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comedy_n equal_a and_o unequal_a right_a or_o left_a all_o that_o concern_v only_o the_o understanding_n the_o stage_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o not_o the_o art_n of_o make_v a_o drammatic_a poem_n i_o have_v undertake_v to_o treat_v of_o all_o this_o in_o a_o book_n which_o i_o shall_v have_v call_v the_o restore_a of_o the_o theatre_n in_o france_n to_o show_v what_o ornament_n may_v be_v add_v to_o we_o from_o antiquity_n but_o i_o shall_v here_o go_v too_o far_o from_o my_o subject_n if_o i_o shall_v launch_v into_o this_o matter_n i_o will_v only_o say_v that_o much_o of_o it_o may_v be_v learn_v out_o of_o scaliger_n vitruvius_n julius_n pollux_n vossius_fw-la and_o other_o though_o they_o speak_v of_o these_o matter_n with_o ill_a method_n and_o not_o much_o application_n chapter_n the_o twelve_o of_o the_o scene_n i_o be_v in_o some_o doubt_n whether_o i_o shall_v explain_v here_o all_o the_o different_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n scene_n because_o the_o learned_a will_v meet_v with_o nothing_o but_o what_o they_o know_v already_o however_o have_v consider_v that_o other_o may_v have_v by_o it_o some_o instruction_n about_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o stage_n i_o think_v it_o not_o amiss_o to_o do_v it_o first_o then_o the_o word_n scene_n in_o its_o original_n and_o proper_a signification_n be_v take_v for_o a_o cover_v of_o bough_n make_v by_o art_n from_o whence_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v call_v scenopegia_fw-la and_o from_o thence_o too_o some_o people_n of_o arabia_n be_v call_v scenites_n sometime_o too_o it_o signify_v a_o natural_a shade_n of_o some_o grotto_n or_o solitary_a place_n so_o virgil_n have_v it_o tum_o sylvis_n scaena_fw-la coruscis_fw-la desuper_fw-la horrentÃque_fw-la atrum_fw-la nemus_fw-la imminet_fw-la umbra_fw-la but_o because_o the_o first_o comedy_n or_o rather_o the_o first_o buffoon_n be_v under_o some_o green_a shade_n the_o name_n of_o scene_n be_v give_v to_o all_o place_n where_o comedy_n be_v represent_v and_o tragedy_n too_o though_o transfer_v into_o great_a city_n yet_o preserve_v the_o name_n of_o scene_n with_o that_o of_o theatre_n which_o signify_v a_o place_n for_o spectacle_n but_o then_o the_o word_n scene_n even_o in_o drammatic_a poetry_n be_v take_v in_o different_a signification_n for_o sometime_o it_o signify_v the_o place_n of_o act_v as_o we_o say_v to_o be_v upon_o the_o scene_n and_o pliny_n have_v it_o that_o lucia_n a_o old_a buffoon_a woman_n recite_v upon_o the_o scene_n at_o the_o age_n of_o a_o hundred_o year_n sometime_o it_o signify_v that_o which_o we_o call_v the_o decoration_n of_o the_o stage_n that_o be_v all_o the_o ornament_n of_o paint_a cloth_n which_o represent_v the_o place_n where_o the_o thing_n be_v act_v and_o according_a to_o the_o three_o kind_n of_o drammatic_a poetry_n vitruvius_n teach_v how_o to_o make_v three_o sort_n of_o scene_n or_o decoration_n of_o the_o stage_n fit_a for_o tragedy_n comedy_n and_o pastoral_n and_o from_o this_o signification_n be_v come_v the_o word_n proscenion_n or_o forescene_n attribute_v by_o the_o greek_n to_o that_o part_n of_o the_o stage_n where_o the_o histrion_n or_o actor_n do_v both_o act_n and_o speak_v at_o last_o its_o signification_n become_v so_o extend_v as_o to_o express_v at_o once_o the_o place_n where_o the_o actor_n act_v and_o that_o where_o the_o spectator_n be_v and_o it_o be_v in_o this_o sense_n that_o the_o jurisconsult_a labeo_n define_v the_o scene_n according_a to_o ulpian_n sometime_o likewise_o it_o signify_v all_o that_o pompous_a structure_n of_o building_n gallery_n walk_n seat_n and_o other_o place_n where_o the_o roman_n use_v to_o represent_v their_o game_n from_o these_o different_a signification_n have_v proceed_v many_o mistake_v among_o the_o modern_a writer_n because_o they_o do_v not_o right_o understand_v the_o ancient_n and_o so_o have_v confound_v the_o proscenion_n with_o the_o decoration_n and_o that_o again_o 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act_n or_o recital_n between_o the_o chorus_n as_o we_o have_v already_o sufficient_o explain_v chapter_n the_o three_o of_o the_o chorus_n of_o the_o ancient_n we_o have_v say_v already_o that_o tragedy_n in_o its_o first_o original_a be_v nothing_o but_o a_o sacred_a hymn_n sing_v and_o dance_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o bacchus_n and_o that_o by_o little_a and_o little_a the_o episodes_n which_o we_o call_v act_n be_v add_v between_o each_o chorus_n and_o we_o know_v likewise_o that_o now_o adays_o tragedy_n have_v quite_o lose_v its_o chorus_n as_o comedy_n have_v lose_v he_o even_o before_o the_o age_n of_o plautus_n so_o that_o it_o may_v seem_v to_o some_o that_o a_o discourse_n of_o chorus_n may_v be_v now_o a_o unnecessary_a thing_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o our_o stage_n but_o beside_o that_o they_o may_v one_o day_n be_v re-establish_v upon_o our_o theatre_n when_o we_o be_v well_o inform_v what_o they_o be_v among_o the_o ancient_n i_o think_v it_o very_o necessary_a for_o i_o to_o explain_v here_o my_o thought_n about_o they_o and_o which_o will_v scarce_o be_v find_v any_o where_o else_o to_o take_v the_o chorus_n not_o as_o it_o be_v at_o first_o when_o alone_o it_o make_v the_o whole_a tragedy_n but_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o sophocles_n and_o euripides_n that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o its_o perfection_n among_o the_o grecian_n i_o think_v we_o may_v define_v the_o chorus_n thus_o the_o chorus_n be_v a_o troop_n of_o actor_n represent_v the_o assembly_n or_o body_n of_o those_o person_n who_o either_o be_v present_a or_o probable_o may_v be_v so_o upon_o that_o place_n or_o scene_n where_o the_o action_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v transact_v these_o word_n be_v of_o importance_n and_o we_o be_v not_o to_o proceed_v without_o well_o weigh_v of_o they_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o in_o the_o hecuba_n of_o euripides_n the_o chorus_n be_v of_o trojan_a woman_n who_o be_v slave_n in_o the_o camp_n it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o they_o be_v at_o the_o tent_n of_o hecuba_n who_o be_v under_o the_o same_o captivity_n with_o they_o and_o in_o the_o cyclops_n the_o chorus_n be_v of_o satyr_n and_o that_o very_o ingenious_o contrive_v for_o no_o other_o sort_n of_o man_n can_v venture_v to_o stay_v before_o the_o den_n of_o cruel_a polyphemus_n in_o the_o antigone_n of_o sophocles_n the_o chorus_n be_v of_o the_o old_a man_n of_o thebes_n because_o be_v send_v for_o by_o creon_n to_o council_n none_o can_v more_o reasonable_o be_v think_v to_o be_v before_o his_o palace_n in_o the_o ajax_n the_o chorus_n be_v of_o seaman_n of_o salamis_n who_o come_v very_o natural_o before_o the_o tent_n of_o their_o prince_n to_o endeavour_v to_o do_v he_o some_o service_n upon_o the_o noise_n of_o his_o be_v furious_a and_o mad_a in_o the_o prometheus_n of_o aeschylus_n the_o nymph_n of_o the_o ocean_n make_v the_o chorus_n because_o in_o probability_n hardly_o any_o other_o person_n can_v be_v suppose_v near_o that_o unfortunate_a man_n who_o be_v fasten_v to_o a_o rock_n far_o from_o the_o commerce_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n and_o also_o in_o the_o seven_o before_o thebes_n the_o young_a woman_n of_o the_o town_n make_v the_o chorus_n because_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o assemble_v they_o before_o the_o palace_n and_o make_v they_o stay_v there_o full_a of_o fear_n and_o apprehension_n lament_v the_o calamity_n of_o the_o war_n than_o to_o have_v place_v man_n there_o who_o be_v suppose_v necessary_a to_o the_o defence_n of_o their_o country_n and_o from_o this_o we_o may_v judge_v likewise_o with_o what_o industry_n and_o ingenuity_n aristophanes_n in_o his_o play_n against_o socrates_n make_v a_o chorus_n of_o cloud_n because_o he_o suppose_v socrates_n to_o invoke_v they_o to_o appear_v at_o his_o sophism_n as_o in_o another_o place_n he_o have_v make_v a_o chorus_n of_o bird_n which_o two_o athenian_n come_v and_o entertain_v in_o a_o place_n full_a of_o tree_n and_o out_o of_o the_o way_n talk_v to_o they_o about_o build_v a_o town_n in_o the_o air._n i_o make_v no_o citation_n here_o out_o of_o those_o tragedy_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o seneca_n because_o they_o be_v very_o ill_a model_n to_o imitate_v and_o particular_o the_o chorus_n be_v very_o faulty_a for_o sometime_o they_o see_v all_o that_o be_v do_v upon_o the_o scene_n hear_v all_o that_o be_v say_v and_o speak_v very_o proper_o to_o all_o and_o at_o other_o time_n one_o will_v think_v they_o be_v blind_a deaf_a and_o dumb_a in_o many_o of_o those_o dramma_n one_o can_v hardly_o tell_v who_o they_o represent_v how_o they_o be_v dress_v nor_o what_o reason_n bring_v they_o upon_o the_o stage_n nor_o why_o they_o be_v of_o one_o sex_n more_o than_o of_o another_o indeed_o the_o verse_n be_v fine_a full_a of_o thought_n and_o overload_v with_o conceit_n but_o may_v in_o most_o place_n be_v very_o well_o spare_v without_o spoil_v any_o thing_n either_o in_o the_o sense_n or_o in_o the_o representation_n of_o the_o poem_n beside_o the_o thebaida_n have_v none_o at_o all_o whether_o it_o be_v lose_v by_o the_o fault_n of_o the_o copyist_n and_o our_o printer_n which_o i_o can_v hardly_o believe_v because_o there_o will_v at_o least_o have_v remain_v some_o fragment_n consider_v that_o they_o be_v piece_n insert_v into_o the_o very_a body_n of_o the_o poem_n in_o many_o place_n so_o that_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o author_n make_v none_o at_o all_o for_o that_o play_n and_o this_o with_o some_o other_o conjecture_n have_v give_v i_o occasion_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o scaliger_n affirm_v so_o positive_o to_o wit_n that_o tragedy_n never_o be_v without_o chorus_n for_o i_o incline_v to_o think_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o debauch_a and_o loose_a emperor_n where_o mimes_n embolime_n and_o buffoon_n come_v in_o for_o interlude_n in_o tragedy_n as_o well_o as_o in_o comedy_n the_o chorus_n cease_v by_o little_a and_o little_a to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o drammatic_a poem_n and_o become_v only_o a_o troup_n of_o musician_n and_o dancer_n to_o mark_v the_o interval_n of_o the_o act_n but_o those_o four_o greek_a poet_n who_o work_n we_o have_v have_v be_v much_o more_o exact_a in_o their_o chorus_n then_o the_o author_n of_o seneca_n tragedys_n as_o understand_v a_o great_a deal_n better_o than_o he_o the_o art_n of_o compose_v such_o poem_n and_o out_o of_o they_o likewise_o it_o be_v that_o we_o learn_v that_o the_o chorus_n may_v be_v compose_v of_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n without_o distinction_n either_o of_o age_n or_o sex_n nay_o of_o live_a creature_n or_o insensible_a thing_n as_o aristophanes_n have_v do_v from_o which_o we_o may_v likewise_o observe_v that_o they_o who_o think_v the_o chorus_n represent_v the_o people_n be_v something_o out_o for_o we_o see_v that_o in_o his_o knight_n the_o people_n of_o athens_n be_v act_v speak_v and_o judge_v the_o contest_v between_o cleo_n and_o agoracritus_n and_o that_o the_o chorus_n be_v of_o athenian_a knight_n perfect_o distinguish_v from_o those_o who_o represent_v the_o people_n and_o when_o aristotle_n and_o scaliger_n after_o he_o name_v the_o chorus_n a_o kind_n of_o idle_a client_n which_o give_v but_o small_a assistance_n to_o those_o he_o pretend_v to_o help_v it_o must_v be_v understand_v only_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o other_o actor_n who_o be_v general_o more_o busy_a as_o also_o because_o the_o chorus_n never_o forsake_v the_o place_n of_o the_o scene_n whereas_o the_o other_o actor_n often_o perform_v great_a thing_n off_o of_o the_o stage_n but_o yet_o the_o greek_a poet_n have_v never_o choose_v for_o their_o chorus_n either_o idle_a people_n though_o they_o may_v be_v easy_o suppose_v present_a or_o those_o who_o have_v no_o concern_v in_o the_o business_n in_o hand_n because_o all_o that_o they_o can_v have_v say_v or_o do_v will_v have_v be_v weak_a and_o languish_a of_o small_a or_o no_o effect_n upon_o the_o spectator_n who_o 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that_o minerva_n alone_o can_v know_v and_o then_o he_o make_v tecmessa_n tell_v the_o remainder_n of_o what_o he_o have_v do_v when_o he_o be_v in_o his_o tent._n this_o division_n produce_v two_o different_a effect_n upon_o the_o stage_n the_o first_o a_o sentiment_n of_o admiration_n for_o the_o care_n that_o minerva_n take_v of_o ulysses_n but_o with_o surprise_v for_o so_o great_a a_o misfortune_n in_o the_o person_n of_o ajax_n the_o other_o be_v a_o sentiment_n of_o pity_n when_o the_o spectator_n see_v a_o lady_n beautiful_a and_o well_o belove_v sit_v near_o a_o madman_n her_o husband_n we_o must_v not_o neither_o let_v slip_v the_o narration_n which_o tecmessa_n make_v summary_o of_o the_o ruin_n of_o her_o family_n and_o the_o death_n of_o her_o parent_n her_o captivity_n and_o then_o happy_a marriage_n with_o ajax_n nor_o that_o of_o teucer_n about_o the_o exchange_n that_o ajax_n make_v of_o a_o belt_n with_o hector_n for_o a_o sword_n which_o he_o receive_v from_o he_o the_o first_o have_v serve_v to_o fasten_v the_o body_n of_o hector_n to_o the_o chariot_n of_o achilles_n and_o the_o other_o have_v be_v the_o instrument_n of_o ajax_n death_n for_o though_o both_o these_o narration_n be_v insert_v in_o the_o most_o lively_a passion_n of_o the_o person_n that_o make_v they_o yet_o be_v they_o touch_v with_o so_o much_o art_n that_o they_o do_v not_o at_o all_o weaken_v the_o passion_n but_o quite_o contrary_a heighten_v they_o by_o give_v a_o image_n of_o some_o new_a misfortune_n beside_o that_o all_o the_o story_n of_o ajax_n country_n his_o family_n and_o his_o warlike_a exploit_n be_v industrious_o tell_v in_o different_a place_n without_o any_o affectation_n and_o only_o for_o a_o more_o perfect_a understanding_n of_o the_o subject_a i_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o the_o contestation_n of_o ajax_n sepulture_n will_v be_v agreeable_a and_o pathetic_a in_o our_o age_n but_o i_o make_v no_o question_n but_o that_o in_o sophocles_n time_n it_o must_v have_v take_v extreme_o for_o than_o it_o be_v a_o mark_n of_o the_o high_a infamy_n and_o the_o extreme_a misfortune_n that_o can_v befall_v any_o body_n to_o be_v forbid_v burial_n and_o without_o doubt_v the_o spectator_n be_v move_v with_o great_a compassion_n see_v the_o body_n of_o so_o great_a a_o prince_n ready_a to_o receive_v such_o unworthy_a usage_n by_o the_o effect_n of_o minervas_n anger_n and_o as_o the_o discourse_n of_o the_o two_o prince_n agamemnon_n and_o menelaus_n seem_v well_o ground_v upon_o reason_n of_o state_n to_o deprive_v he_o of_o the_o honour_n of_o sepulture_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o reason_n of_o teucer_n have_v piety_n and_o generosity_n on_o their_o side_n i_o believe_v that_o this_o debate_n which_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o manner_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o ancient_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o they_o particular_o consider_v that_o euripides_n have_v found_v the_o tragedy_n of_o the_o suppliant_n in_o honour_n of_o the_o athenian_n upon_o that_o sole_a consideration_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a that_o so_o great_a a_o poet_n will_v have_v take_v a_o weak_a subject_a to_o establish_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o country_n as_o for_o the_o show_n or_o spectacle_n he_o may_v have_v make_v ajax_n appear_v in_o all_o his_o madness_n but_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v a_o passion_n below_o a_o hero_n except_o some_o great_a cause_n excite_v it_o and_o that_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o be_v illustrious_a i_o believe_v he_o avoid_v do_v of_o it_o because_o it_o will_v have_v be_v hard_o to_o represent_v he_o make_v a_o great_a slaughter_n among_o the_o sheep_n and_o goat_n without_o make_v he_o ridiculous_a and_o so_o deprive_v the_o hero_n of_o that_o compassion_n due_a to_o so_o great_a a_o calamity_n therefore_o to_o show_v the_o deplorable_a condition_n of_o so_o great_a a_o prince_n and_o yet_o not_o to_o rob_v the_o stage_n of_o any_o thing_n of_o ornament_n he_o make_v he_o appear_v in_o his_o frenzy_n indeed_o but_o something_o abate_v by_o the_o presence_n of_o minerva_n which_o be_v a_o figure_n of_o the_o rage_n of_o great_a man_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v quite_o abandon_v by_o prudence_n as_o the_o madness_n of_o the_o vulgar_a be_v and_o so_o show_v he_o sit_v in_o his_o tent_n in_o the_o first_o abatement_n of_o his_o fury_n have_v those_o slaughter_a animal_n all_o about_o he_o with_o his_o wife_n his_o little_a son_n and_o his_o friend_n in_o a_o mournful_a posture_n near_o he_o all_o which_o do_v in_o my_o opinion_n afford_v a_o well_o invent_v spectacle_n apt_a to_o raise_v compassion_n when_o ajax_n come_v alittle_o to_o himself_o and_o that_o all_o his_o look_n word_n and_o action_n have_v the_o character_n of_o shame_n courage_n and_o fury_n paint_v in_o they_o the_o better_a to_o manifest_v the_o excess_n of_o his_o misery_n add_v to_o this_o the_o tear_n and_o complaint_n of_o his_o wife_n the_o presence_n of_o a_o little_a infant_n who_o can_v speak_v itself_o but_o who_o presence_n give_v occasion_n to_o many_o tender_a expression_n and_o last_o the_o heavy_a consolation_n of_o his_o friend_n i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v hard_a but_o all_o this_o must_v produce_v a_o very_a pathetic_a and_o move_a show_n after_o this_o the_o poet_n bring_v he_o to_o his_o sense_n entire_o but_o then_o the_o prophetic_a word_n of_o calchas_n which_o threaten_v he_o that_o day_n particular_o with_o death_n bring_v new_a terror_n upon_o the_o stage_n and_o that_o so_o much_o the_o strong_a because_o the_o spectator_n think_v he_o safe_a by_o be_v return_v to_o his_o sense_n after_o this_o he_o die_v by_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o his_o very_a sepulture_n become_v a_o subject_a of_o contestation_n all_o these_o be_v new_a object_n of_o compassion_n which_o show_v we_o the_o mastery_n of_o the_o poet_n in_o supply_v his_o stage_n with_o variety_n by_o change_v continual_o the_o face_n of_o thing_n a_o project_n for_o re-establish_a the_o french_a theatre_n the_o cause_n which_o hinder_v the_o french_a theatre_n from_o continue_v the_o progress_n it_o have_v make_v some_o year_n ago_o in_o cardinal_n richelieu_n time_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o six_o 1._o the_o common_a belief_n that_o to_o frequent_a play_n be_v a_o sin_n against_o the_o rule_n of_o christianity_n 2._o the_o infamy_n with_o which_o the_o law_n have_v note_v those_o who_o make_v a_o open_a profession_n of_o be_v player_n 3._o the_o fail_n and_o error_n commit_v in_o the_o representation_n of_o play_n 4._o the_o ill_a play_n which_o be_v indifferent_o act_v with_o the_o good_a 5._o ill_a decoration_n 6._o disorder_n commit_v by_o the_o spectator_n to_o begin_v by_o that_o general_o receive_v opinion_n it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o church_n always_o forbid_v christian_n to_o frequent_v the_o theater_n for_o two_o reason_n the_o first_o which_o few_o have_v take_v notice_n of_o be_v because_o that_o the_o representation_n of_o play_n be_v ancient_o a_o act_n of_o religion_n make_v a_o part_n of_o the_o cult_a and_o worship_n perform_v to_o the_o god_n of_o the_o heathen_n this_o be_v out_o of_o dispute_n and_o may_v be_v easy_o prove_v if_o need_n be_v by_o a_o thousand_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o antiquity_n the_o first_o father_n of_o the_o church_n condemn_v therefore_o the_o christian_n that_o assist_v at_o those_o spectacle_n as_o be_v participant_a of_o idolatry_n which_o they_o have_v renounce_v by_o their_o baptism_n as_o we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o write_n of_o minutius_n felix_n tertullian_n st._n cyprian_n st._n austin_n lactantius_n and_o other_o the_o second_o reason_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o indecency_n and_o obscenity_n say_v and_o commit_v there_o by_o the_o mimes_n pantomime_n dancer_n and_o other_o who_o act_v their_o dythâ—rambes_n phales_n itiphales_n priapeas_n and_o other_o impure_a representation_n which_o be_v proper_a to_o the_o cult_a of_o bacchus_n to_o who_o the_o theatre_n be_v consecrate_a as_o to_o its_o author_n and_o to_o venus_n as_o the_o companion_n of_o bacchus_n as_o to_o the_o first_o reason_n then_o of_o the_o pagan_a religion_n that_o cease_v now_o since_o play_n be_v no_o long_o a_o piece_n of_o worship_n but_o rather_o a_o innocent_a recreation_n without_o any_o impious_a ceremony_n in_o honour_n of_o the_o idol_n but_o the_o public_a must_v be_v well_o inform_v of_o this_o as_o for_o the_o second_o reason_n though_o in_o cardinal_n richelieu_n time_n all_o obscenity_n be_v banish_v from_o the_o stage_n in_o his_o presence_n yet_o the_o public_a theater_n do_v retain_v something_o of_o those_o indecency_n in_o farces_n and_o other_o poem_n where_o the_o author_n endeavour_v to_o please_v the_o rabble_n represent_v impudent_a story_n and_o set_v they_o out_o with_o filthy_a jest_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o