
           I
           think
           em
           nothing
           to
           his
           purpose
           ,
           as
           I
           think
           indeed
           of
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           what
           I
           have
           already
           examined
           ;
           but
           hitherto
           they
           seem'd
           to
           carry
           a
           face
           of
           Learning
           and
           Authority
           ,
           which
           might
           mislead
           the
           unlearnd
           ,
           or
           surprize
           the
           unwary
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           not
           warn'd
           in
           
           time
           of
           his
           disingenuity
           in
           Quotation
           .
        
         
           His
           Authorities
           drawn
           from
           the
           several
           Canons
           of
           some
           Councils
           ,
           
           are
           liable
           to
           the
           same
           reprehension
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           his
           Citations
           .
           But
           I
           am
           willing
           to
           compound
           with
           my
           Reader
           for
           my
           past
           prolixity
           ,
           and
           to
           dismiss
           'em
           without
           any
           further
           trouble
           ,
           or
           examination
           ;
           especially
           since
           the
           formal
           Reasons
           of
           em
           are
           contain●d
           in
           the
           Objections
           from
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           and
           already
           answerd
           there
           .
           Since
           therefore
           the
           Idolatry
           ,
           Lewdness
           ,
           and
           Cruelty
           of
           the
           Roman
           Shews
           ,
           (
           which
           provok●d
           the
           indignation
           of
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           and
           the
           censure
           of
           those
           Councils
           )
           are
           banisht
           our
           Stage
           ,
           I
           see
           no
           reason
           ,
           why
           the
           Batteries
           ,
           that
           were
           rais'd
           only
           to
           demolish
           them
           ,
           shou'd
           be
           continu'd
           against
           it
           .
           But
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           and
           the
           Bishop
           of
           Arras
           are
           gotten
           into
           Confederacy
           ,
           and
           are
           resolv'd
           ,
           that
           tho
           the
           Theatres
           have
           long
           since
           perform●d
           their
           Articles
           on
           their
           parts
           ,
           not
           to
           allow
           'em
           the
           benefit
           of
           the
           Capitulation
           ,
           and
           surprizing
           'em
           ,
           lull'd
           into
           security
           by
           a
           long
           cessation
           of
           Arms
           ,
           to
           raze
           'em
           utterly
           to
           the
           ground
           .
        
         
         
           
             Delenda
             est
             Carthago
          
           ,
           
           was
           the
           word
           ,
           the
           ruin
           of
           the
           Stage
           was
           agreed
           upon
           between
           'em
           ,
           but
           they
           wanted
           a
           fair
           pretence
           of
           quarrel
           ;
           and
           therefore
           General
           Collier
           publishes
           a
           tedious
           Manifesto
           ,
           fill'd
           with
           specious
           pretexts
           ,
           to
           give
           a
           colour
           to
           his
           proceedings
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           same
           time
           makes
           his
           Invasion
           .
           His
           quarrel
           to
           the
           Stage
           is
           like
           that
           of
           the
           Wolf
           to
           the
           Lamb
           ,
           when
           the
           Prey
           was
           ready
           ,
           the
           varnish
           of
           Justice
           was
           but
           a
           formality
           ,
           that
           serv'd
           like
           a
           Hypocrite's
           Grace
           ,
           to
           make
           his
           Meal
           the
           more
           decent
           ;
           when
           the
           personal
           accusation
           proves
           too
           light
           ,
           the
           Family
           differences
           are
           thrown
           into
           the
           Scale
           ,
           and
           he
           runs
           1500
           years
           backward
           to
           make
           weight
           .
           Thus
           he
           makes
           a
           true
           Italian
           grudge
           of
           it
           ,
           no
           change
           of
           Air
           ,
           or
           Soil
           can
           can
           make
           it
           degenerate
           ,
           but
           it
           remains
           entail'd
           upon
           the
           Posterity
           ,
           aud
           successors
           of
           those
           ,
           between
           whom
           it
           first
           began
           ,
           tho
           the
           true
           reason
           why
           it
           ever
           began
           ,
           were
           long
           since
           ceas'd
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           forgotten
           .
        
         
           But
           after
           he
           has
           ,
           like
           a
           hot
           mettled
           Car
           ,
           with
           a
           bad
           Nose
           ,
           over-run
           the
           Scent
           ,
           and
           cry'd
           it
           false
           thro
           all
           the
           ●ields
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           he
           begins
           to
           be
           
           afraid
           of
           being
           whipt
           home
           ,
           and
           therefore
           begins
           to
           draw
           towards
           it
           of
           himself
           .
           He
           's
           sensible
           ,
           that
           the
           comparison
           betwixt
           the
           Roman
           and
           English
           Stages
           will
           not
           hold
           water
           ,
           and
           to
           answer
           the
           leaks
           ,
           he
           begins
           to
           ply
           the
           Pump
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           keep
           it
           afloat
           ,
           but
           it
           works
           as
           hard
           ,
           and
           refunds
           as
           little
           as
           a
           Usurers
           Conscience
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           may
           be
           objected
           ,
           
           is
           the
           Resemblance
           exact
           between
           old
           Rome
           and
           London
           ?
           will
           the
           Parallel
           hold
           out
           ,
           and
           has
           the
           
             English
             Stage
          
           any
           thing
           so
           bad
           as
           the
           Dancing
           of
           the
           Pantomimi
           ?
           I
           don't
           say
           that
           .
           The
           
             Modern
             Gestures
          
           ,
           tho
           bold
           ,
           and
           lewd
           too
           sometimes
           ,
           are
           not
           altogether
           so
           scandalous
           as
           the
           Roman
           .
           Here
           then
           we
           can
           make
           'em
           some
           little
           abatement
           .
        
         
           Ay!
           
           is
           that
           your
           Conscience
           ?
           can
           you
           make
           but
           little
           abatemant
           ?
           I
           find
           you
           've
           a
           Stomach
           like
           a
           Horse
           ,
           nothing
           rises
           upon
           it
           ,
           let
           it
           be
           never
           so
           provoking
           either
           ,
           for
           quantity
           or
           quality
           .
           Dancing
           naked
           with
           Gestures
           ,
           expressive
           of
           Lewdness
           between
           both
           Sexes
           at
           a
           time
           ,
           and
           publick
           and
           open
           prostitutions
           in
           the
           representations
           of
           the
           Rapes
           and
           Adulteries
           of
           their
           Gods
           ,
           were
           frequently
           the
           diversions
           of
           the
           
           Roman
           Theatres
           .
           All
           these
           provoke
           no
           Qualms
           in
           him
           ;
           he
           can
           scarce
           make
           any
           abatement
           .
           What
           wou'd
           a
           queasie
           Stomach'd
           Atheist
           give
           for
           his
           digestion
           .
        
         
           But
           where
           's
           the
           Boldness
           ,
           
           and
           Lewdness
           of
           the
           Modern
           Gestures
           ;
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           makes
           bold
           to
           charge
           'em
           with
           ?
           I
           dare
           answer
           for
           the
           Audience
           ,
           that
           cou'd
           they
           find
           any
           such
           thing
           in
           our
           Dancing
           ,
           they
           wou'd
           be
           so
           much
           more
           reasonable
           than
           he
           ,
           that
           they
           wou'd
           part
           with
           all
           that
           part
           of
           the
           Entertainment
           .
           But
           perhaps
           he
           suspects
           some
           intentional
           Lewdness
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           expressed
           any
           way
           ,
           and
           thinks
           that
           Monsieur
           L'Abbe
           is
           fallen
           into
           Sir
           
             Fopling
             Flutter's
          
           stratagem
           ,
           and
           is
           sparing
           of
           his
           Vigour
           in
           private
           ,
           only
           to
           be
           lavish
           of
           it
           in
           publick
           ,
           and
           thinks
           no
           one
           Woman
           worth
           the
           loss
           of
           a
           Cut
           in
           a
           Caper
           ,
           which
           is
           designed
           to
           make
           his
           Court
           to
           the
           whole
           Sex.
           This
           indeed
           is
           a
           dangerous
           design
           ,
           and
           the
           discovery
           is
           worth
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           time
           and
           pains
           ,
           t
           is
           a
           Plot
           upon
           the
           Virtue
           of
           the
           whole
           Sex
           ;
           therefore
           if
           he
           has
           any
           such
           thing
           in
           the
           Wind
           ,
           e●en
           let
           him
           follow
           his
           nose
           ,
           and
           cry
           it
           away
           as
           loud
           as
           he
           pleases
           .
        
         
         
           Well
           ,
           but
           he
           begins
           to
           relent
           again
           already
           ,
           these
           wamblings
           are
           a
           certain
           sign
           of
           Breeding
           ,
           he
           's
           in
           a
           longing
           condition
           ,
           that
           's
           plain
           .
           Come
           t'other
           strain
           Sir
           ,
           and
           up
           with
           't
           .
           So
           now
           it
           's
           out
           .
        
         
           And
           to
           go
           as
           far
           in
           their
           Excuse
           as
           we
           can
           ,
           
           't
           is
           probable
           their
           Musick
           may
           not
           be
           altogether
           so
           exceptionable
           as
           that
           of
           the
           Antients
           .
        
         
           Really
           Sir
           this
           is
           very
           kind
           ,
           and
           condescending
           .
           
           But
           do
           you
           truly
           ,
           and
           from
           your
           heart
           think
           ,
           that
           our
           Theatre
           Musick
           is
           not
           altogether
           so
           pernicious
           ,
           as
           the
           Musick
           of
           the
           Antients
           ?
           Now
           were
           I
           as
           cross
           ,
           and
           captious
           as
           a
           Stage
           Reformer
           ,
           and
           as
           full
           of
           Mr.
           
           Collier's
           own
           Devil
           of
           Opposition
           ,
           as
           himself
           ,
           I
           cou'd
           raise
           his
           ,
           and
           divert
           the
           Spleen
           of
           other
           People
           .
           But
           Foolery
           apart
           ,
           I
           desire
           to
           know
           wherein
           consists
           this
           imaginary
           Force
           of
           Musick
           ,
           
           that
           
             Charms
             ,
             and
             Transports
             ,
             Rufflles
             ,
             and
             Becalms
             ,
             and
             Governs
             ,
             with
          
           such
           
             an
             arbitrary
             Authority
          
           ,
           that
           can
           make
           
             drunken
             Fellows
             ,
             as
             soler
             ,
             and
             shame-faced
             ,
             as
             one
             wou●d
             wish
             .
          
           If
           he
           can
           tell
           me
           this
           ,
           
             erit
             mihi
             magnus
             Apoll
          
           ,
           or
           ,
           what
           's
           but
           one
           remove
           from
           him
           ,
           first
           
           Knight
           of
           his
           own
           order
           of
           the
           
             Welch
             Harp.
          
           Our
           Fiddlers
           find
           to
           their
           cost
           sometimes
           the
           want
           of
           this
           coercive
           power
           ,
           but
           perhaps
           they
           can't
           play
           a
           Dorion
           ,
           and
           for
           that
           piece
           of
           Ignorance
           deserve
           the
           Fate
           they
           sometimes
           meet
           with
           ,
           when
           they
           unluckily
           fall
           into
           the
           Company
           of
           these
           
             Drunken
             Fellows
          
           ,
           and
           get
           their
           heads
           broke
           with
           their
           own
           Fiddles
           ,
           in
           return
           for
           their
           Musick
           .
           Yet
           to
           do
           the
           Gentleman
           all
           the
           Justice
           ,
           ay
           and
           the
           Favour
           too
           ,
           that
           we
           can
           ,
           in
           return
           for
           his
           late
           Civility
           ,
           I
           must
           own
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           seen
           at
           a
           Country
           Wake
           ,
           or
           so
           ,
           one
           of
           these
           Harm
           onious
           Knights
           of
           the
           Scrubbado
           ,
           or
           a
           Melodious
           Rubber
           of
           Hair
           and
           Catgut
           ,
           lug
           a
           whole
           Parish
           of
           as
           arrant
           Logs
           ,
           as
           those
           that
           danced
           after
           Orpheus
           ,
           by
           the
           Ears
           after
           him
           ,
           to
           the
           next
           empty
           Barn
           ,
           frisking
           ,
           and
           curvetting
           at
           such
           a
           frolicksom
           rate
           ,
           that
           they
           could
           scarce
           keep
           their
           Legs
           together
           ;
           nay
           ,
           such
           was
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Melody
           ,
           that
           even
           the
           solitary
           deserted
           Gingerbread
           Stalls
           wagged
           after
           ;
           and
           all
           this
           without
           the
           help
           of
           one
           illegal
           string
           ,
           and
           but
           four
           very
           untunable
           ones
           .
           What
           cou'd
           Timotheus
           ,
           or
           even
           Orpheus
           himself
           do
           more
           .
        
         
         
           However
           I
           wou'd
           not
           have
           the
           Gentleman
           swell
           too
           much
           in
           the
           Pride
           of
           his
           Victory
           ,
           I
           wou'd
           not
           have
           him
           insult
           too
           soon
           .
           For
           ,
           tho
           possibly
           these
           Knights
           of
           the
           Harp
           and
           
             Catgut
             might
             know
          
           ,
           
           
             how
             to
             arm
             a
             sound
             ,
             and
             put
             force
             and
             Conquests
             in
             it
             ,
          
           yet
           had
           there
           not
           been
           a
           Favourable
           Conjuncture
           of
           Circumstances
           ,
           the
           Harmony
           ,
           as
           charming
           as
           it
           was
           ,
           had
           not
           succeeced
           so
           miraculously
           ,
           nor
           produc'd
           such
           extatick
           Raptures
           .
           For
           example
           ,
           had
           this
           Descendant
           from
           Orpheus
           surpriz'd
           'em
           at
           a
           time
           ,
           when
           the
           Holyday
           Clothes
           were
           laid
           up
           in
           Lavender
           ,
           when
           the
           Hay
           ,
           or
           Harvest
           was
           abroad
           ,
           or
           the
           Snow
           upon
           the
           Ground
           ,
           and
           the
           Cattle
           wanted
           Foddering
           ,
           when
           the
           Calf
           was
           to
           be
           suckled
           ,
           and
           the
           Cheese
           to
           be
           set
           ,
           he
           might
           have
           thrummed
           his
           Harp
           out
           ,
           and
           cou'd
           no
           more
           have
           stirred
           those
           very
           Clods
           ,
           that
           leapt
           as
           mechanically
           before
           at
           the
           first
           twang
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           been
           meer
           Machines
           (
           Instruments
           strung
           ,
           and
           tuned
           to
           an
           Unisone
           )
           then
           he
           cou'd
           have
           raised
           the
           Turf
           ,
           they
           trod
           upon
           ,
           by
           vertue
           of
           Ela
           ,
           and
           F-ffaut
           .
           The
           Critical
           Juncture
           mist
           ,
           Roger
           had
           not
           jogged
           a
           foot
           out
           of
           his
           way
           ,
           nor
           
           Madge
           out
           of
           her
           Dairy
           ,
           they
           had
           been
           as
           regardless
           of
           his
           Harmony
           ,
           as
           a
           London
           Milk
           Maid
           ,
           after
           the
           first
           week
           in
           May
           ;
           〈◊〉
           ●ntient
           Britto●●
           〈◊〉
           as
           easily
           have
           been
           charmed
           from
           his
           scrubbing
           Post
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           indeed
           certain
           opportunities
           to
           be
           found
           by
           those
           that
           skilfully
           watch
           'em
           ,
           
           wherein
           Mens
           Souls
           are
           to
           be
           taken
           by
           surprize
           ,
           wherein
           they
           give
           themselves
           up
           wholly
           to
           the
           direction
           of
           their
           Senses
           ,
           when
           Reason
           tired
           with
           perpetual
           mounting
           the
           Guard
           ,
           quits
           her
           Post
           ,
           and
           leaves
           'em
           to
           be
           drawn
           away
           by
           every
           delightful
           Object
           ,
           every
           pleasing
           Amusement
           .
           At
           these
           times
           Sound
           ,
           Colour
           ,
           Taste
           ,
           and
           Smell
           have
           all
           an
           unusual
           Influence
           ;
           a
           Face
           ,
           a
           Voice
           ,
           or
           any
           thing
           else
           ,
           that
           gives
           us
           pleasure
           for
           the
           time
           ,
           Commands
           us
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           hurried
           ,
           like
           Men
           in
           Dreams
           ,
           we
           know
           not
           how
           ,
           nor
           whither
           .
           Yet
           this
           is
           easily
           accounted
           for
           ,
           without
           recourse
           to
           natural
           Magick
           ,
           or
           any
           suitable
           Power
           in
           those
           Agents
           ,
           that
           work
           upon
           us
           .
           Our
           Souls
           are
           at
           these
           times
           ,
           like
           Vessels
           adrift
           ,
           at
           the
           mercy
           of
           Waves
           and
           Winds
           ,
           from
           what
           corner
           soever
           they
           
           blow
           ;
           our
           Senses
           are
           the
           Compass
           they
           sail
           by
           ,
           from
           whence
           those
           Blasts
           of
           Passion
           come
           ,
           that
           drive
           us
           so
           uncertainly
           about
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           without
           any
           peculiar
           inherent
           force
           of
           Direction
           more
           in
           one
           point
           than
           another
           .
        
         
           Thus
           far
           Musick
           ,
           
           as
           well
           as
           other
           things
           that
           gives
           us
           delight
           ,
           and
           flatter
           the
           Senses
           ,
           may
           influence
           us
           .
           It
           may
           when
           we
           are
           under
           a
           lazy
           disposition
           of
           mind
           ,
           produce
           a
           degree
           of
           satisfaction
           something
           above
           Indolence
           ,
           but
           the
           motions
           of
           it
           are
           languid
           and
           indeterminate
           ,
           that
           incline
           us
           only
           to
           an
           unactive
           easiness
           of
           mind
           ,
           a
           barren
           Pleasure
           ,
           that
           dies
           without
           Issue
           ,
           with
           the
           Sounds
           that
           begat
           it
           ;
           so
           little
           danger
           is
           there
           that
           
             it
             shou'd
             be
             in
             the
             power
             of
             a
             few
             mercenary
             Hands
             ,
          
           
           
             to
             play
             the
             People
             out
             of
             their
             Sences
             ,
             to
             run
             away
             with
             their
             understanding
             ,
             and
             wind
             their
             Passions
             about
             their
             Fingers
             ,
             as
             they
             list
             .
          
           I
           suppose
           few
           will
           take
           it
           upon
           this
           Gentlemans
           word
           ,
           that
           
             Musick
             is
             almost
             as
             dangerous
             ,
             as
             Gunpowder
             ;
             and
             requires
             no
             less
             looking
             after
             ,
             than
             the
             Press
             or
             the
             Mint
             .
          
        
         
           This
           Gentleman
           sure
           has
           a
           Noise
           of
           Musick
           in
           his
           head
           ,
           that
           has
           put
           the
           Stumm
           in
           his
           Brain
           into
           a
           Ferment
           ,
           and
           
           caused
           it
           to
           work
           over
           into
           all
           this
           windy
           fancy
           and
           froth
           .
           He
           has
           been
           a
           Tale-gathering
           among
           the
           Antients
           ,
           and
           wou●d
           put
           his
           Romantick
           Rhapsody
           upon
           us
           for
           Authentick
           .
           But
           what
           is
           yet
           more
           unreasonable
           is
           ,
           that
           without
           offering
           one
           Argument
           to
           prove
           either
           the
           reasonableness
           of
           his
           Opinion
           ,
           or
           the
           reality
           of
           his
           Instances
           ,
           he
           dogmatically
           asserts
           things
           monstrously
           ,
           exceeding
           the
           stretch
           of
           the
           most
           capacious
           faith
           ,
           and
           yet
           expects
           that
           ,
           which
           alone
           is
           sufficient
           to
           destroy
           the
           credit
           of
           things
           infinitely
           more
           probable
           ,
           the
           vast
           distance
           of
           time
           shou'd
           warrant
           the
           truth
           of
           them
           .
           As
           if
           he
           believed
           all
           Mankind
           to
           be
           proselyted
           to
           the
           Paradox
           of
           a
           certain
           Father
           
             certum
             est
             quia
             impossibile
          
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           Antient
           Music
           was
           so
           great
           ,
           as
           he
           would
           perswade
           us
           ,
           certainly
           Timotheus
           was
           a
           Fool
           for
           suffering
           
             his
             harp
             to
             be
             seized
             for
             having
             one
             string
             above
             publick
             Allowance
             .
          
           
           For
           if
           
             altering
             the
             notes
             ,
             were
             the
             way
             to
             have
             the
             Laws
             repealed
             ,
             and
             to
             unsettle
             the
             Constitution
             ,
          
           he
           might
           with
           a
           twang
           ,
           instead
           of
           taking
           a
           string
           from
           his
           Harp
           ,
           have
           put
           one
           about
           the
           Magistrates
           Neck
           ,
           and
           
           for
           a
           Song
           have
           set
           himself
           at
           the
           head
           of
           Commonwealth
           .
           But
           this
           Author
           ,
           who
           is
           all
           along
           a
           Platonist
           in
           his
           Philosophy
           ,
           is
           in
           this
           point
           an
           arrant
           Bigot
           .
           The
           whole
           scheme
           and
           strain
           of
           the
           Platonick
           Philosophy
           ,
           
           is
           very
           romantick
           and
           whimsical
           ,
           and
           like
           our
           Author's
           works
           ,
           savours
           in
           every
           particular
           more
           strongly
           of
           Fancy
           than
           Judgment
           ,
           yet
           in
           nothing
           more
           ,
           than
           in
           the
           imaginary
           power
           of
           Harmony
           ,
           to
           which
           he
           ascrib●d
           the
           Regulation
           ,
           and
           Government
           of
           the
           Universe
           ,
           and
           other
           Powers
           more
           fantastical
           and
           extravagant
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           the
           Pythagorean
           numbers
           .
        
         
           Now
           were
           I
           in
           as
           cross
           a
           mood
           ,
           and
           as
           much
           at
           leisure
           to
           be
           impertinent
           as
           this
           Admirer
           of
           the
           Antient
           Musick
           ,
           who
           has
           ventur'd
           to
           affirm
           it
           as
           certain
           ,
           
           
             that
             our
             Improvements
             of
             this
             kind
             ,
             are
             little
             better
             than
             Ale-house
             Crowds
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             theirs
             .
          
           I
           cou'd
           with
           a
           cërtainty
           of
           Evidence
           ,
           next
           to
           Demonstration
           ,
           maintain
           just
           the
           Reverse
           of
           his
           Assertion
           ,
           and
           prove
           that
           the
           Musick
           of
           the
           Antients
           fell
           infinitely
           short
           of
           the
           Modern
           in
           point
           of
           perfection
           ,
           as
           well
           in
           Theory
           as
           Practice
           ,
           and
           that
           ,
           
           
           
           
           
           waving
           the
           fabulous
           accounts
           ,
           (
           which
           none
           but
           an
           Enthusiastick
           Bigot
           can
           seriously
           insist
           upon
           )
           all
           our
           Memoirs
           from
           Antiquity
           will
           scarce
           make
           the
           Harps
           of
           Orpheus
           and
           
             Arion
             ,
             &c.
          
           to
           triumph
           over
           a
           Jew's
           Harp
           ,
           or
           Rival
           a
           Scotch
           Bagpipe
           .
        
         
           But
           after
           all
           ,
           
           it
           seems
           that
           he
           has
           been
           raving
           all
           this
           while
           in
           Pedantick
           Bombast
           ,
           at
           he
           knows
           not
           what
           .
           He
           confesses
           that
           he
           is
           not
           acquainted
           with
           the
           
             Play-House
             Musick
          
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           is
           no
           competent
           Judge
           .
           
           
             I
             don't
             say
             this
             part
             of
             the
             Entertainment
             is
             directly
             vitious
             ,
             because
             I
             am
             not
             willing
             to
             censure
             at
             Vncertainties
             .
          
           How
           long
           ,
           I
           wonder
           ,
           has
           he
           been
           thus
           modest
           ?
           had
           he
           been
           thus
           tender
           all
           along
           ,
           he
           had
           suppress'd
           his
           whole
           Book
           ,
           and
           the
           truth
           had
           suffer'd
           nothing
           by
           the
           loss
           of
           it
           .
           But
           in
           earnest
           ,
           is
           he
           deaf
           ?
           or
           does
           he
           wax
           up
           his
           ears
           when
           he
           goes
           to
           a
           Play
           ,
           as
           (
           he
           says
           )
           Vlysses
           did
           ,
           when
           he
           sail'd
           by
           the
           Syrens
           ?
           No
           ,
           neither
           ;
           but
           ,
           if
           we
           may
           believe
           him
           ,
           
           he
           never
           comes
           there
           .
           
             Those
             that
             frequent
             the
             Play-house
             are
             the
             most
             competent
             Judges
             .
          
           Why
           that
           's
           honestly
           said
           ,
           they
           are
           so
           ;
           keep
           but
           to
           this
           ,
           and
           there
           's
           some
           hope
           of
           
           an
           accommodation
           .
           But
           alas
           !
           tho
           his
           zeal
           is
           a
           little
           Aguish
           now
           ,
           the
           hot
           ●it
           comes
           on
           apace
           ,
           and
           then
           right
           or
           wrong
           ,
           
             He
             must
             say
             ,
             that
             the
             performances
             of
             this
             kind
             are
             much
             too
             fine
             for
             the
             place
             .
          
           
        
         
           Tho
           he
           has
           never
           heard
           of
           one
           ,
           
           nor
           seen
           t'other
           ,
           yet
           he
           cries
           hang
           scruples
           ,
           the
           Musick
           must
           be
           bawdy
           ,
           Atheistical
           Musick
           ,
           and
           the
           dancing
           
             bold
             and
             lewd
             too
             sometimes
          
           .
           Now
           whether
           he
           means
           that
           the
           Fiddler
           himself
           is
           an
           Infidel
           of
           a
           Fiddler
           ,
           or
           that
           he
           has
           an
           unbelieving
           Crowd
           ,
           he
           is
           desir'd
           to
           explain
           ;
           for
           they
           are
           both
           left
           to
           be
           catechiz'd
           by
           him
           .
           But
           as
           for
           the
           sounds
           produc'd
           betwixt
           them
           ,
           care
           has
           been
           already
           taken
           to
           clear
           'em
           ,
           not
           only
           from
           guilt
           ,
           but
           from
           all
           manner
           of
           meaning
           whatsoever
           .
           As
           for
           the
           dancing
           ,
           which
           he
           calls
           bold
           ,
           it
           may
           in
           one
           sense
           be
           allow'd
           him
           ;
           for
           it
           must
           be
           granted
           ,
           that
           he
           that
           ventures
           his
           neck
           to
           dance
           upon
           the
           top
           of
           a
           Ladder
           ,
           is
           a
           very
           bold
           Fellow
           .
           If
           this
           concession
           be
           of
           any
           use
           to
           him
           ,
           't
           is
           at
           his
           service
           ,
           whether
           the
           fraternity
           of
           Rope-dancers
           take
           it
           well
           at
           my
           hands
           or
           not
           .
           But
           for
           the
           Lewdness
           ,
           I
           must
           remind
           him
           of
           his
           
           appeal
           to
           
             those
             who
             frequent
             the
             Play-houses
          
           ,
           (
           whom
           he
           allows
           to
           be
           )
           
             the
             most
             competent
             Judges
          
           .
           But
           as
           their
           Judgment
           in
           these
           matters
           appears
           to
           be
           indisputable
           ,
           so
           the
           modesty
           of
           the
           better
           part
           of
           'em
           at
           least
           ,
           (
           I
           mean
           the
           Ladies
           )
           who
           are
           the
           particular
           favourers
           of
           this
           part
           of
           the
           entertainment
           ,
           is
           unquestionable
           .
           Their
           countenance
           therefore
           in
           so
           plain
           a
           matter
           ,
           which
           being
           a
           question
           of
           fact
           ,
           admits
           of
           no
           other
           decision
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           lookt
           upon
           as
           a
           definitive
           Judgment
           against
           him
           ,
           and
           a
           sufficient
           vindication
           of
           our
           Stage-dancing
           .
        
         
           I
           should
           here
           dismiss
           this
           point
           without
           further
           debate
           ,
           
           if
           I
           did
           not
           find
           him
           closing
           it
           on
           his
           side
           with
           a
           notorious
           false
           assertion
           concerning
           the
           comparative
           Morality
           of
           the
           vocal
           Musick
           of
           the
           Ancient
           and
           Modern
           Stages
           ,
           which
           ,
           not
           designing
           to
           resume
           this
           branch
           of
           the
           Controversie
           any
           more
           ,
           I
           am
           bound
           here
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           ,
           and
           rectifie
           .
        
         
           If
           the
           English
           Stage
           is
           more
           reserv'd
           than
           the
           Roman
           in
           the
           case
           above-mentioned
           .
           
           If
           they
           have
           any
           advantage
           in
           their
           Instrumental
           Musick
           ,
           they
           lose
           it
           in
           their
           Vocal
           .
           Their
           Songs
           are
           often
           rampantly
           
           lewd
           ,
           and
           irreligious
           to
           a
           flaming
           excess
           .
           Here
           you
           have
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           Essence
           of
           Vice
           drawn
           off
           strong
           scented
           ,
           and
           thrown
           into
           a
           little
           compass
           .
           Now
           the
           Antients
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           seen
           already
           ,
           were
           inoffensive
           in
           this
           respect
           .
        
         
           Here
           again
           I
           am
           at
           a
           loss
           to
           know
           whether
           this
           is
           a
           fault
           of
           ignorance
           or
           design
           .
           But
           be
           it
           whether
           he
           pleases
           ,
           the
           falseness
           of
           his
           assertion
           is
           unpardonably
           scandalous
           ;
           for
           whether
           he
           has
           ventur'd
           to
           affirm
           beyond
           ,
           or
           contrary
           to
           his
           knowledge
           ,
           't
           is
           manifest
           he
           did
           it
           with
           an
           intention
           to
           impose
           upon
           his
           Readers
           ,
           by
           asserting
           that
           which
           he
           could
           not
           know
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           if
           he
           did
           not
           certainly
           know
           it
           to
           be
           false
           .
        
         
           The
           Vocal
           Musick
           of
           the
           Antient
           Stage
           was
           of
           two
           sorts
           ,
           
           one
           whereof
           was
           interspers'd
           among
           their
           Dramatick
           Writings
           ,
           and
           consisted
           of
           Hymns
           ,
           and
           Praises
           of
           their
           Gods
           ,
           which
           were
           sung
           and
           danced
           by
           the
           Chorus
           to
           certain
           grave
           Aires
           and
           Measures
           .
           Here
           indeed
           the
           Poets
           must
           have
           been
           more
           impertinently
           and
           perversely
           lewd
           ,
           than
           Mr
           
           Collier
           ●s
           own
           corrupt
           imagination
           can
           positively
           make
           the
           Moderns
           to
           be
           ,
           
           if
           they
           cou'd
           have
           found
           room
           for
           any
           thing
           very
           indecent
           ;
           tho
           an
           ill
           natur'd
           Critick
           ,
           with
           much
           less
           Gall
           or
           Straining
           ,
           than
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           made
           use
           of
           ,
           might
           shew
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           not
           so
           absolutely
           inoffensive
           ,
           
           as
           he
           affirms
           .
           The
           Chorus
           represented
           the
           Spectators
           ,
           and
           their
           business
           was
           to
           make
           occasional
           reflections
           upon
           the
           several
           incidents
           and
           turn
           of
           the
           Fable
           ,
           which
           was
           the
           artificial
           Instrument
           ,
           the
           Antient
           Poets
           us'd
           to
           convey
           the
           Moral
           into
           the
           Audience
           ,
           and
           teach
           'em
           what
           to
           think
           upon
           such
           occasions
           ,
           and
           how
           to
           behave
           themselves
           in
           reference
           to
           their
           Gods
           and
           Religion
           ,
           and
           were
           therefore
           suppos'd
           to
           speak
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           Poet
           ,
           or
           what
           at
           least
           he
           desir'd
           should
           be
           taken
           for
           such
           .
           Now
           I
           dare
           answer
           for
           the
           meanest
           of
           those
           Poets
           ,
           upon
           whom
           this
           Author
           has
           made
           his
           reflections
           ,
           that
           taking
           our
           Estimate
           of
           their
           understandings
           by
           his
           own
           diminutive
           survey
           of
           'em
           ,
           there
           is
           not
           amongst
           'em
           one
           so
           arrant
           a
           Blockhead
           ,
           as
           under
           the
           circumstances
           of
           the
           Antients
           to
           have
           taken
           more
           liberty
           ,
           than
           they
           did
           .
        
         
         
           But
           if
           their
           Chorus
           was
           modest
           and
           harmless
           enough
           ;
           the
           other
           part
           of
           their
           Stage
           Vocal
           Musick
           will
           make
           ample
           amends
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           lewdness
           of
           our
           Poets
           appear
           ,
           as
           demure
           as
           a
           Quaker
           at
           a
           silent
           meeting
           .
           The
           Antients
           had
           lustier
           Appetites
           ,
           and
           stronger
           Digestions
           ,
           than
           the
           Moderns
           ,
           and
           their
           Poets
           cookt
           thei●
           Messes
           accordingly
           ,
           they
           did
           not
           stand
           to
           make
           minc'd
           Meat
           ,
           or
           artificially
           to
           steal
           in
           their
           Ribaldry
           ,
           and
           disguise
           it
           in
           nice
           Ragou's
           after
           the
           modern
           way
           ;
           they
           were
           for
           whole
           Services
           ,
           substantial
           Treats
           of
           Bawdy
           .
           Nor
           do
           I
           find
           ,
           that
           it
           recoil'd
           upon
           the
           Stomachs
           of
           the
           generality
           of
           their
           Guests
           for
           many
           Ages
           together
           .
           The
           Reader
           I
           suppose
           will
           immediately
           guess
           that
           I
           mean
           the
           
             Ludi
             Scenici
          
           ,
           
           which
           made
           the
           Amours
           of
           their
           Gods
           ,
           and
           Heroes
           their
           subject
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           lewdest
           actions
           were
           represented
           in
           the
           lewdest
           manner
           ,
           and
           sung
           in
           the
           most
           fulsome
           luscious
           Verse
           .
           Upon
           our
           Stage
           no
           such
           Practices
           are
           allow●d
           ,
           if
           a
           light
           wanton
           thought
           happens
           to
           creep
           into
           a
           Song
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           suffer'd
           to
           shew
           its
           face
           bare
           ,
           but
           is
           presently
           maskt
           ,
           and
           cloathed
           decently
           in
           Metaphor
           ,
           
           that
           many
           wou'd
           not
           suspect
           the
           modesty
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           even
           the
           most
           squeamish
           can't
           take
           offence
           without
           offering
           violence
           ;
           for
           it
           comes
           into
           your
           Company
           like
           a
           bashful
           young
           sinner
           ,
           she
           's
           civil
           company
           amongst
           sober
           people
           .
        
         
           The
           Antients
           ,
           't
           is
           plain
           ,
           were
           not
           by
           abundance
           so
           scrupulous
           ;
           if
           they
           had
           ,
           those
           lewd
           Drolls
           had
           never
           been
           compos'd
           ,
           much
           less
           represented
           .
           But
           they
           were
           for
           all
           naked
           ,
           without
           the
           vail
           of
           Figure
           or
           Dress
           ,
           they
           requir●d
           Nudities
           in
           Speech
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Action
           ,
           the
           Audience
           went
           away
           with
           satisfaction
           ,
           and
           the
           Poet
           with
           applause
           .
        
         
           By
           this
           we
           may
           see
           ,
           that
           our
           Stage
           upon
           the
           comparison
           is
           not
           so
           
             rampantly
             lewd
          
           ,
           as
           Mr.
           Collier
           represents
           it
           ,
           nor
           the
           ancient
           so
           inoffensive
           .
           To
           dilate
           upon
           this
           head
           ,
           would
           be
           both
           improper
           and
           impertinent
           ;
           but
           these
           few
           hints
           ,
           which
           ,
           all
           that
           are
           acquainted
           with
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           Roman
           Stage
           ,
           know
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           whether
           Mr
           Collier
           does
           or
           not
           ,
           may
           suffice
           to
           shew
           what
           an
           unfair
           Adversary
           the
           Stage
           has
           met
           with
           ;
           and
           to
           prove
           that
           he
           is
           not
           an
           upright
           ,
           or
           not
           a
           competent
           Judge
           of
           these
           matters
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           unauthoriz'd
           
           undertakes
           to
           determine
           ,
           and
           arrogantly
           obtrudes
           his
           false
           Judgment
           upon
           us
           .
        
         
           Another
           of
           his
           objections
           to
           the
           Stage
           in
           general
           ,
           
           
             is
             their
             dilating
             so
             much
             upon
             the
             Argument
             of
             Love.
             
          
        
         
           Upon
           this
           article
           he
           is
           very
           lavish
           of
           his
           Rhetorick
           ,
           
           and
           lays
           about
           him
           in
           Tropes
           and
           Figures
           ,
           he
           is
           got
           into
           his
           old
           road
           of
           declamation
           ,
           and
           posts
           Whip
           and
           Spur
           thro
           his
           Common
           place
           upon
           the
           subject
           .
           His
           fancy
           ,
           like
           a
           Runaway-horse
           ,
           has
           got
           the
           Bit
           between
           her
           Teeth
           ,
           and
           ramps
           over
           Hedge
           and
           Ditch
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           danger
           of
           his
           Judgment
           ;
           no
           bars
           or
           fences
           of
           sense
           or
           reason
           can
           stop
           her
           Cariere
           ,
           till
           jaded
           and
           out
           of
           Wind
           she
           flags
           of
           her self
           .
           Here
           then
           ,
           let
           us
           come
           up
           with
           him
           .
        
         
           I
           don't
           say
           the
           Stage
           fells
           all
           before
           'em
           ,
           and
           disables
           the
           whole
           Audience
           :
           
           'T
           is
           a
           hard
           Battle
           ,
           where
           none
           escape
           .
           However
           ,
           their
           Triumphs
           and
           their
           Trophies
           are
           unspeakable
           .
           Neither
           need
           we
           much
           wonder
           at
           the
           matter
           .
           They
           are
           dangerously
           prepar'd
           for
           Conquest
           and
           Empire
           .
           There
           's
           Nature
           ,
           and
           Passion
           ,
           and
           Life
           in
           all
           the
           circumstances
           of
           their
           Action
           .
           Their
           Declamation
           ,
           
           their
           Mein
           ,
           their
           Gestures
           ,
           and
           their
           Equipage
           ,
           are
           very
           moving
           and
           significant
           .
           Now
           when
           the
           Subject
           is
           agreeable
           ,
           a
           lively
           representation
           ,
           and
           a
           passionate
           way
           of
           expression
           ,
           make
           wild
           work
           ,
           and
           have
           a
           strange
           force
           upon
           the
           Blood
           and
           Temper
           .
        
         
           What
           means
           all
           this
           unseasonable
           Cry
           Fire
           ,
           
           Fire
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           not
           so
           much
           as
           a
           spark
           ?
           If
           the
           Audience
           were
           meer
           Tinder
           ,
           they
           were
           out
           of
           danger
           .
           Sure
           the
           Author
           had
           Wildfire
           in
           his
           Brains
           ,
           that
           the
           thoughts
           of
           the
           Players
           could
           put
           him
           into
           such
           an
           uproar
           .
           'T
           is
           granted
           the
           Actresses
           may
           appear
           to
           advantage
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ,
           and
           yet
           their
           Triumphs
           and
           Trophies
           not
           be
           so
           unutterable
           neither
           .
           For
           as
           dangerously
           as
           
             they
             are
             prepar'd
             for
             Conquest
             and
             Empire
             ,
          
           the
           highest
           of
           their
           acquests
           ,
           that
           I
           could
           ever
           hear
           of
           ,
           was
           a
           good
           keeping
           ,
           which
           has
           fallen
           to
           the
           share
           of
           but
           a
           few
           of
           'em
           ;
           when
           multitudes
           of
           their
           Sex
           have
           arriv'd
           at
           greater
           matters
           without
           any
           such
           formidable
           preparations
           .
           However
           ,
           here
           's
           Mein
           ,
           and
           Equipage
           ,
           and
           the
           Author
           seems
           afraid
           ,
           lest
           the
           raw
           Squires
           of
           the
           Pit
           should
           take
           em
           for
           
           Quality
           in
           earnest
           ,
           and
           be
           dazled
           with
           the
           lustre
           of
           the
           inestimable
           Treasure
           of
           Glass
           ,
           and
           Tinsel
           ,
           and
           so
           catch
           the
           real
           Itch
           of
           Love
           from
           their
           counterfeit
           Scrubbado
           .
           And
           truly
           there
           's
           as
           much
           reason
           to
           fear
           ,
           they
           shou'd
           be
           pursu'd
           for
           their
           Fortunes
           ,
           as
           their
           Love
           off
           the
           Stage
           .
        
         
           To
           answer
           this
           Rant
           of
           Whimsie
           and
           Extravagance
           seriously
           ,
           were
           as
           ridiculous
           an
           undertaking
           as
           
           Hudibras's
           dispute
           with
           the
           Managers
           of
           his
           West
           Country
           Ovation
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           sample
           we
           have
           of
           our
           Antagonist
           ,
           the
           issue
           wou●d
           probably
           be
           as
           cleanly
           .
           But
           if
           any
           one
           thinks
           an
           answer
           to
           this
           charge
           necessary
           ,
           he
           may
           see
           as
           much
           as
           it
           will
           bear
           ,
           and
           more
           than
           it
           deserves
           ,
           in
           a
           late
           Piece
           entitled
           ,
           
             A
             Review
             of
             Mr.
          
           Collier
           '
           
             s
             View
          
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             He
             has
             yet
             another
             charge
             upon
             the
             Stage
             left
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             that
             is
             their
             encouraging
             of
             Revenge
             .
          
           What
           is
           more
           common
           than
           Duels
           and
           Quarrelling
           ,
           in
           their
           Characters
           of
           Figure
           ?
           Those
           Practices
           ,
           which
           are
           infamous
           in
           Reason
           ,
           Capital
           in
           ●aw
           ,
           and
           Damnable
           in
           Religion
           ,
           are
           the
           Credit
           of
           the
           Stage
           .
           Thus
           Rage
           and
           Resentment
           ,
           Blood
           and
           Barbarity
           are
           almost
           deified
           ;
           
           Pride
           goes
           for
           Greatness
           ,
           and
           Fiends
           and
           Heroes
           are
           made
           of
           the
           same
           metal
           .
           And
           thus
           the
           notion
           of
           Honour
           is
           mis-stated
           ,
           the
           Maxims
           of
           Christianity
           despised
           ,
           and
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           World
           disturb'd
        
         
           One
           would
           think
           he
           had
           found
           out
           another
           passage
           in
           
             Valerius
             Maximus
          
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           
             Civilis
             Sangu●s
          
           was
           abroach
           again
           .
           But
           Rome
           contented
           him
           then
           ,
           now
           nothing
           less
           than
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           whole
           World
           must
           be
           disturb'd
           about
           a
           Bawble
           .
           Sure
           he
           thinks
           all
           the
           World
           of
           the
           Country-Wife's
           opinion
           ,
           that
           
             the
             Player
             Men
             are
             the
             finest
             folks
             in
             it
             .
          
        
         
           But
           so
           far
           is
           Revenge
           from
           being
           encourag'd
           ,
           
           or
           countenanc'd
           by
           the
           Stage
           ,
           that
           to
           desire
           and
           prosecute
           it
           ,
           is
           almost
           always
           the
           mark
           of
           a
           Tyrant
           ,
           or
           a
           Villain
           ,
           in
           Tragedy
           ,
           and
           
             Poetick
             Justice
          
           is
           done
           upon
           'em
           for
           it
           ;
           it
           is
           generally
           turn'd
           upon
           their
           own
           heads
           ,
           becomes
           the
           snare
           in
           which
           they
           are
           taken
           ,
           and
           the
           immediate
           Instrument
           of
           their
           miserable
           Catastrophe
           .
           Thus
           in
           the
           
             Mourning
             Bride
             ,
             Don
             Manuel
          
           ,
           to
           glut
           his
           lust
           of
           Revenge
           ,
           
           puts
           himself
           into
           the
           Place
           and
           Habit
           of
           his
           unhappy
           Prisoner
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           surprize
           ,
           betray
           ,
           and
           insult
           his
           own
           pious
           ,
           afflicted
           
           Daughter
           ,
           over
           the
           suppos'd
           Body
           of
           her
           Murther'd
           Husband
           .
           In
           this
           posture
           Poetick
           Justice
           overtakes
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           is
           himself
           surpriz'd
           ,
           mistaken
           for
           him
           whom
           he
           represented
           ,
           and
           stabb'd
           by
           a
           Creature
           of
           his
           own
           ,
           the
           villanous
           Minister
           of
           his
           Tyranny
           ,
           and
           his
           chief
           Favourite
           .
           Nothing
           is
           more
           common
           than
           this
           sort
           of
           Justice
           in
           Tragedy
           ,
           than
           which
           nothing
           can
           be
           more
           diametrically
           opposite
           ,
           or
           a
           greater
           discouragement
           to
           such
           barbarous
           Practices
           .
        
         
           Comedy
           indeed
           does
           not
           afford
           us
           many
           instances
           of
           this
           kind
           ;
           
           Rage
           and
           Barbarity
           are
           Crimes
           not
           cognizable
           by
           her
           ;
           they
           are
           of
           too
           deep
           a
           Dye
           ,
           and
           the
           Indictment
           against
           'em
           must
           be
           preferr'd
           at
           another
           Bar.
           If
           she
           admits
           of
           any
           thoughts
           of
           Revenge
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           such
           as
           spring
           from
           the
           lowest
           Class
           of
           Resentments
           ;
           that
           flow
           rather
           from
           a
           weakness
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           or
           a
           perverseness
           of
           Temper
           in
           the
           Parties
           that
           conceive
           'em
           ,
           than
           from
           the
           Justice
           of
           the
           Cause
           ,
           or
           the
           greatness
           of
           the
           Provocation
           .
           Accordingly
           they
           ought
           to
           have
           no
           great
           malignity
           in
           'em
           ,
           they
           ought
           to
           spend
           themselves
           in
           little
           Machinations
           ,
           
           that
           aim
           no
           farther
           than
           the
           crossing
           of
           an
           Intrigue
           ,
           the
           breaking
           of
           a
           Match
           ,
           &c.
           and
           never
           to
           break
           out
           into
           open
           violence
           ,
           or
           ravage
           in
           Mischief
           .
           The
           Passions
           have
           little
           to
           do
           in
           Comedy
           ,
           every
           one
           there
           according
           to
           his
           capacity
           acts
           by
           design
           ,
           or
           carelessly
           gives
           himself
           up
           to
           his
           humour
           ,
           and
           indulges
           his
           pleasure
           and
           inclinations
           .
           This
           equality
           of
           temper
           of
           Mind
           ,
           with
           the
           diversity
           of
           Humours
           ,
           is
           what
           makes
           the
           business
           of
           Comedy
           .
           For
           while
           this
           general
           calm
           lasts
           ,
           all
           busily
           pursue
           their
           several
           inclinations
           ;
           and
           by
           various
           ways
           practise
           upon
           one
           another
           .
           And
           the
           Man
           of
           Pleasure
           follows
           his
           design
           upon
           the
           rich
           Knave
           's
           Wife
           ,
           or
           Daughter
           ,
           while
           the
           other
           is
           working
           into
           his
           Estate
           .
           The
           Cully
           is
           the
           Sharper's
           Exchequer
           ,
           and
           the
           Fop
           the
           Parasite's
           ,
           or
           Jilt's
           ,
           &c.
           which
           ,
           were
           the
           Passions
           too
           much
           agitated
           ,
           and
           the
           Storm
           rais'd
           high
           ,
           wou'd
           become
           impracticable
           ;
           the
           Commerce
           wou'd
           be
           broken
           off
           ,
           and
           the
           Plot
           wholly
           frustrated
           .
           Besides
           that
           both
           the
           Thoughts
           and
           Actions
           of
           Men
           ,
           very
           much
           disorder'd
           by
           Passion
           ,
           or
           fill'd
           with
           too
           deep
           Resentments
           ,
           are
           naturally
           
           violent
           and
           outrageous
           ,
           and
           absolutely
           repugnant
           to
           the
           Genius
           ,
           and
           destructive
           of
           the
           End
           of
           Comedy
           .
        
         
           I
           grant
           that
           some
           Passions
           ,
           
           such
           as
           
             Love
             ,
             Jealousie
             ,
             Anger
          
           ,
           are
           frequently
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           justly
           employ'd
           in
           Comedy
           ;
           but
           then
           they
           are
           to
           be
           kept
           under
           ,
           and
           must
           not
           be
           suffer'd
           to
           get
           the
           Ascendant
           ,
           and
           domineer
           over
           Reason
           ;
           if
           they
           do
           ,
           they
           are
           no
           longer
           Comick
           Passions
           .
           Love
           must
           not
           carry
           'em
           beyond
           Gallantry
           ,
           and
           Gaiety
           of
           Spirit
           in
           the
           Pride
           of
           Success
           ,
           nor
           further
           than
           a
           light
           disquiet
           ,
           such
           as
           may
           excite
           their
           Industry
           ,
           and
           whet
           their
           Invention
           under
           disappointments
           .
           Jealousie
           must
           not
           hurry
           'em
           beyond
           their
           Cunning
           ,
           or
           make
           their
           Impatience
           betray
           their
           Plot.
           Nor
           must
           their
           Anger
           break
           out
           into
           Flames
           ,
           and
           push
           'em
           upon
           rash
           unadvis'd
           Actions
           .
           Such
           Revenges
           therefore
           ,
           as
           are
           the
           result
           of
           Passions
           so
           moderated
           ,
           and
           circumstantiated
           ,
           are
           allowable
           in
           Comedy
           ;
           which
           can
           never
           produce
           any
           such
           terrible
           effects
           ,
           as
           to
           deserve
           all
           these
           furious
           Claps
           of
           Thunder
           ,
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           discharg'd
           upon
           '
           em
           .
        
         
         
           Horace
           indeed
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           Comedy
           will
           raise
           its
           voice
           sometimes
           ,
           and
           scold
           ,
           and
           swagger
           violently
           .
        
         
           
             Interdum
             tamen
             &
             Vocem
             Comoedia
             tollit
             ,
             
          
           
             Iratusque
             Chremes
             tumido
             delitigat
             ore
             .
          
        
         
           But
           this
           very
           Instance
           shews
           ,
           
           that
           the
           Passion
           of
           Comedy
           shou'd
           proceed
           no
           farther
           than
           Scolding
           ,
           or
           Menaces
           .
           Nor
           do
           these
           fit
           every
           one's
           mouth
           ,
           a
           Father
           ,
           a
           Husband
           ,
           or
           a
           Master
           ,
           when
           they
           conceive
           their
           Authorities
           to
           be
           outrag'd
           ,
           may
           be
           allow'd
           to
           vent
           their
           Indignation
           ,
           to
           unload
           their
           Stomachs
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           discharge
           of
           their
           Choler
           to
           break
           out
           into
           expressions
           of
           Threatning
           ,
           or
           Reproach
           .
           But
           this
           is
           not
           to
           be
           allow'd
           upon
           slight
           Provocations
           ,
           or
           to
           every
           Person
           in
           Comedy
           ,
           who
           by
           their
           Place
           and
           Character
           can
           pretend
           to
           no
           such
           Power
           ,
           or
           Authority
           .
           These
           Rants
           of
           Passion
           are
           not
           to
           be
           indulg'd
           amongst
           Equals
           in
           Comedy
           ,
           much
           less
           to
           Inferiours
           ;
           because
           such
           provocations
           naturally
           produce
           effects
           too
           great
           ,
           and
           too
           like
           Tragedy
           .
        
         
           Chremes
           ,
           in
           the
           Heautontimorumenos
           of
           Terence
           ,
           who
           is
           produc'd
           by
           Horace
           
           as
           an
           example
           of
           the
           heighth
           of
           Comick
           Passion
           ,
           
           was
           a
           Husband
           ,
           a
           Father
           ,
           and
           a
           Master
           ,
           injur'd
           (
           at
           least
           in
           his
           own
           Opinion
           )
           and
           abus'd
           in
           all
           these
           capacities
           by
           his
           Wife
           ,
           his
           Son
           ,
           and
           his
           Slave
           ;
           his
           Authority
           slighted
           ,
           and
           what
           was
           worse
           ,
           his
           Understanding
           ,
           (
           of
           which
           he
           was
           not
           a
           little
           conceited
           )
           affronted
           ,
           and
           He
           practic'd
           upon
           ,
           and
           made
           a
           Cully
           of
           by
           his
           Son
           ,
           and
           his
           Slave
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           exaltation
           of
           his
           Wit
           ,
           and
           Cunning
           ,
           by
           his
           own
           Plot
           and
           Management
           .
           These
           were
           provocations
           as
           high
           as
           Comedy
           could
           well
           admit
           ,
           and
           consequently
           the
           rage
           ,
           which
           they
           must
           naturally
           produce
           in
           a
           man
           of
           his
           Temper
           ,
           and
           Opinion
           of
           his
           own
           Prudence
           ,
           must
           be
           in
           proportion
           .
           Yet
           ,
           what
           follows
           ?
           Chremes
           does
           not
           lose
           his
           Reason
           in
           his
           Anger
           ,
           *
           
             His
             Son
          
           (
           he
           tells
           you
           )
           
             shall
             be
             reduc'd
             by
             Words
             to
             Reason
             :
             But
             as
             for
          
           Syrus
           ,
           
             that
             Rogue
             ,
             that
             had
             made
             him
             his
             Sport
             and
             his
             Laughing-stock
             ,
             he
             would
             take
             such
             care
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             put
             him
             in
             such
             a
             Trim
             ,
             he
             should
             not
             dare
             
             to
             put
             his
             tricks
             upon
             a
             Widow
             hereafter
             ,
             as
             he
             had
             done
             upon
             him
             .
          
           What
           is
           there
           in
           all
           this
           ,
           that
           Mr
           Collier
           with
           all
           his
           Scruples
           about
           him
           can
           quarrel
           with
           ?
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           a
           Scene
           or
           two
           after
           he
           falls
           upon
           his
           Son
           ,
           in
           very
           opprobrious
           terms
           ,
           and
           calls
           him
           Drunkard
           ,
           Blockhead
           ,
           Spendthrift
           ,
           Rake-hell
           ,
           &c.
           
           But
           his
           Fury
           spends
           itself
           in
           a
           few
           words
           ,
           and
           he
           comes
           immediately
           to
           composition
           with
           his
           Son
           ,
           and
           is
           easily
           wrought
           to
           forgive
           even
           Syrus
           too
           ,
           so
           that
           all
           his
           fury
           is
           spent
           ,
           not
           to
           revenge
           the
           affront
           receiv'd
           ,
           but
           to
           reclaim
           his
           Son.
           
        
         
           But
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           Resentments
           are
           of
           another
           Nature
           ;
           
           
             Rage
             ,
             Bloud
          
           and
           Barbarity
           are
           the
           Ingredients
           of
           'em
           ,
           and
           consequently
           they
           're
           no
           composition
           for
           the
           Ingredients
           of
           Comedy
           ;
           and
           Tragedy
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           already
           shewn
           ,
           is
           no
           encourager
           of
           'em
           ,
           but
           just
           the
           contrary
           .
           I
           can't
           see
           how
           he
           can
           make
           'em
           to
           be
           of
           the
           proper
           growth
           of
           the
           Stage
           .
           For
           Tragedy
           ,
           by
           giving
           'em
           so
           odious
           a
           Dress
           and
           Air
           ,
           and
           so
           calamitous
           a
           Catastrophe
           ,
           as
           it
           always
           does
           ,
           takes
           the
           most
           effectual
           course
           absolutely
           to
           eradicate
           'em
           ,
           and
           to
           purge
           the
           minds
           of
           the
           Audience
           of
           those
           turbulent
           Guests
           .
           Upon
           
           this
           Prospect
           it
           was
           ,
           that
           Aristotle
           pronounc'd
           so
           largely
           in
           favour
           of
           Tragedy
           ,
           
             That
             it
             made
             Terror
             and
             Compassion
             the
             instruments
             ,
          
           
           
             by
             which
             it
             purified
             and
             refined
             those
             very
             Passions
             in
             us
             ,
             and
             all
             of
             the
             like
             nature
             .
          
        
         
           But
           ,
           if
           Tragedy
           be
           no
           Encourager
           of
           such
           Disorders
           ,
           much
           less
           can
           Comedy
           ,
           which
           meddles
           not
           at
           all
           with
           'em
           ,
           be
           with
           any
           colour
           of
           Justice
           accus'd
           .
           Comedy
           has
           nothing
           to
           do
           with
           either
           Fiends
           ,
           or
           Heroes
           ,
           whatever
           Stuff
           ,
           or
           Metal
           they
           may
           be
           made
           of
           .
           'T
           is
           indeed
           a
           Fault
           to
           bring
           Duels
           and
           Rencounters
           upon
           the
           Comick
           Stage
           ,
           from
           which
           some
           of
           our
           Poets
           can't
           excuse
           themselves
           .
           But
           't
           is
           a
           Fault
           rather
           against
           the
           rules
           of
           Poetry
           ,
           and
           true
           Dramatick
           Writing
           ,
           than
           those
           of
           Morality
           .
           For
           ,
           in
           Poetry
           as
           well
           as
           Painting
           ,
           we
           are
           oblig'd
           to
           draw
           after
           the
           life
           ,
           and
           consequently
           to
           copy
           as
           well
           the
           Blemishes
           as
           the
           Beauties
           of
           the
           Original
           ;
           otherwise
           the
           finest
           colours
           we
           can
           bestow
           ,
           are
           no
           better
           than
           gay
           dawbing
           .
           The
           fault
           therefore
           of
           the
           Poet
           lies
           not
           in
           shewing
           the
           imperfections
           of
           any
           of
           his
           Persons
           ,
           but
           in
           shewing
           them
           improperly
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           wrong
           
           place
           ,
           which
           is
           an
           Error
           of
           his
           Judgment
           ,
           not
           his
           Morals
           ,
           and
           wou'd
           be
           as
           great
           if
           he
           shou'd
           untowardly
           produce
           in
           Comedy
           the
           highest
           Examples
           of
           Heroick
           Virtue
           and
           Fortitude
           .
        
         
           An
           Instance
           of
           this
           kind
           we
           have
           in
           
             the
             Comical
             Revenge
          
           ,
           
           
             or
             Love
             in
             a
             Tub
          
           ,
           of
           Sir
           
             George
             Etherege
          
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           Duel
           ,
           and
           the
           Action
           of
           Bruce
           after
           it
           are
           of
           a
           strain
           above
           Comedy
           .
           Those
           niceties
           of
           Honour
           ,
           and
           extravagancies
           of
           Jealousie
           and
           Despair
           are
           unnatural
           on
           the
           Comick
           Stage
           ;
           and
           the
           Rescue
           from
           the
           Ruffians
           ,
           for
           which
           Bruce
           in
           the
           same
           Scene
           is
           oblig'd
           to
           his
           Rival
           ,
           however
           brave
           and
           generous
           an
           action
           it
           may
           appear
           ,
           consider'd
           simply
           in
           it self
           ,
           is
           a
           trespass
           against
           Justice
           and
           Propriety
           of
           Manners
           in
           that
           place
           .
           Indeed
           that
           whole
           Walk
           of
           the
           Play
           ,
           and
           the
           set
           of
           Characters
           peculiarly
           belonging
           to
           it
           ,
           are
           more
           nearly
           related
           to
           the
           Buskin
           ,
           than
           the
           Sock
           ,
           and
           render
           the
           Play
           one
           of
           those
           which
           we
           improperly
           call
           Tragicomedies
           .
           The
           other
           Walk
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           one
           of
           the
           most
           diverting
           ,
           so
           't
           is
           one
           of
           the
           most
           natural
           ,
           and
           best
           contriv'd
           that
           ever
           came
           upon
           the
           Stage
           .
        
         
         
           This
           may
           suffice
           to
           shew
           that
           a
           Comick
           Poet
           can't
           trespass
           against
           the
           Laws
           of
           Morality
           in
           this
           nature
           ,
           without
           offending
           against
           the
           Laws
           of
           his
           own
           Art
           ;
           and
           consequently
           that
           such
           a
           fault
           ought
           rather
           to
           be
           lookt
           upon
           as
           an
           Error
           of
           his
           Judgment
           than
           of
           his
           Will
           ,
           which
           may
           deserve
           the
           correction
           of
           a
           Critick
           ,
           but
           not
           of
           a
           Moralist
           .
        
         
           But
           supposing
           that
           a
           Writer
           of
           Comedy
           
           shou'd
           (
           as
           many
           of
           'em
           have
           done
           )
           either
           thro
           want
           of
           Skill
           or
           Caution
           in
           the
           conduct
           and
           management
           of
           his
           Plot
           ,
           so
           embroil
           his
           Gentleman
           as
           to
           reduce
           him
           to
           the
           hard
           choice
           either
           of
           accepting
           or
           refusing
           a
           challenge
           ,
           the
           question
           is
           ,
           whether
           the
           Poet
           ought
           to
           allow
           him
           to
           accept
           ,
           or
           answer
           it
           ,
           like
           (
           what
           the
           World
           calls
           )
           a
           Man
           of
           Honour
           ,
           or
           to
           introduce
           him
           and
           his
           Friend
           playing
           the
           Casuists
           like
           Philotimus
           and
           Philalethes
           ,
           
           and
           argue
           him
           out
           of
           his
           resentments
           .
           In
           this
           case
           the
           Poets
           business
           is
           to
           draw
           his
           Picture
           ,
           not
           to
           inform
           his
           Conscience
           ;
           which
           wou'd
           be
           as
           ridiculous
           in
           him
           ,
           as
           for
           Sir
           
             Godfrey
             Kneller
          
           to
           set
           up
           for
           taking
           Confessions
           ,
           and
           enquire
           into
           the
           Principles
           of
           any
           man
           ,
           in
           order
           〈◊〉
           
           true
           draught
           of
           his
           Face
           .
           The
           Poet
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Painter
           is
           to
           follow
           ,
           not
           to
           pretend
           to
           lead
           Nature
           :
           and
           if
           custom
           and
           common
           practice
           have
           already
           determin'd
           the
           Point
           ,
           whether
           ,
           according
           to
           Equity
           ,
           or
           not
           ,
           the
           Poet
           exceeds
           his
           Commission
           ,
           if
           he
           presumes
           to
           run
           counter
           to
           '
           em
           .
           So
           that
           if
           a
           Comick
           Poet
           be
           so
           far
           overseen
           ,
           as
           to
           bring
           his
           Gentlemen
           into
           the
           Field
           ,
           or
           but
           so
           far
           towards
           it
           as
           a
           Challenge
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           taking
           up
           the
           matter
           without
           action
           ,
           or
           (
           which
           is
           all
           one
           to
           Mr
           Collier's
           objection
           )
           shewing
           a
           readiness
           ,
           and
           disposition
           for
           it
           on
           both
           sides
           .
           And
           the
           Poet
           stands
           in
           need
           of
           all
           his
           Skill
           ,
           and
           Address
           to
           save
           their
           Honour
           ,
           and
           reconcile
           'em
           without
           engagement
           .
        
         
           Since
           therefore
           both
           by
           the
           nature
           of
           his
           subject
           ,
           
           and
           the
           rules
           of
           his
           art
           ,
           a
           Dramatick
           Poet
           is
           limited
           ,
           and
           oblig'd
           ,
           he
           can't
           reasonably
           be
           charg'd
           with
           any
           thing
           ,
           as
           a
           trespass
           against
           Morality
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           does
           not
           offend
           likewise
           against
           them
           .
           For
           Dramatick
           Poetry
           ,
           like
           a
           Glass
           ,
           ought
           neither
           to
           flatter
           ,
           nor
           to
           abuse
           in
           the
           Image
           which
           it
           reflects
           ,
           but
           to
           give
           them
           their
           true
           colour
           and
           proportion
           ,
           and
           is
           only
           valuable
           
           for
           being
           exact
           .
           If
           therefore
           any
           man
           dislikes
           the
           Figures
           ,
           which
           he
           sees
           in
           it
           ,
           he
           finds
           fault
           with
           Nature
           ,
           not
           the
           Poet
           ,
           if
           those
           Pictures
           be
           drawn
           according
           to
           the
           life
           ;
           and
           he
           might
           as
           justly
           snarl
           at
           the
           wise
           Providence
           which
           governs
           the
           world
           ,
           because
           he
           meets
           more
           ugly
           Faces
           than
           handsome
           ones
           ,
           more
           Knaves
           and
           Fools
           than
           Honest
           and
           Wise
           men
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           those
           too
           ,
           generally
           more
           prosperous
           and
           fortunate
           .
        
         
           But
           because
           some
           of
           those
           Gentlemen
           ,
           that
           have
           taken
           pains
           to
           proclaim
           War
           against
           the
           present
           Stage
           ,
           and
           have
           publish'd
           their
           censures
           of
           it
           ,
           seem
           to
           have
           no
           true
           Idea
           of
           the
           business
           of
           a
           Dramatick
           Poet
           ,
           and
           have
           arraign'd
           some
           of
           the
           present
           Writers
           for
           the
           Stage
           ,
           either
           through
           malice
           or
           misunderstanding
           ,
           of
           high
           crimes
           and
           misdemeanours
           ,
           in
           many
           particulars
           for
           doing
           those
           things
           which
           the
           duty
           of
           a
           Poet
           oblig'd
           'em
           to
           ;
           it
           may
           not
           be
           amiss
           ,
           for
           the
           information
           of
           Mr
           Collier
           more
           especially
           ,
           and
           those
           whom
           his
           furious
           misgrounded
           invectives
           may
           have
           mis-led
           ,
           to
           enquire
           into
           the
           nature
           and
           Laws
           of
           Stage
           Poetry
           ,
           and
           the
           Practice
           of
           it
           ,
           both
           among
           the
           Antients
           
           and
           Moderns
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           concerns
           Morality
           ,
           and
           the
           depending
           Controversie
           only
           ,
           and
           no
           farther
           .
        
         
           
             And
             here
             we
             may
             joyn
             issue
             with
             Mr
          
           Collier
           ,
           
           
             and
             allow
             ,
             that
          
           The
           business
           of
           Plays
           is
           to
           recommend
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           discountenance
           Vice
           ;
           To
           shew
           the
           Vncertainty
           of
           Humane
           Greatness
           ,
           the
           sudden
           turns
           of
           Fate
           ,
           and
           the
           unhappy
           Conclusions
           of
           Violence
           and
           Injustice
           .
           'T
           is
           to
           expose
           the
           Singularities
           of
           Pride
           and
           Fancy
           ,
           to
           make
           Folly
           and
           Falshood
           contemptible
           ,
           and
           to
           bring
           every
           thing
           that
           is
           Ill
           under
           Infamy
           and
           Neglect
           .
        
         
           Thus
           we
           set
           out
           together
           ,
           
           and
           are
           agreed
           upon
           the
           end
           of
           our
           Journey
           ,
           but
           we
           differ
           about
           the
           road
           to
           it
           .
           Here
           therefore
           we
           part
           ,
           and
           whether
           we
           shall
           meet
           again
           is
           the
           question
           .
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           by
           the
           tenour
           of
           his
           discourse
           thro
           the
           whole
           Book
           ,
           seems
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           other
           way
           of
           encouraging
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           suppressing
           Vice
           ,
           open
           to
           the
           Poets
           ,
           but
           declaiming
           for
           or
           against
           'em
           ,
           and
           wou'd
           therefore
           have
           Plays
           to
           be
           nothing
           but
           meer
           
             Moral
             Dialogues
          
           ,
           wherein
           five
           or
           six
           persons
           shou'd
           meet
           ,
           and
           with
           abundance
           of
           Zeal
           and
           Rhetorick
           preach
           up
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           decry
           Vice.
           Hereupon
           
           he
           falls
           upon
           the
           Poets
           with
           all
           the
           Rage
           and
           Fury
           imaginable
           ,
           for
           introducing
           in
           their
           Plays
           vicious
           Characters
           ,
           such
           as
           in
           
             Tragedy
             ,
             Tyrants
             ,
             Treacherous
             Statesmen
             ,
             Crafty
             Priests
             ,
             Rebellious
             Subjects
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           In
           
             Comedy
             ,
             Libertines
             ,
             Whores
             ,
             Sharpers
             ,
             Cullies
             ,
             Fops
             ,
             Pimps
             ,
             Parasites
             ,
          
           and
           the
           like
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           whether
           this
           conduct
           of
           the
           Poets
           ,
           or
           his
           Censure
           of
           it
           be
           more
           justifiable
           ,
           is
           the
           subject
           of
           our
           Enquiry
           .
           To
           facilitate
           which
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           proper
           to
           establish
           some
           certain
           Standard
           ,
           by
           which
           we
           may
           measure
           the
           Morality
           or
           Immorality
           of
           a
           Dramatick
           Poem
           ,
           and
           try
           thereby
           some
           of
           the
           most
           celebrated
           Pieces
           ,
           as
           well
           of
           the
           Antients
           as
           Moderns
           ;
           that
           their
           Beauties
           and
           Deformities
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           either
           absolute
           or
           respective
           ,
           may
           appear
           either
           severally
           ,
           or
           upon
           collation
           ,
           and
           the
           Poet
           be
           accordingly
           justified
           or
           condemn'd
           .
        
         
           The
           Parts
           therefore
           of
           a
           Play
           ,
           
           in
           which
           the
           Morals
           of
           the
           Play
           appear
           ,
           are
           the
           Fable
           ,
           the
           Characters
           ,
           and
           the
           Discourse
           .
           Of
           these
           the
           Fable
           (
           in
           Tragedy
           especially
           )
           is
           the
           most
           considerable
           ,
           being
           (
           according
           to
           Aristotle
           )
           the
           
             Primum
             Mobile
          
           by
           which
           all
           the
           other
           
           parts
           are
           acted
           and
           govern'd
           ,
           and
           the
           principal
           Instrument
           by
           which
           the
           Passions
           are
           weeded
           and
           purg'd
           ,
           by
           laying
           before
           the
           Eyes
           of
           the
           Spectators
           examples
           of
           the
           miserable
           Catastrophe
           of
           Tyranny
           ,
           Usurpation
           ,
           Pride
           ,
           Cruelty
           ,
           and
           Ambition
           ,
           &c.
           and
           to
           crown
           suffering
           Virtue
           with
           Success
           and
           Reward
           ,
           or
           to
           punish
           the
           unjust
           Oppressors
           of
           it
           with
           Ruine
           and
           Destruction
           .
        
         
           In
           Comedy
           ,
           
           as
           it
           acts
           in
           a
           lower
           Sphere
           ,
           so
           the
           Persons
           are
           less
           considerable
           .
           
             Knaves
             ,
             Misers
             ,
             Sots
             ,
             Coquets
             ,
             Fops
             ,
             Jilts
          
           and
           Cullies
           ,
           all
           which
           Comedy
           corrects
           by
           rendring
           'em
           unsuccessful
           ,
           and
           submitting
           them
           in
           her
           Fable
           ,
           to
           the
           Practices
           and
           Stratagems
           of
           others
           ,
           after
           such
           a
           manner
           ,
           as
           to
           expose
           both
           Knavery
           ,
           Vanity
           ,
           and
           Affectation
           ,
           in
           the
           conclusion
           ,
           or
           winding
           up
           ,
           to
           the
           Scorn
           and
           Derision
           of
           the
           Spectators
           .
           And
           thus
           by
           making
           Folly
           and
           Knavery
           ridiculous
           to
           the
           View
           ,
           Comedy
           gains
           her
           end
           ,
           stops
           the
           contagion
           ,
           and
           prevents
           the
           imitation
           more
           effectually
           than
           even
           Philosophy
           herself
           ,
           who
           deals
           only
           in
           Precept
           can
           do
           ,
           as
           Horace
           ,
           and
           before
           him
           Aristotle
           have
           observ'd
           ,
           by
           presenting
           that
           lively
           to
           the
           Sight
           ,
           
           which
           the
           other
           can
           only
           inculcate
           in
           words
           .
        
         
           
             Segnius
             irritant
             animos
             demissa
             per
             aures
             ,
             
          
           
             Quam
             quae
             sunt
             oculis
             subjecta
             fidelibus
             .
          
        
         
           Thus
           while
           in
           the
           large
           Forest
           of
           Humane
           Affections
           ,
           Tragedy
           labours
           to
           fell
           those
           sturdy
           overgrown
           Plants
           the
           Passions
           ,
           Comedy
           employs
           itself
           in
           grubbing
           up
           the
           underwood
           of
           Vice
           ,
           Folly
           and
           Affectation
           ;
           and
           if
           its
           Operations
           are
           of
           less
           importance
           than
           those
           of
           the
           former
           ,
           they
           make
           ample
           amends
           by
           their
           more
           extended
           ,
           and
           almost
           universal
           Influence
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           it
           seems
           is
           not
           the
           design
           of
           the
           Modern
           Stage
           Poets
           ;
           
           Virtue
           and
           Regularity
           are
           their
           
             Great
             Enemies
          
           ;
           and
           to
           promote
           Lewdness
           and
           Atheism
           ,
           and
           to
           
             destroy
             Principles
             is
             their
             business
          
           ,
           if
           we
           may
           believe
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           who
           has
           taken
           abundance
           of
           malicious
           Pains
           to
           incense
           the
           World
           against
           'em
           ;
           and
           like
           an
           experienc'd
           Incendiary
           ,
           not
           only
           gives
           the
           Fire
           ,
           and
           blows
           the
           Coals
           ,
           but
           furnishes
           Fuel
           of
           his
           own
           too
           ,
           to
           encrease
           the
           Flame
           .
        
         
         
           To
           inflame
           the
           Reckoning
           of
           the
           Modern
           Poets
           ,
           
           especially
           the
           English
           ,
           by
           the
           comparison
           ,
           he
           enlarges
           very
           much
           upon
           the
           great
           Modesty
           and
           Regard
           which
           the
           Antients
           had
           to
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           Decorum
           ,
           falsly
           insinuating
           thereby
           as
           great
           Neglect
           and
           Violation
           of
           'em
           among
           the
           Moderns
           .
           What
           he
           has
           said
           in
           Commendation
           of
           the
           Antients
           ,
           simply
           and
           abstractedly
           taken
           ,
           without
           any
           Application
           of
           comparison
           ,
           or
           relation
           to
           those
           that
           have
           exercis'd
           themselves
           the
           same
           way
           in
           this
           Age
           ,
           and
           in
           our
           Country
           ,
           may
           be
           allow'd
           as
           their
           due
           ;
           And
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           deference
           to
           the
           just
           merits
           of
           those
           great
           Genius's
           of
           Antiquity
           wou'd
           turn
           to
           his
           own
           Praise
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           paid
           only
           as
           a
           debt
           to
           Justice
           .
           But
           proceeding
           from
           a
           disingenuous
           design
           ,
           invidiously
           to
           depreciate
           the
           worth
           ,
           and
           blacken
           the
           reputation
           of
           others
           ,
           the
           Justice
           is
           sunk
           in
           the
           Malice
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           venom
           couch'd
           under
           it
           gives
           an
           ill
           Complexion
           to
           the
           fairest
           Part
           of
           his
           Productions
           .
           That
           this
           was
           the
           motive
           that
           induc'd
           Mr
           Collier
           to
           speak
           honourably
           of
           the
           Stage
           Poets
           ,
           is
           apparent
           from
           his
           perpetual
           grumbling
           ,
           and
           snarling
           at
           'em
           ,
           ●ven
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           his
           most
           favourable
           
           account
           of
           '
           em
           .
           For
           tho
           upon
           many
           occasions
           he
           declares
           very
           largely
           in
           their
           favour
           ,
           yet
           't
           is
           only
           to
           balance
           and
           sway
           the
           competition
           betwixt
           them
           and
           the
           Moderns
           on
           their
           side
           ,
           and
           by
           raising
           the
           value
           of
           their
           Characters
           ,
           to
           depress
           the
           others
           in
           the
           esteem
           of
           the
           World.
           This
           partiality
           will
           plainly
           appear
           upon
           the
           examination
           of
           some
           of
           those
           Pieces
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           so
           justly
           commends
           ,
           with
           some
           of
           those
           of
           later
           production
           ,
           which
           he
           so
           unjustly
           decries
           .
        
         
           Mr
           Collier
           is
           not
           content
           to
           charge
           the
           English
           Poets
           with
           Faults
           of
           Negligence
           ,
           
           or
           even
           of
           licentious
           wantonness
           ;
           but
           he
           treats
           'em
           with
           the
           utmost
           despight
           ,
           and
           brands
           'em
           with
           the
           Infamy
           of
           a
           profess'd
           Hatred
           to
           Virtue
           ,
           a
           studied
           Lewdness
           ,
           and
           of
           subverting
           the
           end
           and
           use
           of
           their
           Art.
           If
           this
           were
           really
           their
           Aim
           ,
           unquestionably
           the
           Fable
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Principal
           Part
           ,
           and
           of
           greatest
           Influence
           and
           Operation
           ,
           is
           contriv'd
           and
           modell'd
           so
           as
           to
           be
           serviceable
           to
           their
           grand
           design
           .
           That
           this
           may
           more
           certainly
           appear
           ,
           we
           shall
           take
           the
           Pains
           to
           analize
           some
           of
           those
           Plays
           ,
           at
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           takes
           greatest
           
           offence
           ,
           together
           with
           some
           of
           the
           most
           celebrated
           of
           Antiquity
           .
        
         
           The
           
             Oedipus
             Tyrannus
          
           of
           Sophocles
           has
           by
           the
           universal
           consent
           of
           the
           learned
           of
           all
           Ages
           ,
           the
           greatest
           reputation
           of
           the
           Dramatick
           Performances
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           I
           shall
           therefore
           begin
           with
           that
           ,
           and
           shew
           that
           the
           Fable
           of
           that
           deservedly
           admir'd
           Piece
           is
           by
           no
           means
           so
           noble
           ,
           instructive
           ,
           and
           serviceable
           to
           Virtue
           ,
           by
           its
           main
           or
           general
           Moral
           ,
           as
           many
           of
           those
           Plays
           ,
           against
           which
           and
           their
           Authors
           Mr
           Collier
           inveighs
           with
           so
           much
           Bitterness
           .
        
         
           The
           Fable
           of
           the
           Oedipus
           is
           this
           ;
           
           Laius
           ,
           the
           Father
           of
           Oedipus
           ,
           and
           King
           of
           Thebes
           ,
           was
           inform'd
           by
           an
           Oracle
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           his
           fate
           to
           be
           slain
           by
           his
           own
           Son
           ,
           who
           should
           be
           born
           of
           his
           Wife
           Jocasta
           .
           To
           elude
           the
           threats
           of
           the
           Oracle
           ,
           Laius
           ,
           as
           soon
           as
           the
           Child
           was
           born
           ,
           delivers
           him
           to
           one
           of
           his
           Servants
           to
           be
           murder'd
           .
           This
           man
           ,
           mov'd
           to
           compassion
           by
           the
           innocence
           of
           the
           Babe
           ,
           instead
           of
           taking
           away
           his
           life
           ,
           perforating
           both
           his
           Feet
           ,
           and
           passing
           a
           Bend
           thro
           'em
           ,
           hang'd
           him
           up
           by
           the
           Heels
           ,
           and
           left
           him
           to
           the
           disposal
           of
           Providence
           .
           In
           this
           posture
           he
           was
           
           found
           by
           a
           Domestick
           of
           Polybus
           King
           of
           Corinth
           ,
           who
           ,
           taking
           him
           down
           ,
           carried
           him
           to
           his
           Master
           ,
           who
           being
           childless
           ,
           receiv'd
           ,
           educated
           ,
           and
           own'd
           him
           as
           his
           own
           .
           Oedipus
           being
           at
           length
           grown
           up
           ,
           and
           being
           in
           a
           contest
           of
           words
           with
           a
           Corinthian
           ,
           he
           reproach'd
           with
           his
           unknown
           Birth
           ,
           and
           being
           a
           Foundling
           ,
           of
           which
           till
           that
           moment
           he
           had
           by
           the
           express
           order
           of
           Polybus
           ,
           been
           kept
           in
           ignorance
           ,
           resolves
           to
           consult
           the
           Oracle
           at
           Delphi
           about
           his
           Parentage
           ,
           and
           is
           order'd
           by
           the
           Oracle
           to
           seek
           no
           further
           ,
           for
           that
           it
           was
           his
           destiny
           to
           kill
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           beget
           Children
           upon
           his
           Mother
           .
           Upon
           this
           answer
           ,
           he
           resolves
           for
           ever
           to
           abandon
           Corinth
           ,
           his
           suppos'd
           Country
           ,
           and
           in
           order
           thereto
           ,
           takes
           his
           way
           towards
           Thebes
           ,
           and
           on
           the
           Road
           meets
           Laius
           ,
           and
           a
           quarrel
           arising
           between
           'em
           ,
           he
           kills
           him
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           followers
           ,
           one
           excepted
           ,
           to
           whom
           upon
           his
           supplication
           he
           gives
           quarter
           .
           Arriving
           at
           Thebes
           ,
           he
           finds
           that
           City
           in
           great
           confusion
           ,
           both
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           their
           King
           ,
           whom
           he
           knew
           not
           to
           be
           the
           person
           slain
           by
           him
           upon
           the
           Road
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           prodigious
           ravage
           and
           waste
           committed
           by
           the
           Monster
           Sphinx
           ,
           who
           
           distress'd
           'em
           so
           ,
           that
           they
           durst
           scarce
           stir
           out
           of
           their
           Walls
           .
           To
           rid
           themselves
           of
           the
           terrour
           of
           this
           Monster
           ,
           the
           Thebans
           offer
           their
           Queen
           and
           Crown
           to
           any
           man
           that
           could
           resolve
           the
           Riddle
           propounded
           by
           the
           Sphinx
           ,
           upon
           the
           resolution
           of
           which
           only
           they
           were
           to
           be
           quit
           of
           her
           .
           This
           Oedipus
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           miscarriage
           of
           divers
           before
           him
           ,
           who
           failing
           in
           their
           attempt
           were
           destroy'd
           by
           her
           ,
           undertakes
           ,
           and
           succeeding
           in
           it
           ,
           the
           Monster
           breaks
           her
           own
           Neck
           ,
           and
           he
           in
           reward
           ,
           receives
           the
           Crown
           ,
           and
           Queen
           to
           Wife
           .
           For
           some
           time
           Oedipus
           governs
           with
           great
           prudence
           ,
           and
           has
           several
           Children
           by
           Jocasta
           .
           At
           length
           a
           furious
           Plague
           arising
           ,
           and
           making
           great
           Havock
           in
           the
           City
           ,
           Oedipus
           deputes
           Creon
           to
           the
           Oracle
           ,
           to
           consult
           about
           the
           Causes
           of
           ,
           and
           Means
           to
           be
           deliver'd
           from
           the
           Pestilence
           .
        
         
           Thus
           far
           the
           History
           of
           Oedipus
           proceeds
           before
           the
           Action
           of
           the
           Play
           commences
           ;
           and
           tho
           the
           whole
           action
           of
           the
           Play
           naturally
           arises
           from
           this
           antecedent
           part
           ,
           yet
           Sophocles
           had
           very
           artificially
           reserv'd
           it
           to
           be
           deliver'd
           by
           way
           of
           Narration
           at
           the
           unravelling
           of
           
           the
           Plot
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           most
           natural
           and
           beautiful
           of
           all
           Antiquity
           .
           But
           what
           is
           only
           considerable
           to
           our
           purpose
           is
           ,
           that
           hitherto
           Oedipus
           bears
           the
           character
           of
           a
           Just
           and
           a
           Wise
           man
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           be
           involv'd
           in
           any
           thing
           that
           bears
           an
           appearance
           of
           Guilt
           ,
           invincible
           Ignorance
           (
           which
           the
           Schoolmen
           hold
           to
           be
           a
           good
           Plea
           )
           is
           his
           excuse
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           he
           is
           hitherto
           innocent
           of
           any
           intentional
           Guilt
           ,
           he
           is
           thro
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           the
           Action
           exemplarily
           pious
           .
           At
           his
           first
           appearance
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ,
           
           he
           shews
           an
           extraordinary
           concern
           for
           the
           calamities
           of
           his
           Country
           ,
           and
           an
           anxious
           solicitude
           for
           a
           Remedy
           .
           
           Jupiter's
           Priest
           addresses
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           were
           their
           tutelar
           Deity
           ,
           and
           tells
           him
           ,
           that
           't
           was
           this
           miserable
           experiment
           of
           his
           being
           unable
           to
           relieve
           'em
           ,
           that
           had
           convinc'd
           him
           ,
           and
           those
           with
           him
           ,
           
             that
             he
             was
             not
             equal
             to
             the
             Gods
             ,
             and
             had
             made
             'em
             have
             recourse
             to
             their
             Altars
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           This
           was
           a
           bold
           complement
           from
           a
           Priest
           ,
           and
           the
           Priest
           of
           Jupiter
           too
           ,
           the
           
           
           
           
           
           Soveraign
           of
           the
           Gods.
           But
           not
           to
           insist
           too
           much
           upon
           this
           Passage
           ,
           Creon
           enters
           ,
           and
           breaks
           off
           the
           Parley
           betwixt
           'em
           ;
           He
           brings
           word
           from
           the
           Oracle
           ,
           that
           the
           Murtherer
           of
           Laius
           must
           be
           expell'd
           the
           Territories
           of
           Thebes
           .
           
           Who
           was
           this
           Murtherer
           was
           yet
           a
           Secret
           ,
           the
           Oracle
           not
           making
           that
           discovery
           .
           Oedipus
           hereupon
           summons
           a
           meeting
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           makes
           Proclamation
           ,
           that
           if
           any
           one
           privy
           to
           the
           Fact
           wou'd
           come
           in
           ,
           and
           make
           a
           discovery
           ,
           he
           shou'd
           ,
           if
           concern'd
           therein
           ,
           be
           indemnified
           in
           his
           Person
           ,
           and
           be
           oblig'd
           only
           to
           leave
           Thebes
           .
           But
           that
           if
           he
           cou'd
           inform
           of
           any
           other
           Person
           therein
           concern'd
           ,
           he
           shou'd
           be
           liberally
           rewarded
           ,
           and
           purchase
           his
           Favour
           by
           such
           Discovery
           .
           And
           if
           any
           one
           ,
           conscious
           of
           this
           matter
           ,
           did
           out
           of
           fear
           for
           himself
           or
           his
           Friend
           ,
           obstinately
           refuse
           to
           break
           silence
           ,
           he
           requir'd
           all
           his
           Subjects
           not
           to
           give
           him
           harbour
           or
           sustenance
           ,
           or
           to
           hold
           any
           manner
           of
           Commerce
           or
           Correspondence
           with
           him
           .
           After
           this
           he
           proceeds
           to
           imprecate
           the
           Actor
           or
           Actors
           of
           this
           Regicide
           ,
           and
           extends
           the
           curse
           to
           his
           own
           House
           ,
           if
           with
           his
           privity
           he
           was
           protected
           there
           .
        
         
         
           But
           this
           method
           failing
           to
           produce
           the
           desir'd
           effect
           ,
           he
           consults
           Tiresias
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           by
           whom
           Oedipus
           himself
           is
           accus'd
           of
           killing
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           committing
           Incest
           with
           his
           Mother
           ;
           which
           Accusation
           being
           afterwards
           confirm'd
           by
           the
           concurring
           report
           of
           the
           old
           Servant
           of
           Laius
           ,
           by
           whom
           he
           was
           expos'd
           in
           his
           Infancy
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Domestick
           of
           Polybus
           ,
           despairing
           in
           the
           horrour
           of
           these
           involuntary
           crimes
           ,
           he
           tears
           out
           his
           own
           Eyes
           ;
           and
           Jocasta
           ,
           who
           equally
           ignorant
           was
           involv'd
           in
           the
           guilt
           of
           Incest
           ,
           hangs
           herself
           .
        
         
           This
           Plot
           ,
           
           however
           noble
           and
           beautiful
           to
           admiration
           ,
           for
           the
           Structure
           and
           Contrivance
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           yet
           very
           deficient
           in
           the
           Moral
           ,
           which
           has
           nothing
           great
           or
           serviceable
           to
           Virtue
           in
           it
           .
           It
           may
           indeed
           serve
           to
           put
           us
           in
           mind
           of
           the
           Lubricity
           of
           Fortune
           ,
           and
           the
           Instability
           of
           human
           Greatness
           .
           And
           this
           use
           Sophocles
           himself
           makes
           of
           it
           ;
           for
           the
           Chorus
           closes
           the
           Tragedy
           with
           this
           remark
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           advice
           of
           the
           Audience
           ,
           
             that
             they
             should
             not
             rashly
             measure
             any
             man's
             Felicity
             by
             his
             present
             Fortune
             ,
             but
             wait
             his
             extremest
             Moments
             ,
             to
             make
             a
             true
             estimate
             of
             his
             Happiness
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ;
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           Mr
           Dryden
           ,
           
           who
           has
           borrow'd
           this
           Story
           from
           Sophocles
           ,
           has
           summ'd
           up
           his
           Moral
           in
           the
           two
           concluding
           lines
           of
           his
           Play
           ,
           in
           which
           not
           only
           the
           application
           seems
           to
           be
           the
           same
           ,
           but
           the
           Lines
           themselves
           are
           a
           contracted
           Paraphrase
           of
           Sophocles
           own
           conclusion
           .
        
         
           
             Let
             none
             ,
             tho
             ne're
             so
             virtuous
             ,
             great
             ,
             and
             high
             ,
          
           
             Be
             judg'd
             entirely
             blest
             before
             they
             dye
             .
          
        
         
           This
           Moral
           ,
           as
           it
           carries
           nothing
           in
           it
           but
           a
           lazy
           ,
           
           unactive
           speculation
           ,
           can
           be
           no
           great
           Incentive
           to
           Virtue
           ;
           so
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           as
           it
           lays
           before
           us
           the
           Miseries
           and
           Calamitous
           Exit
           of
           a
           person
           of
           so
           Heroick
           Virtue
           ,
           it
           seems
           to
           carry
           matter
           of
           discouragement
           along
           
           with
           it
           ;
           since
           the
           most
           consummate
           Virtue
           meets
           with
           so
           disproportionate
           a
           return
           .
        
         
           But
           with
           Reverence
           to
           the
           Ashes
           of
           Sophocles
           ,
           and
           submission
           to
           the
           better
           Judgment
           of
           Mr
           Dryden
           ,
           
           this
           does
           not
           seem
           to
           be
           the
           true
           and
           genuine
           Moral
           of
           this
           Fable
           .
           For
           according
           to
           this
           Moral
           ,
           the
           misfortune
           of
           Oedipus
           ought
           to
           have
           been
           the
           result
           of
           a
           kind
           of
           negligent
           Oscitation
           in
           the
           Gods
           ,
           and
           a
           loose
           administration
           of
           Providence
           .
           Whereas
           on
           the
           contrary
           it
           appears
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Actions
           of
           Oedipus
           ,
           as
           well
           those
           that
           were
           Pious
           ,
           Wise
           ,
           and
           Brave
           ,
           as
           those
           that
           were
           Criminal
           ,
           or
           rather
           Unfortunate
           ,
           were
           the
           necessary
           and
           unavoidable
           Consequences
           of
           a
           fixt
           decree
           of
           Fate
           ,
           backt
           by
           several
           Oracles
           ,
           carried
           on
           ,
           and
           brought
           about
           by
           variety
           of
           Miraculous
           or
           Providential
           Incidents
           .
           This
           Tiresias
           seems
           to
           hint
           plainly
           to
           Oedipus
           ,
           when
           he
           tells
           him
           .
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Fortune
             herself
             ,
             (
             or
             Fate
             )
             destroys
          
        
         
         
           And
           Oedipus
           himself
           ,
           finding
           by
           the
           relation
           of
           Jocasta
           ,
           that
           the
           circumstances
           of
           the
           death
           of
           Laius
           ,
           agreed
           with
           those
           of
           the
           persons
           slain
           by
           him
           on
           the
           Road
           ,
           and
           beginning
           to
           be
           convinc'd
           of
           his
           own
           guilt
           ,
           ushers
           in
           his
           account
           of
           that
           action
           ,
           with
           the
           fatal
           necessity
           that
           oblig'd
           him
           to
           leave
           his
           own
           Country
           ;
           and
           relates
           his
           Piety
           ,
           as
           't
           were
           by
           way
           of
           alleviation
           for
           what
           follows
           .
           He
           pleads
           ,
           that
           being
           inform'd
           by
           the
           Oracle
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           kill
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           commit
           Incest
           with
           his
           Mother
           ,
           he
           had
           quitted
           the
           expectation
           of
           a
           Crown
           ,
           and
           made
           himself
           a
           voluntary
           ,
           and
           perpetual
           Exile
           from
           Corinth
           ,
           to
           avoid
           the
           Crimes
           he
           was
           threatned
           with
           .
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           The
           
             English
             Oedipus
          
           is
           more
           plain
           ,
           and
           expresses
           himself
           more
           clearly
           in
           defence
           of
           his
           Innocence
           ,
           ev'n
           while
           he
           suspects
           himself
           to
           have
           been
           an
           Actor
           in
           the
           Tragedy
           of
           Laius
           .
        
         
           
           
             To
             you
             good
             Gods
             ,
             I
             make
             my
             last
             appeal
             ,
             
          
           
             Or
             clear
             my
             Virtues
             ,
             or
             my
             Crime
             reveal
             :
          
           
             If
             wandring
             in
             the
             Maze
             of
             Fate
             I
             run
             ,
          
           
             And
             backward
             trod
             the
             paths
             I
             thought
             to
             shun
             ,
          
           
             Impute
             my
             Errours
             to
             your
             own
             decree
             ;
          
           
             My
             Hands
             are
             guilty
             ,
             but
             my
             Heart
             is
             free
             .
          
        
         
           Here
           Oedipus
           seems
           to
           suspect
           the
           truth
           of
           the
           matter
           ,
           and
           alledges
           his
           own
           Ignorance
           ,
           and
           the
           decree
           of
           the
           Gods
           in
           his
           Justification
           ;
           but
           the
           Ghost
           of
           Laius
           clears
           the
           point
           of
           Fatality
           ,
           and
           makes
           a
           better
           Apology
           for
           Oedipus
           ,
           than
           't
           was
           possible
           for
           him
           to
           do
           for
           himself
           .
        
         
           
             But
             he
             who
             holds
             my
             Crown
             ,
             
             Oh
             must
             I
             speak
             ?
          
           
             Was
             doom'd
             to
             do
             what
             Nature
             most
             abhors
             ;
          
           
             The
             Gods
             ,
             foresaw
             it
             ,
             and
             forbad
             his
             being
             ,
          
           
           
             Before
             he
             yet
             was
             born
             .
             I
             broke
             their
             Laws
             .
          
           
             And
             cloath'd
             with
             flesh
             ,
             the
             pre-existing
             Soul.
          
           
             Some
             kinder
             Power
             ,
             too
             weak
             for
             destiny
             ,
          
           
             Took
             pity
             ,
             and
             indu'd
             his
             new
             form'd
             Mass
          
           
             With
             Temperance
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             Prudence
             ,
             Fortitude
             ,
          
           
             And
             every
             kingly
             Virtue
             ;
             but
             in
             vain
             .
          
           
             For
             Fate
             ,
             that
             sent
             him
             hoodwinkt
             to
             the
             world
             ,
          
           
             Perform'd
             its
             work
             by
             his
             mistaken
             hands
             .
          
        
         
           These
           instances
           consider'd
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           Order
           ,
           Contrivance
           and
           Nature
           of
           the
           Fable
           ,
           as
           well
           of
           the
           Greek
           ,
           as
           the
           English
           Poem
           ,
           will
           readily
           point
           out
           to
           us
           a
           greater
           Moral
           ,
           and
           more
           naturally
           arising
           from
           the
           subject
           ,
           than
           that
           which
           the
           two
           Poets
           have
           assign'd
           .
           For
           it
           seems
           plainly
           to
           hold
           forth
           to
           us
           ,
           
             the
             irresistable
             Power
             of
             Fate
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             the
             Vanity
             of
             human
             Wisdom
             ,
             when
             oppos'd
             to
             the
             immutable
             decrees
             of
             Providence
             ,
             which
             converts
             to
             its
             own
             purposes
             ,
             all
             our
             endeavours
             
             to
             defeat
             'em
             ,
             and
             makes
             our
             very
             Opposition
             subservient
             to
             its
             own
             designs
             .
          
        
         
           Seneca
           ,
           
           who
           has
           taken
           this
           Fable
           from
           Sophocles
           ,
           with
           very
           little
           alteration
           ,
           has
           however
           given
           this
           turn
           to
           the
           Application
           ,
           in
           conformity
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Stoicks
           ,
           who
           were
           the
           Predestinarians
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           and
           held
           as
           Ours
           do
           ,
           a
           Fatality
           ,
           that
           directed
           and
           controul'd
           all
           human
           Actions
           ,
           that
           all
           things
           came
           to
           pass
           by
           pre-ordination
           and
           invincible
           necessity
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           was
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           a
           free
           Agent
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           Some
           Learned
           Men
           are
           of
           opinion
           ,
           
           that
           this
           Tragedy
           was
           written
           by
           Seneca
           the
           Philosopher
           ,
           and
           this
           change
           of
           the
           Sophoclean
           Moral
           ,
           in
           favour
           of
           his
           Principles
           ,
           seems
           to
           be
           no
           despicable
           Argument
           on
           their
           side
           .
           But
           whether
           they
           be
           in
           the
           right
           or
           wrong
           ,
           I
           can't
           but
           wonder
           that
           Mr
           Dryden
           should
           overlook
           this
           alteration
           ,
           or
           rather
           amendment
           to
           
           Sophocles's
           Moral
           ,
           it
           being
           the
           principal
           part
           of
           the
           Play
           ,
           and
           the
           mark
           at
           which
           all
           is
           levell'd
           .
           
           But
           perhaps
           Mr
           Dryden
           being
           justly
           prepossessed
           for
           the
           performance
           of
           Sophocles
           in
           preference
           to
           
           Seneca's
           ,
           his
           aim
           was
           not
           so
           
           much
           to
           enquire
           after
           any
           improvements
           ,
           as
           additions
           to
           
           Sophocles's
           design
           ,
           and
           by
           that
           means
           let
           slip
           this
           ,
           which
           was
           not
           to
           his
           purpose
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           fit
           it
           up
           to
           the
           English
           Stage
           ;
           for
           the
           use
           of
           which
           it
           needed
           not
           correction
           ,
           so
           much
           as
           enlargement
           ;
           the
           simplicity
           of
           the
           Original
           Fable
           and
           the
           Chasms
           ,
           which
           the
           omission
           of
           the
           Chorus
           must
           necessarily
           make
           ,
           requiring
           to
           be
           fill'd
           up
           ,
           and
           supply'd
           with
           an
           Vnderplot
           and
           proper
           Episodes
           .
           And
           indeed
           he
           seems
           to
           confess
           as
           much
           ,
           when
           he
           says
           ,
           that
           Seneca
           supply'd
           
             'em
             with
             no
             new
             hint
             but
             only
             a
             relation
             ,
          
           
           
             which
             he
             makes
             of
             his
          
           Tyresias
           
             raising
             the
             Ghost
             of
          
           Laius
           .
        
         
           But
           having
           declar'd
           for
           the
           Moral
           of
           Seneca
           ,
           as
           more
           natural
           than
           that
           of
           Sophocles
           ,
           considering
           the
           disproportion
           both
           of
           Reputation
           and
           Merit
           of
           these
           two
           Authors
           in
           the
           Dramatick
           way
           ,
           I
           must
           expect
           the
           censure
           of
           those
           Criticks
           ,
           that
           judge
           by
           wholesale
           ,
           or
           hear-say
           ,
           that
           will
           admit
           of
           no
           errour
           in
           any
           Author
           ,
           that
           themselves
           ,
           or
           those
           ,
           in
           whom
           they
           have
           an
           implicit
           Faith
           ,
           admire
           ;
           nor
           allow
           any
           Graces
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           has
           not
           the
           good
           fortune
           to
           be
           their
           Favourite
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           produce
           
           Seneca's
           
           application
           at
           large
           in
           his
           own
           words
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           already
           done
           
           Sophocles's
           ,
           and
           then
           back
           my
           opinion
           with
           an
           Observation
           or
           two
           ,
           drawn
           from
           the
           state
           of
           the
           Fable
           ,
           as
           it
           lies
           in
           these
           Authors
           ,
           and
           leave
           'em
           to
           the
           courtesie
           of
           the
           Reader
           .
        
         
           The
           last
           Song
           of
           the
           Chorus
           in
           Seneca
           ,
           which
           is
           what
           the
           Poet
           delivers
           by
           way
           of
           Instruction
           ,
           or
           Application
           to
           the
           Audience
           ,
           runs
           thus
           .
        
         
           
             Cho.
             Fatis
             agimur
             :
             
             cedite
             fatis
             .
          
           
             Non
             solicitae
             possunt
             curae
          
           
             Mutare
             rati
             stamina
             fusi
             .
          
           
             Quicquid
             patimur
             mortale
             genus
             ,
          
           
             Quicquid
             facimus
             ,
             venit
             ex
             alto
             :
          
           
             Servatque
             sua
             decreta
             colus
          
           
             Lachesis
             ,
             dura
             revoluta
             manu
          
           
             Omnia
             certo
             tramite
             vadunt
             ;
          
           
             Primusque
             dies
             dedit
             extremum
             ,
          
           
             Non
             illa
             deo
             vertisse
             licet
             ,
          
           
             Quae
             nexa
             suis
             currunt
             causis
             .
          
           
             It
             cuique
             ratus
             ,
             prece
             non
             ulla
          
           
             Mobilis
             ,
             ordo
             .
             
               Multis
               ipsum
            
          
           
             
               Timuisse
               nocet
            
             .
             Multi
             ad
             fatum
          
           
             Venere
             suum
             ,
             dum
             fata
             timent
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             The
             summ
             of
             this
             is
          
           ;
           
           That
           there
           is
           (
           
             according
             to
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Stoicks
          
           )
           an
           over-ruling
           Providence
           ,
           or
           Fate
           ,
           that
           disposes
           and
           governs
           all
           things
           ;
           That
           the
           Sources
           of
           mens
           Fortunes
           ,
           and
           the
           Springs
           of
           their
           Actions
           are
           plac'd
           out
           of
           their
           reach
           ,
           inaccessible
           to
           human
           Prudence
           ,
           and
           inflexible
           to
           Entreaties
           ;
           that
           they
           move
           in
           a
           constant
           course
           ,
           inviolable
           even
           to
           the
           Gods
           themselves
           ;
           that
           causes
           and
           their
           effects
           are
           inseparably
           linkt
           ,
           the
           first
           day
           (
           of
           Life
           )
           determining
           the
           last
           ;
           that
           the
           Caution
           of
           many
           has
           been
           destructive
           to
           'em
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           shunning
           their
           Fate
           ,
           they
           have
           run
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
           That
           this
           is
           the
           most
           natural
           Application
           ,
           the
           very
           contrivance
           of
           the
           Fable
           in
           all
           these
           three
           Plays
           ,
           will
           sufficiently
           make
           out
           .
           Seneca
           ,
           and
           the
           
             English
             Authors
          
           have
           ,
           in
           imitation
           of
           Sophocles
           ,
           made
           the
           Parricide
           and
           Incest
           of
           Oedipus
           the
           proper
           Act
           ,
           and
           Deed
           of
           Fate
           ,
           of
           which
           he
           was
           only
           the
           unhappy
           and
           unwilling
           Instrument
           .
           Both
           his
           Father
           and
           himself
           had
           been
           forewarn'd
           ,
           and
           had
           us'd
           their
           utmost
           endeavours
           to
           evade
           the
           calamities
           that
           threatned
           '
           em
           .
           But
           those
           very
           efforts
           ,
           however
           seemingly
           prudent
           ,
           became
           the
           Snare
           in
           
           which
           they
           were
           taken
           ,
           and
           the
           means
           of
           verifying
           the
           Prediction
           of
           the
           Oracle
           .
           For
           the
           exposing
           Oedipus
           in
           his
           Infancy
           ,
           was
           the
           occasion
           of
           his
           Ignorance
           of
           his
           true
           Parents
           ,
           and
           that
           Ignorance
           of
           all
           his
           ensuing
           miseries
           .
           All
           these
           Authors
           give
           us
           a
           high
           Idea
           of
           his
           Virtue
           and
           Prudence
           ;
           and
           Seneca
           as
           well
           as
           the
           aforecited
           Authors
           ,
           makes
           him
           sacrifice
           his
           Expectations
           of
           a
           Crown
           ,
           and
           become
           a
           voluntary
           Exile
           out
           of
           an
           Abhorrence
           of
           those
           Crimes
           ,
           which
           were
           predicted
           of
           him
           .
        
         
           
             Hic
             me
             Paternis
             expulit
             regnis
             Timor
             .
          
           
             This
             fear
             has
             banish'd
             me
             my
             Fathers
             Realm
             .
          
        
         
           And
           when
           he
           had
           been
           accus'd
           of
           the
           murder
           of
           Laius
           ,
           
           upon
           the
           Information
           of
           the
           Gods
           ,
           he
           appeals
           to
           his
           own
           Conscience
           for
           his
           Innocence
           .
        
         
           
             Obiisse
             nostro
             Laium
             scelere
             autumant
          
           
             Superi
             Inferique
             sed
             animus
             contra
             innocens
             .
          
           
             Sibique
             melius
             quam
             Deis
             notus
             ,
             negat
             .
          
           
           
             The
             Gods
             accuse
             me
             ;
             but
             my
             guiltless
             mind
          
           
             The
             better
             Judge
             acquits
             me
             .
          
        
         
           And
           in
           the
           next
           Scene
           upon
           the
           news
           of
           
           Polybus's
           death
           ,
           he
           cries
           out
           ,
           
             
               Genitor
               sine
               ulla
               caede
               defunctus
               jacet
               ,
            
             
               Testor
               ,
               licet
               jam
               tollere
               ad
               caelum
               pie
            
             
               Puras
               nec
               ulla
               scelere
               metuentes
               manus
               .
            
             
               Extinct
               my
               Father
               by
               a
               Bloudless
               death
               !
            
             
               Now
               I
               may
               stretch
               to
               Heaven
               my
               guiltless
               hands
            
             
               Fearless
               of
               any
               stain
               .
            
          
        
         
           Thus
           they
           all
           agree
           to
           make
           him
           just
           and
           virtuous
           in
           his
           Intentions
           to
           an
           Heroick
           Pitch
           ,
           
           yet
           they
           involve
           him
           in
           a
           Fatal
           Necessity
           even
           before
           his
           Birth
           ,
           of
           acting
           those
           things
           ,
           to
           which
           in
           his
           Nature
           he
           had
           the
           greatest
           abhorrence
           ,
           and
           make
           his
           Piety
           and
           Aversion
           to
           Wickedness
           ,
           the
           very
           means
           to
           entrap
           and
           entangle
           him
           in
           that
           Guilt
           ,
           which
           he
           so
           industriously
           fled
           from
           ,
           and
           which
           
           occasioned
           the
           Calamities
           ,
           that
           afterwards
           befel
           both
           himself
           and
           Family
           .
        
         
           The
           structure
           and
           disposition
           of
           this
           Fable
           ,
           
           afford
           no
           occasion
           of
           complaint
           ,
           or
           reflection
           upon
           the
           Levity
           of
           Fortune
           ,
           or
           the
           Instability
           of
           Human
           Affairs
           .
           For
           nothing
           is
           more
           evident
           ,
           than
           the
           steady
           and
           regular
           administration
           of
           Providence
           thro
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           the
           misfortunes
           of
           Oedipus
           ,
           and
           his
           Family
           .
           Nothing
           befel
           them
           ,
           which
           was
           not
           predicted
           long
           before
           hand
           ,
           and
           of
           which
           they
           had
           not
           a
           terrible
           apprehension
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           a
           certain
           Expectation
           .
           
           And
           when
           they
           bent
           their
           endeavours
           to
           defeat
           the
           decrees
           of
           Fate
           ,
           such
           a
           manifest
           Series
           of
           Providential
           Incidents
           attends
           their
           management
           ,
           as
           suffices
           not
           only
           to
           baffle
           their
           Cunning
           and
           Devices
           ,
           but
           likewise
           to
           shew
           the
           Uncontrolableness
           and
           Superiority
           of
           that
           Power
           ,
           which
           influenced
           their
           Counsels
           ,
           and
           serv'd
           itself
           of
           their
           Presumption
           ,
           as
           the
           immediate
           Instrument
           to
           accomplish
           ,
           and
           effect
           its
           Purposes
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           same
           time
           to
           demonstrate
           the
           Vanity
           of
           Humane
           opposition
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           Destiny
           .
        
         
         
           Had
           Laius
           submitted
           himself
           to
           the
           Pleasure
           of
           Providence
           ,
           
           and
           not
           presum'd
           to
           have
           thwarted
           the
           Divine
           Appointment
           ,
           and
           triumphed
           over
           his
           Destiny
           ,
           his
           Son
           had
           not
           been
           ignorant
           of
           his
           true
           Parentage
           ;
           and
           being
           a
           person
           of
           Inclinations
           so
           extraordinary
           Virtuous
           ,
           't
           is
           morally
           impossible
           he
           should
           willingly
           have
           incurr'd
           the
           guilt
           of
           two
           Crimes
           of
           so
           monstrous
           a
           Size
           as
           Parricide
           and
           Incest
           .
           Or
           had
           Oedipus
           submissively
           resigned
           himself
           to
           the
           Conduct
           and
           Direction
           of
           Fate
           ;
           whatever
           his
           Regret
           and
           Abhorrence
           of
           his
           predicted
           Fortune
           had
           been
           ,
           he
           had
           return'd
           to
           Corinth
           ,
           and
           his
           Patience
           ,
           and
           Resignation
           had
           avoided
           that
           Misery
           ,
           which
           his
           mistaken
           Piety
           and
           Opposition
           brought
           afterwards
           upon
           his
           head
           .
        
         
           
             This
             consideration
             may
             supply
             us
             with
             another
             Moral
             to
             this
             Fable
             ,
          
           
           
             different
             from
             any
             (
             that
             I
             know
             of
             )
             hitherto
             rais'd
             upon
             it
             by
             any
             Poet
             ,
             either
             Antient
             or
             Modern
             .
             It
             may
             instruct
             us
             ,
          
           that
           the
           Will
           of
           Heaven
           is
           not
           to
           be
           disputed
           by
           Mortals
           ,
           how
           severe
           soever
           ,
           even
           to
           Injustice
           ,
           the
           Conditions
           of
           it
           may
           seem
           to
           us
           ;
           and
           that
           whoever
           sets
           up
           his
           own
           Wisdom
           in
           opposition
           to
           it
           ,
           shall
           in
           that
           Presumption
           
           meet
           both
           his
           Crime
           and
           his
           Punishment
           .
        
         
           Nothing
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           it
           simply
           in
           itself
           ,
           could
           be
           more
           heroically
           pious
           than
           the
           resolution
           of
           Oedipus
           to
           abandon
           a
           Crown
           ,
           
           his
           Parents
           and
           Country
           ,
           rather
           than
           suffer
           those
           Pollutions
           with
           which
           he
           was
           threatned
           .
           But
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           Impiety
           of
           advancing
           his
           own
           Judgment
           in
           his
           conceit
           above
           that
           of
           his
           Gods
           ,
           and
           thinking
           by
           his
           own
           Wisdom
           ,
           to
           reverse
           the
           immutable
           decrees
           of
           destiny
           ,
           his
           Vanity
           deserv'd
           the
           heaviest
           chastisement
           .
           The
           same
           may
           be
           said
           of
           his
           Father
           .
           It
           may
           be
           objected
           ,
           that
           this
           irresistible
           Predestination
           was
           not
           so
           universally
           receiv'd
           an
           Opinion
           among
           the
           Antient
           Heathens
           ,
           but
           that
           many
           held
           the
           contrary
           ;
           and
           that
           consequently
           't
           is
           but
           supposing
           Oedipus
           one
           of
           the
           number
           ,
           and
           my
           Moral
           falls
           to
           the
           ground
           .
           
           I
           grant
           it
           does
           so
           ,
           if
           he
           were
           ,
           but
           the
           contrary
           appears
           from
           the
           Story
           itself
           .
           For
           if
           Oedipus
           did
           not
           believe
           such
           a
           Fatality
           ,
           why
           did
           he
           upon
           the
           credit
           of
           an
           Oracle
           ,
           which
           must
           signifie
           no
           more
           to
           him
           than
           one
           of
           Partridge
           ,
           or
           Gadbury's
           Astrological
           Banters
           ,
           leave
           his
           Friends
           ,
           and
           his
           
           great
           Expectations
           ?
           But
           this
           supposes
           him
           a
           rank
           Fool
           ,
           to
           abdicate
           for
           a
           
             tale
             of
             a
             Tub
          
           ,
           a
           Story
           that
           he
           did
           not
           believe
           ▪
           If
           he
           did
           believe
           ,
           he
           ought
           not
           to
           escape
           the
           Censure
           and
           Punishment
           of
           a
           rash
           presumptuous
           man
           ,
           for
           suffering
           his
           Vanity
           to
           triumph
           over
           his
           Faith
           ,
           and
           daring
           upon
           an
           insolent
           opinion
           of
           his
           own
           Ability
           to
           insult
           his
           Religion
           ,
           and
           hope
           ●o
           prevail
           against
           ,
           and
           defeat
           the
           purpose
           of
           Fate
           .
        
         
           Some
           French
           Criticks
           ,
           
           that
           seem
           sensible
           of
           the
           defect
           of
           the
           Moral
           in
           Sophocles
           ,
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           supply
           that
           want
           ,
           by
           starting
           an
           imaginary
           Guilty
           ,
           and
           impute
           as
           a
           Crime
           to
           Oedipus
           ,
           his
           curiosity
           to
           know
           his
           Fate
           .
           I
           call
           it
           an
           imaginary
           Guilt
           ,
           because
           I
           think
           it
           is
           urg'd
           against
           him
           without
           Foundation
           .
           For
           certainly
           it
           could
           never
           be
           a
           Sin
           in
           him
           ,
           when
           his
           Parentage
           was
           become
           doubtful
           to
           him
           ,
           
           to
           have
           recourse
           to
           such
           means
           ,
           as
           his
           Religion
           allow'd
           ,
           to
           clear
           up
           his
           doubts
           ,
           and
           take
           off
           the
           Reproach
           that
           was
           thrown
           upon
           him
           .
           Divination
           was
           so
           far
           from
           being
           a
           Criminal
           Art
           among
           the
           Ancient
           Heathens
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           practic'd
           with
           great
           Reputation
           in
           all
           
           its
           several
           kinds
           ,
           and
           the
           Professors
           of
           any
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           were
           esteemed
           as
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           held
           in
           great
           veneration
           .
           It
           could
           not
           therefore
           be
           scandalous
           to
           consult
           'em
           upon
           any
           occasion
           ,
           much
           less
           the
           Oracle
           of
           Apollo
           ;
           to
           repair
           to
           which
           ,
           was
           thought
           an
           act
           of
           high
           Devotion
           ,
           and
           was
           the
           constant
           Practice
           of
           all
           the
           Cities
           and
           States
           of
           Greece
           ,
           upon
           all
           great
           and
           sudden
           Emergencies
           .
           But
           their
           mistake
           lies
           in
           raising
           a
           Christian
           Moral
           upon
           a
           Pagan
           bottom
           ;
           to
           fill
           up
           ,
           they
           have
           grafted
           a
           Doctrine
           many
           ages
           younger
           upon
           the
           old
           Stock
           ,
           and
           piec'd
           out
           a
           defect
           with
           an
           Absurdity
           .
        
         
           I
           am
           apt
           to
           think
           upon
           consideration
           ,
           
           that
           the
           Authors
           of
           the
           
             English
             Oedipus
          
           ,
           in
           adhering
           to
           the
           simple
           old
           Greek
           Moral
           ,
           acted
           rather
           by
           Judgment
           and
           Choice
           ,
           than
           Oversight
           .
           For
           the
           Moral
           of
           Seneca
           ,
           tho
           more
           naturally
           deducible
           from
           the
           Story
           ,
           is
           yet
           less
           serviceable
           ,
           or
           (
           to
           speak
           more
           properly
           )
           more
           destructive
           to
           Practical
           Morality
           ,
           as
           preaching
           up
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           absolute
           and
           universal
           Predestination
           ,
           by
           which
           men
           are
           denied
           the
           liberty
           of
           so
           much
           as
           a
           thought
           ,
           as
           free
           Agents
           ,
           and
           are
           suppos'd
           to
           be
           acted
           ,
           and
           workt
           like
           Machines
           by
           an
           
           invisible
           ,
           irresistible
           Agent
           ,
           which
           winds
           'em
           up
           like
           Watches
           ,
           and
           orders
           their
           several
           Movements
           .
           This
           Doctrine
           ,
           as
           it
           destroys
           all
           title
           to
           Merit
           from
           the
           best
           ,
           so
           it
           takes
           off
           all
           fear
           of
           Guilt
           from
           the
           most
           villanous
           actions
           ,
           and
           must
           necessarily
           (
           if
           heartily
           believ'd
           )
           discourage
           men
           from
           the
           severer
           and
           more
           troublesome
           Duties
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           Morality
           at
           least
           ,
           and
           dispose
           them
           to
           resign
           themselves
           loosely
           up
           to
           the
           government
           of
           their
           Appetites
           ,
           and
           indulge
           their
           sensual
           Inclinations
           ;
           to
           gratify
           which
           could
           be
           no
           sin
           ,
           to
           oppose
           'em
           no
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           deserve
           neither
           blame
           nor
           thanks
           ,
           according
           to
           this
           Principle
           .
        
         
           Besides
           the
           unserviceableness
           of
           this
           Moral
           to
           the
           general
           end
           of
           Dramatick
           Poetry
           ,
           
           it
           was
           upon
           that
           Score
           disabled
           for
           the
           particular
           service
           of
           the
           
             English
             Stage
          
           ,
           where
           it
           could
           not
           hope
           for
           a
           favourable
           Reception
           ;
           and
           might
           therefore
           be
           by
           these
           Authors
           judiciously
           rejected
           .
           For
           tho
           this
           Musty
           Rag
           of
           Heathen
           Stoicism
           be
           still
           worn
           by
           a
           Party
           amongst
           us
           ,
           that
           affect
           to
           distinguish
           themselves
           by
           Opposition
           ,
           and
           Contradiction
           ,
           tho
           to
           their
           own
           Principles
           ,
           
           and
           that
           pretend
           to
           act
           contrary
           to
           the
           natural
           result
           of
           their
           Opinion
           ,
           and
           profess
           a
           severer
           Morality
           than
           their
           Neighbours
           ;
           yet
           by
           the
           more
           Polite
           and
           Civilized
           Part
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           who
           are
           the
           chief
           Frequenters
           ,
           and
           Support
           of
           the
           Dramatick
           Performances
           ,
           it
           has
           been
           long
           left
           off
           ,
           as
           a
           Principle
           destructive
           to
           Humanity
           ,
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           all
           good
           Manners
           ;
           and
           consequently
           would
           have
           been
           exploded
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ,
           and
           hazarded
           the
           success
           of
           the
           whole
           Piece
           .
        
         
           But
           whether
           this
           Moral
           were
           neglected
           by
           'em
           out
           of
           design
           or
           oversight
           ,
           
           is
           not
           much
           to
           our
           purpose
           .
           'T
           is
           evident
           ,
           that
           neither
           the
           Greek
           nor
           Latin
           Moral
           ,
           have
           any
           tendency
           to
           the
           promotion
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           the
           Reformation
           of
           Manners
           ,
           but
           rather
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
           So
           that
           if
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           any
           thing
           of
           this
           Nature
           to
           object
           against
           any
           of
           the
           present
           Stage
           Poets
           ,
           they
           may
           defend
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           excuse
           such
           a
           slip
           by
           this
           Precedent
           ,
           which
           being
           the
           Master-piece
           not
           only
           of
           Sophocles
           ,
           but
           of
           all
           Antiquity
           ;
           for
           that
           reason
           ,
           I
           hope
           Mr
           Collier
           (
           who
           has
           already
           declard
           ,
           
           that
           this
           Author
           has
           
             nothing
             but
             what
             is
             great
             and
             solemn
             throughout
          
           )
           will
           not
           charge
           
           him
           with
           any
           ●ill
           design
           ,
           or
           acting
           upon
           Malice
           prepense
           against
           Virtue
           .
           But
           if
           he
           should
           ,
           he
           has
           already
           taken
           his
           Tryal
           before
           Aristotle
           ,
           a
           more
           competent
           and
           more
           upright
           Judge
           ,
           and
           stands
           acquitted
           on
           Record
           ,
           and
           must
           be
           allow'd
           to
           be
           
             rectus
             in
             Curia
          
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           been
           the
           more
           particular
           in
           examining
           the
           general
           Moral
           of
           this
           Play
           ,
           
           and
           have
           consider'd
           not
           only
           what
           has
           been
           made
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           what
           might
           have
           been
           drawn
           from
           it
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           for
           the
           remainder
           be
           excusd
           from
           the
           trouble
           of
           descending
           to
           minute
           circumstances
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           future
           be
           allow'd
           to
           summ
           up
           what
           I
           have
           to
           say
           to
           any
           other
           Plays
           of
           Antiquity
           upon
           this
           general
           head
           of
           the
           Fable
           ,
           and
           so
           proceed
           to
           our
           Poets
           ,
           with
           whom
           also
           I
           shall
           be
           as
           brief
           as
           the
           matter
           will
           allow
           me
           .
        
         
           The
           rest
           of
           
           Sophocles's
           Plays
           ,
           being
           much
           less
           considerable
           for
           their
           Success
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           I
           shall
           dispatch
           the
           consideration
           of
           'em
           in
           as
           few
           words
           as
           possible
           .
           His
           
             Ajax
             Flagellifer
          
           stands
           first
           in
           order
           ,
           and
           affords
           us
           no
           great
           matter
           to
           reflect
           upon
           .
        
         
           Ajax
           ,
           
           disappointed
           and
           disgrac'd
           in
           his
           suit
           for
           the
           Arms
           of
           Achilles
           ,
           resents
           extreamly
           
           the
           Injury
           and
           Indignity
           ,
           and
           resolves
           to
           be
           reveng'd
           upon
           the
           whole
           Grecian
           Army
           .
           In
           order
           thereto
           he
           makes
           a
           Sally
           from
           his
           Quarter
           by
           night
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           kill
           all
           the
           Principal
           Officers
           .
           Minerva
           ,
           to
           divert
           the
           mischief
           intended
           ,
           infatuates
           him
           ,
           and
           turns
           him
           loose
           upon
           some
           herds
           of
           Cattle
           ,
           amongst
           whom
           ,
           mistaking
           'em
           for
           Greeks
           ,
           he
           makes
           most
           terrible
           havock
           ;
           and
           returning
           to
           his
           Tent
           and
           Sences
           in
           the
           morning
           ,
           he
           perceives
           his
           Errour
           ,
           thro
           the
           confusion
           ,
           shame
           ,
           and
           vexation
           of
           which
           ,
           he
           grows
           desperate
           ,
           falls
           upon
           his
           Sword
           ,
           and
           dies
           .
           This
           is
           the
           whole
           of
           the
           Fable
           .
           For
           the
           contest
           that
           follows
           between
           
             Teucer
             ,
             Menelaus
          
           ,
           and
           Agamemnon
           ,
           is
           an
           Episode
           detach'd
           from
           ,
           and
           has
           nothing
           to
           do
           with
           ,
           and
           scarce
           any
           dependance
           upon
           the
           main
           Action
           .
        
         
           Here
           we
           see
           a
           man
           of
           Impetuous
           ,
           Ungovernable
           Passion
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           Nice
           ,
           Capricious
           Honour
           ,
           that
           conceives
           himself
           injur'd
           in
           the
           most
           sensible
           part
           ,
           his
           honour
           ,
           and
           meditates
           a
           Revenge
           proportioned
           to
           the
           Fierceness
           of
           his
           Temper
           ,
           and
           the
           imagin'd
           Greatness
           of
           the
           Affront
           .
           Minerva
           interposes
           ,
           and
           turns
           
           his
           Rage
           ,
           and
           Fury
           ,
           first
           to
           his
           further
           disgrace
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           his
           destruction
           .
        
         
           The
           Moral
           of
           this
           Play
           is
           not
           very
           obvious
           ,
           
           and
           Sophocles
           himself
           does
           not
           hint
           it
           at
           or
           near
           the
           conclusion
           of
           the
           Play
           ,
           but
           leaves
           it
           to
           be
           pickt
           out
           by
           the
           Audience
           ,
           or
           Readers
           ;
           which
           may
           be
           done
           two
           ways
           .
           First
           ,
           By
           considering
           the
           Quality
           of
           the
           Instrument
           of
           Engine
           of
           
           Ajax's
           Ruine
           ,
           which
           was
           a
           Goddess
           ;
           and
           the
           manner
           of
           bringing
           it
           about
           ,
           which
           was
           by
           making
           him
           ridiculous
           thro
           a
           
             Deceptio
             Visus
          
           ,
           or
           an
           Illusion
           of
           the
           Sight
           ;
           and
           then
           the
           Moral
           will
           be
           ,
           
             
               Quos
               Deus
               vult
               perdere
               ,
               
               prius
               dementat
               .
            
             
               When
               the
               Gods
               resolve
               upon
               a
               mans
               ruin
               ,
               they
               make
               away
               his
               Wits
               .
            
          
        
         
           Or
           2dly
           ,
           We
           may
           consider
           the
           Character
           of
           the
           Person
           ,
           a
           man
           of
           Undaunted
           Boldness
           ,
           and
           Turbulent
           Head-strong
           Passions
           ,
           and
           the
           Nature
           of
           his
           Attempt
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           kill
           all
           the
           Grecian
           Chiefs
           ;
           and
           then
           the
           Moral
           may
           be
        
         
           
           
             —
             Qui
             non
             moderabitur
             Irae
             
          
           
             Infectum
             volet
             esse
             Dolor
             quod
             suaserit
             .
             —
          
        
         
           He
           that
           suffers
           himself
           to
           be
           precipitated
           into
           action
           by
           his
           Rage
           ,
           will
           have
           cause
           to
           rue
           the
           effects
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           of
           these
           is
           the
           most
           genuine
           ,
           and
           natural
           .
           For
           the
           misfortune
           of
           Ajax
           seems
           not
           to
           arise
           so
           much
           from
           a
           repentance
           of
           his
           Undertaking
           ,
           as
           from
           indignation
           ,
           and
           a
           bitter
           sense
           of
           the
           Scorn
           and
           Contempt
           he
           had
           drawn
           upon
           himself
           by
           so
           ridiculous
           a
           miscarriage
           ,
           and
           the
           trick
           put
           upon
           him
           by
           Minerva
           .
           
           This
           is
           all
           that
           naturally
           arises
           from
           the
           Action
           ;
           and
           the
           Author
           ,
           who
           seems
           sensible
           of
           the
           barenness
           of
           his
           Plot
           ,
           forages
           without
           his
           lines
           to
           subsist
           his
           Moral
           .
           By
           this
           means
           he
           has
           provided
           himself
           of
           a
           noble
           Moral
           ,
           which
           he
           intimates
           in
           the
           close
           of
           the
           first
           Scene
           ,
           betwixt
           Minerva
           and
           Vlysses
           ,
           where
           the
           Goddess
           ,
           after
           having
           inform'd
           Vlysses
           how
           she
           had
           besotted
           
             Ajax
             ,
             advises
             him
             to
             take
             warning
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             be
             so
             far
             transported
             upon
             any
             good
             Fortune
             ,
             or
             presume
             so
             far
             upon
             his
             own
             Prowess
             as
             to
             provoke
             the
             Gods
             by
             insolent
             
             Language
             ;
             who
             lov'd
             Modesty
             ,
             and
             hated
             Arrogance
             .
          
           And
           about
           the
           middle
           of
           the
           Play
           ,
           a
           Messenger
           relates
           to
           the
           Chorus
           ,
           what
           pass'd
           between
           Chalcas
           and
           Teucer
           about
           the
           quarrel
           ,
           and
           hatred
           of
           Minerva
           to
           
             Ajax
             ,
             Which
             was
             for
             presuming
             upon
             the
             sufficience
             of
             his
             own
             Strength
             and
             Courage
             ,
             and
             refusing
             her
             Protection
             and
             Assistance
             ,
             which
             she
             offer'd
             him
             against
             the
          
           Trojans
           .
           But
           this
           is
           wholly
           without
           the
           Action
           (
           which
           cannot
           properly
           suggest
           any
           such
           thing
           )
           and
           is
           introduc'd
           by
           way
           of
           Narration
           ,
           only
           to
           justifie
           the
           proceeding
           of
           Minerva
           against
           Ajax
           ,
           and
           is
           no
           longer
           insisted
           on
           after
           the
           death
           of
           Ajax
           .
        
         
           The
           other
           Moral
           ,
           
           as
           it
           does
           not
           seem
           to
           flow
           so
           naturally
           from
           the
           Fable
           ,
           as
           the
           first
           ,
           so
           it
           seems
           never
           to
           have
           been
           in
           
           Sophocles's
           thoughts
           .
           For
           the
           last
           disgrace
           ,
           and
           the
           Desperate
           Action
           that
           follow'd
           it
           ,
           are
           the
           effect
           of
           a
           supernatural
           Agent
           ,
           (
           
             viz.
             )
             Minerva
          
           ,
           and
           produc'd
           by
           a
           sudden
           Infatuation
           after
           a
           supernatural
           manner
           ;
           and
           therefore
           the
           Poet
           cou'd
           have
           no
           just
           occasion
           to
           reflect
           upon
           the
           natural
           ill
           consequences
           of
           Passion
           ,
           how
           outrageous
           or
           ungovernable
           soever
           .
           For
           this
           reason
           I
           shall
           
           pursue
           the
           consideration
           of
           it
           no
           farther
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           in
           order
           is
           the
           Electra
           ,
           
           in
           which
           there
           is
           scarce
           the
           shadow
           of
           a
           Plot
           ,
           nor
           much
           more
           of
           a
           Moral
           .
           Orestes
           (
           who
           after
           the
           murther
           of
           his
           Father
           Agamemnon
           ,
           had
           by
           the
           care
           of
           his
           Sister
           Electra
           escap'd
           the
           fury
           of
           his
           Mother
           Clytemnestra
           and
           her
           Paramour
           Aegisthus
           ,
           )
           comes
           to
           Argos
           with
           his
           Tutor
           ,
           whom
           he
           sends
           to
           deceive
           his
           Mother
           with
           a
           Sham
           Story
           of
           his
           Death
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           discovers
           himself
           to
           his
           Sister
           ,
           with
           whom
           he
           consults
           about
           means
           to
           revenge
           the
           Death
           of
           his
           Father
           ;
           is
           introduc'd
           to
           his
           Mother
           as
           a
           stranger
           ,
           kills
           her
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           Aegisthus
           .
        
         
           Thro
           the
           whole
           Play
           the
           Poet
           does
           not
           so
           much
           as
           squint
           toward
           a
           Moral
           ,
           he
           lets
           nothing
           fall
           by
           which
           the
           Audience
           may
           so
           much
           as
           guess
           what
           he
           drives
           at
           .
           But
           by
           the
           contrivance
           of
           the
           Fable
           ,
           wherein
           a
           Wife
           ,
           that
           had
           embrued
           her
           hands
           in
           her
           Husbands
           blood
           ,
           after
           having
           abus'd
           his
           Bed
           ,
           is
           ,
           together
           with
           her
           Adulterer
           and
           Fellow
           Murtherer
           ,
           after
           a
           succession
           of
           some
           years
           of
           prosperous
           Villany
           ,
           overtaken
           
           by
           Vengeance
           from
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           Son
           ,
           and
           slain
           ;
           we
           may
           conclude
           with
           Horace
           ,
           
             
               Raro
               antecedentem
               scelestum
            
             
               Deseruit
               pede
               paena
               claudo
               .
               
            
          
           
             That
             Divine
             Vengeance
             seldom
             fails
             to
             overtake
             great
             Villanies
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           all
           the
           Moral
           that
           I
           can
           find
           in
           this
           Play
           ,
           nor
           do
           I
           perceive
           that
           Sophocles
           himself
           took
           care
           by
           any
           overt
           Expression
           to
           intimate
           it
           to
           the
           Audience
           .
        
         
           The
           Antigone
           is
           something
           better
           contriv'd
           .
           
           Antigone
           ,
           contrary
           to
           
           Creon's
           order
           ,
           buries
           her
           Brother
           
             Polynices
             .
             Creon
          
           orders
           her
           to
           be
           shut
           up
           in
           a
           Cave
           alive
           ,
           and
           commands
           ,
           that
           no
           body
           shou'd
           relieve
           her
           .
           Haemon
           his
           Son
           pleads
           for
           her
           ,
           and
           unable
           to
           prevail
           ,
           goes
           to
           the
           Cave
           ,
           and
           finds
           that
           Antigone
           his
           Mistress
           had
           hang'd
           herself
           .
           In
           the
           interim
           Tyresias
           comes
           to
           Creon
           ,
           and
           tells
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           did
           amiss
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           ought
           with
           all
           expedition
           to
           repair
           his
           Fault
           .
           Creon
           continues
           obstinate
           ,
           and
           reviles
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           who
           returns
           the
           complement
           ,
           and
           threatens
           
           Creon
           with
           the
           calamities
           that
           shou'd
           come
           immediately
           upon
           his
           Family
           for
           his
           Impiety
           and
           Obstinacy
           ,
           and
           so
           leaves
           him
           .
           Creon
           after
           his
           departure
           relents
           ,
           and
           makes
           haste
           to
           save
           Antigone
           ,
           but
           comes
           too
           late
           ,
           and
           finds
           his
           Son
           raving
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           his
           Mistress
           ,
           and
           hardly
           escapes
           being
           killed
           by
           him
           .
           Haemon
           kills
           himself
           ,
           and
           his
           Mother
           upon
           the
           News
           herself
           .
        
         
           Here
           Sophocles
           speaks
           out
           for
           himself
           ,
           
           and
           tell
           his
           Audience
           what
           Judgment
           they
           are
           to
           make
           of
           these
           surprizing
           Events
           ,
           which
           had
           in
           a
           moment
           overturned
           a
           flourishing
           Family
           .
           The
           Chorus
           in
           the
           Conclusion
           says
           
             
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
            
             
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
            
             
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               —
            
          
        
         
           Wisdom
           is
           the
           first
           step
           to
           Happiness
           .
           The
           Gods
           must
           not
           be
           irreverently
           treated
           .
           For
           the
           great
           Punishments
           ,
           that
           attended
           the
           Profane
           liberties
           of
           speech
           of
           Insolent
           Men
           ,
           were
           Lessons
           of
           Humility
           at
           last
           .
        
         
           The
           
             Oedipus
             Coloneus
          
           is
           a
           Play
           ,
           
           that
           we
           are
           told
           was
           very
           much
           admir'd
           at
           Athens
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           no
           great
           wonder
           .
           For
           it
           was
           written
           on
           purpose
           to
           Flatter
           ,
           
           and
           do
           honour
           to
           the
           Athenians
           ,
           and
           therefore
           cou'd
           scarce
           fail
           of
           a
           good
           reception
           .
           This
           Policy
           of
           Sophocles
           will
           furnish
           us
           with
           both
           a
           Plot
           ,
           and
           a
           Moral
           ,
           which
           't
           will
           otherwise
           be
           hard
           to
           find
           in
           this
           Play.
           The
           Poet
           was
           now
           in
           his
           old
           age
           ,
           and
           had
           long
           out-lived
           Mr
           
           Dryden's
           
             Fumbling
             Age
             of
             Poetry
          
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           began
           to
           be
           sensible
           of
           some
           decay
           ,
           and
           therefore
           to
           support
           the
           weight
           of
           that
           reputation
           ,
           which
           he
           had
           acquired
           in
           the
           vigour
           of
           his
           Poetry
           ,
           he
           pieces
           out
           the
           Lyons
           Skin
           with
           the
           Foxes
           Tail
           ,
           and
           suspecting
           his
           own
           power
           to
           move
           their
           Passions
           as
           formerly
           ,
           makes
           use
           of
           their
           Vanity
           to
           scrue
           them
           up
           to
           the
           desired
           pitch
           of
           Admiration
           and
           Satisfaction
           .
           This
           ,
           if
           the
           Reader
           pleases
           ,
           may
           serve
           instead
           of
           a
           Plot
           ,
           and
           the
           success
           of
           it
           may
           afford
           us
           this
           Moral
           ;
           that
           
             no
             people
             is
             so
             strongly
             fortified
             against
             Flattery
             ,
             but
             that
             ,
             if
             their
             Vanity
             be
             skilfully
             tickled
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             rous'd
             ,
             and
             exert
             itself
             in
             favour
             of
             the
             Flatterer
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           ,
           indeed
           ,
           beside
           the
           Action
           ,
           and
           in
           probability
           was
           not
           the
           Moral
           ,
           which
           Sophocles
           intended
           for
           the
           Publick
           ;
           but
           't
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           't
           was
           the
           
           secret
           Motive
           upon
           which
           he
           acted
           ,
           and
           the
           genuine
           Moral
           of
           his
           Conduct
           .
        
         
           The
           Fable
           of
           
             Oedipus
             Coloneus
          
           ,
           
           such
           as
           it
           is
           in
           this
           .
           Oedipus
           ,
           under
           the
           Conduct
           of
           his
           Daughter
           Antigone
           ,
           arrives
           at
           a
           Grove
           near
           Athens
           consecrated
           to
           the
           Furies
           ,
           whither
           he
           had
           been
           directed
           by
           the
           Oracle
           to
           go
           .
           Creon
           ,
           endeavours
           to
           fetch
           him
           away
           by
           force
           ;
           Theseus
           intervenes
           ,
           and
           rescues
           him
           .
           Oedipus
           dies
           at
           last
           in
           the
           place
           appointed
           by
           Fate
           and
           the
           Oracle
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           a
           plain
           story
           ,
           
           without
           either
           Turn
           or
           Consequence
           ,
           upon
           which
           there
           is
           no
           possibility
           of
           raising
           a
           
             Moral
             .
             Sophocles
          
           seems
           to
           have
           endeavoured
           at
           something
           like
           one
           in
           the
           Conclusion
           .
           For
           when
           the
           Daughters
           of
           Oedipus
           lamented
           immoderately
           his
           death
           ,
           the
           Chorus
           tells
           'em
           ,
           
             That
             they
             ought
             not
             to
             bewail
             any
             longer
             one
             that
             was
             come
             to
             his
             desir'd
             end
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Trachiniae
           seems
           almost
           as
           little
           contriv'd
           for
           Edification
           as
           the
           foregoing
           .
           
           Dejanira
           being
           inform'd
           that
           Hercules
           grew
           amorous
           of
           his
           Captive
           Jole
           ,
           to
           retrieve
           and
           ensure
           his
           Affection
           to
           her
           ,
           sends
           by
           Lichas
           an
           envenom'd
           Shirt
           ,
           which
           she
           suppos'd
           to
           have
           been
           
           dipt
           in
           a
           Philtre
           .
           This
           unhappy
           Present
           being
           upon
           his
           Back
           ,
           immediately
           corroded
           the
           Flesh
           in
           such
           manner
           ,
           that
           in
           a
           rage
           he
           dash'd
           out
           Lichas
           the
           Bearers
           Brains
           .
           Dejanira
           hearing
           the
           Fatal
           Effects
           of
           her
           Errour
           ,
           kills
           herself
           .
           Hercules
           having
           charged
           his
           Son
           Hyllus
           to
           marry
           his
           Concubine
           Jole
           ,
           burns
           himself
           .
        
         
           The
           reflection
           that
           Sophocles
           makes
           upon
           all
           this
           ,
           
           is
           ,
           that
           ,
           
             't
             is
             all
          
           Jupiter
           '
           
             s
             doing
             .
             Hyllus
          
           ,
           in
           the
           close
           ,
           
             boldly
             accuses
             the
             Gods
             of
          
           *
           
             Injustice
             ,
             for
             deserting
             their
             own
             Off-spring
             .
          
           He
           adds
           ,
           
             
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
            
             
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
            
             
               These
               things
               are
               a
               heavy
               Affliction
               to
               us
               ,
            
             
               But
               a
               scandal
               to
               them
               .
            
          
        
         
           The
           Chorus
           seconds
           his
           Complaint
           ,
           and
           says
           ,
           that
           
             all
             their
             Calamities
             are
             of
          
           Jupiter
           '
           
             s
             sending
          
           .
        
         
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
        
         
         
           This
           Fable
           and
           Application
           afford
           very
           little
           matter
           of
           Moral
           Instruction
           ;
           and
           the
           use
           that
           the
           Poet
           himself
           makes
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           rather
           a
           discouragement
           to
           Virtue
           ,
           since
           neither
           the
           Heroick
           Qualities
           ,
           nor
           Actions
           of
           Hercules
           ,
           nor
           the
           relation
           to
           Jupiter
           ,
           could
           exempt
           himself
           or
           Family
           from
           such
           lamentable
           disasters
           .
        
         
           However
           ,
           the
           misfortune
           of
           Dejanira
           may
           serve
           as
           a
           caution
           against
           Jealousie
           and
           Adultery
           ,
           which
           two
           failings
           in
           conjunction
           ,
           occasion'd
           her
           ruin
           .
           And
           Hercules
           himself
           may
           be
           an
           instance
           of
           the
           dangerous
           consequenees
           of
           a
           licentious
           ungovern'd
           Flame
           ,
           which
           at
           last
           was
           the
           destruction
           of
           him
           ,
           who
           had
           withstood
           ,
           and
           baffled
           the
           utmost
           Malice
           and
           Invention
           of
           Juno
           .
        
         
           The
           Fable
           of
           the
           Philoctetes
           is
           this
           .
           
           Philoctetes
           having
           an
           incurable
           Ulcer
           in
           his
           Foot
           ,
           from
           the
           bite
           of
           a
           Serpent
           in
           his
           Voyage
           to
           Troy
           ,
           was
           deserted
           ,
           and
           left
           by
           the
           Greeks
           alone
           upon
           the
           desart
           Shore
           of
           Lemnos
           .
           But
           his
           Presence
           being
           declar'd
           absolutely
           necessary
           to
           the
           taking
           of
           
             Troy
             ,
             Vlysses
          
           and
           Pyrrhus
           are
           sent
           to
           fetch
           him
           .
           He
           refuses
           obstinately
           to
           go
           along
           with
           'em
           ,
           but
           Hercules
           
           appearing
           ,
           and
           perswading
           him
           ,
           he
           complies
           .
        
         
           This
           likewise
           is
           a
           barren
           Story
           ,
           
           of
           which
           Sophocles
           himself
           has
           made
           no
           moral
           Use
           ,
           and
           has
           scarce
           given
           occasion
           for
           any
           one
           else
           to
           do
           it
           .
        
         
           Philoctetes
           had
           been
           barbarously
           expos'd
           by
           his
           Confederates
           the
           Greeks
           ,
           for
           which
           he
           was
           irreconcilably
           angry
           with
           'em
           ,
           especially
           Vlysses
           ,
           who
           had
           been
           the
           Executioner
           of
           their
           Resolutions
           in
           relation
           to
           him
           .
           He
           therefore
           refuses
           obstinately
           to
           go
           with
           ,
           or
           to
           those
           that
           had
           serv'd
           him
           so
           basely
           ;
           but
           Hercules
           appearing
           ,
           and
           telling
           him
           ,
           that
           upon
           those
           terms
           ,
           and
           no
           other
           ,
           he
           must
           expect
           his
           cure
           ,
           and
           prosperity
           ,
           the
           man
           had
           so
           much
           Wit
           in
           his
           Anger
           ,
           as
           to
           prefer
           Health
           and
           Fame
           before
           sullen
           Revenge
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           his
           own
           as
           well
           as
           their
           disappointment
           .
        
         
           Mr
           Collier
           wou'd
           pass
           the
           Speech
           of
           Hercules
           upon
           us
           for
           a
           Moral
           .
           
           But
           by
           his
           leave
           ,
           how
           
             remarkably
             Moral
             soever
             the
             Conclusion
             of
             this
             Play
          
           may
           be
           ,
           the
           morality
           of
           it
           no
           way
           depends
           upon
           the
           Action
           foregoing
           .
           Hercules
           prevails
           with
           Philoctetes
           to
           go
           with
           Vlysses
           ,
           and
           Pyrrhus
           promises
           him
           Health
           ,
           Honour
           ,
           
           and
           Riches
           ,
           and
           recommends
           the
           care
           of
           Religion
           to
           him
           .
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           Which
           ,
           says
           he
           ,
           
             Jupiter
             regards
             above
             all
             things
          
           .
        
         
           This
           was
           indeed
           good
           advice
           ,
           and
           matter
           of
           Instruction
           to
           the
           Audience
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Philoctetes
           ;
           but
           not
           arising
           any
           way
           from
           the
           main
           Action
           ,
           it
           might
           as
           properly
           have
           been
           said
           at
           any
           other
           time
           ,
           and
           upon
           any
           other
           occasion
           ,
           as
           this
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           must
           serve
           for
           a
           Moral
           ,
           might
           as
           justly
           have
           been
           the
           Moral
           of
           any
           other
           Play.
           
        
         
           
             Thus
             I
             have
             run
             through
          
           Sophocles
           ,
           
           whose
           Plays
           (
           
             by
             Mr
          
           Collier
           '
           
             s
             own
             confession
          
           )
           are
           form'd
           upon
           Models
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           joyn
           Innocence
           with
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           design
           the
           Improvement
           of
           the
           Audience
           .
        
         
           Upon
           this
           account
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           Reputation
           of
           this
           Author
           ,
           I
           have
           been
           more
           particular
           with
           him
           upon
           this
           head
           ,
           than
           I
           design
           to
           be
           with
           any
           of
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Antient
           Tragedians
           .
           I
           have
           set
           before
           the
           Reader
           the
           several
           Models
           of
           all
           his
           remaining
           Plays
           ,
           and
           have
           enquir'd
           into
           the
           Disposition
           of
           
           the
           Fable
           in
           relation
           to
           the
           service
           of
           Morality
           ,
           that
           upon
           collation
           we
           may
           with
           more
           certainty
           measure
           the
           comparative
           Morality
           of
           his
           and
           the
           Modern
           Plays
           on
           this
           Article
           .
        
         
           Euripides
           ,
           
           who
           came
           nearest
           him
           both
           in
           Time
           and
           Reputation
           ,
           is
           yet
           more
           defective
           in
           this
           point
           .
           Aristotle
           has
           tax'd
           him
           with
           want
           of
           Conduct
           in
           the
           
             Oeconomy
             of
             his
             Fable
          
           ;
           but
           this
           Censure
           being
           levell'd
           rather
           at
           the
           want
           of
           Artifice
           ,
           than
           of
           Moral
           in
           the
           Plays
           of
           Euripides
           ,
           I
           shall
           make
           no
           further
           use
           of
           it
           here
           .
           The
           character
           of
           this
           Author's
           works
           wou'd
           make
           us
           naturally
           expect
           ,
           that
           he
           shou'd
           be
           more
           careful
           of
           this
           Article
           ,
           than
           either
           Aeschylus
           ,
           or
           Sophocles
           ,
           who
           aim'd
           more
           at
           the
           Pathetick
           .
           The
           Plays
           of
           Euripides
           betray
           all
           along
           an
           affected
           Ostentation
           of
           Learning
           ,
           
           and
           as
           great
           an
           Ambition
           to
           be
           thought
           a
           Philosopher
           ,
           as
           a
           Poet.
           For
           this
           reason
           he
           abounds
           more
           in
           Points
           ,
           and
           Sentences
           of
           Morality
           ,
           florid
           Harangues
           ,
           and
           subtle
           Speculations
           ,
           than
           Sophocles
           ;
           but
           he
           does
           not
           touch
           the
           Passions
           ,
           or
           raise
           the
           Concern
           of
           an
           Audience
           like
           him
           .
           And
           therefore
           whatever
           we
           may
           think
           of
           his
           Dialogues
           consider'd
           separately
           ,
           
           and
           independant
           of
           one
           another
           ,
           his
           Plays
           in
           the
           aggregate
           are
           far
           inferiour
           to
           those
           of
           Sophocles
           .
        
         
           Euripides
           has
           yet
           remaining
           nineteen
           Tragedies
           ,
           to
           examin
           all
           which
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           done
           those
           of
           Sophocles
           ,
           wou'd
           be
           an
           impertinent
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           a
           tedious
           labour
           ,
           both
           to
           the
           Reader
           and
           my self
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           content
           my self
           to
           instance
           in
           a
           few
           of
           'em
           ,
           and
           refer
           those
           that
           have
           the
           Curiosity
           and
           Patience
           ,
           to
           proceed
           further
           to
           the
           Author
           himself
           .
        
         
           The
           Orestes
           challenges
           the
           first
           place
           upon
           the
           score
           of
           its
           Reputation
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           Success
           it
           had
           on
           the
           revival
           of
           it
           ,
           five
           hundred
           years
           after
           the
           death
           of
           the
           Author
           .
        
         
           This
           play
           commences
           ,
           
           where
           the
           Electra
           of
           Sophocles
           and
           his
           own
           conclude
           .
           Orestes
           ,
           by
           the
           help
           of
           his
           Sister
           Electra
           ,
           having
           slain
           his
           Mother
           ,
           is
           very
           much
           troubled
           in
           mind
           ,
           and
           haunted
           by
           Furies
           ,
           and
           desponds
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           his
           Guilt
           .
           Tyndarus
           ,
           his
           Mother's
           Father
           ,
           endeavours
           to
           revenge
           her
           death
           ,
           and
           excites
           the
           People
           against
           him
           ,
           who
           vote
           him
           to
           be
           ston'd
           to
           death
           with
           his
           Sister
           .
           Menelaus
           ,
           with
           his
           Wife
           Helena
           ,
           
           and
           Daughter
           Hermione
           ,
           arrives
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           and
           offers
           his
           assistance
           to
           his
           Nephew
           in
           this
           exigence
           ,
           but
           is
           over-aw'd
           by
           Tyndarus
           ,
           and
           deserts
           his
           Party
           .
           Pylades
           comes
           opportunely
           ,
           and
           perswades
           Orestes
           to
           appear
           ,
           and
           make
           his
           defence
           in
           person
           ,
           which
           he
           does
           ,
           but
           without
           success
           ,
           yet
           upon
           his
           promise
           that
           his
           Sister
           and
           himself
           shall
           be
           their
           own
           Executioners
           ,
           he
           is
           let
           go
           by
           the
           Mob
           upon
           Parole
           .
           Being
           return'd
           to
           his
           Sister
           ,
           they
           consult
           about
           means
           of
           
             Safety
             .
             Electra
          
           advises
           him
           and
           Pylades
           to
           seize
           upon
           Helen
           and
           Hermione
           ,
           to
           kill
           Helen
           ,
           and
           to
           Article
           with
           Menelaus
           for
           their
           own
           safety
           ,
           with
           a
           Sword
           at
           
           Hermione's
           Throat
           ;
           and
           if
           her
           Father
           wou'd
           not
           comply
           with
           their
           demands
           ,
           first
           to
           dispatch
           her
           ,
           then
           themselves
           .
           This
           Project
           is
           put
           in
           execution
           ,
           and
           the
           Ladies
           are
           surpriz'd
           ,
           Apollo
           rescues
           Helen
           ,
           and
           appearing
           ,
           reconciles
           Menelaus
           and
           Orestes
           ,
           and
           makes
           a
           match
           betwixt
           him
           and
           Hermione
           ,
           and
           betwixt
           Pylades
           and
           Electra
           ,
           and
           promising
           happiness
           to
           'em
           all
           ,
           tells
           'em
           ,
           that
           Helen
           is
           made
           a
           Goddess
           ,
           and
           so
           concludes
           the
           Play.
           
        
         
         
           In
           this
           Play
           most
           of
           the
           Characters
           are
           wicked
           ,
           
           Orestes
           and
           Electra
           are
           
             Parricides
             ;
             Tyndarus
          
           is
           (
           in
           his
           heart
           at
           least
           )
           the
           Murtherer
           of
           his
           Grand-children
           ;
           Menelaus
           ,
           the
           Betrayer
           of
           his
           Nephew
           ,
           and
           Niece
           ,
           whom
           he
           ought
           to
           have
           protected
           ;
           Helen
           ,
           an
           infamous
           Woman
           ,
           and
           the
           accidental
           cause
           at
           least
           of
           the
           Miseries
           of
           a
           great
           part
           of
           Asia
           and
           Europe
           ,
           yet
           clear
           of
           any
           intentional
           Guilt
           in
           this
           case
           ;
           Pylades
           is
           engaged
           with
           his
           Friend
           in
           an
           unjust
           attempt
           to
           murther
           Helen
           and
           her
           Daughter
           ;
           Hermione
           ,
           who
           is
           next
           to
           a
           Mute
           in
           the
           Play
           ,
           is
           the
           only
           unexceptionable
           Character
           .
        
         
           This
           Play
           begins
           well
           ,
           
           the
           Agonies
           of
           a
           guilty
           Conscience
           ,
           the
           Despair
           ,
           and
           the
           Horrors
           of
           Orestes
           promise
           a
           good
           Moral
           :
           But
           the
           hopes
           of
           that
           soon
           vanish
           ;
           for
           the
           first
           word
           of
           comfort
           from
           Menelaus
           dispels
           all
           his
           Anxiety
           for
           his
           crime
           ,
           and
           converts
           it
           to
           a
           solicitude
           for
           his
           Safety
           .
           In
           order
           to
           this
           ,
           he
           enters
           upon
           a
           piece
           of
           Villany
           ,
           more
           execrable
           than
           that
           for
           which
           he
           was
           then
           prosecuted
           ,
           because
           't
           was
           without
           provocation
           :
           A
           Feint
           of
           that
           kind
           had
           been
           an
           allowable
           Stratagem
           to
           have
           
           brought
           Menelaus
           to
           Articles
           ;
           but
           to
           project
           it
           in
           earnest
           was
           an
           unparallell'd
           piece
           of
           Barbarity
           .
           But
           what
           after
           all
           is
           more
           surprizing
           and
           unnatural
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           Catastrophe
           is
           happy
           ,
           and
           the
           Parricides
           rewarded
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           seems
           to
           be
           the
           result
           of
           
           Electra's
           latter
           contrivance
           ,
           which
           however
           wicked
           was
           successful
           and
           prosperous
           .
        
         
           The
           Moral
           (
           if
           I
           may
           call
           it
           so
           )
           of
           this
           Story
           is
           properly
           this
           ,
           
           that
           there
           
             is
             no
             dabbling
             in
             Villany
             ,
             but
             that
             those
             that
             are
             once
             enter'd
             ,
             must
             wade
             thro
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             be
             safe
             ,
             and
             justify
             one
             Crime
             by
             another
             .
          
           But
           that
           which
           makes
           the
           winding
           up
           of
           this
           Play
           more
           notorious
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           Gods
           are
           made
           the
           Arbiters
           of
           all
           ;
           Apollo
           appears
           in
           person
           ,
           and
           justifies
           Orestes
           ,
           and
           promises
           him
           his
           protection
           ,
           and
           ensures
           the
           happiness
           of
           Pylades
           and
           Electra
           ,
           who
           had
           been
           the
           sole
           Incendiary
           and
           Contriver
           of
           all
           this
           Mischief
           ;
           which
           is
           adding
           Impiety
           to
           the
           want
           of
           Poetick
           Justice
           ,
           and
           making
           Providence
           accessary
           to
           Parricide
           ,
           and
           the
           Gods
           Abbetors
           of
           Violence
           and
           Injustice
           ,
           not
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           the
           Deifying
           of
           Helena
           ,
           who
           ,
           tho
           
           Jove's
           Daughter
           ,
           is
           a
           Woman
           of
           a
           
           very
           infamous
           Character
           all
           through
           the
           Play.
           
        
         
           I
           suppose
           the
           Moral
           of
           this
           Play
           will
           hardly
           rise
           in
           Judgment
           against
           the
           Moderns
           .
           Nor
           has
           the
           Electra
           of
           of
           the
           same
           Author
           any
           more
           reason
           ,
           it
           being
           liable
           to
           the
           same
           exceptions
           with
           the
           former
           ,
           only
           in
           this
           the
           Murther
           is
           perpetrated
           ,
           in
           that
           but
           designed
           ;
           in
           short
           ,
           this
           Play
           is
           the
           ground
           work
           of
           the
           former
           ,
           and
           the
           action
           of
           this
           gives
           the
           reason
           ,
           and
           occasion
           of
           all
           that
           happens
           in
           t'other
           .
           Here
           likewise
           the
           Gods
           are
           impertinently
           brought
           in
           to
           finish
           that
           ,
           which
           wou'd
           of
           it self
           have
           closed
           very
           naturally
           without
           '
           em
           .
           For
           after
           the
           Death
           of
           Aegisthus
           and
           Clytemnestra
           there
           was
           nothing
           more
           to
           be
           done
           .
           But
           this
           Poet
           ,
           who
           is
           very
           fond
           of
           Machines
           ,
           tho●
           unnecessary
           ,
           after
           all
           's
           over
           brings
           down
           Castor
           and
           Pollux
           to
           condemn
           the
           Fact
           ,
           acquit
           the
           Murtherers
           of
           their
           Sister
           ,
           and
           transfer
           the
           Guilt
           to
           Apollo
           ,
           whom
           they
           accuse
           of
           *
           uttering
           a
           
             foolish
             Oracle
          
           .
        
         
           However
           the
           Fable
           of
           this
           Play
           being
           the
           same
           with
           that
           of
           the
           Electra
           of
           Sophocles
           ,
           we
           may
           do
           it
           the
           same
           Grace
           ,
           and
           allow
           it
           the
           benefit
           of
           any
           Moral
           
           that
           may
           be
           raised
           out
           of
           it
           ,
           tho
           not
           without
           some
           violence
           ,
           as
           this
           Author
           has
           managed
           it
           .
           What
           that
           is
           I
           have
           already
           observed
           in
           the
           foregoing
           Remarks
           upon
           the
           Electra
           of
           Sophocles
           .
        
         
           The
           Medea
           ,
           
           
             Hippolytus
             ,
             Ion
             ,
             Hercules
             distracted
             ,
          
           and
           several
           other
           are
           likewise
           built
           upon
           various
           Models
           .
           In
           these
           ,
           as
           in
           most
           of
           
           Euripides's
           Plays
           ,
           the
           Gods
           are
           always
           at
           one
           end
           or
           t'other
           of
           the
           business
           ,
           they
           are
           either
           the
           Promoters
           of
           the
           Crime
           ,
           or
           the
           Protectors
           of
           the
           Criminals
           .
           All
           is
           acted
           by
           Machine
           ,
           the
           Action
           is
           frequently
           forced
           ,
           and
           the
           Catastrophe
           generally
           unnatural
           .
           Yet
           notwithstanding
           this
           extraordinary
           licence
           ,
           which
           this
           Poet
           assumes
           in
           almost
           all
           his
           Plays
           ,
           but
           very
           few
           of
           'em
           are
           so
           modell'd
           as
           to
           be
           serviceable
           to
           Virtue
           upon
           that
           Score
           .
        
         
           Medea
           ,
           after
           a
           course
           of
           Murthers
           ,
           having
           slain
           her
           own
           Brother
           ,
           and
           Children
           with
           her
           own
           hands
           ,
           and
           
             Pelias
             ,
             Creon
          
           ,
           and
           Creusa
           by
           her
           charms
           ,
           is
           taken
           particular
           care
           of
           by
           Phaebus
           ,
           and
           provided
           of
           a
           flying
           Chariot
           to
           make
           her
           escape
           from
           Justice
           in
           .
        
         
           Hippolitus
           has
           the
           Character
           of
           a
           just
           ,
           
           and
           a
           Pious
           Person
           ,
           and
           his
           conduct
           
           all
           thro
           the
           Play
           ,
           both
           in
           relation
           to
           his
           Mother
           in
           Law
           Phaedra
           ,
           and
           his
           Father
           ,
           by
           whose
           curse
           he
           is
           devoted
           ,
           and
           brought
           to
           ruine
           ,
           justifies
           this
           Character
           ,
           and
           he
           in
           the
           Agonies
           of
           Death
           expresses
           a
           greater
           concern
           for
           ,
           and
           a
           more
           sensible
           impression
           of
           his
           Fathers
           misfortunes
           and
           afflictions
           ,
           than
           his
           own
           .
           A
           Disposition
           so
           extraordinarily
           pious
           ,
           one
           wou'd
           think
           ,
           shou'd
           ,
           if
           it
           might
           not
           exempt
           him
           from
           those
           disasters
           that
           attend
           the
           Infirmity
           of
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           malignity
           of
           his
           Fellow
           Mortals
           ,
           at
           least
           protect
           him
           from
           any
           supernatural
           calamities
           ,
           and
           ensure
           the
           favour
           of
           Heaven
           to
           him
           .
           But
           he
           was
           a
           Votary
           to
           Diana
           ,
           and
           his
           vow
           of
           Chastity
           gave
           such
           offence
           to
           Venus
           ,
           who
           thought
           herself
           slighted
           ,
           that
           she
           resolves
           his
           ruine
           ,
           and
           declares
           her
           resolution
           ,
           and
           the
           methods
           she
           intends
           to
           take
           to
           effect
           it
           ,
           in
           the
           Prologue
           which
           she
           speaks
           .
           And
           she
           lays
           her
           Plot
           so
           ,
           that
           by
           means
           of
           an
           antecedent
           Promise
           to
           Theseus
           she
           engages
           Neptune
           in
           the
           Destruction
           of
           an
           innocent
           Young
           Man
           ,
           whose
           only
           crime
           is
           an
           obstinate
           ,
           inviolate
           Chastity
           ;
           and
           Phaedra
           ,
           who
           is
           her
           instrument
           ,
           is
           involv'd
           in
           the
           guilt
           of
           a
           heinous
           ,
           but
           
           involuntary
           Crime
           .
           The
           consideration
           of
           the
           several
           Fables
           of
           these
           Plays
           cou'd
           furnish
           the
           Audience
           with
           no
           venerable
           Ideas
           of
           their
           Gods
           ,
           who
           cou'd
           be
           the
           Promoters
           ,
           or
           Protectors
           of
           such
           horrid
           Actions
           ;
           nor
           cou'd
           any
           encouragement
           to
           Justice
           and
           Morality
           be
           drawn
           from
           'em
           ,
           which
           afforded
           such
           examples
           of
           Partiality
           ,
           and
           prejudice
           among
           their
           Deities
           ,
           that
           the
           blackest
           Crimes
           cou'd
           not
           forfeit
           their
           favour
           ,
           nor
           the
           most
           exemplary
           Virtue
           ensure
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           Ion
           is
           reckoned
           by
           the
           Learned
           Monsieur
           Dacier
           among
           that
           kind
           of
           Tragedies
           ,
           
           which
           Aristotle
           calls
           Moral
           ,
           and
           which
           this
           judicious
           Commentator
           defines
           thus
           ;
           
           
             The
             Moral
             Tragedy
             is
             a
             sort
             of
             Tragedy
             contriv'd
             purely
             for
             the
             formation
             of
             Mens
             manners
             ,
             whose
             Catastrophe
             is
             always
             happy
             .
          
           And
           in
           the
           Page
           immediately
           foregoing
           ,
           
             The
             Moral
             Tragedy
          
           (
           says
           he
           )
           
             treats
             neither
             of
             Death
             ,
             Torments
             ,
             nor
             Wounds
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             happiness
             of
             some
             Persons
             recommendable
             for
             their
             Virtue
             .
          
           Here
           therefore
           one
           might
           reasonably
           expect
           a
           perfect
           Model
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           a
           exact
           Scheme
           of
           Manners
           ;
           for
           which
           reason
           it
           may
           seem
           justly
           to
           challenge
           our
           consideration
           .
        
         
         
           Ion
           ,
           
           a
           Slip
           of
           Creusa
           by
           Apollo
           ,
           is
           privately
           born
           ,
           and
           expos'd
           by
           his
           Mother
           ,
           is
           taken
           up
           by
           Mercury
           and
           conveyed
           to
           Delphi
           ,
           where
           he
           is
           found
           by
           the
           Priestess
           ,
           and
           brought
           up
           in
           the
           Temple
           of
           his
           Father
           ,
           of
           which
           he
           is
           at
           length
           made
           the
           Treasurer
           ,
           or
           Keeper
           of
           the
           rich
           Moveables
           ,
           in
           which
           Office
           he
           discharges
           his
           trust
           faithfully
           .
           Thus
           far
           the
           Prologue
           spoken
           by
           Mercury
           informs
           the
           Audience
           of
           the
           History
           of
           Ion
           before
           the
           Play
           commences
           .
        
         
           Creusa
           his
           Mother
           ,
           
           having
           no
           Issue
           by
           her
           Husband
           Xuthus
           ,
           repairs
           with
           him
           to
           the
           Oracle
           at
           Delphi
           ,
           to
           petition
           for
           an
           Heir
           .
           The
           Husband
           puts
           up
           his
           request
           according
           to
           form
           ,
           and
           is
           answered
           ,
           that
           the
           first
           man
           he
           shou'd
           meet
           in
           his
           return
           from
           the
           Altar
           ,
           was
           his
           Son
           ;
           this
           happens
           to
           be
           Ion
           ,
           who
           is
           upon
           the
           faith
           of
           the
           Oracle
           received
           by
           him
           as
           his
           Son.
           Ion
           ,
           who
           being
           a
           Foundling
           ,
           was
           ignorant
           of
           his
           Parentage
           ,
           in
           return
           joyfully
           acknowledges
           him
           to
           be
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           is
           proved
           of
           so
           honourable
           an
           Extraction
           .
           This
           enrages
           Creusa
           ,
           who
           not
           suspecting
           the
           relation
           of
           Ion
           to
           herself
           ,
           supposes
           him
           to
           be
           some
           by-blow
           of
           her
           Husbands
           ,
           as
           Xuthus
           himself
           
           does
           ,
           but
           begotten
           before
           his
           Marriage
           to
           Creusa
           .
           In
           this
           rage
           she
           resolves
           and
           attempts
           to
           poyson
           Ion
           ,
           which
           is
           discovered
           ,
           and
           Ion
           in
           revenge
           pursues
           her
           life
           .
           She
           takes
           refuge
           at
           the
           Altar
           ,
           from
           whence
           while
           Ion
           is
           endeavouring
           to
           force
           him
           ,
           the
           Prophetess
           interposes
           ,
           and
           produces
           the
           Swathing
           Bands
           ,
           and
           other
           things
           in
           which
           Ion
           was
           wrapt
           when
           found
           .
           These
           Creusa
           knows
           ,
           and
           discovers
           him
           to
           be
           her
           own
           Son
           by
           
             Apollo
             ;
             Minerva
          
           appears
           ,
           and
           confirms
           her
           Story
           ,
           and
           advises
           'em
           both
           to
           conceal
           this
           circumstance
           from
           Xuthus
           ,
           and
           concludes
           with
           a
           sort
           of
           Epilogue
           ,
           predicting
           the
           happiness
           of
           Ion
           ,
           
           and
           other
           Children
           ,
           which
           Creusa
           was
           to
           have
           by
           her
           Husband
           .
        
         
           If
           this
           was
           designed
           for
           a
           Moral
           Tragedy
           ,
           as
           Monsieur
           Dacier
           thinks
           ,
           and
           as
           the
           Contrivance
           of
           the
           Fable
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Catastrophe
           seems
           to
           argue
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           confessed
           that
           Euripides
           has
           forgot
           the
           main
           circumstance
           .
           For
           the
           good
           Fortune
           of
           those
           Persons
           ,
           whom
           he
           makes
           happy
           in
           the
           Conclusion
           is
           not
           owing
           to
           their
           Virtue
           or
           Prudence
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           favour
           of
           Phaebus
           ,
           who
           had
           too
           great
           a
           Personal
           Interest
           in
           'em
           ,
           to
           suffer
           'em
           to
           miscarry
           .
        
         
         
           Creusa's
           Character
           is
           vitious
           all
           along
           ,
           
           she
           was
           with
           Child
           by
           Apollo
           ,
           and
           privately
           delivered
           ,
           and
           to
           conceal
           her
           Shame
           ,
           she
           exposes
           the
           Infant
           as
           a
           Prey
           to
           the
           Wild
           Beasts
           ,
           as
           she
           herself
           confesses
           to
           her
           old
           Servant
           ,
           and
           Confident
           ,
           the
           Contriver
           and
           Instrument
           of
           her
           intended
           Villany
           afterwards
           .
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             He
             died
             a
             Prey
             to
             the
             Wild
             Beasts
             .
          
        
         
           Here
           she
           confesses
           herself
           guilty
           of
           a
           Crime
           ,
           that
           is
           capital
           in
           our
           Law
           ,
           and
           is
           so
           far
           from
           repenting
           ,
           that
           she
           engages
           immediately
           in
           the
           design
           of
           another
           of
           a
           Dye
           something
           deeper
           ,
           because
           Treachery
           and
           Violence
           enter
           the
           composition
           ;
           in
           this
           she
           is
           active
           in
           the
           Murther
           ,
           in
           the
           former
           she
           was
           only
           Passive
           .
           This
           Character
           can
           hold
           forth
           nothing
           of
           Instruction
           ,
           except
           it
           teach
           Women
           ,
           that
           have
           given
           up
           their
           Honours
           ,
           to
           secure
           their
           Reputations
           by
           murthering
           their
           Bastards
           ;
           and
           furious
           ,
           jealous
           Wives
           to
           destroy
           their
           Husbands
           Children
           and
           Heirs
           by
           other
           Women
           .
        
         
           The
           Character
           of
           Ion
           is
           indeed
           not
           so
           criminal
           ;
           
           his
           highest
           commendation
           is
           ,
           
           that
           he
           had
           not
           imbezzled
           the
           Stores
           of
           Apollo
           committed
           to
           his
           keeping
           .
           Now
           ,
           tho
           Faithfulness
           be
           very
           commendable
           in
           a
           Servant
           ,
           yet
           his
           was
           never
           exercis'd
           in
           so
           superlative
           a
           way
           ,
           or
           endur'd
           any
           such
           severe
           tryal
           ,
           as
           might
           upon
           that
           score
           entitle
           him
           to
           the
           great
           Fortune
           and
           Preferment
           which
           befel
           him
           afterwards
           .
           His
           highest
           Merit
           was
           bare
           Honesty
           ,
           enough
           to
           have
           procur'd
           him
           a
           Certificate
           now
           adays
           upon
           change
           of
           Service
           ;
           not
           to
           challenge
           any
           considerable
           Reward
           .
           He
           laid
           claim
           to
           no
           active
           virtues
           ,
           his
           Innocence
           was
           his
           strongest
           Plea
           ,
           and
           that
           too
           seems
           to
           be
           a
           little
           sullied
           at
           last
           by
           his
           too
           eager
           Prosecution
           of
           Revenge
           upon
           Creusa
           .
           A
           generous
           Heathen
           (
           without
           reaching
           the
           Pitch
           of
           Christian
           Morality
           )
           wou'd
           have
           forgiven
           ,
           or
           slighted
           the
           Feeble
           Malice
           of
           a
           Woman
           ,
           especially
           at
           that
           Critical
           Juncture
           ,
           when
           he
           ought
           to
           have
           shewn
           himself
           worthy
           of
           his
           sudden
           exaltation
           by
           some
           extraordinary
           act
           of
           Generosity
           .
           But
           his
           collusion
           at
           last
           with
           his
           Mother
           to
           cheat
           Xuthus
           is
           a
           piece
           of
           Condescension
           so
           base
           ,
           as
           forfeits
           all
           pretence
           to
           common
           merit
           or
           honesty
           .
           For
           he
           that
           is
           content
           to
           hold
           
           his
           good
           Forrune
           by
           Trick
           and
           Imposture
           ,
           don't
           deserve
           it
           .
        
         
           Thus
           we
           see
           in
           this
           Moral
           Play
           ,
           
           of
           the
           two
           fortunate
           Persons
           ,
           one
           is
           wicked
           ,
           and
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           drawn
           into
           Precedent
           ,
           much
           less
           to
           be
           propos'd
           for
           an
           Example
           ;
           t'others
           Virtue
           is
           of
           so
           dwarfish
           a
           size
           ,
           and
           so
           weakly
           a
           Constitution
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           not
           very
           likely
           to
           propagate
           ,
           and
           by
           no
           means
           a
           proper
           Standard
           to
           measure
           full
           grown
           Worth
           by
           .
           And
           therefore
           this
           Play
           (
           tho
           we
           shou'd
           ,
           with
           Monsieur
           Dacier
           ,
           allow
           it
           to
           be
           of
           the
           Moral
           kind
           )
           is
           like
           to
           do
           no
           great
           service
           to
           Morality
           by
           the
           Design
           and
           Management
           of
           its
           Fable
           .
        
         
           Because
           I
           have
           mention'd
           the
           
             Hercules
             Furens
          
           ,
           
           I
           will
           not
           pass
           it
           absolutely
           over
           in
           Silence
           ,
           tho
           it
           affords
           no
           great
           matter
           of
           reflection
           ;
           having
           had
           occasion
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           the
           Character
           and
           Sufferings
           of
           Hercules
           in
           the
           Trachiniae
           of
           Sophocles
           .
           There
           is
           indeed
           this
           considerable
           difference
           to
           the
           disadvantage
           of
           this
           Play
           ,
           in
           regard
           to
           the
           Moral
           ,
           Art
           ,
           and
           Beauty
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           here
           the
           misfortunes
           of
           Hercules
           are
           wrought
           altogether
           by
           Machine
           :
           
             Juno
             ,
             Iris
          
           ,
           and
           Lyssa
           or
           Madness
           (
           which
           is
           here
           supposed
           a
           Daemon
           )
           are
           
           all
           ,
           and
           only
           concern'd
           in
           the
           contrivance
           ;
           whereas
           in
           Sophocles
           things
           are
           naturally
           brought
           about
           ,
           and
           made
           the
           result
           of
           Jealousie
           and
           Credulity
           .
           What
           therefore
           in
           that
           is
           but
           obliquely
           charg'd
           upon
           the
           Gods
           ,
           is
           here
           directly
           laid
           upon
           '
           em
           .
           So
           that
           ,
           what
           from
           the
           last
           Speech
           of
           Hyllus
           ,
           and
           the
           Chorus
           is
           there
           urg'd
           against
           the
           Moral
           of
           that
           Play
           ,
           holds
           more
           strongly
           against
           this
           .
           Besides
           the
           atrocity
           of
           the
           Fact
           ,
           which
           extending
           here
           to
           the
           Lives
           of
           his
           Wife
           and
           Children
           ,
           aggravates
           the
           guilt
           of
           Iuno
           ,
           who
           cou'd
           not
           limit
           her
           malice
           to
           his
           Person
           ,
           without
           comprehending
           those
           Innocents
           ,
           who
           by
           no
           crime
           of
           their
           own
           cou'd
           have
           incurr'd
           her
           displeasure
           .
        
         
           These
           few
           instances
           may
           suffice
           to
           give
           us
           a
           true
           estimate
           of
           the
           care
           of
           Euripides
           ,
           in
           the
           formation
           of
           his
           Fables
           in
           general
           ,
           in
           relation
           to
           the
           Grand
           or
           General
           Moral
           .
        
         
           Aeschylus
           shou'd
           follow
           ,
           
           who
           ,
           tho
           first
           in
           order
           of
           time
           ,
           comes
           naturally
           last
           into
           consideration
           ,
           as
           affording
           very
           little
           upon
           this
           Topick
           .
           This
           Author
           seems
           scarce
           to
           have
           design'd
           any
           Moral
           to
           his
           Fables
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           to
           have
           regarded
           
           it
           very
           little
           .
           His
           aim
           was
           wholly
           at
           the
           Pathetick
           ,
           and
           he
           deals
           almost
           altogether
           in
           Objects
           of
           Terror
           ;
           accordingly
           his
           Flights
           are
           frequently
           lofty
           ,
           but
           generally
           irregular
           ,
           and
           his
           Verse
           rumbles
           ,
           and
           thunders
           almost
           perpetually
           ,
           but
           it
           usually
           spends
           itself
           ,
           like
           a
           Wind-Gun
           ,
           in
           Noise
           and
           Blast
           only
           .
           He
           sets
           out
           gloriously
           ,
           launches
           boldly
           ,
           blown
           up
           with
           a
           Tympany
           of
           Windy
           Hyperboles
           ,
           and
           Buckram
           Metaphors
           ;
           but
           he
           carries
           more
           Sail
           than
           Ballast
           ,
           and
           his
           course
           is
           accordingly
           uneven
           ;
           he
           is
           sometimes
           in
           the
           Clouds
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           upon
           the
           Sands
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           Aeschylus's
           sole
           Care
           and
           Ambition
           seems
           to
           have
           been
           (
           as
           Mr
           Bays
           has
           it
           )
           to
           elevate
           and
           surprize
           ;
           in
           the
           eager
           pursuit
           of
           which
           ,
           he
           has
           miss'd
           many
           things
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           lasting
           graces
           of
           his
           more
           temperate
           Successors
           .
           The
           Ground
           work
           of
           his
           Plays
           are
           plain
           simple
           Stories
           ,
           without
           either
           Plot
           or
           Moral
           ,
           told
           only
           in
           the
           most
           pompous
           formidable
           manner
           the
           Poet
           cou'd
           invent
           ,
           to
           strike
           a
           Pannick
           Terror
           into
           the
           Audience
           ;
           and
           consequently
           they
           afford
           no
           great
           matter
           of
           reflection
           here
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           dismiss
           this
           Poet
           without
           any
           formal
           examination
           
           to
           this
           Article
           ,
           and
           only
           present
           the
           Reader
           with
           one
           Instance
           of
           his
           neglect
           of
           Moral
           ,
           which
           stares
           me
           in
           the
           Face
           in
           the
           very
           first
           Page
           of
           his
           Prometheus
           .
           
        
         
           Power
           and
           Force
           ,
           two
           Poetical
           Persons
           ,
           are
           sent
           by
           Jupiter
           to
           assist
           Vulcan
           in
           the
           chaining
           Prometheus
           to
           a
           Rock
           .
           
           They
           begin
           the
           Prologue
           ,
           and
           declare
           his
           crime
           ,
           which
           was
           
             communicating
             the
             Celestial
             Fire
             to
             Mortals
          
           ;
           and
           the
           reason
           of
           his
           Punishment
           ,
           which
           was
           
             that
             he
             might
             learn
             to
             acquiesce
             in
             the
             administration
             of
          
           Jove
           ,
           
             and
             shake
             off
             his
             tenderness
             for
             Mankind
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           This
           reason
           is
           pretty
           singular
           and
           extravagant
           ,
           
           that
           a
           Brother
           Immortal
           shou'd
           be
           treated
           so
           inhumanely
           by
           Jupiter
           ,
           and
           his
           Fellow
           Gods
           ,
           only
           for
           his
           Philanthropy
           ,
           or
           Love
           to
           Mankind
           ;
           and
           must
           needs
           have
           a
           very
           serviceable
           effect
           upon
           Mortals
           .
           For
           no
           doubt
           but
           Jupiter's
           Altars
           must
           smoak
           very
           plentifully
           ,
           
           when
           Men
           were
           inform'd
           ,
           that
           so
           well
           he
           stood
           affected
           towards
           'em
           ,
           that
           't
           was
           Capital
           in
           any
           of
           his
           Under-Gods
           to
           bear
           'em
           any
           good
           will.
           This
           must
           needs
           impress
           upon
           'em
           a
           great
           veneration
           for
           his
           Person
           ,
           and
           zeal
           for
           his
           Service
           ;
           their
           Gratitude
           must
           needs
           work
           over
           abundantly
           for
           so
           signal
           a
           Grace
           .
        
         
           That
           this
           was
           all
           
           Prometheus's
           offence
           Vulcan
           assures
           us
           in
           his
           reply
           .
           
           seems
           to
           have
           some
           Bowels
           of
           Commiseration
           for
           this
           poor
           Devil
           of
           a
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           compas●sionate
           sort
           of
           Remonstrance
           tells
           him
           ,
           
             that
             this
             comes
             of
             his
             fondness
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             thereby
             provoking
          
           Jupiter
           ,
           
             who
             was
             fierce
             ,
             and
             implacable
             ,
             as
             all
             new
             Governours
             are
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
        
         
           This
           account
           of
           Iupiter
           seems
           to
           countenance
           a
           harsher
           Translation
           ,
           than
           I
           have
           given
           of
           the
           fore-going
           words
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           and
           to
           expound
           'em
           in
           the
           scandalous
           sense
           of
           Tyranny
           ,
           rather
           than
           of
           a
           just
           and
           equal
           administration
           of
           Affairs
           .
        
         
         
           After
           this
           Prologue
           I
           suppose
           no
           good
           Moral
           will
           be
           expected
           from
           this
           Fable
           ;
           the
           rest
           of
           
           Aeschylus's
           Fables
           are
           manag'd
           after
           a
           manner
           little
           more
           serviceable
           ,
           for
           which
           reason
           I
           shall
           not
           tire
           the
           Reader
           with
           the
           examination
           of
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           After
           the
           decease
           of
           this
           Triumvirate
           of
           Poets
           ,
           
           the
           Tragedy
           of
           Athens
           disappears
           .
           Not
           but
           they
           had
           many
           Tragedians
           after
           'em
           ,
           but
           neither
           did
           they
           rise
           to
           a
           heighth
           of
           Reputation
           equal
           to
           these
           ,
           nor
           did
           their
           works
           very
           long
           survive
           'em
           that
           I
           know
           of
           .
           Here
           therefore
           we
           lose
           the
           view
           of
           the
           Ancient
           Tragedy
           ,
           for
           above
           five
           hundred
           years
           together
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           sight
           we
           have
           of
           it
           is
           at
           Rome
           ,
           
           where
           we
           find
           in
           all
           but
           ten
           Tragedies
           ,
           which
           are
           all
           collected
           under
           the
           name
           of
           
           Seneca's
           ,
           tho
           belonging
           (
           as
           many
           Learned
           men
           think
           )
           to
           several
           Authors
           .
           Of
           these
           nine
           are
           of
           Greek
           Extraction
           ,
           
           all
           but
           one
           taken
           from
           Plays
           yet
           remaining
           to
           us
           .
           The
           
             Medea
             ,
             Hippolytus
             ,
             Troas
          
           ,
           and
           
             Hercules
             Furens
          
           are
           taken
           from
           Plays
           all
           bearing
           the
           same
           names
           in
           Euripides
           ,
           except
           the
           Troas
           ,
           which
           ,
           tho
           it
           bears
           the
           same
           name
           ,
           yet
           is
           not
           upon
           the
           same
           argument
           with
           
           the
           Troades
           of
           Euripides
           ,
           but
           is
           taken
           from
           the
           Hecuba
           ,
           another
           Play
           of
           the
           same
           Poet.
           The
           Oedipus
           ,
           and
           
             Hercules
             Oetaeus
          
           ,
           are
           descended
           immediately
           from
           the
           
             Oedipus
             Tyrannus
          
           ,
           and
           Trachiniae
           of
           Sophocles
           .
           And
           't
           is
           very
           probable
           the
           Thyestes
           is
           owing
           to
           the
           same
           Author
           ,
           tho
           the
           Greek
           Original
           be
           now
           lost
           .
           For
           't
           is
           not
           only
           certain
           that
           Sophocles
           wrote
           three
           Plays
           which
           bore
           that
           name
           ,
           but
           the
           Model
           seems
           to
           bear
           more
           resemblance
           to
           the
           manner
           of
           Sophocles
           ,
           than
           either
           of
           the
           other
           Tragedians
           .
           The
           Agamemnon
           plainly
           belongs
           to
           Aeschylus
           ,
           as
           does
           likewise
           the
           Thebais
           ,
           in
           right
           of
           his
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           tho
           the
           Thebais
           of
           Seneca
           being
           imperfect
           ,
           it
           does
           not
           so
           plainly
           appear
           whether
           he
           copy'd
           it
           immediately
           from
           thence
           ,
           or
           at
           second
           hand
           from
           the
           Phaenissae
           of
           Euripides
           .
           The
           Octavia
           only
           is
           of
           Roman
           Original
           ,
           its
           Author
           is
           uncertain
           .
           For
           't
           is
           justly
           suspected
           to
           belong
           to
           neither
           of
           the
           
           Seneca's
           .
        
         
           This
           Author
           ,
           (
           for
           Mr
           Collier
           seems
           to
           take
           all
           these
           Plays
           to
           be
           the
           work
           of
           one
           man
           )
           is
           censur'd
           and
           stands
           in
           some
           measure
           condemn'd
           ,
           by
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           should
           wave
           any
           other
           scrutiny
           
           into
           his
           conduct
           ,
           if
           I
           did
           not
           find
           him
           in
           some
           measure
           justified
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           manner
           absolv'd
           upon
           the
           comparison
           with
           the
           Moderns
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           
           if
           we
           believe
           with
           those
           Prodigies
           of
           Letters
           ,
           
             Lipsius
             ,
             Joseph
             Scaliger
          
           ,
           and
           Heinsius
           ,
           and
           divers
           others
           very
           eminent
           for
           their
           Learning
           ,
           
             that
             we
             are
             beholding
             to
             the
             famous
          
           Seneca
           
             the
             Philosopher
             ,
             for
             three
             at
             least
             of
             these
             Plays
             ,
             the
             Medea
             ,
             Hippolytus
             ,
          
           and
           Troas
           ,
           to
           which
           Farnaby
           adds
           the
           Oedipus
           ,
           we
           shall
           be
           oblig'd
           to
           pay
           more
           deference
           or
           respect
           to
           'em
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           pass
           a
           rash
           and
           unmannerly
           censure
           upon
           any
           of
           the
           remains
           of
           so
           illustrious
           an
           Author
           .
        
         
           But
           Seneca
           is
           not
           at
           present
           in
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           favour
           ,
           
           he
           is
           declar'd
           an
           
             injudicious
             ,
             licentious
             Poet
             ,
             upon
             whose
             liberties
             the
             Modern
             Poets
             proceed
          
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           is
           not
           to
           be
           receiv'd
           into
           Grace
           ,
           till
           he
           has
           had
           the
           Penning
           of
           a
           Recantation
           for
           him
           If
           Mr
           Collier
           did
           believe
           that
           Seneca
           the
           Philosopher
           was
           the
           Author
           of
           any
           of
           those
           Plays
           ,
           he
           ought
           upon
           the
           merit
           of
           his
           other
           works
           ,
           (
           by
           which
           he
           may
           at
           least
           pretend
           to
           vie
           with
           Mr
           Collier
           both
           zeal
           and
           service
           in
           the
           cause
           of
           
           Virtue
           )
           to
           have
           treated
           so
           excellent
           a
           Person
           with
           more
           respect
           and
           honour
           ,
           than
           to
           have
           rank'd
           him
           with
           ,
           and
           made
           him
           the
           Ringleader
           of
           those
           ,
           whom
           he
           reckons
           Atheists
           and
           Buffoons
           .
           If
           he
           did
           not
           ,
           he
           cou'd
           in
           Justice
           have
           done
           no
           less
           than
           set
           him
           clear
           of
           the
           Imputation
           ,
           which
           by
           so
           rude
           and
           indiscreet
           a
           charge
           he
           has
           brought
           him
           under
           .
           For
           he
           cou'd
           not
           but
           know
           ,
           that
           the
           learned
           Persons
           before-mentioned
           ,
           whose
           Authority
           is
           of
           great
           weight
           amongst
           Men
           of
           Letters
           ,
           had
           deliver'd
           their
           Opinions
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           the
           Author
           of
           some
           of
           those
           Plays
           ,
           especially
           the
           Judicious
           Heinsius
           ,
           whom
           he
           cites
           ,
           and
           I
           shou'd
           suppose
           he
           is
           well
           acquainted
           with
           ,
           unless
           he
           does
           (
           which
           I
           suspect
           )
           like
           some
           Persons
           ,
           that
           boast
           of
           their
           familiarity
           with
           great
           men
           ,
           whom
           they
           have
           not
           the
           honour
           to
           know
           .
        
         
           Had
           he
           known
           their
           Opinions
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           it
           had
           but
           been
           a
           becoming
           piece
           of
           Modesty
           to
           have
           laid
           his
           reasons
           for
           his
           dissent
           from
           'em
           before
           his
           Reader
           ;
           and
           not
           haughtily
           to
           have
           slighted
           their
           Authorities
           as
           not
           worth
           his
           notice
           .
           Or
           at
           least
           he
           ought
           not
           in
           good
           manners
           to
           have
           treated
           the
           Memory
           of
           that
           Philosopher
           
           at
           so
           scoundrel
           a
           rate
           .
           I
           suppose
           he
           will
           hardly
           justifie
           this
           Indignity
           from
           the
           misrepresentations
           that
           have
           been
           given
           of
           him
           .
           For
           ,
           not
           to
           enter
           improperly
           into
           a
           dispute
           about
           the
           validity
           of
           those
           Reports
           here
           ,
           whatever
           his
           private
           infirmities
           might
           be
           ,
           we
           are
           sure
           from
           his
           works
           ,
           that
           he
           bent
           his
           Studies
           and
           Endeavours
           to
           the
           service
           of
           Morality
           as
           heartily
           and
           successfully
           ,
           as
           some
           Christians
           who
           with
           greater
           helps
           and
           stronger
           invitations
           ,
           seem
           to
           value
           their
           Services
           much
           higher
           ,
           with
           less
           reason
           .
        
         
           However
           Seneca
           ,
           
           tho
           he
           cannot
           without
           extream
           injury
           be
           accus'd
           of
           Writing
           for
           the
           encouragement
           of
           Debauchery
           ,
           has
           been
           very
           careless
           of
           Poetick
           Justice
           in
           winding
           up
           his
           Fables
           .
           Phaedra
           in
           the
           Hippolytus
           ,
           and
           Lycus
           in
           the
           
             Hercules
             Furens
          
           are
           only
           the
           Malefactors
           that
           are
           brought
           to
           condign
           Punishment
           .
           For
           ,
           as
           for
           Oedipus
           ,
           we
           have
           had
           occasion
           already
           to
           clear
           him
           from
           the
           Aspersion
           of
           Guilt
           ,
           tho
           his
           Misfortunes
           are
           the
           most
           notorious
           ,
           and
           his
           Calamities
           the
           most
           deplorable
           of
           any
           upon
           the
           Antient
           Stage
           .
           
           
             Ajax
             Oileus
          
           ,
           whom
           Mr.
           Collier
           produces
           as
           the
           only
           instance
           of
           
           this
           kind
           ,
           
           is
           indeed
           none
           .
           For
           he
           is
           no
           Person
           of
           the
           Drama
           ,
           nor
           has
           his
           Fate
           any
           influence
           upon
           the
           success
           of
           the
           Action
           either
           way
           .
           He
           is
           only
           mention'd
           by
           Eurybates
           ,
           in
           the
           relation
           which
           he
           makes
           of
           the
           Voyage
           of
           the
           Greeks
           from
           Troy
           ,
           to
           encrease
           the
           horror
           of
           that
           Storm
           ,
           of
           which
           he
           was
           then
           giving
           a
           description
           ;
           which
           is
           no
           more
           to
           the
           business
           of
           the
           Play
           ,
           than
           't
           wou'd
           have
           been
           ,
           if
           Mr
           Congreve
           in
           his
           
             Mourning
             Bride
          
           shou'd
           have
           taken
           occasion
           from
           the
           Wreck
           of
           his
           Hero
           on
           the
           same
           Seas
           ,
           to
           have
           brought
           in
           the
           Storm
           that
           cast
           away
           the
           Turkey
           Fleet
           ,
           and
           describ'd
           the
           manner
           of
           Sir
           Francis
           Wheeler's
           Wreck
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           Seneca
           has
           been
           remiss
           upon
           this
           Article
           he
           sins
           at
           least
           by
           Precedent
           ,
           
           and
           may
           plead
           in
           his
           Justification
           ,
           that
           he
           leaves
           the
           Story
           generally
           no
           worse
           than
           he
           found
           it
           .
           He
           built
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           already
           observ'd
           ,
           upon
           other
           mens
           bottoms
           ,
           and
           cou'd
           not
           make
           any
           great
           alterations
           in
           the
           Foundations
           they
           had
           laid
           ,
           without
           endangering
           the
           superstructure
           .
           Aristotle
           observes
           ,
           in
           favour
           of
           the
           Poets
           of
           ,
           or
           near
           his
           time
           ,
           that
           taking
           the
           Fables
           of
           their
           Plays
           from
           
           Stories
           vulgarly
           known
           either
           from
           History
           ,
           or
           the
           works
           of
           some
           precedent
           Poet
           ,
           they
           had
           not
           the
           liberty
           of
           receding
           so
           far
           from
           the
           receiv'd
           Tradition
           in
           the
           Contrivance
           ,
           and
           disposition
           of
           their
           Fables
           ,
           as
           was
           frequently
           requir'd
           to
           the
           forming
           a
           just
           and
           truly
           artificial
           Model
           .
           This
           may
           be
           urg'd
           with
           more
           justice
           in
           defence
           of
           Seneca
           ,
           who
           ,
           taking
           his
           .
           Models
           from
           Authors
           of
           great
           reputation
           ,
           wou'd
           have
           been
           thought
           guilty
           of
           a
           high
           piece
           of
           Presumption
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           varied
           too
           much
           from
           Originals
           so
           well
           known
           and
           received
           .
           Besides
           ,
           had
           he
           chang'd
           the
           Fortune
           of
           his
           Principal
           Persons
           he
           had
           effac'd
           the
           Images
           of
           'em
           ,
           which
           had
           been
           impress'd
           upon
           the
           Audience
           ,
           who
           wou'd
           not
           have
           own'd
           ,
           or
           acknowledg'd
           'em
           for
           the
           persons
           they
           pretended
           to
           represent
           ,
           who
           were
           best
           ,
           or
           perhaps
           only
           by
           those
           marks
           to
           be
           distinguish'd
           .
        
         
           However
           ,
           
           it
           must
           be
           granted
           ,
           that
           in
           his
           Hippolytus
           ,
           wherein
           he
           has
           ventur'd
           to
           deviate
           a
           little
           from
           the
           Original
           ,
           he
           has
           done
           it
           very
           judiciously
           ,
           and
           very
           much
           to
           the
           advantage
           of
           the
           Moral
           ;
           the
           application
           of
           which
           he
           has
           thereby
           render'd
           not
           only
           more
           easie
           and
           natural
           ,
           
           but
           it self
           likewise
           more
           useful
           ,
           and
           instructive
           .
           In
           Euripides
           the
           Gods
           do
           all
           .
           His
           Persons
           move
           like
           Puppets
           by
           wires
           ;
           Venus
           contrives
           and
           acts
           all
           .
           
           Phedra's
           a
           meer
           Machine
           ,
           a
           passive
           Vehicle
           ,
           that
           serves
           purely
           for
           the
           more
           cleanly
           conveyance
           of
           the
           Goddesses
           malice
           .
           The
           unraveling
           likewise
           is
           perform'd
           by
           Machine
           ,
           Pallas
           descends
           to
           clear
           the
           Innocence
           of
           Hippolytus
           ,
           and
           accuses
           Venus
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           the
           Action
           is
           all
           forc'd
           and
           unnatural
           ,
           and
           of
           consequence
           ,
           the
           Moral
           ,
           if
           any
           ,
           must
           be
           strain'd
           .
        
         
           Seneca
           has
           artfully
           avoided
           these
           inconveniences
           ,
           
           by
           making
           the
           incestuous
           Love
           of
           Phaedra
           spring
           from
           her
           own
           Infirmity
           ,
           and
           the
           death
           of
           Hippolytus
           ,
           the
           effect
           of
           her
           Revenge
           of
           his
           Scornfully
           rejecting
           her
           Passion
           ,
           and
           her
           fear
           of
           his
           making
           a
           discovery
           of
           her
           Infamy
           to
           his
           Father
           .
           Her
           punishment
           by
           this
           means
           becomes
           just
           ,
           which
           was
           not
           so
           in
           the
           Greek
           ,
           and
           her
           Rage
           ,
           Despair
           ,
           Confession
           and
           Death
           ,
           are
           the
           natural
           result
           of
           her
           Guilt
           and
           Folly.
           
           From
           the
           unhappy
           Catastrophe
           of
           this
           Lady
           ,
           ,
           matter
           of
           fair
           Instruction
           may
           be
           drawn
           to
           check
           such
           licentious
           Flames
           in
           their
           first
           Birth
           ,
           which
           if
           indulg'd
           draw
           after
           'em
           such
           fatal
           consequences
           .
           And
           
           from
           the
           rash
           misplac'd
           imprecation
           of
           Theseus
           ,
           Parents
           may
           be
           caution'd
           against
           too
           easie
           a
           credulity
           in
           such
           extraordinary
           cases
           ,
           and
           to
           guard
           against
           such
           violences
           of
           Passion
           ,
           as
           may
           extort
           Curses
           from
           'em
           ,
           that
           may
           return
           upon
           their
           own
           Heads
           ,
           and
           involve
           themselves
           in
           the
           conclusion
           .
        
         
           This
           Plot
           ,
           as
           it
           stands
           in
           Seneca
           ,
           is
           one
           of
           the
           neatest
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           and
           had
           the
           Author
           taken
           care
           to
           disencourage
           himself
           as
           happily
           from
           Neptune
           ,
           as
           he
           has
           from
           Venus
           and
           Minerva
           ,
           I
           see
           nothing
           inartificial
           in
           the
           disposition
           of
           it
           .
           But
           Neptune
           performing
           his
           part
           
             extra
             Scenam
          
           ,
           this
           fault
           is
           the
           more
           pardonable
           ,
           especially
           since
           't
           is
           originally
           the
           oversight
           of
           Euripides
           .
        
         
           The
           rest
           of
           this
           Author's
           Plays
           varying
           little
           or
           nothing
           in
           the
           Fable
           from
           the
           Greek
           Originals
           ,
           
           (
           those
           I
           mean
           ,
           that
           we
           know
           ,
           for
           the
           Thyestes
           of
           Sophocles
           is
           lost
           )
           whatever
           the
           faults
           of
           'em
           may
           be
           in
           that
           respect
           ,
           the
           Latin
           Author
           is
           not
           so
           properly
           accountable
           for
           '
           em
           .
           The
           Octavia
           ,
           
           being
           the
           only
           Tragedy
           of
           Roman
           Stock
           that
           remains
           to
           us
           ,
           seems
           to
           challenge
           upon
           that
           Score
           some
           regard
           ,
           whosoever
           was
           the
           Author
           of
           it
           .
           But
           
           being
           rather
           a
           relation
           by
           way
           of
           Dialogue
           between
           the
           several
           Parties
           concerned
           of
           an
           unjust
           Tyrannick
           Action
           ,
           in
           which
           there
           is
           neither
           Plot
           ,
           Turn
           ,
           Moral
           ,
           nor
           Consequence
           ,
           it
           wou'd
           be
           time
           lost
           to
           bestow
           an
           Examination
           upon
           it
           here
           .
        
         
           Having
           thus
           run
           through
           the
           Tragedies
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           perhaps
           something
           more
           minutely
           ,
           than
           may
           be
           thought
           requisite
           upon
           this
           Article
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           make
           many
           reflections
           upon
           the
           whole
           ,
           but
           leave
           'em
           to
           the
           further
           consideration
           of
           the
           Reader
           ,
           after
           a
           Remark
           or
           two
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Practice
           of
           the
           Ancients
           in
           general
           ,
           in
           this
           respect
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           observable
           ,
           
           that
           the
           Ancients
           in
           the
           disposition
           of
           their
           Fables
           ,
           seem
           to
           have
           had
           such
           very
           little
           regard
           to
           the
           Moral
           of
           'em
           ,
           they
           contented
           themselves
           with
           delivering
           their
           Instructions
           in
           wise
           sayings
           ,
           scatter'd
           here
           and
           there
           up
           and
           down
           the
           Dialogue
           ,
           or
           at
           the
           close
           of
           all
           ;
           and
           only
           sought
           in
           their
           Fables
           matter
           and
           occasion
           of
           moving
           the
           Passions
           ,
           which
           was
           generally
           done
           by
           way
           of
           Narration
           ;
           to
           which
           end
           they
           furnish'd
           out
           their
           Dialogue
           with
           all
           the
           Force
           ,
           Pomp
           ,
           and
           Terrour
           of
           
           Expression
           they
           could
           ,
           in
           which
           how
           well
           they
           have
           succceded
           ,
           is
           not
           to
           the
           present
           purpose
           to
           take
           notice
           .
        
         
           Aristotle
           had
           ,
           
           no
           doubt
           ,
           this
           practice
           of
           theirs
           in
           view
           ,
           when
           he
           divided
           Tragedy
           into
           Moral
           and
           Pathetick
           .
           By
           this
           Division
           of
           Tragedy
           (
           
             ratione
             Subjecti
             )
             Aristotle
          
           plainly
           indicates
           ,
           not
           only
           that
           the
           Subjects
           of
           the
           Ancient
           Tragedy
           were
           not
           all
           Moral
           ,
           but
           likewise
           that
           it
           was
           not
           necessary
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           be
           so
           .
           He
           instances
           in
           the
           Phthiotides
           ,
           and
           Peleus
           ,
           two
           Tragedies
           that
           are
           lost
           ,
           as
           examples
           of
           the
           Moral
           kind
           ;
           and
           besides
           this
           mention
           of
           'em
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           remember
           any
           notice
           that
           he
           has
           taken
           of
           this
           sort
           of
           Tragedy
           .
           For
           all
           his
           Rules
           seem
           to
           be
           calculated
           for
           the
           service
           of
           the
           Pathetick
           and
           Implex
           kinds
           .
        
         
           From
           this
           silence
           of
           Aristotle
           ,
           
           and
           the
           scarcity
           of
           'em
           amongst
           the
           remains
           of
           the
           Greek
           Tragedy
           ,
           we
           may
           reasonably
           collect
           ,
           that
           this
           sort
           of
           Tragedy
           was
           not
           much
           in
           use
           amongst
           the
           Ancients
           themselves
           .
           For
           of
           all
           the
           Pieces
           of
           Antiquity
           the
           Alcestis
           of
           Euripides
           alone
           in
           my
           opinion
           deserves
           the
           name
           of
           a
           Moral
           Tragedy
           .
           In
           this
           Play
           both
           Admetus
           ,
           and
           his
           Wife
           Alcestis
           are
           Persons
           
           of
           strict
           Probity
           ,
           and
           great
           Piety
           .
           Alcestis
           out
           of
           a
           singular
           Piety
           ,
           offers
           her self
           to
           Death
           a
           voluntary
           Sacrifice
           ,
           in
           lieu
           of
           her
           Husband
           .
           In
           the
           depth
           of
           
           Admetus's
           grief
           while
           his
           Wife
           was
           yet
           in
           the
           House
           ,
           and
           the
           rites
           of
           Funeral
           unperform'd
           ,
           comes
           Hercules
           ,
           who
           observing
           the
           Family
           to
           be
           in
           Mourning
           ,
           desires
           to
           be
           excus'd
           from
           troubling
           his
           House
           at
           so
           unseasonable
           a
           time
           .
           Admetus
           ,
           unwilling
           to
           turn
           away
           such
           a
           Guest
           ,
           dissembles
           the
           real
           cause
           of
           his
           Grief
           ,
           and
           receives
           him
           nobly
           ,
           but
           Hercules
           enquiring
           ,
           and
           being
           inform'd
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           
           Admetus's
           loss
           ,
           combats
           Death
           ,
           recovers
           Alcestis
           ,
           and
           restores
           her
           to
           her
           Husband
           .
        
         
           The
           Fable
           of
           this
           Play
           is
           truly
           Moral
           .
           
           Alcestis
           first
           by
           her
           Piety
           redeems
           her
           Husband
           from
           Death
           ;
           and
           Admetus
           afterwards
           by
           his
           Generosity
           and
           Hospitality
           ,
           by
           means
           of
           Hercules
           ,
           rescues
           her
           from
           the
           Grave
           .
           Thus
           they
           reciprocally
           owe
           their
           lives
           to
           each
           others
           Virtue
           .
           But
           if
           this
           Play
           be
           remarkably
           Moral
           ,
           it
           is
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           monstrously
           unnatural
           ,
           and
           consequently
           on
           that
           account
           is
           incapable
           of
           affording
           any
           extraordinary
           Pleasure
           ,
           or
           Improvement
           .
           
           This
           probably
           might
           be
           the
           reason
           ,
           why
           this
           sort
           of
           Tragedy
           was
           so
           little
           in
           request
           .
        
         
           From
           the
           whole
           it
           appears
           ,
           
           that
           the
           Antients
           were
           not
           so
           careful
           of
           their
           Models
           ,
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           pretends
           ;
           but
           were
           on
           the
           contrary
           extremely
           negligent
           of
           the
           Moral
           in
           the
           Fables
           of
           their
           Tragedies
           .
           So
           that
           if
           one
           or
           two
           do
           afford
           a
           tolerable
           one
           ,
           we
           may
           conclude
           by
           the
           slight
           notice
           they
           take
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           they
           did
           not
           see
           it
           ,
           or
           but
           casually
           found
           it
           there
           ,
           rather
           than
           industriously
           sought
           it
           ;
           and
           that
           we
           are
           more
           beholding
           to
           their
           luck
           ,
           than
           Judgment
           or
           good
           Intentions
           for
           '
           em
           .
           I
           grant
           this
           way
           of
           arguing
           not
           to
           be
           demonstrative
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           not
           therefore
           unconclusive
           .
           For
           since
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           Antients
           ,
           is
           not
           any
           where
           (
           that
           I
           know
           of
           )
           delivered
           in
           express
           terms
           concerning
           this
           matter
           ,
           I
           take
           their
           Practice
           ,
           backt
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           Aristotle
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           sufficient
           warrant
           for
           any
           conclusions
           ,
           that
           shall
           be
           drawn
           naturally
           from
           '
           em
           .
           
        
         
           But
           if
           I
           wou'd
           indulge
           my self
           in
           the
           Liberties
           of
           Mr.
           Collier
           ,
           and
           charge
           the
           Antiens
           at
           that
           loose
           rate
           ,
           that
           he
           does
           the
           
             English
             Dramatick
          
           Poets
           ,
           I
           might
           
           not
           only
           tax
           'em
           with
           negligence
           of
           their
           Morals
           ,
           but
           with
           maliciously
           discouraging
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           industriously
           promoting
           Villany
           ,
           and
           Impiety
           .
           Nor
           wou'd
           the
           Poets
           suffer
           alone
           ,
           all
           the
           great
           Men
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           that
           have
           commended
           their
           works
           ,
           must
           share
           both
           the
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           the
           Sentence
           ;
           and
           Aristotle
           above
           the
           rest
           wou'd
           be
           even
           capitally
           criminal
           ,
           his
           
             Art
             of
             Poetry
          
           is
           an
           inexhaustible
           Spring
           of
           Corruption
           ,
           an
           everlasting
           Source
           of
           Infection
           ,
           that
           has
           diffus'd
           its
           Venome
           over
           the
           whole
           World
           ,
           and
           poison'd
           Mankind
           almost
           universally
           with
           
             Villany
             ,
             Impiety
             ,
             Lewdness
          
           ,
           and
           Debauchery
           ,
           of
           all
           kinds
           ,
           for
           above
           sixteen
           hundred
           years
           together
           .
           This
           wou'd
           be
           high
           Treason
           among
           the
           Admirers
           of
           the
           Antients
           ,
           yet
           't
           is
           nothing
           to
           one
           of
           Mr
           Collier's
           declamatory
           Rants
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           in
           one
           of
           his
           Rhetorical
           Fits
           ,
           and
           about
           to
           dress
           up
           a
           Character
           for
           Aristophanes
           ,
           or
           any
           of
           the
           English
           Poets
           .
           After
           this
           disingenuous
           rate
           't
           were
           easie
           to
           turn
           the
           Satyr
           upon
           Ages
           long
           since
           past
           ,
           and
           railly
           in
           his
           own
           words
           ,
           those
           whom
           he
           himself
           recommends
           to
           the
           Imitation
           of
           our
           present
           Writers
           .
           An
           instance
           of
           this
           
           kind
           mayn't
           be
           amiss
           to
           shew
           how
           easie
           't
           is
           to
           misrepresent
           the
           fairest
           intentions
           ,
           and
           to
           improve
           Peccadillo's
           into
           Crimes
           of
           the
           blackest
           Dye
           ,
           to
           make
           a
           hellish
           Plot
           of
           an
           oversight
           ,
           and
           plunge
           Men
           over
           head
           and
           ears
           in
           Brimstone
           ,
           for
           Humane
           infirmities
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           
             a
             Jest
          
           ,
           
           that
           the
           Antients
           wou'd
           make
           us
           believe
           ,
           
             that
             their
             design
             was
             Virtue
             and
             Reformation
             .
             In
             good
             time
             !
             They
             are
             likely
             to
             combat
             Vice
             with
             Success
             ,
          
           
           
             who
             destroy
             the
             Principles
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil.
          
           Wou'd
           Euripides
           perswade
           us
           that
           his
           aim
           is
           Virtuous
           ,
           and
           his
           design
           Moral
           ?
           Why
           then
           does
           he
           make
           choice
           of
           means
           so
           disproportionate
           to
           the
           end
           he
           pretends
           to
           drive
           at
           ?
           Why
           is
           Vice
           represented
           successful
           ,
           and
           Villany
           triumphant
           ,
           but
           to
           encourage
           Men
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           it
           ?
           Why
           is
           Medea
           ,
           the
           betrayer
           of
           her
           Father
           ,
           and
           Country
           ,
           a
           Poysoner
           ,
           a
           Sorceress
           ,
           and
           a
           Murtherer
           ,
           one
           that
           had
           run
           thro
           the
           whole
           compass
           ,
           and
           measur'd
           all
           the
           Paces
           of
           Villany
           ,
           suffer'd
           to
           make
           her
           escape
           ?
           Or
           if
           she
           must
           not
           be
           punish'd
           ,
           why
           are
           the
           Gods
           engaged
           in
           the
           matter
           ,
           and
           she
           taken
           into
           the
           care
           of
           Providence
           ,
           and
           furnished
           with
           means
           of
           Escape
           at
           
           the
           expence
           of
           a
           Miracle
           ?
           Why
           are
           Orestes
           and
           Electra
           ,
           Parricides
           ,
           taken
           immediately
           into
           the
           Protection
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           under
           Despondency
           ,
           and
           the
           lashes
           of
           a
           guilty
           Conscience
           ?
           Why
           are
           they
           encourag'd
           to
           bear
           up
           against
           the
           convictions
           of
           their
           own
           minds
           ,
           and
           promis●d
           prosperity
           from
           Heaven
           ?
           Why
           is
           Hippolytus
           maliciously
           persecuted
           ,
           and
           no
           less
           then
           two
           Deities
           employ'd
           in
           his
           ruine
           ,
           only
           for
           being
           chaste
           by
           vow
           ?
           unless
           it
           be
           to
           shew
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           World
           has
           been
           mistaken
           in
           its
           notions
           of
           Providence
           ,
           that
           wickedness
           is
           meritorious
           ,
           and
           Innocence
           a
           Crime
           ,
           that
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           Vice
           ,
           of
           which
           the
           Philosophers
           prate
           so
           much
           ,
           are
           but
           the
           Whimseys
           of
           Hypocondriacks
           ,
           the
           Dreams
           of
           speculative
           Enthusiasts
           .
           Are
           these
           the
           Socratick
           Dialogues
           ,
           and
           this
           the
           result
           of
           the
           Philosophers
           Lectures
           ?
           Is
           this
           the
           Admirer
           of
           Socrates
           ,
           that
           was
           reciprocally
           so
           admir'd
           by
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           cou'd
           sit
           whole
           days
           with
           Patience
           at
           the
           recital
           of
           his
           Plays
           ?
           If
           we
           may
           judge
           of
           one
           by
           the
           other
           ,
           the
           Scholar
           was
           an
           Atheist
           ,
           and
           his
           Master
           little
           better
           .
           Why
           else
           did
           he
           not
           reprove
           him
           for
           his
           blasphemous
           Fictions
           ,
           and
           making
           the
           Gods
           the
           Actors
           ,
           and
           Patrons
           of
           Villany
           ,
           and
           reprehend
           
           him
           for
           mistaking
           the
           notions
           of
           Providence
           ,
           confounding
           the
           Ideas
           of
           Virtue
           and
           Vice
           ,
           and
           subverting
           the
           Maxims
           of
           Morality
           ?
        
         
           Thus
           we
           see
           at
           this
           rate
           of
           declaiming
           not
           only
           Euripides
           ,
           
           who
           affected
           Philosophy
           a
           little
           too
           much
           in
           his
           Poems
           ,
           but
           even
           Socrates
           himself
           ,
           the
           Boast
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           and
           the
           Glory
           of
           the
           Heathen
           World
           stands
           condemn'd
           ,
           as
           an
           Abettour
           of
           
             Murther
             ,
             Incest
          
           ,
           and
           Blasphemy
           .
           Let
           us
           see
           whether
           Aeschylus
           or
           Sophocles
           can
           acquit
           themselves
           any
           better
           .
        
         
           If
           Aeschylus
           had
           taken
           due
           care
           of
           his
           designs
           ,
           
           and
           built
           only
           upon
           Models
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           we
           had
           never
           heard
           of
           his
           Prometheus
           .
           This
           Poet
           strikes
           at
           the
           Root
           of
           all
           Moral
           Virtue
           .
           He
           scorns
           to
           trifle
           ,
           and
           pluck
           it
           down
           piece-meal
           ,
           but
           blows
           it
           up
           all
           together
           .
           Philanthropy
           ,
           or
           Charity
           is
           the
           Ground
           and
           Foundation
           of
           all
           Morality
           .
           This
           in
           the
           Prometheus
           is
           made
           a
           Crime
           ,
           and
           a
           God
           sentenc'd
           to
           perpetual
           Punishment
           for
           his
           love
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           which
           is
           all
           that
           is
           objected
           to
           him
           .
           This
           must
           needs
           create
           in
           Mankind
           a
           great
           Veneration
           ,
           and
           impress
           a
           suitable
           
           Reverence
           for
           the
           Gods
           ,
           who
           are
           so
           very
           tender
           of
           'em
           ,
           in
           return
           for
           their
           oblations
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           high
           Treason
           to
           bear
           'em
           any
           good
           Will.
           No
           doubt
           .
           but
           Religion
           must
           shoot
           ,
           and
           flourish
           mightily
           under
           such
           a
           hopeful
           Prospect
           of
           Reward
           .
        
         
           Sophocles
           has
           been
           altogether
           as
           careful
           of
           Religion
           in
           his
           Philoctetes
           .
           
           That
           Spark
           ,
           with
           his
           Carcass
           rotten
           ,
           and
           full
           of
           aches
           and
           ulcers
           ,
           hectors
           the
           Gods
           at
           a
           strange
           rate
           ,
           and
           they
           think
           it
           worth
           their
           while
           to
           cajole
           him
           into
           their
           service
           .
           Hercules
           is
           sent
           to
           make
           him
           a
           fine
           Speech
           ,
           and
           large
           promises
           to
           invite
           him
           to
           obedience
           ,
           and
           allure
           him
           over
           to
           their
           Party
           .
           Oedipus
           is
           made
           Virtuous
           ,
           Just
           ,
           and
           Wise
           ,
           but
           unhappy
           thro
           a
           Fatality
           ,
           against
           which
           his
           Virtue
           is
           no
           security
           ;
           Justice
           requires
           that
           he
           shou'd
           be
           rewarded
           and
           encouraged
           ,
           but
           Providence
           will
           have
           him
           afflicted
           ,
           and
           punisht
           with
           extremity
           of
           Rigour
           .
        
         
           Can
           any
           thing
           be
           more
           disserviceable
           to
           Probity
           and
           Religion
           ,
           
             than
             these
             Examples
             of
             Injustice
             ,
             Oppression
             ,
             and
             Cowardice
             in
             their
             Gods
             ?
          
           They
           cherish
           those
           Passions
           ,
           
           and
           reward
           those
           Vices
           ,
           
           which
           't
           is
           the
           business
           of
           Reason
           to
           discountenance
           .
           They
           strike
           at
           the
           root
           of
           Principle
           ,
           and
           draw
           off
           the
           Inclinations
           from
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           spoil
           good
           Education
           :
           They
           are
           the
           most
           effectual
           means
           to
           baffle
           Discipline
           ,
           to
           emasculate
           people's
           Sprits
           ,
           and
           debauch
           their
           Manners
           .
           How
           many
           of
           the
           unwary
           have
           these
           Syrens
           devoured
           ?
           And
           how
           often
           has
           the
           best
           blood
           been
           tainted
           with
           this
           Infection
           ?
           What
           disappointments
           of
           Parents
           ,
           what
           Confusion
           in
           Families
           ,
           and
           what
           Beggary
           in
           Estates
           have
           been
           hence
           occasioned
           :
           And
           which
           is
           still
           worse
           ,
           the
           Mischief
           spreads
           ,
           and
           the
           Malignity
           grows
           more
           envenom'd
           .
           The
           Fever
           works
           up
           towards
           Madness
           ,
           and
           will
           scarce
           endure
           to
           be
           touch'd
           .
        
         
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           the
           sober
           admirers
           of
           the
           Greek
           Tragedy
           will
           think
           that
           the
           fumes
           of
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           stumm'd
           Rant
           are
           got
           into
           my
           Head
           ,
           
           and
           work
           me
           out
           of
           my
           Wits
           .
           And
           had
           he
           so
           far
           debauch'd
           my
           Judgment
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           this
           my
           serious
           Opinion
           ,
           I
           wou'd
           grant
           ,
           that
           he
           and
           I
           were
           only
           fit
           to
           lead
           a
           Collony
           to
           settle
           at
           *
           Anticyra
           ,
           and
           dyet
           upon
           Hellebore
           .
           But
           tho
           I
           have
           no
           such
           lewd
           thoughts
           of
           the
           great
           Men
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           
           yet
           so
           far
           I
           shall
           presume
           to
           venture
           ,
           (
           without
           trespassing
           against
           Modesty
           ,
           or
           breaking
           rudely
           in
           upon
           the
           harmonious
           Judgment
           of
           the
           Learned
           for
           a
           long
           Succession
           of
           Ages
           )
           as
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           unreasonable
           Satyr
           comes
           as
           full
           upon
           the
           Antients
           whom
           he
           admires
           and
           commends
           ,
           as
           upon
           the
           Moderns
           ,
           whom
           he
           vilifies
           and
           condemns
           .
        
         
           The
           Modern
           Tragedy
           is
           a
           Feild
           large
           enough
           for
           us
           to
           lose
           our selves
           in
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           shall
           not
           take
           the
           Liberty
           of
           ranging
           thro
           'em
           at
           large
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           most
           part
           confine
           my self
           to
           such
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           already
           attackt
           .
           Upon
           presumption
           therefore
           that
           these
           are
           the
           weakest
           ,
           if
           these
           can
           be
           defended
           ,
           the
           rest
           I
           suppose
           may
           hold
           out
           of
           themselves
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           begin
           with
           Shakespear
           ,
           whom
           notwithstanding
           the
           severity
           of
           Mr
           Rhimer
           ,
           
           and
           the
           hard
           usage
           of
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           I
           must
           still
           think
           the
           Proto-Dramatist
           of
           England
           ,
           tho
           he
           fell
           short
           of
           the
           Art
           of
           Johnson
           ,
           and
           the
           Conversation
           of
           Beaumont
           and
           Fletcher
           .
           Upon
           that
           account
           he
           wants
           many
           of
           their
           Graces
           ,
           
           yet
           his
           Beauties
           make
           large
           amends
           for
           his
           Defects
           ,
           and
           Nature
           has
           richly
           provided
           him
           with
           the
           materials
           ,
           tho
           his
           unkind
           Fortune
           denied
           him
           the
           Art
           of
           managing
           them
           to
           the
           best
           Advantage
           .
        
         
           His
           Hamlet
           ,
           
           a
           Play
           of
           the
           first
           rate
           ,
           has
           the
           misfortune
           to
           fall
           under
           Mr
           Collier's
           displeasure
           ;
           and
           Ophelia
           who
           has
           had
           the
           luck
           hitherto
           to
           keep
           her
           reputation
           ,
           is
           at
           last
           censur'd
           for
           Lightness
           in
           her
           Frenzy
           ;
           nay
           ,
           Mr
           Collier
           is
           so
           familiar
           with
           her
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           an
           unkind
           discovery
           of
           the
           unsavouriness
           of
           her
           Breath
           ,
           which
           no
           Body
           suspected
           before
           .
           But
           it
           may
           be
           this
           is
           a
           groundless
           surmise
           ,
           and
           Mr
           Collier
           is
           deceived
           by
           a
           bad
           Nose
           ,
           or
           a
           rotten
           Tooth
           of
           his
           own
           ;
           and
           then
           he
           is
           obliged
           to
           beg
           the
           Poets
           and
           the
           Ladies
           pardon
           for
           the
           wrong
           he
           has
           done
           'em
           ;
           But
           that
           will
           fall
           more
           naturally
           under
           our
           consideration
           in
           another
           place
           .
        
         
           Hamlet
           King
           of
           Denmark
           was
           privately
           murther'd
           by
           his
           Brother
           ,
           
           who
           immediately
           thereupon
           marry'd
           the
           Dowager
           ,
           and
           supplanted
           his
           Nephew
           in
           the
           Succession
           to
           the
           Crown
           .
           Thus
           far
           before
           the
           proper
           action
           of
           the
           Play.
           
        
         
         
           The
           late
           Kings
           Ghost
           appears
           to
           his
           Son
           young
           Hamlet
           ,
           
           and
           declares
           how
           and
           by
           whom
           he
           was
           murther'd
           ,
           and
           engages
           him
           to
           revenge
           it
           .
           Hamlet
           hereupon
           grows
           very
           much
           discontented
           ,
           and
           the
           King
           very
           jealous
           of
           him
           .
           Hereupon
           he
           is
           dispatched
           with
           Ambassadors
           to
           England
           ,
           then
           supposed
           Tributary
           to
           Denmark
           ,
           whither
           a
           secret
           Commission
           to
           put
           him
           to
           Death
           ,
           is
           sent
           by
           'em
           :
           Which
           Hamlet
           discovering
           writes
           a
           new
           Commission
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           inserts
           the
           names
           of
           the
           Ambassadors
           instead
           of
           his
           own
           .
           After
           this
           a
           Pirate
           engaging
           their
           Vessel
           ,
           and
           Hamlet
           too
           eagerly
           boarding
           her
           is
           carried
           off
           ,
           and
           set
           ashore
           in
           Denmark
           again
           .
           The
           Ambassadors
           not
           suspecting
           Hamlet's
           Trick
           ,
           pursue
           their
           Voyage
           ,
           and
           are
           caught
           in
           their
           own
           Trap.
           Polonius
           ,
           a
           Councellour
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           conveying
           himself
           as
           a
           Spy
           behind
           the
           Hangings
           ,
           at
           an
           enterview
           between
           Hamlei
           and
           his
           Mother
           ,
           is
           mistaken
           for
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           killed
           by
           him
           .
           Laertes
           his
           Son
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           King
           contrive
           the
           Death
           of
           Hamlet
           by
           a
           sham
           Match
           at
           Foyls
           ,
           wherein
           Laertes
           uses
           a
           poyson'd
           unrebated
           Weapon
           .
           The
           King
           ,
           not
           trusting
           to
           this
           single
           Treachery
           ,
           
           prepares
           a
           poysoned
           Bowl
           for
           Hamlet
           ,
           which
           the
           Queen
           ignorantly
           drinks
           .
           Hamlet
           is
           too
           hard
           for
           Laertes
           ,
           and
           closes
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           recovers
           the
           envenom'd
           weapon
           from
           him
           ,
           but
           in
           so
           doing
           ,
           he
           is
           hurt
           by
           ,
           and
           hurts
           him
           with
           it
           .
           Laertes
           perceiving
           himself
           wounded
           ,
           and
           knowing
           it
           to
           be
           mortal
           ,
           confesses
           that
           it
           was
           a
           train
           laid
           by
           the
           King
           for
           Hamlet's
           Life
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           foul
           Practice
           is
           justly
           turn'd
           upon
           himself
           .
           The
           Queen
           at
           the
           same
           times
           cries
           out
           ,
           that
           she
           is
           poysoned
           ,
           whereupon
           Hamlet
           wounds
           the
           King
           with
           the
           envenom'd
           weapon
           .
           They
           all
           die
           .
        
         
           Whatever
           defects
           the
           Criticks
           may
           find
           in
           this
           Fable
           ,
           
           the
           Moral
           of
           it
           is
           excellent
           .
           Here
           was
           a
           Murther
           privately
           committed
           ,
           strangely
           discover'd
           ,
           and
           wonderfully
           punish'd
           .
           Nothing
           in
           Antiquity
           can
           rival
           this
           Plot
           for
           the
           admirable
           distribution
           of
           Poetick
           Justice
           .
           The
           Criminals
           are
           not
           only
           brought
           to
           execution
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           taken
           in
           their
           own
           Toyls
           ,
           their
           own
           Stratagems
           recoyl
           upon
           'em
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           involv'd
           themselves
           in
           that
           mischief
           and
           ruine
           ,
           which
           they
           had
           projected
           for
           
             Hamlet
             .
             Polonius
          
           by
           playing
           the
           Spy
           meets
           a
           Fate
           ,
           which
           
           was
           neither
           expected
           by
           ,
           nor
           intended
           for
           him
           .
           Guildenstern
           and
           Rosencraus
           ,
           the
           Kings
           Decoys
           ,
           are
           counterplotted
           ,
           and
           sent
           to
           meet
           that
           fate
           ,
           to
           which
           they
           were
           trepanning
           the
           Prince
           .
           The
           Tyrant
           himself
           falls
           by
           his
           own
           Plot
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           that
           Brother
           ,
           whom
           he
           had
           murther'd
           .
           Laertes
           suffers
           by
           his
           own
           Treachery
           ,
           and
           dies
           by
           a
           Weapon
           of
           his
           own
           preparing
           .
           Thus
           every
           one's
           crime
           naturally
           produces
           his
           Punishment
           ,
           and
           every
           one
           (
           the
           Tyrant
           excepted
           )
           commences
           a
           Wretch
           almost
           as
           soon
           as
           a
           Villain
           .
        
         
           
             The
             Moral
             of
             all
             this
             is
             very
             obvious
             ,
          
           
           it
           
             shews
             us
          
           ,
           That
           the
           Greatness
           of
           the
           Offender
           does
           not
           qualifie
           the
           Offence
           ,
           and
           that
           no
           Humane
           Power
           ,
           or
           Policy
           are
           a
           sufficent
           Guard
           against
           the
           Impartial
           Hand
           ,
           and
           Eye
           of
           Providence
           ,
           which
           defeats
           their
           wicked
           purposes
           ,
           and
           turns
           their
           dangerous
           Machinations
           upon
           their
           own
           heads
           .
           
             This
             Moral
          
           Hamlet
           
             himself
             insinuates
             to
             us
             ,
             when
             he
             tells
          
           Horatio
           ,
           
             that
             he
             ow'd
             the
             Discovery
             of
             the
             Design
             against
             his
             Life
             in
          
           England
           ,
           
             to
             a
             rash
             indiscreet
             curiosity
             ,
             and
             thence
             makes
             this
             Inference
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             Our
             Indiscretion
             sometimes
             serves
             as
             well
             ,
          
           
             When
             our
             dear
             Plots
             do
             fail
             ,
             and
             that
             shou'd
             teach
             us
             .
          
           
             There
             's
             a
             Divinity
             ,
             that
             shapes
             our
             ends
             ,
          
           
             Rough
             hew
             'em
             how
             we
             will.
             
          
        
         
           The
           Tragedies
           of
           this
           Author
           in
           general
           are
           Moral
           and
           Instructive
           ,
           
           and
           many
           of
           'em
           such
           ,
           as
           the
           best
           of
           Antiquity
           can't
           equal
           in
           that
           respect
           .
           His
           
             King
             Lear
             ,
             Timon
             of
             Athens
             ,
             Macbeth
             ,
          
           and
           some
           others
           are
           so
           remarkable
           upon
           that
           score
           ,
           that
           't
           wou'd
           be
           impertinent
           to
           trouble
           the
           Reader
           with
           a
           minute
           examination
           of
           Plays
           so
           generally
           known
           and
           approved
           .
        
         
           The
           other
           Tragedies
           upon
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           lets
           his
           indignation
           fall
           so
           heavy
           ,
           are
           so
           recent
           ,
           and
           so
           common
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           every
           Play
           Reader
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           almost
           an
           affront
           to
           their
           memories
           to
           trouble
           'em
           with
           too
           particular
           a
           Recapitulation
           .
           But
           since
           we
           have
           oblig'd
           our selves
           to
           make
           good
           the
           Comparative
           innocence
           of
           the
           Moderns
           by
           instances
           upon
           the
           Parallel
           ,
           Mr
           Collier
           can
           never
           desire
           fairer
           Play
           ,
           than
           for
           us
           to
           undertake
           the
           defence
           of
           those
           very
           Plays
           ,
           
           which
           he
           himself
           has
           markt
           out
           ,
           and
           assigned
           us
           ;
           of
           which
           the
           next
           in
           order
           is
           the
           Orphan
           ,
           against
           which
           he
           enters
           the
           Lists
           as
           the
           Chaplains
           Champion
           ,
           in
           whose
           Quarrel
           and
           upon
           whose
           account
           he
           is
           most
           implacably
           enraged
           .
        
         
           The
           Model
           of
           this
           Play
           is
           something
           like
           that
           of
           Oedipus
           ,
           
           except
           that
           in
           this
           the
           crime
           of
           Polydore
           ,
           being
           voluntary
           ,
           his
           guilt
           is
           real
           ,
           and
           by
           consequence
           Poetick
           Justice
           is
           observ'd
           in
           his
           punishment
           ,
           which
           is
           just
           .
           In
           this
           Tragedy
           likewise
           
             Acasto
             ,
             Castalio
          
           ,
           and
           Monimia
           are
           innocent
           ,
           virtuous
           Characters
           ,
           and
           their
           misfortunes
           undeserv'd
           ,
           which
           made
           'em
           naturally
           objects
           of
           Pity
           and
           Commiseration
           .
           The
           fatal
           consequences
           of
           Polydore's
           intemperate
           lust
           ,
           and
           base
           rash
           action
           ,
           afford
           matter
           of
           Terrour
           and
           Example
           .
           This
           Play
           is
           exactly
           constituted
           according
           to
           Aristotle
           ,
           who
           requires
           only
           that
           Tragedy
           shou'd
           move
           Terrour
           and
           Compassion
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           proper
           Springs
           ,
           by
           which
           it
           works
           upon
           the
           Audience
           .
           
           In
           this
           it
           excells
           the
           Fable
           of
           the
           Oedipus
           ,
           that
           it
           bears
           naturally
           a
           good
           Moral
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           wretched
           Catastrophe
           of
           Polydore
           ,
           and
           the
           miseries
           
           which
           his
           incontinence
           brought
           upon
           his
           Family
           ,
           preaches
           Chastity
           to
           the
           Audience
           after
           the
           most
           effectual
           manner
           .
        
         
           But
           Mr
           Collier's
           in
           the
           humour
           now
           ,
           
           and
           he
           scorns
           to
           circumscribe
           his
           kindness
           to
           the
           limits
           of
           the
           Christian
           Priesthood
           ,
           whether
           Orthodox
           ,
           or
           Heterodox
           .
           For
           even
           the
           Mufti
           is
           allowed
           the
           benefit
           of
           his
           Clergy
           ,
           and
           shares
           his
           Patronage
           .
           He
           is
           furiously
           provok'd
           at
           Mr
           Dryden
           for
           saying
           that
           
             Priests
             of
             all
             Religions
             are
             the
             same
             ,
          
           when
           he
           himself
           at
           the
           same
           time
           makes
           no
           distinction
           ,
           but
           treats
           the
           Priests
           of
           God
           Almighty
           ,
           Mahomet
           and
           Anubis
           with
           the
           same
           respect
           .
           He
           is
           for
           strengthening
           his
           Party
           ,
           and
           contracting
           an
           Alliance
           with
           all
           Faiths
           and
           Complexions
           ;
           he
           ransacks
           
             Europe
             ,
             Asia
          
           ,
           and
           Africa
           ,
           and
           enters
           into
           a
           religious
           League
           offensive
           and
           defensive
           with
           Sun-burnt
           Africans
           ,
           and
           Monsters
           of
           the
           Nile
           .
           To
           this
           end
           ,
           he
           labours
           hard
           to
           find
           out
           some
           relation
           between
           the
           Mufti
           and
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           and
           very
           dutifully
           strains
           to
           extend
           the
           scandal
           from
           Africk
           to
           England
           ,
           that
           what
           is
           said
           of
           their
           Arch-Priest
           may
           reflect
           upon
           our
           Prelates
           .
           The
           most
           bigotted
           
           Mussulman
           of
           'em
           all
           cou'd
           not
           have
           acted
           more
           for
           the
           service
           of
           their
           Priests
           ,
           than
           to
           have
           shifted
           the
           reproach
           from
           them
           to
           ours
           .
           But
           I
           hope
           there
           is
           no
           such
           Sympathy
           between
           'em
           (
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           injuriously
           fancies
           )
           and
           that
           to
           break
           the
           Mufti
           's
           wou'd
           not
           make
           our
           Bishops
           Heads
           ach
           ,
           or
           his
           black
           and
           blue
           be
           seen
           in
           their
           Faces
           .
           Those
           worthy
           great
           Men
           ,
           who
           are
           the
           honour
           of
           both
           our
           Church
           and
           Nation
           ,
           have
           little
           reason
           to
           thank
           him
           for
           endeavouring
           to
           ally
           'em
           to
           those
           ,
           that
           must
           of
           necessity
           ,
           putting
           the
           mildest
           construction
           upon
           their
           actions
           ,
           be
           either
           gross
           Fools
           or
           rank
           Knaves
           ;
           Fools
           if
           they
           believe
           ,
           and
           Knaves
           if
           they
           help
           on
           the
           cheat
           and
           imposture
           of
           Mahomet
           without
           believing
           .
           Thus
           Mr
           Collier
           puts
           a
           grosser
           affront
           upon
           our
           Religion
           and
           Clergy
           ,
           than
           any
           Mr
           Dryden
           has
           done
           ,
           and
           his
           reproof
           deserves
           a
           severer
           correction
           ,
           than
           t'others
           fault
           .
           This
           perhaps
           is
           a
           liberty
           too
           great
           to
           be
           indulg'd
           in
           any
           one
           but
           Mr
           Collier's
           dear
           self
           ,
           and
           therefore
           to
           chastize
           Mr
           Dryden's
           Presumption
           and
           Insolence
           for
           but
           seeming
           to
           invade
           his
           fancied
           Property
           ,
           he
           falls
           most
           outrageously
           upon
           his
           
             Don
             Sebastian
          
           .
        
         
         
           The
           Subject
           of
           this
           Play
           bears
           a
           very
           
             Religious
             Moral
          
           ,
           
           and
           consonant
           to
           the
           Tenour
           of
           the
           2d
           Commandment
           shews
           ,
           that
           the
           Punishment
           of
           Mens
           crimes
           ,
           shall
           extend
           not
           only
           to
           their
           own
           persons
           ,
           but
           if
           unrepented
           shall
           reach
           their
           Posterity
           likewise
           .
           In
           this
           Fable
           
             Muley
             Moloch
          
           ,
           a
           Tyrant
           and
           an
           Usurper
           ,
           Benducar
           a
           crafty
           Villain
           and
           a
           Traytor
           ,
           the
           Mufti
           a
           rascally
           Hypocrite
           and
           a
           Traytor
           .
           These
           three
           therefore
           are
           justly
           rewarded
           for
           their
           own
           proper
           Demerits
           .
           The
           Tyrant
           falls
           by
           Treachery
           ,
           the
           treacherous
           Minister
           by
           publick
           Justice
           ,
           and
           the
           Hypocrite
           is
           unmaskt
           ,
           depos'd
           ,
           and
           his
           Estate
           confiscated
           .
           Sebastian
           and
           Almeyda
           are
           Characters
           of
           extraordinary
           Virtue
           ,
           Sebastian
           appears
           just
           and
           brave
           ,
           and
           Almeyda
           chaste
           and
           constant
           to
           an
           Heroick
           Pitch
           .
           Their
           offence
           was
           involuntary
           ,
           and
           a
           Sin
           of
           Ignorance
           ,
           the
           unhappy
           consequence
           of
           the
           transgression
           of
           their
           Parents
           ,
           and
           their
           Punishment
           is
           proportion'd
           very
           well
           to
           the
           nature
           of
           their
           Trespass
           .
           For
           tho
           Incest
           be
           a
           Sin
           of
           a
           very
           black
           Dye
           ,
           yet
           their
           Ignorance
           of
           the
           nearness
           of
           their
           Blood
           washes
           away
           their
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           makes
           it
           their
           misfortune
           ,
           not
           their
           Crime
           .
           In
           this
           
           case
           a
           bare
           Separation
           wou'd
           be
           a
           sufficient
           Justification
           of
           their
           Innocence
           .
           But
           a
           Judgment
           hanging
           over
           their
           heads
           for
           the
           sin
           of
           their
           Parents
           ,
           to
           divert
           that
           something
           more
           mortifying
           was
           necessary
           ,
           and
           therefore
           a
           voluntary
           abdication
           ,
           exile
           ,
           and
           a
           recluse
           religious
           Life
           are
           thrown
           in
           by
           way
           of
           Pennance
           to
           make
           weight
           ,
           and
           give
           the
           attonement
           its
           due
           complement
           .
           But
           lest
           the
           true
           Moral
           shou'd
           escape
           the
           Audience
           ,
           the
           Poet
           has
           taken
           care
           to
           fix
           ,
           and
           summ
           it
           up
           in
           the
           four
           concluding
           Lines
           
             
               Let
               Sebastian
               and
               Almeyda's
               Fate
            
             
               This
               dreadful
               Sentence
               to
               the
               World
               relate
               ,
            
             
               That
               unrepented
               crimes
               of
               Parents
               dead
               ,
            
             
               Are
               justly
               punish'd
               on
               their
               Childrens
               heads
               .
            
          
        
         
           This
           Moral
           needs
           no
           defence
           ,
           and
           wou'd
           plead
           successfully
           for
           its
           Author
           ,
           and
           excuse
           many
           little
           Slips
           before
           any
           Judge
           less
           partially
           severe
           than
           Mr
           Collier
           .
        
         
           The
           Cleomenes
           of
           the
           same
           Author
           stands
           indicted
           upon
           the
           same
           score
           ,
           
           that
           is
           ,
           for
           being
           to
           free
           with
           the
           Priests
           
           of
           Apis.
           For
           tho
           that
           been't
           the
           only
           Allegation
           against
           this
           Play
           ,
           't
           is
           apparently
           the
           sole
           ground
           .
           Thus
           Mr
           Collier
           as
           well
           as
           Mr
           Dryden
           ,
           sets
           Priests
           of
           all
           Religions
           upon
           the
           same
           Foot.
           So
           they
           be
           but
           Priests
           ,
           't
           is
           no
           matter
           to
           whom
           ,
           he
           expects
           they
           shou'd
           be
           respected
           and
           reverenc'd
           ;
           the
           compliment
           must
           be
           paid
           to
           their
           Livery
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           Christs
           or
           the
           Devils
           .
           Else
           why
           are
           the
           Mufti
           ,
           and
           the
           Priests
           of
           Apis
           so
           much
           his
           Concern
           ?
           Why
           all
           this
           heat
           in
           the
           cause
           of
           Infidels
           and
           Idolaters
           ,
           and
           those
           none
           of
           the
           simple
           deluded
           Rout
           ,
           but
           the
           Arch
           Jugglers
           ,
           and
           Managers
           of
           the
           Cheat.
           
        
         
           In
           this
           Play
           he
           has
           forgot
           ,
           
           or
           overlook'd
           his
           greatest
           advantage
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           want
           of
           Moral
           .
           His
           Passion
           had
           got
           the
           upperhand
           of
           his
           Judgement
           ,
           and
           push'd
           him
           headlong
           on
           to
           the
           attack
           ,
           no
           matter
           where
           .
           In
           this
           Play
           Poetick
           Justice
           is
           altogether
           neglected
           ,
           Virtue
           is
           every
           where
           deprested
           ,
           and
           calamitous
           ,
           and
           falls
           at
           last
           unreveng'd
           in
           the
           ruine
           of
           
             Cleomenes
             ,
             Pantheus
             ,
             Cleanthes
             ,
             Cleonidas
             ,
             Cratisiclea
             ,
          
           and
           Cleora
           .
           Vice
           revels
           all
           along
           ,
           and
           
           triumps
           at
           length
           in
           the
           persons
           of
           
             Ptolomy
             ,
             Casandra
          
           ,
           and
           Sosybins
           .
           The
           Fidelity
           of
           Cleomenes
           to
           his
           Nuptial
           Vows
           is
           the
           destruction
           of
           himself
           and
           all
           his
           Friends
           ,
           while
           the
           Luxury
           of
           Ptolomy
           ,
           the
           Wantonness
           and
           Infidelity
           of
           Casandra
           ,
           and
           the
           Treachery
           of
           Sosybius
           ,
           insult
           in
           security
           unfortunate
           Virtue
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           
           Sosybius
           in
           the
           close
           seems
           to
           become
           a
           Convert
           ,
           and
           pretends
           to
           pay
           extraordinary
           honours
           to
           the
           Body
           of
           the
           dead
           Hero.
           From
           whence
           we
           may
           draw
           this
           inference
           ,
           
             That
             Virtue
             has
             its
             altars
             tho
             neglected
             ,
             even
             in
             the
             most
             profligate
             Breasts
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             most
             inveterate
             of
             its
             Enemies
             will
             confess
             its
             Charms
             ,
             when
             they
             no
             longer
             dread
             its
             power
             .
          
        
         
           Mr
           Dryden
           has
           confin'd
           himself
           a
           little
           too
           near
           the
           Story
           ,
           
           had
           he
           ass●rted
           his
           right
           ,
           and
           taken
           the
           Liberty
           of
           a
           Poet
           ,
           he
           might
           have
           improv'd
           the
           Moral
           very
           much
           by
           sending
           
             Sosybius
             ,
             Casandra
          
           ,
           and
           Ptolomy
           to
           attend
           Cleomenes
           to
           the
           other
           World.
           For
           (
           with
           Submission
           to
           Mr
           Dryden's
           better
           Judgment
           )
           I
           see
           no
           necessity
           for
           
             letting
             the
             Curtain
             fall
          
           so
           immediately
           upon
           the
           Death
           
           of
           Cleomenes
           .
           The
           fall
           of
           his
           Hero
           ought
           to
           have
           drawn
           after
           it
           a
           train
           of
           Consequence
           fatal
           to
           the
           Contrivers
           of
           it
           ;
           the
           ruines
           of
           a
           Hero
           of
           his
           size
           and
           weight
           ought
           to
           have
           crush'd
           those
           feeble
           Aegyptians
           .
           Had
           the
           rage
           and
           despair
           ,
           that
           might
           naturally
           be
           supposed
           in
           a
           Woman
           of
           Cassandra's
           furious
           temper
           ,
           upon
           the
           disappointment
           of
           her
           licentious
           ungovernable
           Flame
           ,
           been
           wrought
           up
           to
           the
           destruction
           of
           Sosybius
           and
           herself
           ,
           Magas
           might
           have
           made
           his
           appearance
           in
           Person
           ,
           to
           have
           finish'd
           the
           business
           ,
           and
           dispatch'd
           Ptolomy
           .
           All
           this
           might
           have
           been
           done
           without
           unnaturally
           stretching
           ,
           or
           making
           the
           action
           double
           .
           By
           this
           means
           
             Treachery
             ,
             Lust
             ,
             Infidelity
             ,
             Luxury
             ,
             Cowardice
             ,
          
           and
           Cruelty
           ,
           had
           all
           met
           their
           due
           reward
           .
           But
           the
           Poet
           by
           tracking
           too
           closely
           the
           Steps
           of
           the
           Historian
           has
           lost
           the
           Moral
           ,
           which
           ,
           had
           he
           been
           guided
           by
           ,
           and
           depended
           absolutely
           upon
           his
           own
           Judgment
           ,
           we
           had
           no
           doubt
           been
           indebted
           to
           him
           for
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           and
           last
           Tragedy
           I
           shall
           instance
           in
           is
           the
           
             Mourning
             Bride
          
           .
           
           I
           have
           had
           occasion
           already
           to
           say
           something
           of
           the
           Observation
           of
           Poetick
           
           Justice
           in
           this
           Play
           ,
           but
           this
           being
           the
           proper
           place
           ,
           I
           shall
           take
           it
           a
           little
           more
           particularly
           into
           consideration
           .
        
         
           The
           Fable
           of
           this
           Play
           is
           one
           of
           the
           most
           just
           ,
           
           and
           regular
           that
           the
           Stage
           ,
           either
           Antient
           or
           Modern
           ,
           can
           boast
           of
           .
           I
           mean
           ,
           for
           the
           distribution
           of
           Rewards
           ,
           and
           Punishments
           .
           For
           no
           virtuous
           person
           misses
           his
           Recompence
           ,
           and
           no
           vitious
           one
           escapes
           Vengeance
           .
           Manuel
           in
           the
           prosecution
           and
           exercise
           of
           his
           Cruelty
           and
           Tyranny
           ,
           is
           taken
           in
           a
           Trap
           of
           his
           own
           laying
           ,
           and
           falls
           himself
           a
           Sacrifice
           in
           the
           room
           of
           him
           ,
           whom
           he
           in
           his
           rage
           had
           devoted
           .
           Gonsalez
           villanous
           cunning
           returns
           upon
           his
           own
           head
           ,
           and
           makes
           him
           by
           mistake
           kill
           the
           King
           his
           Master
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           cut
           off
           ,
           not
           only
           all
           his
           hopes
           ,
           but
           his
           only
           Prop
           and
           Support
           ,
           and
           make
           sure
           of
           his
           own
           Destruction
           .
           Alonzo
           ,
           his
           Creature
           and
           Instrument
           ,
           acts
           by
           his
           instructions
           ,
           and
           shares
           his
           Fate
           .
           Zara's
           furious
           Temper
           and
           impetuous
           ungovernable
           Passion
           ,
           urge
           her
           to
           frequent
           violences
           ,
           and
           conclude
           at
           last
           in
           a
           fatal
           mistake
           .
           Thus
           every
           one
           's
           own
           Wickedness
           or
           Miscarriage
           determines
           his
           Fate
           ,
           without
           shedding
           any
           
           Malignity
           upon
           the
           Persons
           and
           Fortunes
           of
           others
           .
           Alphonso
           in
           reward
           of
           his
           Virtue
           receives
           the
           Crowns
           of
           Valentia
           and
           Granada
           ,
           and
           is
           happy
           in
           his
           Love
           ;
           all
           which
           he
           acknowledges
           to
           be
           the
           Gift
           of
           Providence
           ,
           which
           protects
           the
           Innocent
           ,
           and
           rewards
           the
           Virtuous
           .
           Almeria
           ,
           whose
           Virtues
           are
           much
           of
           the
           same
           kind
           ,
           and
           who
           Sympathiz'd
           with
           him
           in
           his
           afflictions
           ,
           becomes
           a
           joynt
           Partner
           of
           his
           Happiness
           .
           And
           Garcia
           ,
           tho
           a
           Servant
           of
           the
           Tyrant
           ,
           and
           Son
           of
           the
           treacherous
           ,
           ambitious
           Statesman
           ,
           yet
           executing
           only
           his
           Soveraigns
           lawful
           Commands
           ,
           and
           being
           untainted
           with
           his
           Fathers
           guilt
           ,
           and
           his
           Principles
           undebauch'd
           ,
           is
           receiv'd
           into
           
           Alphonso's
           favour
           .
        
         
           All
           this
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Moral
           is
           summ'd
           up
           so
           fully
           ,
           
           and
           so
           concisely
           in
           Alphonso's
           last
           speech
           ,
           that
           't
           were
           injustice
           not
           to
           give
           it
           in
           the
           Poets
           own
           words
           .
        
         
           
             (
             To
             Alm.
             )
          
           
             Thy
             Father
             fell
             ,
             where
             he
             design'd
             my
             Death
             .
          
           
             Gonsalez
             and
             Alonzo
             ,
             both
             of
             Wounds
          
           
             Expiring
             ,
             have
             with
             their
             last
             Breath
             Confest
          
           
           
             The
             just
             Decrees
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             in
             turning
             on
          
           
             Themselves
             their
             own
             most
             bloody
             Purposes
             ,
          
           
             To
             Garcia
             —
          
           
             O
             Garcia
          
           
             Seest
             thou
             ,
             how
             just
             the
             hand
             of
             Heaven
             has
             been
             ?
          
           
             Let
             us
             ,
             that
             thro
             our
             Innocence
             survive
             ,
          
           
             Still
             in
             the
             Paths
             of
             Honour
             persevere
             ,
          
           
             And
             not
             for
             past
             ,
             or
             present
             ills
             despair
             :
          
           
             For
             Blessings
             ever
             wait
             on
             virtuous
             deeds
             ;
          
           
             And
             tho
             a
             late
             ,
             a
             sure
             Reward
             succeeds
             .
          
        
         
           These
           I
           think
           are
           all
           the
           English
           Tragedies
           ,
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           by
           name
           excepted
           against
           .
           Taking
           therefore
           our
           View
           of
           the
           Modern
           Tragedy
           from
           that
           quarter
           ,
           which
           he
           has
           alotted
           to
           draw
           a
           Prospect
           of
           it
           in
           ,
           I
           shall
           leave
           it
           to
           the
           Reader
           to
           judge
           ,
           whether
           have
           raised
           the
           more
           beautiful
           structures
           .
           But
           if
           we
           can
           with
           these
           Forces
           ,
           which
           our
           Enemies
           have
           raised
           for
           us
           ,
           make
           head
           ,
           and
           maintain
           our
           ground
           against
           the
           united
           strength
           of
           all
           Antiquity
           ,
           what
           might
           have
           been
           done
           ,
           had
           we
           had
           the
           lasting
           ,
           and
           sizing
           'em
           our selves
           .
        
         
         
           I
           shall
           only
           take
           notice
           of
           two
           or
           
           three
           things
           which
           are
           apparently
           the
           indisputable
           advantage
           of
           the
           Moderns
           over
           the
           Antients
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           General
           Moral
           of
           their
           Fables
           .
        
         
           1st
           ,
           That
           they
           never
           are
           at
           the
           expence
           of
           a
           Machine
           to
           bring
           about
           a
           wicked
           Design
           ,
           and
           by
           consequence
           don't
           interest
           Providence
           in
           promoting
           Villany
           ;
           as
           the
           Antients
           have
           notoriously
           done
           in
           many
           of
           their
           Plays
           ;
           of
           which
           number
           are
           the
           Electra
           of
           Sophocles
           ;
           the
           
             Electra
             ,
             Orestes
             ,
             Hippolytus
             ,
             Ion
             ,
          
           and
           others
           of
           Euripides
           ,
           and
           the
           Thyestes
           of
           Seneca
           .
        
         
           2dly
           ,
           
           That
           they
           never
           engage
           Providence
           to
           afflict
           and
           oppress
           Virtue
           ,
           by
           distressing
           it
           by
           supernatural
           means
           ,
           as
           the
           Antients
           have
           manifestly
           done
           ,
           by
           making
           their
           Gods
           the
           immediate
           Actors
           in
           or
           directors
           of
           the
           misfortunes
           of
           virtuous
           persons
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           
             Prometheus
             in
             Chains
          
           of
           Aeschylus
           ,
           the
           Oedipus
           of
           Sophocles
           ,
           the
           Hippolytus
           and
           
             Hercules
             furens
          
           of
           Euripides
           ,
           the
           Oedipus
           and
           
             Hercules
             furens
          
           of
           Seneca
           ,
           and
           divers
           others
           of
           Antiquity
           .
        
         
           3dly
           ,
           
           That
           their
           Malefactors
           are
           generally
           punished
           ,
           which
           those
           of
           the
           Antients
           seldom
           were
           ;
           but
           if
           they
           escape
           
           the
           Moderns
           don
           't
           provide
           'em
           with
           a
           miraculous
           delivery
           ,
           or
           have
           recourse
           to
           such
           extraordinary
           Methods
           as
           exceed
           the
           reach
           of
           Humane
           Force
           or
           Cunning
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           entitle
           Providence
           to
           the
           Protection
           of
           'em
           ,
           which
           was
           the
           frequent
           Practice
           of
           the
           Antients
           ;
           as
           in
           the
           Electra
           of
           Sophocles
           ;
           the
           Medea
           ,
           the
           Orestes
           ,
           the
           Electra
           ,
           and
           others
           of
           Euripides
           ;
           
           the
           Medea
           of
           Seneca
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           From
           this
           short
           review
           of
           the
           different
           conduct
           of
           the
           Antient
           and
           Modern
           Tragedians
           ,
           we
           may
           see
           with
           how
           much
           more
           respect
           to
           Providence
           ,
           and
           the
           Divine
           administration
           ,
           our
           Poets
           have
           behaved
           themselves
           ,
           than
           they
           ;
           and
           how
           far
           the
           Ballance
           of
           Religion
           inclines
           to
           our
           side
           .
           I
           suppose
           no
           one
           can
           be
           so
           silly
           ,
           as
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           I
           argue
           here
           for
           the
           truth
           of
           their
           Faith
           ,
           but
           the
           measure
           of
           it
           in
           their
           respective
           perswasions
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           advantage
           is
           infinitely
           on
           the
           side
           of
           the
           English
           Stage
           .
        
         
           The
           Fable
           of
           every
           Play
           is
           undoubtedly
           the
           Authors
           own
           ,
           
           whencesoever
           he
           takes
           the
           Story
           ,
           and
           he
           may
           model
           it
           as
           he
           pleases
           .
           The
           Characters
           are
           not
           so
           ;
           the
           Poet
           is
           obliged
           to
           take
           'em
           from
           Nature
           ,
           and
           to
           copy
           as
           close
           after
           her
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           able
           .
           The
           〈…〉
           
           be
           said
           for
           the
           Thoughts
           and
           Expressions
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           suited
           to
           the
           Mouth
           and
           Character
           of
           the
           Person
           that
           speaks
           'em
           ,
           not
           the
           Poet
           's
           .
           It
           is
           not
           what
           is
           right
           or
           wrong
           in
           the
           Poet's
           Judgment
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           natural
           ,
           or
           unnatural
           for
           a
           Person
           of
           such
           a
           Character
           upon
           such
           an
           occasion
           to
           say
           ,
           which
           he
           is
           to
           consider
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           he
           is
           accountable
           only
           ,
           as
           well
           by
           the
           rules
           of
           Moral
           as
           Poetical
           Justice
           .
           When
           therefore
           we
           find
           any
           thing
           in
           Plays
           that
           sounds
           amiss
           ,
           we
           must
           examine
           whether
           it
           be
           proper
           to
           the
           Character
           or
           not
           ,
           before
           we
           condemn
           the
           Poet
           ,
           whom
           we
           may
           otherwise
           arraign
           as
           
             Mal
             a
             propos
          
           ,
           as
           a
           Judge
           wou'd
           the
           Kings
           Evidence
           ,
           if
           he
           shou'd
           prefer
           an
           Indictment
           against
           'em
           for
           speaking
           Treason
           in
           their
           Depositions
           .
        
         
           The
           Fable
           therefore
           being
           the
           main
           spring
           of
           the
           Machine
           in
           Tragedy
           ,
           
           and
           the
           Poet
           's
           own
           proper
           Workmanship●
           't
           is
           by
           the
           temper
           and
           disposition
           of
           that
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           to
           feel
           the
           Poets
           Pulse
           ,
           and
           find
           out
           his
           secret
           affections
           .
           Not
           but
           that
           we
           may
           err
           sometimes
           in
           our
           Judgments
           of
           the
           
             Poet's
             Morals
          
           o●
           other
           hand
           .
           For
           't
           is
           possible
           ,
           that
           the
           
           
             Poet's
             Morals
          
           may
           be
           very
           good
           ,
           yet
           the
           Man's
           stark
           naught
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           a
           man
           may
           be
           a
           good
           
             Moral
             Poet
          
           ,
           yet
           a
           bad
           Man.
           So
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           we
           may
           falsly
           measure
           his
           Manners
           by
           his
           management
           ,
           and
           impute
           to
           Malice
           and
           Design
           those
           faults
           ,
           which
           flow
           from
           want
           of
           Judgment
           or
           Indiscretion
           .
           This
           is
           hard
           measure
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           been
           very
           liberal
           of
           to
           the
           Poets
           .
           It
           wou'd
           be
           a
           very
           uncharitable
           Error
           ,
           shou'd
           we
           at
           any
           time
           hear
           the
           sacred
           mysteries
           of
           our
           Faith
           poorly
           explained
           ,
           or
           weakly
           defended
           out
           of
           the
           Pulpit
           ,
           if
           we
           shou'd
           conclude
           ,
           that
           the
           Preacher
           played
           booty
           and
           betrayed
           the
           cause
           he
           pretended
           to
           plead
           for
           :
           And
           I
           doubt
           it
           wou'd
           fall
           heavy
           upon
           many
           ,
           that
           now
           pass
           for
           honest
           and
           good
           Christians
           ,
           I
           hope
           with
           justice
           ,
           if
           their
           Faith
           were
           to
           be
           measured
           by
           their
           Performance
           ,
           and
           their
           Integrity
           by
           their
           parts
           .
           But
           it
           wou'd
           be
           much
           more
           unjust
           to
           
           rate
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           their
           order
           by
           the
           deficient
           Standard
           of
           a
           few
           .
           Yet
           thus
           Mr
           Collier
           proceeds
           against
           those
           ,
           to
           whom
           he
           thinks
           fit
           to
           oppose
           himself
           .
           And
           yet
           even
           thus
           they
           wou'd
           not
           have
           much
           occasion
           to
           fear
           his
           malice
           ,
           if
           he
           
           wou'd
           proceed
           against
           'em
           the
           proper
           way
           ,
           and
           not
           charge
           as
           their
           private
           and
           real
           sense
           ,
           the
           Sentiments
           ,
           which
           they
           are
           obliged
           sometimes
           to
           furnish
           Villains
           and
           Extravagants
           with
           in
           conformity
           to
           their
           Characters
           ,
           while
           he
           denies
           'em
           the
           benefit
           of
           those
           many
           excellent
           and
           pious
           Reflections
           abounding
           in
           their
           works
           .
        
         
           Certainly
           had
           our
           Poets
           any
           such
           lewd
           Design
           of
           
             confounding
             the
             Distinctions
             between
             Truth
             and
             Fiction
             ,
          
           
           
             between
             Majesty
             and
             a
             Pageant
          
           ;
           of
           
             treating
             God
             like
             an
             Idol
             ,
             and
             bantering
             ,
             the
             Scriptures
             like
             Homer's
             Elysium
          
           and
           
             Hesiod's
             Theogonia
          
           ,
           it
           wou'd
           appear
           in
           the
           Fable
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           part
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           observ'd
           ,
           that
           discovers
           most
           of
           the
           Poets
           proper
           Opinion
           ,
           and
           gives
           him
           the
           fairest
           opportunity
           of
           stealing
           it
           artificially
           in
           ,
           and
           poys'ning
           the
           Audience
           most
           effectually
           with
           least
           Suspicion
           .
           For
           tho
           the
           Fable
           ,
           if
           skilfully
           contriv'd
           ,
           be
           the
           Part
           which
           operates
           most
           powerfully
           ,
           yet
           it
           works
           after
           a
           manner
           least
           sensible
           .
           We
           feel
           the
           effects
           without
           suspecting
           the
           cause
           ,
           and
           are
           prejudiced
           without
           looking
           after
           a
           reason
           .
           If
           the
           Poets
           have
           any
           such
           villanous
           Plot
           against
           
           Virtue
           and
           Religion
           ,
           they
           are
           certainly
           the
           most
           negligent
           Fellows
           ,
           or
           the
           most
           unexperienced
           in
           the
           world
           to
           overlook
           the
           only
           place
           of
           advantage
           upon
           the
           whole
           Stage
           for
           their
           mischievous
           purpose
           ,
           where
           they
           might
           work
           their
           Mines
           unmolested
           ,
           and
           spring
           'em
           undiscover'd
           to
           most
           ,
           and
           do
           the
           greatest
           execution
           with
           the
           least
           alarm
           to
           the
           Enemy
           .
           But
           they
           make
           War
           like
           Dutchmen
           ,
           and
           sell
           their
           Enemies
           Ammunition
           to
           spend
           upon
           themselves
           .
           For
           all
           their
           Fables
           are
           contriv'd
           and
           modell'd
           for
           the
           service
           of
           Virtue
           and
           Religion
           ,
           and
           levell'd
           against
           themselves
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           such
           
             great
             Enemies
          
           ,
           and
           so
           
             remarkably
             disaffected
          
           ,
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           says
           they
           are
           .
           But
           perhaps
           he
           may
           ,
           either
           thro
           mistake
           or
           malice
           ,
           misrepresent
           the
           matter
           ;
           and
           what
           was
           scoffingly
           said
           by
           the
           Turks
           to
           the
           Poles
           ,
           may
           be
           seriously
           applied
           to
           the
           case
           before
           us
           by
           both
           Parties
           ,
           that
           
             they
             did
             not
             know
             of
             any
             War
             betwixt
             '
             em
             .
          
        
         
           From
           the
           management
           of
           the
           Fables
           of
           our
           Poets
           ,
           
           which
           ,
           being
           the
           Principal
           ,
           and
           most
           Efficacious
           part
           of
           their
           Plays
           ,
           undoubtedly
           employ'd
           most
           their
           care
           ,
           't
           is
           plain
           that
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           given
           
           the
           World
           a
           false
           alarm
           ,
           and
           endeavours
           to
           set
           'em
           upon
           those
           as
           Subverters
           of
           Religion
           and
           Morality
           ,
           that
           have
           with
           abundance
           of
           art
           and
           pains
           labour'd
           in
           their
           service
           ,
           and
           rack'd
           their
           Inventions
           to
           weave
           'em
           into
           the
           most
           Popular
           diversions
           ,
           and
           make
           even
           Luxury
           and
           Pleasure
           subservient
           and
           instrumental
           to
           the
           establishment
           of
           Moral
           Principles
           ,
           and
           the
           confirmation
           of
           Virtuous
           Resolutions
           .
        
         
           Before
           I
           take
           leave
           of
           Tragedy
           upon
           this
           Head
           ,
           I
           must
           take
           notice
           to
           the
           Reader
           ,
           that
           in
           this
           Parallel
           betwixt
           the
           Antient
           and
           Modern
           Tragedy
           ,
           I
           have
           not
           wrested
           any
           thing
           to
           the
           unjust
           Prejudice
           of
           one
           ,
           
           or
           favour
           of
           t'other
           .
           Nor
           ,
           tho
           I
           find
           most
           of
           the
           Antient
           Fables
           defective
           in
           the
           general
           Moral
           ,
           do
           I
           charge
           'em
           with
           any
           design
           of
           under●ining
           the
           Interest
           ,
           or
           lessening
           the
           credit
           and
           esteem
           of
           Virtue
           .
           The
           Moral
           and
           the
           Pathetic
           were
           in
           their
           days
           distinct
           Branches
           of
           Tragedy
           (
           as
           we
           have
           already
           observ'd
           from
           Aristotle
           )
           of
           which
           their
           Poets
           in
           all
           probability
           made
           choice
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           encouragement
           they
           observ'd
           'em
           to
           meet
           with
           .
           If
           therefore
           we
           find
           few
           
           Moral
           Plays
           amongst
           the
           remains
           of
           those
           extraordinary
           Persons
           the
           Greek
           Tragedians
           ,
           
           we
           may
           fairly
           presume
           ,
           that
           they
           did
           not
           take
           at
           Athens
           ,
           otherwise
           they
           wou'd
           have
           been
           more
           cultivated
           .
           For
           this
           reason
           probably
           it
           was
           ,
           that
           Aristotle
           took
           so
           slender
           notice
           of
           Moral
           Tragedy
           ,
           as
           not
           thinking
           it
           worth
           while
           to
           lay
           down
           rules
           for
           the
           practice
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           was
           no
           longer
           in
           use
           ,
           or
           esteem
           amongst
           his
           Countrymen
           in
           his
           Time.
           Nor
           did
           this
           dis-esteem
           of
           Moral
           Plays
           proceed
           from
           any
           propensity
           to
           ,
           or
           Habit
           of
           Vice
           peculiar
           to
           that
           Age
           ,
           which
           might
           give
           'em
           a
           disrelish
           for
           Virtuous
           Entertainments
           .
           The
           contrary
           of
           this
           is
           evident
           from
           several
           of
           those
           Tragedies
           ,
           which
           succeeded
           at
           Athens
           ,
           the
           Discourse
           in
           which
           is
           frequently
           Moral
           and
           Instructive
           ,
           tho
           the
           Fable
           it self
           be
           not
           .
           But
           Moral
           Tragedy
           not
           admitting
           such
           Incidents
           as
           were
           proper
           to
           move
           Terrour
           or
           Compassion
           ,
           the
           Springs
           of
           Passion
           were
           wanting
           ,
           and
           consequently
           the
           Audience
           were
           but
           weakly
           affected
           with
           such
           sort
           of
           representations
           .
           
        
         
           The
           Moderns
           ,
           who
           were
           sensible
           of
           the
           use
           of
           one
           ,
           and
           the
           power
           of
           t'other
           
           sort
           of
           Tragedy
           ,
           have
           taken
           a
           happy
           Liberty
           of
           compounding
           'em
           ,
           and
           throwing
           the
           simple
           Tragedy
           quite
           aside
           ,
           stick
           altogether
           to
           an
           Implex
           kind
           ,
           which
           is
           at
           once
           both
           Moral
           and
           Pathetick
           .
           Wherein
           they
           must
           to
           their
           honour
           be
           acknowledg'd
           ,
           to
           have
           made
           a
           considerable
           improvement
           of
           Tragedy
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           had
           a
           singular
           regard
           to
           Probity
           and
           Virtue
           ;
           which
           (
           without
           injustice
           to
           Antiquity
           ,
           I
           may
           venture
           to
           affirm
           )
           had
           very
           little
           Interest
           in
           the
           Fable
           before
           .
           Nor
           can
           the
           most
           partial
           Admirer
           of
           the
           Antients
           ,
           
           with
           any
           colour
           of
           Justice
           deny
           this
           advantage
           to
           the
           Moderns
           ;
           since
           neither
           Aristotle
           ,
           nor
           Horace
           ,
           amongst
           all
           their
           excellent
           Rules
           ,
           and
           Observations
           for
           Dramatick
           Writing
           ,
           have
           taken
           the
           least
           notice
           of
           Poetick
           Justice
           ,
           which
           is
           now
           become
           the
           Principal
           Article
           of
           the
           Drama
           ;
           which
           questionless
           they
           wou'd
           never
           have
           forgotten
           ,
           had
           the
           Practice
           of
           the
           Stage
           in
           their
           own
           ,
           or
           preceeding
           Ages
           ,
           or
           even
           their
           own
           thoughts
           suggested
           the
           necessity
           of
           it
           .
           Nay
           so
           far
           is
           Aristotle
           from
           thinking
           it
           a
           requisite
           condition
           ,
           that
           he
           recommends
           *
           
             the
             misfortunes
             of
             a
             Person
             unhappy
             thro
             his
             mistake
             ,
             not
             
             his
             Fault
             ,
          
           as
           the
           most
           proper
           Subject
           for
           Tragedy
           ;
           which
           is
           directly
           opposite
           to
           this
           Rule
           ,
           which
           requires
           ,
           that
           the
           fortune
           of
           every
           one
           shou'd
           be
           adjusted
           to
           his
           Merit
           ,
           whether
           good
           or
           bad
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           Aristotle
           thinks
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           regard
           that
           is
           due
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           to
           represent
           such
           revolutions
           in
           the
           Fortunes
           of
           Men
           ,
           as
           shall
           make
           Persons
           eminently
           Virtuous
           unhappy
           ,
           or
           notoriously
           wicked
           successful
           and
           prosperous
           .
           But
           I
           don't
           find
           that
           he
           made
           their
           proper
           Demerits
           the
           Standard
           ,
           or
           immediate
           Rule
           for
           Squaring
           their
           future
           Fortune
           .
           And
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           examples
           he
           produces
           to
           his
           own
           Rule
           ,
           we
           shall
           perhaps
           be
           induc'd
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           he
           did
           not
           insist
           upon
           a
           very
           rigorous
           observation
           of
           it
           .
           For
           of
           his
           two
           instances
           ,
           Oedipus
           was
           (
           as
           we
           have
           already
           observ'd
           )
           a
           very
           virtuous
           Person
           ,
           and
           Thyestes
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           traditions
           remaining
           concerning
           him
           ,
           a
           very
           wicked
           One.
           So
           that
           even
           while
           he
           is
           laying
           down
           his
           Rule
           ,
           he
           seems
           to
           indulge
           a
           latitude
           in
           the
           observance
           ,
           and
           to
           justifie
           any
           Liberties
           ,
           that
           may
           be
           taken
           with
           it
           ,
           by
           the
           Precedent
           of
           the
           
           best
           Play
           ,
           not
           only
           of
           Sophocles
           ,
           but
           of
           all
           Antiquity
           .
        
         
           Monsieur
           Dacier
           (
           who
           ,
           
           according
           the
           humour
           of
           most
           Commentators
           ,
           will
           allow
           no
           slips
           in
           his
           Author
           )
           strains
           hard
           to
           reconcile
           the
           examples
           to
           the
           Rule
           .
           He
           charges
           Monsieur
           Corneille
           with
           making
           an
           unjust
           exception
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           understanding
           rightly
           ,
           the
           words
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           I
           shall
           not
           undertake
           to
           Arbitrate
           the
           point
           of
           Monsieur
           
           Corneille's
           Learning
           ,
           but
           I
           think
           his
           observation
           just
           ,
           and
           yet
           in
           full
           Force
           ,
           and
           Monsieur
           
           Dacier's
           answer
           ,
           however
           Learned
           ,
           no
           better
           than
           an
           Evasion
           .
           In
           ennumerating
           the
           good
           qualities
           ,
           and
           summing
           up
           the
           Character
           of
           Oedipus
           ,
           Mr
           Dacier
           omits
           his
           Piety
           towards
           his
           Country
           ,
           and
           places
           the
           service
           of
           destroying
           the
           Sphinx
           to
           the
           account
           of
           his
           ambition
           ,
           and
           the
           reward
           of
           the
           Crown
           tacked
           to
           it
           .
           His
           Piety
           I
           have
           already
           taken
           sufficient
           notice
           of
           elsewhere
           ,
           and
           for
           his
           ambition
           let
           Sophocles
           answer
           ,
           who
           tells
           us
           otherwise
           in
           the
           concluding
           Lines
           ;
           
             
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
            
             
               Who
               affected
               not
               base
               Popularity
               ,
               nor
               courted
               Fortune
               .
            
          
        
         
         
           This
           may
           suffice
           to
           clear
           him
           from
           the
           imputation
           of
           Vanity
           and
           Ambition
           ,
           with
           which
           Monsieur
           Dacier
           loads
           his
           Character
           ,
           and
           added
           to
           the
           rest
           ,
           prove
           him
           an
           excellent
           Person
           ;
           one
           that
           ,
           according
           to
           Aristotle
           ,
           was
           too
           good
           to
           suffer
           in
           so
           extraordinary
           a
           manner
           .
        
         
           To
           digress
           no
           farther
           ,
           
           I
           think
           we
           are
           obliged
           to
           the
           Modern
           Tragick
           Poets
           for
           the
           introduction
           of
           Poetick
           Justice
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ,
           and
           must
           own
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           the
           first
           that
           made
           it
           their
           constant
           aim
           to
           instruct
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           please
           by
           the
           Fable
           .
           The
           Antients
           brought
           indifferently
           all
           sorts
           of
           subjects
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ,
           which
           they
           took
           from
           History
           or
           Tradition
           ,
           and
           were
           therefore
           more
           solicitous
           to
           make
           their
           stories
           conform
           to
           the
           relation
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           publick
           Opinion
           ,
           than
           to
           Poetick
           Justice
           ,
           or
           the
           Propriety
           of
           Tragick
           Action
           .
           By
           this
           means
           all
           hopes
           of
           a
           Moral
           was
           cut
           off
           ,
           or
           if
           by
           chance
           the
           story
           afforded
           any
           ,
           we
           are
           more
           obliged
           to
           the
           Poets
           luck
           for
           it
           ,
           than
           to
           his
           Skill
           or
           Care.
           Thus
           the
           Moral
           ,
           the
           highest
           ,
           and
           most
           serviceable
           improvement
           that
           ever
           was
           ,
           or
           ever
           can
           be
           
           made
           of
           the
           Drama
           ,
           is
           of
           Modern
           Extraction
           ,
           and
           may
           very
           well
           be
           pleaded
           in
           bar
           to
           all
           claim
           laid
           in
           behalf
           of
           the
           Antients
           ,
           to
           preference
           in
           point
           of
           Morality
           ,
           and
           service
           to
           Virtue
           ,
           as
           likewise
           in
           answer
           to
           all
           Objections
           made
           to
           the
           Manners
           and
           Conduct
           of
           the
           Modern
           Stage
           in
           general
           .
        
         
           Thus
           the
           Modern
           Stage
           ,
           
           against
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           maliciously
           declaims
           with
           so
           much
           bitterness
           ,
           is
           upon
           this
           account
           infinitely
           preferable
           to
           the
           Athenians
           ,
           which
           he
           commends
           and
           admires
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           he
           rails
           at
           as
           the
           bane
           of
           Sobriety
           ,
           and
           the
           Pest
           of
           Good
           Manners
           ,
           is
           prov'd
           the
           most
           commodious
           instrument
           to
           propagate
           Morality
           ,
           and
           the
           easiest
           ,
           and
           most
           palatable
           Vehicle
           to
           make
           Instruction
           go
           down
           with
           effect
           .
           But
           the
           Violence
           and
           Partiality
           of
           some
           observe
           no
           bounds
           of
           Justice
           ,
           and
           admit
           of
           no
           check
           from
           Modesty
           or
           Reason
           .
           But
           I
           shall
           take
           leave
           here
           ,
           and
           pass
           on
           to
           the
           Fable
           of
           Comedy
           ,
           against
           which
           Mr
           Collier's
           spight
           is
           more
           particularly
           levelled
           .
        
         
           The
           Fable
           of
           Comedy
           will
           give
           us
           very
           little
           trouble
           ,
           
           if
           we
           consider
           rightly
           the
           Nature
           and
           Business
           of
           this
           part
           
           of
           the
           
             Drama
             .
             Comedy
          
           deals
           altogether
           in
           Ridicule
           ,
           and
           its
           Subject
           consequently
           must
           be
           such
           as
           affords
           matter
           of
           ridiculous
           Mirth
           .
           All
           its
           Machinations
           tend
           to
           the
           exciting
           that
           ill
           natur'd
           titillation
           ,
           which
           carries
           scorn
           and
           contempt
           along
           with
           it
           .
           It
           s
           business
           is
           to
           correct
           ,
           and
           hinder
           the
           spreading
           of
           Folly
           and
           Knavery
           ,
           by
           making
           'em
           ridiculous
           ,
           and
           to
           reform
           Rascals
           and
           Coxcombs
           by
           exposing
           '
           em
           .
           Aristotle
           therefore
           has
           has
           very
           judiciously
           defined
           Comedy
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           
             The
             Imitation
             of
             the
             baser
             sort
             of
             People
             ,
             not
             in
             all
             kinds
             of
             Villany
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             ridiculous
             part
             ,
             which
             is
             one
             sort
             of
             Turpitude
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Action
           of
           Comedy
           must
           be
           suited
           to
           the
           Actors
           ,
           
           who
           are
           
             the
             baser
             sort
             of
             People
          
           ,
           and
           consequently
           can't
           be
           of
           any
           great
           importance
           either
           in
           its
           nature
           or
           effects
           ,
           and
           therefore
           can
           afford
           no
           extraordinary
           Moral
           .
           By
           the
           
             baser
             sort
             of
             People
          
           ,
           Persons
           of
           low
           Extraction
           or
           Fortune
           are
           not
           heremeant
           ,
           but
           Persons
           who
           by
           their
           practices
           and
           Conduct
           have
           expos'd
           themselves
           to
           Scandal
           and
           Contempt
           .
           From
           the
           Nature
           therefore
           ,
           and
           quality
           of
           the
           Actors
           nothing
           great
           
           or
           generous
           can
           be
           expected
           from
           Comedy
           .
           The
           Duping
           of
           an
           old
           Knave
           ,
           the
           cullying
           of
           a
           Coxcomb
           ,
           the
           stealing
           of
           an
           Heiress
           from
           a
           Mercenary
           Guardian
           ,
           are
           the
           usual
           exploits
           of
           Comedy
           ;
           wherein
           tho
           Gentlemen
           are
           sometimes
           concerned
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           ,
           or
           ought
           always
           to
           be
           such
           ,
           as
           have
           some
           blemish
           ,
           or
           other
           upon
           'em
           ,
           otherwise
           they
           are
           not
           fit
           for
           the
           business
           they
           are
           engag'd
           in
           .
           Comedy
           seems
           to
           be
           designed
           to
           teach
           Men
           Civil
           Prudence
           ,
           and
           a
           convenient
           Management
           in
           respect
           of
           one
           another
           ,
           rather
           than
           any
           thing
           of
           Morality
           ;
           and
           their
           private
           duty
           .
           There
           their
           misfortunes
           and
           disgraces
           are
           all
           the
           immediate
           result
           of
           their
           own
           Folly
           and
           Mismanagement
           ,
           and
           may
           therefore
           very
           well
           cause
           men
           to
           reflect
           upon
           that
           want
           of
           Wit
           and
           Caution
           ,
           which
           caused
           themselves
           or
           others
           to
           miscarry
           ,
           and
           teach
           'em
           to
           be
           more
           wary
           for
           the
           future
           ;
           but
           it
           wou'd
           hardly
           confer
           any
           Grace
           ,
           or
           mend
           their
           Principles
           .
        
         
           The
           business
           of
           Comedy
           being
           ridicule
           ,
           those
           Vices
           only
           fall
           under
           its
           correction
           ,
           
           that
           are
           capable
           of
           being
           made
           ridiculous
           ,
           and
           those
           only
           after
           such
           a
           manner
           as
           may
           raise
           Scorn
           and
           
           Contempt
           .
           For
           this
           reason
           Comedy
           seems
           to
           be
           more
           naturally
           disposed
           for
           the
           cure
           of
           Mens
           Follies
           ,
           than
           their
           Vices
           ,
           those
           running
           more
           naturally
           into
           ridicule
           than
           these
           ,
           which
           are
           more
           apt
           to
           raise
           Indignation
           and
           Aversion
           ,
           and
           are
           the
           proper
           instruments
           of
           Tragedy
           .
           Not
           but
           that
           Vice
           too
           may
           sometimes
           be
           seasonably
           corrected
           in
           Comedy
           ,
           but
           then
           it
           must
           be
           join'd
           with
           ,
           and
           wear
           the
           Livery
           of
           Folly
           ,
           to
           help
           to
           make
           it
           ridiculous
           ,
           and
           the
           object
           of
           Scorn
           ,
           rather
           than
           Indignation
           .
        
         
           Hence
           it
           will
           appear
           ,
           
           what
           sort
           of
           Persons
           are
           most
           proper
           to
           be
           employed
           in
           Comedy
           ,
           which
           dealing
           altogether
           in
           Stratagem
           and
           Intrigue
           ,
           requires
           Persons
           of
           Trick
           and
           Cunning
           on
           one
           hand
           ,
           and
           easie
           credulous
           Folks
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           otherwise
           the
           Plot
           will
           but
           go
           heavily
           forward
           .
           By
           this
           means
           all
           Characters
           absolutely
           perfect
           are
           excluded
           the
           Comick
           Stage
           .
           For
           what
           has
           a
           Man
           of
           pure
           Integrity
           to
           do
           with
           Intrigues
           of
           any
           kind
           ?
           He
           can't
           assist
           in
           the
           execution
           of
           any
           design
           of
           Circumvention
           without
           forfeiting
           his
           Character
           ;
           and
           to
           bring
           such
           a
           Character
           upon
           the
           Stage
           to
           be
           practic'd
           upon
           ,
           is
           such
           
           an
           outrage
           to
           Virtue
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           licentious
           of
           our
           Poets
           have
           not
           dar'd
           to
           venture
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           grant
           that
           't
           is
           neither
           necessary
           ,
           
           nor
           convenient
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Characters
           in
           Comedy
           shou'd
           be
           vicious
           ,
           that
           were
           to
           abuse
           mankind
           ,
           with
           a
           scandalous
           representation
           .
           But
           I
           maintain
           ,
           that
           they
           ought
           all
           to
           have
           some
           failing
           or
           Infirmity
           ,
           to
           qualifie
           'em
           for
           the
           business
           of
           the
           Place
           .
           Men
           of
           Honour
           may
           be
           made
           use
           of
           to
           punish
           Knaves
           ,
           as
           Knaves
           to
           cure
           Fools
           ,
           but
           their
           honour
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           too
           strait-laced
           ,
           too
           squeamish
           and
           scrupulous
           .
           They
           must
           be
           Persons
           of
           some
           Liberty
           ,
           that
           out
           of
           an
           over-niceness
           will
           not
           balk
           a
           well
           laid
           design
           ,
           and
           spoil
           a
           Project
           with
           too
           much
           honesty
           .
           Men
           of
           Hononr
           may
           be
           men
           of
           Pleasure
           ;
           nay
           ,
           and
           must
           be
           so
           too
           ,
           or
           we
           do
           'em
           wrong
           to
           make
           'em
           appear
           in
           such
           Company
           ,
           as
           Comedy
           must
           bring
           'em
           into
           .
        
         
           What
           other
           natural
           occasion
           can
           be
           assigned
           for
           embroiling
           a
           Gentleman
           of
           Quality
           ,
           
           with
           Usurers
           ,
           Pimps
           ,
           Sharpers
           ,
           Jilts
           and
           Bullies
           ,
           but
           the
           extravagance
           of
           his
           Pleasures
           ?
           which
           they
           may
           all
           serve
           in
           their
           several
           capacities
           .
           
           The
           Usurer
           with
           his
           Wife
           ,
           his
           Daughter
           ,
           or
           his
           Money
           ;
           the
           Pimp
           in
           his
           Intrigues
           ;
           the
           Jilt
           ,
           the
           Sharper
           ,
           and
           the
           Bully
           in
           their
           respective
           Offices
           may
           assist
           his
           Revenges
           ,
           and
           be
           useful
           Engines
           in
           those
           designs
           ,
           where
           't
           is
           not
           proper
           for
           himself
           to
           appear
           .
           That
           no
           Gentlemen
           but
           of
           this
           sort
           shou'd
           be
           brought
           upon
           the
           Comick
           Stage
           ,
           I
           think
           ,
           is
           so
           plain
           ,
           as
           well
           from
           Aristotle's
           Definition
           ,
           as
           from
           the
           Nature
           and
           Business
           of
           the
           Place
           ;
           that
           he
           that
           disputes
           it
           forfeits
           all
           Pretence
           to
           Judgment
           in
           these
           matters
           .
           I
           mean
           no
           Gentlemen
           of
           Wit
           and
           Sense
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           these
           .
           For
           Fools
           of
           what
           Quality
           soever
           are
           the
           proper
           Goods
           and
           Chattels
           of
           the
           Stage
           ;
           they
           are
           the
           wrecks
           of
           understanding
           ,
           which
           Poets
           ,
           as
           Lords
           of
           the
           Mannor
           of
           Wit
           from
           immemorial
           Prescription
           ,
           have
           an
           uncontested
           Title
           to
           ,
           and
           may
           dispose
           of
           ,
           as
           they
           see
           fit
           .
        
         
           A
           true
           Comick
           Poet
           like
           a
           good
           Droll
           Painter
           ,
           
           ought
           not
           to
           make
           his
           whole
           Piece
           ridiculous
           ,
           and
           consequently
           ought
           not
           to
           draw
           any
           Face
           that
           is
           so
           regular
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           have
           something
           amiss
           either
           in
           Feature
           or
           Complextion
           .
           To
           
           put
           a
           Gentleman
           of
           sound
           Sense
           and
           perfect
           Morals
           into
           Comedy
           ,
           wou'd
           be
           as
           unnatural
           ,
           as
           to
           draw
           Cato
           dancing
           amongst
           the
           Boors
           at
           a
           Dutch
           Wedding
           .
           It
           does
           not
           therefore
           follow
           ,
           that
           none
           but
           Rakes
           and
           Scoundrels
           must
           pass
           for
           Gentlemen
           in
           Comedy
           .
           A
           Gentleman
           of
           Wit
           and
           Honour
           may
           be
           judiciously
           introduced
           into
           it
           ,
           but
           he
           must
           be
           a
           man
           of
           wild
           unreclaim'd
           honour
           ,
           whose
           Appetites
           are
           strong
           and
           irregular
           enough
           ,
           to
           hurry
           him
           beyond
           his
           discretion
           ,
           and
           make
           him
           act
           against
           the
           Conviction
           of
           his
           Judgment
           on
           the
           return
           of
           his
           Reason
           .
           Such
           a
           Character
           as
           this
           no
           more
           is
           unnatural
           ,
           than
           to
           see
           a
           drunken
           Gentleman
           frolicking
           with
           the
           Mob
           ,
           or
           kissing
           a
           Link-Boy
           .
        
         
           Nothing
           is
           more
           frequent
           than
           to
           meet
           in
           our
           common
           Conversation
           ,
           
           and
           affairs
           of
           Life
           ,
           with
           Gentlemen
           of
           this
           sort
           ,
           who
           ,
           tho
           they
           may
           be
           Men
           of
           excellent
           Parts
           ,
           Temper
           ,
           and
           Principles
           ,
           yet
           in
           the
           heat
           of
           their
           Blood
           ,
           and
           Pride
           of
           their
           Fortunes
           ,
           are
           apt
           to
           be
           byassed
           a
           little
           towards
           Extravagance
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           consult
           the
           severity
           of
           Reason
           ,
           or
           the
           exactness
           of
           Justice
           on
           many
           occasions
           
           especially
           in
           matters
           relating
           to
           their
           Pleasures
           .
        
         
           What
           therefore
           is
           so
           common
           and
           obvious
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           can't
           be
           unnatural
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ,
           but
           by
           using
           it
           improperly
           .
           To
           put
           a
           Gentleman
           upon
           the
           Office
           of
           a
           Villain
           or
           a
           Scoundrel
           ,
           or
           to
           make
           a
           Man
           of
           Sense
           a
           Bubble
           or
           a
           Cully
           in
           the
           Conclusion
           ,
           is
           an
           abuse
           to
           the
           Character
           ,
           and
           a
           trespass
           against
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Drama
           .
           If
           therefore
           the
           Poet
           employs
           any
           of
           this
           Character
           ,
           he
           is
           obliged
           to
           give
           him
           Success
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           blemishes
           of
           his
           Character
           .
           For
           ,
           with
           all
           his
           Faults
           ,
           he
           is
           the
           best
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           most
           considerable
           Person
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           lawful
           for
           him
           to
           make
           bold
           with
           .
           And
           if
           he
           is
           at
           last
           brought
           to
           a
           Sense
           of
           his
           Extravagance
           and
           Errours
           ,
           and
           a
           resolution
           of
           amendment
           ,
           the
           Poet
           has
           exerted
           his
           Authority
           to
           the
           utmost
           extent
           of
           his
           Commission
           ;
           and
           the
           Laws
           of
           Comedy
           exact
           no
           more
           .
        
         
           Had
           Mr
           Collier
           known
           and
           consider'd
           sufficiently
           the
           nature
           of
           Comedy
           ,
           
           I
           am
           apt
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           we
           had
           never
           seen
           his
           whole
           fourth
           Chapter
           ,
           which
           runs
           altogether
           upon
           this
           mistake
           ,
           
           
             That
             no
             Liberties
             are
             to
             be
             indulg'd
             in
             Comedy
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             principal
             Characters
             ought
             to
             be
             in
             all
             respects
             exemplary
             ,
             and
             without
             Blemish
             .
          
           That
           this
           a
           mistake
           I
           hope
           is
           very
           plain
           from
           what
           has
           been
           already
           said
           .
           But
           because
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           taken
           the
           pains
           to
           back
           ,
           and
           assert
           this
           erroneous
           Opinion
           with
           a
           tedious
           Harangue
           ,
           and
           some
           seemingly
           plausible
           Arguments
           ,
           it
           may
           not
           be
           amiss
           to
           abstract
           one
           from
           t'other
           ,
           and
           consider
           the
           latter
           distinctly
           ,
           without
           amusing
           our selves
           about
           his
           Pompous
           expressions
           ,
           
           and
           Formal
           Rhetorick
           .
        
         
           The
           whole
           Summ
           of
           Mr
           Collier's
           long
           extravagant
           charge
           against
           the
           English
           Poets
           ,
           especially
           the
           present
           Comick
           Poets
           ,
           against
           whom
           this
           Chapter
           seems
           to
           be
           particularly
           levelled
           ,
           may
           be
           reduced
           to
           these
           two
           heads
           .
        
         
           1st
           .
           That
           by
           making
           their
           Protagonists
           ,
           or
           chief
           Persons
           Licentious
           or
           debauched
           they
           encourage
           Vice
           ,
           and
           Irreligion
           ,
           and
           discourage
           Virtue
           .
        
         
           2dly
           .
           That
           the
           rich
           Citizens
           are
           often
           represented
           as
           Misers
           and
           Cuckolds
           ;
           and
           the
           Universities
           as
           Schools
           of
           Pedantry
           ;
           and
           thereby
           Learning
           ,
           Industry
           and
           Frugality
           ridiculed
           .
        
         
         
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           whose
           business
           all
           thro
           his
           Book
           is
           Invective
           ,
           not
           Argument
           ,
           lays
           himself
           forth
           with
           all
           the
           Pomp
           of
           Formal
           Eloquence
           ,
           and
           vehemence
           of
           Expression
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           able
           ,
           to
           aggravate
           the
           crime
           ,
           and
           amplifie
           the
           guilt
           of
           the
           Poets
           not
           to
           prove
           it
           .
           He
           is
           more
           sollicitous
           to
           possess
           his
           Reader
           ,
           than
           convince
           him
           ,
           and
           for
           that
           reason
           le
           ts
           slip
           the
           circumstance
           of
           proof
           as
           not
           very
           material
           ,
           because
           he
           found
           it
           wou'd
           tye
           him
           up
           to
           strict
           Argument
           ,
           and
           close
           Reasoinng
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           for
           his
           purpose
           ,
           and
           insists
           upon
           the
           General
           charge
           of
           Debauchery
           and
           Impiety
           ;
           which
           allowing
           him
           all
           the
           Liberties
           of
           Declamation
           and
           Harangue
           ,
           give
           him
           ample
           Field-room
           to
           publish
           ,
           and
           display
           his
           Parts
           ,
           and
           his
           Malice
           together
           ;
           which
           he
           does
           most
           egregigiously
           ,
           and
           Flourishes
           most
           triumphantly
           .
           Never
           did
           learned
           Recorder
           insult
           poor
           Culprit
           in
           more
           formidable
           Oratory
           ,
           than
           he
           does
           the
           Poets
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           he
           offers
           several
           instances
           in
           confirmation
           of
           his
           Assertion
           ,
           which
           he
           draws
           from
           divers
           of
           our
           English
           Comedies
           ,
           which
           ,
           with
           the
           untoward
           gloss
           he
           puts
           
           upon
           'em
           ,
           seem
           to
           favour
           his
           malicious
           purpose
           .
           These
           I
           shall
           consider
           in
           their
           proper
           places
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           is
           absolutely
           requisite
           to
           our
           purpose
           ,
           and
           leave
           the
           farther
           justification
           of
           'em
           to
           the
           Gentlemen
           more
           immediately
           concerned
           ,
           who
           I
           suppose
           will
           not
           be
           wanting
           to
           their
           own
           necessary
           defence
           .
        
         
           We
           shall
           therefore
           proceed
           to
           the
           
           examination
           of
           the
           main
           Branch
           of
           his
           accusation
           ,
           contained
           in
           the
           first
           Article
           ,
           which
           is
           
             the
             neglect
             of
             Poetick
             Iustice
             ,
             the
             encouraging
             of
             Vice
             with
             Success
             ,
             and
             the
             Discouraging
             of
             Virtue
             .
          
        
         
           The
           whole
           weight
           of
           this
           Objection
           turns
           upon
           this
           hinge
           ,
           that
           the
           Protagonists
           ,
           or
           chief
           Persons
           in
           Comedy
           are
           generally
           vicious
           and
           successful
           ,
           which
           he
           pretends
           to
           be
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           Comedy
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           reward
           Virtue
           and
           punish
           Vice.
           This
           objection
           ,
           as
           he
           observes
           ,
           was
           started
           by
           Mr
           Dryden
           against
           himself
           in
           his
           preface
           to
           his
           Mock-Astrologer
           .
           But
           he
           objects
           against
           the
           answer
           ,
           which
           Mr
           Dryden
           there
           makes
           to
           it
           .
           
             That
             he
             knows
             no
             such
             Law
             constantly
             observed
             in
             Comedy
             ,
             either
             by
             the
             Antients
             or
             Moderns
             .
          
        
         
         
           This
           Mr
           Collier
           calls
           a
           
             lame
             Defence
          
           ,
           
           and
           I
           agree
           with
           him
           ,
           tho
           we
           go
           upon
           different
           grounds
           .
           For
           I
           think
           Mr
           Dryden
           has
           clogg'd
           his
           answer
           with
           an
           unnecessary
           restriction
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           over
           Modesty
           of
           it
           weakned
           the
           sufficiency
           of
           it
           .
           I
           grant
           ,
           that
           the
           neglect
           ,
           or
           contempt
           of
           a
           Law
           ,
           does
           by
           no
           means
           destroy
           the
           Authority
           of
           it
           .
           But
           I
           shall
           carry
           it
           something
           farther
           ,
           and
           say
           that
           no
           such
           Law
           ever
           was
           at
           all
           observ'd
           ,
           or
           so
           much
           as
           prescrib'd
           to
           Comedy
           .
           Nor
           do
           I
           herein
           trust
           to
           the
           Strength
           of
           my
           own
           Memory
           ,
           or
           presume
           upon
           the
           extraordinary
           reach
           and
           extent
           of
           my
           Enquiries
           .
           But
           I
           draw
           this
           Conclusion
           from
           the
           nature
           of
           Comedy
           itself
           ,
           which
           will
           admit
           of
           no
           such
           Rule
           in
           the
           latitude
           Mr
           Dryden
           proposes
           ,
           and
           Mr
           Collier
           maintains
           it
           .
        
         
           Comedy
           ,
           
           which
           deals
           altogether
           in
           ridicule
           ,
           can
           take
           no
           cognizance
           of
           ,
           and
           give
           no
           correction
           to
           those
           Vices
           and
           Immoralities
           which
           it
           cannot
           expose
           on
           that
           side
           .
           For
           this
           reason
           ,
           the
           Sallies
           of
           Youth
           ,
           and
           the
           Licentiousness
           of
           men
           of
           Sense
           and
           Fortune
           ,
           uniess
           they
           be
           such
           as
           bring
           their
           understandings
           into
           question
           ,
           and
           make
           'em
           ridiculous
           ,
           how
           
           ever
           unjustifiable
           ,
           immortal
           ,
           and
           offensive
           they
           may
           be
           to
           sober
           people
           ,
           escape
           the
           censure
           of
           Comedy
           ,
           because
           they
           can't
           be
           tried
           in
           her
           way
           .
        
         
           This
           Consideration
           it
           was
           ,
           
           that
           induc'd
           Terence
           and
           Plautus
           to
           indulge
           their
           Young
           Men
           so
           far
           as
           they
           did
           ,
           and
           afford
           so
           many
           instance
           of
           Favour
           to
           vicious
           young
           people
           ,
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           allows
           they
           did
           .
           He
           is
           mistaken
           ,
           when
           he
           fancies
           ,
           that
           because
           
             those
             Poets
          
           had
           
             a
             greater
             compass
             of
             Liberty
             in
             their
             Religion
             ,
          
           and
           that
           
             Debauchery
             did
             not
             lie
             under
             those
             discouragements
             of
             Penalty
             and
             Scandal
             with
             them
             ,
             as
             it
             does
             with
             us
          
           ;
           therefore
           their
           Poets
           indulg'd
           themselves
           in
           those
           Liberties
           ,
           which
           otherwise
           they
           durst
           not
           have
           taken
           .
           Plautus
           and
           Terence
           ,
           especially
           the
           latter
           ,
           were
           nice
           Observers
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           greater
           Masters
           of
           their
           own
           Art
           ,
           than
           to
           take
           an
           Improper
           Liberty
           ,
           only
           because
           't
           was
           not
           dangerous
           .
           But
           their
           Religion
           ,
           false
           as
           it
           was
           ,
           and
           the
           Laws
           of
           their
           Country
           ,
           which
           were
           very
           severe
           at
           Rome
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           requir'd
           strict
           Morality
           ,
           and
           Regularity
           of
           Life
           .
           If
           therefore
           they
           had
           suspected
           ,
           that
           these
           Indulgences
           had
           tended
           any
           ways
           to
           the
           
           Debauching
           of
           their
           Youth
           ,
           and
           the
           Corrupting
           of
           their
           Manners
           ,
           they
           durst
           not
           have
           ventur'd
           'em
           into
           publick
           view
           .
           Nor
           wou'd
           their
           Magistrates
           ,
           to
           whose
           Censure
           they
           were
           particularly
           submitted
           ,
           have
           suffer'd
           examples
           of
           such
           ill
           consequence
           to
           have
           been
           produc'd
           openly
           .
           Besides
           ,
           Cato
           ,
           whose
           Virtue
           was
           as
           sowre
           and
           austere
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           as
           great
           as
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           ,
           was
           a
           great
           encourager
           of
           'em
           ,
           which
           't
           is
           non
           probahe
           wou'd
           have
           been
           ,
           had
           he
           smelt
           any
           such
           dangerous
           Plot
           in
           '
           em
           .
           So
           that
           the
           Authority
           of
           these
           Precedents
           may
           stand
           ,
           and
           be
           of
           service
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           wide
           difference
           betwixt
           Heathenism
           ,
           and
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           Opinion
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
        
         
           But
           Plautus
           and
           Terence
           have
           taken
           no
           such
           unjustifiable
           liberties
           ,
           
           as
           he
           imagines
           .
           They
           have
           copyed
           faithfully
           from
           Nature
           ,
           and
           their
           Draughts
           come
           incomparably
           near
           the
           Life
           .
           No
           outrage
           is
           done
           to
           the
           Original
           ,
           by
           enlarging
           or
           contracting
           the
           Features
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           entertain
           the
           Audience
           with
           Monsters
           of
           Dwarfs
           ,
           but
           Humane
           Life
           is
           depicted
           in
           its
           true
           and
           just
           Proportion
           .
           If
           therefore
           the
           Images
           ,
           which
           
           their
           Plays
           reflect
           ,
           displease
           any
           froward
           Cynic
           ,
           the
           Fault
           is
           in
           the
           Face
           ,
           not
           the
           Glass
           which
           gives
           a
           true
           representation
           ;
           and
           he
           quarrels
           with
           Providence
           ,
           whose
           Creature
           Mankind
           is
           ,
           if
           he
           dislikes
           the
           fight
           .
           Any
           liberties
           therefore
           ,
           which
           these
           Poets
           have
           taken
           ,
           wherein
           Nature
           is
           not
           wrong'd
           ,
           descend
           undoubtedly
           to
           all
           those
           that
           succeed
           'em
           upon
           the
           Comick
           Stage
           ,
           who
           have
           a
           right
           to
           all
           the
           Priviledges
           of
           their
           Predecessors
           upon
           the
           same
           terms
           .
        
         
           But
           Plautus
           and
           Terence
           made
           their
           young
           fellows
           ,
           as
           Nature
           frequently
           does
           ,
           wild
           and
           extravagant
           ;
           at
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           is
           scandaliz'd
           ,
           and
           appeals
           from
           their
           Judgment
           to
        
         
           Horace
           ,
           
           who
           (
           
             he
             says
          
           )
           was
           as
           good
           a
           Judge
           of
           the
           Stage
           ,
           as
           either
           of
           those
           Comedians
           ,
           yet
           seems
           to
           be
           of
           another
           opinion
           .
           
             Let
             us
             see
             how
             far
             the
             Precept
             of
          
           Horace
           
             for
             the
             drawing
             of
             youth
             in
             general
             differs
             from
             the
             Practice
             of
             those
          
           Comedians
           .
           Horace
           
             tells
             us
          
           ,
           that
           the
           young
           Squire
           ,
           as
           soon
           as
           he
           has
           shaken
           off
           the
           yoak
           of
           a
           Tutor
           ,
           is
           for
           Dogs
           and
           Horses
           ,
           (
           
             and
             Whores
             too
             ,
             as
             appears
             by
             the
             sequel
             of
             his
             Character
          
           )
           that
           he
           is
           
             
             
               Cereus
               in
               vitium
               flecti
               ,
               
               monitoribus
               asper
            
             
               Vtilium
               tardus
               Provisor
               ,
               prodigus
               aeris
               ,
            
             
               Sublimis
               ,
               cupidusque
               ,
               &
               amata
               relinquere
               pernix
               .
            
             
               Prone
               to
               Vice
               ,
               Impatient
               of
               Reproof
               ,
            
             
               Careless
               of
               things
               necessary
               ,
               Prodigal
               ,
            
             
               Proud
               ,
               Eager
               ,
               and
               Inconstant
               in
               his
               Desires
               .
            
          
        
         
           This
           is
           not
           a
           bare
           character
           ,
           
           a
           simple
           description
           of
           the
           humours
           of
           young
           people
           ;
           but
           't
           is
           a
           Precept
           ,
           a
           Rule
           for
           Artists
           to
           draw
           'em
           by
           .
           And
           therefore
           ought
           to
           include
           nothing
           contingent
           ,
           or
           unnecessary
           ;
           but
           every
           thing
           contain'd
           in
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           the
           inseparable
           Adjunct
           of
           the
           Species
           ,
           such
           as
           a
           true
           Idea
           of
           the
           Generality
           cannot
           be
           given
           without
           ,
           tho
           perhaps
           some
           Individuals
           may
           be
           met
           with
           ,
           that
           want
           it
           .
           Upon
           this
           rule
           let
           Mr
           Collier
           arraign
           these
           Authors
           if
           he
           can
           .
           For
           tho
           they
           wrote
           before
           Horace
           ,
           and
           consequently
           can't
           plead
           his
           Precept
           in
           their
           defence
           ,
           yet
           the
           observation
           of
           Nature
           was
           common
           to
           them
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           reason
           of
           the
           rule
           as
           well
           known
           to
           '
           em
           .
           I
           suppose
           therefore
           ,
           if
           Horace
           be
           made
           their
           Judge
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           acquitted
           ,
           otherwise
           he
           will
           condemn
           himself
           .
        
         
         
           
             But
             Mr
          
           Collier
           
             tells
             you
          
           ,
           
           that
           Horace
           condemns
           the
           obscenities
           of
           Plautus
           ,
           and
           tells
           you
           that
           Men
           of
           Fortune
           and
           Quality
           ,
           in
           his
           time
           ,
           wou'd
           not
           endure
           immodest
           Satire
           .
        
         
           
             This
             I
             believe
             is
             a
             discovery
             of
             Mr
          
           Collier
           '
           
             s
             own
          
           ,
           
           
             for
             I
             don't
             find
             any
             such
             accusation
             in
          
           Horace
           ;
           
             he
             tells
             us
          
           ,
           that
           he
           did
           by
           no
           means
           admire
           the
           Versification
           and
           Raillery
           of
           Plautus
           ,
           as
           their
           Ancestors
           had
           injudiciously
           done
           ,
           that
           his
           Numbers
           were
           not
           true
           ,
           nor
           his
           Wit
           Gentile
           .
        
         
           
             An
             nostri
             Proavi
             Plautinos
             ,
             &
             numeros
             ,
             &
          
           
             Laudavere
             Sales
             ;
             nimium
             patienter
             utrumque
             ,
          
           
             (
             Ne
             dicam
             Stultè
             )
             mirati
             :
             si
             modo
             ego
             ,
             &
             vos
          
           
             Scimus
             inurbanum
             ,
             lepido
             seponere
             dicto
             ,
          
           
             Legitimumque
             sonum
             digitis
             callemus
             ,
             &
             arte
             .
          
        
         
           Here
           he
           excepts
           against
           the
           Numbers
           ,
           and
           Raillery
           of
           Plautus
           ,
           and
           arraigns
           the
           Taste
           ,
           and
           Judgment
           of
           their
           Ancestors
           ,
           that
           approved
           '
           em
           .
           But
           I
           don't
           find
           that
           he
           lays
           Immodesty
           ,
           or
           Obscenity
           to
           his
           charge
           .
        
         
         
           But
           this
           seems
           to
           be
           a
           strain
           in
           emulation
           of
           his
           famous
           Predecessor
           Mr
           Prynne
           ,
           
           whose
           Arguments
           and
           way
           of
           Reasoning
           Mr
           Collier
           inherits
           as
           well
           as
           quarrel
           ,
           with
           a
           double
           portion
           of
           his
           Spirit
           .
           Mr
           Prynne
           was
           offended
           at
           the
           appearance
           of
           Actresses
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Fervour
           of
           his
           Zeal
           finds
           it
           forbidden
           in
           Scripture
           ;
           Because
           ,
           says
           he
           ,
           
             St
             Paul
             expressly
             prohibits
             Women
             from
             speaking
             publickly
             in
             the
             Church
             .
          
           Mr
           Collier
           in
           a
           fit
           of
           Criticism
           something
           like
           this
           ,
           takes
           occasion
           from
           this
           Passage
           of
           Horace
           ,
           to
           shew
           how
           apt
           a
           Scholar
           he
           is
           ;
           and
           not
           to
           be
           behind
           hand
           with
           Mr
           Prynne
           ,
           for
           a
           Reason
           ,
           has
           recourse
           to
           his
           usual
           method
           of
           construction
           ,
           (
           in
           which
           we
           have
           already
           seen
           he
           has
           a
           singular
           dexterity
           )
           and
           converts
           
           Horace's
           charge
           of
           inharmonious
           Verse
           and
           Clownish
           Jests
           ,
           to
           Obscenity
           and
           
             Immodest
             Satyr
          
           .
        
         
           To
           cover
           this
           piece
           of
           Legerdemain
           ,
           
           he
           confounds
           this
           Passage
           with
           another
           as
           little
           to
           his
           purpose
           .
           Horace
           from
           talking
           of
           Tragedy
           proceeds
           to
           lay
           down
           some
           Maxims
           for
           the
           better
           regulation
           of
           the
           Satyrae
           ,
           then
           in
           use
           upon
           the
           Roman
           Stage
           .
           These
           Satyrae
           were
           a
           sort
           
           of
           Interludes
           introduced
           betwixt
           the
           Acts
           in
           Tragedy
           to
           refresh
           ,
           and
           divert
           the
           Audience
           .
           The
           Persons
           represented
           were
           the
           Satyri
           or
           Fauni
           ,
           or
           train
           of
           Bacchus
           or
           Pan
           ;
           Persons
           supposed
           to
           be
           of
           very
           loose
           and
           virulent
           Tongues
           ,
           and
           Rustick
           Behaviour
           .
           And
           accordingly
           the
           matter
           of
           these
           Poems
           was
           generally
           scandal
           ,
           and
           Clownish
           raillery
           ,
           in
           which
           to
           gain
           the
           applause
           of
           the
           Mob
           ,
           they
           often
           took
           such
           sawcy
           Liberties
           in
           point
           of
           Scandal
           and
           Undecency
           ,
           that
           they
           People
           of
           better
           Quality
           were
           offended
           at
           '
           em
           .
           And
           Horace
           assures
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           Quality
           and
           Mob
           cou'd
           never
           agree
           in
           their
           Verdict
           about
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           
             Sylvis
             deducti
             caveant
             (
             me
             Judice
             )
             Fauni
             ,
             
          
           
             Ne
             ,
             velut
             innati
             triviis
             ,
             ac
             pene
             forenses
             ,
          
           
             Aut
             nimium
             teneris
             juvenenter
             versibus
             unquam
             ,
          
           
             Aut
             immunda
             crepent
             ,
             ignominiosaque
             dicta
          
           
             Offenduntur
             enim
             ,
             quibus
             est
             Equus
             ,
             &
             Pater
             ,
             &
             res
             :
          
           
             Nec
             ,
             siquid
             fricti
             ciceris
             probat
             ,
             &
             nucis
             emptor
             ,
          
           
             AEquis
             accipiunt
             animis
             ,
             donantve
             corona
             .
          
        
         
         
           But
           what
           's
           all
           this
           to
           Plautus
           and
           Comedy
           ,
           who
           never
           had
           any
           Dealings
           with
           these
           Satyrae
           .
        
         
           After
           this
           notable
           exploit
           ,
           he
           launches
           out
           into
           the
           wide
           Sea
           of
           Poetry
           ,
           and
           flourishes
           with
           the
           Character
           that
           Horace
           gives
           of
           the
           first
           Poets
           ,
           
             Orpheus
             ,
             Amphion
             ,
             &c
          
           ,
           whom
           he
           celebrates
           as
           the
           civilizers
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           but
           as
           that
           affords
           little
           matter
           either
           of
           Honour
           or
           Reproach
           to
           these
           ,
           that
           came
           so
           long
           after
           them
           ,
           when
           the
           Muses
           ,
           tho
           they
           might
           have
           kept
           their
           Virtue
           ,
           yet
           had
           lost
           very
           much
           of
           their
           Power
           ,
           and
           instead
           of
           commanding
           the
           Passions
           of
           their
           Auditors
           ,
           were
           forced
           on
           many
           occasions
           to
           comply
           with
           and
           submit
           to
           their
           Whimsies
           ,
           and
           humour
           their
           capri●ious
           Appetites
           :
           It
           will
           be
           impertinent
           (
           whatever
           licence
           Mr
           Collier
           may
           assume
           )
           to
           insist
           any
           longer
           upon
           a
           case
           no
           way
           Paralell
           .
           For
           this
           Character
           ,
           which
           Horace
           bestows
           upon
           those
           Poets
           ,
           was
           intended
           as
           a
           complement
           of
           Poetry
           in
           general
           ,
           but
           not
           to
           reflect
           any
           honour
           upon
           the
           Drama
           in
           particular
           ,
           (
           much
           less
           Comedy
           ,
           the
           more
           recent
           branch
           of
           it
           )
           which
           was
           not
           invented
           till
           long
           after
           the
           time
           of
           Orpheus
           and
           Amphion
           .
        
         
         
           
             His
             next
             use
             that
             he
             makes
             of
             the
             Authority
             of
          
           Horace
           ,
           
           
             he
             draws
             from
             his
             Instructions
             about
             the
             Office
             of
             the
          
           Chorus
           .
           The
           Chorus
           (
           Horace
           
             tells
             us
             after
          
           Aristotle
           )
           ought
           to
           bear
           the
           part
           of
           an
           Actor
           ,
           and
           take
           care
           to
           say
           nothing
           incoherent
           ,
           or
           incongruous
           to
           the
           main
           design
           ,
           but
           to
           make
           his
           Song
           of
           a
           piece
           with
           the
           whole
           .
           From
           hence
           (
           Mr
           Collier
           
             infers
             that
          
           )
           't
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           Horace
           wou'd
           have
           no
           immoral
           Character
           have
           either
           Countenance
           or
           good
           Fortune
           upon
           the
           Stage
           .
        
         
           But
           here
           he
           foresees
           an
           Objection
           ,
           
           that
           the
           Chorus
           was
           left
           off
           in
           Comedy
           before
           
           Horace's
           time
           ,
           and
           that
           these
           directions
           must
           needs
           therefore
           be
           intended
           for
           Tragedy
           .
           To
           which
        
         
           He
           answers
           ,
           
           that
           the
           Consequence
           is
           not
           good
           .
           For
           the
           use
           of
           the
           Chorus
           is
           not
           inconsistent
           with
           Comedy
           .
           The
           Antient
           Comedians
           had
           it
           .
           Aristophanes
           is
           an
           Instance
           .
           I
           know
           't
           is
           said
           the
           Chorus
           was
           left
           out
           ,
           in
           that
           which
           they
           call
           
             New
             Comedy
          
           .
        
         
           Had
           Mr
           Collier
           consider'd
           who
           't
           was
           that
           said
           this
           ,
           
           he
           ought
           to
           have
           acquiesc'd
           in
           his
           Authority
           ;
           but
           since
           he
           is
           so
           unwilling
           to
           confess
           ,
           he
           must
           be
           convicted
           ,
           and
           therefore
           we
           shall
           endeavour
           
           to
           prove
           the
           validity
           of
           the
           consequence
           upon
           him
           .
           I
           shall
           trouble
           the
           Reader
           with
           the
           Depositions
           of
           but
           one
           Evidence
           ,
           but
           he
           shall
           be
           ,
           like
           Conscience
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           
             Mille
             Testes
             .
             Horace
          
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             that
             the
          
           Old
           Comedy
           
             grew
             so
             intolerably
             abusive
             and
             scandalous
             ,
             that
             a
             Law
             was
             made
             to
             curb
             it
             ,
             and
             that
             from
             that
             time
             the
          
           Chorus
           
             was
             silenc'd
          
           .
        
         
           
             Successit
             vetus
             his
             Comaedia
             ,
             
             nonsine
             multâ
          
           
             Laude
             ,
             sed
             in
             vitium
             libertas
             excidit
             ,
             &
             vim
          
           
             Dignam
             lege
             regi
             .
             Lex
             est
             accepta
             ,
             Chorusque
          
           
             Turpiter
             obticuit
             ,
             sublato
             jure
             nocendi
             .
          
        
         
           This
           testimony
           of
           Horace
           is
           full
           against
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           
           and
           a
           plain
           argument
           that
           he
           never
           intended
           his
           directions
           for
           a
           Chorus
           for
           the
           use
           of
           Comedy
           .
           The
           Chorus
           in
           the
           
             Old
             Comedy
          
           had
           the
           greatest
           freedom
           of
           Speech
           ,
           and
           took
           the
           boldest
           liberties
           of
           any
           part
           of
           the
           Play
           ,
           and
           consequently
           gave
           the
           greatest
           offence
           ,
           and
           stood
           most
           in
           need
           of
           Correction
           .
           And
           Horace
           seems
           to
           insinuate
           ,
           that
           the
           Chorus
           was
           not
           only
           scandalously
           offensive
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           was
           expressly
           
           filenc'd
           by
           Law
           ,
           when
           he
           says
           ,
           
             
               —
               Lex
               est
               accepta
               ,
               Chorusque
            
             
               Turpiter
               obticuit
               ,
               sublato
               jure
               nocendi
               .
            
          
        
         
           As
           if
           the
           whole
           Business
           of
           the
           Chorus
           in
           Comedy
           had
           been
           Scandal
           ,
           and
           the
           Law
           levell'd
           against
           the
           Chorus
           only
           .
           The
           event
           justifies
           this
           Exposition
           ;
           For
           after
           the
           Publication
           of
           the
           Laws
           against
           the
           Liberty
           of
           Scandal
           ,
           which
           was
           grown
           so
           rampant
           in
           the
           
             Old
             Comedy
          
           ,
           the
           Chorus
           vanish'd
           and
           appear'd
           no
           more
           upon
           the
           Athenian
           Stage
           in
           Comedy
           ,
           that
           we
           know
           of
           .
        
         
           This
           Mr
           Collier
           denies
           ,
           
           and
           fortifies
           himself
           and
           his
           Assertion
           with
           matter
           of
           Fact.
           For
           Aristophanes
           his
           Plutus
           is
           New
           Comedy
           
             with
             a
          
           Chorus
           in
           't
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           Assertion
           there
           are
           two
           mistakes
           ,
           
           which
           being
           Critical
           ones
           ,
           I
           don't
           much
           wonder
           at
           ,
           because
           they
           contribute
           towards
           making
           the
           Book
           Uniform
           ,
           and
           preserve
           the
           Integrity
           of
           the
           Piece
           .
           Yet
           he
           building
           with
           so
           much
           assurance
           upon
           'em
           ,
           't
           will
           be
           but
           Charity
           to
           let
           him
           see
           ,
           that
           his
           Foundation
           is
           too
           weak
           to
           support
           the
           weight
           of
           the
           superstructure
           he
           has
           laid
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
         
           The
           first
           of
           these
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           Plutus
           of
           Aristphanes
           is
           not
           
             New
             Comedy
          
           .
        
         
           2dly
           .
           That
           in
           the
           Plutus
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           Chorus
           .
        
         
           The
           Learned
           (
           whom
           I
           suppose
           Mr
           Collier
           means
           by
           they
           )
           divided
           the
           
             Greek
             Comedy
          
           into
           the
           three
           Classes
           ,
           the
           Old
           ,
           the
           Middle
           ,
           and
           the
           New
           ;
           not
           to
           mention
           that
           the
           
             Old
             Comedy
          
           it self
           is
           subdivided
           into
           two
           Ages
           ;
           the
           latter
           of
           which
           commences
           with
           Cratinus
           ,
           who
           first
           distinguisht
           the
           Parts
           ,
           disposed
           the
           Acts
           ,
           and
           fixt
           the
           number
           of
           Actors
           ;
           and
           comprehends
           
             Eupolis
             ,
             Aristophaenes
          
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Comick
           Poets
           till
           the
           conclusion
           of
           the
           Popular
           Authority
           ,
           and
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Oligarehy
           ,
           from
           which
           time
           to
           the
           time
           of
           Alexander
           ,
           that
           which
           is
           now
           called
           the
           
             Middle
             Comedy
          
           flourished
           ,
           till
           Menander
           ,
           and
           the
           Poets
           of
           his
           time
           ,
           
             Philemon
             ,
             Diphilus
             ,
             Apollodorus
          
           ,
           and
           others
           ,
           quite
           altered
           the
           Face
           of
           the
           
             Comick
             Stage
          
           ,
           and
           introduc'd
           that
           which
           is
           now
           call'd
           the
           
             New
             Comedy
          
           .
        
         
           By
           this
           Divifion
           ,
           which
           is
           both
           just
           ,
           
           and
           accurate
           ,
           the
           Plutus
           falls
           to
           the
           share
           of
           the
           
             Old
             Comedy
          
           ;
           to
           which
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           deviations
           therein
           
           from
           the
           former
           Practice
           of
           Aristophanes
           ,
           it
           does
           most
           properly
           belong
           .
           But
           if
           Mr
           Collier
           will
           have
           the
           Plutus
           of
           Aristophanes
           to
           be
           the
           first
           step
           towards
           the
           Reformation
           of
           Comedy
           at
           Athens
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           much
           dispute
           the
           matter
           with
           him
           .
           Because
           he
           has
           in
           that
           abridged
           himself
           of
           much
           of
           that
           Liberty
           ,
           which
           he
           has
           used
           in
           his
           former
           Plays
           .
           But
           granting
           even
           this
           ,
           Aristophanes
           can
           at
           most
           but
           lead
           up
           the
           Van
           of
           the
           
             Middle
             Comedy
          
           ;
           and
           is
           very
           far
           distanc'd
           by
           the
           New.
           
        
         
           For
           tho
           Aristophanes
           has
           in
           some
           measure
           altered
           his
           Conduct
           in
           his
           Plutus
           ,
           
           yet
           he
           retains
           absolutely
           the
           Form
           and
           stamp
           of
           the
           
             Old
             Comedy
          
           ,
           and
           retrenches
           only
           some
           offensive
           Liberties
           .
           The
           Fable
           of
           the
           old
           Comedy
           was
           altogether
           Chimerical
           ,
           and
           the
           Characters
           Romantick
           and
           Whimsical
           ,
           neither
           of
           'em
           drawn
           from
           the
           Observation
           of
           Nature
           ,
           or
           the
           business
           of
           Humane
           Life
           ,
           but
           pumpt
           out
           of
           the
           extravagance
           of
           the
           Poets
           Brain
           .
           The
           Spirit
           of
           these
           Entertainments
           consisted
           in
           the
           Piquancy
           of
           the
           Raillery
           and
           Jests
           ,
           and
           the
           boldness
           of
           the
           Scandal
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           took
           excessive
           Liberties
           
           with
           particular
           Persons
           ,
           especially
           the
           Chorus
           ,
           and
           to
           which
           the
           success
           of
           'em
           was
           wholy
           owing
           .
           
           Cratinus
           is
           said
           to
           have
           been
           very
           bold
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           taxed
           people
           freely
           by
           their
           names
           ,
           without
           miucing
           the
           matter
           ,
           (
           I
           had
           almost
           said
           without
           Fear
           or
           Wit
           )
           and
           charged
           them
           with
           all
           sorts
           of
           Crimes
           ,
           without
           respect
           to
           Persons
           .
           Eupolis
           was
           somewhat
           more
           discreet
           ,
           couching
           real
           Crimes
           and
           Persons
           under
           sham
           Names
           ,
           and
           lashing
           his
           Fellow
           Citizens
           on
           the
           backs
           of
           feigned
           Offenders
           .
           Aristophanes
           was
           frequently
           no
           less
           plain
           than
           Cratinus
           in
           respect
           to
           Names
           ,
           but
           his
           Wit
           was
           of
           another
           sort
           ,
           less
           Sullen
           and
           Chagrine
           .
           He
           turned
           all
           into
           Jest
           ,
           and
           bantered
           those
           things
           ,
           which
           the
           others
           reprehended
           after
           a
           manner
           more
           serious
           and
           severe
           .
        
         
           Menander
           and
           the
           
             New
             Comedians
          
           formed
           their
           Models
           after
           a
           very
           different
           manner
           .
           
           For
           having
           particularly
           Scandal
           ,
           which
           had
           given
           so
           much
           Offence
           in
           the
           
             Old
             Comedy
          
           ,
           they
           began
           to
           furnish
           themselves
           from
           Observation
           and
           Experience
           ,
           rather
           than
           Invention
           ,
           and
           to
           employ
           their
           Judgments
           more
           than
           their
           Fancies
           .
           They
           raised
           the
           
           structure
           of
           their
           Plays
           upon
           the
           Foundations
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           made
           the
           Intrigues
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           common
           Affairs
           of
           Life
           the
           Subjects
           of
           'em
           ,
           and
           the
           different
           orders
           of
           Mankind
           .
           A
           hard
           Father
           ,
           a
           difficult
           Master
           ,
           a
           wild
           Son
           ,
           a
           crafty
           Servant
           ,
           an
           impudent
           Pandar
           ,
           a
           Mercenary
           Courtezan
           ,
           and
           a
           Captive
           Virgin
           ,
           were
           the
           most
           usual
           Characters
           ;
           which
           being
           opposite
           to
           ,
           and
           concerned
           with
           one
           another
           ,
           set
           the
           Plot
           naturally
           to
           work
           ,
           and
           give
           occasion
           to
           set
           all
           the
           Wheels
           of
           the
           Machine
           a
           going
           .
        
         
           This
           may
           suffice
           to
           give
           us
           an
           Idea
           of
           the
           difference
           between
           the
           
             Old
             Comedy
          
           and
           the
           New
           ,
           
           and
           to
           convince
           us
           that
           the
           Plutus
           of
           Aristophanes
           ,
           which
           deals
           altogether
           in
           unaccountable
           Designs
           and
           surprizing
           Events
           ,
           and
           works
           by
           Unnatural
           Machines
           to
           a
           Chimerical
           ,
           Romantick
           end
           ,
           is
           not
           
             New
             Comedy
          
           ;
           tho
           the
           Poet
           contrary
           to
           his
           Custom
           makes
           use
           of
           Feigned
           Names
           ,
           and
           lays
           aside
           the
           Chorus
           .
           For
           tho
           these
           Innovations
           be
           here
           made
           in
           Comedy
           ,
           yet
           both
           the
           matter
           and
           the
           Form
           (
           wherein
           consisted
           the
           main
           difference
           between
           the
           
             Old
             Comedy
          
           and
           the
           New
           )
           remaining
           
           still
           the
           same
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           his
           Plays
           ,
           it
           can
           by
           no
           means
           be
           admitted
           into
           the
           New
           ,
           both
           matter
           and
           form
           of
           which
           were
           different
           ,
           if
           not
           directly
           opposite
           to
           the
           former
           .
           
           For
           in
           the
           
             Old
             Comedy
          
           they
           proceeded
           from
           Generals
           that
           were
           Chimerical
           and
           false
           ,
           to
           argue
           particulars
           that
           were
           real
           and
           true
           .
           In
           the
           New
           from
           Particulars
           that
           were
           imaginary
           and
           false
           ,
           they
           reprehended
           Generals
           that
           were
           real
           .
           The
           
             Old
             Comick
             Poets
          
           generally
           devised
           some
           extravagant
           and
           unnatural
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           improbable
           tale
           ,
           into
           which
           they
           took
           occasion
           to
           thrust
           particular
           Facts
           and
           Persons
           that
           were
           real
           ,
           and
           well
           known
           .
           The
           New
           made
           use
           of
           such
           Intrigues
           and
           Persons
           as
           were
           frequent
           and
           familiar
           amongst
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           thereby
           corrected
           the
           common
           Faults
           ,
           such
           as
           Avarice
           ,
           Fraud
           ,
           &c.
           but
           copyed
           neither
           the
           Actions
           ,
           nor
           Manners
           of
           Individuals
           ;
           and
           so
           reflected
           not
           particularly
           upon
           any
           One.
           The
           first
           resembled
           a
           Limner
           ,
           that
           cou'd
           copy
           the
           Features
           of
           a
           Face
           ,
           but
           cou'd
           only
           draw
           Individuals
           like
           ,
           ye
           cou'd
           not
           design
           ;
           the
           latter
           a
           true
           Historical
           Painter
           ,
           that
           aim'd
           rather
           at
           expressing
           the
           Manners
           ,
           and
           Passions
           
           of
           Mankind
           than
           the
           countenances
           .
           In
           whose
           pieces
           you
           shou'd
           not
           amongst
           a
           Thousand
           meet
           one
           Face
           ,
           that
           you
           distinctly
           knew
           ,
           yet
           none
           but
           what
           were
           natural
           and
           significant
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           you
           must
           acknowledge
           you
           saw
           every
           day
           .
           The
           difference
           therefore
           betwixt
           the
           
             Old
             Comedy
          
           and
           the
           New
           is
           as
           great
           and
           evident
           ,
           as
           betwixt
           the
           Paintings
           of
           
             Raphael
             Vrbin
          
           ,
           or
           
             Michael
             Angelo
          
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           Sir
           
             Anthony
             Vandike
          
           ,
           or
           Sir
           
             Peter
             Lely
          
           .
           I
           shall
           not
           therefore
           insist
           upon
           those
           lesser
           differences
           of
           Phrase
           and
           Metre
           ,
           those
           already
           given
           ,
           being
           sufficient
           to
           inform
           a
           very
           indifferent
           Judge
           .
        
         
           However
           ,
           
           as
           Aristophanes
           has
           in
           this
           Play
           varied
           his
           Conduct
           in
           some
           things
           from
           the
           Practice
           of
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           
             Old
             Comedians
          
           ,
           and
           of
           himself
           in
           his
           former
           Pieces
           ,
           he
           seems
           to
           challenge
           the
           first
           place
           in
           the
           
             Middle
             Comedy
          
           ,
           which
           the
           Learned
           have
           found
           it
           necessary
           to
           distinguish
           both
           from
           the
           Old
           and
           the
           New.
           Because
           several
           alterations
           were
           made
           in
           Comedy
           ,
           of
           which
           perhaps
           the
           Omission
           of
           the
           Chorus
           was
           none
           of
           the
           least
           considerable
           ,
           yet
           neither
           the
           Model
           or
           Design
           
           were
           totally
           changed
           till
           the
           time
           of
           Menander
           ,
           and
           his
           Cotemporaries
           .
        
         
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           second
           mistake
           in
           relation
           to
           the
           Plutus
           of
           Aristophanes
           is
           ,
           
           
             that
             it
             has
             a
             Chorus
             in
             't
             .
          
           If
           he
           means
           that
           there
           is
           a
           part
           in
           this
           Play
           ,
           which
           is
           sustained
           by
           a
           Person
           or
           Persons
           under
           the
           name
           of
           Chorus
           ,
           Matter
           of
           Fact
           is
           directly
           for
           him
           :
           But
           if
           he
           thinks
           that
           there
           is
           any
           such
           thing
           as
           a
           true
           Chorus
           in
           it
           ,
           it
           is
           as
           plain
           against
           him
           .
           This
           matter
           will
           easily
           be
           decided
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           Nature
           ,
           and
           Office
           of
           a
           Chorus
           in
           the
           
             Old
             Comedy
          
           .
        
         
           The
           Chorus
           in
           Comedy
           ,
           
           was
           a
           Person
           consisting
           of
           divers
           ,
           either
           Men
           or
           Women
           ,
           or
           both
           ,
           and
           assisted
           in
           two
           Capacities
           .
           One
           as
           an
           Actor
           ,
           or
           Party
           concern'd
           to
           promote
           and
           carry
           on
           the
           main
           design
           ,
           and
           help
           forward
           the
           Action
           of
           the
           Play
           ,
           which
           is
           common
           to
           the
           Chorus
           with
           the
           other
           Actors
           ,
           and
           does
           not
           distinguish
           it
           from
           '
           em
           .
           The
           other
           ,
           as
           the
           
           Poet
           's
           Representative
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           Parabases
           ,
           or
           Transitions
           from
           the
           Actors
           ,
           (
           with
           whom
           only
           as
           an
           Actor
           the
           Chorus
           is
           concern'd
           )
           to
           the
           Gods
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           Audience
           .
           To
           the
           Gods
           ,
           to
           invoke
           their
           Aid
           ,
           or
           celebrate
           
           their
           Praises
           ,
           as
           the
           occasion
           suggested
           .
           To
           the
           Audience
           ,
           to
           inform
           'em
           of
           what
           was
           suppos'd
           to
           pass
           
             extra
             Scenam
          
           behind
           the
           Scenes
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           Action
           of
           the
           Play
           entire
           ,
           or
           to
           make
           reflections
           on
           what
           pass'd
           upon
           the
           Stage
           for
           the
           Instruction
           of
           the
           Audience
           ,
           and
           to
           tax
           the
           evil
           Practices
           of
           such
           Citizens
           ,
           as
           were
           obnoxious
           to
           the
           Poet
           ,
           and
           the
           Publick
           .
           This
           was
           the
           part
           by
           which
           it
           at
           least
           gave
           offence
           ,
           by
           the
           disorderly
           liberties
           which
           it
           took
           ;
           and
           sometimes
           to
           acquaint
           the
           Audience
           with
           the
           Poet's
           hopes
           and
           fears
           ,
           his
           acknowledgments
           and
           complaints
           ,
           which
           last
           part
           of
           the
           business
           of
           the
           Chorus
           is
           answer'd
           by
           the
           Prologue
           among
           the
           Romans
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           not
           trouble
           the
           Reader
           with
           the
           Grammatical
           division
           of
           the
           parts
           of
           the
           Chorus
           ,
           
           (
           
             viz.
             )
             Ode
             ,
             Antode
             ,
             Strophe
             ,
          
           and
           Antistrophe
           ,
           &c.
           which
           signify
           nothing
           to
           the
           point
           before
           us
           .
           But
           I
           shall
           desire
           the
           Reader
           to
           take
           notice
           that
           in
           the
           Plutus
           of
           Aristophanes
           ,
           this
           part
           which
           alone
           constitutes
           the
           Office
           ,
           and
           Business
           of
           a
           Chorus
           ,
           and
           which
           only
           distinguishes
           it
           from
           a
           common
           Actor
           is
           entirely
           omitted
           .
           The
           Chorus
           
           in
           this
           Play
           appears
           but
           as
           an
           ordinary
           Actor
           ,
           and
           addresses
           itself
           to
           the
           other
           Actors
           only
           ,
           comes
           on
           ,
           and
           goes
           off
           without
           once
           singing
           or
           speaking
           apart
           from
           the
           rest
           .
           The
           Chorus
           therefore
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           called
           ,
           in
           this
           Play
           might
           more
           properly
           have
           been
           personated
           by
           a
           single
           man
           ,
           and
           called
           by
           any
           other
           name
           ,
           since
           it
           performs
           nothing
           of
           the
           Office
           .
        
         
           The
           Observation
           of
           this
           defect
           of
           the
           Essential
           part
           of
           the
           Chorus
           ,
           made
           the
           Learned
           *
           
             Julius
             Scaliger
          
           think
           ,
           that
           this
           Play
           had
           been
           castrated
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Chorus
           (
           which
           he
           confesses
           to
           be
           wanting
           )
           was
           not
           omitted
           ,
           but
           taken
           away
           since
           the
           writing
           of
           it
           .
           But
           whether
           it
           were
           ,
           as
           Scaliger
           suspects
           ,
           taken
           out
           after
           it
           was
           finish'd
           ,
           or
           omitted
           in
           the
           writing
           ,
           is
           not
           very
           material
           ;
           't
           is
           plain
           we
           have
           it
           not
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           very
           probable
           that
           't
           was
           the
           Author's
           own
           fear
           of
           offending
           ,
           that
           depriv'd
           us
           of
           it
           ;
           the
           want
           of
           which
           caution
           in
           his
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           cost
           Cratinus
           his
           Life
           .
           For
           had
           the
           Chorus
           of
           the
           Plutus
           ever
           been
           made
           publick
           ,
           I
           see
           no
           reason
           why
           that
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           rest
           of
           his
           Chori
           ,
           should
           not
           have
           been
           transmitted
           to
           us
           .
           I
           would
           
           advise
           Mr
           Collier
           in
           the
           next
           Greek
           Play
           he
           cites
           ,
           to
           read
           farther
           than
           the
           List
           of
           the
           Persons
           of
           the
           Drama
           .
           For
           't
           is
           apparently
           negligence
           ,
           that
           has
           led
           him
           into
           this
           Errour
           ,
           and
           made
           him
           think
           ,
           that
           because
           he
           found
           a
           Chorus
           there
           ,
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           in
           the
           Play
           ,
           which
           he
           would
           not
           have
           allow'd
           to
           be
           a
           legitimate
           Chorus
           ,
           had
           he
           read
           the
           Play
           ,
           and
           known
           the
           business
           of
           a
           Chorus
           .
           'T
           is
           yet
           in
           his
           Election
           which
           excuse
           shall
           stand
           for
           him
           .
        
         
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           Instances
           therefore
           signifies
           nothing
           to
           his
           Argument
           ,
           because
           it
           does
           not
           prove
           a
           Chorus
           consistent
           with
           the
           
             New
             Comedy
          
           .
        
         
           1st
           ,
           Because
           the
           Plutus
           in
           which
           he
           instances
           is
           not
           
             New
             Comedy
          
           .
        
         
           2dly
           ,
           Because
           (
           tho
           it
           were
           
             New
             Comedy
          
           )
           it
           has
           no
           Chorus
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           we
           may
           lay
           the
           Authority
           of
           Aristophanes
           aside
           in
           this
           case
           .
        
         
           We
           shall
           not
           trouble
           the
           Reader
           with
           a
           particular
           of
           the
           Fables
           of
           Aristophanes
           ,
           which
           are
           so
           extravagantly
           Romantick
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           impossible
           they
           should
           be
           edifying
           .
           And
           therefore
           I
           suppose
           Mr
           Collier
           will
           not
           play
           the
           Morality
           
           of
           the
           
             Greek
             Comedy
          
           upon
           us
           from
           that
           Quarter
           .
        
         
           
             But
             he
             proceeds
             to
             prove
             the
             continuance
             of
             the
          
           Chorus
           in
           Comedy
           
             by
             an
             oblique
             Inference
             from
          
           Aristotle
           ,
           
           who
           lived
           after
           this
           Revolution
           of
           the
           
             Stage
             ,
             (
             yet
          
           )
           mentions
           nothing
           of
           the
           omission
           of
           the
           Chorus
           .
           
           
             But
             in
             Mr
          
           Collier
           '
           
             s
             opinion
          
           ,
           rather
           supposes
           the
           continuance
           of
           it
           ,
           by
           saying
           the
           Chorus
           was
           added
           by
           the
           Government
           long
           after
           the
           Invention
           of
           Comedy
           .
        
         
           Here
           the
           Silence
           of
           Aristotle
           concerning
           the
           omission
           of
           the
           Chorus
           in
           Comedy
           ,
           
           is
           made
           an
           Argument
           of
           the
           Continuance
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           by
           an
           odd
           sort
           of
           Sophistry
           ,
           he
           concludes
           ,
           that
           because
           he
           has
           taken
           notice
           of
           the
           first
           Institution
           of
           it
           ,
           he
           must
           needs
           do
           the
           same
           for
           the
           disuse
           of
           it
           ,
           had
           he
           been
           acquainted
           with
           it
           .
        
         
           By
           the
           same
           way
           of
           arguing
           he
           might
           have
           prov'd
           ,
           that
           Aristophanes
           was
           the
           the
           last
           of
           the
           
             Comic
             Poets
          
           before
           Aristotle
           ,
           because
           he
           has
           made
           no
           mention
           of
           any
           that
           succeeded
           him
           ;
           and
           yet
           we
           are
           sufficiently
           inform'd
           ,
           that
           there
           were
           divers
           between
           Aristotle
           and
           Aristophanes
           .
        
         
         
           But
           if
           at
           this
           distance
           we
           must
           needs
           be
           conjecturing
           at
           reasons
           ,
           
           for
           that
           which
           pass'd
           so
           long
           ago
           ,
           a
           much
           more
           natural
           account
           may
           be
           given
           of
           this
           Silence
           ,
           than
           that
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           strains
           so
           hard
           for
           .
           Aristotle
           was
           a
           man
           of
           extraordinary
           Capacity
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           did
           not
           talk
           so
           impertinently
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           supposes
           he
           would
           have
           done
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           had
           opportunity
           .
           Aristotle
           ,
           in
           this
           Treatise
           of
           Tragedy
           ,
           gives
           a
           very
           brief
           account
           of
           the
           Rise
           and
           Progress
           of
           the
           Drama
           ,
           
           and
           as
           his
           subject
           obliged
           him
           ,
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           two
           Branches
           ,
           Tragedy
           and
           Comedy
           ,
           arose
           both
           from
           the
           same
           Spring
           ,
           viz.
           the
           Hymns
           to
           Bacchus
           ,
           the
           former
           from
           the
           Dithyrambi
           ,
           which
           contain'd
           his
           Praises
           and
           Exploits
           ,
           
           the
           latter
           from
           the
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           *
           a
           sort
           of
           obscene
           Songs
           compos'd
           of
           the
           same
           Deity
           ,
           which
           in
           conformity
           to
           the
           Law
           were
           still
           continued
           his
           time
           in
           the
           Villages
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           next
           Chapter
           he
           proceeds
           to
           the
           Definition
           of
           Comedy
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           illustrate
           the
           difference
           betwixt
           that
           and
           Tragedy
           ;
           and
           then
           informs
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           first
           steps
           towards
           the
           reducing
           Comedy
           to
           Form
           and
           Order
           ,
           were
           made
           
           in
           the
           dark
           ,
           and
           the
           marks
           of
           'em
           too
           far
           obliterated
           to
           be
           trac'd
           backwards
           ,
           through
           publick
           neglect
           ,
           that
           't
           was
           long
           e're
           it
           came
           to
           be
           Acted
           at
           the
           Expence
           of
           the
           Publick
           .
           For
           that
           's
           the
           meaning
           in
           this
           place
           ,
           of
           the
           Magistrates
           giving
           the
           Chorus
           ,
           that
           is
           paying
           the
           Actors
           .
           For
           he
           immediately
           subjoyns
           ,
           that
           all
           before
           that
           time
           
             were
             Volunteers
          
           in
           this
           Service
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           acted
           gratis
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           account
           of
           the
           growth
           of
           Comedy
           ,
           
           Aristotle
           according
           to
           his
           usual
           Method
           ,
           is
           very
           concise
           ,
           and
           does
           not
           make
           one
           step
           out
           of
           his
           way
           to
           gratifie
           any
           Curiosity
           ,
           which
           he
           foresaw
           that
           some
           of
           his
           Readers
           might
           have
           .
           But
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           who
           reasons
           after
           a
           manner
           very
           different
           from
           the
           Philosopher
           ,
           wou'd
           lead
           him
           a
           Wild
           Goose
           Chase
           quite
           out
           of
           his
           road
           ,
           to
           tell
           when
           the
           Chorus
           in
           Comedy
           was
           silenc'd
           ,
           tho
           't
           was
           nothing
           to
           his
           purpose
           ,
           and
           a
           long
           way
           from
           his
           Text
           ;
           or
           force
           him
           to
           confess
           against
           his
           Conscience
           that
           he
           knows
           nothing
           of
           the
           matter
           .
           But
           Aristotle
           ,
           who
           was
           a
           better
           Judge
           than
           Mr
           Collier
           of
           what
           was
           proper
           and
           necessary
           to
           his
           subject
           ,
           reserves
           this
           point
           to
           another
           
           occasion
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           preceding
           Chapter
           reprimands
           the
           unseasonable
           Curiosity
           and
           Impatience
           of
           those
           ,
           
           that
           require
           decisions
           out
           of
           Time
           and
           Order
           .
           Which
           had
           Mr
           Collier
           carefully
           read
           ,
           this
           Argument
           probably
           had
           been
           suppress'd
           .
        
         
           However
           ,
           
           to
           oblige
           him
           with
           a
           little
           scratching
           where
           it
           itches
           ,
           I
           must
           desire
           him
           to
           take
           notice
           ,
           that
           at
           that
           time
           Aristotle
           had
           actually
           written
           ,
           or
           design'd
           at
           least
           to
           write
           another
           Book
           concerning
           Comedy
           in
           particular
           ,
           and
           therefore
           prudently
           forbore
           to
           use
           those
           Materials
           here
           ,
           which
           he
           knew
           wou'd
           be
           more
           serviceable
           in
           another
           place
           .
           This
           Book
           has
           been
           long
           lost
           ,
           and
           therefore
           there
           lies
           no
           Appeal
           to
           it
           on
           this
           occasion
           .
           Yet
           because
           he
           has
           such
           a
           mind
           to
           make
           Aristophanes
           the
           Father
           of
           the
           New
           Comedy
           ,
           we
           'll
           stretch
           a
           point
           farther
           than
           we
           are
           bound
           by
           the
           Laws
           of
           Polemicks
           ;
           and
           to
           shew
           that
           we
           are
           fair
           Adversaries
           ,
           point
           him
           out
           a
           Play
           ,
           that
           may
           perhaps
           serve
           his
           turn
           somewhat
           better
           than
           the
           Plutus
           .
           The
           Cocalus
           ,
           one
           of
           the
           last
           Plays
           of
           Aristophanes
           ,
           which
           is
           lost
           ,
           is
           said
           by
           some
           learned
           men
           to
           have
           been
           the
           Model
           ,
           
           which
           Menander
           copyed
           exactly
           ,
           and
           took
           his
           design
           of
           the
           New
           Comedy
           from
           .
           If
           this
           be
           true
           ,
           Aristophanes
           may
           in
           some
           sense
           claim
           the
           New
           Comedy
           as
           his
           Issue
           .
           But
           then
           Mr
           Collier
           must
           not
           say
           a
           word
           more
           of
           the
           Chorus
           .
           For
           't
           is
           certain
           that
           Menander
           used
           none
           ,
           and
           very
           probable
           ,
           that
           the
           Cocalus
           had
           none
           neither
           ,
           if
           that
           were
           his
           Model
           .
        
         
           By
           this
           it
           may
           appear
           ,
           
           that
           whether
           a
           Chorus
           be
           consistent
           with
           
             New
             Comedy
          
           or
           not
           ,
           it
           was
           not
           used
           in
           it
           by
           the
           Antients
           .
           Nor
           was
           it
           indeed
           fit
           to
           be
           used
           according
           to
           the
           liberties
           of
           Aristophanes
           .
           And
           we
           may
           conclude
           from
           the
           practice
           of
           all
           Ages
           and
           Nations
           ever
           since
           ,
           that
           they
           thought
           those
           Freedoms
           essential
           to
           the
           Chorus
           of
           Comedy
           ,
           when
           they
           chose
           rather
           to
           lay
           it
           wholly
           aside
           than
           to
           reform
           it
           .
           If
           Moliere
           has
           ,
           after
           two
           thousand
           years
           discontinuance
           ,
           ventur'd
           to
           bring
           a
           Chorus
           again
           upon
           the
           Comick
           Stage
           ,
           I
           don't
           find
           that
           his
           performances
           of
           that
           kind
           have
           any
           extraordinary
           effect
           ,
           or
           that
           they
           stir
           up
           many
           Imitators
           to
           follow
           his
           Example
           .
           Moliere
           was
           arrived
           at
           the
           second
           Infancy
           of
           his
           Poetry
           ,
           and
           might
           want
           
           these
           helps
           to
           keep
           his
           Plays
           upon
           their
           Legs
           ,
           which
           by
           the
           first
           
             Comick
             Poets
          
           were
           made
           use
           of
           to
           teach
           theirs
           to
           go
           upright
           .
           His
           more
           vigorous
           productions
           scorn'd
           those
           Crutches
           ,
           which
           the
           Issue
           of
           his
           old
           Age
           ,
           that
           brings
           the
           Infirmities
           of
           its
           Parent
           along
           with
           it
           into
           the
           world
           ,
           is
           forc'd
           to
           have
           recourse
           to
           for
           its
           support
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           what
           end
           wou'd
           Mr
           Collier
           introduce
           the
           Chorus
           into
           the
           
             English
             Comedy
          
           ?
           
           We
           have
           no
           Hymns
           ,
           no
           Anthems
           to
           be
           sung
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ;
           nor
           no
           Music
           ,
           or
           Dancing
           ,
           but
           what
           it
           as
           well
           or
           better
           perform'd
           by
           the
           ordinary
           Method
           now
           in
           use
           ,
           than
           it
           could
           be
           by
           a
           Chorus
           .
           The
           main
           business
           of
           a
           Chorus
           is
           cut
           off
           by
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           render'd
           useless
           and
           unnecessary
           ,
           by
           the
           method
           and
           disposition
           of
           our
           Comedies
           .
           Something
           like
           it
           we
           have
           still
           in
           use
           ,
           tho
           not
           in
           our
           Theatres
           ,
           yet
           at
           our
           
             Puppet
             Shews
          
           ;
           
           where
           Chorus
           stands
           before
           the
           Scenes
           ,
           and
           explains
           to
           the
           Spectators
           what
           they
           see
           ,
           and
           informs
           'em
           what
           shall
           happen
           afterwards
           ,
           makes
           his
           Wise
           reflections
           on
           what
           is
           past
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           enters
           into
           Dialogue
           with
           his
           little
           Actors
           ,
           as
           a
           Party
           
           concern'd
           ,
           and
           talks
           to
           the
           purpose
           like
           one
           of
           them
           .
           This
           is
           exactly
           the
           Office
           of
           a
           Chorus
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           don't
           see
           why
           the
           fellow
           that
           discharges
           it
           mayn't
           wear
           the
           Title
           ;
           except
           it
           be
           ,
           that
           the
           Authors
           of
           that
           sort
           of
           Drama
           ,
           are
           generally
           too
           illiterate
           to
           know
           from
           whence
           they
           originally
           fetcht
           their
           Precedent
           .
           Here
           is
           nothing
           of
           the
           duty
           of
           a
           Chorus
           omitted
           ,
           except
           the
           
             Singing
             ,
             Dancing
          
           ,
           and
           
             Idolatrous
             Part
          
           ,
           which
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           already
           observ'd
           ,
           are
           all
           either
           better
           supply'd
           otherwise
           ,
           or
           absolutely
           inconsistent
           with
           our
           Religion
           and
           Stage
           .
        
         
           Mr
           Collier
           indeed
           seems
           to
           assign
           the
           Chorus
           another
           Office.
           
           He
           wou'd
           have
           it
           to
           be
           a
           sort
           of
           Monitor
           ,
           or
           Chaplain
           to
           the
           Play
           ,
           to
           preach
           to
           the
           Audience
           ,
           and
           correct
           the
           Disorders
           of
           the
           Stage
           .
           This
           is
           a
           new
           Function
           ,
           for
           which
           I
           doubt
           he
           can
           produce
           no
           warrant
           from
           Aristophanes
           ,
           or
           Precedent
           from
           Moliere
           .
           'T
           is
           an
           Office
           of
           his
           own
           creating
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           wou'd
           do
           well
           to
           execute
           it
           a
           while
           himself
           ,
           to
           instruct
           the
           Players
           ,
           and
           teach
           'em
           the
           knack
           of
           Preaching
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           are
           yet
           unexercis'd
           .
        
         
         
           But
           all
           this
           Torrent
           of
           Misreasoning
           and
           false
           Rhetorick
           flows
           from
           one
           Spring
           ,
           
           one
           Original
           Error
           has
           branch'd
           itself
           out
           thus
           amply
           .
           Mr
           Collier
           knows
           ,
           that
           
             the
             business
             of
          
           Comedy
           
             is
             to
             instruct
             by
             example
          
           ;
           and
           he
           mistakenly
           imagines
           ,
           that
           these
           ought
           to
           be
           Examples
           for
           Imitation
           .
           Whereas
           ,
           if
           he
           considers
           the
           nature
           of
           Comedy
           ,
           he
           will
           find
           just
           the
           reverse
           of
           this
           fancy
           to
           be
           true
           .
           For
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           already
           taken
           notice
           ,
           it
           can
           employ
           no
           perfectly
           upright
           Characters
           ,
           and
           consequently
           can
           afford
           no
           Examples
           ,
           but
           for
           Caution
           .
        
         
           Nor
           is
           Comedy
           therefore
           to
           be
           thought
           imperfect
           ,
           
           any
           more
           than
           the
           Law
           ,
           which
           makes
           no
           other
           provision
           for
           the
           encouragement
           of
           Virtue
           and
           good
           Actions
           ,
           than
           by
           punishing
           Vice
           and
           Villany
           .
           What
           Mr
           Collier
           objects
           in
           this
           case
           is
           groundless
           ,
           that
           the
           Poets
           ,
           by
           dressing
           up
           an
           imperfect
           ,
           or
           debauch'd
           Character
           ,
           with
           the
           embellishments
           of
           Wit
           and
           Sense
           ,
           and
           other
           good
           Qualities
           ,
           and
           crowning
           it
           with
           Success
           at
           last
           ,
           pave
           the
           way
           to
           Licentiousness
           and
           Debauchery
           .
           For
           ,
           whether
           the
           Poet
           brings
           such
           a
           Character
           to
           a
           sol●mn
           Resolution
           of
           Reforming
           at
           
           last
           ,
           or
           not
           ,
           which
           yet
           they
           generally
           do
           ,
           't
           is
           evident
           ,
           that
           the
           success
           which
           attends
           it
           ,
           is
           not
           given
           to
           the
           Licentiousness
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           Wit
           and
           Sense
           ,
           or
           other
           good
           Qualities
           ,
           which
           are
           predominant
           in
           the
           Character
           .
           He
           therefore
           that
           can
           take
           Success
           so
           bestow'd
           ,
           and
           circumstantiated
           as
           it
           is
           usually
           in
           Comedy
           ,
           for
           an
           encouragement
           to
           Debauchery
           must
           have
           a
           very
           deprav'd
           Apprehension
           .
        
         
           But
           Mr
           Collier
           is
           implacably
           enrag'd
           at
           the
           Poets
           ,
           
           for
           mixing
           such
           Beauties
           and
           such
           Blemishes
           in
           one
           Piece
           ;
           and
           is
           in
           a
           Pannick
           Fear
           ,
           lest
           the
           Beauty
           of
           the
           whole
           shou'd
           tempt
           Folks
           to
           ape
           the
           Deformities
           of
           it
           .
           This
           is
           as
           ridiculous
           an
           Apprehension
           ,
           as
           if
           any
           awkard
           Fellow
           shou'd
           see
           a
           Beau
           in
           all
           his
           Glory
           with
           dirty
           Shoes
           ,
           and
           shou'd
           fancy
           that
           he
           made
           that
           splendid
           Figure
           purely
           by
           virtue
           of
           the
           dirt
           upon
           his
           Shoes
           ,
           and
           resolve
           never
           to
           have
           his
           own
           clean'd
           again
           .
           A
           fine
           Face
           ,
           with
           a
           cast
           of
           the
           Eyes
           ,
           may
           move
           the
           
           Beau's
           and
           the
           Ladies
           to
           wish
           for
           such
           Features
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           Complexion
           ,
           yet
           it
           wou'd
           scarce
           win
           'em
           to
           endeavour
           to
           squint
           like
           it
           .
           Whatever
           Mr
           Collier
           
           may
           think
           ,
           the
           Understanding
           of
           our
           Youth
           is
           not
           so
           very
           depress'd
           and
           low
           ,
           but
           they
           can
           very
           readily
           distinguish
           between
           the
           obvious
           Beauties
           ,
           and
           Defects
           of
           a
           Character
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           to
           be
           fool'd
           like
           Dottrels
           into
           a
           vicious
           Imitation
           .
           If
           a
           Man
           shou'd
           know
           a
           Pick-pocket
           that
           was
           an
           excellent
           Accountant
           ,
           or
           a
           Forger
           of
           false
           Notes
           that
           was
           an
           incomparable
           Writing-master
           ,
           it
           were
           very
           easie
           ,
           and
           very
           commendable
           ,
           for
           any
           one
           to
           imitate
           their
           good
           Qualities
           ,
           without
           receiving
           any
           taint
           or
           impression
           from
           their
           Rogueries
           .
        
         
           However
           ,
           Mr
           Collier
           observes
           abundance
           of
           Licentiousness
           and
           Impurity
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           
           and
           is
           resolv'd
           to
           lay
           it
           all
           at
           the
           doors
           of
           the
           Theatres
           .
           He
           sees
           up
           and
           down
           a
           great
           number
           of
           figures
           like
           those
           that
           are
           expos'd
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ,
           and
           he
           wisely
           concludes
           ,
           that
           the
           Models
           must
           needs
           be
           taken
           from
           thence
           ,
           and
           that
           these
           men
           are
           but
           the
           Players
           apes
           ,
           which
           is
           directly
           contrary
           to
           the
           Truth
           .
           For
           these
           are
           the
           Originals
           ,
           of
           which
           those
           upon
           the
           Stage
           are
           but
           the
           Copies
           ,
           the
           Images
           ,
           which
           that
           ,
           like
           a
           Glass
           ,
           reflects
           back
           upon
           'em
        
         
         
           Chorus
           ,
           
           
             or
             non
          
           Chorus
           ,
           Mr
           Collier
           
             pushes
             still
             forward
             upon
             the
             mistaken
             ,
             Authority
             of
          
           Horace
           ;
           
             and
             maintains
             that
          
           Horace
           having
           expressly
           mentioned
           the
           Beginning
           and
           Progress
           of
           Comedy
           ,
           discovers
           himself
           more
           fully
           .
           He
           advises
           a
           Poet
           to
           form
           his
           work
           upon
           the
           Precepts
           of
           Socrates
           and
           Plato
           ,
           
           and
           the
           Models
           of
           Moral
           Philosophy
           .
           This
           was
           the
           way
           to
           preserve
           Decency
           ,
           and
           to
           assign
           a
           proper
           Fate
           and
           Behaviour
           to
           every
           Character
           .
           Now
           if
           Horace
           wou'd
           have
           his
           Poet
           govern'd
           by
           the
           Maxims
           of
           Morality
           ,
           he
           must
           oblige
           him
           to
           Sobriety
           of
           Conduct
           ,
           and
           a
           just
           Destribution
           of
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           .
        
         
           To
           try
           the
           validity
           of
           this
           Argument
           ,
           we
           must
           have
           recourse
           to
           the
           Original
           ,
           which
           will
           shew
           us
           some
           misapplication
           ,
           and
           some
           mistake
           of
           
           Horace's
           meaning
           in
           this
           short
           Paragraph
           .
           Mr
           Collier
           links
           this
           advice
           of
           Horace
           immediately
           to
           his
           account
           of
           the
           Rise
           and
           Progress
           of
           Comedy
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           may
           appropriate
           it
           solely
           to
           Comedy
           ,
           skips
           over
           a
           transition
           of
           twenty
           lines
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           Poet
           artificially
           passes
           from
           the
           particular
           of
           Comedy
           to
           Poetry
           in
           
           general
           ;
           and
           takes
           occasion
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           
             a
             good
             Poet
             ought
             to
             be
             a
             wise
             Man
             ,
             and
             acquainted
             with
             the
             Writings
             of
             the
             Philosophers
             .
          
           For
           Socrates
           appears
           in
           this
           place
           as
           the
           Representative
           of
           the
           whole
           Body
           of
           Moral
           Philosophers
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           himself
           and
           Plato
           only
           ,
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           Imagines
           .
        
         
           
             Scribendi
             recte
             sapere
             est
             Principium
             &
          
           
             ●ons
             .
             
          
           
             Rem
             tibi
             Socraticae
             poterunt
             ostendere
             chartae
             .
          
        
         
           
             The
             reason
             of
             this
             he
             immediately
             subjoyns
             ,
             which
             will
             also
             make
             the
             application
             for
             us
             .
             For
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
          
           The
           man
           that
           knows
           what
           is
           due
           to
           his
           Country
           ,
           and
           his
           Friends
           ,
           his
           obligations
           to
           Parents
           and
           Kindred
           ,
           the
           Laws
           of
           Hospitality
           ,
           and
           the
           duty
           of
           a
           Senator
           ,
           a
           Judge
           ,
           and
           a
           General
           ,
           knows
           enough
           to
           enable
           him
           to
           do
           Justice
           to
           every
           Character
           .
        
         
           
             Qui
             didicit
             Patriae
             quid
             debeat
             ,
             
             &
             quid
             amicis
             :
          
           
             Quo
             sit
             amore
             Parens
             ,
             quo
             Frater
             amandus
             &
             Hospes
             ,
          
           
           
             Quod
             sit
             Conscripti
             ,
             quod
             Iudicis
             officium
             ,
             quae
          
           
             Partes
             in
             bellum
             missi
             ducis
             :
             ille
             profecto
          
           
             Reddere
             personae
             scit
             convenientia
             cuique
             .
          
        
         
           This
           List
           of
           Qualifications
           seems
           prepar'd
           only
           for
           Tragick
           and
           Epick
           Poetry
           .
           Comedy
           ,
           which
           concerns
           none
           but
           the
           lesser
           Intrigues
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           the
           private
           Affairs
           of
           particular
           Families
           ,
           or
           Persons
           ,
           has
           no
           dealings
           with
           the
           Publick
           ,
           or
           its
           Magistrates
           ;
           and
           therefore
           does
           not
           seem
           to
           be
           comprehended
           in
           the
           aim
           of
           these
           directions
           .
        
         
           Yet
           ,
           
           if
           Mr
           Collier
           will
           have
           it
           included
           ,
           he
           ought
           to
           have
           shewn
           how
           far
           it
           was
           affected
           in
           particular
           upon
           a
           fair
           exposition
           .
           But
           that
           method
           wou'd
           not
           serve
           his
           turn
           .
           For
           Horace
           in
           this
           passage
           ,
           does
           not
           advise
           the
           Study
           of
           Morality
           ,
           but
           Politicks
           ,
           which
           could
           best
           satisfy
           demands
           of
           this
           nature
           .
           He
           did
           not
           expect
           that
           the
           Poets
           shou'd
           tye
           their
           Characters
           up
           to
           severe
           duty
           ,
           and
           make
           every
           one
           act
           up
           to
           the
           strict
           Rules
           of
           Morality
           ,
           and
           be
           guided
           by
           the
           dictates
           of
           right
           Reason
           and
           Justice
           ,
           or
           otherwise
           to
           punish
           'em
           always
           in
           
           proportion
           to
           the
           Deviations
           they
           made
           from
           'em
           ,
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           insinuates
           .
           All
           that
           he
           requir'd
           was
           ,
           that
           a
           Poet
           shou'd
           know
           how
           it
           became
           the
           several
           orders
           of
           men
           to
           behave
           themselves
           in
           civil
           Societies
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           respective
           Ranks
           ,
           Degrees
           ,
           and
           Qualities
           ;
           that
           they
           might
           thereby
           be
           qualify'd
           to
           give
           distinct
           Images
           of
           every
           kind
           ,
           whether
           good
           or
           bad
           ,
           without
           mixing
           of
           Characters
           ,
           or
           confounding
           Ideas
           .
           
             Rectum
             est
             Index
             sui
             ,
             &
             obliqui
             ,
          
           was
           his
           Rule
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           a
           true
           one
           ,
           a
           right
           notion
           of
           things
           will
           certainly
           discover
           a
           false
           one
           .
           For
           this
           he
           advis'd
           his
           Poet
           ,
           to
           consult
           the
           Philosophers
           ,
           and
           to
           dive
           into
           the
           political
           Reasons
           of
           these
           matters
           ,
           without
           which
           their
           view
           of
           'em
           wou'd
           be
           but
           superficial
           and
           confus'd
           .
        
         
           Yet
           after
           all
           he
           gave
           him
           very
           large
           Priviledges
           ,
           and
           extended
           his
           Charter
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           the
           observation
           of
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           he
           allow'd
           him
           the
           liberty
           of
           saying
           any
           thing
           that
           Providence
           laid
           before
           him
           ,
           provided
           he
           kept
           close
           to
           the
           Original
           .
           To
           this
           end
           he
           bids
           him
           
             look
             upon
             the
             Examples
             that
             men
             set
             him
             in
             their
             Lives
             and
             Manners
             ,
             and
             
             thence
             learn
             to
             draw
             true
             pictures
             of
             Mankind
             .
          
        
         
           
             Respicere
             exemplar
             vitae
             ,
             morumque
             jubebo
             .
          
           
             Doctum
             Imitatorem
             ,
             &
             veras
             hinc
             ducere
             voces
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Mores
           ,
           
           or
           Manners
           here
           mentioned
           by
           Horace
           ,
           are
           the
           Poetical
           ,
           not
           Moral
           ,
           the
           distinction
           betwixt
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           very
           well
           knows
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           his
           making
           use
           of
           it
           ,
           when
           't
           is
           for
           his
           turn
           ,
           tho
           he
           wilfully
           over-looks
           it
           in
           many
           other
           places
           ,
           where
           the
           notice
           of
           it
           would
           be
           more
           natural
           ,
           but
           less
           for
           his
           malicious
           purpose
           .
           However
           ,
           since
           he
           has
           given
           a
           sort
           of
           definition
           ,
           tho
           an
           imperfect
           one
           ,
           of
           
             Poetical
             Manners
          
           ,
           I
           shall
           give
           it
           the
           Reader
           in
           his
           own
           words
           .
           And
           because
           't
           is
           the
           only
           Statute
           Law
           of
           Parnassus
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           Poets
           can
           fairly
           be
           tried
           for
           any
           misdemeanour
           ,
           either
           of
           Character
           or
           Expression
           ,
           I
           shall
           supply
           the
           Defects
           or
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           report
           of
           it
           from
           Aristotle
           ,
           who
           is
           more
           full
           and
           clear
           .
        
         
           Manners
           ,
           
           in
           the
           Language
           of
           Poetry
           ,
           
             is
             a
             propriety
             of
             Actions
             and
             Persons
             .
          
           To
           succeed
           in
           this
           business
           there
           must
           be
           
           a
           regard
           had
           to
           Age
           ,
           
           
             Sex
             ,
             and
             Condition
          
           :
           And
           nothing
           put
           into
           the
           mouths
           of
           Persons
           ,
           which
           disagrees
           with
           any
           of
           these
           circumstances
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           enough
           to
           say
           a
           witty
           thing
           ,
           unless
           it
           be
           spoken
           by
           a
           likely
           Person
           ,
           and
           upon
           a
           proper
           occasion
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           account
           I
           observe
           many
           things
           deficient
           ,
           
           something
           equivocal
           ,
           which
           I
           shall
           first
           take
           notice
           of
           ,
           and
           then
           proceed
           to
           supply
           the
           Defects
           .
           The
           three
           things
           ,
           Mr
           Collier
           recommends
           to
           a
           Poet
           's
           ,
           or
           Reader
           's
           careful
           observation
           ,
           and
           regard
           ,
           are
           
             Age
             ,
             Sex
             ,
             and
             Condition
             .
          
           Of
           these
           ,
           the
           first
           and
           the
           last
           ,
           Age
           and
           Condition
           ,
           are
           equivocal
           terms
           .
           The
           Author
           has
           not
           taken
           care
           to
           explain
           ,
           whether
           he
           means
           by
           Age
           ,
           the
           Age
           of
           a
           Person
           ,
           or
           the
           Age
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           which
           he
           is
           suppos'd
           to
           live
           in
           .
           For
           to
           both
           these
           great
           regard
           is
           to
           be
           had
           ,
           because
           they
           difference
           the
           Characters
           equally
           .
           A
           noble
           Roman
           of
           four
           and
           twenty
           in
           the
           first
           Ages
           of
           the
           Commonwealth
           ,
           was
           no
           more
           like
           one
           of
           the
           same
           Age
           under
           the
           Emperors
           ,
           in
           humour
           and
           inclinations
           ,
           than
           either
           of
           'em
           was
           like
           his
           Grandfather
           of
           Fourscore
           .
           As
           great
           ,
           or
           greater
           is
           the
           Ambiguity
           of
           the
           word
           Condition
           ,
           
           whereby
           he
           has
           not
           signify'd
           whether
           he
           means
           Condition
           ,
           as
           to
           
             Estate
             ,
             Quality
             ,
             Vnderstanding
          
           ,
           or
           
             Circumstances
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Action
             of
             the
             Play
             ,
             at
             the
             juncture
             when
             the
             person
             does
             or
             says
             any
             thing
             .
          
           Yet
           these
           have
           all
           an
           equal
           share
           in
           the
           propriety
           both
           of
           Words
           and
           Actions
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           consider'd
           ,
           otherwise
           the
           Manners
           can
           never
           be
           preserv'd
           in
           their
           Propriety
           and
           Integrity
           .
           But
           by
           supplying
           the
           Defects
           of
           this
           Account
           ,
           we
           shall
           remedy
           the
           danger
           of
           mistakes
           from
           the
           equivocal
           Expressions
           contained
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           Aristotle
           requires
           four
           conditions
           to
           the
           perfection
           of
           
             Poetick
             Manners
          
           .
           
        
         
           1st
           ,
           That
           they
           be
           good
           .
        
         
           By
           the
           Goodness
           of
           Manners
           the
           Philosopher
           does
           not
           here
           understand
           any
           Moral
           Goodness
           ;
           for
           he
           declares
           in
           this
           very
           Article
           ,
           that
           he
           means
           only
           *
           that
           they
           should
           be
           expressive
           of
           the
           Character
           ,
           and
           carry
           both
           in
           words
           and
           actions
           ,
           the
           distinguishing
           marks
           of
           the
           Humour
           and
           Inclinations
           of
           the
           person
           ,
           whether
           they
           be
           morally
           Good
           or
           Bad.
           So
           that
           if
           the
           Humour
           or
           natural
           Inclinations
           of
           the
           persons
           be
           sufficiently
           markt
           in
           the
           words
           and
           actions
           ,
           the
           
           Manners
           are
           good
           ,
           according
           to
           Aristotle
           ,
           let
           'em
           be
           never
           so
           vicious
           .
           Horace
           understands
           Manners
           the
           same
           way
           ,
           when
           he
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             that
             sometimes
             Plays
             of
             little
             Elegance
             ,
             without
             Ornament
             ,
             or
             Art
             ,
             yet
             wherein
             the
             Manners
             were
             well
             express'd
             ,
             took
             better
             than
             others
             ,
             wherein
             they
             were
             neglected
             for
             Tinsel
             and
             Bombast
             .
          
        
         
           
             Interdum
             speciosa
             locis
             ,
             
             morataque
             recte
          
           
             Fabula
             ,
             nullius
             Veneris
             sine
             pondere
             &
             Arte
          
           
             Valdius
             oblectat
             Populum
             ,
             meliusque
             moratur
             ,
          
           
             Quam
             versus
             inopes
             rerum
             ,
             Nugaeque
             canorae
             .
          
        
         
           2
           dly
           ,
           *
           That
           they
           be
           proper
           .
        
         
           Wherein
           this
           propriety
           consists
           Aristotle
           has
           not
           told
           us
           ,
           except
           in
           one
           Negative
           Instance
           ,
           
           
             that
             Courage
             is
             a
             Quality
             improper
             ,
             or
             unbecoming
             a
             Woman
             .
          
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           account
           of
           
             Poetical
             Manners
          
           above-cited
           ,
           relates
           to
           this
           particular
           Condition
           only
           ,
           yet
           is
           both
           defective
           and
           equivocal
           in
           that
           .
           Horace
           has
           been
           very
           full
           upon
           this
           ,
           and
           takes
           care
           to
           describe
           at
           large
           the
           different
           humours
           of
           man
           in
           the
           several
           Stages
           of
           his
           Life
           .
           
           The
           same
           he
           does
           to
           the
           several
           orders
           and
           degrees
           of
           men
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           respective
           Capacities
           ,
           either
           Natural
           or
           Political
           ,
           and
           gives
           the
           Poets
           a
           great
           Charge
           not
           to
           confound
           '
           em
           .
           To
           repeat
           his
           words
           upon
           this
           occasion
           wou'd
           be
           tedious
           ,
           upon
           the
           score
           of
           length
           .
           However
           ,
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           give
           the
           Reader
           as
           good
           an
           Idea
           of
           this
           Poetical
           Propriety
           ,
           
           as
           the
           narrow
           compass
           I
           am
           oblig'd
           to
           will
           permit
           .
           The
           propriety
           of
           Manners
           consists
           in
           an
           exact
           conformity
           both
           of
           words
           and
           actions
           to
           the
           supposed
           Age
           both
           of
           the
           person
           and
           the
           world
           ,
           to
           the
           
             Humour
             ,
             Fortune
             ,
             Quality
             ,
             Understanding
             ,
          
           and
           present
           Condition
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           business
           of
           the
           Play
           ,
           of
           the
           person
           acting
           or
           speaking
           .
           Horace
           as
           well
           as
           Aristotle
           ,
           has
           express'd
           all
           this
           in
           one
           word
           ,
           Convenientia
           ,
           both
           which
           I
           have
           render'd
           Proper
           .
           This
           place
           does
           not
           afford
           me
           room
           for
           instances
           for
           each
           particular
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           shall
           desire
           the
           Reader
           's
           patience
           ,
           till
           the
           Subject
           calls
           for
           'em
           in
           their
           proper
           places
           .
        
         
           3
           dly
           ,
           That
           they
           be
           like
           .
        
         
           This
           Condition
           relates
           only
           to
           Characters
           taken
           from
           Histories
           ,
           
           or
           Poetical
           
           Traditions
           very
           well
           known
           .
           When
           the
           Poet
           makes
           use
           of
           Names
           ,
           or
           Stories
           with
           which
           the
           Audience
           is
           well
           acquainted
           ,
           he
           must
           be
           sure
           to
           make
           'em
           conform
           to
           the
           receiv'd
           opinion
           .
           Otherwise
           the
           Audience
           ,
           who
           will
           not
           endure
           to
           have
           their
           own
           Notions
           contradicted
           ,
           will
           never
           acknowledge
           'em
           to
           be
           the
           Persons
           they
           wou'd
           be
           taken
           for
           .
           For
           this
           reason
           Horace
           bids
           his
           Poet
           ,
           
             Follow
             common
             Fame
             ,
             Famam
             Sequere
             .
          
           And
           if
           he
           meddled
           with
           known
           Names
           ,
           to
           keep
           to
           the
           known
           Characters
           ,
           and
           Accounts
           of
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           
             —
             Honoratum
             si
             forte
             reponis
             Achillem
             :
             
          
           
             Impiger
             ,
             iracundus
             ,
             inexorabilis
             ,
             acer
             :
          
           
             Iura
             neget
             sibi
             nata
             ,
             nihil
             non
             arroget
             armis
             .
          
           
             Sit
             Medea
             ferox
             ,
             invictaque
             flebilis
             Ino
             ,
          
           
             Perfidus
             Ixion
             ,
             Io
             vaga
             ,
             tristis
             Orestes
             .
          
        
         
           The
           likeness
           here
           design'd
           ,
           is
           not
           a
           Natural
           ,
           but
           a
           Historical
           likeness
           .
           However
           monstrous
           a
           Character
           were
           ,
           if
           it
           was
           form'd
           upon
           ,
           and
           adjusted
           to
           common
           Fame
           ,
           the
           Poet
           was
           justify'd
           .
        
         
         
           4
           thly
           ,
           
           That
           they
           should
           be
           equal
           .
        
         
           Here
           likewise
           Aristotle
           puts
           in
           his
           Caveat
           ,
           lest
           any
           one
           by
           Equality
           of
           Manners
           shou'd
           understand
           such
           a
           steadiness
           of
           Temper
           and
           Resolution
           ,
           as
           would
           exclude
           from
           the
           Stage
           the
           uncertainty
           of
           Fickle
           Humours
           ,
           which
           he
           very
           well
           knew
           to
           be
           the
           case
           of
           a
           very
           great
           part
           of
           mankind
           .
           All
           that
           he
           requir'd
           was
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           be
           all
           of
           a
           piece
           ,
           that
           there
           might
           be
           no
           dismembring
           of
           Characters
           ,
           no
           repugnancy
           to
           themselves
           in
           any
           part
           of
           '
           em
           .
           Horace
           ,
           his
           best
           Interpreter
           ,
           says
           ,
           
             Let
             the
             character
             be
             maintain'd
             ,
             and
             let
             the
             person
             appear
             the
             same
             at
             his
             exit
             ,
             that
             he
             did
             at
             his
             entrance
             ,
             and
             be
             consistent
             with
             himself
             .
          
        
         
           
             —
             Servetur
             ad
             imum
          
           
             Qualis
             ab
             incepto
             processerit
             ,
             
             &
             sibi
             cons●et
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Philosopher
           did
           by
           no
           means
           intend
           to
           cut
           off
           so
           considerable
           a
           Branch
           from
           the
           revenue
           of
           Comedy
           as
           Levity
           ;
           than
           which
           nothing
           deserves
           her
           Correction
           more
           ,
           nothing
           fits
           her
           purpose
           better
           .
           But
           he
           cautions
           the
           Poets
           ,
           whenever
           they
           make
           use
           of
           any
           
           of
           these
           Unequal
           ,
           or
           Uncertain
           Tempers
           ,
           to
           represent
           'em
           *
           equally
           ,
           or
           
             alike
             unequal
          
           thro
           the
           whole
           Piece
           ;
           and
           not
           to
           make
           'em
           Fickle
           and
           Inconstant
           in
           one
           Act
           ,
           and
           Resolv'd
           and
           Steady
           in
           another
           .
        
         
           Upon
           these
           Rules
           we
           may
           proceed
           to
           try
           the
           Characters
           ,
           and
           Expressions
           of
           our
           Poets
           ,
           either
           in
           conjunction
           with
           the
           Antients
           ,
           
           or
           separately
           by
           themselves
           .
        
         
           The
           Characters
           and
           Expressions
           have
           such
           a
           natural
           dependance
           upon
           one
           another
           ,
           that
           they
           can't
           be
           examin'd
           apart
           ,
           each
           being
           justifiable
           or
           condemnable
           upon
           the
           Evidence
           of
           the
           other
           only
           .
           The
           Character
           may
           offend
           two
           ways
           ;
           first
           ,
           by
           being
           unnatural
           ,
           and
           consequently
           Monstrous
           ;
           2
           dly
           ,
           by
           being
           Inconsistent
           with
           itself
           ,
           and
           not
           all
           of
           a
           Piece
           .
           These
           Faults
           ,
           when
           committed
           ,
           are
           likewise
           two
           ways
           discoverable
           ,
           by
           the
           Actions
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Expressions
           ,
           when
           any
           thing
           is
           done
           ,
           or
           said
           unnatural
           ,
           or
           improper
           ,
           a
           Fault
           is
           committed
           against
           Character
           ,
           which
           is
           thereby
           broken
           ,
           and
           becomes
           double
           .
        
         
           The
           Faults
           of
           Expression
           are
           as
           various
           as
           the
           circumstances
           against
           which
           it
           may
           offend
           ,
           
           which
           are
           already
           summ'd
           
           up
           under
           the
           head
           of
           Propriety
           ,
           which
           may
           again
           be
           every
           one
           subdivided
           into
           so
           many
           Branches
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           be
           endless
           to
           particularize
           the
           several
           ways
           of
           trespassing
           in
           this
           kind
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           content
           my self
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           'em
           severally
           ,
           as
           occasion
           shall
           present
           it self
           ,
           and
           wave
           ▪
           any
           further
           notice
           of
           those
           which
           shall
           not
           be
           found
           to
           my
           present
           purpose
           .
        
         
           Mr
           Collier
           might
           unquestionably
           have
           found
           our
           Poets
           remiss
           enough
           in
           the
           observation
           of
           these
           Rules
           ,
           and
           consequently
           guilty
           of
           faults
           deserving
           his
           or
           any
           one's
           correction
           .
           But
           he
           chose
           rather
           to
           brand
           'em
           with
           crimes
           of
           a
           blacker
           dye
           ,
           tho
           with
           less
           Justice
           and
           Truth
           ,
           and
           like
           an
           Irish
           .
           Evidence
           ,
           by
           his
           forwardness
           to
           charge
           ,
           and
           the
           monstrousness
           of
           his
           allegations
           ,
           destroys
           the
           credit
           of
           his
           depositions
           .
        
         
           His
           charge
           against
           our
           Stage
           for
           the
           mismanagement
           of
           their
           Characters
           consists
           of
           three
           general
           heads
           .
           
        
         
           
             1.
             
             Misrepresentation
             of
             Women
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Abuse
             of
             the
             Clergy
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Rude
             treatment
             of
             the
             Nobility
             .
          
        
         
         
           To
           all
           these
           I
           shall
           say
           something
           general
           ,
           with
           regard
           to
           the
           Argument
           ,
           without
           entring
           into
           a
           discussion
           of
           the
           Merits
           of
           those
           particular
           Instances
           which
           he
           brings
           to
           back
           his
           Assertions
           .
           Not
           but
           I
           think
           many
           of
           'em
           easily
           to
           be
           Apologiz'd
           for
           ,
           or
           rather
           to
           be
           justify'd
           ;
           but
           because
           it
           would
           spin
           out
           this
           discourse
           to
           an
           unreasonable
           length
           ,
           and
           likewise
           because
           there
           are
           those
           whose
           Abilities
           in
           this
           dispute
           are
           as
           much
           greater
           than
           mine
           ,
           as
           their
           Interest
           in
           it
           ,
           to
           whom
           I
           leave
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           
             Poets
             (
             says
             Mr
          
           Collier
           )
           make
           Women
           speak
           smuttily
           .
           
           They
           bring
           'em
           under
           such
           misbehaviour
           ,
           as
           is
           violence
           to
           their
           Native
           Modesty
           ,
           and
           a
           misrepresention
           of
           their
           Sex.
           For
           Modesty
           ,
           as
           Mr
           Rapin
           observes
           ,
           is
           the
           Character
           of
           Women
           .
           They
           represent
           their
           single
           Ladies
           ,
           and
           persons
           of
           Condition
           ,
           under
           these
           disorders
           of
           Liberty
           .
           This
           makes
           the
           Irregularity
           still
           more
           monstrous
           ,
           and
           a
           greater
           Contradiction
           to
           Nature
           and
           Probability
           .
        
         
           Here
           again
           ,
           
           according
           to
           his
           usual
           method
           ,
           Mr
           Collier
           mistakes
           his
           point
           ,
           and
           runs
           away
           with
           a
           wrong
           scent
           ;
           however
           he
           opens
           ,
           and
           cries
           it
           lustily
           away
           ,
           that
           the
           Musick
           may
           atone
           for
           
           the
           mistake
           ,
           and
           draw
           all
           those
           that
           are
           not
           stanch
           in
           Partners
           to
           his
           Error
           .
           Mr
           
             Rapin
             observes
             that
             the
             Character
             of
             Women
             is
             Modesty
             ,
          
           and
           therefore
           Mr
           Collier
           thinks
           ,
           that
           no
           Woman
           must
           be
           shewn
           without
           it
           .
           Aristotle
           has
           given
           Courage
           or
           Valour
           as
           the
           Characteristick
           or
           Mark
           of
           distinction
           proper
           to
           the
           other
           Sex
           ,
           which
           was
           a
           notion
           so
           Antient
           ,
           and
           so
           universally
           receiv'd
           ,
           that
           most
           Nations
           have
           given
           it
           a
           denomination
           from
           the
           Sex
           ,
           as
           if
           peculiar
           to
           it
           .
           The
           Greeks
           call'd
           it
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           we
           Manhood
           .
           Yet
           't
           is
           no
           Solecism
           in
           
             Poetical
             Manners
          
           to
           represent
           Men
           sometimes
           upon
           the
           Stage
           as
           Cowards
           ;
           nor
           did
           any
           man
           ever
           think
           the
           whole
           Sex
           affronted
           by
           it
           ;
           how
           near
           soever
           it
           might
           touch
           some
           Individuals
           .
        
         
           If
           the
           Poets
           set
           up
           these
           Women
           of
           Liberty
           for
           the
           Representatives
           of
           their
           whole
           Sex
           ,
           
           or
           pretended
           to
           make
           them
           the
           Standards
           to
           measure
           all
           the
           rest
           by
           ,
           the
           Sex
           wou'd
           have
           just
           reason
           to
           complain
           of
           so
           abusive
           a
           Misrepresentation
           .
           But
           't
           is
           just
           the
           contrary
           ,
           the
           Sex
           has
           no
           Interest
           in
           the
           Virtues
           or
           Vices
           of
           any
           Individual
           ,
           either
           on
           the
           Stage
           ,
           or
           off
           of
           it
           ;
           they
           reflect
           no
           honour
           or
           disgrace
           
           on
           the
           Collective
           Body
           ,
           any
           more
           than
           the
           Neatness
           and
           good
           Breeding
           of
           the
           Court
           affect
           the
           Nastiness
           and
           ill
           Manners
           of
           Billingsgate
           ,
           or
           are
           affected
           by
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           In
           Plays
           the
           Characters
           are
           neither
           Vniversal
           nor
           General
           .
           
           Marks
           so
           comprehensive
           are
           the
           Impresses
           and
           Signatures
           of
           Nature
           ,
           which
           are
           not
           to
           be
           corrected
           ,
           or
           improv'd
           by
           us
           ,
           and
           therefore
           not
           to
           be
           meddled
           with
           .
           Besides
           ,
           they
           give
           us
           no
           Idea
           of
           the
           person
           characteriz'd
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           common
           to
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           species
           ,
           and
           do
           not
           sufficiently
           distinguish
           him
           .
           Neither
           are
           they
           so
           Singular
           ,
           as
           to
           extend
           no
           farther
           than
           single
           
             Individuals
             .
             Characters
          
           of
           so
           narrow
           a
           Compass
           wou'd
           be
           of
           very
           little
           use
           ,
           or
           diversion
           .
           Because
           they
           wou'd
           not
           appear
           natural
           ,
           the
           Originals
           being
           probably
           unknown
           to
           the
           greatest
           part
           ,
           if
           not
           the
           whole
           Audience
           ;
           nor
           cou'd
           any
           of
           the
           Audience
           sind
           any
           thing
           to
           correct
           in
           themselves
           by
           seeing
           the
           Infirmity
           peculiar
           to
           a
           particular
           man
           expos'd
           .
           This
           was
           indeed
           the
           method
           of
           the
           
             Old
             Greek
             Comedy
          
           ;
           but
           then
           they
           pick'd
           out
           publick
           persons
           ,
           whom
           they
           dress'd
           in
           Fools
           Coats
           and
           
           expos'd
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ,
           not
           in
           their
           own
           own
           Shapes
           ,
           but
           those
           of
           the
           Poet's
           Fancy
           ;
           an
           Insolence
           ,
           that
           never
           would
           ▪
           have
           been
           endur'd
           in
           any
           ,
           but
           a
           Popular
           Government
           ,
           where
           the
           best
           of
           Men
           are
           sometimes
           sacrificed
           to
           the
           Humours
           and
           Caprices
           of
           a
           giddy
           multitude
           .
           Yet
           even
           by
           them
           it
           was
           at
           last
           suppressed
           .
        
         
           The
           Characters
           therefore
           must
           neither
           be
           too
           general
           ,
           
           nor
           too
           singular
           ,
           one
           loses
           the
           distinction
           ,
           the
           other
           makes
           it
           monstrous
           ,
           we
           are
           too
           familiar
           with
           that
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           too
           unacquainted
           with
           this
           to
           acknowledge
           it
           to
           be
           real
           .
           But
           betwixt
           these
           there
           is
           an
           almost
           ▪
           infinite
           variety
           ;
           some
           natural
           and
           approaching
           to
           Generals
           ,
           as
           the
           several
           Ages
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           of
           
             Life
             ,
             Sexes
          
           and
           Tempers
           ;
           some
           Artificial
           ,
           and
           more
           particular
           ,
           as
           the
           vast
           Varieties
           and
           Shapes
           of
           
             Villany
             ,
             Knavery
             ,
             Folly
             ,
             Affectation
          
           and
           
             Humour
             ,
             &c.
          
           
           All
           these
           are
           within
           the
           Poet's
           Royalty
           ▪
           and
           he
           may
           summon
           'em
           to
           attend
           him
           ,
           whenever
           he
           has
           occasion
           for
           their
           service
           .
           Yet
           tho
           these
           make
           up
           perhaps
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           he
           is
           not
           fondly
           to
           imagine
           ,
           that
           
           he
           has
           any
           Authority
           over
           the
           whole
           ,
           or
           to
           expect
           homage
           from
           any
           of
           'em
           ,
           as
           the
           Publick
           Representatives
           of
           their
           Sex.
           
        
         
           Yet
           even
           granting
           to
           the
           Poets
           such
           an
           unlimited
           Authority
           (
           which
           I
           shall
           not
           do
           )
           Mr
           Collier's
           Argument
           falls
           to
           the
           Ground
           nevertheless
           .
           
           For
           as
           in
           Painting
           ,
           so
           in
           Poetry
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           Maxim
           as
           true
           as
           common
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           two
           sorts
           of
           Resemblances
           ,
           one
           handsome
           ,
           t'other
           homely
           .
           Now
           Comedy
           ,
           whose
           Duty
           't
           is
           not
           to
           flatter
           ,
           like
           Droll
           Painting
           .
           gives
           the
           Features
           true
           ,
           tho
           the
           Air
           be
           ridiculous
           .
           The
           Sex
           has
           its
           Characteristick
           Blemishes
           as
           well
           as
           Ornaments
           ;
           and
           those
           are
           to
           be
           copied
           ,
           when
           a
           Defective
           Character
           is
           intended
           ,
           as
           the
           others
           are
           for
           a
           perfect
           one
           .
           And
           yet
           ,
           for
           the
           reasons
           already
           given
           ,
           when
           the
           Virtues
           or
           Vices
           of
           any
           particular
           Women
           are
           represented
           ,
           the
           Sex
           in
           general
           have
           no
           share
           either
           in
           the
           Complimeut
           or
           the
           Affront
           .
           Because
           any
           particular
           Instances
           to
           the
           contrary
           notwithstanding
           ,
           the
           Sex
           may
           be
           in
           the
           main
           either
           good
           or
           bad
           .
           So
           that
           Mr
           Collier's
           charge
           of
           misrepresenting
           the
           Sex
           in
           general
           is
           groundless
           .
        
         
         
           But
           he
           pursues
           his
           Argument
           to
           particulars
           ,
           and
           takes
           notice
           ,
           that
           even
           Quality
           it self
           is
           not
           excepted
           from
           these
           Mismanagements
           .
        
         
           If
           Dignities
           conferr'd
           true
           Merit
           ,
           
           and
           Titles
           took
           away
           all
           Blemishes
           ,
           the
           Poets
           were
           certainly
           very
           much
           in
           the
           wrong
           to
           represent
           any
           Person
           of
           Quality
           with
           failings
           about
           her
           .
           But
           if
           Birth
           or
           Preferment
           be
           no
           sufficient
           Guard
           to
           a
           weakly
           Virtue
           or
           Understanding
           .
           If
           Title
           be
           no
           security
           against
           the
           usual
           Humane
           Infirmities
           ;
           I
           see
           no
           reason
           ,
           why
           they
           mayn't
           as
           well
           appear
           together
           upon
           the
           lesser
           Stage
           of
           the
           Theatre
           ,
           as
           upon
           the
           grand
           one
           of
           the
           World.
           But
           this
           will
           be
           more
           properly
           consider'd
           in
           another
           place
           .
        
         
           From
           these
           more
           general
           exceptions
           ,
           
           he
           descends
           to
           particular
           Expressions
           .
           Which
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           render
           the
           more
           inexcusable
           ,
           he
           flies
           out
           into
           extravagant
           Commendations
           of
           the
           Antients
           upon
           the
           score
           of
           their
           Modesty
           ,
           and
           the
           Cleanness
           of
           their
           Expressions
           .
           In
           this
           employment
           he
           bestirs
           himself
           notably
           ,
           and
           pretends
           not
           to
           leave
           one
           exceptionable
           Passage
           unremarked
           .
           But
           either
           he
           has
           had
           a
           Prodigious
           Crop
           ,
           or
           is
           a
           
           very
           ill
           Husband
           ;
           for
           he
           leaves
           very
           large
           gleanings
           behind
           him
           .
           We
           shall
           make
           bold
           to
           walk
           over
           the
           same
           ground
           ,
           and
           pick
           up
           some
           of
           his
           leavings
           ,
           (
           for
           all
           wou'd
           be
           too
           bulky
           to
           find
           room
           in
           this
           place
           )
           and
           restore
           'em
           to
           their
           Owners
           ,
           whether
           left
           by
           him
           out
           of
           negligence
           or
           design
           .
        
         
           One
           thing
           I
           must
           desire
           the
           Reader
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           that
           I
           don't
           charge
           these
           passages
           as
           faults
           ,
           or
           immoralities
           upon
           the
           Antients
           ,
           but
           only
           instance
           in
           'em
           ,
           to
           shew
           the
           partiality
           of
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           who
           violently
           wrests
           the
           Words
           and
           Sense
           of
           the
           Moderns
           ,
           only
           to
           make
           that
           monstrous
           and
           unsufferable
           in
           them
           ,
           which
           he
           either
           excuses
           or
           defends
           in
           the
           others
           .
           Nor
           do
           I
           here
           pretend
           to
           present
           the
           Reader
           with
           a
           compleat
           Collection
           of
           the
           kind
           .
           I
           assure
           him
           ,
           that
           I
           shall
           leave
           untouch'd
           some
           hundreds
           of
           those
           instances
           which
           I
           have
           actually
           observ'd
           amongst
           the
           Greek
           and
           
             Latin
             Dramatists
          
           ,
           and
           only
           give
           him
           so
           many
           ,
           as
           are
           indispensably
           necessary
           to
           shew
           how
           unjustly
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           drawn
           his
           parallel
           .
           For
           since
           both
           Antients
           and
           Moderns
           ,
           as
           Poets
           are
           submitted
           to
           ,
           and
           
           ought
           to
           be
           govern'd
           by
           the
           same
           Laws
           ,
           't
           is
           but
           reason
           ,
           that
           one
           as
           well
           as
           t'other
           ,
           shou'd
           be
           allow'd
           the
           benefit
           of
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           
             Shakespear's
             Ophelia
          
           comes
           first
           under
           his
           Lash
           ,
           
           for
           not
           keeping
           her
           mouth
           clean
           under
           her
           distraction
           .
           He
           is
           so
           very
           nice
           ,
           that
           her
           breath
           ,
           which
           for
           so
           many
           years
           has
           stood
           the
           test
           of
           the
           most
           critical
           Noses
           ,
           smells
           rank
           to
           him
           .
           It
           may
           therefore
           be
           worth
           while
           to
           enquire
           ,
           whether
           the
           fault
           lies
           in
           her
           Mouth
           ,
           or
           his
           Nose
           .
        
         
           Ophelia
           was
           a
           modest
           young
           Virgin
           ,
           
           beloved
           by
           Humlet
           ,
           and
           in
           Love
           with
           him
           .
           Her
           Passion
           was
           approv'd
           ,
           and
           directed
           by
           her
           Father
           ,
           and
           her
           Pretensions
           to
           a
           match
           with
           Hamlet
           ,
           the
           heir
           apparent
           to
           the
           Crown
           of
           Denmark
           ,
           encouraged
           ,
           and
           supported
           by
           the
           Countenance
           and
           Assistance
           of
           the
           King
           and
           Queen
           .
           A
           warrantable
           Love
           ,
           so
           naturally
           planted
           in
           so
           tender
           a
           Breast
           ,
           so
           carefully
           nursed
           ,
           so
           artfully
           manured
           ,
           and
           so
           strongly
           forced
           up
           ,
           must
           needs
           take
           very
           deep
           Root
           ,
           and
           bear
           a
           very
           great
           Head.
           Love
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           most
           difficult
           Circumstances
           ,
           is
           the
           Passion
           naturally
           most
           predominant
           in
           young
           Breasts
           
           but
           when
           it
           is
           encouraged
           and
           cherish'd
           by
           those
           of
           whom
           they
           stand
           in
           awe
           ,
           it
           grows
           Masterly
           and
           Tyrannical
           ,
           and
           will
           admit
           of
           no
           Check
           .
           This
           was
           poor
           Ophelia's
           case
           .
           Hamlet
           had
           sworn
           ,
           her
           Father
           had
           approved
           ,
           the
           King
           and
           Queen
           consented
           to
           ,
           nay
           ,
           desired
           the
           Consummation
           of
           her
           Wishes
           .
           Her
           hopes
           were
           full
           blown
           ,
           when
           they
           were
           miserably
           blasted
           .
           Hamlet
           by
           mistake
           kills
           her
           Father
           ,
           and
           runs
           mad
           ;
           or
           ,
           which
           is
           all
           one
           to
           her
           ,
           counterfeits
           madness
           so
           well
           ,
           that
           she
           is
           cheated
           into
           a
           belief
           of
           the
           reality
           of
           it
           .
           Here
           Piety
           and
           Love
           concur
           to
           make
           her
           Affliction
           piercing
           ,
           and
           to
           impress
           her
           Sorrow
           more
           deep
           and
           lasting
           .
           To
           tear
           up
           two
           such
           passions
           violently
           by
           the
           roots
           ,
           must
           needs
           make
           horrible
           Convulsions
           in
           a
           Mind
           so
           tender
           ,
           and
           a
           Sex
           so
           weak
           .
           These
           Calamities
           distract
           her
           ,
           and
           she
           talks
           incoherently
           ;
           at
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           is
           amaz'd
           ,
           he
           is
           downright
           stupified
           ,
           and
           thinks
           the
           Woman's
           mad
           to
           run
           out
           of
           her
           wits
           .
           But
           tho
           she
           talks
           a
           little
           light-headed
           ▪
           and
           seems
           to
           want
           sleep
           ,
           I
           don't
           find
           she
           needed
           any
           Cashew
           in
           her
           Mouth
           to
           correct
           her
           Breath
           .
           That
           's
           a
           discovery
           
           of
           Mr
           Collier's
           ,
           (
           like
           some
           other
           of
           his
           )
           who
           perhaps
           is
           of
           Opinion
           ,
           that
           the
           Breath
           and
           the
           Understanding
           have
           the
           same
           Lodging
           ,
           and
           must
           needs
           be
           vitiated
           together
           .
           However
           ,
           Shakespear
           has
           drown'd
           her
           at
           last
           ,
           and
           Mr
           Collier
           is
           angry
           that
           he
           did
           it
           no
           sooner
           .
           He
           is
           for
           having
           Execution
           done
           upon
           her
           seriously
           ,
           and
           in
           sober
           sadness
           ,
           without
           the
           excuse
           of
           madness
           for
           Self-murther
           .
           To
           kill
           her
           is
           not
           sufficient
           with
           him
           ,
           unless
           she
           be
           damn'd
           into
           the
           bargain
           .
           
           Allowing
           the
           Cause
           of
           her
           madness
           to
           be
           
             Partie
             per
             Pale
          
           ,
           the
           death
           of
           her
           Father
           ,
           and
           the
           loss
           of
           her
           Love
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           utmost
           we
           can
           give
           to
           the
           latter
           ,
           yet
           her
           passion
           is
           as
           innocent
           ,
           and
           inoffensive
           in
           her
           distraction
           as
           before
           ,
           tho
           not
           so
           reasonable
           and
           well
           govern'd
           .
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           not
           told
           us
           ,
           what
           he
           grounds
           his
           hard
           censure
           upon
           ,
           but
           we
           may
           guess
           ,
           that
           if
           he
           be
           really
           so
           angry
           as
           he
           pretends
           ,
           't
           is
           at
           the
           mad
           Song
           ,
           which
           Ophelia
           sings
           to
           the
           Queen
           ,
           which
           I
           shall
           venture
           to
           transcribe
           without
           fear
           of
           offending
           the
           modesty
           of
           the
           most
           chaste
           Ear.
           
        
         
           
           
             To
             morrow
             is
             St
             
             Valentine's
             day
             ,
             
             all
             in
             the
             morn
             betimes
             ,
          
           
             And
             I
             a
             Maid
             at
             your
             Window
             to
             be
             your
             Valentine
             .
          
           
             Then
             up
             he
             ,
             he
             arose
             ,
             and
             don'd
             his
          
           
             Cloaths
             ,
             and
             dupt
             the
             Chamber
             door
             ,
          
           
             Let
             in
             a
             Maid
             that
             out
             a
             Maid
          
           
             Never
             departed
             more
             .
          
           
             By
             Gis
             ,
             and
             by
             St
             Charity
             :
          
           
             Alack
             ,
             and
             fie
             for
             shame
             !
          
           
             Young
             men
             will
             do
             't
             ,
             if
             they
             come
             to
             't
             ,
          
           
             By
             Cock
             they
             are
             to
             blame
             .
          
           
             Quoth
             she
             ,
             before
             you
             tumbled
             me
             ,
          
           
             You
             promis'd
             me
             to
             wed
             :
          
           
             So
             had
             I
             done
             ,
             by
             yonder
             Sun
             ,
          
           
             And
             thou
             hadst
             not
             come
             to
             bed
             .
          
        
         
           'T
           is
           strange
           this
           stuff
           shou'd
           wamble
           so
           in
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           Stomach
           ,
           
           and
           put
           him
           into
           such
           an
           Uproar
           .
           'T
           is
           silly
           indeed
           ,
           but
           very
           harmless
           and
           inoffensive
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           no
           great
           Miracle
           ,
           that
           a
           Woman
           out
           of
           her
           Wits
           shou'd
           talk
           Nonsense
           ,
           who
           at
           the
           soundest
           of
           her
           Intellects
           had
           no
           extraordinary
           Talent
           at
           Speech-making
           .
           Sure
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           concoctive
           Faculty's
           extreamly
           deprav'd
           ,
           that
           meer
           Water-Pap
           turns
           to
           such
           virulent
           Corruption
           with
           him
           .
        
         
         
           But
           Children
           and
           Mad
           Folks
           tell
           truth
           ,
           
           they
           say
           ,
           and
           he
           seems
           to
           discover
           thro
           her
           Frenzy
           what
           she
           wou'd
           be
           at
           .
           She
           was
           troubled
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           a
           Sweet-heart
           ,
           and
           the
           breaking
           off
           her
           Match
           ,
           Poor
           Soul.
           Not
           unlikely
           .
           Yet
           this
           was
           no
           Novelty
           in
           the
           days
           of
           our
           Fore-fathers
           ;
           if
           he
           pleases
           to
           consult
           the
           Records
           ,
           he
           will
           find
           even
           in
           the
           days
           of
           Sophocles
           ,
           Maids
           had
           an
           itching
           the
           same
           way
           ,
           and
           longed
           to
           know
           ,
           what
           was
           what
           ,
           before
           they
           died
           .
        
         
           Antigone
           ,
           
           whom
           he
           has
           produc'd
           as
           an
           instance
           of
           the
           Temperance
           ,
           and
           Decency
           of
           the
           Ancients
           in
           this
           respect
           ,
           may
           upon
           the
           Parallel
           serve
           us
           as
           an
           example
           of
           the
           contrary
           .
           The
           distinguishing
           Parts
           of
           this
           Ladies
           Character
           ,
           are
           Piety
           and
           Resolution
           ,
           and
           she
           makes
           both
           sufficiently
           appear
           ,
           she
           buries
           her
           Brother
           ,
           tho
           she
           knew
           she
           must
           die
           for
           it
           .
           And
           when
           she
           receives
           her
           Sentence
           from
           Creon
           ,
           which
           was
           immediately
           to
           be
           put
           in
           execution
           ,
           she
           makes
           light
           of
           Death
           ,
           and
           insults
           the
           Tyrant
           .
           But
           as
           she
           is
           led
           to
           Execution
           ,
           she
           is
           unexpectedly
           concerned
           about
           the
           Toy
           her
           Maidenhead
           ;
           't
           is
           her
           great
           Affliction
           ,
           
           that
           she
           must
           go
           out
           of
           the
           world
           with
           that
           great
           Burthen
           about
           her
           .
           Upon
           this
           occasion
           she
           is
           very
           clamorous
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           may
           be
           taken
           notice
           of
           as
           her
           main
           grievance
           ,
           she
           repeats
           it
           divers
           times
           over
           ,
           and
           chews
           the
           Cud
           upon
           it
           liberally
           .
        
         
           
             —
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             —
          
        
         
           Poor
           Girl
           ,
           she
           does
           not
           relish
           her
           Sentence
           half
           so
           well
           as
           an
           Epithalamium
           .
           She
           thinks
           a
           soft
           Bed
           ,
           and
           a
           warm
           Bed-fellow
           more
           comfortable
           by
           abundance
           ,
           than
           a
           cold
           Grave
           .
           And
           who
           can
           blame
           her
           ?
           But
           Matrimony
           runs
           strangely
           in
           her
           head
           .
           For
           a
           little
           after
           she
           's
           at
           it
           again
           ,
           complaining
           of
           her
           want
           of
           a
           Husband
           ,
           and
           is
           very
           sorry
           that
           she
           must
           cross
           the
           Styx
           ,
           and
           visit
           her
           Parents
           with
           her
           Maiden-head
           about
           her
           .
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           And
           immediately
           after
           she
           's
           at
           it
           again
           .
        
         
           —
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
        
         
         
           Vnmarried
           is
           still
           the
           burthen
           of
           the
           Song
           .
           Nay
           ,
           she
           is
           so
           full
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           she
           can't
           forbear
           talking
           of
           a
           second
           Husband
           ,
           in
           case
           she
           were
           a
           Widow
           .
        
         
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
        
         
           This
           thought
           of
           a
           second
           Husband
           is
           such
           a
           Refreshment
           to
           her
           ,
           that
           she
           can't
           forbear
           dilating
           upon
           it
           .
           One
           wou'd
           think
           by
           the
           odd
           Frolicksomeness
           of
           her
           complaints
           ,
           and
           the
           whimsical
           Comforts
           she
           finds
           out
           ,
           that
           she
           was
           only
           going
           to
           dance
           bare-foot
           at
           a
           Sisters
           VVedding
           .
           But
           within
           a
           few
           lines
           ,
           she
           relapses
           again
           into
           her
           agonies
           of
           despair
           ,
           and
           is
           more
           afraid
           of
           leading
           Apes
           in
           Hell
           ,
           than
           e're
           a
           hopeless
           Antiquated
           Damsel
           within
           our
           Bills
           of
           Mortality
           .
           She
           is
           not
           so
           much
           concern'd
           at
           dying
           ,
           but
           to
           go
           out
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           
             
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
            
             
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
            
          
           and
           not
           to
           have
           one
           Honey
           Moon
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           as
           a
           merey
           Bout
           before
           she
           went
           ,
           was
           a
           hardship
           she
           cou'd
           not
           bear
           with
           any
           temper
           .
        
         
         
           VVe
           may
           find
           by
           this
           Lady's
           complaint
           ,
           that
           she
           was
           very
           desirous
           to
           dispose
           of
           her
           Maiden-head
           ;
           but
           for
           any
           thing
           that
           appears
           from
           her
           complaint
           or
           behaviour
           ,
           she
           was
           very
           indifferent
           to
           whom
           .
           'T
           was
           a
           Burthen
           she
           long'd
           to
           be
           rid
           of
           ,
           and
           seem'd
           not
           to
           care
           who
           eas'd
           her
           ;
           for
           she
           does
           not
           mention
           her
           Contract
           with
           Haemon
           ,
           which
           she
           decently
           might
           ,
           but
           laments
           her
           want
           of
           a
           Husband
           in
           general
           terms
           ,
           without
           giving
           the
           least
           hint
           of
           an
           Honourable
           Love
           for
           any
           particular
           person
           .
        
         
           These
           are
           extraordinary
           Speculations
           for
           a
           dying
           Person
           .
           However
           ,
           Mr
           Collier
           admires
           the
           Poets
           conduct
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           and
           were
           he
           Ordinary
           no
           doubt
           but
           we
           shou'd
           have
           these
           Flowers
           transplanted
           in
           great
           plenty
           to
           the
           last
           Speeches
           of
           his
           dying
           Females
           .
           He
           thinks
           't
           is
           out
           of
           pure
           regard
           to
           Modesty
           and
           Decency
           ,
           that
           Antigone
           takes
           no
           notice
           of
           Haemon
           in
           her
           complaints
           .
           I
           shall
           not
           dispute
           ,
           whether
           't
           were
           the
           fashion
           in
           the
           days
           of
           Sophocles
           or
           not
           ;
           but
           I
           am
           sure
           't
           is
           accounted
           but
           an
           ill
           Symptome
           of
           Modesty
           in
           our
           Age
           ,
           when
           a
           young
           Lady
           shews
           an
           impatience
           to
           be
           married
           ,
           before
           she
           has
           made
           a
           Settlement
           of
           
           her
           Affection
           upon
           any
           Individual
           Man.
           
        
         
           However
           ,
           
           
           Antigone's
           Carriage
           is
           not
           singular
           ;
           Electra
           ,
           another
           Lady
           of
           much
           the
           same
           Quality
           and
           Character
           ,
           (
           tho
           not
           under
           those
           immediate
           apprehensions
           of
           Death
           )
           declares
           her self
           of
           the
           same
           Opinion
           .
           She
           's
           in
           great
           distress
           too
           for
           want
           of
           a
           Husband
           ,
           and
           complains
           very
           heavily
           upon
           that
           score
           .
        
         
           
             —
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           Nor
           is
           Euripides
           a
           whit
           more
           tender
           in
           this
           point
           .
           The
           Royal
           Polyxena
           ,
           just
           before
           she
           was
           to
           be
           led
           away
           as
           a
           Victim
           to
           the
           Manes
           of
           Achilles
           ,
           harps
           upon
           the
           same
           string
           .
           It
           lies
           very
           heavy
           upon
           her
           Spirits
           ,
           that
           she
           must
           go
           out
           of
           the
           World
           in
           ignorance
           .
        
         
           
             —
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           This
           Princess's
           complaint
           is
           yet
           more
           unreasonable
           than
           either
           of
           the
           former
           ,
           and
           more
           unbecoming
           the
           Modesty
           of
           her
           Sex
           ,
           and
           the
           greatness
           of
           her
           Birth
           
           and
           Courage
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           both
           before
           and
           afterwards
           shew
           .
           Shewn
           as
           a
           Captive
           ,
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Plunder
           of
           the
           sack'd
           City
           ,
           one
           that
           besides
           her
           own
           unhappy
           Destiny
           ,
           which
           hung
           immediately
           over
           her
           head
           ,
           had
           the
           Ruin
           and
           Miseries
           of
           her
           Country
           and
           Family
           fresh
           in
           view
           ,
           to
           put
           all
           wanton
           thoughts
           out
           of
           her
           head
           .
           Besides
           ,
           she
           cou'd
           not
           expect
           to
           ascend
           the
           insolent
           Conquerors
           Bed
           any
           otherwise
           than
           as
           his
           Vassal
           ,
           the
           Slave
           of
           his
           Lust
           and
           Pleasure
           ,
           which
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           below
           her
           to
           comply
           with
           ,
           but
           upon
           Force
           ,
           so
           it
           must
           be
           a
           Slavish
           Baseness
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Wantonness
           and
           Incontinence
           ,
           to
           desire
           it
           under
           her
           Circumstances
           .
        
         
           It
           were
           easy
           to
           bring
           many
           Instances
           more
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           but
           I
           think
           .
           it
           wou'd
           be
           tedious
           and
           unnecessary
           to
           multiply
           instances
           in
           a
           plain
           case
           .
           I
           think
           it
           likewise
           a
           labour
           altogether
           as
           superfluous
           to
           spend
           more
           words
           to
           shew
           the
           vast
           disproportion
           between
           the
           innocent
           Extravagance
           of
           
           Ophelia's
           Frenzy
           ,
           and
           the
           sober
           Rants
           of
           
             Antigone
             ,
             Electra
          
           ,
           and
           Polyxena
           .
           To
           suppose
           the
           Reader
           cou'd
           over-look
           that
           ,
           were
           to
           affront
           his
           Understanding
           .
        
         
         
           But
           before
           I
           part
           with
           Antigone
           ,
           I
           shall
           beg
           leave
           to
           make
           one
           observation
           more
           .
           
           Mr
           Collier
           takes
           notice
           ,
           that
           
             Cassandra
             ,
             in
             reporting
             the
             misfortunes
             of
             the
          
           Greeks
           ,
           
             stops
             at
             the
             Adulteries
             of
          
           Clytemnestra
           and
           Aegiale
           .
           
             And
             gives
             this
             handsome
             reason
             for
             making
             a
             halt
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Foul
             things
             are
             best
             unsaid
             .
          
        
         
           
             From
             whence
             he
             observes
             ,
             that
          
           Some
           things
           are
           dangerous
           in
           report
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           practice
           ,
           and
           many
           times
           a
           Disease
           in
           the
           Description
           .
           This
           Euripides
           was
           aware
           of
           ,
           and
           manag'd
           accordingly
           ,
           and
           was
           remarkably
           regular
           both
           in
           Stile
           and
           Manners
           .
        
         
           This
           was
           indeed
           an
           extraordinary
           piece
           of
           niceness
           in
           Euripides
           ,
           more
           I
           think
           by
           a
           great
           deal
           ,
           than
           he
           was
           oblig'd
           to
           ,
           and
           I
           am
           sure
           more
           than
           he
           has
           shewn
           upon
           other
           occasions
           .
           Cassandra
           might
           have
           foretold
           the
           Discovery
           of
           the
           Adulteries
           of
           Clytemnestra
           and
           Aegiale
           ,
           without
           any
           Indecencies
           of
           Language
           ,
           or
           shocking
           the
           most
           tender
           Ear
           ,
           had
           the
           Poet
           so
           pleas'd
           .
        
         
         
           Sophoclcs
           ,
           
           who
           was
           as
           good
           a
           Judge
           and
           as
           careful
           an
           observer
           of
           decency
           as
           Euripides
           ,
           gives
           his
           Antigone
           more
           liberty
           ;
           tho
           had
           he
           thought
           it
           indecent
           ,
           he
           might
           with
           better
           reason
           have
           excus'd
           her
           .
           1st
           ,
           Because
           what
           Antigone
           says
           is
           no
           way
           necessary
           ,
           being
           neither
           provok'd
           by
           any
           thing
           that
           preceeded
           ,
           nor
           of
           use
           to
           the
           promoting
           of
           the
           Action
           ,
           or
           the
           Information
           of
           the
           Audience
           .
           2dly
           ,
           Because
           she
           thereby
           revives
           the
           Infamy
           of
           her
           Parents
           ,
           and
           refreshes
           the
           scandalous
           impressions
           ,
           which
           her
           own
           Incestuous
           Birth
           must
           needs
           have
           made
           upon
           the
           Audience
           to
           her
           disadvantage
           .
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           If
           Antigone
           might
           be
           thus
           free
           with
           her
           own
           Family
           without
           breach
           of
           Modesty
           ,
           I
           can't
           see
           why
           Cassandra
           shou'd
           be
           so
           tender
           of
           an
           Enemy
           ,
           whom
           she
           was
           just
           going
           to
           supplant
           in
           her
           Bed
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           divulging
           of
           whose
           Faults
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Misfortunes
           ,
           she
           might
           be
           allow'd
           to
           take
           some
           
           Pleasure
           ,
           
           as
           a
           sort
           of
           anticipation
           of
           the
           satisfaction
           ,
           which
           she
           took
           in
           the
           Revenge
           of
           the
           Destruction
           of
           her
           Family
           ,
           which
           she
           foresaw
           was
           to
           come
           .
           But
           Casandra
           lov'd
           doing
           better
           than
           talking
           .
           For
           in
           the
           Speech
           foregoing
           to
           this
           ,
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           commends
           so
           much
           for
           the
           Modesty
           of
           it
           ,
           Casandra
           runs
           almost
           mad
           for
           Joy
           ,
           that
           Agamemnon
           wou'd
           take
           her
           to
           his
           Bed
           ,
           and
           calls
           in
           an
           Enthusiastick
           manner
           upon
           Hymen
           ,
           upon
           Hecate
           ,
           and
           Apollo
           to
           grace
           the
           Ceremony
           .
           She
           desires
           her
           Mother
           ,
           and
           the
           miserable
           Phrygians
           about
           her
           to
           adorn
           themselves
           ,
           be
           merry
           ,
           and
           dance
           ,
           and
           sing
           ,
           as
           if
           her
           Father
           were
           in
           the
           heighth
           of
           his
           prosperity
           .
           The
           Chorus
           hereupon
           desires
           Hecuba
           to
           curb
           her
           ,
           and
           keep
           her
           from
           running
           voluntarily
           to
           the
           Grecian
           Camp.
           Her
           Mother
           accordingly
           reprimands
           her
           ,
           and
           tells
           her
           she
           thought
           their
           Calamities
           might
           have
           made
           her
           more
           modest
           ,
           that
           Tears
           better
           became
           their
           Fortune
           ,
           than
           Nuptial
           Songs
           or
           Torches
           .
        
         
           
             —
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           This
           Reproof
           has
           a
           strange
           Operation
           upon
           Casandra
           .
           
           For
           instead
           of
           reclaiming
           and
           reducing
           her
           to
           reason
           ,
           it
           makes
           her
           ten
           times
           madder
           .
           She
           falls
           to
           cross
           purposes
           with
           her
           Mother
           ,
           and
           as
           if
           she
           had
           been
           Pandress
           in
           the
           case
           ,
           calls
           upon
           her
           to
           crown
           her
           victorious
           head
           ,
           and
           wish
           her
           Joy
           of
           her
           Royal
           Match
           .
           She
           bids
           her
           lead
           her
           ,
           and
           if
           she
           does
           not
           make
           hast
           enough
           ,
           she
           wou'd
           have
           her
           push
           violently
           on
           .
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           Is
           this
           the
           Modest
           ,
           the
           bashful
           Casandra
           ,
           so
           demure
           ,
           that
           she
           can't
           name
           adultery
           ,
           tho
           in
           an
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           yet
           so
           forward
           to
           act
           it
           ,
           that
           no
           restraints
           of
           Shame
           or
           Misery
           can
           keep
           her
           within
           bounds
           .
        
         
         
           It
           may
           perhaps
           be
           objected
           in
           Defence
           of
           Casandra
           ,
           that
           her
           Joy
           and
           Transport
           springs
           not
           from
           any
           Pleasure
           or
           Satisfaction
           ,
           that
           she
           shou'd
           take
           in
           this
           Match
           ,
           but
           from
           the
           Prospect
           she
           had
           of
           revenging
           the
           Quarrel
           of
           her
           Family
           ,
           and
           the
           Ruine
           and
           Destruction
           which
           she
           foresaw
           shou'd
           thence
           come
           upon
           the
           House
           of
           Atreus
           her
           mortal
           Enemies
           .
        
         
           Admit
           this
           to
           be
           true
           .
           
           Yet
           Casandra
           pushes
           her
           Resentments
           too
           far
           ,
           when
           she
           sacrifices
           her
           Virtue
           and
           Modesty
           to
           her
           Revenge
           .
           Had
           Casandra
           been
           represented
           as
           a
           Woman
           of
           a
           furious
           vindicative
           Spirit
           ,
           she
           might
           in
           a
           sudden
           fit
           of
           Rage
           have
           rashly
           sacrificed
           all
           Considerations
           to
           the
           Violence
           of
           her
           present
           Fury
           .
           But
           then
           if
           the
           Character
           be
           virtuous
           in
           the
           main
           ,
           such
           Outrages
           are
           not
           offered
           to
           Modesty
           ,
           till
           after
           prodigious
           struggles
           ,
           and
           racking
           Convulsions
           of
           Mind
           .
           Passion
           must
           not
           triumph
           over
           Reason
           and
           Honour
           ,
           but
           with
           vast
           labour
           and
           difficulty
           ,
           and
           in
           those
           Breasts
           only
           ,
           where
           it
           is
           the
           ruling
           ,
           uncontrollable
           Power
           ,
           and
           where
           the
           prospect
           of
           its
           success
           is
           great
           ,
           and
           immediate
           ,
           and
           is
           
           in
           Women
           provoked
           as
           well
           by
           Appetite
           as
           Inclination
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           is
           none
           of
           
           Casandra's
           case
           .
           She
           shared
           indeed
           amongst
           the
           rest
           the
           common
           Fate
           ,
           and
           became
           a
           Slave
           ,
           and
           a
           Prey
           to
           the
           victors
           Lust
           and
           Avarice
           .
           This
           might
           naturally
           make
           her
           wish
           the
           utter
           confusion
           of
           the
           Destroyers
           of
           her
           Country
           and
           Family
           ;
           but
           not
           at
           the
           expence
           of
           her
           Fame
           and
           Virtue
           .
           'T
           was
           all
           she
           had
           left
           to
           comfort
           her
           ;
           and
           as
           Andromache
           in
           the
           same
           Play
           cou'd
           inform
           her
           ,
           of
           infinitely
           more
           worth
           ,
           than
           the
           wretched
           remainder
           of
           a
           servile
           Life
           .
           This
           therefore
           shou'd
           not
           have
           been
           parted
           with
           at
           any
           rate
           ,
           much
           less
           upon
           a
           slender
           consideration
           .
           Had
           she
           submitted
           to
           necessity
           only
           ,
           and
           comply'd
           as
           a
           Slave
           with
           reluctance
           to
           the
           desires
           of
           Agamemnon
           ,
           as
           Andromache
           does
           to
           Pyrrhus
           ,
           she
           had
           saved
           hes
           Modesty
           ,
           and
           secured
           her
           Revenge
           ev'ry
           whit
           as
           well
           .
           The
           Disasters
           of
           Agamemnon
           and
           his
           House
           ,
           interpreted
           as
           a
           Punishment
           of
           her's
           ,
           and
           her
           Family's
           wrongs
           ,
           tho
           they
           were
           only
           Prophetically
           fore-known
           by
           her
           ,
           had
           given
           a
           sullen
           s●rt
           of
           Comfort
           ,
           and
           afforded
           a
           reason
           for
           her
           resignation
           of
           her self
           
           to
           the
           Conquerors
           Pleasure
           .
           But
           if
           the
           Poet
           designed
           her
           for
           so
           implacable
           a
           Character
           ,
           as
           to
           take
           such
           great
           satisfaction
           in
           ,
           and
           purchase
           at
           so
           dear
           a
           rate
           a
           Prospect
           only
           of
           Revenge
           at
           such
           a
           distance
           ,
           by
           which
           she
           herself
           must
           be
           crushed
           ,
           and
           all
           her
           Friends
           either
           dead
           ,
           or
           so
           dispersed
           as
           to
           have
           no
           interest
           in
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           it
           :
           he
           ought
           to
           have
           prepar'd
           the
           Audience
           for
           so
           unaccountable
           an
           extravagance
           ,
           by
           some
           notice
           of
           the
           Violence
           of
           her
           Temper
           ,
           either
           by
           something
           from
           her
           own
           mouth
           or
           Conduct
           previous
           to
           this
           ,
           or
           from
           the
           mouth
           of
           some
           Friend
           of
           her's
           ,
           that
           might
           have
           abated
           the
           surprize
           of
           such
           a
           resolution
           .
           Especially
           since
           he
           was
           resolved
           she
           shou'd
           appear
           no
           more
           by
           her
           future
           modest
           behaviour
           to
           qualify
           the
           Scandal
           of
           this
           Misdemeanour
           .
        
         
           This
           Lady
           being
           set
           up
           by
           Mr
           Collier
           as
           the
           Standard
           of
           Modesty
           ,
           I
           have
           examined
           her
           Conduct
           the
           more
           at
           large
           ;
           and
           am
           very
           willing
           to
           leave
           it
           to
           the
           decision
           of
           the
           Reader
           ,
           whether
           Casandra
           or
           Ophelia
           wou'd
           best
           become
           the
           Cloyster
           ,
           or
           most
           needs
           the
           Discipline
           of
           the
           Nunnery
           in
           Moorfields
           .
        
         
         
           We
           have
           seen
           how
           this
           Lady
           can
           behave
           her self
           upon
           occasion
           .
           
           Let
           us
           examine
           her
           Mother
           ,
           that
           corrected
           her
           wantonness
           so
           seasonably
           upon
           this
           occasion
           .
           She
           as
           older
           shou'd
           have
           more
           wit
           ,
           and
           yet
           she
           forgets
           herself
           extreamly
           too
           sometimes
           .
           In
           the
           Play
           that
           bears
           her
           name
           ,
           Hecuba
           comes
           to
           Agamemnon
           ,
           complains
           of
           the
           murther
           of
           her
           Son
           Polydorus
           by
           Polymestor
           ,
           and
           to
           move
           him
           to
           Compassion
           begins
           a
           wanton
           Discourse
           of
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           tho
           she
           thinks
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           impertinent
           ,
           yet
           she
           's
           resolv'd
           it
           shall
           out
           .
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           As
           an
           old
           Woman
           she
           had
           the
           priviledge
           of
           tattling
           .
           But
           as
           a
           Prudent
           Woman
           ,
           she
           ought
           to
           have
           handled
           her
           Daughters
           disgrace
           a
           little
           more
           tenderly
           .
           The
           good
           old
           Lady
           ne'r
           minces
           the
           matter
           ,
           but
           outs
           with
           all
           roundly
           ,
           and
           is
           concerned
           ,
           that
           any
           thing
           shou'd
           abate
           of
           the
           satisfaction
           Casandra
           might
           have
           in
           so
           good
           a
           Bedfellow
           .
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
         
           This
           is
           plain
           dealing
           ,
           but
           something
           below
           the
           Dignity
           of
           the
           Queen
           of
           Asia
           ,
           at
           the
           lowest
           ebb
           of
           her
           Fortune
           .
           What
           follows
           is
           fit
           only
           for
           the
           Mouth
           of
           a
           Drunken
           Midwife
           at
           a
           Christening
           in
           Wapping
           .
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           After
           these
           remarkable
           Instances
           of
           the
           regularity
           of
           Euripides
           ,
           
           both
           in
           Stile
           and
           Manners
           ,
           I
           suppose
           our
           Poets
           may
           venture
           to
           shew
           their
           Faces
           in
           his
           Company
           ,
           without
           danger
           of
           putting
           him
           to
           the
           blush
           with
           their
           want
           of
           Modesty
           .
           But
           the
           Antients
           ,
           it
           seems
           ,
           had
           very
           little
           Love
           or
           Courtship
           in
           their
           Plays
           .
           Perhaps
           so
           .
           But
           they
           had
           Lust
           and
           Violence
           ,
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           thinks
           more
           eligible
           .
           The
           fault
           of
           the
           Modern
           Lovers
           ,
           it
           seems
           ,
           is
           too
           much
           tenderness
           and
           fooling
           away
           their
           time
           in
           idle
           Talk.
           The
           vigorous
           Antients
           went
           more
           roundly
           to
           work
           ,
           their's
           were
           like
           Spanish
           Intrigues
           ,
           two
           words
           struck
           the
           bargain
           betwixt
           '
           em
           .
        
         
         
           'T
           were
           easie
           to
           multiply
           instances
           of
           this
           nature
           from
           Euripides
           ,
           
           were
           that
           my
           Design
           .
           But
           I
           love
           not
           to
           rake
           into
           the
           Ashes
           of
           the
           Dead
           for
           that
           which
           isn't
           worth
           finding
           .
           Yet
           that
           the
           Reader
           ,
           if
           he
           has
           the
           curiosity
           ,
           may
           have
           the
           satisfaction
           ,
           I
           shall
           refer
           him
           to
           the
           Places
           where
           they
           are
           to
           be
           found
           ;
           where
           he
           that
           has
           a
           mind
           to
           a
           more
           ample
           Collection
           ,
           may
           be
           abundantly
           furnished
           .
        
         
           Hermione
           rails
           at
           Andromache
           in
           terms
           very
           misbecoming
           her
           Sex
           ,
           
           Quality
           ,
           and
           Years
           .
           Andromache
           reproves
           her
           for
           it
           in
           terms
           yet
           less
           beseeming
           a
           sober
           Matron
           ,
           and
           casts
           a
           scandalous
           aspersion
           upon
           her
           whole
           Sex.
           Creusa
           makes
           a
           foul
           relation
           of
           her
           rape
           by
           Apollo
           ,
           and
           descends
           nauseously
           to
           particulars
           with
           her
           Servant
           .
           Ion
           her
           Son
           civilly
           questions
           his
           Mother
           ,
           whether
           she
           had
           not
           play'd
           the
           Whore
           with
           some
           base
           Groom
           ,
           and
           to
           cover
           her
           disgrace
           laid
           her
           Bastard
           (
           himself
           )
           falsly
           to
           
           Apollo's
           charge
           .
           Electra's
           manners
           are
           much
           of
           the
           same
           size
           and
           complexion
           ;
           when
           she
           is
           urging
           her
           Brother
           Orestes
           to
           the
           murther
           of
           Aegisthus
           ;
           she
           bids
           him
           ring
           in
           his
           Ears
           the
           whoring
           
           of
           her
           Mother
           ,
           and
           tell
           him
           ,
           that
           since
           he
           had
           a
           Whore
           of
           her
           he
           must
           expect
           sharers
           in
           her
           ,
           and
           be
           the
           Cuckold
           of
           other
           Men
           ,
           as
           her
           Father
           had
           been
           his
           .
           That
           he
           was
           notorious
           for
           her
           Cully
           all
           the
           Town
           over
           .
           This
           sort
           of
           stuff
           she
           lets
           run
           over
           without
           regard
           to
           Decency
           ,
           and
           rambles
           as
           wantonly
           thro
           the
           Infamy
           of
           her
           Family
           ,
           as
           is
           if
           't
           were
           only
           Scandal
           pickt
           up
           at
           a
           Gossipping
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           had
           no
           particular
           Concern
           .
        
         
           Whoever
           consults
           these
           and
           divers
           Passages
           ,
           as
           well
           in
           Sophocles
           as
           Euripides
           ,
           will
           find
           the
           most
           exceptionable
           Passages
           in
           our
           Poets
           ,
           whether
           Comick
           or
           Tragick
           very
           excusable
           ,
           upon
           a
           fair
           Construction
           ,
           let
           it
           be
           never
           so
           severe
           within
           the
           Bounds
           of
           Justice
           .
        
         
           Seneca
           has
           received
           Absolution
           ,
           
           and
           is
           pronounced
           clear
           of
           the
           sin
           of
           Uncleanness
           .
           Yet
           with
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           leave
           ,
           since
           he
           is
           introduced
           to
           vilify
           and
           depreciate
           the
           Moderns
           ,
           he
           is
           bound
           to
           confront
           'em
           ,
           and
           answer
           for
           his
           own
           Conduct
           ,
           before
           he
           takes
           upon
           him
           magisterially
           to
           censure
           and
           correct
           others
           .
           But
           since
           't
           is
           not
           so
           much
           his
           act
           as
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           ,
           who
           has
           ventured
           to
           
           be
           his
           Godfather
           ,
           and
           answer
           for
           him
           ,
           a
           slight
           Inquisition
           shall
           excuse
           him
           .
           We
           shall
           not
           require
           so
           severe
           a
           Proof
           of
           his
           Chastity
           as
           the
           Ordeal
           Tryal
           .
           It
           shall
           be
           sufficient
           for
           him
           to
           enter
           his
           Protestation
           against
           what
           has
           been
           done
           in
           his
           Name
           .
        
         
           In
           his
           Hippolytus
           ,
           
           Phaedra
           is
           possessed
           with
           a
           scandalous
           ,
           incestuous
           Passion
           ,
           and
           she
           indulges
           it
           at
           as
           loose
           ,
           a
           scandalous
           rate
           .
           She
           enters
           first
           with
           her
           Resolution
           ,
           as
           strong
           as
           her
           Desires
           .
           She
           is
           not
           concerned
           at
           the
           Nature
           or
           Consequences
           of
           so
           vile
           a
           Passion
           ,
           but
           at
           the
           difficulty
           of
           satisfying
           it
           .
           She
           appears
           at
           first
           sight
           full
           grown
           and
           confirm'd
           in
           Wickedness
           ,
           and
           instead
           of
           condemning
           and
           endeavouring
           to
           stifle
           so
           lewd
           ,
           a
           licentious
           Flame
           ,
           she
           animates
           her self
           to
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           her
           design
           by
           a
           recrimination
           upon
           her
           Husband
           ,
           and
           rips
           up
           ,
           amongst
           others
           ,
           even
           those
           of
           his
           Faults
           ,
           to
           which
           herself
           had
           been
           accessary
           ,
           and
           the
           sole
           occasion
           of
           his
           Guilt
           .
           But
           what
           is
           more
           strange
           and
           unnatural
           ,
           she
           draws
           matter
           of
           Comfort
           and
           Encouragement
           from
           the
           monstrous
           Lewdness
           of
           her
           Mother
           ,
           and
           the
           Infamy
           of
           her
           House
           .
           But
           
           what
           's
           most
           wonderful
           of
           all
           ,
           she
           's
           come
           to
           this
           heighth
           of
           Impudence
           ,
           before
           she
           well
           knows
           what
           ails
           her
           ;
           she
           is
           but
           just
           arrived
           at
           the
           Discovery
           of
           her
           Malady
           .
           She
           can
           neither
           Eat
           ,
           Sleep
           ,
           Work
           ,
           nor
           Pray
           ;
           but
           she
           burns
           ,
           and
           boils
           inwardly
           like
           Aetna
           it self
           ,
           and
           is
           all
           agog
           on
           the
           sudden
           for
           hunting
           and
           handling
           the
           Boarspear
           :
           She
           knows
           not
           why
           ,
           till
           at
           length
           she
           finds
           ,
           that
           she
           's
           her
           Mother
           's
           own
           Daughter
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           Mystery
           comes
           out
           .
        
         
           
             Quo
             tendis
             anime
             ?
             quid
             furens
             saltus
             amas
             ?
          
           
             Fatale
             miserae
             matris
             agnosco
             malum
             ,
          
           
             Peccare
             noster
             novit
             in
             Sylvis
             amor
             .
          
           
             Genetrix
             ,
             tui
             me
             miseret
             ,
             infando
             malo
          
           
             Correpta
             pecoris
             efferi
             saevum
             ducem
          
           
             Audax
             amasti
             .
             Torvus
             impatiens
             guge
          
           
             Adulter
             ille
             ,
             ductor
             indomiti
             gregis
             .
          
           
             Sed
             amabat
             aliquid
             :
             Quis
             meas
             miserae
             Deus
             ,
          
           
             Aut
             quis
             juvare
             Daedalus
             flammas
             queat
             ?
          
           
             Non
             si
             ille
             remee●
             arte
             mopsopia
             potens
             ,
          
           
             Qui
             nostra
             caeca
             monstra
             concluset
             domo
             ,
          
           
             Promittat
             ullam
             casibus
             nostris
             opem
             .
          
           
             —
             Nulla
             Minois
             levi
          
           
           
             Defuncta
             amore
             est
             :
             jungitur
             semper
             nefas
             .
          
        
         
           'T
           was
           the
           fate
           of
           her
           Family
           ,
           it
           seems
           ,
           and
           she
           was
           by
           no
           means
           for
           contending
           with
           her
           destiny
           ,
           and
           therefore
           surrenders
           upon
           the
           first
           Summons
           of
           her
           passion
           .
           Her
           Mother
           ,
           she
           thinks
           ,
           was
           much
           oblig'd
           to
           Daedalus
           ,
           whose
           ingenuity
           brought
           her
           and
           her
           horned
           Lover
           together
           .
           But
           alas
           !
           Poor
           Soul
           ,
           She
           's
           hard
           put
           to
           't
           .
           Her
           Mother's
           Bull
           was
           a
           gentle
           tender-hearted
           Gallant
           ,
           to
           her
           Savage
           obdurate
           Son-in-law
           ;
           and
           she
           ,
           good
           woman
           ,
           had
           no
           such
           necessary
           helps
           for
           her
           Consolation
           .
           What
           must
           she
           do
           ?
           He
           Nurse
           advises
           her
           to
           strangle
           this
           Incestuous
           Brat
           ,
           her
           Passion
           ,
           in
           the
           Birth
           .
           But
           she
           bravely
           resolves
           to
           push
           on
           ,
           whatever
           comes
           on
           't
           .
        
         
           Quemcunque
           dederit
           exitum
           casus
           ,
           feram
           .
        
         
           Is
           this
           the
           modest
           Phaedra
           ,
           whose
           Language
           is
           under
           such
           discipline
           ?
           Can
           she
           be
           so
           free
           with
           the
           Infamy
           of
           her
           House
           ,
           make
           such
           fulsome
           descriptions
           ,
           and
           envy
           her
           Mother
           the
           caresses
           
           of
           a
           Bull
           ?
           But
           the
           Nurse
           mends
           the
           matter
           ,
           and
           reproves
           her
           severely
           .
           Here
           therefore
           we
           may
           expect
           a
           sample
           of
           strict
           and
           exemplary
           modesty
           ,
           and
           chaste
           expression
           .
        
         
           
             Sed
             ut
             secundus
             Numinum
             abscondat
             favor
          
           
             
               Coitus
               nefandos
            
             —
             and
             immediately
             after
          
           
             —
             Metue
             concubitus
             novos
             .
          
           
             Miscere
             thalamos
             Patris
             ,
             &
             Nati
             apparas
             ,
          
           
             Vteroque
             prolem
             capere
             confusam
             impio
             .
          
        
         
           Is
           this
           the
           disciplin'd
           Language
           Mr
           Collier
           boasts
           of
           ?
           Such
           we
           have
           indeed
           sometimes
           under
           the
           discipline
           of
           Bridewel
           and
           Bedlam
           ,
           but
           seldom
           elsewhere
           .
           The
           most
           accomplish'd
           Disciple
           that
           ever
           came
           out
           of
           the
           late
           famous
           Academy
           of
           the
           virtuous
           Mrs
           Meggs
           of
           notable
           Memory
           ,
           cou'd
           not
           have
           been
           more
           free
           in
           her
           Language
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Thoughts
           .
           The
           Antients
           ,
           good
           Men
           ,
           did
           not
           puzzle
           their
           Heads
           about
           double
           entendre's
           to
           screen
           a
           foul
           thought
           ,
           or
           labour
           for
           Allegories
           and
           Allusions
           ,
           but
           honestly
           called
           a
           Spade
           ,
           a
           Spade
           ,
           whenever
           they
           had
           occasion
           .
           I
           believe
           
           these
           Ladies
           wou'd
           be
           better
           company
           for
           Joan
           of
           Naples
           ,
           than
           Mr
           
           Dryden's
           Leonora
           ,
           if
           fulsome
           Descriptions
           be
           so
           toothsome
           to
           her
           .
        
         
           But
           Mr
           Collier
           is
           mightily
           pleased
           ,
           
           that
           
             there
             is
             no
             courting
             ,
             except
             in
             the
          
           Hercules
           Furens
           ,
           
             where
             the
             Tyrant
          
           Lycus
           addresses
           Megara
           
             very
             briefly
             ,
             and
             in
             modest
             remote
             Language
             .
          
           Here
           he
           has
           pointed
           us
           a
           Specimen
           of
           what
           he
           calls
           modest
           and
           remote
           .
           The
           Tyrant
           had
           courted
           Megara
           ,
           the
           Wife
           of
           Hercules
           ,
           to
           no
           purpose
           ,
           she
           obstinately
           repulsed
           him
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           turns
           him
           about
           ,
           and
           modestly
           (
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           thinks
           )
           thus
           addresses
           himself
           to
           
             Amphitruo
             .
             You
             have
             Pimpt
             for
          
           Jupiter
           
             to
             your
             Wife
             ,
             and
             shall
             do
             as
             much
             for
             me
             to
             your
             Daughter-in-Law
             ,
             having
             so
             expert
             a
             Master
             it
             can
             be
             no
             novelty
             either
             to
             her
             ,
             or
             her
             Husband
             ,
             to
             be
             civil
             to
             their
             Betters
             .
             But
             if
             she
             obstinately
             refuses
             to
             comply
             ,
             I
             'll
             force
             her
             ,
             and
             beget
             a
             generous
             Race
             .
          
        
         
           
             Jovi
             dedisti
             conjugem
             ,
             Regi
             dabis
             .
          
           
             Et
             te
             magistro
             non
             novum
             hoc
             discet
             Nurus
             ,
          
           
             Etiam
             viro
             probante
             ,
             meliorem
             sequi
             ,
          
           
             Sin
             copulari
             pertinax
             taedis
             negat
             ,
          
           
           
             Vel
             ex
             coacta
             nobilem
             partum
             feram
             .
          
        
         
           This
           ,
           according
           to
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           is
           Distance
           and
           Modesty
           ,
           Old
           Stile
           .
           If
           he
           will
           make
           these
           allowances
           to
           our
           Poets
           ,
           I
           'll
           engage
           to
           prove
           there
           never
           was
           an
           immodest
           thing
           said
           upon
           the
           
             English
             Stage
          
           ;
           a
           task
           I
           shou'd
           be
           loth
           to
           undertake
           upon
           any
           other
           terms
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           I
           am
           perswaded
           of
           their
           comparative
           Innocence
           .
        
         
           But
           't
           is
           not
           in
           his
           Judgment
           only
           ,
           
           that
           Mr
           Collier
           can
           be
           partial
           ;
           his
           Memory
           can
           be
           favourable
           too
           upon
           occasion
           .
           For
           tho
           he
           does
           
             non
             omnibus
             dormire
          
           ,
           yet
           he
           can
           wink
           at
           the
           Faults
           of
           his
           old
           Friends
           ,
           while
           he
           sees
           ev'ry
           slip
           of
           the
           Moderns
           double
           .
           He
           says
           ,
           that
           Seneca
           has
           no
           courting
           but
           this
           of
           Lycus
           ;
           but
           I
           suppose
           ,
           he
           wilfully
           forgets
           the
           shameful
           solicitations
           which
           Phaedra
           uses
           to
           corrupt
           her
           Son-in-Law
           Hippolitus
           ,
           against
           the
           Charter
           of
           her
           Sex
           ,
           and
           the
           rules
           of
           Decency
           .
           They
           ,
           whose
           curiosity
           invites
           'em
           to
           a
           further
           enquiry
           ,
           may
           find
           matter
           in
           abundance
           for
           their
           speculations
           ,
           in
           the
           Agamemnon
           ,
           particularly
           in
           the
           Scenes
           between
           Clytemnestra
           and
           her
           
             Nurse
             ,
             
             Aegisthus
          
           and
           
             Clytemnestra
             ,
             Electra
          
           and
           Clytemnestra
           ;
           and
           in
           divers
           others
           places
           of
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Plays
           of
           that
           Collection
           .
        
         
           If
           we
           should
           examine
           the
           
             Ancient
             Comedy
          
           
           with
           the
           severity
           that
           Mr
           Collier
           uses
           to
           the
           Moderns
           ,
           we
           should
           let
           in
           such
           a
           torrent
           of
           Citations
           ,
           as
           wou'd
           almost
           over-whelm
           us
           .
           But
           for
           the
           reasons
           already
           given
           ,
           there
           are
           grains
           of
           allowance
           to
           be
           made
           to
           Comedy
           ,
           to
           which
           Tragedy
           can
           lay
           no
           claim
           .
           Tragedy
           deals
           with
           persons
           of
           the
           highest
           Condition
           ,
           by
           and
           before
           whom
           the
           strictest
           severity
           of
           Manners
           and
           Decorum
           is
           to
           be
           observ'd
           .
           The
           business
           is
           of
           great
           importance
           ,
           and
           requires
           serious
           consideration
           ,
           and
           gives
           no
           opportunity
           for
           wantonness
           ,
           or
           light
           indecencies
           .
           Whenever
           therefore
           the
           Poet
           suffers
           snch
           persons
           to
           talk
           such
           Fooleries
           themselves
           ,
           or
           others
           to
           talk
           'em
           to
           'em
           ,
           he
           stoops
           'em
           below
           their
           Characters
           and
           Business
           .
           But
           in
           Comedy
           the
           case
           is
           quite
           different
           ,
           both
           the
           persons
           and
           business
           are
           little
           ,
           and
           exact
           neither
           State
           nor
           Ceremony
           .
           Most
           of
           the
           persons
           are
           such
           ,
           as
           either
           don't
           ●now
           ,
           or
           don't
           regard
           Forms
           and
           
           Punctilio's
           of
           good
           Breeding
           .
           This
           we
           have
           a
           plain
           Proof
           of
           in
           all
           the
           Comedies
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           whether
           of
           the
           old
           or
           new
           Cut.
           
           The
           Slaves
           ate
           so
           familiar
           with
           their
           Masters
           ,
           that
           by
           the
           freedoms
           they
           take
           ,
           't
           is
           hard
           to
           distinguish
           one
           from
           t'other
           ,
           except
           that
           the
           Slave
           bears
           the
           Character
           of
           Advantage
           ,
           and
           appears
           generally
           to
           have
           more
           wit
           than
           his
           Master
           ,
           whom
           he
           is
           to
           assist
           if
           he
           be
           young
           ,
           and
           cheat
           if
           he
           be
           old
           .
           Accordingly
           we
           find
           'em
           almost
           always
           bantering
           ,
           quibbling
           ,
           drolling
           ,
           and
           jesting
           upon
           their
           Masters
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           together
           .
           Their
           employment
           is
           usually
           to
           purchase
           their
           young
           Master
           a
           Mistress
           ,
           with
           the
           Hunks
           their
           Old
           Masters
           money
           .
           By
           this
           means
           the
           Slaves
           become
           the
           Principal
           Character
           in
           the
           
             Antient
             Comedy
          
           ,
           and
           are
           the
           main
           Spring
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           whole
           Machine
           of
           the
           Fable
           is
           set
           a
           going
           .
           The
           rest
           ,
           which
           are
           usually
           in
           the
           new
           Comedy
           ,
           a
           covetous
           old
           Fellow
           ,
           an
           extravagant
           young
           one
           ,
           a
           Bawd
           ,
           a
           Whore
           ,
           a
           stolen
           Virgin
           ,
           are
           but
           the
           under
           Wheels
           ,
           whose
           motions
           are
           regulated
           altogether
           by
           those
           of
           the
           Slave
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           Man
           of
           Intrigue
           ,
           and
           carries
           all
           the
           Brains
           the
           
           Poet
           can
           spare
           about
           him
           .
           The
           old
           Man
           is
           froward
           ,
           suspicious
           ,
           severe
           ,
           and
           close-fisted
           ;
           and
           sometimes
           he
           is
           represented
           easy
           and
           indulgent
           ,
           but
           has
           a
           scolding
           ,
           turbulent
           ,
           griping
           Wife
           ,
           a
           churlish
           ,
           parsimonious
           Brother
           ,
           or
           Relation
           ,
           or
           conceited
           Wise
           Friend
           ,
           that
           takes
           upon
           himself
           to
           correct
           and
           govern
           him
           .
           The
           young
           Fellow
           is
           in
           Love
           ,
           extravagant
           ,
           and
           in
           want
           of
           Money
           .
           The
           Bawd
           ,
           whether
           Male
           ,
           or
           Female
           ,
           is
           faithless
           ,
           imposing
           ,
           and
           acted
           only
           by
           present
           profit
           .
           The
           Whore
           ,
           if
           an
           experienc'd
           one
           ,
           is
           altogether
           Mercenary
           ,
           if
           raw
           in
           her
           Trade
           ,
           she
           is
           dotingly
           fond
           and
           loving
           ,
           but
           under
           the
           care
           of
           the
           Bawd.
           The
           stoln
           Virgin
           is
           always
           next
           to
           a
           Mute
           .
        
         
           Their
           Plots
           are
           confined
           to
           as
           narrow
           a
           compass
           ,
           
           as
           their
           Characters
           .
           The
           young
           Man
           is
           in
           Love
           with
           a
           Slave
           ,
           and
           wants
           money
           to
           purchase
           her
           of
           the
           Bawd
           ,
           who
           is
           about
           to
           sell
           ,
           or
           prostitute
           her
           to
           another
           .
           The
           young
           Man
           in
           this
           exigent
           has
           recourse
           to
           a
           crafty
           Servant
           ,
           who
           helps
           by
           some
           Stratagem
           to
           squeeze
           the
           money
           out
           of
           the
           old
           Spunge
           his
           Father
           ,
           or
           to
           cheat
           some
           other
           Body
           .
           A
           discovery
           at
           length
           is
           
           made
           to
           his
           Father
           ,
           who
           is
           vehemently
           provoked
           at
           his
           Sons
           folly
           and
           extravagance
           ,
           and
           threatens
           to
           difinherit
           him
           .
           Young
           Master
           and
           Man
           are
           at
           their
           wits
           end
           ,
           to
           reconcile
           themselves
           to
           the
           old
           Man
           ,
           and
           no
           fetch
           ,
           no
           contrivance
           left
           to
           bring
           themselves
           off
           ,
           when
           in
           comes
           some
           Merchant
           or
           Stranger
           ,
           who
           discovers
           that
           this
           Maiden
           is
           a
           Citizen
           ,
           and
           well
           born
           ;
           which
           pacifies
           the
           Old
           Fellow
           ,
           the
           young
           Man
           thrives
           in
           his
           amours
           ,
           a
           match
           is
           struck
           up
           by
           consent
           of
           all
           Parties
           ,
           and
           all
           's
           well
           again
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           
           Aristophanes
           took
           a
           much
           greater
           compass
           ,
           and
           brought
           not
           only
           Mankind
           ,
           but
           
             Gods
             ,
             Brute
             Animals
          
           ,
           and
           even
           
             inanimate
             Bodies
          
           within
           the
           Pale
           of
           the
           Stage
           .
           This
           ,
           as
           it
           inlarg'd
           his
           walk
           ,
           encreas'd
           his
           Liberty
           ,
           which
           he
           sometimes
           abuses
           at
           a
           scandalous
           unjustifyable
           rate
           .
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           to
           obviate
           all
           objections
           that
           might
           be
           rais'd
           from
           the
           practice
           of
           Aristophanes
           ,
           whose
           Comedies
           are
           the
           only
           pieces
           of
           that
           kind
           remaining
           of
           the
           Greek
           Stage
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           prevention
           excepts
           against
           his
           Credit
           ,
           and
           endeavours
           to
           invalidate
           his
           Evidence
           by
           accusing
           him
           of
           Atheism
           .
        
         
         
           But
           tho
           I
           think
           Mr
           Collier's
           Arguments
           to
           prove
           him
           an
           Atheist
           to
           be
           of
           no
           validity
           ,
           
           as
           I
           could
           easily
           shew
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           an
           impertinent
           digression
           in
           this
           place
           ;
           yet
           I
           shall
           wave
           the
           particular
           refutation
           of
           'em
           ,
           because
           I
           think
           it
           not
           material
           to
           the
           point
           in
           hand
           ,
           whether
           he
           were
           so
           or
           not
           .
           For
           tho
           we
           should
           grant
           ,
           that
           the
           Poet
           himself
           was
           an
           Athiest
           ,
           yet
           Mr
           Collier
           himself
           will
           not
           pretend
           that
           his
           Audience
           ,
           the
           people
           of
           Athens
           were
           so
           too
           .
           On
           the
           contrary
           it
           appears
           that
           they
           were
           as
           arrant
           Bigots
           ,
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           himself
           could
           wish
           to
           trade
           with
           .
           They
           put
           Socrates
           to
           death
           ,
           only
           because
           he
           would
           not
           be
           cullied
           out
           of
           his
           reason
           ,
           and
           be
           the
           Priest's
           Fool
           ,
           to
           countenance
           and
           encourage
           a
           senseless
           extravagant
           superstition
           .
           This
           made
           some
           Christian
           Fathers
           reckon
           him
           among
           the
           Martyrs
           for
           the
           Unity
           of
           the
           Deity
           .
        
         
           But
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           who
           has
           a
           much
           better
           hand
           at
           supposing
           than
           proving
           ,
           takes
           a
           very
           odd
           method
           to
           clear
           the
           reputation
           of
           that
           great
           man
           from
           the
           suggestions
           of
           Aristophanes
           ,
           and
           the
           censure
           of
           his
           Country
           ,
           by
           whom
           he
           was
           condemn'd
           for
           Atheism
           .
        
         
         
           That
           Socrates
           was
           no
           Atheist
           is
           clear
           from
           Instances
           enow
           .
           To
           mention
           but
           one
           .
           The
           confidence
           he
           had
           in
           his
           Daemon
           or
           Genius
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           govern'd
           his
           Affairs
           ,
           puts
           it
           beyond
           dispute
           .
        
         
           That
           Socrates
           held
           ,
           
           and
           believ'd
           the
           existence
           of
           Daemons
           or
           Genii
           ,
           may
           be
           an
           argument
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           no
           Atheist
           .
           But
           that
           he
           pretended
           to
           have
           any
           Familiarity
           ,
           or
           hold
           any
           Correspondence
           with
           such
           a
           Daemon
           or
           Genius
           ,
           gives
           me
           but
           a
           very
           indifferent
           notion
           of
           his
           Faith
           and
           Integrity
           .
           It
           smells
           rank
           of
           Imposture
           ,
           and
           must
           needs
           make
           but
           a
           bad
           Impression
           upon
           men
           of
           Integrity
           ,
           and
           Understanding
           of
           those
           Principles
           ,
           which
           want
           the
           support
           of
           such
           dishonest
           shifts
           .
           But
           this
           was
           Plato's
           report
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           was
           neither
           the
           real
           practice
           nor
           opinion
           of
           Socrates
           ,
           whom
           therefore
           we
           shall
           dismiss
           ,
           as
           having
           been
           brought
           in
           only
           to
           shew
           how
           unluckily
           Mr
           Collier
           is
           gifted
           for
           Argument
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           the
           Athenians
           could
           proceed
           
           with
           such
           Rigou●●
           against
           a
           man
           so
           much
           rever'd
           for
           his
           Virtue
           and
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           supported
           by
           the
           favour
           of
           their
           best
           and
           greatest
           men
           only
           ,
           for
           holding
           
           Opinions
           contrary
           to
           their
           Notions
           of
           Religion
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           to
           be
           imagin'd
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           were
           so
           very
           tender
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           so
           extreamly
           sensible
           of
           any
           affront
           to
           the
           Common
           Faith
           ,
           would
           with
           so
           little
           concern
           ,
           or
           rather
           so
           much
           satisfaction
           ,
           have
           heard
           it
           publickly
           insulted
           by
           Aristophanes
           .
           They
           shew'd
           in
           the
           case
           of
           Socrates
           ,
           that
           their
           Blood
           could
           rise
           and
           ferment
           upon
           such
           occasions
           as
           high
           as
           any
           people's
           .
           How
           comes
           it
           then
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           were
           so
           outrageous
           and
           impatient
           with
           Socrates
           ,
           are
           so
           tame
           ,
           and
           passive
           as
           to
           bear
           much
           greater
           Provocations
           of
           the
           same
           Nature
           from
           Aristophanes
           without
           the
           least
           sign
           of
           Resentment
           ?
           Was
           the
           interest
           of
           the
           Poet
           so
           much
           superiour
           to
           the
           Philosophers
           ,
           that
           what
           was
           capital
           in
           one
           shou'd
           deserve
           no
           manner
           of
           correction
           ,
           or
           notice
           in
           t'other
           ?
           No
           such
           matter
           ,
           for
           he
           was
           call'd
           in
           question
           ,
           and
           took
           his
           Tryal
           for
           a
           thing
           of
           much
           less
           moment
           ,
           viz.
           For
           assuming
           the
           Liberties
           of
           a
           Citizen
           of
           Athens
           being
           a
           Foreigner
           .
           Now
           there
           is
           〈◊〉
           doubt
           ,
           but
           his
           Enemies
           who
           had
           the
           malice
           and
           the
           power
           to
           get
           him
           thus
           arraign'd
           ,
           would
           have
           strengthen'd
           their
           Charge
           ,
           with
           an
           Article
           
           so
           considerable
           as
           Atheism
           ,
           and
           Blasphemy
           against
           their
           Gods
           ,
           before
           such
           superstious
           bigotted
           Judges
           as
           the
           Athenians
           ,
           had
           there
           been
           any
           ground
           or
           colour
           of
           suspicion
           .
           The
           Power
           and
           Malice
           of
           Cleon
           wou'd
           have
           reach'd
           ,
           him
           ,
           had
           there
           been
           any
           plausible
           pretence
           ,
           to
           have
           fixt
           the
           guilt
           of
           a
           Crime
           so
           unpopular
           upon
           him
           .
        
         
           Mr
           Collier
           pretends
           to
           maintain
           his
           assertion
           by
           divers
           instances
           of
           irreverent
           passages
           in
           relation
           to
           their
           Gods
           ,
           
           to
           be
           found
           in
           the
           Plays
           of
           Aristophanes
           .
           I
           grant
           there
           are
           such
           passages
           ,
           even
           more
           than
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           cited
           ,
           tho
           many
           of
           those
           which
           he
           has
           selected
           to
           prove
           his
           Allegation
           by
           ,
           will
           by
           no
           means
           bear
           the
           weight
           of
           such
           a
           Charge
           .
           But
           the
           people
           of
           Athens
           ,
           who
           were
           in
           these
           matters
           much
           more
           delicate
           ,
           
           than
           Mr
           Collier
           seems
           to
           be
           ,
           had
           the
           niceness
           to
           distinguish
           justly
           between
           the
           
             Private
             Sentiments
          
           of
           the
           Man
           ,
           and
           the
           Publick
           one's
           of
           the
           Poet.
           In
           this
           latter
           capacity
           almost
           all
           sorts
           of
           Characters
           belong
           '
           〈◊〉
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           must
           of
           consequence
           be
           frequently
           necessitated
           to
           make
           use
           of
           Thoughts
           and
           Expressions
           very
           contrary
           to
           his
           own
           
           proper
           opinion
           .
           The
           Athenians
           therefore
           did
           not
           lay
           these
           Liberties
           of
           the
           Stage
           ,
           which
           they
           knew
           the
           nature
           of
           those
           Characters
           which
           he
           represented
           must
           of
           course
           oblige
           him
           to
           ,
           as
           blemishes
           either
           in
           his
           Faith
           or
           Morals
           ,
           to
           his
           Charge
           .
           Had
           Mr
           Collier
           been
           Master
           of
           as
           much
           Understanding
           and
           Justice
           ,
           as
           these
           Heathens
           ,
           not
           only
           Aristophanes
           ,
           but
           our
           
             English
             Poets
          
           too
           had
           met
           with
           a
           fairer
           Adversary
           ,
           and
           found
           civiller
           and
           honester
           treatment
           .
           'T
           were
           easie
           to
           enlarge
           in
           the
           Justification
           of
           Aristophanes
           ;
           but
           Mr
           Collier
           gives
           him
           up
           ,
           and
           therefore
           we
           need
           no
           parallel
           between
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           
             English
             Comick
             Poets
          
           ,
           to
           prove
           the
           comparative
           modesty
           of
           the
           latter
           ;
           for
           which
           reason
           we
           shall
           proceed
           directly
           to
           Plautus
           whom
           he
           justifies
           upon
           the
           comparison
           .
        
         
           Plautus
           ,
           
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           narrow
           Circle
           that
           he
           moves
           in
           ,
           affords
           no
           great
           variety
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           plenty
           enough
           in
           him
           ,
           to
           make
           Mr
           Collier
           blush
           for
           his
           defence
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           all
           produc'd
           at
           large
           .
           For
           what
           he
           calls
           
             very
             moderate
          
           ,
           and
           says
           ,
           
             that
             our
             single
             Plays
             shall
             far
             out-do
             all
             this
             put
             together
             ,
          
           wou'd
           in
           his
           
           Microscopical
           way
           of
           observing
           appear
           monstrous
           ,
           and
           infinitely
           exceed
           the
           most
           malicious
           collection
           he
           can
           make
           out
           of
           the
           
             English
             Poets
          
           .
           But
           he
           presumes
           upon
           the
           ignorance
           of
           his
           Readers
           ,
           and
           imposes
           arbitrarily
           and
           magisterially
           what
           sense
           he
           pleases
           upon
           every
           thing
           ,
           and
           despotically
           coins
           Citations
           ,
           which
           he
           forces
           upon
           'em
           for
           genuine
           ,
           upon
           no
           better
           warrant
           than
           his
           own
           Will
           and
           Pleasure
           .
           But
           to
           proceed
           to
           instance
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           
             Amphitruo
             ,
             Mercury
          
           ,
           
           after
           a
           long
           scene
           of
           gross
           Drollery
           upon
           Amphitruo
           ,
           bids
           him
           be
           gone
           ,
           and
           not
           disturb
           his
           Master's
           pleasure
           with
           his
           Wife
           .
        
         
           
             Abscede
             moneo
             ,
             molestus
             ne
             sies
             ,
             dum
             Amphitruo
             ,
          
           
             Cum
             uxore
             modo
             ex
             hostibus
             adveniens
             ,
             voluptatem
             capit
             .
          
        
         
           Upon
           this
           Amphitruo
           asks
           ,
           What
           Wife
           ?
           and
           is
           answer'd
           Alcumena
           .
           This
           does
           not
           satisfy
           his
           curiosity
           ,
           but
           he
           must
           know
           whether
           
             he
             lies
             with
             her
          
           or
           not
           ;
           and
           is
           not
           contented
           till
           he
           has
           doubl'd
           the
           Question
           ,
           and
           must
           be
           inform'd
           ,
           whether
           they
           lie
           in
           the
           same
           room
           both
           
           or
           not
           .
           Hereupon
           Mercury
           ,
           to
           cut
           the
           debate
           short
           ,
           gives
           him
           this
           plain
           answer
           .
        
         
           Corpore
           corpus
           incubat
           .
        
         
           Upon
           this
           Amphitruo
           bewails
           his
           misery
           ,
           and
           Mercury
           in
           mockery
           says
           ,
           
             
               Lucri'st
               ,
               quod
               hic
               miseriam
               deputat
               .
               Nam
               uxorem
               usurariam
            
             
               Perinde
               est
               praebere
               ,
               ac
               si
               agrum
               sterilem
               fodiendum
               loces
               .
            
          
        
         
           The
           man
           's
           a
           gainer
           by
           what
           he
           calls
           his
           misery
           .
           For
           't
           is
           as
           profitable
           to
           have
           ones
           Wife
           ,
           as
           ones
           Field
           till'd
           by
           another
           .
        
         
           At
           this
           rate
           Mercury
           drolls
           on
           ;
           
           wherein
           there
           is
           this
           remarkable
           ,
           besides
           the
           quality
           of
           the
           persons
           ,
           one
           a
           God
           ,
           t'other
           a
           Heroe
           ,
           that
           the
           words
           last
           cited
           are
           suppos'd
           to
           be
           spoken
           aside
           out
           of
           the
           hearing
           of
           Amphitruo
           ;
           and
           consequently
           are
           immediately
           address'd
           and
           peculiarly
           recommended
           to
           the
           Audience
           ,
           
           as
           containing
           something
           very
           edifying
           or
           very
           entertaining
           .
        
         
           I
           defy
           Mr
           Collier
           to
           prove
           any
           such
           licentious
           freedoms
           upon
           the
           
             English
             
             Amphitruo
          
           ,
           as
           angry
           as
           he
           is
           with
           it
           .
           But
           perhaps
           Mr
           Collier
           thinks
           the
           disguise
           of
           Sosia
           ,
           may
           excuse
           the
           ribaldry
           of
           Mercury
           .
           But
           this
           excuse
           won't
           serve
           his
           turn
           .
           For
           Mercury
           is
           under
           no
           disguise
           to
           the
           Audience
           ,
           to
           whom
           this
           last
           Speech
           is
           particularly
           address'd
           .
        
         
           But
           lest
           he
           should
           think
           Mercury
           a
           Mad
           God
           ,
           
           and
           allow
           him
           the
           liberty
           of
           Ribaldry
           ,
           let
           us
           hear
           how
           cleanly
           Iupiter
           will
           express
           himself
           .
           It
           the
           last
           Scene
           this
           Soveraign
           of
           the
           Gods
           appears
           in
           state
           ,
           owns
           his
           Quality
           and
           Intrigue
           ,
           and
           bids
           Amphitruo
           receive
           his
           Wife
           .
           For
           ,
           says
           he
           ,
           
             Mea
             vi
             subacta'st
             .
          
        
         
           Mr
           Collier
           knows
           the
           meaning
           of
           the
           word
           Subigo
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           and
           must
           strain
           as
           hard
           in
           this
           place
           ,
           as
           he
           thinks
           Lambin
           has
           done
           in
           another
           ,
           if
           he
           will
           defend
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           Asinaria
           ,
           
           the
           next
           Play
           in
           order
           ,
           affords
           besides
           the
           Scene
           betwixt
           Cleareta
           the
           Bawd
           ,
           and
           Argyrippus
           ,
           (
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           confesses
           to
           
             border
             upon
             rudeness
          
           ,
           and
           I
           think
           down-right
           Bawdy
           in
           several
           places
           )
           two
           more
           ,
           one
           betwixt
           
           
             Argyrippus
             ,
             Philenium
             ,
             Leonida
          
           ,
           and
           Libanus
           ,
           which
           is
           very
           loose
           ,
           and
           another
           ,
           which
           is
           singularly
           instructive
           ,
           between
           Argyrippus
           and
           Demaenetus
           his
           Father
           .
           
           The
           old
           man
           ,
           like
           a
           good
           Father
           ,
           purchases
           a
           Whore
           for
           his
           Son
           ,
           upon
           condition
           that
           himself
           may
           come
           in
           for
           snacks
           ,
           and
           withal
           tells
           him
           ,
           that
           it
           becomes
           a
           young
           man
           to
           be
           modest
           ,
           and
           let
           his
           Betters
           go
           before
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           provided
           a
           Mistress
           for
           him
           to
           solace
           himself
           with
           all
           the
           year
           ,
           if
           he
           could
           but
           be
           content
           ,
           to
           let
           his
           Father
           be
           his
           Taster
           .
           This
           is
           wholesom
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           season'd
           with
           such
           grave
           Morality
           ,
           no
           doubt
           very
           edifying
           .
           This
           Mr
           Collier
           finds
           no
           fault
           with
           ,
           and
           therefore
           we
           may
           very
           well
           pass
           it
           by
           ;
           since
           ,
           if
           it
           will
           bear
           the
           Test
           of
           his
           Hypothesis
           ,
           it
           will
           unquestionably
           of
           ours
           .
           Tho
           ,
           had
           this
           been
           of
           English
           growth
           ,
           it
           had
           found
           no
           favour
           ,
           but
           had
           smarted
           unmercifully
           under
           his
           discipline
           .
        
         
           One
           thing
           't
           is
           necessary
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           before
           we
           go
           any
           further
           ,
           
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           whether
           Plautus's
           Lovers
           talk
           Love
           ,
           or
           not
           ,
           they
           act
           it
           very
           plainly
           and
           vigorously
           before
           Folks
           ,
           
           where-ever
           they
           come
           together
           .
           
           An
           instance
           of
           this
           kind
           we
           have
           in
           the
           Curculio
           at
           the
           meeting
           of
           Phaedromus
           ,
           and
           Planesium
           ,
           (
           who
           by
           the
           by
           is
           suppos'd
           to
           be
           a
           modest
           Virgin
           )
           .
           At
           their
           purchas'd
           opportunity
           of
           coming
           together
           ,
           they
           are
           so
           active
           and
           boisterous
           ,
           that
           Palinurus
           the
           Slave
           stands
           amaz'd
           ,
           and
           cries
           out
           ,
           
             
               —
               uterque
               insaniunt
               .
            
             
               Viden
               '
               ut
               misere
               moliuntur
               ,
               nequen
               nt
               complecti
               satis
               .
            
          
        
         
           These
           words
           are
           more
           expressive
           of
           Action
           than
           Passion
           ,
           though
           indeed
           they
           imply
           both
           .
           Planesium
           ,
           to
           mend
           the
           matter
           ,
           expresses
           her
           discontent
           ,
           that
           the
           Servant
           did
           not
           withdraw
           ,
           but
           staid
           to
           be
           a
           check
           upon
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           Iam
           huic
           voluptati
           hoc
           adjunctum
           odium
           est
           .
        
         
           The
           Servant
           replies
           with
           indignation
           ,
           and
           reprimands
           his
           Master
           for
           behaving
           himself
           so
           immodestly
           ,
           
             —
             Ut
             immodestis
             hic
             te
             moderere
             moribus
          
        
         
         
           I
           mention
           this
           only
           to
           shew
           how
           
           much
           even
           the
           modest
           Virgins
           of
           the
           Antient
           Stage
           valued
           an
           opportunity
           .
           This
           ,
           according
           to
           Mr
           
             Collier's
             Hypothesis
          
           ,
           would
           have
           been
           a
           Capital
           misdemeanour
           upon
           the
           English
           Stage
           ,
           whatever
           it
           was
           upon
           the
           Roman
           .
           Many
           more
           instances
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           and
           more
           plain
           ones
           might
           be
           produc'd
           ,
           but
           I
           have
           not
           room
           for
           'em
           here
           .
           However
           ,
           this
           may
           serve
           to
           shew
           what
           sort
           of
           Nun's
           Flesh
           Mr
           Collier
           wou'd
           be
           at
           ,
           when
           he
           makes
           Vestals
           of
           such
           Lasses
           as
           this
           .
        
         
           Mr
           Collier
           is
           so
           very
           fond
           of
           the
           Sobriety
           of
           Plautus's
           Plays
           ,
           
           that
           he
           defends
           even
           then
           Conduct
           of
           the
           Pandars
           and
           Slaves
           ,
           and
           maintains
           ,
           that
           they
           don't
           misbehave
           themselves
           before
           Women
           .
           He
           is
           sure
           at
           least
           ,
           that
           
             there
             are
             but
             four
             instances
          
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           
           
             as
             he
             remembers
             ,
             Olympio
             ,
             Palaestrio
             ,
             Stratilax
          
           and
           
             Dordalus
             are
             the
             persons
             .
             And
             the
             Women
             they
             discourse
             with
             ,
             are
             two
             of
             them
             Slaves
             ,
             and
             the
             third
             a
             Wench
             .
          
        
         
           I
           'm
           sorry
           Mr
           Collier's
           memory
           is
           so
           bad
           ,
           
           when
           he
           has
           so
           much
           occasion
           for
           a
           better
           .
           He
           takes
           notice
           of
           but
           three
           Women
           thus
           freely
           dealt
           with
           ,
           two
           
           whereof
           ,
           as
           he
           tells
           us
           by
           way
           of
           mitigation
           of
           damages
           ,
           were
           Slaves
           ,
           and
           the
           third
           a
           Wench
           .
           From
           whence
           he
           seems
           to
           infer
           ,
           that
           before
           Women
           of
           Modesty
           and
           Condition
           ,
           these
           Slaves
           and
           Pandars
           were
           more
           cautious
           and
           reserv'd
           in
           their
           Language
           .
           But
           Olympio
           ,
           whom
           he
           has
           subpaena'd
           as
           an
           Evidence
           for
           himself
           ,
           will
           tell
           him
           otherwise
           .
           The
           persons
           he
           plays
           
             his
             Gambols
             before
          
           ,
           are
           Cleostrata
           and
           Murrhina
           ,
           two
           principal
           Citizens
           Wives
           ,
           Matrons
           of
           as
           great
           Quality
           and
           Virtue
           as
           any
           ,
           that
           e're
           trod
           the
           Roman
           Stage
           in
           
             Comedy
             ;
             Alcumena
          
           excepted
           .
           These
           Matrons
           had
           shamm'd
           him
           with
           a
           man
           in
           woman's
           Cloaths
           for
           a
           Bride
           ,
           and
           big
           with
           the
           expectation
           of
           the
           Issue
           of
           their
           jest
           ,
           fell
           to
           catechizing
           him
           about
           the
           business
           .
           The
           Clown
           ,
           without
           regard
           to
           their
           Quality
           ,
           which
           was
           the
           more
           considerable
           in
           Cleostrata
           ,
           because
           she
           was
           his
           proper
           Mistress
           ,
           and
           might
           severely
           chastise
           any
           rudeness
           ,
           yet
           the
           Clown
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           makes
           a
           very
           rank
           description
           ,
           and
           what
           's
           worse
           ,
           the
           women
           were
           pleased
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           urge
           and
           prompt
           him
           forward
           .
        
         
           
           
             Ol.
             —
             illa
             haud
             verbum
             facit
             ,
             
             &
             sepit
             veste
             ,
             id
             qui
             estis
             ,
          
           
             Ubi
             illum
             saltum
             video
             obseptum
             ,
             rogo
             ,
             ut
             altero
             sinat
             adire
             .
          
           
             Enim
             jam
             magis
             jam
             appropero
             ,
             magis
             jam
             lubet
             in
             Casinam
             irruere
             .
             —
          
        
         
           This
           ,
           instead
           of
           rebating
           the
           edge
           of
           his
           Mistresses
           Appetite
           ,
           inflames
           her
           curiosity
           yet
           more
           ;
           she
           's
           impatient
           till
           he
           proceeds
           .
        
         
           
             Cl.
             Perdis
             ,
             quin
             pergis
             .
          
           
             Cl.
             —
             continuo
             stricto
             gladio
             :
             atat
             babae
             papae
             .
             Cl.
             Quid
             papae
             .
          
           
             Ol.
             —
             Gladium
             ne
             haberet
             metui
             ,
             id
             quaerere
             occaepi
          
           
             Dum
             gladium
             ne
             habeat
             quaero
             ,
             arripio
             capulum
             ,
          
           
             Sed
             quem
             cogito
             non
             habuit
             gladium
             ,
             nam
             id
             esset
             Frigidius
             .
          
        
         
           Here
           the
           Booby
           began
           to
           mince
           the
           matter
           ;
           and
           his
           Mistress
           ,
           that
           lov'd
           plain-dealing
           ,
           corrects
           him
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           bids
           him
           speak
           out
           ,
           but
           he
           is
           asham'd
           ,
           he
           says
           ,
        
         
           Cl.
           Eloquere
           .
           Ol.
           At
           pudet
           .
        
         
         
           The
           Slave
           however
           has
           some
           grace
           .
           His
           Mistress
           can't
           be
           satisfy'd
           so
           ,
           she
           's
           for
           every
           thing
           in
           as
           proper
           terms
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           was
           giving
           evidence
           in
           a
           Court
           of
           Record
           .
           But
           not
           prevailing
           that
           way
           ,
           she
           prompts
           and
           pumps
           him
           with
           Interrogatories
           as
           loosely
           as
           a
           waggish
           Councel
           at
           a
           Bawdy
           Tryal
           .
        
         
           Cl.
           Nam
           radix
           fuit
           ?
           Num
           cucumis
           ?
        
         
           The
           Woman
           ,
           't
           is
           plain
           ,
           had
           a
           true
           apprehension
           of
           the
           matter
           ,
           but
           she
           did
           not
           like
           his
           clownish
           Bashfulness
           .
           Still
           the
           fellow
           boggles
           at
           naked
           Imagery
           ;
           however
           he
           improves
           ,
           and
           comes
           on
           apace
           .
        
         
           
             Ol.
             Profecto
             non
             fuit
             quicquam
             olerum
          
           
             Nisi
             quicquid
             erat
             ,
             calamitas
             profecto
             attigerat
             nunquam
             :
          
           
             Ita
             quicquid
             erat
             ,
             grande
             erat
             .
          
           
             Volo
             ,
             ut
             obvortat
             cubitissim
             ,
          
           
             Verbum
             ullum
             mutit
             ,
          
           
             Surgo
             ut
             ineam
             .
          
        
         
           If
           we
           measure
           the
           Conversation
           of
           Plautus's
           Ladies
           of
           Quality
           by
           this
           Standard
           ,
           the
           Ladies
           of
           our
           Stage
           ,
           taking
           
           even
           the
           loosest
           ,
           need
           not
           be
           asham'd
           of
           their
           Breeding
           .
           Nay
           ,
           they
           wou'd
           blush
           for
           their
           company
           if
           they
           were
           brought
           together
           .
        
         
           But
           Cleostrata
           and
           Murrhina
           are
           not
           singular
           .
           
           In
           the
           
             Asinaria
             ,
             Artemona
          
           ,
           upon
           the
           discovery
           of
           her
           Husbands
           intrigue
           ,
           reflects
           upon
           his
           Failings
           towards
           her
           ,
           and
           makes
           a
           very
           odd
           discovery
           of
           her
           own
           wants
           .
        
         
           
             Art.
             —
             Ego
             censeo
          
           
             Eum
             etiam
             hominem
             Senatui
             dare
             operam
             ,
             aut
             Clientibus
          
           
             Ibi
             labore
             delassatum
             noctem
             totam
             stertere
             .
          
           
             Ille
             opere
             foris
             faciundo
             lassus
             noctu
             advenit
             .
          
           
             Fundum
             alienum
             arat
             ,
             incultum
             familiarem
             deserit
             .
          
        
         
           He
           was
           (
           
             says
             she
          
           )
           so
           taken
           up
           with
           tilling
           another's
           ground
           ,
           that
           he
           let
           his
           own
           lye
           fallow
           .
        
         
           This
           frankness
           of
           the
           Lady's
           complaint
           gave
           the
           Slave
           her
           Informer
           the
           boldness
           to
           put
           a
           very
           homely
           question
           to
           her
           .
        
         
           
           
             Possis
             si
             forte
             accubantem
             tuum
             virum
             conspecteris
          
           
             Cum
             corona
             amplexum
             amicam
             ,
             si
             videas
             cognoscere
             ?
          
        
         
           Cou'd
           you
           know
           your
           Husband
           ,
           if
           you
           shou'd
           see
           him
           and
           his
           Mistress
           in
           a
           posture
           that
           wou'd
           not
           shew
           his
           Face
           .
        
         
           This
           passage
           (
           to
           use
           a
           Phrase
           of
           Mr
           Collier's
           )
           I
           have
           translated
           softly
           ,
           but
           very
           fairly
           .
           Yet
           even
           thus
           the
           Image
           ,
           which
           in
           the
           Original
           is
           express'd
           in
           the
           proper
           vulgar
           terms
           ,
           appears
           too
           gross
           and
           plain
           ,
           and
           is
           such
           as
           wou'd
           not
           be
           endur'd
           upon
           our
           Stage
           ,
           as
           lewd
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           thinks
           that
           and
           the
           Age.
           
        
         
           However
           ,
           
           
             The
             Men
             who
             talk
             intemperately
             are
             generally
             Slaves
             ,
          
           says
           Mr
           Collier
           ;
           and
           he
           can't
           find
           any
           Gentleman
           guilty
           of
           an
           indecent
           expression
           ,
           except
           Lusiteles
           ,
           who
           is
           once
           
             over
             airy
          
           .
           I
           shall
           help
           him
           to
           another
           ,
           out
           of
           a
           great
           number
           ,
           that
           are
           ready
           upon
           demand
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           more
           authentick
           ,
           because
           it
           comes
           from
           a
           grave
           old
           Gentleman
           in
           no
           very
           airy
           mood
           ,
           but
           while
           
           he
           is
           correcting
           another
           for
           his
           Lewd
           ness
           and
           Debauchery
           .
           In
           the
           
             Miles
             Gloriosus
             ,
             Periplectomenes
          
           asks
           Pyrgopolinices
           the
           Souldier
           ,
           
             Cur
             es
             ausus
             subagitare
             alienam
             uxorem
             ,
             
             impudens
             ?
          
        
         
           The
           Gravity
           of
           the
           man
           here
           makes
           the
           grossness
           of
           the
           Expression
           the
           more
           remarkable
           .
           After
           these
           instances
           I
           hope
           Mr
           Collier
           may
           upon
           second
           thoughts
           have
           a
           better
           opinion
           of
           the
           Gentlemen
           and
           Ladies
           of
           our
           Stage
           ,
           than
           heretofore
           ,
           at
           least
           that
           he
           will
           do
           'em
           more
           Justice
           in
           his
           next
           Parallel
           .
        
         
           But
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           one
           hold
           to
           retreat
           to
           yet
           ,
           
           from
           whence
           he
           must
           be
           driven
           before
           we
           part
           .
           Plautus
           his
           Prologues
           and
           Epilogues
           
             are
             inoffensive
          
           .
           If
           this
           can
           be
           maintain'd
           ,
           he
           has
           gain'd
           a
           great
           point
           ;
           
           but
           here
           ,
           as
           in
           other
           places
           ,
           he
           triumphs
           before
           Victory
           .
           The
           Prologue
           and
           Epilogue
           are
           properly
           the
           Speeches
           of
           the
           Poet
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           in
           them
           ,
           if
           any
           where
           ,
           that
           we
           discover
           the
           Morals
           of
           a
           
             Comick
             Poet.
             Lambin
          
           finds
           a
           double
           entendre
           in
           the
           Prologue
           to
           the
           Paenulus
           ;
           Mr
           
             Collier
             thinks
             there
             is
             a
             strain
             in
             the
             
             construction
             .
          
           I
           must
           own
           my self
           of
           Lambin's
           opinion
           ;
           but
           ,
           since
           Mr
           Collier
           does
           not
           here
           deliver
           himself
           after
           his
           usual
           dogmatical
           way
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           insist
           upon
           this
           passage
           ,
           but
           proceed
           to
           instances
           ,
           which
           no
           violence
           of
           Construction
           can
           wrest
           to
           a
           wrong
           sense
           .
        
         
           Here
           let
           us
           return
           to
           the
           Casina
           ,
           
           to
           which
           the
           Poet
           gives
           a
           very
           smutty
           conclusion
           ,
           and
           a
           more
           smutty
           
             Epilogue
             .
             Grex
          
           ,
           that
           speaks
           the
           Epilogue
           ,
           advises
           the
           Audience
           to
           
             clap
             lustily
             and
             give
             the
             Poet
             his
             due
             ,
             and
             to
             those
             that
             did
             it
             ,
             he
             wishes
             as
             many
             Whores
             as
             they
             pleased
             ,
             unknown
             to
             their
             Wives
             ;
             but
             to
             those
             that
             did
             not
             clap
             ,
             he
             wishes
             a
             He-Goat
             besmear'd
             with
             the
             Filth
             of
             a
             Ship
             for
             a
             Concubine
             .
          
        
         
           
             Nunc
             nos
             aequum
             est
             ,
             manibus
             meritis
             meritam
             mercedem
             daffre
             ,
          
           
             Qui
             faxit
             ,
             clam
             uxorem
             ducat
             scortum
             semper
             quod
             volet
             .
          
           
             Verum
             qui
             non
             manibus
             clare
             ,
             quantum
             poterit
             ,
             pluserit
             ,
          
           
             Ei
             pro
             scorto
             suppon●tur
             hircus
             unctus
             nautea
             .
          
        
         
         
           Here
           we
           have
           a
           Sample
           of
           the
           
           Poet's
           Morals
           ,
           
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           warranted
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           already
           seen
           .
           In
           the
           Epilogue
           to
           the
           Asinaria
           ,
           if
           we
           may
           take
           
           Plautus's
           word
           ,
           we
           may
           have
           a
           Taste
           of
           the
           Manners
           of
           his
           Age
           and
           Country
           ,
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           is
           likewise
           very
           fond
           of
           .
           From
           both
           which
           put
           together
           ,
           we
           may
           give
           a
           reasonable
           guess
           at
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           own
           Palate
           in
           such
           matters
           .
           
             Demaenetus
             his
             Wife
          
           had
           caught
           him
           in
           a
           Bawdy-house
           ,
           whoring
           in
           his
           Son's
           company
           ,
           and
           rated
           him
           home
           ,
           which
           concludes
           the
           Action
           of
           the
           Play.
           Hereupon
           Grex
           by
           way
           of
           application
           thus
           accosts
           the
           Audience
           .
        
         
           
             Hic
             senex
             siquid
             clam
             uxorem
             suo
             animo
             fecit
             volupe
             ,
          
           
             Neque
             novum
             ,
             neque
             mirum
             fecit
             ,
             nec
             secus
             quam
             alii
             solent
             ,
          
           
             Nec
             quisqua
             st
             tam
             ingenio
             duro
             ,
             nec
             tam
             firmo
             pectore
          
           
             Quin
             ubi
             quicquam
             occasionis
             sit
             ,
             sibi
             faciat
             bene
             .
          
        
         
           Here
           the
           Poet
           justifies
           Whoring
           ,
           even
           in
           an
           old
           married
           man
           ,
           and
           pleads
           the
           common
           practice
           in
           defence
           of
           it
           .
           He
           
           thinks
           no
           man
           can
           withstand
           a
           fair
           temptation
           
             to
             do
             himself
             good
          
           .
           For
           with
           that
           Phrase
           ,
           he
           sweetens
           the
           business
           and
           qualifies
           the
           offence
           .
        
         
           Let
           Mr
           Collier
           compare
           these
           two
           Epilogues
           with
           those
           English
           ones
           to
           which
           he
           refers
           ,
           and
           then
           condemn
           them
           ,
           and
           absolve
           these
           if
           he
           can
           .
           Nay
           ,
           even
           the
           Play
           of
           which
           Plautus
           himself
           makes
           his
           boast
           ,
           
           
             That
             't
             was
             written
             up
             to
             the
             strictest
             rules
             of
             Chastity
             ;
             that
             few
             such
             Comedies
             were
             to
             be
             found
             ,
             by
             which
             those
             that
             were
             already
             good
             ,
             might
             be
             made
             better
             ,
          
           has
           a
           very
           broad
           touch
           of
           Smut
           in
           the
           Epilogue
           ,
           even
           at
           the
           time
           he
           is
           valuing
           himself
           upon
           his
           Modesty
           ,
           
             
               Spectatores
               ,
               
               ad
               pudicos
               mores
               facta
               haec
               fabula
               est
               .
            
             
               Neque
               in
               hac
               subagitationes
               sunt
               —
            
             
               Hujusmodi
               paucas
               Poetae
               reperiunt
               Comaedias
               ,
            
             
               Vbi
               boni
               meliores
               fiant
               —
            
          
        
         
           Such
           Instances
           as
           these
           crowd
           themselves
           so
           upon
           us
           almost
           every
           where
           in
           Plautus
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           hard
           to
           pass
           'em
           over
           ,
           and
           endless
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           '
           em
           .
           But
           
           having
           already
           far
           transgressed
           the
           intended
           limits
           of
           this
           discourse
           ,
           I
           shall
           trespass
           no
           farther
           upon
           the
           Reader
           's
           patience
           on
           this
           head
           .
        
         
           His
           next
           complaint
           is
           
             the
             abuse
             of
             the
             Clergy
          
           .
           
           Were
           this
           complaint
           justly
           grounded
           ,
           it
           would
           merit
           not
           only
           his
           ,
           but
           all
           honest
           men's
           Indignation
           ,
           and
           Resentments
           .
           But
           this
           Charge
           does
           not
           seem
           to
           be
           sufficiently
           made
           out
           .
           For
           't
           is
           raised
           upon
           a
           very
           weak
           foundation
           ,
           a
           mistaken
           Notion
           ,
           that
           Priests
           above
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           are
           by
           priviledge
           exempted
           from
           having
           their
           faults
           taken
           notice
           of
           this
           way
           ;
           His
           reason
           for
           this
           shall
           be
           consider'd
           by
           and
           by
           .
           I
           suppose
           ,
           if
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           Band
           hung
           awry
           ,
           or
           his
           Face
           was
           dirty
           ,
           he
           would
           use
           the
           assistance
           of
           a
           Glass
           to
           make
           all
           right
           and
           clean
           .
           Why
           then
           does
           he
           reject
           the
           use
           of
           that
           which
           might
           do
           the
           same
           office
           for
           his
           mind
           ,
           and
           help
           him
           to
           correct
           the
           follies
           and
           management
           of
           his
           Life
           ?
           The
           case
           is
           plain
           ,
           he
           is
           blind
           to
           his
           own
           Faults
           ,
           and
           mad
           that
           any
           one
           else
           should
           see
           '
           em
           .
           This
           makes
           him
           call
           the
           shewing
           any
           of
           their
           failings
           ,
           exposing
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           as
           if
           thereby
           only
           
           they
           became
           publick
           ,
           not
           considering
           that
           the
           Glass
           shews
           our
           Faults
           to
           our selves
           only
           ;
           other
           people
           can
           see
           'em
           as
           plainly
           and
           as
           readily
           without
           its
           help
           .
           But
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           who
           takes
           every
           thing
           by
           the
           wrong
           handle
           ,
           looks
           upon
           a
           correction
           as
           a
           reproach
           ,
           and
           had
           rather
           a
           Fault
           should
           pass
           unmended
           ,
           than
           be
           taken
           notice
           of
           .
           But
           because
           he
           pleads
           a
           peculiar
           Charter
           for
           the
           exemption
           of
           the
           Priesthood
           ,
           let
           us
           see
           how
           he
           makes
           out
           his
           Title
           .
           The
           Considerations
           ,
           upon
           which
           he
           founds
           it
           ,
           are
           three
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Because
           of
           their
           Relation
           to
           the
           Deity
           .
        
         
           This
           
             Relation
             to
             the
             Deity
          
           he
           swells
           to
           a
           monstrous
           size
           ,
           
           and
           blows
           himself
           presumptuously
           up
           in
           his
           own
           conceit
           ,
           to
           a
           Condition
           something
           above
           mortal
           .
           He
           pretends
           to
           no
           less
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           one
           of
           the
           
             Principal
             Ministers
             of
             Gods
             Kingdom
          
           ,
           
           to
           
             represent
             his
             Person
          
           ,
           to
           
             publish
             his
             Laws
             ,
             Pass
             his
             Pardons
             ,
             and
             Preside
             in
             his
             Worship
             .
          
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           Pride
           has
           here
           hurried
           him
           into
           prodigious
           Insolence
           and
           Folly.
           To
           raise
           his
           own
           Character
           ,
           he
           has
           made
           a
           Pope
           of
           every
           individual
           Priest
           ,
           and
           given
           
           that
           to
           the
           meanest
           of
           'em
           ,
           which
           the
           most
           Orthodox
           part
           of
           the
           Christian
           World
           deny
           to
           the
           pretended
           Successor
           of
           St
           Peter
           ?
           Is
           not
           the
           whole
           world
           God's
           Kingdom
           ?
           What
           then
           ,
           are
           its
           Kings
           ,
           Princes
           ,
           and
           Rulers
           ,
           if
           every
           Priest
           be
           before
           'em
           in
           Authority
           ?
           Mr
           Collier
           ,
           I
           believe
           ,
           is
           the
           first
           bold
           Mortal
           ,
           that
           ever
           pretended
           to
           represent
           the
           person
           of
           God
           Almighty
           seriously
           .
           This
           to
           me
           sounds
           more
           like
           Blasphemy
           ,
           than
           any
           thing
           in
           the
           most
           profane
           Poet.
           The
           Pope
           indeed
           presumes
           to
           stile
           himself
           
           Christ's
           Vicar
           general
           ,
           but
           he
           does
           not
           presume
           to
           be
           the
           Representative
           of
           his
           Person
           .
           As
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           assum'd
           a
           higher
           Title
           ,
           so
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           he
           expects
           more
           reverence
           .
           'T
           is
           strange
           that
           Enthusiasm
           should
           shoot
           to
           such
           a
           heighth
           in
           our
           cold
           Climate
           ,
           which
           it
           scarce
           ever
           reach'd
           in
           Rome
           its
           Native
           Place
           .
           But
           Mr
           Collier
           keeps
           a
           hot
           Bed
           ,
           where
           he
           forces
           up
           violent
           Notions
           ,
           in
           spight
           of
           the
           opposition
           of
           an
           unnatural
           Soil
           and
           Season
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           should
           be
           glad
           to
           know
           ,
           
           wherein
           this
           personal
           Representation
           consists
           .
           Does
           he
           pretend
           ,
           like
           the
           Pope
           ,
           to
           possess
           
           any
           of
           the
           Divine
           Attributes
           ?
           Infallibility
           ,
           even
           of
           the
           Church
           itself
           ,
           has
           been
           long
           since
           justly
           exploded
           by
           all
           sober
           Christians
           ,
           that
           know
           ,
           and
           dare
           to
           use
           their
           Reason
           in
           the
           guidance
           of
           their
           Consciences
           .
           And
           the
           Pope
           himself
           in
           the
           heighth
           of
           his
           Pride
           and
           Usurpation
           ,
           never
           pretended
           to
           more
           .
           But
           in
           what
           does
           this
           vain
           Creature
           resemble
           his
           Creator
           ?
           Can
           a
           groveling
           Mortal
           sustain
           the
           Majesty
           and
           Figure
           of
           Omnipotence
           .
        
         
           If
           notwithstanding
           all
           these
           Magnificent
           expressions
           of
           himself
           ,
           
           and
           his
           order
           ,
           Mr
           Collier
           means
           no
           more
           ,
           than
           than
           that
           a
           Priest
           derives
           a
           subordinate
           Authority
           from
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           exercise
           his
           Function
           in
           Spiritual
           matters
           conformably
           to
           her
           directions
           ,
           then
           all
           this
           insolent
           profane
           Bombast
           dwindles
           to
           nothing
           .
           For
           tho
           a
           very
           great
           power
           and
           trust
           is
           repos'd
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           yet
           I
           don't
           find
           ,
           that
           this
           Power
           was
           ever
           lodg'd
           entire
           with
           the
           Priest
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           single
           person
           whatsoever
           .
           And
           therefore
           Mr
           Collier
           grasps
           at
           too
           much
           ,
           when
           he
           claims
           the
           same
           respect
           ,
           and
           deference
           for
           every
           Priest
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           or
           ought
           to
           be
           paid
           to
           the
           
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           Governours
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           Mr
           Collier
           finds
           ,
           
           that
           St.
           Paul
           calls
           himself
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           
             Apostles
             the
             Ambassadors
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           and
           thinks
           himself
           thereby
           sufficiently
           warranted
           to
           take
           upon
           him
           to
           represent
           the
           
             person
             of
             God.
          
           The
           word
           which
           St
           Paul
           employs
           ,
           2
           Cor.
           5.
           20.
           is
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           which
           signifies
           to
           come
           by
           commission
           from
           another
           ,
           and
           consequently
           may
           probably
           enough
           be
           render'd
           ,
           
             We
             are
             the
             Embassadors
          
           ,
           tho
           it
           does
           not
           always
           import
           so
           much
           .
           Mr
           Collier
           lays
           hold
           of
           the
           word
           Embassadour
           ,
           and
           fancies
           himself
           in
           the
           highest
           ,
           and
           most
           honourable
           post
           that
           can
           be
           ,
           under
           God
           Almighty
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           
             to
             represent
             his
             Person
             ,
             to
             publish
             his
             Laws
             ,
             Pass
             his
             Pardons
             ,
             and
             Preside
             in
             his
             Worship
             .
          
           All
           this
           indeed
           ,
           except
           the
           
             Personal
             Representation
          
           ,
           was
           the
           Office
           of
           St
           Paul
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Apostles
           .
           But
           without
           affronting
           ,
           or
           lessening
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           I
           think
           I
           may
           lawfully
           question
           whether
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           Commission
           be
           of
           equal
           Extent
           or
           Validity
           with
           theirs
           .
           They
           were
           call'd
           to
           the
           Ministry
           immediately
           by
           God
           himself
           ,
           endued
           with
           supernatural
           and
           miraculous
           
           Faculties
           ,
           and
           Powers
           both
           of
           Discerning
           ,
           and
           Operation
           by
           Inspiration
           from
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           himself
           .
           They
           were
           to
           plant
           in
           the
           World
           a
           new
           Faith
           ,
           which
           had
           not
           yet
           been
           heard
           of
           ,
           except
           in
           a
           very
           small
           part
           of
           the
           world
           .
           Their
           Doctrines
           were
           reveal'd
           immediately
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           had
           no
           other
           Evidence
           than
           their
           own
           Affirmation
           ,
           and
           the
           Works
           that
           they
           did
           ,
           to
           back
           and
           confirm
           what
           they
           taught
           .
           They
           had
           occasion
           for
           a
           Spirit
           more
           than
           naturally
           discerning
           to
           be
           assur'd
           of
           the
           sincerity
           of
           their
           Converts
           ,
           and
           for
           a
           Commission
           and
           Power
           extraordinary
           ,
           to
           remit
           the
           sins
           of
           those
           that
           they
           found
           to
           be
           true
           Penitents
           ,
           and
           to
           support
           themselves
           and
           their
           Proselytes
           against
           the
           Oppressions
           of
           the
           Civil
           Power
           .
        
         
           These
           circumstances
           ,
           
           as
           I
           take
           it
           ,
           make
           a
           very
           wide
           difference
           between
           the
           Ministry
           ,
           and
           Commission
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           immediate
           Disciples
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           the
           Christian
           Ministry
           at
           this
           time
           .
           For
           first
           ,
           They
           have
           now
           no
           immediate
           call
           to
           the
           Ministry
           ,
           whatever
           some
           Enthusiastick
           or
           Knavish
           Sectaries
           may
           pretend
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           They
           have
           no
           natural
           Gifts
           above
           other
           men
           ,
           
           to
           warrant
           a
           Pretence
           to
           an
           extraordinary
           Mission
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           They
           have
           now
           no
           peculiar
           Revelation
           ,
           nor
           any
           other
           Rule
           of
           Faith
           ,
           or
           Source
           of
           Doctrine
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           common
           to
           all
           mankind
           with
           them
           .
           The
           Scriptures
           lie
           open
           for
           all
           that
           will
           look
           into
           'em
           ,
           and
           our
           Clergy
           pretend
           to
           no
           supernatural
           Gift
           of
           Exposition
           above
           the
           Laity
           ,
           and
           consequently
           can
           offer
           no
           new
           matter
           of
           Faith.
           Fourthly
           ,
           They
           pretend
           to
           no
           Spirit
           of
           Discerning
           above
           the
           condition
           of
           meer
           humanity
           to
           enable
           'em
           to
           see
           into
           mens
           hearts
           ,
           and
           judge
           of
           the
           sincerity
           of
           their
           repentance
           ,
           and
           consequently
           must
           dispose
           of
           Pardons
           blindfold
           ,
           if
           they
           exercise
           any
           such
           power
           ,
           otherwise
           than
           conditional
           ,
           and
           upon
           the
           terms
           express'd
           in
           Scripture
           .
           But
           the
           pronouncing
           an
           Absolution
           on
           those
           terms
           ,
           is
           not
           passing
           a
           Pardon
           ,
           any
           more
           than
           allowing
           the
           benefit
           of
           the
           Clergy
           to
           a
           Malefactor
           in
           a
           Court
           of
           Judicature
           is
           an
           act
           of
           Grace
           in
           the
           Bench.
           Lastly
           ,
           Since
           the
           World
           became
           Christian
           ,
           those
           extraordinary
           Commissions
           ,
           which
           the
           Apostles
           and
           Primitive
           Christians
           had
           ,
           ceas'd
           with
           the
           reasons
           of
           '
           em
           .
           For
           when
           the
           
           Princes
           and
           Rulers
           of
           the
           World
           became
           the
           Proselytes
           and
           Protectors
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           there
           was
           no
           further
           occasion
           to
           propagate
           the
           Gospel
           by
           extraordinary
           methods
           ,
           which
           had
           the
           Civil
           Power
           on
           its
           side
           .
           By
           this
           means
           the
           care
           of
           the
           Church
           devolv'd
           upon
           the
           State
           ,
           and
           the
           Priesthood
           became
           subordinate
           to
           it
           .
           For
           tho
           no
           State
           or
           Prince
           can
           make
           any
           thing
           a
           Rule
           of
           Faith
           ,
           which
           was
           not
           so
           before
           in
           its
           Nature
           ,
           or
           by
           some
           higher
           obligation
           ,
           yet
           in
           matters
           of
           Practice
           in
           things
           indifferent
           towards
           which
           the
           Scriptures
           leave
           us
           at
           liberty
           ,
           they
           have
           in
           all
           Countries
           (
           not
           under
           the
           usurpation
           of
           the
           Pope
           )
           asserted
           their
           Authority
           by
           ordering
           and
           directing
           the
           Forms
           and
           Models
           of
           Church
           Government
           ,
           and
           appointing
           the
           Persons
           of
           the
           Governours
           ,
           who
           are
           therefore
           undoubtedly
           subordinate
           to
           those
           ,
           by
           whose
           Authority
           they
           govern
           .
        
         
           From
           these
           differences
           't
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           the
           Ministry
           at
           present
           stands
           upon
           quite
           another
           foot
           ,
           than
           it
           did
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ;
           and
           that
           Mr
           Collier
           challenges
           a
           relation
           to
           the
           Deity
           which
           he
           has
           not
           ,
           and
           in
           right
           of
           that
           
           a
           greater
           Reverence
           and
           respect
           than
           is
           due
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           His
           second
           consideration
           is
           ,
           
           
             The
             Importance
             of
             their
             Office.
          
           What
           that
           is
           ,
           has
           been
           in
           great
           measure
           laid
           down
           in
           the
           preceding
           Article
           .
           How
           far
           they
           are
           concerned
           in
           publishing
           Gods
           Laws
           ,
           and
           passing
           his
           Pardons
           has
           been
           already
           examin'd
           .
           There
           was
           indeed
           a
           time
           ,
           when
           the
           Priests
           had
           a
           Monopoly
           of
           Faith
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           retail'd
           out
           Articles
           and
           Indulgences
           to
           the
           Laity
           ,
           who
           repair'd
           to
           the
           Bank
           of
           Implicit
           Faith
           and
           Merit
           for
           as
           much
           as
           their
           occasions
           requir'd
           .
           But
           the
           weakness
           of
           their
           Fund
           being
           discover'd
           ,
           that
           Bank
           is
           broke
           long
           since
           in
           England
           .
           and
           the
           Laity
           have
           taken
           their
           Consciences
           into
           their
           own
           Custody
           again
           ,
           to
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           great
           Disappointment
           .
           However
           they
           preside
           (
           he
           says
           )
           in
           the
           Worship
           of
           God.
           If
           he
           means
           by
           presiding
           ,
           Officiating
           ,
           he
           presides
           over
           his
           congregation
           ,
           as
           a
           Clerk
           in
           Parliament
           presides
           over
           the
           House
           ,
           because
           he
           reads
           the
           Bills
           ,
           Petitions
           ,
           &c.
           to
           '
           em
           .
           That
           to
           officiate
           in
           the
           House
           of
           God
           is
           an
           Employment
           of
           great
           Importance
           and
           honour
           ,
           I
           shall
           readily
           grant
           .
           And
           as
           
           they
           that
           perform
           their
           duty
           in
           that
           station
           conscientiously
           and
           well
           deserve
           all
           due
           respect
           and
           honour
           ;
           so
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           those
           that
           prostitute
           their
           Character
           to
           base
           ends
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           Cassock
           a
           Cover
           for
           
             Pride
             ,
             Ambition
             ,
             Avarice
             ,
             Hypocrisie
             ,
             Knavery
             ,
          
           or
           Folly
           ,
           deserve
           to
           be
           corrected
           ,
           and
           expos'd
           to
           the
           Publick
           .
           The
           importance
           of
           the
           Office
           ,
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           pleads
           in
           bar
           to
           any
           Lay
           Censure
           upon
           'em
           ,
           is
           a
           strong
           Argument
           for
           it
           .
           For
           in
           proportion
           to
           the
           weight
           of
           the
           trust
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           the
           check
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
           There
           may
           be
           many
           Faults
           amongst
           the
           inferiour
           Clergy
           ,
           
           which
           escape
           the
           notice
           ,
           or
           do
           not
           fall
           properly
           under
           the
           cognizance
           of
           the
           Ordinary
           ,
           which
           't
           is
           convenient
           shou'd
           be
           amended
           ,
           for
           the
           reputation
           of
           the
           Order
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           of
           the
           Offenders
           themselves
           .
           Mr
           Collier
           thinks
           otherwise
           ,
           he
           owns
           that
           they
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           seen
           ,
           but
           he
           would
           have
           the
           People's
           Eyes
           put
           out
           ,
           rather
           than
           the
           Offence
           remov'd
           .
           A
           Blot's
           no
           Blot
           till
           't
           is
           hit
           ;
           so
           the
           reputation
           of
           the
           Clergy
           be
           safe
           ,
           't
           is
           no
           matter
           for
           their
           Manners
           ;
           for
           the
           Sin
           lies
           in
           the
           Scandal
           .
           Else
           why
           is
           he
           so
           angry
           with
           the
           Poets
           ,
           
           for
           taking
           notice
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           such
           a
           thing
           now
           and
           then
           to
           be
           seen
           in
           the
           world
           as
           a
           Faulty
           Clergy-man
           ?
           The
           Order
           does
           not
           pretend
           to
           be
           any
           more
           exempt
           from
           failings
           ,
           than
           other
           men
           .
           Then
           where
           's
           the
           Offence
           in
           shewing
           what
           those
           Frailties
           are
           ,
           to
           which
           they
           lie
           most
           expos'd
           ?
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           this
           can't
           be
           done
           in
           the
           Dramatick
           way
           ,
           without
           the
           appearance
           of
           the
           Offender
           by
           his
           Proxy
           ;
           which
           stirs
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           Blood
           ,
           who
           would
           have
           the
           Laity
           believe
           'em
           absolutely
           without
           Fault
           .
           'T
           were
           well
           if
           they
           were
           so
           indeed
           ,
           but
           since
           they
           are
           not
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           not
           just
           nor
           reasonable
           ,
           that
           the
           Laity
           shou'd
           be
           cheated
           into
           such
           a
           belief
           .
           The
           man
           that
           labours
           too
           much
           to
           conceal
           his
           Faults
           ,
           shews
           that
           he
           aims
           rather
           at
           Impunity
           than
           Repentance
           .
           For
           men
           seldom
           think
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           while
           they
           can
           run
           on
           in
           a
           prosperous
           course
           of
           undiscover'd
           Villany
           .
        
         
           Upon
           this
           account
           Mr
           
           Collier's
           reasoning
           appears
           very
           odd
           and
           singular
           .
           For
           if
           the
           concealing
           and
           covering
           of
           Men's
           Vices
           ,
           be
           the
           means
           to
           advance
           and
           promote
           their
           corruption
           ,
           he
           seems
           to
           take
           a
           sort
           of
           retrograde
           way
           to
           Reformation
           .
           
           But
           his
           fear
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           Vices
           of
           some
           few
           thus
           publickly
           shewn
           ,
           shou'd
           reflect
           upon
           the
           whole
           Order
           ,
           and
           weaken
           their
           Credit
           and
           Authority
           in
           the
           Ministerial
           Function
           .
           This
           objection
           is
           already
           answered
           in
           the
           article
           of
           the
           
             Misrepresentation
             of
             Women
          
           ;
           what
           has
           been
           there
           said
           holds
           good
           here
           ,
           and
           needs
           no
           repetition
           .
           It
           can
           therefore
           be
           of
           no
           ill
           consequence
           ;
           For
           those
           that
           are
           just
           ,
           and
           Conscientious
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           their
           Functions
           will
           lose
           no
           Credit
           or
           Authority
           ;
           and
           those
           that
           are
           not
           ,
           have
           too
           much
           ,
           if
           they
           have
           any
           .
        
         
           If
           Priests
           be
           without
           Fault
           ,
           
           then
           to
           paint
           'em
           with
           any
           is
           a
           Misrepresentation
           ,
           and
           an
           abuse
           ,
           a
           malicious
           slandering
           of
           the
           Order
           .
           But
           if
           they
           be
           not
           ,
           't
           is
           fit
           that
           the
           rotten
           Sheep
           shou'd
           be
           mark'd
           and
           driven
           from
           the
           Flock
           ,
           to
           prevent
           the
           contagion
           ,
           whether
           of
           the
           Disease
           or
           the
           Scandal
           ,
           which
           are
           equally
           catching
           .
           But
           Mr
           Collier
           has
           learnt
           Politicks
           of
           Hudibras
           ,
           and
           wou'd
           have
           Priests
           whipt
           by
           Proxy
           ;
           their
           Faults
           shou'd
           be
           chastised
           on
           Laymens
           Backs
           .
           We
           thank
           him
           for
           his
           kindness
           ,
           and
           are
           very
           willing
           to
           be
           his
           Deputies
           ,
           provided
           
           he
           can
           prove
           that
           the
           Physick
           will
           have
           its
           effect
           that
           way
           .
           I
           have
           been
           told
           ,
           that
           a
           Purge
           given
           to
           a
           wet
           Nurse
           ,
           wou'd
           operate
           with
           the
           Child
           ;
           but
           I
           never
           heard
           of
           a
           Med'cine
           that
           wou'd
           work
           
             Vice
             versa
          
           .
           I
           grant
           ,
           that
           they
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           corrected
           on
           the
           Stage
           for
           Lay
           Follies
           .
           Their
           Characters
           must
           be
           proper
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           which
           ,
           whether
           they
           play
           the
           Fool
           or
           the
           Knave
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           seasoned
           with
           a
           cast
           of
           the
           Profession
           ;
           otherwise
           they
           are
           Lay
           Fools
           and
           Knaves
           in
           Masquerade
           .
           But
           as
           the
           Characters
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           so
           general
           ,
           as
           to
           represent
           whole
           Bodies
           of
           Men
           ,
           so
           neither
           ought
           they
           to
           be
           so
           particular
           ,
           as
           to
           stigmatize
           Individuals
           ,
           as
           they
           did
           in
           the
           
             Old
             Comedy
          
           .
           If
           this
           C●ution
           be
           observed
           ,
           not
           only
           the
           Coll●ctive
           Body
           of
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           but
           every
           individual
           Man
           amongst
           'em
           is
           safe
           from
           scandal
           from
           that
           Quarter
           .
           If
           the
           Poets
           have
           not
           observ'd
           it
           ,
           Mr
           Collier
           in
           vindication
           of
           the
           Clergy
           has
           a
           just
           Provocation
           to
           lash
           'em
           severely
           .
           But
           if
           they
           have
           ,
           then
           Mr
           Collier
           does
           'em
           wrong
           ,
           and
           the
           Poets
           ought
           to
           resume
           the
           Whipcerd
           ,
           and
           return
           the
           Compliment
           .
        
         
         
           His
           last
           ,
           
           and
           ,
           as
           it
           appears
           by
           his
           dilating
           so
           largely
           upon
           it
           ,
           his
           strongest
           Consideration
           is
           ,
           that
           
             They
             have
             Prescription
             for
             their
             Priviledge
             .
             Their
             Profession
             has
             been
             in
             possession
             of
             esteem
             in
             all
             Ages
             and
             Countries
             .
          
           That
           it
           has
           been
           in
           Esteem
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           ought
           still
           to
           be
           so
           ,
           more
           than
           it
           is
           ,
           I
           believe
           the
           Poets
           themselves
           will
           allow
           .
           But
           that
           it
           has
           always
           been
           esteemed
           so
           sacred
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Antient
             Poets
          
           durst
           never
           suffer
           any
           of
           their
           Persons
           of
           the
           Drama
           to
           make
           bold
           with
           it
           ,
           I
           deny
           ;
           and
           I
           think
           I
           shall
           demonstrate
           the
           contrary
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           confine
           my self
           to
           the
           
             Dramatick
             Poets
          
           ,
           
           and
           only
           observe
           ,
           that
           so
           the
           Priest
           be
           well
           treated
           't
           is
           no
           matter
           how
           his
           God
           is
           served
           .
           For
           Homer
           is
           caressed
           at
           a
           high
           rate
           ,
           for
           putting
           a
           Crown
           upon
           
           Chryses's
           head
           ,
           tho
           he
           uses
           the
           whole
           Tribe
           of
           the
           Gods
           like
           Scoundrels
           .
           The
           first
           Poet
           ,
           that
           I
           shall
           produce
           is
           Sophocles
           .
           In
           the
           close
           of
           his
           Ajax
           the
           Chorus
           gives
           us
           the
           Moral
           of
           the
           Play
           in
           these
           words
           ;
           
             Experience
             teaches
             us
             much
             ,
             but
             before
             the
             Event
             is
             seen
             ,
             ne'r
             a
             Prophet
             of
             'em
             all
             can
             tell
             what
             things
             will
             come
             to
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             X.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           a
           plain
           reflection
           upon
           the
           Profession
           ,
           and
           so
           remarkably
           circumstantiated
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           doubt
           ,
           but
           't
           was
           the
           Poets
           real
           sense
           .
           For
           't
           is
           spoken
           by
           the
           Chorus
           ,
           and
           made
           the
           Moral
           of
           the
           Play.
           
        
         
           I
           shall
           pass
           by
           the
           reproaches
           which
           Oedipus
           makes
           Tiresias
           ,
           because
           Mr
           Collier
           says
           they
           relate
           only
           to
           his
           Person
           ,
           tho
           he
           himself
           in
           his
           Defence
           will
           allow
           no
           distinction
           betwixt
           the
           Man
           and
           the
           Priest
           .
           
             If
             you
             make
             the
             Man
             a
             Knave
             ,
             the
             Priest
             must
             suffer
             under
             the
             Imputation
             .
          
           However
           in
           the
           same
           Play●
           Jocasta
           says
           ,
           
             She
             wou'd
             not
             give
             a
             Rush
             for
             Divination
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             —
          
        
         
           In
           the
           next
           Play
           Creon
           amongst
           other
           reproaches
           tells
           Tiresias
           ,
           that
           
             They
             were
             all
             a
             Pack
             of
             Mercenary
             Corrupt
             Fellows
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           
        
         
           We
           have
           not
           room
           to
           multiply
           instances
           so
           far
           ,
           as
           we
           might
           ,
           but
           these
           may
           suffice
           to
           shew
           ,
           that
           Sophocles
           was
           not
           so
           much
           afraid
           of
           a
           Priest
           as
           Mr
           Collier
           pretends
           .
        
         
           Euripides
           is
           not
           a
           whit
           more
           tender
           of
           'em
           ,
           
           Agamemnon
           calls
           the
           
             whole
             tribe
             of
             'em
             a
             vain-glorious
             rascally
             Race
             .
          
        
         
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           
        
         
           Achilles
           in
           the
           same
           Play
           (
           the
           Sobriety
           of
           whose
           Character
           Mr
           Collier
           is
           much
           in
           love
           with
           )
           threatens
           Calohas
           the
           Prophet
           before
           spoken
           of
           ,
           and
           breaks
           out
           into
           this
           exclamation
           ;
           
             What
             are
             Prophets
             ?
             Fellows
             that
             by
             guess
             sometimes
             tell
             truth
             ,
             but
             generally
             Lies
             .
          
        
         
           
             —
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           Pentheus
           in
           the
           Bacchae
           uses
           Tiresias
           very
           ruggedly
           .
           He
           charges
           him
           with
           being
           Mercenary
           ,
           and
           an
           Impostor
           ,
           with
           seducing
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           introducing
           
           a
           new
           false
           superstitious
           Worship
           ,
           and
           orders
           the
           Seats
           from
           whence
           he
           took
           his
           Augural
           Observation
           to
           be
           pull'd
           down
           ,
           with
           abundance
           of
           other
           Menaces
           ,
           and
           hard
           words
           .
           These
           may
           suffice
           for
           Euripides
           at
           this
           time
           .
        
         
           Seneca
           makes
           little
           use
           of
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           or
           Priests
           ;
           
           Tiresias
           appears
           twice
           in
           his
           Oedipus
           ,
           and
           Calchas
           once
           only
           to
           deliver
           an
           Oracle
           .
           Oedipus
           charges
           Tiresias
           with
           confederating
           with
           Creon
           ,
           and
           charging
           a
           false
           crime
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           traiterously
           endeavouring
           to
           supplant
           him
           in
           his
           Throne
           .
           These
           Instances
           sufficiently
           demonstrate
           ,
           that
           the
           Antients
           were
           not
           afraid
           to
           make
           their
           Persons
           of
           the
           Drama
           speak
           pertinently
           to
           their
           Character
           ,
           tho
           they
           should
           thereby
           happen
           to
           bear
           hard
           upon
           their
           Priests
           .
           Nay
           ,
           they
           thought
           it
           no
           offence
           to
           make
           'em
           speak
           things
           inconsistent
           with
           Piety
           ,
           and
           the
           Religion
           of
           their
           Country
           .
        
         
           The
           Instances
           of
           this
           are
           innumerable
           .
           
           The
           Rants
           of
           
             Ajax
             ,
             Creon
          
           ,
           and
           Philoctetes
           in
           Sophocles
           are
           extravagant
           .
           This
           Tragedian
           affords
           abundance
           ,
           but
           to
           make
           a
           collection
           of
           scattered
           expressions
           ,
           would
           require
           more
           room
           
           than
           we
           can
           at
           present
           spare
           ;
           
           however
           ,
           Euripides
           and
           Seneca
           afford
           divers
           so
           very
           remarkable
           ,
           that
           I
           can't
           pass
           'em
           over
           absolutely
           without
           notice
           .
           In
           the
           
             Hecuba
             ,
             Talthybius
          
           exclaims
           at
           a
           strange
           rate
           upon
           the
           Consideration
           of
           the
           turn
           of
           
           Hecuba's
           fortune
           .
           
             O
             Jupiter
             !
             what
             shall
             I
             say
             ?
             should
             mankind
             address
             themselves
             to
             you
             :
             Or
             have
             we
             been
             cheated
             with
             a
             sham
             Story
             of
             Gods
             ,
             and
             Providence
             ,
             while
             Chance
             governs
             all
             things
             ?
          
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           Polymestor
           
             is
             much
             such
             another
             sort
             of
             a
             Comforter
             ,
             he
             cries
             out
             in
             the
             same
             Play
             ,
             and
             upon
             the
             same
             occasion
             ,
          
           Oh
           what
           a
           slippery
           thing
           is
           Human
           Grandeur
           ,
           which
           is
           never
           secure
           .
           The
           Gods
           perplex
           and
           harrass
           Mankind
           ,
           that
           our
           Ignorance
           may
           support
           their
           Altars
           ,
           and
           Worship
           .
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
         
           Electra
           ,
           
             for
             a
             short
             one
             has
             a
             very
             pithy
             Ejaculation
             .
          
           O
           Nature
           ,
           what
           a
           curse
           art
           thou
           upon
           Mortals
           .
        
         
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           
        
         
           Her
           Brother
           Orestes
           is
           allied
           to
           her
           in
           Principles
           as
           near
           as
           in
           Blood
           ;
           he
           can't
           tell
           what
           to
           make
           of
           the
           Gods
           ,
           any
           more
           than
           the
           two
           Gentlemen
           before
           .
           Yet
           he
           serves
           'em
           whatever
           they
           be
           .
        
         
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           
        
         
           All
           that
           he
           knows
           of
           'em
           is
           ,
           that
           
             they
             are
             naturally
             dilatory
          
           .
        
         
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           
        
         
           Hecuba
           
             is
             much
             of
             his
             mind
          
           ;
           
           
             she
             thinks
             the
          
           Gods
           but
           bad
           Friends
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           The
           Cyclops
           
           tellVlysses
           ,
           That
           Riches
           were
           the
           wise
           mans
           only
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           did
           not
           care
           a
           fart
           for
           Jupiter
           ;
           but
           thought
           himself
           as
           great
           a
           God
           as
           he
           .
        
         
           
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           In
           the
           Ion
           ,
           which
           is
           pretended
           to
           be
           a
           Moral
           Play
           ,
           Creusa
           addresses
           herself
           directly
           to
           Apollo
           ,
           
           and
           cals
           him
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             lewd
             Whoremaster
          
           .
           Her
           Servant
           afterwards
           calls
           him
           Rascal
           ,
           and
           advises
           her
           to
           set
           fire
           to
           his
           Temple
           .
           With
           such
           Flowers
           as
           these
           Euripides
           abounds
           ,
           which
           I
           leave
           for
           others
           to
           gather
           .
        
         
           Seneca
           is
           as
           full
           of
           'em
           as
           he
           ,
           but
           I
           shall
           refer
           the
           Reader
           only
           to
           the
           Chorus
           of
           the
           second
           Act
           of
           his
           Troas
           ,
           which
           being
           spoken
           by
           the
           Chorus
           looks
           more
           like
           the
           Poet
           's
           own
           Opinion
           ,
           than
           if
           it
           had
           come
           from
           any
           other
           Person
           of
           the
           Drama
           .
        
         
           
             Post
             mortem
             nihil
             est
             ,
             
             ipsaque
             mors
             nihil
             ,
          
           
             Velocis
             spatij
             meta
             novissima
             .
          
           
             Spem
             ponant
             avidi
             ,
             soliciti
             metum
             .
          
           
             Quaeris
             quo
             jaceas
             post
             obitum
             loco
             ?
          
           
             Quo
             non
             nata
             jacent
             .
          
           
             Tempus
             nos
             avidum
             devorat
             ,
             &
             chaos
             .
          
           
             Mors
             individua
             est
             noxia
             corpori
             ,
          
           
             Nec
             parcens
             animae
             .
             Taenara
             ,
             &
             aspero
          
           
             Regnum
             sub
             Domino
             ,
             limen
             &
             obsidens
          
           
           
             Custos
             non
             facili
             Cerberus
             ostio
             ,
          
           
             Rumores
             vacui
             ,
             verbaque
             inania
             ,
          
           
             Et
             par
             solicito
             fabula
             somnio
             .
          
        
         
           Which
           is
           thus
           translated
           by
           the
           Earl
           of
           Rochester
           .
        
         
           
             After
             Death
             nothing
             is
             ,
             and
             nothing
             Death
             ,
          
           
             The
             utmost
             Limits
             of
             a
             Gasp
             of
             Breath
             .
          
           
             Let
             the
             Ambitious
             Zealot
             lay
             aside
          
           
             His
             Hopes
             of
             Heaven
             (
             whose
             Faith
             is
             but
             his
             Pride
             )
          
           
             Let
             slavish
             Souls
             lay
             by
             their
             Fear
             ,
          
           
             Nor
             be
             concern'd
             which
             way
             ,
             or
             where
             ,
          
           
             After
             this
             Life
             they
             shall
             be
             hurl'd
             ,
          
           
             Dead
             they
             become
             the
             lumber
             of
             the
             World.
          
           
             And
             to
             that
             Mass
             of
             Matter
             shall
             be
             swept
             ,
          
           
             Where
             things
             destroy'd
             with
             things
             unborn
             are
             kept
             .
          
           
             Devouring
             Time
             swallows
             us
             whole
             ,
          
           
             Impartial
             Death
             confounds
             Body
             and
             Soul.
          
           
             For
             H●●
             ,
             and
             the
             foul
             Fiend
             that
             rules
          
           
             The
             everlasting
             fiery
             Goals
             ,
          
           
             Devis'd
             by
             Rog●●s
             ,
             dreaded
             by
             Fools
             ,
          
           
             With
             his
             grim
             griezly
             Dog
             that
             keeps
             the
             Door
             ,
          
           
             Are
             senseless
             Stories
             ,
             idle
             Tales
             ,
          
           
             Dreams
             ,
             Whimseys
             ,
             and
             no
             more
             .
          
        
         
         
           Another
           exception
           ,
           
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           makes
           to
           the
           Stage
           is
           ,
           that
           
             they
             treat
             the
             Nobility
             rudely
          
           .
           I
           must
           confess
           't
           is
           no
           complement
           to
           make
           a
           Fool
           of
           a
           Lord.
           But
           if
           Birth
           or
           any
           other
           Chance
           shou'd
           make
           a
           Lord
           of
           a
           Fool
           ,
           I
           suppose
           the
           rest
           of
           that
           Noble
           Order
           wou'd
           not
           think
           themselves
           accountable
           for
           his
           Follies
           ,
           or
           abus'd
           in
           his
           Picture
           .
           Shou'd
           the
           Poets
           presume
           to
           make
           such
           a
           one
           the
           Representative
           of
           his
           Order
           ,
           and
           propose
           him
           as
           a
           common
           Standard
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           Endowments
           of
           Quality
           in
           general
           were
           to
           be
           measur'd
           ,
           their
           Insolence
           wou'd
           deserve
           the
           severest
           chastisement
           that
           cou'd
           be
           given
           .
           Or
           shou'd
           any
           one
           of
           'em
           dare
           to
           characterize
           too
           nearly
           and
           particularly
           any
           of
           those
           Noble
           Persons
           ,
           no
           doubt
           but
           he
           wou'd
           soon
           feel
           the
           weight
           of
           his
           Resentments
           ,
           and
           smart
           sorely
           for
           his
           sawcy
           Liberty
           .
           But
           while
           the
           Poet
           contents
           himself
           with
           feign'd
           Persons
           ,
           and
           copies
           closely
           after
           Nature
           ,
           without
           pressing
           upon
           her
           in
           her
           private
           recesses
           ,
           and
           singling
           out
           Individuals
           from
           the
           herd
           ,
           if
           any
           Man
           ,
           of
           what
           Quality
           or
           Employment
           soever
           ,
           fancies
           himself
           concern'd
           in
           the
           representation
           ,
           
           let
           him
           spoil
           the
           Picture
           by
           mending
           the
           Original
           .
           For
           he
           only
           is
           to
           be
           blam'd
           for
           the
           Resemblance
           .
           If
           Men
           of
           Honour
           and
           Abilities
           cou'd
           entail
           their
           Wisdom
           and
           Virtues
           upon
           their
           Posterity
           ,
           then
           a
           Title
           wou'd
           be
           a
           pretty
           sure
           sign
           of
           Personal
           Worth
           ,
           and
           the
           Respect
           and
           Reverence
           that
           was
           paid
           to
           the
           Founders
           of
           honourable
           Families
           ought
           to
           follow
           the
           Estate
           ,
           and
           the
           heir
           of
           one
           shou'd
           be
           heir
           of
           t'other
           .
           But
           since
           Entails
           of
           this
           kind
           are
           of
           all
           kinds
           the
           most
           liable
           to
           be
           cut
           off
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           absolutely
           impossible
           but
           there
           may
           be
           such
           a
           thing
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           as
           a
           Fop
           of
           Quality
           .
           Now
           if
           there
           be
           such
           a
           thing
           ,
           it
           does
           not
           appear
           to
           me
           ,
           that
           because
           the
           Persons
           are
           great
           ,
           and
           elevated
           by
           their
           Dignity
           above
           the
           rest
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           draw
           the
           Eyes
           of
           the
           People
           upon
           'em
           ,
           more
           than
           other
           men
           do
           ,
           that
           therefore
           their
           Faults
           or
           Imperfections
           will
           be
           less
           visible
           ,
           or
           less
           taken
           notice
           of
           ,
           or
           that
           the
           Splendour
           of
           their
           Figure
           is
           an
           infallible
           Antidote
           against
           the
           Infection
           of
           their
           Examples
           .
           Unless
           it
           be
           so
           ,
           it
           is
           convenient
           that
           some
           reasonable
           Expedient
           shou'd
           be
           allow'd
           to
           
           prevent
           the
           Mischief
           of
           Imitation
           ,
           and
           that
           those
           who
           are
           too
           big
           to
           be
           aw'd
           out
           of
           their
           Follies
           ,
           may
           be
           sham'd
           out
           of
           '
           em
           .
           But
           this
           is
           only
           Hypothetically
           offer'd
           .
           Mr
           Collier
           perhaps
           will
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           no
           such
           Persons
           ,
           that
           a
           Fool
           of
           Quality
           is
           a
           meer
           Poetical
           Animal
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           rank'd
           amongst
           the
           
             Harpyes
             ,
             Hippogryphs
             ,
             Centaurs
          
           ,
           and
           Chimaera's
           of
           Antiquity
           .
           If
           he
           proves
           this
           ,
           my
           Hypothesis
           in
           this
           point
           falls
           to
           the
           ground
           ,
           otherwise
           I
           think
           it
           may
           stand
           in
           opposition
           to
           any
           thing
           that
           has
           yet
           been
           said
           .
        
         
           If
           these
           and
           abundance
           of
           other
           Passages
           in
           the
           Antient
           Poets
           were
           compar'd
           with
           those
           which
           Mr
           Collier
           produces
           out
           of
           the
           Moderns
           ,
           the
           comparative
           Rudeness
           and
           Prophaness
           of
           the
           latter
           wou'd
           vanish
           .
           But
           he
           presumes
           upon
           the
           laziness
           ,
           or
           ignorance
           of
           the
           Majority
           of
           his
           Readers
           ,
           and
           does
           not
           expect
           that
           any
           of
           'em
           shou'd
           be
           at
           the
           pains
           to
           confront
           his
           arbitrary
           ,
           and
           unfair
           accounts
           ,
           with
           genuine
           quotations
           .
           But
           't
           is
           time
           to
           have
           compassion
           upon
           the
           Reader
           ,
           who
           has
           run
           the
           Gauntlet
           thro
           a
           tedious
           Refutation
           ;
           in
           which
           if
           his
           satisfaction
           equals
           his
           Patience
           ,
           the
           Author
           thinks
           his
           pains
           sufficiently
           recompenc'd
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A36512-e7720
           
             Introduction
             .
          
           
             The
             quarrel
             to
             the
             modern
             Stage
             first
             formally
             commenc'd
             in
             Spain
             .
          
           
             Shows
             among
             tbe
             Heathens
             of
             Religious
             Pare●tage
             .
          
           
             The
             Drama
             of
             the
             same
             extraction
             .
          
           
             Tragedy
             &
             Comedy
             originally
             one
             thing
             .
          
           
             When
             first
             distinguisht
             
          
           
             The
             Stage
             under
             the
             Patronage
             of
             Bacchus
             .
          
           
             Paganism
             a
             Religion
             contriv'd
             for
             popularity
             .
          
           
             Heathen
             Religion
             all
             Ceremony
             .
          
           
             *
             Pompa
             populo
             ingrata
             fuit
             ,
             quia
             ludis
             mora
             .
             Var
             ro
             de
             Ling.
             Lat.
             Lib.
             4.
             
          
           
             †
             Non
             igno
             ras
             quam
             sit
             odiosa
             Circensibus
             Pompa
             .
          
           
             Idolatry
             of
             the
             Stage
             ,
             the
             principal
             argument
             of
             the
             Fathers
             against
             it
             .
          
           
             Heathen
             Plays
             danger●●s
             temptations
             〈◊〉
             new
             Christian
             Converts
             .
          
           
             Zeal
             of
             the
             Fathers
             ●g●inst
             'em
             not
             u●ne●es●ary
             .
          
           
             View
             p.
             276.
             
          
           
             p.
             277.
             
          
           
             p.
             1.
             
          
           
             p.
             124.
             
          
           
             Praef.
             
          
           
             p.
             257.
             
          
           
             Disingen●ir●
             of
             Mr.
             Collier
             .
          
           
             Praef.
             
          
           
             Idolatry
             the
             main
             Objestions
             of
             the
             Fathers
             to
             the
             Ancient
             Drama
             .
          
           
             *
             Et
             haec
             suntscenico
             r●m
             ●●erabilior●
             〈◊〉
             do
             rum
             Comoediae
             scilicit
             &
             Tragoediae
             hoc
             est
             fabu
             lae
             Poetarum
             agendae
             in
             spectaculis
             ,
             multa
             rerturpitudine
             sed
             nulla
             ,
             saltem
             ,
             sicut
             alia
             multa
             verborum
             obscoenitate
             compositae
             quas
             etiam
             inter
             studia
             quae
             honesta
             ,
             &
             liberalia
             vocantur
             ,
             pueri
             ,
             legere
             discereque
             a
             senibus
             coguntur
             .
             De
             Civit.
             Dei
             lib.
             2.
             
          
           
             *
             Aug.
             Conf.
             lib.
             1.
             cap.
             16.
             
          
           
             *
             Didici
             in
             eis
             multa
             verba
             utilia
             se
             det
             in
             rebus
             non
             vanis
             disci
             possunt
             &
             via
             tuta
             est
             ,
             in
             qua
             Pueri
             ambularent
             .
             lib.
             Confess
             .
             1
             cap.
             ●v
             .
          
           
             Mimick
             Shews
             among
             the
             Romans
             scandalous●
             lewd
             ,
             the
             Drama
             no
             at
             all
             .
          
           
             
               Clemen's
               Alex●ndri●us
            
             c●ted
             against
             the
             Drama
             .
          
           
             View
             p.
             260
             Nec
             inconcine
             stadia
             &
             Theatra
             Pestilentiae
             C●thaedram
             quis
             vocaverit
             .
             Paedag
             .
             lib.
             3.
             cap.
             ii
             .
          
           
             View
             p.
             277.
             
          
           
             The
             Fathers
             sametimes
             over
             rigorous
             
          
           
             Sic
             &
             Tragaedos
             Cothurnis
             extulit
             Diabolus
             ,
             quia
             nemo
             potest
             adjicere
             cubitum
             unum
             ad
             staturam
             suam
             ,
             men
             dacem
             face
             re
             vult
             Christum
             .
             Tert.
             de
             Spectac
             .
             cap.
             23.
             
          
           
             View
             .
             p
             252.
             
          
           
             *
             Ibid.
             Nec
             fas
             est
             nobis
             audire
             adulteria
             Deorum
             Hominumque
             quae
             suavi
             verborum
             modulantur
             mercede
             .
             Ad
             Autolyc
             .
             lib.
             3.
             
          
           
             *
             Theatra
             ●unt
             faediora
             ,
             quo
             convenis
             verundia
             illic
             omnis
             exuitur
             simul
             cum
             amictu
             ,
             vestis
             honor
             corporis
             ,
             &
             pudor
             ponitur
             ,
             denotanda
             ac
             contrectanda
             virginitas
             revelatur
             .
             De
             Habit
             Virg.
             
          
           
             *
             Nihil
             nobis
             &c.
             cum
             insania
             Circi
             cum
             impudicitia
             Theatri
             cum
             x●sti
             vanitate
             .
             Apolog.
             adv
             .
             Gent.
             cap.
             38.
             
          
           
             *
             Itaque
             Pomperius
             magnus
             solo
             Theatro
             minor
             ,
             cum
             illam
             arcem
             omnium
             turpitudinum
             extruxisset
             ,
             veritus
             quandoque
             memoriae
             suae
             Censoriam
             Animadverfionem
             ,
             Veneris
             aedem
             superposuit
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             The
             Authority
             of
             the
             Fathers
             short
             of
             the
             Case
             .
          
           
             Caution
             of
             Mr
             C-ll-r
          
           
             The
             Authority
             of
             the
             Fathers
             short
             of
             the
             Case
             .
          
           
             Caution
             of
             Mr
             C-ll-r
          
           
             
             Plato's
             Authority
             consider'd
             .
          
           
             Xenophon
             .
          
           
             *
             Ita
             de
             venereis
             etiam
             rebus
             advalde
             juvenes
             verba
             non
             facimus
             ,
             ne
             accidente
             ad
             vehementem
             in
             eis
             libid
             .
             levitate
             ,
             immodice
             huic
             libidini
             suae
             indulgeant
             Cyropaed
             ,
             lib.
             .
             p.
             34
             
          
           
             Aristotle
             .
          
           
             Plays
             forbidden
             to
             young
             People
             upon
             the
             score
             of
             the
             tempta●●ns
             from
             the
             Company
             .
          
           
             *
             Adol●scentulos
             autem
             &
             ●amborum
             &
             Comaediarum
             Spectatores
             esse
             lex
             prohibeat
             ,
             prius
             quam
             ●●tatem
             attigeri●t
             ,
             〈◊〉
             qua
             &
             〈◊〉
             caeteris
             accubar●
             jam
             〈◊〉
             rit
             ,
             &
             ab
             omnibus
             ,
             vel
             ebrietatis
             ,
             vel
             aliarum
             inde
             nascentium
             rerum
             incommodis
             discip●lina
             liberos
             efficiat
             Pol.
             lib
             7.
             c.
             17.
             
          
           
             View
             page
             234.
             
          
           
             View
             p.
             235.
             
          
           
             Licentiousness
             not
             defended
             .
          
           
             Mr
             Coll.
             Character
             of
             Terence
             &
             Plautus
             .
             View
             p.
             20.
             
          
           
             Ib.
             p.
             15
             ,
             16
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             This
             Character
             In●idious
             .
          
           
             The
             A'sci●ation●
             patch'd
             up
             of
             incoherent
             fragments
             .
          
           
             *
             O
             praeclaram
             emendatricem
             vitae
             Poeticam
             ,
             quae
             Amorem
             flagitii
             ,
             &
             levitatis
             autorem
             in
             Concilio
             Deorum
             c●llocandum
             putet
             !
             De
             Comaediâ
             loquor
             quae
             si
             haec
             flagitia
             non
             probaremus
             ,
             nulla
             esset
             omni●ò
             .
             Quaest
             .
             Tusc
             .
             lib.
             4.
             
          
           
             The
             Invention
             of
             the
             Roman
             Comick
             Poets
             barren
             .
          
           
             ●oetick
             Justice
             neglected
             by
             them
             .
          
           
             Livie's
             Authority
             abus'd
             .
          
           
             P
             ▪
             255.
             
          
           
             *
             Sine
             carmine
             ullo
             sine
             imitandorum
             carminum
             actu
             ,
             Ludiones
             ex
             Hetruria
             acciti
             ,
             ad
             Tibicinis
             modos
             Saltantes
             ,
             haud
             indecoros
             motus
             more
             Thusco
             dabant
             .
             Dec.
             1.
             l.
             7.
             
          
           
             *
             Inter
             aliarum
             parva
             principia
             rerum
             ludorum
             quoque
             prima
             origo
             ponenda
             visa
             est
             ,
             ut
             appareret
             ,
             quam
             ab
             sano
             initio
             res
             in
             hanc
             vix
             opulentis
             regnis
             tolerabilem
             insaniam
             venerit
             .
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             The
             Luxury
             and
             Expensiveness
             of
             these
             Shews
             ,
             not
             their
             Immorality
             ,
             condemn'd
             by
             Livy
             .
          
           
             *
             Itaque
             C●
             .
             Genutio
             ,
             L.
             Aemylio
             mamerco
             secundum
             Coss
             .
             cum
             piaculorum
             magis
             conquititio
             animos
             quam
             corpora
             morbi
             afficerent
             ,
             &c.
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Valerius
             Maximus
             misquoted
             ,
          
           
             *
             Proximus
             militaribus
             institutis
             ad
             urbana
             Castra
             ,
             id
             est
             Theatra
             gradus
             faciendus
             est
             ,
             quoniam
             haec
             quoque
             saepenumero
             animosas
             acies
             in
             struxerunt
             ex
             cogitataque
             cultus
             Deorum
             ,
             &
             hominum
             delectationis
             causa
             ,
             non
             sine
             aliquo
             pacis
             ,
             rubore
             voluptatem
             ,
             &
             religionem
             civili
             sanguine
             ,
             senicorum
             portentorum
             gratia
             ,
             macularunt
             .
             Lib.
             2.
             
             Cap.
             4.
             
             
               Falseness
               and
               absurdity
               of
               Mr
            
             C
             —
             r
             '
             
               s
               Paraphrase
            
          
           
             P.
             235.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             This
             conclusion
             not
             to
             be
             found
             in
             Valerius
             .
          
           
             *
             Eadem
             Civitas
             (
             viz.
             Massi●a
             )
             severitatis
             custos
             acerrima
             est
             :
             nullum
             aditum
             in
             Scenam
             Mimis
             dando
             ,
             quorum
             argumenta
             majore
             ex
             parte
             stuprorum
             continent
             actus
             ,
             ne
             talia
             spectandi
             consuetudo
             etiam
             imitaudi
             licentiam
             sumat
             .
             Cap.
             6.
             
          
           
             Stage
             allow'd
             at
             Marseilles
             .
          
           
             Seneca's
             Authority
             nothing
             to
             the
             purpose
             .
          
           
             *
             Nihil
             vero
             tam
             damnosum
             bonis
             moribus
             ,
             quam
             in
             aliquo
             spectaculo
             desidere
             ;
             tunc
             enim
             per
             voluptatem
             vitia
             facilius
             surrepunt
             .
             Epict.
             7.
             
          
           
             〈◊〉
             p●●verted
             .
          
           
             *
             Tunc
             enim
             per
             voluptatem
             ,
             &c.
             p.
             235.
             
          
           
             〈◊〉
             ,
             &c.
             impertinently
             cited
             .
          
           
             Ovid
             and
             Mr
             Wycherly
             say
             nothing
             against
             the
             Stage
             ,
             but
             the
             Audience
             .
          
           
             Too
             great
             severity
             of
             no
             service
             to
             Morality
             .
          
           
             *
             Ludi
             quoque
             semina
             praebent
             Nequitiae
             .
             De
             Trist
             .
             lib.
             2.
             
          
           
             *
             Junctam
             Pasiphae●
             ictaeo
             credite
             Tauro
             ,
             Vidimus
             ,
             accepit
             Fabula
             prilca
             fidem
             .
             Mart.
             
          
           
             Mr
             C
             —
             's
             licentious
             Method
             of
             misquoting
             unsufferable
             .
          
           
             P
             240.
             
          
           
             The
             Athenia●s
             ,
             the
             greatest
             friends
             in
             the
             world
             to
             the
             Stage
             .
          
           
             This
             Law
             a
             direct
             Argument
             against
             〈◊〉
             Collier
             .
          
           
             *
             Apud
             Graecos
             fuit
             Lege
             concessum
             ut
             quod
             vellet
             Comaedia
             nominatim
             ,
             &
             de
             quo
             vellet
             diceret
             .
             Cic.
             de
             Rep.
             apud
             S.
             August
             .
             de
             Civit
             dei
             ,
             cap.
             9.
             
          
           
             The
             old
             Comedy
             of
             the
             Greeks
             exceeding
             licentious
             .
          
           
             Comedy
             ,
             why
             no
             proper
             exercise
             for
             a
             Iudge
             .
          
           
             *
             Locata
             Opera
             tua
             illis
             Histrionibus
             ,
             qui
             suspiriosi
             cognominantur
             ,
             tertias
             partes
             actitabas
             .
             Demosth
             .
             Orat.
             de
             Coron
             :
             
               And
               in
               the
               same
               Oration
               he
               calls
               him
            
             Tertianum
             Historionem
             .
          
           
             †
             Aeschines
             tertias
             partes
             in
             Bacchanalibus
             apud
             Aristodemum
             actitavit
             .
             Plut.
             Aeschine
             .
          
           
             *
             Aeschines
             legationes
             obiit
             ,
             &
             multas
             alias
             ,
             &
             ad
             Philippum
             de
             pace
             .
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Opinion
             of
             the
             Spartans
             -
          
           
             P.
             240.
             
          
           
             Theft
             tolerated
             at
             Lacedemon
             ,
          
           
             Character
             of
             the
             Spartans●
          
           
             *
             Comaedias
             ,
             &
             Tragaedias
             non
             admittebant
             Lacones
             ,
             ut
             ntque
             serio
             ,
             eos
             qu●legibus
             contradicerent
             audirent
             .
             Instit
             .
             Lacon
             .
             
               This
               Authority
               falsified
               likewise
            
             .
          
           
             Politeness
             ,
             the
             Objection
             of
             the
             Spartans
             to
             the
             Drama
             .
          
           
             All
             sorts
             of
             Plays
             not
             prohibited
             at
             Lacedemon
             .
          
           
             Lib.
             4.
             
          
           
             Morality
             ,
             not
             the
             reason
             of
             rejecting
             the
             Stage
             .
          
           
             Livy's
             
               Authority
               consider'd
            
             .
             P.
             241.
             
             Postqu●m
             lege
             〈◊〉
             fabularum
             ab
             risu
             ,
             〈◊〉
             soluto
             i●co
             res
             avocabatur
             ,
             &
             ludus
             in
             artem
             paulatim
             verterat
             ,
             Juventus
             histrionibus
             fabellarum
             actu
             relictu
             ,
             ipsa
             inter
             se
             more
             antiquo
             ridicula
             intexta
             versibus
             jactitare
             caepit
             ,
             quae
             inde
             exodia
             postea
             appellata
             ,
             conserta●
             ;
             Fabellis
             potissimum
             Atellanis
             sunt
             ,
             quod
             genus
             ludorum
             ab
             Oscis
             acceptum
             tenuit
             juventus
             :
             nec
             ab
             histrionibus
             pollui
             passa
             est
             .
             Eo
             institutum
             manet
             ,
             ut
             Actores
             Atellauarum
             nec
             tri●a
             moveantur
             ,
             &
             stipendia
             tanquam
             expertes
             artis
             Ludicrae
             faciant
             .
             Dec.
             1.
             l.
             7.
             
          
           
             Ancient
             Romans
             an
             unrefined
             People
             .
          
           
             *
             Virtus
             superstitione
             animis
             Ludi
             quoque
             Scenici
             nova
             res
             bellico●o
             populo
             ,
             instituti
             dicuntu●
             .
             Et
             ea
             ipsa
             percgrina
             res
             suit
             .
             Ludiones
             ex
             Hetruria
             acciti
             .
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             *
             Imitari
             deinde
             eos
             juventus
             ,
             simul
             inconditis
             inter
             se
             jocularia
             fundentes
             versibus
             ,
             cepere
             .
             Ib.
             
               Acting
               of
               Plays
               first
               left
               off
               by
               the
            
             Roman
             
               youth
               ,
               because
               of
               the
               difficulty
               .
            
          
           
             †
             Vernaculis
             Artifiribus
             .
             Ib.
             
          
           
             Histrio●e●
             ,
             who
             so
             called
             .
          
           
             *
             Vernaculis
             Artisicibus
             ,
             〈◊〉
             Hister
             〈…〉
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             *
             Postquam
             lege
             
          
           
             Conjectural
             Reason
             why
             Players
             were
             noted
             with
             Inf●my
             .
          
           
             Two
             sins
             most
             probable
             .
          
           
             Drama
             at
             first
             necessitated
             to
             use
             the
             Actors
             of
             the
             
               Ludi
               Scenic●
            
          
           
             The
             Actors
             of
             Tragedy
             and
             Comedy
             ,
             therefore
             only
             call'd
             Histriones
             .
          
           
             *
             Praetorian
             Edict
             .
          
           
             †
             Infamia
             notatur
             qui
             Artis
             Iudicae
             ,
             pronunciandive
             causa
             in
             Scenam
             prodierit
             .
             Scena
             est
             ,
             ut
             Labeo
             definit
             quae
             ludorum
             faciendorum
             causa
             quolibet
             loco
             ,
             ubi
             quis
             consistat
             ,
             moveaturque
             spectaculum
             sui
             praebiturus
             ,
             posita
             est
             .
             L.
             1.
             
             &
             2.
             
             
               F.
               de
               iis
               qui
               notantur
               infamia
               .
            
          
           
             
             Labeo's
             Position
             shews
             the
             intent
             of
             that
             Edict
             
          
           
             Mr
             Coll●ers
             disingenuity
             in
             this
             point
             .
          
           
             The
             Roman
             Censure
             extended
             only
             to
             the
             Mercenary
             Actors
             as
             such
             .
          
           
             *
             Eos
             enim
             qui
             quaestus
             causa
             in
             certamina
             descendunt
             ,
             &
             omnes
             propter
             praemium
             in
             Scenam
             prodeunres
             ,
             famofos
             esse
             Pegasus
             ,
             &
             Nerva
             filius
             responderunt
             .
             L.
             2.
             
               de
               iis
               qui
               notantur
               infamia
            
             .
          
           
             Scipio
             and
             ●●lius
             Writers
             to
             the
             Stage
             ,
             ●r
             assisting
             to
             it
             .
          
           
             Julius
             and
             Augustus
             Caesar
             ,
             and
             Seneca
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             *
             In
             meridianum
             Spectaculumincidi
             lusus
             Spectans
             ,
             &
             sa●les
             ,
             &
             aliquid
             Laxamenti
             Epist
             .
             7.
             
          
           
             Law
             of
             the
             
               Theodosian
               Code
            
             considered
             .
          
           
             P.
             241.
             
          
           
             *
             In
             loco
             honesto
             .
          
           
             *
             Siqua
             in
             publicis
             Porticibus
             ,
             vel
             in
             his
             Civitatum
             locis
             ,
             in
             quibus
             nostrae
             solent
             Imagines
             consecrari
             pictura
             ●●●cmimum
             vest●
             hum●●i
             ,
             &
             rugosis
             sinubus
             Agitatorem
             ,
             aut
             vilem
             offerat
             Histrionem
             ,
             illico
             revellatur
             :
             neque
             unquam
             ,
             post
             hac
             liceat
             in
             loco
             honesto
             personas
             in
             honestas
             ad
             no●are
             .
             In
             aditu
             vero
             Circi
             ,
             vel
             in
             Theatri
             prosceniis
             ut
             collocentur
             ,
             non
             vetamus
             ,
             
               L.
               Siqua
               .
               Cod.
               de
               Spectac
               .
            
          
           
             Meaning
             of
             the
             Theodosian
             Law.
             
          
           
             Parallel
             instances
             .
          
           
             Authori●ies
             from
             the
             Councils
             already
             answere●d
             .
          
           
             Quarrel
             to
             the
             Stage
             unjust
             .
          
           
             P.
             277.
             
          
           
             Ancient
             Stage
             infinitely
             more
             scandalous
             ,
             and
             lewd
             than
             the
             Modern
             .
          
           
             Stage
             dancing
             as
             now
             practiced
             inoffensive
             to
             Modesty
             .
          
           
             P.
             277.
             
          
           
             Mr
             Coll's
             Notion
             of
             the
             extravagant
             Power
             of
             Musick
             ridiculous
             .
          
           
             
             Collier's
             Moral
             Essay
             Vol.
             2d
             P
             21
             
               Ib.
               P.
            
             22.
             
          
           
             Moral
             Essay
             vol.
             2.
             
             P.
             21.
             
          
           
             Power
             of
             Musick
             owing
             to
             contingent
             circumstances
             .
          
           
             Influence
             of
             sounds
             indeterminate
             .
          
           
             P.
             279.
             
          
           
             P.
             280.
             p.
             179.
             
          
           
             The
             Author
             a
             Platonist
             .
          
           
             Moral
             Essay
             ,
             Vol.
             2.
             
             P.
             23.
             
          
           
             Not
             acquainted
             with
             the
             Subject
             he
             treats
             of
             .
          
           
             P.
             278.
             
          
           
             P.
             278.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             His
             charge
             rash
             .
          
           
             Comparative
             Morality
             of
             the
             Vocal
             Music
             of
             the
             Antient
             and
             Modern
             Stages
             .
          
           
             P.
             280.
             
          
           
             Antient
             Vocal
             Musick
             .
          
           
             Chorus
             ,
             its
             office
             .
          
           
             Their
             Mi●i
             .
          
           
             P.
             281.
             
          
           
             His
             Objections
             from
             the
             Topick
             of
             Love
             ,
             a
             Declamatory
             Rant
             .
          
           
             P.
             282.
             
          
           
             Meer
             Frenzy
             .
          
           
             P.
             283.
             
          
           
             Revenge
             not
             encouraged
             by
             the
             Stage
             .
          
           
             Instance
             in
             the
             mourning
             Bride
             .
          
           
             Passion
             not
             proper
             in
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Love
             ,
             Jealousie
             ,
             &c.
             how
             to
             be
             used
             in
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Hor.
             Art.
             Poet.
             
          
           
             Exposition
             of
             Horace's
             Observation
             .
          
           
             
               Instance
               from
            
             Terence
             ex
             
          
           
             *
             Hic
             ,
             ita
             ut
             liberos
             est
             〈…〉
             contutabitur
             .
             Sed
             Syrum
             —
             Si
             vivo
             adeo
             exornatum
             dabo
             ,
             adeo
             depexum
             ,
             ut
             dum
             vivat
             meminerit
             semper
             mei
             :
             Qui
             sibi
             me
             pro
             ridiculo
             ,
             ac
             delectamento
             putat
             .
             Non
             (
             ita
             me
             Dio
             ament
             )
             auderet
             facere
             haec
             Viduae
             mulieri
             ,
             Quae
             in
             me
             fecit
             .
          
           
             P.
             283.
             
             Tragedy
             in
             the
             Judgment
             of
             Aristotle
             .
          
           
             
               Arist
               .
               P●et
               .
               lib.
               cap.
            
             6.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             P.
             283.
             
             Du●●g
             and
             Rencounters
             against
             the
             Nature
             and
             Laws
             of
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Duel
             in
             Love
             in
             a
             Tub
             ,
             against
             the
             rules
             of
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Comick
             Poet
             obliged
             to
             draw
             according
             to
             nature
             .
          
           
             
             Collier's
             Moral
             E●say
             about
             Duelling
             .
          
           
             No
             breach
             of
             Morality
             without
             offending
             against
             the
             Laws
             of
             the
             Stage
             .
          
           
             P.
             1.
             
             Mr
             Collier
             in
             his
             end
             of
             Stage
             Poetry
             .
          
           
             Mistaken
             in
             his
             method
             of
             prosecuting
             that
             end
             .
          
           
             Morals
             of
             a
             Play
             wherin
             shewn
             .
             
               Poet.
               c.
            
             6.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Folly
             and
             Knavery
             ,
             the
             Subjects
             of
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             De
             Art.
             Poet.
             
          
           
             Praef.
             Pag.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Mr.
             
             Collier's
             Character
             of
             the
             Ancient
             Poets
             invidious
             .
          
           
             Fable
             the
             principal
             part
             of
             a
             Play.
             
          
           
             
               Fable
               of
               the
            
             Oedipus
             of
             Sophocles
             .
          
           
             Piety
             of
             Oedipus
             .
          
           
             Sophocl
             .
             Oedip.
             Tyrann
             .
          
           
             
               Oedipus
               '
            
             Proclamation
             .
          
           
             〈…〉
             .
          
           
             Moral
             of
             the
             
               English
               Oedipus
            
             the
             same
             .
          
           
             Meerly
             speculative
             .
          
           
             Not
             very
             natural
             .
          
           
             Oed
             p.
             39.
             
          
           
             Oed.
             p.
             33.
             
          
           
             Proper
             Moral
             .
          
           
             Moral
             of
             Seneca
          
           
             Seneca
             the
             Philosopher
             suppos'd
             the
             Author
             .
          
           
             His
             Morals
             neglected
             by
             the
             Authors
             of
             the
             
               English
               Oedipus
            
             .
          
           
             Preface
             to
             Oedip.
             
          
           
             Senec.
             Oedip.
             p.
             107.
             
          
           
             Summ
             of
             
             Seneca's
             Moral
             .
          
           
             
             Oedipus's
             Justification
             of
             himself
             .
          
           
             Harmony
             of
             the
             
               Greek
               ,
               Roman
            
             ,
             and
             English
             Authors
             .
          
           
             Levity
             of
             Fortune
             not
             the
             occasion
             of
             the
             Fall
             of
             Oedipus
             .
          
           
             Opposition
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             Presumption
             of
             Laius
             .
          
           
             Another
             Moral
             .
          
           
             Presumption
             of
             Oedipus
             .
          
           
             Oedipus
             in
             Sophocles
             ,
             and
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Tragedians
             a
             Predestinarian
             .
          
           
             French
             Moral
             .
          
           
             N●cromancy
             a●d
             all
             sorts
             of
             Divin●tion
             allowed
             by
             the
             Religion
             of
             the
             Heathens
             .
          
           
             Conjecture
             at
             the
             Reasons
             that
             Induc'd
             the
             Authors
             of
             the
             
               English
               Oedipus
            
             to
             prefer
             the
             Greek
             Moral
             to
             the
             Latine
             .
          
           
             
             Seneca's
             Moral
             〈◊〉
             proper
             for
             the
             English
             Stage
             .
          
           
             Greek
             and
             Roman
             Moral
             unservi●●●
             to
             virtue
             .
          
           
             P.
             28
             
          
           
             Oedipus
             ,
             why
             so
             mi●●●ly
             examined
             .
          
           
             
               Fable
               of
               of
            
             Ajax
             Flagelli●er
             .
          
           
             Moral
             somewhat
             obscare
             .
          
           
             Moral
             .
          
           
             2d
             Moral
             .
          
           
             Moral
             of
             the
             Author
             not
             arising
             naturally
             from
             the
             Action
             .
          
           
             2d
             Moral
             not
             very
             natural
             .
          
           
             Fable
             of
             the
             Electra
             .
          
           
             Moral
             .
          
           
             Fable
             of
             the
             Antigone
             .
          
           
             Moral
             .
          
           
             Oedipus
             Coloneus
             .
          
           
             
               Fable
               of
            
             Oedipus
             Coloneus
             
          
           
             No
             Moral
             .
          
           
             Trachiniae
             its
             Fable
             .
          
           
             Moral
             of
             Sophocles
             .
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             which
             signifies
             Folly
             or
             Injustice
             .
          
           
             Philoctetes
             ,
             the
             Fable
             .
          
           
             No
             Moral
             .
          
           
             Speech
             of
             Hercules
             not
             pertinent
             to
             the
             Action
             .
             P.
             93.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Art.
             Poet.
             Cap.
             xiii
             .
          
           
             Character
             of
             the
             Plays
             of
             Euripides
             in
             general
             .
          
           
             Fable
             of
             the
             Orestes
          
           
             Characters
             all
             vicious
             .
          
           
             Not
             of
             a
             piece
             all
             through
             .
          
           
             Moral
             .
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Media
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Fable
             of
             the
             Hippolitus
             .
          
           
             Ion
             a
             moral
             Tragedy
             .
          
           
             Remarques
             surle
             xix
             Chapitre
             de
             la
             poetique
             d'
             Aristote
             .
          
           
             Fable
             of
             Ion
             precedent
             to
             the
             Action
             .
          
           
             Fable
             commencing
             with
             the
             Action
             .
          
           
             Main
             Condition
             of
             Moral
             Tragedy
             neglected
             in
             this
             .
          
           
             Creasa's
             a
             wicked
             Character
             .
          
           
             Ion's
             Character
             indifferent
             .
          
           
             Of
             no
             Service
             to
             Morality
             .
          
           
             Hercules
             Furens
             
               compar'd
               with
               the
            
             Trachiniae
             of
             Sophocles
             .
          
           
             Character
             of
             Aeschylus
             .
          
           
             Edit
             .
             Hen.
             Steph.
             
          
           
             His
             Prometheus
             immoral
             .
          
           
             Jupiter
             abus'd
             by
             the
             Poet
             under
             the
             Persons
             of
             Power
             and
             Force
             .
          
           
             The
             abuse
             back●
             〈◊〉
             Vulcan
             .
          
           
             Deficiency
             of
             the
             
               Greek
               Tragedy
            
             .
          
           
             Tragedy
             at
             Rome
             .
          
           
             Bo
             row'd
             from
             the
             Greeks
             .
          
           
             Seneca
             the
             Philosopher
             suppos'd
             the
             Author
             of
             '
             em
             .
          
           
             Seneca
             udjustly
             aspers'd
             by
             Mr
             
               Collier
               .
               P.
            
             94.
             
          
           
             Seneca
             careless
             of
             Poetick
             Justice
             .
          
           
             Ajax
             and
             Oileus
             .
          
           
             An
             improper
             instance
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             Seneca
             limited
             by
             Precedent
             .
          
           
             Hippolytus
             of
             Seneca
             examined
             .
          
           
             More
             artificial
             than
             the
             Hippolytus
             of
             Euripides
             .
          
           
             The
             Moral
             .
          
           
             The
             rest
             chose
             Copies
             from
             the
             Greek
             .
          
           
             Octavia
             illcontriv'd
             and
             insipid
             .
          
           
             General
             Reflections
             on
             the
             Ancient
             Tragedy
             .
          
           
             
             Aristotle's
             division
             of
             Tragedy
             .
          
           
             Moral
             Plays
             not
             much
             encouraged
             at
             Athens
             .
          
           
             Alcestis
             of
             Euripides
             a
             Moral
             Tragedy
             .
          
           
             Antients
             careless
             of
             the
             
               General
               Moral
            
             of
             the
             Plays
             .
          
           
             Consequence
             of
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             loose
             way
             of
             Writing
             .
          
           
             Turn'd
             upon
             the
             Ancients
             .
          
           
             P.
             286.
             
          
           
             Socrates
             by
             this
             means
             condemned
             .
          
           
             Aeschylus
             arraign'd
             by
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             Precedent
             .
          
           
             Sophocles
             
          
           
             P.
             28●
             .
          
           
             Extravagance
             of
             this
             way
             of
             declaiming
             .
          
           
             *
             An
             Island
             famous
             for
             plenty
             of
             Hellebore
             ,
             used
             in
             the
             cure
             of
             Madness
             .
          
           
             Shakespear
             preferr'd
             to
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             
               English
               Dramatics
            
             .
          
           
             Censure
             of
             Hamlet
             unjust
             .
          
           
             Fable
             of
             Hamlet
             ,
             before
             the
             commencement
             of
             the
             Action
             .
          
           
             Fable
             after
             the
             Action
             commences
             .
          
           
             Poetick
             Justice
             exactly
             observed
             in
             this
             Play.
             
          
           
             Moral
             of
             Hamlet
             .
          
           
             Tragedies
             of
             this
             Author
             generally
             moral
             .
          
           
             The
             Orphan
             .
          
           
             The
             Moral
             good
             .
          
           
             Mr
             Collier's
             Zeal
             for
             the
             
               Pagan
               Priesthood
            
             injurious
             to
             the
             
               Christian
               Ministry
            
             .
          
           
             
               Don
               Sebastian
            
             a
             Religious
             Play.
             
          
           
             Reason
             of
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             ●ua●rel
             to
             the
             Cleomenes
             .
          
           
             Mor●l
             wanting
             to
             the
             Cleomenes
             .
          
           
             M●●al●●
             ference
             .
          
           
             The
             Poet
             too
             faithful
             to
             the
             History
             .
          
           
             Mourning
             Bride
             .
          
           
             Fable
             very
             just
             and
             regular
             .
          
           
             Moral
             excellent
             .
          
           
             Advantages
             of
             the
             Moderns
             over
             the
             Antients
             in
             the
             Morals
             of
             their
             Fables
             .
             Providence
             not
             employed
             to
             promote
             Villany
             .
          
           
             Nor
             to
             oppress
             Virtue
             .
          
           
             Nor
             to
             protect
             Malefactors
             .
          
           
             Modern
             Poets
             more
             Religious
             than
             the
             Antients
             .
          
           
             The
             Fable
             of
             the
             Poets
             disposal
             .
             Characters
             and
             Expressions
             not
             so
             .
          
           
             The
             Fable
             if
             any
             ,
             the
             Evidence
             of
             the
             
             Poets
             ●●nion
             .
          
           
             Mr
             Collier's
             a
             false
             ,
             and
             perverse
             Measure
             .
          
           
             The
             Fable
             the
             Engine
             of
             greatest
             and
             most
             secret
             Execution
             upon
             the
             Audience
             .
             P.
             95.
             
          
           
             Not
             abused
             to
             any
             ill
             end
             by
             our
             Poets
             .
          
           
             Apology
             for
             the
             Antients
             .
          
           
             Moral
             Plays
             not
             esteem'd
             at
             Athens
             .
          
           
             Moral
             and
             Pathetick
             reconciled
             ,
             and
             united
             by
             the
             Moderns
             .
          
           
             Poetick
             Justice
             neglected
             by
             the
             Antients
             in
             general
             .
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Monsi●ur
             Dacier's
             exception
             ●●o
             Monsi●ur
             Corneille
             answered
             .
          
           
             Po●t●ck
             Justice
             a
             ●●odern
             ●●vention
             .
          
           
             Modern
             Stage
             on
             this
             account
             pr●f-rable
             of
             the
             Antient
             .
          
           
             Fable
             of
             Comedy
             〈◊〉
          
           
             In
             Comedy
             the
             Action
             and
             Persons
             l●w
             .
          
           
             The
             correction
             of
             Folly
             the
             proper
             business
             of
             Comedy
          
           
             Perfect
             Virtue
             excluded
             the
             
               Comick
               Stage
            
             .
          
           
             Some
             Infirmity
             required
             to
             qualifie
             a
             Character
             for
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Ne
             Gentlemen
             but
             men
             of
             pleasure
             sit
             for
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Comick
             Poetry
             and
             Droll
             Painting
             compar'd
             .
          
           
             Such
             Characters
             real
             and
             common
             .
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             mistake
             concerning
             the
             Nature
             of
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Heads
             of
             Mr
             Collier's
             charge
             against
             
               English
               Cody
            
             .
          
           
             His
             first
             Article
             examined
             .
          
           
             This
             Rule
             repugnant
             to
             the
             Nature
             of
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Reason
             why
             .
          
           
             Indulgence
             of
             Plautus
             and
             Terence
             to
             vicious
             young
             People
             misplaced
             by
             Mr
             Collier
             .
             P.
             149.
             
          
           
             Plautus
             and
             Terence
             faithful
             Copyers
             from
             Nature
             .
          
           
             Opinion
             of
             Horace
             enquir'd
             into
             .
             P.
             149.
             
          
           
             Art.
             Poet.
             
          
           
             This
             not
             a
             bare
             Character
             but
             a
             Rule
             .
          
           
             P.
             149.
             
          
           
             Sense
             of
             Horace
             in
             this
             place
             mistaken
             or
             perverted
             by
             Mr
             Collier
             .
          
           
             Parity
             of
             reasoning
             betwixt
             Mr
             Prynn
             and
             Mr
             Collier
             .
          
           
             Another
             outrage
             to
             Horace
             .
          
           
             Art.
             P●●t
             .
          
           
             Use
             of
             a
             Chorus
             according
             to
             Horace
             .
          
           
             Objection
             .
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             answer
             .
          
           
             Reply
             to
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             answer
             .
          
           
             Art.
             Poet.
             
          
           
             Chorus
             in
             Old
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Plutus
             of
             Aristophanes
             .
             p.
             150.
             
          
           
             Double
             mistake
             of
             Mr
             Collier
             .
          
           
             By
             this
             the
             
               Plutus
               Old
            
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Fable
             of
             Old
             Comedy
             of
             what
             kind
             .
          
           
             Characters
             of
             
               Cratinus
               ,
               Eupolis
            
             ,
             and
             Aristophanes
             how
             differenc'd
             .
          
           
             New
             Comedy
             how
             differing
             from
             the
             Old.
             
          
           
             Plutus
             not
             New
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Satire
             of
             the
             Old
             Comedy
             particular
             .
             Of
             the
             New
             general
             .
          
           
             Arisstophanes
             the
             Bginner
             of
             the
             Middle
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             No
             Chorus
             
               in
               the
            
             Plutus
             .
          
           
             Office
             of
             the
             Chorus
             in
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             The
             parts
             Essential
             to
             a
             Chorus
             omitted
             in
             the
             flutus
             .
          
           
             *
             Etiam
             in
             ●jusdem
             Pluto
             Chori
             desiderantur
             ,
             quod
             &
             alibi
             monebamus
             :
             ita
             tamen
             ut
             non
             omissus
             ,
             sed
             exemptus
             videatur
             .
             Poetic
             .
             lib.
             1.
             cap.
             viii
             .
          
           
             Unconc●●●●
             Inf●r●nce
             from
             Aristotle
             .
          
           
             P.
             150.
             
          
           
             Silence
             of
             Aristotle
             no
             argument
             in
             this
             Case
             
          
           
             Reason
             of
             
             Aristotle's
             silence
             in
             this
             point
             .
          
           
             His
             account
             of
             the
             Rise
             of
             the
             Drama
             .
          
           
             Cap.
             4.
             
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Progress
             of
             Comedy
             〈◊〉
             .
          
           
             Brevity
             of
             Aristotle
             .
          
           
             Cap.
             4.
             
          
           
             A
             particular
             Treatise
             of
             Comedy
             written
             by
             Aristotle
             ,
             but
             lost
             .
          
           
             Chorus
             
               not
               used
               in
               the
            
             New
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Chorus
             altogether
             improper
             for
             the
             Comick
             Stage
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             Used
             at
             Puppet
             Shews
             .
          
           
             Function
             assigned
             the
             Chorus
             by
             Mr
             Collier
             .
          
           
             Original
             Errour
             of
             Mr
             Collier
             .
          
           
             Loose
             Characters
             in
             Comedy
             no
             Encouragement
             to
             Debauchery
             .
          
           
             Ridiculous
             Fear
             if
             Mr
             Collier
             .
          
           
             Theatres
             wrongfully
             accused
             by
             him
             .
          
           
             Sense
             of
             Horace
             again
             perverted
             .
          
           
             P.
             151
             
          
           
             Hor.
             Art.
             Poet.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             This
             Advice
             Political
             ,
             not
             Moral
             .
          
           
             Manners
             here
             signified
             Poetical
             not
             Mor●●
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             description
             of
             
               Poetical
               Manners
            
          
           
             P.
             165.
             
          
           
             Def●ctive
             and
             Esiv●cal
             .
          
           
             
             Aristotle's
             description
             .
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Hor.
             Art.
             Poet.
             
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Propriety
             of
             Manners
             requir'd
          
           
             Wherein
             it
             consists
             .
          
           
             Similitude
             of
             Manners
             
          
           
             Hor.
             Art.
             Poet.
             
          
           
             Equality
             of
             Manners
             what
             .
          
           
             Art.
             Poet.
             
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Faults
             of
             Characters
             what
             .
          
           
             Faults
             of
             Expression
             manifold
             .
          
           
             Some
             heads
             of
             Mr
             Collier's
             Charge
             .
          
           
             P.
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             This
             point
             mistaken
             .
          
           
             Faults
             of
             particular
             no
             reflection
             upon
             the
             Sex
             in
             General
             .
          
           
             Universals
             and
             Individuals
             improper
             Characters
             .
          
           
             What
             Characters
             proper
             
          
           
             Two
             sorts
             of
             Resemblances
             in
             Poetry
             .
          
           
             Quality
             no
             just
             reason
             for
             exemption
             .
          
           
             Mr
             Collier's
             collect
             in
             from
             the
             Antients
             very
             loosely
             made
             .
          
           
             Objection
             to
             Ophelia
             .
          
           
             Character
             of
             Ophelia
             .
          
           
             Objection
             groundless
             &
             friv
             .
             ●o●
             .
             ●
             .
          
           
             Mad
             Song
             .
          
           
             ●oolish
             but
             ●●ffensive
             .
          
           
             Antients
             more
             faulty
             then
             this
             .
          
           
             Instance
             in
             the
             
               Antigone
               of
               Sophocles
            
             .
          
           
             Instance
             in
             Electra
             of
             the
             same
             Author
             .
          
           
             P.
             35.
             
          
           
             Antigone
             in
             Sophocles
             not
             so
             nice
             .
          
           
             Casandra
             not
             so
             nice
             as
             Mr
             Collier
             pretends
             .
          
           
             E●travagance
             of
             Casandra
             .
          
           
             Indecency
             again●●
             Character
             .
          
           
             Misbehaviour
             of
             Hecuba
             .
          
           
             Love
             and
             T●nderness
             used
             by
             the
             Moderns
             .
             Lust
             and
             Violence
             by
             the
             Antients
             .
          
           
             Numerous
             instances
             of
             this
             kind
             to
             be
             found
             in
             Euripides
             .
          
           
             Some
             referr'd
             to
             .
          
           
             Seneca
             examin'd
             upon
             this
             Article
             .
          
           
             Miscarriage
             of
             Phaedra
             .
          
           
             Modesty
             of
             Lycus
             consider
             .
          
           
             References
             to
             other
             instances
             .
          
           
             These
             Faults
             less
             pardonable
             in
             Tragedy
             ,
             than
             Comedy
             .
          
           
             Slaves
             th●
             top
             Charact●rs
             of
             the
             
               Roman
               Comedy
            
             .
          
           
             Very
             little
             variety
             In
             th●●●r
             Plots
             .
          
           
             Greater
             Liberty
             taken
             by
             Aristophanes
             .
          
           
             Aristophanes
             whether
             an
             Atheist
             or
             not
             〈◊〉
             to
             the
             purpose
             .
          
           
             This
             Argument
             considered
             .
          
           
             Rigour
             of
             the
             Athenians
             to
             Socrates
             a
             sort
             of
             Acqui●ment
             of
             Aristophanes
             .
          
           
             Mr
             
             Collier's
             ●o
             proof
             of
             〈◊〉
             assertion
             .
          
           
             The
             Opinion
             of
             the
             Man
             not
             measured
             by
             the
             Expressions
             of
             the
             Poet
             at
             Athens
          
           
             Liberties
             of
             Plautus
             greater
             than
             those
             of
             the
             English
             Stage
             .
             P.
             15.
             
          
           
             Instances
             from
             the
             Amphi●●io
             .
          
           
             Remarkable
             Circumstances
             of
             this
             Passage
             .
          
           
             The
             Disguise
             under
             which
             Mercury
             appears
             no
             excuse
             for
             his
             misbehaviour
             .
          
           
             Jupiter
             not
             more
             modest
             .
          
           
             Instances
             from
             the
             Asinaria
             .
          
           
             Instance
             of
             singular
             Morality
             .
          
           
             Plautus's
             Lovers
             more
             active
             than
             talkative
             .
          
           
             Instanced
             from
             the
             Curtulio
             .
          
           
             Comparative
             Modesty
             of
             the
             Virgins
             of
             the
             Antient
             Stage
             hence
             to
             be
             observed
             .
          
           
             Mr
             Collier's
             own
             exceptions
             taken
             notice
             of
             .
          
           
             P.
             17.
             
          
           
             His
             instance
             in
             Olympio
             grosly
             mistaken
             or
             misrepresented
             .
          
           
             Casina
             Act
             5
             Scen.
             2.
             
          
           
             In●●ance
             from
             the
             As●naria
             .
          
           
             Slaves
             not
             the
             only
             Off●nders
             of
             this
             kind
             in
             Plautus
             .
          
           
             Miles
             Glo●iosus
             .
          
           
             〈…〉
             logues
             and
             ●pilogues
             no●
             always
             ●noff●ns●●
             .
          
           
             P
             17.
             
          
           
             This
             prov'd
             from
             the
             Epilogue
             to
             the
             Casina
             .
          
           
             Epilogue
             to
             the
             Asinaria
             an
             Encouragement
             to
             Lewdness
             .
          
           
             Captivi
             .
          
           
             Epilogue
             to
             the
             Captivi
             .
          
           
             Complaint
             of
             the
             Abuse
             of
             the
             Clergy
             not
             well
             grounded
             .
          
           
             Their
             Relation
             to
             the
             Deity
             to
             considered
             .
          
           
             P.
             127.
             128.
             
          
           
             Personal
             Representation
             of
             Deity
             absurd
             .
          
           
             The
             Power
             of
             the
             Church
             not
             lodged
             with
             the
             Priest
             .
          
           
             Mission
             of
             
               St.
               Paul
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Apostles
             what
             and
             how
             circumstantiated
             .
          
           
             Difference
             betwixt
             their
             Commission
             and
             that
             of
             the
             present
             Ministry
             .
          
           
             Importance
             of
             their
             Office
             no
             exemption
             .
          
           
             Some
             faults
             not
             cognizable
             by
             the
             Ordinary
             .
          
           
             Priests
             not
             misrepresented
             unless
             faultless
             .
          
           
             His
             Plea
             from
             Prescription
             examined
             .
          
           
             Instance
             to
             the
             contrary
             from
             Sophocles
             .
          
           
             Ajax
             Flagellifer
             .
          
           
             Oedipus
             Tyrannus
             .
          
           
             Antigone
             .
          
           
             Eurip●des
             not
             mo●e
             tender
             of
             Priests
             .
          
           
             Iphigenia
             in
             Aulid
             ▪
             .
          
           
             Ibidem
             .
          
           
             S●neca
             meddles
             little
             with
             〈◊〉
             .
          
           
             Ajex
             An●igone
             and
             Ph●●octetes
             .
          
           
             Euripides
             and
             Seneca
             full
             of
             prophane
             expressions
             .
          
           
             Hecuba
             .
          
           
             Ibidem
             .
          
           
             Orestes
             .
          
           
             Ibidem
             .
          
           
             Ibidem
             .
          
           
             Troades
             .
          
           
             Cyclops
             .
          
           
             Ion.
             
          
           
             Troas
             .
          
           
             Rude
             treatment
             of
             the
             Nobility
             a
             false
             charge
             .