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the_o heathen_a philosopher_n and_o poet_n of_o the_o heathen_a greek_a and_o roman_a state_n of_o the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n etc._n etc._n and_o of_o our_o english_a state_n against_o the_o theatre_n fair_o exhibit_v but_o see_v the_o defender_n of_o the_o playhouse_n argue_v the_o usefulness_n of_o it_o to_o the_o english_a nation_n in_o general_n and_o to_o the_o present_a govenment_n in_o particular_a it_o be_v reasonable_a the_o appeal_n shall_v be_v to_o our_o honourable_a representative_n and_o that_o the_o argument_n pro_fw-la and_o con_v shall_v be_v lay_v before_o they_o not_o doubt_v if_o they_o think_v fit_a at_o all_o to_o take_v it_o into_o consideration_n but_o they_o will_v give_v a_o true_a and_o righteous_a judgement_n in_o the_o matter_n it_o be_v not_o in_o england_n alone_o where_o the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n of_o the_o stage_n and_o the_o immorality_n and_o profaneness_n of_o it_o be_v the_o present_a subject_n of_o controversy_n but_o in_o 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demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n yet_o this_o great_a apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n be_v bring_v up_o at_o the_o foot_n of_o gamaliel_n and_o have_v more_o humane_a learning_n than_o 20_o of_o our_o flutter_a doctor_n it_o be_v not_o my_o design_n to_o cry_v down_o eloquence_n in_o a_o preacher_n nor_o to_o commend_v a_o rough_a way_n of_o expression_n from_o the_o pulpit_n eloquence_n be_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n and_o commend_v in_o the_o preacher_n apollo_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n we_o be_v tell_v that_o he_o be_v mighty_a in_o the_o scripture_n and_o teach_v diligent_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o lord_n 25._o it_o be_v reckon_v high_o profane_a and_o mr._n collier_n have_v smart_o reprove_v it_o for_o poet_n to_o apply_v the_o phrase_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o stage_n and_o i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o vice_n versa_fw-la it_o shall_v not_o be_v liable_a to_o that_o same_o censure_n to_o adopt_v the_o phrase_n of_o the_o stage_n 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profanus_fw-la simulatque_fw-la doctores_fw-la it_o a_o inflant_fw-la svas_fw-la tibias_fw-la ad_fw-la svam_fw-la eloquentiam_fw-la venditandam_fw-la a_o profane_a and_o empty_a jingle_n which_o the_o doctor_n make_v use_v of_o to_o set_v off_o their_o eloquence_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o quote_v as_o many_o sermon_n guilty_a of_o these_o vanity_n as_o mr._n collier_n have_v quote_v play_v guilty_a of_o abuse_v scripture_n but_o for_o obvious_a reason_n i_o forbear_v it_o the_o only_a cause_n why_o i_o mention_v it_o be_v to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o poet_n alone_o that_o support_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o stage_n and_o that_o what_o be_v criminal_a in_o a_o poet_n be_v ten_o time_n worse_o in_o a_o priest_n and_o therefore_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o pass_v without_o a_o reproof_n it_o be_v know_v there_o be_v many_o godly_a person_n among_o our_o clergy_n who_o bewail_v those_o thing_n and_o oppose_v they_o as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v but_o there_o be_v a_o 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church_n shall_v be_v so_o silent_a in_o this_o matter_n that_o there_o be_v something_o in_o this_o i_o be_o very_o apt_a to_o think_v because_o of_o the_o deference_n many_o of_o the_o clergy_n man_n pay_v to_o the_o memory_n of_o that_o prelate_n and_o of_o his_o master_n king_n charles_n i._n who_o he_o help_v to_o mislead_v in_o those_o time_n as_o mr._n prin_fw-mi acquaint_v we_o in_o his_o histriomastix_n none_o be_v account_v enemy_n to_o the_o playhouse_n but_o puritan_n and_o precisian_n and_o in_o opposition_n to_o they_o it_o probable_o be_v that_o laud_n and_o his_o clergy_n become_v its_o patron_n and_o it_o be_v not_o unlike_a that_o many_o of_o the_o less-thinking_a churchman_n continue_v still_o to_o favour_v it_o on_o that_o account_n as_o be_v unwilling_a to_o condemn_v that_o for_o which_o king_n charles_n i._n and_o archbishop_n laud_v testify_v so_o much_o passion_n but_o these_o gentleman_n will_v do_v well_o to_o remember_v that_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o 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churchman_n of_o that_o time_n be_v so_o far_o from_o oppose_v it_o that_o they_o concur_v with_o he_o &_o impose_v a_o book_n of_o sport_n and_o pastime_n upon_o all_o their_o clergy_n to_o be_v read_v to_o the_o people_n on_o sunday_n which_o be_v a_o fair_a step_n towards_o convert_v all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o nation_n into_o playhouse_n this_o great_a example_n do_v so_o much_o encourage_v the_o stage_n that_o mr._n prin_fw-mi tell_v we_o in_o his_o book_n beforementioned_a in_o two_o year_n time_n there_o be_v above_o 40000_o playbook_n print_v they_o become_v more_o vendible_a than_o the_o choice_a sermon_n grow_v up_o from_o quarto_n to_o folio_n be_v print_v on_o far_o better_a paper_n than_o most_o of_o the_o octavo_fw-la or_o quarto_fw-la bibles_n and_o be_v more_o saleable_a than_o they_o and_o shackspeers_n play_v in_o particular_a be_v print_v in_o the_o bestâ—_n paper_n the_o two_o old_a playhouse_n be_v rebuilt_a and_o enlarge_v and_o a_o new_a theatre_n erect_v so_o that_o there_o be_v then_o six_o playhouse_n in_o london_n twice_o the_o number_n of_o those_o in_o rome_n in_o nero_n time_n which_o though_o a_o much_o more_o spacious_a city_n seneca_n complain_v of_o as_o be_v too_o many_o that_o faction_n of_o the_o clergy_n become_v at_o last_o so_o enamour_a of_o the_o stage_n that_o the_o same_o author_n inform_v we_o 935._o he_o have_v hear_v some_o preacher_n call_v their_o text_n a_o landscape_a or_o picture_n and_o other_o a_o play_n or_o spectacle_n divide_v their_o text_n into_o actor_n spectator_n scene_n etc._n etc._n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v act_v a_o play_n upon_o which_o he_o complain_v of_o their_o use_v playhouse_n phrase_n clinch_n and_o strong_a line_n as_o they_o call_v they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v to_o to_o frequent_a to_o have_v sermon_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o division_n
for_o a_o month_n into_o spain_n and_o take_v a_o â—urn_n through_o france_n into_o the_o empire_n of_o germany_n dont_fw-fr let_v he_o forget_v to_o take_v holland_n in_o his_o way_n home_o and_o then_o let_v he_o spend_v some_o week_n in_o turn_v over_o the_o history_n of_o those_o several_a country_n and_o i_o be_o much_o mistake_v if_o he_o do_v find_v himself_o convince_v by_o experience_n and_o authority_n that_o our_o neighbour_n be_v as_o sullen_a and_o morose_a as_o we_o have_v be_v as_o uneasy_a to_o one_o another_o and_o endanger_v their_o government_n as_o oftâ—â—_n and_o yet_o all_o of_o they_o have_v have_v the_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o drama_n i_o must_v likewise_o beg_v leave_n to_o tell_v he_o that_o the_o good_a nature_n of_o englishman_n have_v be_v for_o a_o long_a time_n take_v notice_n of_o and_o that_o i_o have_v read_v it_o as_o a_o observation_n from_o as_o good_a a_o author_n as_o himself_o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o language_n have_v a_o word_n to_o 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from_o reason_n and_o deny_v that_o the_o more_o the_o passion_n in_o any_o man_n be_v move_v the_o more_o obnoxious_a they_o be_v to_o be_v move_v and_o the_o more_o unruly_a they_o grow_v 16._o this_o he_o say_v be_v contrary_n to_o common_a experience_n because-the_a more_o any_o person_n frequent_v play_n the_o hard_a he_o be_v to_o be_v please_v and_o move_v but_o by_o mr._n dennis_n favour_n his_o answer_n be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n or_o just_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o the_o long_o a_o man_n eat_v beef_n the_o less_o he_o care_v for_o it_o he_o know_v the_o old_a say_n jucundissima_fw-la voluptas_fw-la quam_fw-la rarior_fw-la usus_fw-la commendat_fw-la a_o man_n may_v be_v cloy_v with_o the_o great_a dainty_n but_o can_v he_o deny_v that_o the_o more_o a_o choleric_a man_n passion_n be_v move_v the_o more_o peevish_a and_o outrageous_a he_o grow_v and_o the_o more_o the_o letcher_n passion_n be_v move_v the_o more_o lustful_a and_o brutish_a he_o grow_v so_o long_o as_o nature_n will_v keep_v pace_n or_o the_o more_o the_o miser_n avarice_n be_v move_v the_o more_o covetous_a he_o grow_v till_o his_o mouth_n be_v fill_v with_o dust_n if_o he_o can_v deny_v this_o he_o be_v fit_a for_o his_o own_o heaven_n where_o his_o reason_n shall_v be_v no_o more_o 8._o in_o the_o next_o place_n he_o deny_v that_o corruption_n of_o manner_n proceed_v from_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o drama_n upon_o the_o restoration_n of_o k._n charles_n the_o second_o â—st_n say_v he_o because_o we_o never_o hear_v any_o complaint_n of_o the_o like_a corruption_n of_o manner_n before_o the_o restoration_n of_o k._n charles_n the_o ii_o though_o the_o drama_n flourish_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o k._n james_n i._o as_o mr._n collier_n tell_v we_o with_o the_o like_a licentiousness_n 19_o by_o mr._n dennis_n leave_n here_o be_v a_o contradiction_n in_o term_n a_o stage_n as_o licentious_a as_o we_o at_o present_a who_o abuse_n he_o own_v in_o the_o same_o page_n to_o be_v palpable_a and_o yet_o no_o complaint_n of_o corruption_n of_o manner_n but_o because_o i_o will_v give_v he_o a_o better_a authority_n than_o his_o own_o let_v he_o read_v mr._n prin_n histriomastix_n and_o there_o he_o will_v find_v complaint_n enough_o before_o the_o restoration_n of_o k._n charles_n ii_o and_o sufficient_a cause_n for_o it_o too_o the_o â—d_a argument_n that_o the_o corruption_n of_o manner_n be_v great_a in_o france_n though_o their_o theatre_n be_v less_o licentious_a than_o we_o will_v stand_v he_o in_o little_a stead_n for_o suppose_v it_o true_a that_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o french_a be_v more_o corrupt_v than_o we_o which_o i_o be_o afraid_a will_n scarce_o be_v grant_v though_o their_o theatre_n be_v less_o licentious_a their_o religion_n be_v more_o which_o allow_v they_o to_o be_v as_o wicked_a as_o the_o devil_n can_v make_v they_o provide_v they_o have_v but_o money_n enough_o to_o pay_v for_o a_o pardon_n or_o fury_n enough_o to_o persecute_v the_o protestant_n that_o the_o german_n be_v great_a drinker_n and_o the_o italian_n more_o inclinable_a to_o unnatural_a lust_n though_o they_o have_v less_o of_o the_o drama_n than_o we_o perhaps_o they_o will_v charge_v the_o cause_n upon_o heaven_n as_o he_o do_v and_o impute_v it_o to_o their_o clime_n but_o can_v he_o say_v that_o if_o they_o have_v more_o of_o the_o drama_n they_o will_v not_o be_v more_o addict_v to_o those_o crime_n than_o at_o present_a they_o be_v if_o he_o will_v give_v himself_o the_o trouble_n of_o read_v the_o authority_n i_o have_v former_o quote_v he_o will_v find_v both_o those_o crime_n and_o particular_o the_o latter_a charge_v upon_o the_o stage_n nor_o can_v mr._n dennis_n assign_v any_o reason_n why_o go_v from_o the_o theatre_n to_o the_o tavern_n with_o a_o miss_n or_o other_o lewd_a company_n as_o be_v but_o too_o too_o common_a shall_v not_o occasion_v drunkenness_n and_o sodomy_n both_o his_o 3d_o argument_n be_v 20._o that_o the_o 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time_n of_o the_o reformation_n here_o in_o england_n several_a good_a christian_n propagate_v the_o protestant_a doctrine_n under_o the_o veil_n of_o dialogue_n by_o way_n of_o comedy_n and_o tragedy_n insomuch_o that_o the_o popish_a clergy_n get_v they_o forbid_v by_o the_o 34_o and_o 35_o of_o henry_n 8._o c._n i._o the_o famous_a du_n plessis_n mornay_n write_v a_o tragedy_n of_o ieptha_n daughter_n the_o great_a poet_n buchanan_n do_v the_o like_a he_o write_v also_o another_o call_v baptiste_n and_o translate_v into_o latin_a the_o medea_n and_o alcestis_n of_o euripides_n but_o it_o will_v not_o therefore_o follow_v that_o those_o great_a man_n approve_v the_o stage_n buchanan_n in_o his_o dedication_n of_o alcestis_n to_o margaret_n of_o france_n sister_n of_o henry_n ii_o recommend_v that_o tragedy_n to_o she_o because_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n in_o it_o of_o parricid_n witchcraft_n or_o other_o crime_n with_o which_o tragedian_n common_o abound_v so_o that_o by_o this_o he_o rather_o censure_n than_o approve_v the_o theatre_n our_o author_n assertion_n that_o the_o stage_n be_v establish_v in_o queen_n elizabeth_n time_n and_o flourish_v in_o that_o of_o k._n james_n upon_o which_o spencer_n bacon_n and_o raleigh_n three_o prodigy_n of_o wit_n appear_v all_o at_o once_o and_o that_o we_o have_v no_o first-rate_n writer_n till_o henry_n viii_o be_v like_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o learning_n and_o confidence_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v establish_v in_o queen_n elizabeth_n time_n though_o it_o have_v then_o but_o too_o much_o encouragement_n that_o all_o the_o playhouse_n in_o london_n be_v suppress_v upon_o a_o petition_n to_o that_o queen_n in_o 1580._o the_o stage_n be_v restrain_v by_o the_o 14_o and_o 39th_o of_o her_o reign_n and_o book_n against_o it_o there_o dedicate_v to_o her_o secretary_n walsingham_n and_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o flourish_v in_o king_n james_n i._o time_n that_o in_o the_o one_a year_n of_o his_o reign_n 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elsewhere_o the_o reflection_n which_o he_o cast_v on_o the_o parliament_n time_n when_o the_o stage_n be_v abolish_v be_v full_a of_o malice_n and_o ignorance_n no_o man_n can_v expect_v that_o learning_n shall_v flourish_v during_o a_o intestine_a war_n yet_o those_o time_n be_v not_o without_o eminent_a scholar_n in_o all_o faculty_n and_o upon_o enquiry_n it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o most_o of_o the_o great_a man_n england_n can_v boast_v of_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o their_o study_n and_o form_v their_o thought_n before_o the_o stage_n be_v restore_v by_o king_n charles_n ii_o the_o world_n can_v deny_v but_o selden_n and_o milton_n be_v famous_a for_o learning_n though_o they_o be_v of_o the_o parliament_n side_n &_o owe_v nothing_o of_o their_o education_n to_o the_o stage_n nor_o can_v our_o author_n pretend_v that_o the_o lord_n chief_a justice_n halcs_n or_o the_o beginner_n of_o the_o royal_a society_n the_o doctor_n ward_n wilkins_n wallis_n etc._n etc._n or_o the_o 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the_o revival_n of_o the_o stage_n and_o i_o dare_v bold_o aver_v that_o the_o theatre_n afford_v he_o none_o of_o those_o learned_a argument_n by_o which_o of_o late_o he_o have_v baffle_v the_o deistâ—_n and_o socinian_n the_o bishop_n of_o salisbury_n who_o learning_n have_v make_v he_o famous_a owe_v his_o education_n to_o a_o country_n where_o the_o stage_n never_o take_v root_n the_o late_a archbishop_n tillotson_n owe_v nothing_o of_o his_o great_a endowment_n to_o the_o theatre_n and_o i_o question_v whether_o mr._n lock_v and_o mr._n newton_n who_o learning_n he_o mention_n wiâ—h_v deserve_v applause_n will_v give_v it_o under_o their_o hand_n that_o they_o have_v have_v any_o benefit_n by_o it_o this_o venomous_a reflection_n that_o none_o be_v encourage_v in_o the_o parliament_n time_n but_o hypocritical_a fool_n who_o abominable_a cant_v be_v christen_v gift_n and_o their_o dulness_n grace_n 42._o be_v no_o scandal_n from_o the_o pen_n of_o a_o ignorant_a libertine_n it_o be_v very_o well_o know_v that_o some_o of_o they_o that_o be_v yet_o alive_a such_o as_o dr._n bates_n mr._n how_o mr._n alsoâ—_n etc._n etc._n be_v in_o general_a esteem_n by_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o all_o side_n the_o two_o former_a be_v particular_o respect_v by_o the_o late_a archbishop_n tillotson_n for_o their_o great_a learning_n and_o worth_n and_o the_o latter_a be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o the_o world_n for_o the_o accuteness_n of_o his_o pen_n his_o admirable_a talon_n of_o preach_v and_o universal_a learning_n it_o be_v needless_a to_o mention_v dr._n owen_n mr._n baxter_n mr._n câ—arnock_n and_o mr._n pool_n decease_v and_o i_o have_v almost_o forget_v to_o mention_v the_o poly-glot_a a_o laborious_a and_o learned_a work_n the_o birth_n of_o which_o be_v owe_v to_o those_o time_n in_o a_o word_n the_o reflection_n be_v so_o malicious_a and_o ill_o ground_v that_o
nothing_o can_v justify_v my_o insist_v so_o much_o upon_o it_o but_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o answer_v a_o fool_n according_a to_o his_o folly_n lest_o he_o shall_v be_v wise_a in_o his_o own_o conceit_n i_o come_v now_o to_o his_o second_o part._n where_o in_o the_o first_o chapter_n he_o assert_n with_o his_o usual_a confidence_n that_o the_o stage_n be_v useful_a to_o the_o government_n which_o if_o true_a the_o ancient_a greek_n and_o roman_n who_o understand_v government_n the_o best_a of_o any_o people_n in_o the_o gentile_a world_n be_v very_o much_o in_o the_o wrong_n when_o they_o banish_v the_o stage_n by_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o state_n as_o have_v be_v already_o mention_v and_o the_o government_n of_o england_n be_v mighty_o out_o in_o their_o measure_n in_o the_o time_n of_o king_n james_n and_o charles_n i._n when_o by_o act_n of_o parliament_n stage-player_n be_v declare_v rogue_n and_o vagabond_n if_o the_o stage_n be_v such_o a_o sovereign_a remedy_n against_o ambition_n and_o the_o immoderate_a love_n of_o pleasure_n as_o mr._n dennis_n will_v have_v it_o 51._o what_o unlucky_a star_n be_v they_o that_o mar_v its_o influence_n and_o prevent_v its_o cure_n of_o julius_n caesar_n nero_n and_o other_o of_o old_a and_o three_o of_o our_o own_o successive_a king_n of_o late_a who_o encourage_v and_o frequent_v it_o more_o than_o any_o of_o their_o predecessor_n how_o come_v the_o jew_n to_o be_v so_o foul_o mistake_v as_o to_o think_v that_o the_o stage_n will_v over-turn_a their_o constitution_n as_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v from_o josephus_n or_o do_v old_a samuel_n spirit_n of_o prophecy_n forsake_v he_o when_o he_o recommend_v the_o perusal_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n to_o the_o king_n of_o israel_n as_o the_o proper_a method_n to_o keep_v they_o steady_a in_o their_o administration_n 18._o have_v there_o be_v such_o poet_n among_o they_o in_o those_o day_n who_o as_o mr._n dennis_n have_v it_o be_v sometime_o by_o a_o spirit_n not_o their_o own_o exalt_v to_o divinity_n 44._o they_o will_v have_v prescribe_v tragedy_n as_o the_o best_a remedy_n against_o their_o inconsiderate_a ambition_n and_o immoderate_a love_n of_o pleasure_n 52._o nothing_o say_v mr._n dennis_n be_v more_o capable_a than_o tragedy_n of_o raise_v the_o soul_n and_o give_v it_o that_o greatness_n that_o courage_n that_o force_n and_o that_o constancy_n which_o be_v the_o qualification_n that_o make_v man_n deserve_v to_o command_v other_o which_o be_v evident_a from_o experience_n for_o they_o who_o in_o all_o country_n and_o in_o all_o age_n have_v appear_v most_o to_o feel_v the_o power_n of_o tragedy_n have_v be_v the_o most_o deserve_a and_o the_o great_a of_o men._n aeschylus_n among_o the_o athenian_n be_v a_o great_a captain_n and_o tragic_a poet._n sophocles_n a_o able_a state_n man_n and_o a_o victorious_a general_n the_o very_o great_a among_o the_o roman_n be_v so_o far_o touch_v with_o the_o drama_n as_o either_o to_o write_v their_o play_n themselves_o or_o to_o build_v their_o theatre_n witness_n scipio_n lelius_n lucullus_n maecenas_n julius_n and_o augustus_n none_o among_o the_o french_a have_v show_v so_o much_o greatness_n of_o mind_n as_o richlieu_n and_o none_o so_o much_o passion_n for_o the_o drama_n which_o be_v so_o great_a that_o he_o write_v several_a play_n with_o that_o very_a hand_n which_o at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v lay_v the_o plan_n of_o the_o french_a universal_a monarchy_n this_o be_v one_o of_o mr._n dennis_n rapture_n when_o exalt_v to_o divinity_n which_o inspire_v his_o pen_n with_o irresistible_a argument_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a his_o divinity_n be_v not_o of_o the_o right_a stamp_n for_o have_v he_o look_v into_o the_o divine_a record_n he_o will_v have_v find_v that_o moses_n joshua_n jepthah_n samson_n david_n and_o other_o have_v far_o outdo_v all_o that_o he_o have_v name_v for_o greatness_n of_o courage_n and_o qualification_n for_o government_n and_o yet_o never_o one_o of_o they_o see_v a_o tragedy_n hunniades_n scanderbag_n tamerlan_n zisca_n gustavus_n adolphus_n be_v equal_a for_o valour_n to_o any_o of_o his_o great_a samplar_n and_o yet_o not_o one_o of_o they_o be_v inspire_v by_o the_o stage_n then_o for_o the_o mighty_a richlieu_n he_o be_v so_o far_o overmatched_a by_o his_o own_o contemporary_a oliver_n the_o stage-hater_n that_o for_o all_o the_o courage_n of_o his_o tragical_a pen_n he_o can_v not_o save_v himself_o nor_o his_o country_n from_o tremble_a when_o the_o usurper_n roar_v nor_o be_v the_o theatre_n able_a to_o cure_v his_o own_o ambition_n but_o notwithstanding_o mr._n dennis_n probatum_fw-la est_fw-la with_o the_o same_o hand_n that_o he_o write_v his_o play_n he_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o hatefull_a tyranny_n that_o europe_n have_v know_v for_o several_a age_n i_o must_v also_o make_v bold_a to_o tell_v mr._n dennis_n that_o the_o countenance_n give_v to_o the_o stage_n by_o julius_n caesar_n pompey_n and_o other_o aspire_a roman_n seem_v rather_o to_o have_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o their_o ambition_n than_o propose_v as_o a_o cure_n for_o it_o that_o by_o immerse_v the_o people_n in_o debanchery_n and_o pleasure_n they_o shall_v be_v render_v the_o less_o careful_a of_o their_o expire_a liberty_n which_o the_o senate_n be_v aware_a of_o think_v fit_a whilst_o they_o have_v any_o power_n leave_v they_o to_o cashier_v the_o stage_n and_o this_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o state_n be_v more_o to_o be_v regard_v than_o that_o of_o any_o particular_a person_n how_o great_a soever_o it_o be_v likewise_o worthy_a of_o our_o observation_n that_o augustus_n himself_o and_o several_a other_o emperor_n who_o favour_v the_o stage_n be_v soree_v to_o discharge_v it_o at_o last_o as_o a_o nursery_n of_o lewdness_n and_o villainy_n scipio_n nascica_n a_o great_a general_n who_o by_o vote_n of_o the_o senate_n be_v declare_v the_o best_a man_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n because_o of_o his_o extraordinary_a valour_n prudence_n and_o morality_n suppress_v the_o stage_n as_o destructive_a to_o the_o moral_n of_o the_o people_n trajan_n who_o if_o pliny_n may_v be_v credit_v be_v one_o of_o the_o best_a roman_a emperor_n do_v the_o like_a and_o the_o emperor_n alexander_n severus_n who_o be_v none_o of_o the_o worlt_n of_o they_o withdraw_v the_o pension_n of_o the_o player_n so_o that_o all_o that_o be_v great_a among_o the_o roman_n be_v far_o from_o favour_v the_o stage_n the_o influence_n which_o mr._n dennis_n ascribe_v to_o the_o stage_n in_o prevent_v rebellion_n among_o the_o people_n 56._o be_v equal_o ridiculous_a with_o his_o other_o proposition_n it_o be_v but_o a_o few_o of_o the_o people_n at_o best_a who_o have_v either_o time_n opportunity_n or_o money_n to_o frequent_v the_o theatre_n so_o that_o by_o necessary_a consequence_n its_o influence_n can_v never_o be_v universal_a but_o beside_o he_o be_v contradict_v by_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o 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manner_n which_o render_v they_o unfit_a either_o to_o defend_v themselves_o or_o to_o conquer_v other_o and_o themistocles_n in_o particular_a who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o general_n he_o mention_n have_v so_o low_a a_o opinion_n of_o the_o theatre_n that_o he_o make_v a_o law_n against_o magistrate_n frequent_v it_o lest_o the_o common_a wealth_n shall_v seem_v to_o play_v and_o loiter_v in_o the_o stage_n themist_n pericles_z another_o of_o they_o who_o be_v joint_a praetor_n with_o sophocles_n rebuke_v his_o companion_n for_o behold_v and_o commend_v a_o beautiful_a boy_n tell_v he_o that_o wanton_a look_n do_v not_o become_v a_o praetor_n 8._o what_o will_v he_o have_v say_v then_o of_o the_o modern_a stage_n our_o author_n have_v forget_v to_o mention_n alexander_n the_o great_a the_o discipline_n and_o apparel_n of_o who_o army_n smell_v nothing_o at_o all_o of_o the_o gawdy_a and_o lascivious_a theatre_n and_o yet_o his_o conquest_n exceed_v all_o
it_o have_v be_v more_o become_v a_o supreme_a magistrate_n to_o provide_v against_o such_o unsuitable_a match_n by_o wholesome_a law_n than_o to_o have_v have_v they_o represent_v as_o the_o subject_a of_o mirth_n on_o a_o stage_n as_o it_o will_v have_v be_v more_o decent_a for_o a_o university_n to_o have_v give_v he_o such_o counsel_n than_o to_o divert_v he_o with_o such_o ridiculous_a entertainment_n the_o dialogue_n betwixt_o albumazar_n pandolfo_n and_o cricca_n about_o astrology_n be_v a_o mere_a rhapsody_n of_o study_a nonsense_n which_o look_v very_o unlike_o the_o practice_n of_o christian_n who_o great_a lawgiver_n tell_v they_o 36._o they_o must_v be_v accountable_a for_o every_o idle_a word_n the_o courtship_n betwixt_o trincalo_n a_o farmer_n and_o armellina_n pandolfo_n maid_n wherein_o trincalo_n compare_v himself_o to_o a_o lusty_a strong_a ass_n and_o she_o to_o a_o wanton_n young_a filly_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v a_o race_n of_o mule_n if_o she_o be_v willing_a be_v so_o very_a coarse_a and_o throw_v so_o much_o contempt_n upon_o the_o country_n farmer_n who_o be_v so_o useful_a to_o the_o nation_n that_o it_o can_v neither_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o maxim_n of_o christianity_n nor_o common_a policy_n in_o short_a the_o whole_a comedy_n be_v far_o from_o have_v any_o thing_n of_o a_o tendency_n to_o virtue_n in_o it_o except_o reflection_n upon_o the_o city_n as_o not_o afford_v a_o dozen_o of_o chaste_a virgin_n and_o the_o like_a on_o sheriff_n and_o justice_n of_o peace_n as_o cheat_v and_o hector_v their_o neighbour_n and_o represent_v country_n gentleman_n as_o mind_v nothing_o but_o wench_a and_o drink_v and_o young_a gentlewoman_n talk_v smutty_o of_o their_o amour_n be_v vertâ—ous_a representation_n if_o it_o be_v say_v as_o usual_a that_o those_o vice_n be_v represent_v in_o order_n to_o make_v they_o be_v abhor_v and_o the_o guilty_a person_n ashamed_a of_o they_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o answer_n that_o a_o supreme_a 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reality_n when_o they_o embrace_v doctrine_n contrary_a to_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o which_o some_o of_o they_o as_o laud_n montague_n and_o other_o be_v censure_v by_o the_o parliament_n afterward_o in_o the_o prologue_n to_o the_o university_n there_o be_v a_o jerk_n at_o some_o that_o they_o call_v late_o damn_v book_n and_o which_o they_o hope_v will_v inspire_v none_o of_o the_o university_n with_o a_o harsh_a opinion_n of_o the_o play_n which_o they_o allege_v be_v so_o innocent_a that_o the_o â—ittle_a ruff_n or_o careless_n may_v be_v present_a at_o it_o without_o fear_n and_o they_o value_v themselves_o high_o upon_o the_o presence_n of_o their_o majesty_n as_o give_v life_n to_o the_o performance_n and_o the_o king_n servant_n speak_v much_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n when_o they_o present_v it_o before_o they_o at_o hampton_n court_n the_o first_o act_n represent_v a_o parcel_n of_o drunken_a ephesian_a captive_n revel_v in_o their_o chain_n and_o call_v for_o where_o be_v but_o bid_v their_o gaoler_n and_o his_o wife_n be_v sure_a that_o they_o do_v not_o suffer_v any_o of_o the_o young_a student_n of_o the_o law_n to_o forestall_v the_o market_n the_o gaoler_n too_o have_v a_o jerk_n at_o the_o custom_n of_o sing_v psalm_n at_o the_o gallow_n all_o which_o i_o humble_o conceive_v be_v a_o entertainment_n no_o way_n suit_v to_o the_o royal_a majesty_n of_o a_o king_n nor_o to_o the_o modesty_n of_o a_o queen_n nor_o be_v it_o any_o thing_n for_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o nation_n that_o the_o reins_o of_o public_a discipline_n shall_v be_v so_o far_o let_v loose_a as_o to_o suffer_v such_o practice_n among_o the_o young_a student_n of_o the_o law_n if_o that_o be_v the_o moral_a of_o the_o fable_n the_o rape_n attempt_v afterward_o upon_o the_o persian_a queen_n and_o her_o lady_n by_o those_o ephesian_a captive_n and_o their_o lewd_a discourse_n from_o time_n to_o time_n be_v no_o very_o good_a lesson_n nor_o meet_v entertainment_n for_o a_o queen_n and_o their_o bring_n in_o the_o persian_a courtier_n yield_v complete_a obedience_n to_o cratander_n a_o mock-king_n for_o three_o day_n because_o arsamnes_n their_o prince_n command_v it_o and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n divest_v himself_o of_o his_o authority_n for_o that_o space_n seem_v to_o teach_v the_o slavish_a doctrine_n so_o much_o then_o contend_v for_o by_o the_o court_n that_o iâ—_n be_v unlawful_a to_o resist_v the_o king_n or_o any_o have_v his_o commission_n under_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o though_o he_o shall_v even_o overturn_v the_o foundation_n of_o their_o constitution_n as_o here_o their_o counterfeit_n arsamnes_n do_v by_o make_v a_o captive_a king_n of_o persia._n nay_o and_o this_o play_n too_o which_o they_o pretend_v be_v so_o frame_v as_o it_o can_v give_v no_o offence_n to_o the_o gravity_n of_o the_o university_n or_o clergy_n represent_v atossa_n the_o queen_n a_o little_a incline_n to_o the_o taint_n of_o a_o 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become_v infect_v with_o the_o contagion_n of_o the_o stage_n and_o they_o be_v the_o nursery_n of_o officer_n for_o the_o church_n and_o state_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o the_o infection_n spread_v from_o they_o all_o over_o the_o kingdom_n especial_o be_v patronise_v by_o the_o court_n and_o a._n b._n laud_n and_o his_o faction_n of_o the_o church_n this_o encourage_v particular_a student_n afterward_o such_o a_o barton_n holiday_n and_o gaspar_n main_n both_o of_o christ-church_n oxford_n to_o write_v play_n the_o latter_a in_o his_o comedy_n call_v the_o amorous_a war_n be_v so_o very_o foul_a and_o smutty_n that_o it_o may_v well_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o downright_a lewdness_n but_o it_o be_v suppose_v he_o think_v it_o atonement_n sufficient_a to_o jerk_v at_o the_o city_n and_o parliament_n which_o he_o do_v there_o with_o abundance_n of_o more_o malice_n than_o wit._n neither_o time_n nor_o room_n will_v now_o