Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n according_a consist_v great_a 70 3 2.0660 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A26187 The whole art of the stage containing not only the rules of the drammatick art, but many curious observations about it, which may be of great use to the authors, actors, and spectators of plays : together with much critical learning about the stage and plays of the antients / written in French by the command of Cardinal Richelieu by Monsieur Hedelin, Abbot of Aubignac, and now made English.; Pratique du théâtre. English. 1684. Aubignac, François-Hédelin, abbé d', 1604-1676. 1684 (1684) Wing A4185; ESTC R16044 179,268 322

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always_o the_o best_a actor_n and_o so_o satisfy_v most_o then_o they_o be_v the_o best_a clothe_v and_o so_o please_v the_o spectator_n who_o be_v take_v with_o their_o dress_n and_o last_o because_o they_o have_v the_o fine_a thing_n to_o say_v and_o the_o noble_a passion_n to_o show_v in_o which_o to_o say_v truth_n consist_v the_o great_a charm_n of_o the_o stage_n and_o beside_o the_o whole_a event_n be_v to_o turn_v upon_o they_o the_o spectator_n rejoice_v and_o grieve_v with_o they_o fear_n and_o hope_n as_o they_o do_v and_o always_o have_v some_o inward_a concern_n according_a to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o their_o affair_n this_o make_v i_o not_o approve_v of_o seneca_n who_o in_o a_o play_n where_o agamemnon_n be_v the_o chief_a hero_n and_o be_v kill_v make_v he_o say_v not_o above_o two_o and_o twenty_o verse_n in_o all_o the_o best_a advice_n i_o can_v give_v the_o poet_n in_o this_o matter_n be_v not_o to_o have_v any_o thing_n tell_v by_o way_n of_o narrative_n 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to_o keep_v the_o empire_n conspire_v against_o he_o and_o be_v pardon_v by_o he_o all_o this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o theatral_n action_n that_o the_o same_o aemilia_n hate_v augustus_n and_o love_v cinna_n that_o she_o desire_v to_o be_v revenge_v and_o yet_o apprehend_v the_o event_n of_o so_o great_a a_o undertake_n all_o this_o too_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o action_n that_o augustus_n propose_v his_o thought_n of_o leave_v the_o empire_n to_o two_o perfidious_a friend_n and_o that_o one_o advise_v he_o to_o keep_v it_o and_o the_o other_o to_o leave_v it_o be_v likewise_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o action_n in_o a_o word_n all_o that_o in_o the_o play_n either_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o part_n or_o have_v a_o necessary_a dependence_n upon_o the_o story_n aught_o to_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o action_n and_o it_o be_v by_o this_o rule_n that_o one_o ought_v to_o examine_v the_o probability_n of_o all_o that_o be_v do_v in_o the_o play_n as_o the_o fitness_n and_o decency_n of_o the_o expression_n the_o connexion_n of_o the_o intrigue_n the_o patness_n of_o the_o event_n etc._n etc._n and_o one_o natural_o approve_v of_o all_o that_o aught_o to_o have_v be_v do_v according_a to_o the_o truth_n though_o it_o be_v a_o suppose_a story_n and_o one_o condemn_v all_o that_o one_o think_v contrary_a to_o truth_n or_o not_o become_v the_o action_n of_o life_n but_o that_o floridor_n or_o beauchasteau_n act_v the_o part_n of_o cinna_n that_o they_o be_v good_a or_o ill_a actor_n well_o or_o ill_o dress_v that_o they_o be_v separate_v from_o the_o people_n by_o a_o stage_n which_o be_v adorn_v with_o paint_a cloth_n represent_v palace_n and_o garden_n that_o the_o interval_n of_o the_o act_n be_v mark_v
earth_n only_o to_o compose_v the_o pomp_n and_o decoration_n of_o their_o spectacle_n as_o well_o as_o the_o most_o curious_a science_n be_v cultivate_v to_o produce_v man_n capable_a of_o invent_v new_a entertainment_n and_o to_o say_v truth_n what_o great_a mark_n can_v there_o be_v of_o a_o flourish_a greatness_n in_o any_o state_n than_o to_o see_v many_o of_o these_o diversion_n thereby_o in_o peace_n appear_v the_o superfluity_n of_o its_o riches_n the_o abundance_n of_o its_o people_n who_o without_o be_v a_o charge_n to_o the_o public_a can_v spare_v many_o day_n to_o their_o pleasure_n from_o those_o employment_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o subsistence_n of_o the_o great_a body_n of_o the_o people_n and_o beside_o the_o number_n of_o rare_a wit_n busy_v in_o the_o public_a diversion_n with_o all_o sort_n of_o invention_n and_o the_o great_a number_n of_o excellent_a artificer_n employ_v to_o execute_v the_o ingenious_a thought_n of_o the_o first_o can_v but_o be_v a_o 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do_v neither_o change_n the_o humour_n nor_o the_o courage_n of_o those_o that_o compose_v the_o army_n nor_o of_o those_o that_o stay_v at_o home_n that_o they_o undertake_v with_o joy_n in_o summer_n those_o glorious_a action_n of_o which_o they_o see_v a_o image_n upon_o the_o stage_n in_o winter_n with_o so_o much_o pleasure_n and_o that_o the_o advantage_n their_o enemy_n reap_v from_o the_o war_n be_v so_o inconsiderable_a as_o not_o to_o disquiet_v or_o interrupt_v the_o public_a joy_n thus_o the_o athenian_n have_v receive_v in_o the_o very_a theatre_n the_o news_n of_o a_o entire_a defeat_n of_o their_o army_n before_o syracuse_n will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o interrupt_v the_o public_a game_n but_o go_v on_o with_o those_o spectacle_n as_o they_o have_v begin_v and_o foreign_a ambassador_n who_o themselves_o be_v by_o and_o spectator_n of_o this_o undaunted_a generosity_n admire_v it_o more_o than_o their_o real_a power_n as_o think_v it_o hard_a to_o subdue_v and_o to_o come_v near_o our_o time_n if_o we_o consider_v what_o have_v pass_v at_o vienna_n and_o paris_n the_o head_n of_o two_o rival_n empire_n under_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o great_a cardinal_n richelieu_n we_o must_v confess_v that_o these_o two_o capitol_n seem_v by_o the_o magnificency_n of_o their_o play_n ballet_n and_o other_o public_a entertainment_n to_o try_v to_o persuade_v the_o world_n that_o the_o event_n of_o the_o war_n which_o so_o warm_o they_o carry_v on_o against_o each_o other_o be_v indifferent_a to_o they_o both_z as_o to_o their_o good_a or_o evil_a fortune_n we_o be_v not_o nevertheless_o to_o imagine_v that_o these_o public_a spectacle_n afford_v nothing_o but_o a_o vain_a splendour_n without_o any_o real_a utility_n for_o they_o be_v a_o secret_a instrustruction_n to_o the_o people_n of_o many_o thing_n which_o it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o insinuate_v into_o they_o any_o other_o way_n as_o for_o example_n those_o public_a diversion_n where_o there_o be_v any_o image_n of_o war_n do_v insensible_o make_v they_o acquaint_v with_o arm_n and_o make_v those_o instrument_n of_o death_n familiar_a to_o they_o inspire_v they_o at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o courage_n and_o intrepedity_n against_o all_o danger_n beside_o vanity_n often_o prevail_v more_o with_o we_o than_o reason_n and_o that_o jealous_a humour_n of_o which_o our_o nature_n can_v hardly_o ever_o well_o divest_v itself_o do_v continual_o foment_n within_o we_o a_o certain_a desire_n of_o conpuer_a which_o often_o carry_v we_o to_o overcome_v all_o our_o natural_a weakness_n and_o go_v beyond_o ourselves_o in_o great_a attempt_n thus_o the_o glory_n which_o one_o receive_v in_o public_a for_o some_o handsome_a action_n and_o the_o recital_n or_o representation_n of_o the_o heroic_a virtue_n of_o those_o who_o be_v not_o even_o in_o be_v at_o the_o time_n we_o hear_v they_o do_v nevertheless_o raise_v in_o we_o a_o presumptuous_a belief_n that_o we_o be_v able_a to_o perform_v the_o like_a and_o this_o presumption_n become_v a_o noble_a sort_n of_o envy_n call_v emulation_n produce_v in_o we_o a_o insatiable_a desire_n of_o honour_n and_o elevate_v our_o courage_n to_o undertake_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v effect_v that_o glorious_a design_n as_o for_o those_o spectacle_n which_o consist_v as_o much_o in_o discourse_n as_o action_n such_o as_o former_o be_v the_o dispute_n upon_o the_o stage_n between_o the_o epic_a and_o drammatic_a poet_n they_o be_v not_o only_o useful_a but_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o instruct_v the_o people_n and_o give_v they_o some_o tincture_n of_o moral_a virtue_n the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o be_v of_o the_o mean_a rank_n and_o condition_n in_o a_o state_n be_v general_o so_o little_o acquaint_v with_o any_o notion_n of_o morality_n that_o the_o most_o general_a maxim_n of_o it_o be_v hardly_o know_v to_o they_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a therefore_o to_o make_v fine_a discourse_n full_a of_o convince_a reason_n and_o strengthen_v with_o example_n to_o they_o they_o can_v neither_o understand_v the_o first_o nor_o have_v any_o deference_n for_o the_o latter_a all_o the_o elevate_a truth_n of_o philosophy_n be_v light_n too_o strong_a for_o their_o weak_a eye_n tell_v they_o of_o these_o maxim_n that_o happiness_n consist_v less_o in_o the_o possession_n of_o worldly_a thing_n than_o in_o the_o despise_n of_o they_o that_o virtue_n ought_v to_o seek_v its_o recompense_n in_o its_o self_n that_o there_o be_v no_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n considerable_a enough_o to_o oblige_v a_o man_n of_o honour_n to_o do_v a_o base_a thing_n all_o these_o i_o say_v be_v paradox_n to_o they_o which_o make_v they_o suspect_v philosophy_n itself_o and_o turn_v it_o into_o ridicule_n they_o must_v therefore_o be_v instruct_v by_o a_o more_o sensible_a way_n which_o may_v fall_v more_o under_o their_o sense_n and_o such_o be_v the_o representation_n of_o the_o stage_n which_o may_v therefore_o proper_o be_v call_v the_o people_n school_n one_o of_o the_o chief_a and_o indeed_o the_o most_o indispensible_a rule_n of_o drammatic_a poem_n be_v that_o in_o they_o virtue_n always_o ought_v to_o be_v reward_v or_o at_o least_o commend_v in_o spite_n of_o all_o the_o injury_n of_o fortune_n and_o that_o likewise_o vice_n be_v always_o punish_v or_o at_o least_o detest_a with_o horror_n though_o they_o triumph_v upon_o the_o stage_n for_o that_o time_n the_o stage_n be_v thus_o regulate_v what_o can_v philosophy_n teach_v that_o will_v become_v much_o more_o sensible_o touch_v by_o representation_n it_o be_v there_o that_o the_o mean_a capacity_n may_v visible_o see_v that_o favour_n of_o fortune_n be_v not_o real_a enjoyment_n when_o they_o see_v the_o ruin_n of_o the_o royal_a family_n of_o priamus_n all_o that_o they_o hear_v from_o the_o mouth_n of_o hecuba_n seem_v very_o probable_a have_v before_o their_o eye_n the_o sad_a example_n of_o her_o calamity_n it_o be_v there_o that_o they_o be_v convince_v that_o heaven_n punish_v the_o horrid_a crime_n of_o the_o guilty_a with_o the_o remorse_n of_o they_o when_o they_o see_v orestes_n torment_v by_o his_o own_o conscience_n and_o drive_v about_o by_o fury_n within_o his_o own_o breast_n it_o be_v there_o that_o ambition_n seem_v to_o they_o a_o very_a dangerous_a passion_n when_o they_o see_v a_o man_n engage_v in_o crime_n to_o attain_v his_o end_n and_o after_o have_v violate_v the_o law_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n fall_v into_o misfortune_n as_o great_a as_o those_o he_o have_v overwhelm_v other_o in_o and_o more_o torment_v by_o himself_o than_o by_o his_o enemy_n it_o be_v there_o again_o that_o covetousness_n appear_v a_o disease_n of_o the_o soul_n when_o they_o see_v a_o covetous_a man_n persecute_v with_o continual_a restlessness_n and_o fear_n of_o want_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o his_o riches_n and_o last_o it_o be_v there_o that_o a_o man_n by_o
which_o he_o give_v they_o so_o that_o though_o he_o be_v the_o author_n yet_o he_o must_v write_v the_o whole_a with_o such_o art_n that_o it_o may_v not_o so_o much_o as_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v by_o he_o invent_v so_o in_o eschylus_n tragedy_n of_o agamemnon_n all_o thing_n appear_v as_o if_o real_o agamemnon_n have_v be_v murder_v and_o in_o sophocles_n as_o if_o ajax_n be_v real_o furious_a and_o so_o of_o all_o the_o other_o piece_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o likewise_o when_o we_o judge_v of_o any_o play_n on_o our_o stage_n we_o suppose_v the_o thing_n either_o true_a or_o that_o aught_o to_o be_v so_o and_o may_v be_v so_o and_o upon_o that_o supposition_n we_o approve_v of_o all_o the_o word_n or_o action_n that_o be_v do_v or_o say_v by_o those_o who_o speak_v or_o act_v and_o of_o all_o those_o event_n which_o may_v probable_o follow_v the_o first_o appearance_n because_o that_o in_o this_o case_n we_o believe_v that_o thing_n may_v real_o happen_v as_o they_o seem_v nay_o that_o they_o have_v happen_v and_o aught_o to_o happen_v so_o and_o on_o the_o contrary_a we_o condemn_v all_o that_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v do_v or_o say_v according_a to_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o person_n the_o place_n the_o time_n and_o the_o first_o appearance_n of_o the_o play_n now_o to_o understand_v how_o the_o poet_n be_v to_o govern_v himself_o with_o regard_n to_o the_o spectator_n and_o when_o they_o be_v to_o be_v considerable_a to_o he_o or_o not_o so_o we_o need_v but_o reflect_v upon_o what_o we_o have_v say_v of_o a_o picture_n for_o look_v upon_o it_o only_o as_o the_o work_n of_o the_o artist_n the_o painter_n do_v what_o he_o can_v to_o make_v it_o excellent_a because_o it_o will_v be_v see_v and_o that_o he_o expect_v to_o be_v know_v and_o admire_v by_o it_o but_o if_o he_o consider_v it_o as_o a_o story_n paint_v he_o keep_v as_o close_o as_o he_o can_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o represent_v and_o do_v nothing_o but_o what_o will_v seem_v probable_a in_o all_o its_o circumstance_n because_o it_o be_v all_o to_o be_v consider_v as_o true_a and_o suppose_v so_o for_o example_n if_o he_o will_v draw_v mary_n magdelen_n in_o her_o penitent_a retirement_n he_o will_v not_o omit_v any_o of_o the_o most_o important_a part_n of_o her_o story_n because_o if_o he_o shall_v do_v otherwise_o they_o that_o shall_v see_v it_o will_v hardly_o know_v it_o he_o must_v place_v she_o in_o a_o decent_a posture_n else_o she_o will_v be_v a_o disagreeable_a object_n he_o will_v not_o draw_v her_o prostrate_a and_o grovel_a with_o her_o face_n upon_o the_o ground_n because_o that_o will_v hide_v the_o fine_a part_n of_o she_o but_o rather_o he_o must_v set_v she_o upon_o her_o knee_n he_o ought_v not_o to_o cover_v she_o all_o over_o with_o a_o cilice_fw-la or_o haircloth_n but_o leave_v her_o half_a naked_a that_o the_o charm_n of_o her_o beauty_n may_v appear_v the_o more_o he_o must_v not_o place_v she_o in_o the_o bottom_n of_o a_o deep_a cavern_n for_o than_o she_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v see_v but_o at_o the_o entrance_n of_o it_o with_o so_o much_o light_n as_o be_v just_a necessary_a and_o this_o he_o must_v do_v because_o he_o consider_v his_o work_n as_o a_o picture_n which_o ought_v to_o fall_v under_o the_o sense_n and_o please_v at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o when_o he_o consider_v this_o picture_n the_o other_o way_n that_o be_v keep_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n he_o must_v give_v she_o a_o complexion_n pale_a and_o wan_a because_o it_o be_v not_o credible_a it_o can_v be_v otherwise_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o so_o much_o austerity_n she_o shall_v not_o have_v a_o crown_n before_o she_o but_o a_o cross_n she_o must_v not_o be_v place_v upon_o a_o rich_a embroider_v bed_n but_o upon_o the_o ground_n there_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o palace_n near_o she_o but_o a_o horrid_a wilderness_n he_o must_v not_o environ_v she_o with_o page_n and_o women_z attendants_z but_o rather_o with_o wild_a beast_n but_o they_o must_v be_v in_o a_o quiet_a posture_n that_o she_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o live_v among_o they_o the_o cave_n shall_v be_v cover_v with_o moss_n not_o gild_v and_o fine_o set_v out_o the_o very_a tree_n be_v not_o to_o be_v make_v full_a of_o flower_n and_o fruit_n but_o rather_o half-dryed_n and_o wither_v and_o all_o the_o country_n about_o they_o barren_a and_o wild_a and_o in_o a_o word_n he_o shall_v adorn_v his_o work_n with_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o probable_o may_v become_v the_o state_n of_o penitence_n according_a to_o the_o person_n place_n and_o other_o dependency_n of_o the_o story_n because_o here_o he_o consider_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o be_v to_o represent_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n the_o poet_n consider_v in_o his_o play_n the_o representation_n or_o spectacle_n of_o it_o do_v all_o that_o he_o can_v to_o make_v it_o agreeable_a to_o the_o spectator_n for_o his_o business_n be_v to_o please_v they_o and_o therefore_o he_o shall_v 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prince_n or_o princess_n or_o some_o person_n of_o eminent_a quality_n he_o be_v follow_v by_o a_o very_a great_a retinue_n suitable_a to_o his_o dignity_n sometime_o of_o courtier_n sometime_o of_o soldier_n and_o always_o of_o person_n proper_a to_o the_o subject_a of_o the_o play_n nay_o a_o rich_a citizen_n appear_v with_o a_o great_a many_o servant_n and_o a_o public_a courtesan_n if_o she_o be_v of_o free_a condition_n and_o mistress_n of_o her_o own_o action_n have_v always_o a_o great_a many_o maid_n and_o servant_n about_o she_o and_o in_o short_a person_n of_o quality_n be_v always_o well_o accompany_v except_o some_o particular_a reason_n require_v they_o shall_v be_v alone_o which_o may_v be_v easy_o perceive_v by_o the_o verse_n or_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o action_n so_o ajax_n in_o sophocles_n be_v alone_o when_o he_o kill_v himself_o and_o this_o the_o ancient_n do_v for_o two_o reason_n first_o to_o fill_v their_o stage_n which_o be_v much_o big_a than_o we_o and_o 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father_n command_n he_o be_v force_v to_o withdraw_v but_o plutarch_n afford_v we_o a_o proof_n of_o the_o state_n with_o which_o the_o chief_a actor_n use_v to_o appear_v upon_o the_o stage_n in_o a_o pleasant_a story_n he_o tell_v in_o the_o life_n of_o photion_n for_o a_o player_n be_v to_o represent_v a_o queen_n and_o his_o attendance_n which_o be_v to_o be_v numerous_a not_o be_v ready_a he_o refuse_v to_o come_v upon_o the_o stage_n whereupon_o melanthius_n choragus_n who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o see_v all_o thing_n well_o in_o order_n thrust_v he_o by_o force_n upon_o the_o stage_n with_o these_o word_n do_v not_o thou_o see_v that_o photion_n be_v wife_n who_o husband_n govern_v we_o all_o be_v see_v every_o day_n in_o the_o street_n attend_v but_o with_o one_o maid_n at_o which_o all_o the_o people_n fall_v a_o laugh_n and_o by_o that_o raillery_n he_o excuse_v the_o defect_n of_o the_o representation_n which_o by_o the_o by_o may_v serve_v our_o poet_n for_o a_o 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the_o good_a counsel_n he_o give_v sylvio_n and_o that_o which_o make_v i_o believe_v it_o the_o soon_o be_v that_o one_o of_o our_o best_a modern_a play_n lose_v half_a its_o due_a applause_n by_o there_o be_v a_o governor_n to_o a_o young_a prince_n who_o be_v give_v he_o advice_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o most_o violent_a passion_n with_o which_o he_o be_v torment_v that_o be_v neither_o the_o time_n nor_o the_o stage_n the_o place_n for_o such_o instruction_n we_o do_v not_o see_v neither_o that_o either_o astrologer_n conjurer_n high_a priest_n or_o any_o of_o that_o character_n do_v much_o take_v for_o the_o very_a reason_n that_o they_o can_v hardly_o speak_v without_o pretend_v to_o teach_v or_o else_o talk_v in_o general_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o god_n the_o wonderful_a effect_n of_o nature_n and_o such_o thing_n which_o can_v fail_v of_o be_v tedious_a when_o they_o be_v prolixe_o express_v scaliger_n will_v not_o allow_v they_o in_o the_o very_a epic_a poem_n much_o 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his_o wake_n the_o audience_n will_v fain_o know_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o disturbance_n and_o the_o particular_n of_o his_o dream_n but_o instead_o of_o that_o there_o be_v a_o long_a discourse_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o dream_n in_o general_a to_o which_o the_o spectator_n give_v but_o little_a attention_n as_o be_v thereby_o disappoint_v of_o his_o chief_a expectation_n to_o all_o this_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o the_o stage_n be_v a_o place_n of_o public_a instruction_n and_o that_o the_o drammatic_a poet_n be_v to_o instruct_v as_o well_o as_o please_v and_o therefore_o that_o didactic_a discourse_n may_v be_v proper_a enough_o or_o at_o least_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v condemn_v i_o confess_v that_o the_o stage_n be_v a_o place_n of_o instruction_n but_o we_o must_v well_o understand_v how_o that_o be_v mean_v the_o poet_n ought_v to_o bring_v his_o whole_a action_n before_o the_o spectator_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o represent_v with_o all_o its_o circumstance_n 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