influence_n and_o operation_n be_v contrive_v and_o model_v so_o as_o to_o be_v serviceable_a to_o their_o grand_a design_n that_o this_o may_v more_o certain_o appear_v we_o shall_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o analize_v some_o of_o those_o play_n at_o which_o mr_n collier_n take_v great_a offence_n together_o with_o some_o of_o the_o most_o celebrate_a of_o antiquity_n the_o oedipus_n tyrannus_n of_o sophocles_n have_v by_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o the_o learned_a of_o all_o age_n the_o great_a reputation_n of_o the_o dramatic_a performance_n of_o antiquity_n i_o shall_v therefore_o begin_v with_o that_o and_o show_v that_o the_o fable_n of_o that_o deserve_o admire_v piece_v be_v by_o no_o mean_n so_o noble_a instructive_a and_o serviceable_a to_o virtue_n by_o its_o main_a or_o general_a moral_a as_o many_o of_o those_o play_n against_o which_o and_o their_o author_n mr_n collier_n inveigh_v with_o so_o much_o bitterness_n the_o fable_n of_o the_o oedipus_n be_v this_o sophocles_n laius_n the_o father_n of_o oedipus_n and_o king_n of_o thebes_n be_v inform_v by_o a_o oracle_n that_o it_o be_v his_o fate_n to_o be_v slay_v by_o his_o own_o son_n who_o shall_v be_v bear_v of_o his_o wife_n jocasta_n to_o elude_v the_o threat_n of_o the_o oracle_n laius_n as_o soon_o as_o the_o child_n be_v bear_v deliver_v he_o to_o one_o of_o his_o servant_n to_o be_v murder_v this_o man_n move_v to_o compassion_n by_o the_o innocence_n of_o the_o babe_n instead_o of_o take_v away_o his_o life_n perforate_n both_o his_o foot_n and_o pass_v a_o bend_v through_o they_o hang_v he_o up_o by_o the_o heel_n and_o leave_v he_o to_o the_o disposal_n of_o providence_n in_o this_o posture_n he_o be_v find_v by_o a_o domestic_a of_o polybus_n king_n of_o corinth_n who_o take_v he_o down_o carry_v he_o to_o his_o master_n who_o be_v childless_a receive_v educate_v and_o own_a he_o as_o his_o own_o oedipus_n be_v at_o length_n grow_v up_o and_o be_v in_o a_o contest_v of_o word_n with_o a_o corinthian_a he_o reproach_v with_o his_o unknown_a birth_n and_o be_v a_o foundling_n of_o which_o till_o that_o moment_n he_o have_v by_o the_o express_a order_n of_o polybus_n be_v keep_v in_o ignorance_n resolve_v to_o consult_v the_o oracle_n at_o delphi_n about_o his_o parentage_n and_o be_v order_v by_o the_o oracle_n to_o seek_v no_o further_o for_o that_o it_o be_v his_o destiny_n to_o kill_v his_o father_n and_o beget_v child_n upon_o his_o mother_n upon_o this_o answer_n he_o resolve_v for_o ever_o to_o abandon_v corinth_n his_o suppose_a country_n and_o in_o order_n thereto_o take_v his_o way_n towards_o thebes_n and_o on_o the_o road_n meet_v laius_n and_o a_o quarrel_n arise_v between_o they_o he_o kill_v he_o and_o all_o his_o follower_n one_o except_v to_o who_o upon_o his_o supplication_n he_o give_v quarter_n arrive_v at_o thebes_n he_o find_v that_o city_n in_o great_a confusion_n both_o for_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o king_n who_o he_o know_v not_o to_o be_v the_o person_n slay_v by_o he_o upon_o the_o road_n and_o for_o the_o prodigious_a ravage_v and_o waste_v commit_v by_o the_o monster_n sphinx_n who_o distress_v they_o so_o that_o they_o dare_v scarce_o stir_v out_o of_o their_o wall_n to_o rid_v themselves_o of_o the_o terror_n of_o this_o monster_n the_o theban_n offer_v their_o queen_n and_o crown_n to_o any_o man_n that_o can_v resolve_v the_o riddle_n propound_v by_o the_o sphinx_n upon_o the_o resolution_n of_o which_o only_o they_o be_v to_o be_v quit_v of_o she_o this_o oedipus_n notwithstanding_o the_o miscarriage_n of_o divers_a before_o he_o who_o fail_v in_o their_o attempt_n be_v destroy_v by_o she_o undertake_v and_o succeed_v in_o it_o the_o monster_n break_v she_o own_o neck_n and_o he_o in_o reward_n receive_v the_o crown_n and_o queen_n to_o wife_n for_o some_o time_n oedipus_n govern_v with_o great_a prudence_n and_o have_v several_a child_n by_o jocasta_n at_o length_n a_o furious_a plague_n arise_v and_o make_v great_a havoc_n in_o the_o city_n oedipus_n depute_v creon_n to_o the_o oracle_n to_o consult_v about_o the_o cause_n of_o and_o mean_n to_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o pestilence_n thus_o far_o the_o history_n of_o oedipus_n proceed_v before_o the_o action_n of_o the_o play_n commence_v and_o though_o the_o whole_a action_n of_o the_o play_n natural_o arise_v from_o this_o antecedent_n part_n yet_o sophocles_n have_v very_o artificial_o reserve_v it_o to_o be_v deliver_v by_o way_n of_o narration_n at_o the_o unravel_n of_o the_o plot_n which_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a and_o beautiful_a of_o all_o antiquity_n but_o what_o be_v only_o considerable_a to_o our_o purpose_n be_v that_o hitherto_o oedipus_n bear_v the_o character_n of_o a_o just_a and_o a_o wise_a man_n and_o if_o he_o be_v involve_v in_o any_o thing_n that_o bear_v a_o appearance_n of_o gild_n invincible_a ignorance_n which_o the_o schoolman_n hold_v to_o be_v a_o good_a plea_n be_v his_o excuse_n but_o if_o he_o be_v hitherto_o innocent_a of_o any_o intentional_a gild_n he_o be_v through_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o the_o action_n exemplary_o pious_a at_o his_o first_o appearance_n upon_o the_o stage_n oedipus_n he_o show_v a_o extraordinary_a concern_v for_o the_o calamity_n of_o his_o country_n and_o a_o anxious_a solicitude_n for_o a_o remedy_n jupiter_n priest_n address_v to_o he_o as_o if_o he_o be_v their_o tutelar_a deity_n and_o tell_v he_o that_o it_o be_v this_o miserable_a experiment_n of_o his_o be_v unable_a to_o relieve_v they_o that_o have_v convince_v he_o and_o those_o with_o he_o that_o he_o be_v not_o equal_a to_o the_o god_n and_o have_v make_v they_o have_v recourse_n to_o their_o altar_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d tyrann_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o be_v a_o bold_a compliment_n from_o a_o priest_n and_o the_o priest_n of_o jupiter_n too_o the_o sovereign_a of_o the_o go_n but_o not_o to_o insist_v too_o much_o upon_o this_o passage_n creon_n enter_v and_o break_v off_o the_o parley_n betwixt_o they_o he_o bring_v word_n from_o the_o oracle_n that_o the_o murderer_n of_o laius_n must_v be_v expel_v the_o territory_n of_o thebes_n proclamation_n who_o be_v this_o murderer_n be_v yet_o a_o secret_a the_o oracle_n not_o make_v that_o discovery_n oedipus_n hereupon_o summon_v a_o meeting_n of_o the_o people_n and_o make_v proclamation_n that_o if_o any_o one_o privy_a to_o the_o fact_n will_v come_v in_o and_o make_v a_o discovery_n he_o shall_v if_o concern_v therein_o be_v indemnify_v in_o his_o person_n and_o be_v oblige_v only_o to_o leave_n thebes_n but_o that_o if_o he_o can_v inform_v of_o any_o other_o person_n therein_o concern_v he_o shall_v be_v liberal_o reward_v and_o purchase_v his_o favour_n by_o such_o discovery_n and_o if_o any_o one_o conscious_a of_o this_o matter_n do_v out_o of_o fear_n for_o himself_o or_o his_o friend_n obstinate_o refuse_v to_o break_v silence_n he_o require_v all_o his_o subject_n not_o to_o give_v he_o harbour_v or_o sustenance_n or_o to_o hold_v any_o manner_n of_o commerce_n or_o correspondence_n with_o he_o after_o this_o he_o proceed_v to_o imprecate_v the_o actor_n or_o actor_n of_o this_o regicide_n and_o extend_v the_o curse_n to_o his_o own_o house_n if_o with_o his_o privity_n he_o be_v protect_v there_o but_o this_o method_n fail_v to_o produce_v the_o desire_a effect_n he_o consult_v tiresias_n the_o prophet_n by_o who_o oedipus_n himself_o be_v accuse_v of_o kill_v his_o father_n and_o commit_v incest_n with_o his_o mother_n which_o accusation_n be_v afterward_o confirm_v by_o the_o concur_v report_n of_o the_o old_a servant_n of_o laius_n by_o who_o he_o be_v expose_v in_o his_o infancy_n and_o of_o the_o domestic_a of_o polybus_n despair_v in_o the_o horror_n of_o these_o involuntary_a crime_n he_o tear_v out_o his_o own_o eye_n and_o jocasta_n who_o equal_o ignorant_a be_v involve_v in_o the_o guilt_n of_o incest_n hang_v herself_o this_o plot_n 〈…〉_z however_o noble_a and_o beautiful_a to_o admiration_n for_o the_o structure_n and_o contrivance_n of_o it_o be_v yet_o very_o deficient_a in_o the_o moral_a which_o have_v nothing_o great_a or_o serviceable_a to_o virtue_n in_o it_o it_o may_v indeed_o serve_v to_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o the_o lubricity_n of_o fortune_n and_o the_o instability_n of_o human_a greatness_n and_o this_o use_n sophocles_n himself_o make_v of_o it_o for_o the_o chorus_n close_v the_o tragedy_n with_o this_o remark_n by_o way_n of_o advice_n of_o the_o audience_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o rash_o measure_v any_o man_n felicity_n by_o his_o present_a fortune_n but_o wait_v his_o extreme_a moment_n to_o make_v a_o true_a estimate_n of_o his_o happiness_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d
the_o ancient_n and_o modern_a stage_n survey_v or_o mr_n collier_n view_n of_o the_o immorality_n and_o profaneness_n of_o the_o english_a stage_n set_v in_o a_o true_a light_n wherein_o some_o of_o mr_n collier_n mistake_v be_v rectify_v and_o the_o comparative_a morality_n of_o the_o english_a stage_n be_v assert_v upon_o the_o parallel_n ride_v caper_n vitem_fw-la tamen_fw-la hinc_fw-la cum_fw-la stabis_fw-la ad_fw-la aram_n in_o tua_fw-la quod_fw-la fundi_fw-la cornua_fw-la possit_fw-la erit_fw-la ou._n london_n print_v for_o abel_n roper_n at_o the_o black_a boy_n over_o against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n 1699._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a charles_n earl_n of_o dorset_n and_o middlesex_n baron_n buckhurst_n one_o of_o the_o lord_n of_o his_o majesty_n most_o honourable_a privy_a council_n lord_n lieutenant_n of_o the_o county_n of_o sussex_n and_o knight_n of_o the_o most_o noble_a order_n of_o the_o garter_n etc._n etc._n my_o lord_n in_o address_v to_o your_o lordship_n though_o i_o betray_v my_o ambition_n i_o shall_v strengthen_v the_o opinion_n of_o my_o integrity_n for_o by_o appeal_n to_o so_o great_a and_o so_o impartial_a a_o judge_n i_o give_v the_o world_n sufficient_a demonstration_n that_o i_o trust_v more_o to_o the_o merit_n of_o my_o cause_n than_o of_o my_o performance_n and_o depend_v rather_o upon_o the_o matter_n than_o the_o manner_n of_o what_o i_o deliver_v for_o my_o justification_n the_o tide_n of_o prejudice_n run_v high_a for_o my_o adversary_n and_o the_o less_o discern_a part_n of_o the_o town_n be_v so_o prepossess_v with_o the_o specious_a title_n and_o the_o plausible_a pretence_n of_o mr_n collier_n book_n that_o they_o think_v the_o whole_a interest_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n embark_v on_o that_o bottom_n immorality_n and_o profaneness_n be_v thing_n so_o just_o abhor_v that_o whoever_o enter_v the_o list_n against_o they_o have_v all_o good_a man_n for_o his_o second_o and_o their_o zeal_n for_o the_o cause_n so_o far_o blind_v many_o of_o they_o that_o they_o neither_o see_v nor_o suspect_v any_o defect_n or_o treachery_n in_o their_o champion_n for_o man_n be_v very_o unwilling_a to_o hear_v truth_n against_o prejudice_n and_o suffer_v reason_n to_o triumph_v over_o inclination_n the_o town_n be_v divide_v in_o its_o judgement_n of_o the_o piece_n and_o the_o whole_a contest_v lie_v betwixt_o those_o that_o be_v judge_n and_o those_o that_o be_v not_o as_o cardinal_z richlieu_n say_v upon_o another_o occasion_n the_o latter_a be_v of_o the_o opposite_a faction_n and_o be_v as_o much_o more_o numerous_a than_o the_o former_a as_o vanity_n and_o presumption_n be_v more_o universal_a than_o understanding_n this_o make_v the_o prefix_v your_o lordship_n name_n by_o your_o own_o permission_n who_o judgement_n be_v as_o little_a to_o be_v bias_v as_o it_o be_v to_o be_v question_v not_o only_a matter_n of_o honour_n to_o i_o but_o of_o necessary_a defence_n not_o that_o i_o expect_v any_o protection_n for_o those_o error_n which_o i_o may_v have_v commit_v they_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o mercy_n of_o reader_n of_o far_o less_o judgement_n and_o candour_n than_o your_o honour_n to_o be_v try_v by_o such_o a_o grand_a jury_n be_v a_o happiness_n i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o expect_v that_o i_o know_v it_o impossible_a but_o the_o deference_n due_a to_o so_o great_a a_o name_n may_v procure_v i_o a_o fair_a hear_n among_o some_o upon_o who_o a_o bare_a regard_n to_o justice_n will_v hardly_o prevail_v so_o far_o do_v mr_n collier_n contend_v only_o for_o the_o better_a establishment_n of_o virtue_n and_o reformation_n of_o manner_n i_o shall_v be_v ashamed_a to_o appear_v against_o he_o but_o there_o be_v a_o snake_n in_o the_o grass_n mr_n collier_n undertake_v the_o patronage_n of_o virtue_n as_o cunning_a man_n do_v the_o guardianship_n of_o rich_a orphan_n only_o to_o make_v his_o market_n of_o it_o that_o this_o be_v his_o case_n the_o follow_a sheet_n will_v i_o hope_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v his_o vehemence_n give_v we_o just_a ground_n to_o suspect_v his_o integrity_n and_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o have_v some_o conceal_a interest_n or_o pique_n at_o the_o bottom_n the_o disintere_v enquiry_n after_o truth_n be_v always_o accompany_v with_o candour_n where_o that_o be_v want_v there_o be_v just_a reason_n to_o suspect_v some_o further_a design_n in_o mr_n collier_n management_n the_o heat_n and_o smoke_n be_v too_o great_a and_o apparent_a for_o the_o fire_n to_o be_v long_o conceal_v his_o design_n be_v manifest_o not_o to_o argue_v the_o poet_n out_o of_o their_o fault_n but_o to_o bully_n his_o reader_n out_o of_o their_o understanding_n and_o by_o violence_n to_o alter_v the_o impression_n already_o receive_v of_o those_o matter_n which_o he_o treat_v of_o his_o style_n be_v adapt_v to_o his_o purpose_n fierce_a and_o bold_a full_a of_o vehement_a exaggeration_n and_o haughty_a menace_n he_o rack_v sentence_n and_o torture_n expression_n to_o extort_v a_o confession_n from_o they_o of_o thing_n to_o which_o they_o be_v absolute_a stranger_n the_o consequence_n of_o this_o way_n of_o writing_n be_v that_o woman_n and_o weak_a man_n who_o fear_n be_v strong_a than_o their_o judgement_n will_v be_v awe_v into_o a_o persuasion_n before_o they_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o such_o people_n in_o most_o case_n measure_v the_o certainty_n of_o assertion_n by_o the_o confidence_n of_o he_o that_o pronounce_v they_o and_o the_o importance_n by_o the_o false_a weight_n that_o be_v lay_v upon_o '_o they_o it_o be_v this_o consideration_n not_o any_o extraordinary_a affection_n for_o the_o stage_n that_o engage_v i_o in_o this_o argument_n i_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o attempt_n towards_o usurp_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o man_n understanding_n and_o restore_v the_o tyranny_n of_o bigotry_n who_o yoke_n we_o have_v scarce_o yet_o sufficient_o shake_v off_o my_o reason_n be_v the_o dear_a and_o free_a part_n of_o i_o or_o at_o least_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o and_o he_o that_o put_v the_o dice_n upon_o that_o affront_v i_o in_o the_o most_o sensible_a manner_n i_o have_v rather_o be_v bubble_v of_o my_o money_n than_o my_o intellect_n and_o shall_v choose_v rather_o to_o be_v think_v his_o cully_n than_o his_o fool._n it_o be_v true_a these_o trick_n be_v not_o to_o be_v put_v upon_o a_o man_n that_o be_v aware_a of_o they_o and_o consequent_o i_o may_v have_v secure_v myself_o without_o make_v a_o public_a discovery_n but_o i_o think_v it_o a_o cowardly_a piece_n of_o caution_n a_o sort_n of_o criminal_a misprision_n to_o connive_v at_o the_o cheat_v of_o other_o and_o while_o i_o be_o able_a to_o inform_v they_o the_o clamour_n of_o knave_n or_o fool_n shall_v never_o awe_v i_o to_o silence_n that_o this_o be_v no_o extravagant_a surmise_n no_o hypochondriacal_a fancy_n be_v evident_a from_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o whole_a book_n especial_o the_o three_o chapter_n every_o thing_n be_v deliver_v with_o a_o air_n so_o haughty_a so_o magisterial_a so_o decisive_a that_o he_o seem_v rather_o to_o serve_v we_o with_o a_o injunction_n to_o believe_v he_o than_o a_o argument_n that_o this_o imposition_n may_v be_v the_o more_o tame_o submit_v to_o he_o palm_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o we_o and_o pretend_v her_o commission_n to_o make_v fool_n of_o the_o laity_n the_o church_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n oblige_v to_o he_o for_o endeavour_v to_o cast_v the_o odium_n of_o his_o own_o arrogance_n and_o ambition_n upon_o she_o how_o great_a soever_o his_o zeal_n for_o her_o service_n may_v be_v his_o indiscretion_n in_o it_o do_v not_o come_v a_o whit_n behind_o it_o for_o to_o extend_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o priest_n he_o curtail_v the_o article_n of_o the_o church_n and_o deny_v the_o king_n supremacy_n which_o she_o have_v already_o oblige_v he_o to_o swear_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o i_o shall_v not_o trespass_v so_o far_o upon_o your_o honour_n patience_n as_o to_o recapitulate_v the_o several_a invidious_a thing_n which_o he_o father_n upon_o the_o church_n i_o will_v hope_v well_o of_o his_o design_n though_o i_o fear_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o performance_n will_v not_o turn_v to_o her_o service_n and_o i_o can_v wish_v his_o motive_n be_v better_a or_o not_o so_o apparent_a if_o demetrius_n be_v a_o stickler_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o diana_n it_o be_v because_o he_o make_v shrine_n for_o she_o the_o interest_n of_o his_o trade_n engage_v he_o in_o her_o party_n mr_n collier_n case_n be_v not_o much_o different_a the_o poet_n have_v sometime_o make_v bold_a to_o display_v a_o vicious_a or_o a_o foolish_a priest_n and_o those_o that_o be_v knave_n in_o the_o world_n and_o droll_n in_o the_o pulpit_n have_v be_v make_v cheat_n and_o buffoon_n upon_o the_o stage_n the_o mask_n of_o formality_n and_o
〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mr_n dryden_n same_o who_o have_v borrow_a this_o story_n from_o sophocles_n have_v sum_v up_o his_o moral_n in_o the_o two_o conclude_a line_n of_o his_o play_n in_o which_o not_o only_o the_o application_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o same_o but_o the_o line_n themselves_o be_v a_o contract_a paraphrase_n of_o sophocles_n own_o conclusion_n let_v none_o though_o never_o so_o virtuous_a great_a and_o high_a be_v judge_v entire_o blessed_v before_o they_o die_v this_o moral_a as_o it_o carry_v nothing_o in_o it_o but_o a_o lazy_a speculative_a unactive_a speculation_n can_v be_v no_o great_a incentive_a to_o virtue_n so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n as_o it_o lay_v before_o we_o the_o misery_n and_o calamitous_a exit_fw-la of_o a_o person_n of_o so_o heroic_a virtue_n it_o seem_v to_o carry_v matter_n of_o discouragement_n along_o with_o it_o since_o the_o most_o consummate_a virtue_n meet_v with_o so_o disproportionate_a a_o return_n but_o with_o reverence_n to_o the_o ash_n of_o sophocles_n and_o submission_n to_o the_o better_a judgement_n of_o mr_n dryden_n natural_a this_o do_v not_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o true_a and_o genuine_a moral_n of_o this_o fable_n for_o according_a to_o this_o moral_a the_o misfortune_n of_o oedipus_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v the_o result_n of_o a_o kind_n of_o negligent_a oscitation_n in_o the_o god_n and_o a_o loose_a administration_n of_o providence_n whereas_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o appear_v that_o all_o the_o action_n of_o oedipus_n as_o well_o those_o that_o be_v pious_a wise_a and_o brave_a as_o those_o that_o be_v criminal_a or_o rather_o unfortunate_a be_v the_o necessary_a and_o unavoidable_a consequence_n of_o a_o fix_a decree_n of_o fate_n back_v by_o several_a oracle_n carry_v on_o and_o bring_v about_o by_o variety_n of_o miraculous_a or_o providential_a incident_n this_o tiresias_n seem_v to_o hint_n plain_o to_o oedipus_n when_o he_o tell_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d fortune_n herself_o or_o fate_n destroy_v and_o oedipus_n himself_o find_v by_o the_o relation_n of_o jocasta_n that_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o death_n of_o laius_n agree_v with_o those_o of_o the_o person_n slay_v by_o he_o on_o the_o road_n and_o beginning_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o his_o own_o guilt_n usher_v in_o his_o account_n of_o that_o action_n with_o the_o fatal_a necessity_n that_o oblige_v he_o to_o leave_v his_o own_o country_n and_o relate_v his_o piety_n as_o it_o be_v by_o way_n of_o alleviation_n for_o what_o follow_v he_o plead_v that_o be_v inform_v by_o the_o oracle_n that_o he_o shall_v kill_v his_o father_n and_o commit_v incest_n with_o his_o mother_n he_o have_v quit_v the_o expectation_n of_o a_o crown_n and_o make_v himself_o a_o voluntary_a and_o perpetual_a exile_n from_o corinth_n to_o avoid_v the_o crime_n he_o be_v threaten_v with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o english_a oedipus_n be_v more_o plain_a and_o express_v himself_o more_o clear_o in_o defence_n of_o his_o innocence_n even_o while_o he_o suspect_v himself_o to_o have_v be_v a_o actor_n in_o the_o tragedy_n of_o laius_n to_o you_o good_a god_n i_o make_v my_o last_o appeal_n 39_o or_o clear_v my_o virtue_n or_o my_o crime_n reveal_v if_o wander_v in_o the_o maze_n of_o fate_n i_o run_v and_o backward_o tread_v the_o path_n i_o think_v to_o shun_v impute_v my_o error_n to_o your_o own_o decree_n my_o hand_n be_v guilty_a but_o my_o heart_n be_v free_a here_o oedipus_n seem_v to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o allege_v his_o own_o ignorance_n and_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o god_n in_o his_o justification_n but_o the_o ghost_n of_o laius_n clear_v the_o point_n of_o fatality_n and_o make_v a_o better_a apology_n for_o oedipus_n than_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o he_o to_o do_v for_o himself_o but_o he_o who_o hold_v my_o crown_n 33._o oh_o must_v i_o speak_v be_v doom_v to_o do_v what_o nature_n most_o abhor_v the_o god_n foresee_v it_o and_o forbid_v his_o be_v before_o he_o yet_o be_v bear_v i_o break_v their_o law_n and_o clothe_v with_o flesh_n the_o pre-existing_a soul_n some_o kind_a power_n too_o weak_a for_o destiny_n take_v pity_n and_o endue_v his_o new_a form_a mass_n with_o temperance_n justice_n prudence_n fortitude_n and_o every_o kingly_a virtue_n but_o in_o vain_a for_o fate_n that_o send_v he_o hoodwink_v to_o the_o world_n perform_v its_o work_n by_o his_o mistake_a hand_n these_o instance_n consider_v together_o with_o the_o order_n contrivance_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o fable_n as_o well_o of_o the_o greek_a as_o the_o english_a poem_n will_v ready_o point_v out_o to_o we_o a_o great_a moral_n and_o more_o natural_o arise_v from_o the_o subject_n than_o that_o which_o the_o two_o poet_n have_v assign_v for_o it_o seem_v plain_o to_o hold_v forth_o to_o we_o the_o irresistible_a power_n of_o fate_n moral_a and_o the_o vanity_n of_o human_a wisdom_n when_o oppose_v to_o the_o immutable_a decree_n of_o providence_n which_o convert_v to_o its_o own_o purpose_n all_o our_o endeavour_n to_o defeat_v they_o and_o make_v our_o very_a opposition_n subservient_fw-fr to_o its_o own_o design_n seneca_n seneca_n who_o have_v take_v this_o fable_n from_o sophocles_n with_o very_o little_a alteration_n have_v however_o give_v this_o turn_n to_o the_o application_n in_o conformity_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o stoic_n who_o be_v the_o predestinarian_o of_o antiquity_n and_o hold_v as_o we_o do_v a_o fatality_n that_o direct_v and_o control_v all_o human_a action_n that_o all_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v by_o pre-ordination_a and_o invincible_a necessity_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o free_a agent_n in_o the_o world_n some_o learned_a man_n be_v of_o opinion_n author_n that_o this_o tragedy_n be_v write_v by_o seneca_n the_o philosopher_n and_o this_o change_n of_o the_o sophoclean_a moral_a in_o favour_n of_o his_o principle_n seem_v to_o be_v no_o despicable_a argument_n on_o their_o side_n but_o whether_o they_o be_v in_o the_o right_n or_o wrong_n i_o can_v but_o wonder_v that_o mr_n dryden_n shall_v overlook_v this_o alteration_n or_o rather_o amendment_n to_o sophocles_n moral_a it_o be_v the_o principal_a part_n of_o the_o play_n and_o the_o mark_n at_o which_o all_o be_v level_v oedipus_n but_o perhaps_o mr_n dryden_n be_v just_o prepossess_v for_o the_o performance_n of_o sophocles_n in_o preference_n to_o seneca_n his_o aim_n be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o inquire_v after_o any_o improvement_n as_o addition_n to_o sophocles_n design_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n let_v slip_v this_o which_o be_v not_o to_o his_o purpose_n which_o be_v to_o fit_v it_o up_o to_o the_o english_a stage_n for_o the_o use_n of_o which_o it_o need_v not_o correction_n so_o much_o as_o enlargement_n the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o original_a fable_n and_o the_o chasm_n which_o the_o omission_n of_o the_o chorus_n must_v necessary_o make_v require_v to_o be_v fill_v up_o and_o supply_v with_o a_o vnderplot_n and_o proper_a episodes_n and_o indeed_o he_o seem_v to_o confess_v as_o much_o when_o he_o say_v that_o seneca_n supply_v they_o with_o no_o new_a hint_n but_o only_o a_o relation_n oedip._n which_o he_o make_v of_o his_o tiresias_n raise_v the_o ghost_n of_o laius_n but_o have_v declare_v for_o the_o moral_a of_o seneca_n as_o more_o natural_a than_o that_o of_o sophocles_n consider_v the_o disproportion_n both_o of_o reputation_n and_o merit_n of_o these_o two_o author_n in_o the_o dramatic_a way_n i_o must_v expect_v the_o censure_n of_o those_o critic_n that_o judge_n by_o wholesale_n or_o hear-say_n that_o will_v admit_v of_o no_o error_n in_o any_o author_n that_o themselves_o or_o those_o in_o who_o they_o have_v a_o implicit_a faith_n admire_v nor_o allow_v any_o grace_n to_o he_o that_o have_v not_o the_o good_a fortune_n to_o be_v their_o favourite_n i_o shall_v therefore_o produce_v seneca_n application_n at_o large_a in_o his_o own_o word_n as_o i_o have_v already_o do_v sophocles_n and_o then_o back_o my_o opinion_n with_o a_o observation_n or_o two_o draw_v from_o the_o state_n of_o the_o fable_n as_o it_o lie_v in_o these_o author_n and_o leave_v they_o to_o the_o courtesy_n of_o the_o reader_n the_o last_o song_n of_o the_o chorus_n in_o seneca_n which_o be_v what_o the_o poet_n deliver_v by_o way_n of_o instruction_n or_o application_n to_o the_o audience_n run_v thus_o cho._n fatis_fw-la agimur_fw-la 107._o cedite_fw-la fatis_fw-la non_fw-la solicitae_fw-la possunt_fw-la curae_fw-la mutare_fw-la rati_fw-la stamina_fw-la fusi_fw-la quicquid_fw-la patimur_fw-la mortale_fw-la genus_fw-la quicquid_fw-la facimus_fw-la venit_fw-la ex_fw-la alto_fw-mi servatque_fw-la sua_fw-la decreta_fw-la colus_fw-la lachesis_n dura_fw-la revoluta_fw-la manu_fw
imaginary_a gild_n because_o i_o think_v it_o be_v urge_v against_o he_o without_o foundation_n for_o certain_o it_o can_v never_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o he_o when_o his_o parentage_n be_v become_v doubtful_a to_o he_o heathen_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o such_o mean_n as_o his_o religion_n allow_v to_o clear_v up_o his_o doubt_n and_o take_v off_o the_o reproach_n that_o be_v throw_v upon_o he_o divination_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o criminal_a art_n among_o the_o ancient_a heathen_n that_o it_o be_v practise_v with_o great_a reputation_n in_o all_o its_o several_a kind_n and_o the_o professor_n of_o any_o part_n of_o it_o be_v esteem_v as_o prophet_n and_o hold_v in_o great_a veneration_n it_o can_v not_o therefore_o be_v scandalous_a to_o consult_v they_o upon_o any_o occasion_n much_o less_o the_o oracle_n of_o apollo_n to_o repair_v to_o which_o be_v think_v a_o act_n of_o high_a devotion_n and_o be_v the_o constant_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o city_n and_o state_n of_o greece_n upon_o all_o great_a and_o sudden_a emergency_n but_o their_o mistake_n lie_v in_o raise_v a_o christian_a moral_n upon_o a_o pagan_a bottom_n to_o fill_v up_o they_o have_v graft_v a_o doctrine_n many_o age_n young_a upon_o the_o old_a stock_n and_o piece_v out_o a_o defect_n with_o a_o absurdity_n i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v upon_o consideration_n latin_a that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o english_a oedipus_n in_o adhere_v to_o the_o simple_a old_a greek_a moral_n act_v rather_o by_o judgement_n and_o choice_n than_o oversight_n for_o the_o moral_a of_o seneca_n though_o more_o natural_o deducible_a from_o the_o story_n be_v yet_o less_o serviceable_a or_o to_o speak_v more_o proper_o more_o destructive_a to_o practical_a morality_n as_o preach_v up_o the_o doctrine_n of_o absolute_a and_o universal_a predestination_n by_o which_o man_n be_v deny_v the_o liberty_n of_o so_o much_o as_o a_o thought_n as_o free_a agent_n and_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v act_v and_o work_v like_o machine_n by_o a_o invisible_a irresistible_a agent_n which_o wind_v they_o up_o like_o watch_n and_o order_n their_o several_a movement_n this_o doctrine_n as_o it_o destroy_v all_o title_n to_o merit_v from_o the_o best_a so_o it_o take_v off_o all_o fear_n of_o gild_n from_o the_o most_o villainous_a action_n and_o must_v necessary_o if_o hearty_o believe_v discourage_v man_n from_o the_o severe_a and_o more_o troublesome_a duty_n of_o religion_n and_o morality_n at_o least_o and_o dispose_v they_o to_o resign_v themselves_o loose_o up_o to_o the_o government_n of_o their_o appetite_n and_o indulge_v their_o sensual_a inclination_n to_o gratify_v which_o can_v be_v no_o sin_n to_o oppose_v they_o no_o virtue_n and_o deserve_v neither_o blame_n nor_o thanks_o according_a to_o this_o principle_n beside_o the_o unserviceableness_n of_o this_o moral_a to_o the_o general_a end_n of_o dramatic_a poetry_n stage_n it_o be_v upon_o that_o score_n disable_v for_o the_o particular_a service_n of_o the_o english_a stage_n where_o it_o can_v not_o hope_v for_o a_o favourable_a reception_n and_o may_v therefore_o be_v by_o these_o author_n judicious_o reject_v for_o though_o this_o musty_a rag_n of_o heathen_a stoicism_n be_v still_o wear_v by_o a_o party_n among_o we_o that_o affect_v to_o distinguish_v themselves_o by_o opposition_n and_o contradiction_n though_o to_o their_o own_o principle_n and_o that_o pretend_v to_o act_v contrary_a to_o the_o natural_a result_n of_o their_o opinion_n and_o profess_v a_o severe_a morality_n than_o their_o neighbour_n yet_o by_o the_o more_o polite_a and_o civilise_v part_n of_o the_o nation_n who_o be_v the_o chief_a frequenter_n and_o support_v of_o the_o dramatic_a performance_n it_o have_v be_v long_o leave_v off_o as_o a_o principle_n destructive_a to_o humanity_n virtue_n and_o all_o good_a manner_n and_o consequent_o will_v have_v be_v explode_v upon_o the_o stage_n and_o hazard_v the_o success_n of_o the_o whole_a piece_n but_o whether_o this_o moral_a be_v neglect_v by_o they_o out_o of_o design_n or_o oversight_n virtue_n be_v not_o much_o to_o our_o purpose_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o neither_o the_o greek_a nor_o latin_a moral_a have_v any_o tendency_n to_o the_o promotion_n of_o virtue_n and_o the_o reformation_n of_o manner_n but_o rather_o to_o the_o contrary_n so_o that_o if_o mr_n collier_n have_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n to_o object_n against_o any_o of_o the_o present_a stage_n poet_n they_o may_v defend_v or_o at_o least_o excuse_v such_o a_o slip_n by_o this_o precedent_n which_o be_v the_o masterpiece_n not_o only_o of_o sophocles_n but_o of_o all_o antiquity_n for_o that_o reason_n i_o hope_v mr_n collier_n who_o have_v already_o declare_v 28_o that_o this_o author_n have_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v great_a and_o solemn_a throughout_o will_v not_o charge_v he_o with_o any_o â—ill_a design_n or_o act_v upon_o malice_n prepense_v against_o virtue_n but_o if_o he_o shall_v he_o have_v already_o take_v his_o trial_n before_o aristotle_n a_o more_o competent_a and_o more_o upright_a judge_n and_o stand_v acquit_v on_o record_n and_o must_v be_v allow_v to_o be_v rectus_fw-la in_o curia_fw-la i_o have_v be_v the_o more_o particular_a in_o examine_v the_o general_a moral_a of_o this_o play_n examine_v and_o have_v consider_v not_o only_o what_o have_v be_v make_v of_o it_o but_o what_o may_v have_v be_v draw_v from_o it_o that_o i_o may_v for_o the_o remainder_n be_v excuse_v from_o the_o trouble_n of_o descend_v to_o minute_n circumstance_n and_o for_o the_o future_a be_v allow_v to_o sum_n up_o what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v to_o any_o other_o play_v of_o antiquity_n upon_o this_o general_a head_n of_o the_o fable_n and_o so_o proceed_v to_o our_o poet_n with_o who_o also_o i_o shall_v be_v as_o brief_a as_o the_o matter_n will_v allow_v i_o the_o rest_n of_o sophocles_n play_n be_v much_o less_o considerable_a for_o their_o success_n in_o the_o world_n i_o shall_v dispatch_v the_o consideration_n of_o they_o in_o as_o few_o word_n as_o possible_a his_o ajax_n flagellifer_n stand_v first_o in_o order_n and_o afford_v we_o no_o great_a matter_n to_o reflect_v upon_o ajax_n flagelliâ—er_n disappoint_v and_o disgrace_v in_o his_o suit_n for_o the_o arm_n of_o achilles_n resent_v extreme_o the_o injury_n and_o indignity_n and_o resolve_v to_o be_v revenge_v upon_o the_o whole_a grecian_a army_n in_o order_n thereto_o he_o make_v a_o sally_n from_o his_o quarter_n by_o night_n in_o order_n to_o kill_v all_o the_o principal_a officer_n minerva_n to_o divert_v the_o mischief_n intend_v infatuate_v he_o and_o turn_v he_o loose_v upon_o some_o herd_n of_o cattle_n among_o who_o mistake_v they_o for_o greek_n he_o make_v most_o terrible_a havoc_n and_o return_v to_o his_o tent_n and_o sense_n in_o the_o morning_n he_o perceive_v his_o error_n through_o the_o confusion_n shame_n and_o vexation_n of_o which_o he_o grow_v desperate_a fall_v upon_o his_o sword_n and_o die_v this_o be_v the_o whole_a of_o the_o fable_n for_o the_o contest_v that_o follow_v between_o teucer_n menelaus_n and_o agamemnon_z be_v a_o episode_n detach_v from_o and_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o and_o scarce_o any_o dependence_n upon_o the_o main_a action_n here_o we_o see_v a_o man_n of_o impetuous_a ungovernable_a passion_n and_o of_o a_o nice_a capricious_a honour_n that_o conceive_v himself_o injure_v in_o the_o most_o sensible_a part_n his_o honour_n and_o meditate_v a_o revenge_n proportion_v to_o the_o fierceness_n of_o his_o temper_n and_o the_o imagine_a greatness_n of_o the_o affront_n minerva_n interpose_v and_o turn_v his_o rage_n and_o fury_n first_o to_o his_o further_a disgrace_n and_o then_o to_o his_o destruction_n the_o moral_a of_o this_o play_n be_v not_o very_o obvious_a obscare_v and_o sophocles_n himself_o do_v not_o hint_n it_o at_o or_o near_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o play_n but_o leave_v it_o to_o be_v pick_v out_o by_o the_o audience_n or_o reader_n which_o may_v be_v do_v two_o way_n first_o by_o consider_v the_o quality_n of_o the_o instrument_n of_o engine_n of_o ajax_n ruin_n which_o be_v a_o goddess_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o bring_v it_o about_o which_o be_v by_o make_v he_o ridiculous_a through_o a_o deceptio_fw-la visus_fw-la or_o a_o illusion_n of_o the_o sight_n and_o then_o the_o moral_a will_v be_v quos_fw-la deus_fw-la vult_fw-la perdere_fw-la moral_a prius_fw-la dementat_fw-la when_o the_o god_n resolve_v upon_o a_o man_n ruin_n they_o make_v away_o his_o wit_n or_o two_o we_o may_v consider_v the_o character_n of_o the_o person_n a_o man_n of_o undaunted_a boldness_n and_o turbulent_a headstrong_a passion_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o attempt_n which_o be_v to_o kill_v all_o the_o grecian_a chief_n and_o then_o the_o moral_a may_v be_v qui_fw-la non_fw-la moderabitur_fw-la irae_fw-la moral_a infectum_fw-la volet_fw-la esse_fw-la dolour_n quod_fw-la suaserit_fw-la he_o that_o suffer_v
this_o he_o advise_v his_o poet_n to_o consult_v the_o philosopher_n and_o to_o dive_v into_o the_o political_a reason_n of_o these_o matter_n without_o which_o their_o view_n of_o they_o will_v be_v but_o superficial_a and_o confuse_a yet_o after_o all_o he_o give_v he_o very_o large_a privilege_n and_o extend_v his_o charter_n as_o far_o as_o the_o observation_n of_o humane_a nature_n he_o allow_v he_o the_o liberty_n of_o say_v any_o thing_n that_o providence_n lay_v before_o he_o provide_v he_o keep_v close_o to_o the_o original_a to_o this_o end_n he_o bid_v he_o look_v upon_o the_o example_n that_o man_n set_v he_o in_o their_o life_n and_o manner_n and_o thence_o learn_v to_o draw_v true_a picture_n of_o mankind_n respicere_fw-la exemplar_n aquavitae_fw-la morumque_fw-la jubebo_fw-la doctum_fw-la imitatorem_fw-la &_o veras_fw-la hinc_fw-la ducere_fw-la voces_fw-la the_o moor_n morâ—â—_n or_o manner_n here_o mention_v by_o horace_n be_v the_o poetical_a not_o moral_a the_o distinction_n betwixt_o which_o mr_n collier_n very_o well_o know_v as_o appear_v by_o his_o make_n use_v of_o it_o when_o it_o be_v for_o his_o turn_n though_o he_o wilful_o overlook_v it_o in_o many_o other_o place_n where_o the_o notice_n of_o it_o will_v be_v more_o natural_a but_o less_o for_o his_o malicious_a purpose_n however_o since_o he_o have_v give_v a_o sort_n of_o definition_n though_o a_o imperfect_a one_o of_o poetical_a manner_n i_o shall_v give_v it_o the_o reader_n in_o his_o own_o word_n and_o because_o it_o be_v the_o only_a statute_n law_n of_o parnassus_n by_o which_o the_o poet_n can_v fair_o be_v try_v for_o any_o misdemeanour_n either_o of_o character_n or_o expression_n i_o shall_v supply_v the_o defect_n or_o mr_n collier_n report_n of_o it_o from_o aristotle_n who_o be_v more_o full_a and_o clear_a manner_n manner_n in_o the_o language_n of_o poetry_n be_v a_o propriety_n of_o action_n and_o person_n to_o succeed_v in_o this_o business_n there_o must_v be_v a_o regard_n have_v to_o age_n 165._o sex_n and_o condition_n and_o nothing_o put_v into_o the_o mouth_n of_o person_n which_o disagree_v with_o any_o of_o these_o circumstance_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o say_v a_o witty_a thing_n unless_o it_o be_v speak_v by_o a_o likely_a person_n and_o upon_o a_o proper_a occasion_n in_o this_o account_n i_o observe_v many_o thing_n deficient_a esiuâ—cal_a something_o equivocal_a which_o i_o shall_v first_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o then_o proceed_v to_o supply_v the_o defect_n the_o three_o thing_n mr_n collier_n recommend_v to_o a_o poet_n be_v or_o reader_n be_v careful_a observation_n and_o regard_n be_v age_n sex_n and_o condition_n of_o these_o the_o first_o and_o the_o last_o age_n and_o condition_n be_v equivocal_a term_n the_o author_n have_v not_o take_v care_n to_o explain_v whether_o he_o mean_v by_o age_n the_o age_n of_o a_o person_n or_o the_o age_n of_o the_o world_n which_o he_o be_v suppose_v to_o live_v in_o for_o to_o both_o these_o great_a regard_n be_v to_o be_v have_v because_o they_o difference_n the_o character_n equal_o a_o noble_a roman_a of_o four_o and_o twenty_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v no_o more_o like_o one_o of_o the_o same_o age_n under_o the_o emperor_n in_o humour_n and_o inclination_n than_o either_o of_o they_o be_v like_o his_o grandfather_n of_o fourscore_o as_o great_a or_o great_a be_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o word_n condition_n whereby_o he_o have_v not_o signify_v whether_o he_o mean_v condition_n as_o to_o estate_n quality_n understanding_n or_o circumstance_n as_o to_o the_o action_n of_o the_o play_n at_o the_o juncture_n when_o the_o person_n do_v or_o say_v any_o thing_n yet_o these_o have_v all_o a_o equal_a share_n in_o the_o propriety_n both_o of_o word_n and_o action_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v consider_v otherwise_o the_o manner_n can_v never_o be_v preserve_v in_o their_o propriety_n and_o integrity_n but_o by_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o this_o account_n we_o shall_v remedy_v the_o danger_n of_o mistake_n from_o the_o equivocal_a expression_n contain_v in_o it_o aristotle_n require_v four_o condition_n to_o the_o perfection_n of_o poetic_a manner_n description_n one_a that_o they_o be_v good_a by_o the_o goodness_n of_o manner_n the_o philosopher_n do_v not_o here_o understand_v any_o moral_a goodness_n for_o he_o declare_v in_o this_o very_a article_n that_o he_o mean_v only_o 〈◊〉_d that_o they_o shall_v be_v expressive_a of_o the_o character_n and_o carry_v both_o in_o word_n and_o action_n the_o distinguish_a mark_n of_o the_o humour_n and_o inclination_n of_o the_o person_n whether_o they_o be_v moral_o good_a or_o bad._n so_o that_o if_o the_o humour_n or_o natural_a inclination_n of_o the_o person_n be_v sufficient_o mark_v in_o the_o word_n and_o action_n the_o manner_n be_v good_a according_a to_o aristotle_n let_v they_o be_v never_o so_o vicious_a horace_n understand_v manner_n the_o same_o way_n when_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o sometime_o play_v of_o little_a elegance_n without_o ornament_n or_o art_n yet_o wherein_o the_o manner_n be_v well_o express_v take_v better_a than_o other_o wherein_o they_o be_v neglect_v for_o tinsel_n and_o bombast_n interdum_fw-la speciosa_fw-la locis_fw-la poet._n morataque_fw-la recte_fw-la fabula_fw-la nullius_fw-la veneris_fw-la sine_fw-la pondere_fw-la &_o arte_fw-la valdius_fw-la oblectat_fw-la populum_fw-la meliusque_fw-la moratur_fw-la quam_fw-la versus_fw-la inopes_fw-la rerum_fw-la nugaeque_fw-la canorae_fw-la 2_o dly_z 〈◊〉_d that_o they_o be_v proper_a wherein_o this_o propriety_n consist_v aristotle_n have_v not_o tell_v we_o except_o in_o one_o negative_a instance_n require_v that_o courage_n be_v a_o quality_n improper_a or_o unbecoming_a a_o woman_n master_n collier_n account_n of_o poetical_a manner_n above-cited_n relate_v to_o this_o particular_a condition_n only_o yet_o be_v both_o defective_a and_o equivocal_a in_o that_o horace_n have_v be_v very_o full_a upon_o this_o and_o takes_z care_n to_o describe_v at_o large_a the_o different_a humour_n of_o man_n in_o the_o several_a stage_n of_o his_o life_n the_o same_o he_o do_v to_o the_o several_a order_n and_o degree_n of_o man_n according_a to_o their_o respective_a capacity_n either_o natural_a or_o political_a and_o give_v the_o poet_n a_o great_a charge_v not_o to_o confound_v '_o they_o to_o repeat_v his_o word_n upon_o this_o occasion_n will_v be_v tedious_a upon_o the_o score_n of_o length_n however_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o give_v the_o reader_n as_o good_a a_o idea_n of_o this_o poetical_a propriety_n consist_v as_o the_o narrow_a compass_n i_o be_o oblige_v to_o will_v permit_v the_o propriety_n of_o manner_n consist_v in_o a_o exact_a conformity_n both_o of_o word_n and_o action_n to_o the_o suppose_a age_n both_o of_o the_o person_n and_o the_o world_n to_o the_o humour_n fortune_n quality_n understanding_n and_o present_a condition_n as_o to_o the_o business_n of_o the_o play_n of_o the_o person_n act_v or_o speak_v horace_n as_o well_o as_o aristotle_n have_v express_v all_o this_o in_o one_o word_n convenientia_fw-la both_o which_o i_o have_v render_v proper_a this_o place_n do_v not_o afford_v i_o room_n for_o instance_n for_o each_o particular_a and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v desire_v the_o reader_n be_v patience_n till_o the_o subject_n call_v for_o they_o in_o their_o proper_a place_n 3_o dly_z that_o they_o be_v like_a this_o condition_n relate_v only_o to_o character_n take_v from_o history_n manner_n or_o poetical_a tradition_n very_o well_o know_v when_o the_o poet_n make_v use_v of_o name_n or_o story_n with_o which_o the_o audience_n be_v well_o acquaint_v he_o must_v be_v sure_a to_o make_v they_o conform_v to_o the_o receive_a opinion_n otherwise_o the_o audience_n who_o will_v not_o endure_v to_o have_v their_o own_o notion_n contradict_v will_v never_o acknowledge_v they_o to_o be_v the_o person_n they_o will_v be_v take_v for_o for_o this_o reason_n horace_n bid_v his_o poet_n follow_v common_a fame_n famam_fw-la sequere_fw-la and_o if_o he_o meddle_v with_o know_a name_n to_o keep_v to_o the_o know_a character_n and_o account_n of_o '_o they_o honoratum_fw-la si_fw-la forte_fw-fr reponis_fw-la achillem_n poet._n impiger_fw-la iracundus_fw-la inexorabilis_fw-la acer_fw-la jura_n neget_fw-la sibi_fw-la nata_fw-la nihil_fw-la non_fw-la arroget_fw-la armis_fw-la sit_v medea_n ferox_fw-la invictaque_fw-la flebilis_fw-la ino_n perfidus_fw-la ixion_n io_n vaga_fw-la tristis_fw-la orestes_n the_o likeness_n here_o design_v be_v not_o a_o natural_a but_o a_o historical_a likeness_n however_o monstrous_a a_o character_n be_v if_o it_o be_v form_v upon_o and_o adjust_v to_o common_a fame_n the_o poet_n be_v justify_v 4_o thly_a what_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v equal_a here_o likewise_o aristotle_n put_v in_o his_o caveat_n lest_o any_o one_o by_o equality_n of_o manner_n shall_v understand_v such_o a_o steadiness_n of_o temper_n and_o resolution_n as_o will_v exclude_v from_o the_o stage_n the_o uncertainty_n of_o
suppose_v if_o mr_n collier_n band_n hang_v awry_o or_o his_o face_n be_v dirty_a he_o will_v use_v the_o assistance_n of_o a_o glass_n to_o make_v all_o right_a and_o clean_o why_o then_o do_v he_o reject_v the_o use_n of_o that_o which_o may_v do_v the_o same_o office_n for_o his_o mind_n and_o help_v he_o to_o correct_v the_o folly_n and_o management_n of_o his_o life_n the_o case_n be_v plain_a he_o be_v blind_a to_o his_o own_o fault_n and_o mad_a that_o any_o one_o else_o shall_v see_v '_o they_o this_o make_v he_o call_v the_o show_v any_o of_o their_o fail_n expose_v the_o clergy_n as_o if_o thereby_o only_o they_o become_v public_a not_o consider_v that_o the_o glass_n show_v our_o fault_n to_o ourselves_o only_o other_o people_n can_v see_v they_o as_o plain_o and_o as_o ready_o without_o its_o help_n but_o mr_n collier_n who_o take_v every_o thing_n by_o the_o wrong_n handle_v look_v upon_o a_o correction_n as_o a_o reproach_n and_o have_v rather_o a_o fault_n shall_v pass_v unmend_v than_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o but_o because_o he_o plead_v a_o peculiar_a charter_n for_o the_o exemption_n of_o the_o priesthood_n let_v we_o see_v how_o he_o make_v out_o his_o title_n the_o consideration_n upon_o which_o he_o find_v it_o be_v three_o first_o because_o of_o their_o relation_n to_o the_o deity_n this_o relation_n to_o the_o deity_n he_o swell_v to_o a_o monstrous_a size_n consider_v and_o blow_v himself_o presumptuous_o up_o in_o his_o own_o conceit_n to_o a_o condition_n something_o above_o mortal_a he_o pretend_v to_o no_o less_o than_o to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a minister_n of_o god_n kingdom_n 128._o to_o represent_v his_o person_n to_o publish_v his_o law_n pass_v his_o pardon_n and_o preside_v in_o his_o worship_n mr_n collier_n pride_n have_v here_o hurry_v he_o into_o prodigious_a insolence_n and_o folly_n to_o raise_v his_o own_o character_n he_o have_v make_v a_o pope_n of_o every_o individual_a priest_n and_o give_v that_o to_o the_o mean_a of_o they_o which_o the_o most_o orthodox_n part_v of_o the_o christian_a world_n deny_v to_o the_o pretend_a successor_n of_o st_n peter_n be_v not_o the_o whole_a world_n god_n kingdom_n what_o then_o be_v its_o king_n prince_n and_o ruler_n if_o every_o priest_n be_v before_o they_o in_o authority_n mr_n collier_n i_o believe_v be_v the_o first_o bold_a mortal_n that_o ever_o pretend_a to_o represent_v the_o person_n of_o god_n almighty_n serious_o this_o to_o i_o sound_v more_o like_a blasphemy_n than_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o most_o profane_a poet._n the_o pope_n indeed_o presume_v to_o style_v himself_o christ_n vicar_n general_a but_o he_o do_v not_o presume_v to_o be_v the_o representative_a of_o his_o person_n as_o mr_n collier_n have_v assume_v a_o high_a title_n so_o i_o suppose_v he_o expect_v more_o reverence_n it_o be_v strange_a that_o enthusiasm_n shall_v shoot_v to_o such_o a_o height_n in_o our_o cold_a climate_n which_o it_o scarce_o ever_o reach_v in_o 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and_o his_o order_n mr_n collier_n mean_v no_o more_o than_o than_o that_o a_o priest_n derive_v a_o subordinate_a authority_n from_o the_o church_n to_o exercise_v his_o function_n in_o spiritual_a matter_n conformable_o to_o her_o direction_n than_o all_o this_o insolent_a profane_a bombast_n dwindle_n to_o nothing_o for_o though_o a_o very_a great_a power_n and_o trust_n be_v repose_v in_o the_o church_n yet_o i_o do_v find_v that_o this_o power_n be_v ever_o lodge_v entire_a with_o the_o priest_n or_o any_o other_o single_a person_n whatsoever_o and_o therefore_o mr_n collier_n grasp_v at_o too_o much_o when_o he_o claim_v the_o same_o respect_n and_o deference_n for_o every_o priest_n that_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v pay_v to_o the_o church_n and_o the_o governor_n of_o it_o but_o mr_n collier_n find_v circumstantiate_v that_o st._n paul_n call_v himself_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o ambassador_n of_o christ_n and_o think_v himself_o thereby_o sufficient_o warrant_v to_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o represent_v the_o person_n of_o god_n the_o word_n which_o st_n paul_n employ_v 2_o cor._n 5._o 20._o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v to_o come_v by_o commission_n from_o another_o and_o consequent_o may_v probable_o enough_o be_v render_v we_o be_v the_o ambassador_n though_o it_o do_v not_o always_o import_v so_o much_o mr_n collier_n lay_v hold_v of_o the_o word_n ambassador_n and_o fancy_n himself_o in_o the_o high_a and_o most_o honourable_a post_n that_o can_v be_v under_o god_n almighty_a that_o be_v to_o represent_v his_o person_n to_o publish_v his_o law_n pass_v his_o pardon_n and_o preside_v in_o his_o worship_n all_o this_o indeed_o except_o the_o personal_a representation_n be_v the_o office_n of_o st_n paul_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o without_o affront_a or_o lessen_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o clergy_n i_o think_v i_o may_v lawful_o question_v whether_o mr_n collier_n commission_n be_v of_o equal_a extent_n or_o validity_n with_o they_o they_o be_v call_v to_o the_o ministry_n immediate_o by_o god_n himself_o endue_v with_o supernatural_a and_o miraculous_a faculty_n and_o power_n both_o of_o discern_v and_o operation_n by_o inspiration_n from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n himself_o they_o be_v to_o plant_v in_o the_o world_n a_o new_a faith_n which_o have_v not_o yet_o be_v hear_v of_o except_o in_o a_o very_a small_a part_n of_o the_o world_n their_o doctrine_n be_v reveal_v immediate_o to_o themselves_o and_o have_v no_o other_o evidence_n than_o their_o own_o affirmation_n and_o the_o work_n that_o they_o do_v to_o back_o and_o confirm_v what_o they_o teach_v they_o have_v occasion_n for_o a_o spirit_n more_o than_o natural_o discern_v to_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o their_o convert_v and_o for_o a_o commission_n and_o power_n extraordinary_a to_o remit_v the_o sin_n of_o those_o that_o they_o find_v to_o be_v true_a penitent_n and_o to_o support_v themselves_o and_o their_o proselyte_n against_o the_o oppression_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n these_o circumstance_n ministry_n as_o i_o take_v it_o make_v a_o very_a wide_a difference_n between_o the_o ministry_n and_o commission_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o other_o immediate_a disciple_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o christian_a ministry_n at_o this_o time_n for_o first_o they_o have_v now_o no_o immediate_a call_n to_o the_o ministry_n whatever_o some_o enthusiastic_a or_o knavish_a sectary_n may_v pretend_v second_o they_o have_v no_o natural_a gift_n above_o other_o man_n to_o warrant_v a_o pretence_n to_o a_o extraordinary_a mission_n three_o they_o have_v now_o no_o peculiar_a revelation_n nor_o any_o other_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o source_n of_o doctrine_n which_o be_v not_o common_a to_o all_o mankind_n with_o they_o the_o scripture_n lie_v open_a for_o all_o that_o will_v look_v into_o they_o and_o our_o clergy_n pretend_v to_o no_o supernatural_a gift_n of_o exposition_n above_o the_o laity_n and_o consequent_o can_v offer_v no_o new_a matter_n of_o faith_n four_o they_o pretend_v to_o no_o spirit_n of_o discern_v above_o the_o condition_n of_o mere_a humanity_n to_o enable_v they_o to_o see_v into_o man_n heart_n and_o judge_v of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o their_o repentance_n and_o consequent_o must_v dispose_v of_o pardon_n blindfold_a if_o they_o exercise_v any_o such_o power_n otherwise_o than_o conditional_a and_o upon_o the_o term_n express_v in_o scripture_n but_o the_o pronounce_v a_o absolution_n on_o those_o term_n be_v not_o pass_v a_o pardon_n any_o more_o than_o allow_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o a_o malefactor_n in_o a_o court_n of_o judicature_n be_v a_o act_n of_o grace_n in_o the_o bench._n last_o since_o the_o world_n become_v christian_n those_o extraordinary_a commission_n which_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a christian_n have_v cease_v with_o the_o reason_n of_o '_o they_o for_o when_o