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to_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o i_o may_v say_v that_o the_o great_a art_n of_o the_o stage_n consist_v in_o find_v out_o these_o motive_n or_o colour_n a_o actor_n must_v come_v upon_o the_o stage_n because_o the_o spectator_n must_v know_v his_o design_n and_o passion_n there_o must_v be_v a_o narration_n make_v of_o thing_n past_a because_o else_o the_o spectator_n be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o will_v not_o understand_v what_o be_v present_a and_o under_o representation_n there_o must_v be_v a_o show_n or_o spectacle_n to_o move_v the_o audience_n with_o pity_n or_o admiration_n and_o that_o be_v work_v upon_o the_o action_n as_o represent_v and_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n as_o well_o as_o his_o chief_a design_n but_o he_o must_v hide_v this_o under_o some_o colour_n draw_v from_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o action_n itself_o insomuch_o that_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o instruct_v the_o audience_n must_v come_v upon_o the_o stage_n upon_o the_o pretext_n of_o look_v for_o some_o body_n 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can_v not_o know_v the_o very_a thing_n he_o tell_v then_o it_o be_v against_o probability_n for_o he_o to_o make_v this_o recital_n a_o lover_n appear_v upon_o the_o stage_n in_o a_o violent_a passion_n to_o please_v the_o spectator_n but_o he_o can_v not_o natural_o make_v these_o complaint_n in_o the_o place_n represent_v by_o the_o stage_n there_o must_v then_o some_o colour_n be_v find_v out_o for_o his_o be_v there_o extraordinary_o or_o else_o you_o go_v against_o probability_n as_o much_o may_v be_v say_v of_o a_o thousand_o other_o adventure_n which_o appear_v upon_o our_o stage_n where_o every_o day_n we_o have_v image_n of_o thing_n that_o never_o be_v never_o can_v be_v and_o by_o consequent_a ought_v not_o to_o be_v chap._n vii_o of_o the_o mixture_n of_o representation_n with_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o theatral_n action_n i_o believe_v the_o title_n of_o this_o chapter_n will_v be_v at_o first_o sight_n severe_o censure_v because_o it_o may_v be_v it_o will_v not_o be_v understand_v but_o when_o i_o shall_v have_v explain_v my_o meaning_n i_o hope_v all_o the_o judicious_a will_v be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o term_n as_o well_o as_o to_o my_o sentiment_n about_o the_o thing_n i_o call_v truth_n of_o the_o theatral_n action_n the_o whole_a story_n of_o the_o play_n so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o true_a one_o and_o that_o all_o the_o adventure_n in_o it_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o be_v come_v to_o pass_v but_o i_o call_v representation_n the_o collection_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o may_v serve_v to_o represent_v a_o drammatic_a poem_n consider_v in_o themselves_o and_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n as_o the_o player_n the_o scene_n the_o music_n the_o spectator_n and_o a_o great_a many_o other_o thing_n as_o for_o example_n in_o the_o play_n of_o cinna_n make_v by_o mounseur_fw-fr corneille_n that_o that_o cinna_n who_o appear_v upon_o the_o stage_n speak_v like_o a_o roman_a that_o he_o love_v aemilia_n counsel_v augustus_n caesar_n 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
by_o ill_a fiddler_n or_o excellent_a music_n that_o a_o actor_n go_v behind_o the_o stage_n when_o he_o say_v he_o go_v into_o the_o king_n closet_n and_o speak_v to_o his_o wife_n instead_o of_o speak_v to_o a_o queen_n that_o there_o be_v spectator_n and_o those_o either_o from_o the_o court_n or_o the_o city_n that_o they_o be_v silent_a or_o make_v a_o noise_n that_o there_o be_v quarrel_n in_o the_o pit_n or_o none_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v and_o do_v depend_v on_o the_o representation_n therefore_o floridor_n and_o beauchasteau_n be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o represent_v and_o that_o cinna_n or_o horatius_n who_o they_o represent_v be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o real_a and_o true_a person_n act_v and_o speak_v as_o cinna_n and_o horatius_n and_o not_o as_o those_o who_o represent_v they_o and_o floridor_n and_o beauchasteau_n must_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o transform_v into_o those_o man_n who_o name_n and_o concern_v they_o take_v upon_o they_o so_o that_o part_n of_o 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he_o be_v represent_v cinna_n shall_v talk_v of_o his_o own_o domestic_a affair_n or_o of_o the_o loss_n and_o gain_n of_o the_o play_n house_n or_o that_o while_o he_o be_v repeat_v the_o speech_n make_v by_o cinna_n to_o the_o conspirator_n at_o rome_n he_o shall_v address_v himself_o to_o the_o people_n of_o paris_n and_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o they_o or_o that_o while_o he_o be_v examine_v the_o hatred_n and_o haughtiness_n of_o aemilia_n he_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o talk_v of_o the_o sweetness_n and_o good_a breed_n of_o our_o lady_n in_o a_o word_n he_o will_v not_o be_v endure_v to_o confound_v rome_n and_o paris_n nor_o action_n pass_v so_o many_o year_n ago_o with_o present_a adventure_n because_o that_o be_v not_o only_o offend_v against_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o decency_n but_o those_o of_o common_a sense_n i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o our_o modern_a poet_n have_v not_o hitherto_o be_v very_o guilty_a of_o this_o fault_n but_o because_o the_o ancient_n who_o i_o general_o propose_v for_o example_n have_v be_v so_o indulgent_a to_o the_o people_n pleasure_n as_o not_o to_o take_v care_n to_o avoid_v this_o error_n i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o say_v something_o of_o it_o lest_o our_o poet_n shall_v follow_v their_o example_n after_o the_o rate_n of_o that_o scurvy_a orator_n who_o cicero_n speak_v of_o in_o brutus_n for_o never_o imitate_v the_o great_a man_n in_o any_o thing_n but_o such_o thing_n where_o they_o be_v faulty_a aristotle_n say_v that_o ill_a poet_n fall_v into_o error_n because_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o mean_n of_o do_v better_a and_o that_o good_a one_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n out_o of_o complaisance_n to_o the_o player_n and_o for_o the_o diversion_n of_o the_o audience_n but_o i_o think_v that_o a_o true_a poet_n ought_v not_o to_o seek_v any_o other_o way_n of_o be_v profitable_a to_o the_o first_o nor_o of_o please_v the_o last_o but_o by_o the_o excellence_n of_o his_o play_n comedy_n in_o its_o rise_n and_o when_o it_o first_o begin_v to_o be_v act_v as_o tragedy_n be_v by_o set_a actor_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o satirical_a poem_n which_o by_o little_a and_o little_a under_o pretext_n of_o instruct_v the_o people_n by_o inveigh_v at_o their_o vice_n come_v at_o last_o to_o be_v so_o bitter_a and_o scandalous_a as_o not_o only_o to_o expose_v the_o most_o eminent_a citizen_n but_o not_o to_o spare_v the_o magistrate_n themselves_o nor_o the_o most_o illustrious_a person_n of_o the_o state_n who_o name_n face_n and_o action_n be_v bring_v upon_o the_o stage_n and_o this_o be_v that_o the_o author_n call_v old_a comedy_n not_o but_o that_o at_o first_o even_o this_o be_v much_o more_o innocent_a than_o afterward_o for_o under_o epicharmus_n and_o first_o comick_n who_o succeed_v he_o comedy_n be_v merry_a and_o laugh_a but_o not_o injurious_a and_o affront_a it_o have_v salt_n and_o raillery_n but_o not_o gall_n and_o vinegar_n but_o at_o last_o that_o liberty_n degenerate_v into_o so_o much_o libertinism_n that_o aristophanes_n play_n do_v not_o a_o little_a contribute_v to_o the_o death_n of_o the_o famous_a socrates_n by_o exciting_a the_o people_n against_o he_o the_o representation_n in_o those_o day_n be_v so_o confound_v with_o the_o truth_n of_o action_n that_o they_o be_v almost_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o that_o which_o be_v say_v against_o the_o socrates_n upon_o the_o stage_n be_v often_o applicable_a to_o the_o socrates_n who_o be_v in_o the_o pit_n it_o be_v but_o read_v aristophanes_n first_o play_n and_o you_o shall_v see_v that_o all_o along_o he_o confound_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o actor_n with_o those_o of_o the_o spectator_n and_o even_o the_o history_n represent_v with_o the_o public_a affair_n of_o the_o state_n upon_o which_o he_o find_v his_o jest_n and_o raillery_n in_o a_o word_n his_o play_n be_v downright_a libel_n contain_v the_o name_n quality_n action_n and_o visible_a portraict_n of_o those_o who_o the_o poet_n undertake_v to_o expose_v and_o that_o without_o any_o other_o conduct_n or_o rule_v but_o that_o of_o his_o satirical_a wit_n and_o passion_n so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o be_v ingenious_a rational_a poem_n regulate_v by_o art_n and_o the_o magistrate_n foresee_v the_o dangerous_a effect_n of_o such_o licence_n forbid_v they_o any_o more_o name_v particular_a person_n in_o their_o play_n but_o as_o one_o be_v always_o ingenious_a in_o mischief_n the_o poet_n find_v mean_n though_o they_o leave_v out_o the_o name_n to_o represent_v the_o person_n so_o lively_o that_o every_o body_n know_v present_o who_o they_o mean_v and_o this_o be_v since_o call_v middle_a comedy_n and_o such_o be_v the_o last_o play_n of_o aristophanes_n but_o this_o way_n of_o satyr_n though_o somewhat_o mild_a than_o the_o other_o be_v still_o think_v to_o be_v of_o as_o ill_a consequence_n and_o by_o the_o magistrate_n according_o prohibit_v this_o put_v the_o poet_n to_o some_o stand_n and_o force_v 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comedy_n be_v make_v of_o which_o terence_n be_v one_o of_o the_o first_o that_o give_v we_o a_o model_n and_o that_o so_o good_a a_o one_o that_o it_o be_v never_o see_v that_o he_o ever_o confound_v the_o representation_n with_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o theatral_n action_n compellent_fw-la plautus_n who_o go_v before_o he_o and_o be_v near_o the_o time_n of_o middle_a comedy_n be_v not_o so_o regular_a but_o do_v so_o often_o fall_v into_o that_o inconvenience_n poet._n that_o the_o read_v he_o become_v tedious_a and_o not_o seldom_o his_o play_n be_v confuse_v and_o obscure_a by_o it_o in_o his_o amphytrion_n 1._o jupiter_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v at_o thebes_n in_o the_o time_n that_o hercules_n be_v bear_v etc._n and_o when_o he_o appear_v under_o the_o form_n of_o amphytrion_n he_o tell_v the_o spectator_n i_o be_o
answer_v it_o be_v every_o one_o natural_a judgement_n and_o it_o may_v happen_v that_o a_o drama_n may_v be_v so_o lucky_o contrive_v that_o the_o preparation_n of_o the_o incident_n and_o the_o variety_n of_o the_o passion_n shall_v correct_v the_o defect_n of_o the_o abundance_n of_o they_o and_o that_o the_o art_n of_o the_o machine_n shall_v be_v so_o well_o understand_v that_o they_o may_v easy_o be_v make_v use_n of_o in_o every_o act_n as_o i_o former_o propound_v to_o cardinal_n richelieu_n but_o hitherto_o they_o be_v little_a in_o use_n in_o our_o ordinary_a theatre_n it_o be_v beside_o most_o common_o ask_v here_o how_o far_o the_o poet_n may_v venture_v in_o the_o alteration_n of_o a_o true_a story_n 15._o in_o order_n to_o the_o fit_v of_o it_o for_o the_o stage_n upon_o which_o we_o find_v different_a opinion_n among_o both_o the_o ancient_n and_o modern_a critic_n 2._o but_o my_o opinion_n be_v that_o he_o may_v do_v it_o not_o only_o in_o the_o circumstance_n but_o in_o the_o principal_a action_n itself_o provide_v he_o make_v a_o very_a good_a play_n of_o it_o for_o as_o the_o dramatic_a poet_n do_v not_o much_o mind_n the_o time_n because_o he_o be_v no_o chronologist_n no_o more_o do_v he_o nor_o the_o epic_a poet_n much_o mind_n the_o true_a story_n because_o they_o be_v no_o historian_n they_o take_v out_o of_o story_n so_o much_o as_o serve_v their_o turn_n and_o change_v the_o rest_n not_o expect_v that_o any_o body_n shall_v be_v so_o ridiculous_a as_o to_o come_v to_o the_o theatre_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o history_n the_o stage_n therefore_o do_v not_o present_a thing_n as_o they_o have_v be_v but_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v for_o the_o poet_n must_v in_o the_o subject_a he_o take_v reform_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o accommodate_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o art_n as_o a_o painter_n do_v when_o he_o work_v up_o on_o a_o imperfect_a model_n it_o be_v for_o this_o reason_n that_o the_o death_n of_o camilla_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o her_o brother_n horatius_n be_v never_o like_v of_o upon_o the_o stage_n though_o it_o be_v a_o true_a adventure_n and_o i_o for_o my_o part_n give_v my_o opinion_n that_o to_o save_v in_o some_o measure_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n and_o yet_o not_o to_o offend_v against_o the_o decency_n of_o the_o stage_n it_o will_v have_v be_v better_a that_o that_o unfortunate_a maid_n see_v her_o brother_n come_v towards_o she_o with_o his_o sword_n draw_v have_v run_v upon_o it_o of_o herself_o for_o by_o that_o mean_n she_o will_v still_o have_v die_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o horatius_n and_o yet_o he_o may_v have_v deserve_v some_o compassion_n as_o unfortunate_a but_o innocent_a and_o so_o the_o story_n and_o the_o stage_n will_v have_v be_v agree_v in_o a_o word_n the_o historian_n ought_v to_o recite_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o if_o he_o judge_n of_o it_o he_o do_v more_o than_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v the_o epic_a poet_n be_v to_o magnify_v all_o event_n by_o great_a fiction_n where_o truth_n be_v as_o it_o be_v sink_v and_o lose_v and_o the_o dramatic_a poet_n ought_v to_o show_v all_o thing_n in_o a_o state_n of_o decency_n probability_n and_o pleasingness_n it_o be_v true_a that_o if_o story_n be_v capable_a of_o all_o the_o ornament_n of_o dramatic_a poetry_n the_o poet_n ought_v to_o preserve_v all_o the_o true_a event_n but_o if_o not_o he_o be_v well_o ground_v to_o make_v any_o part_n of_o it_o yield_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o art_n and_o to_o the_o design_n he_o have_v to_o please_v many_o against_o this_o do_v allege_v the_o authority_n of_o horace_n 5._o who_o say_v that_o he_o ought_v in_o story_n to_o follow_v the_o common_a receive_a opinion_n or_o at_o least_o to_o invent_v thing_n that_o may_v be_v as_o conformable_a to_o it_o as_o possible_a but_o i_o answer_v that_o horace_n in_o that_o place_n do_v not_o treat_v of_o the_o subject_a of_o the_o play_n but_o of_o the_o custom_n and_o moral_n that_o ought_v to_o be_v give_v the_o actor_n who_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v represent_v different_a from_o what_o they_o be_v believe_v as_o it_o will_v be_v to_o make_v caesar_n a_o coward_n or_o messalina_n chaste_a and_o this_o vossius_fw-la have_v well_o observe_v in_o his_o poetic_a art_n and_o i_o wonder_v that_o people_n shall_v be_v abuse_v by_o citation_n apply_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o author_n and_o yet_o i_o be_o not_o of_o opinion_n that_o a_o know_a story_n yet_o fresh_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o people_n can_v suffer_v to_o be_v considerable_o change_v without_o great_a caution_n but_o in_o such_o a_o case_n i_o shall_v advise_v the_o poet_n rather_o to_o abandon_v such_o a_o subject_n than_o to_o make_v a_o ill_a play_n of_o it_o out_o of_o a_o humour_n of_o follow_a truth_n or_o at_o least_o to_o manage_v it_o so_o as_o to_o check_v direct_o the_o receive_a opinion_n among_o the_o vulgar_a if_o we_o examine_v well_o the_o sense_n of_o aristotle_n i_o believe_v he_o will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v of_o this_o opinion_n and_o as_o for_o the_o ancient_a poet_n they_o have_v always_o take_v that_o liberty_n the_o same_o story_n have_v hardly_o ever_o be_v treat_v the_o same_o way_n by_o different_a poet_n as_o for_o example_n the_o adventure_n of_o polydorus_n be_v very_o different_a in_o euripides_n and_o virgil._n sophocles_n kill_v emon_n and_o antigone_n but_o euripides_n who_o have_v make_v the_o same_o story_n in_o two_o play_n marry_v they_o together_o in_o one_o contrary_a to_o what_o he_o himself_o have_v do_v before_o in_o the_o other_o call_v the_o phaenician_a lady_n the_o same_o sophocles_n in_o oedipus_n make_v jocasta_n strangle_v herself_o and_o euripides_n make_v she_o live_v till_o the_o combat_n of_o her_o son_n eteocles_n and_o polynices_n and_o then_o kill_v herself_o upon_o their_o dead_a body_n orestes_n and_o electra_n be_v very_o different_a in_o many_o circumstance_n though_o both_o work_n of_o the_o same_o poet._n in_o a_o word_n the_o four_o tragic_a poet_n of_o the_o greek_n who_o work_n we_o have_v be_v all_o different_a in_o the_o disposition_n of_o the_o same_o story_n and_o i_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o that_o grand_a disorder_n and_o confusion_n there_o be_v in_o story_n and_o chronology_n in_o those_o old_a time_n because_o that_o they_o have_v change_v both_o the_o time_n and_o event_n for_o their_o own_o end_n they_o have_v influence_v some_o historian_n who_o think_v to_o pick_v out_o of_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o story_n and_o so_o make_v all_o thing_n uncertain_a any_o body_n that_o will_v read_v the_o electra_n of_o euripides_n that_o of_o sophocles_n and_o the_o caephore_n of_o aeschilus_n will_v easy_o see_v that_o they_o make_v no_o difficulty_n of_o contradict_v one_o another_o and_o themselves_o as_o for_o the_o different_a kind_n of_o subject_n let_v alone_o those_o ordinary_a division_n of_o aristotle_n and_o his_o commentator_n i_o here_o propose_v three_o sort_n of_o subject_n the_o first_o consist_v of_o incident_n intrigue_n and_o new_a event_n when_o almost_o from_o act_n to_o act_n there_o be_v some_o sudden_a change_n upon_o the_o stage_n which_o alter_v all_o the_o face_n of_o affair_n when_o almost_o all_o the_o actor_n have_v different_a design_n and_o the_o mean_n they_o take_v to_o make_v they_o succeed_v come_v to_o cross_v one_o another_o and_o produce_v new_a and_o unforeseen_a accident_n all_o which_o give_v a_o marvellous_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o spectator_n it_o be_v a_o continual_a diversion_n accompany_v with_o a_o agreeable_a expectation_n of_o what_o the_o event_n will_v be_v the_o second_o sort_n of_o subject_n be_v of_o those_o raise_v out_o of_o passion_n when_o out_o of_o a_o small_a fund_z the_o poet_n do_v ingenious_o draw_v great_a sentiment_n and_o noble_a passion_n to_o entertain_v the_o auditory_a and_o when_o out_o of_o incident_n that_o seem_v natural_a to_o his_o subject_n he_o take_v occasion_n to_o transport_v his_o actor_n into_o extraordinary_a and_o violent_a sentiment_n by_o which_o the_o spectator_n be_v ravish_v and_o their_o soul_n continual_o move_v with_o some_o new_a impression_n the_o last_o sort_n of_o subject_n be_v the_o mix_v or_o compound_v of_o incident_n and_o passion_n when_o by_o unexpected_a event_n but_o noble_a one_o the_o actor_n break_v out_o into_o different_a passion_n and_o that_o infinite_o delight_v the_o auditory_a to_o see_v at_o the_o same_o time_n surprise_v accident_n and_o noble_a and_o move_a sentiment_n to_o which_o they_o can_v but_o yield_v with_o pleasure_n now_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o all_o these_o three_o sort_n of_o subject_n the_o poet_n may_v succeed_v provide_v the_o disposition_n of_o his_o play_n be_v ingenious_a but_o yet_o i_o have_v observe_v
but_o this_o be_v the_o general_a touchstone_n by_o which_o all_o that_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o a_o play_n be_v to_o be_v try_v and_o examine_v and_o it_o be_v the_o very_a essence_n of_o the_o poem_n without_o which_o nothing_o rational_a can_v be_v do_v or_o say_v upon_o the_o stage_n it_o be_v a_o general_a maxim_n that_o truth_n alone_o be_v not_o the_o subject_a of_o our_o theatre_n 1612._o because_o there_o be_v many_o truth_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v see_v and_o many_o that_o can_v be_v represent_v public_o therefore_o synesius_n have_v say_v very_o well_o that_o poetry_n and_o other_o art_n found_v in_o imitation_n follow_v not_o truth_n but_o the_o common_a opinion_n of_o man_n it_o be_v very_o true_a that_o nero_n cause_v his_o mother_n to_o be_v murder_v and_o then_o have_v she_o cut_v up_o to_o see_v the_o place_n where_o he_o have_v lie_v nine_o month_n before_o he_o be_v bear_v but_o this_o barbarity_n though_o pleasant_a to_o he_o that_o execute_v it_o will_v yet_o be_v not_o only_o horrible_a to_o those_o to_o who_o it_o shall_v be_v show_v but_o incredible_a because_o such_o a_o thing_n ought_v not_o to_o have_v come_v to_o pass_v i_o believe_v that_o among_o the_o great_a number_n of_o story_n from_o which_o the_o poet_n may_v take_v subject_n there_o be_v hardly_o any_o one_o which_o in_o all_o its_o true_a circumstance_n be_v fit_v for_o the_o stage_n so_o as_o to_o be_v represent_v without_o alter_v something_o of_o the_o event_n the_o time_n the_o person_n and_o many_o other_o particular_n that_o which_o be_v simple_o possible_a be_v leave_v a_o subject_a for_o play_n for_o many_o thing_n may_v come_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o recounter_n of_o natural_a cause_n or_o the_o adventure_n of_o humane_a life_n which_o yet_o will_v be_v ridiculous_a and_o almost_o incredible_a to_o be_v represent_v it_o be_v possible_a that_o a_o man_n may_v die_v sudden_o and_o that_o happen_v often_o but_o that_o poet_n will_v be_v strange_o laugh_v at_o who_o to_o rid_v the_o stage_n of_o a_o troublesome_a rival_n shall_v make_v he_o die_v of_o a_o apoplexy_n as_o of_o a_o common_a disease_n and_o it_o will_v need_v exceed_o ingenious_a and_o artful_a preparation_n there_o be_v nothing_o therefore_o but_o probability_n 3._o that_o can_v true_o find_v a_o dramatic_a poem_n as_o well_o as_o adorn_v and_o finish_v it_o not_o that_o true_a and_o possible_a thing_n be_v banish_v off_o the_o stage_n but_o they_o be_v receive_v upon_o it_o only_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v probable_a and_o therefore_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o want_v this_o character_n be_v to_o be_v alter_v so_o as_o to_o attain_v it_o if_o they_o hope_v to_o appear_v in_o public_a i_o shall_v not_o here_o expatiate_v upon_o ordinary_a and_o extraordinary_a probability_n the_o master_n of_o the_o art_n have_v make_v ample_a treatise_n about_o it_o and_o no_o body_n be_v ignorant_a that_o thing_n natural_o impossible_a become_v possible_a and_o even_o probable_a by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n almighty_n or_o that_o of_o the_o devil_n and_o that_o the_o probability_n of_o the_o stage_n do_v not_o oblige_v to_o represent_v only_o those_o thing_n which_o happen_v according_a to_o the_o common_a course_n of_o humane_a life_n but_o likewise_o give_v leave_v to_o launch_v into_o the_o wonderful_a accident_n of_o it_o which_o make_v the_o event_n so_o much_o the_o more_o surprise_v if_o they_o be_v still_o probable_a but_o that_o which_o i_o have_v observe_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v that_o few_o have_v understand_v how_o far_o this_o probability_n ought_v to_o reach_v every_o body_n indeed_o believe_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o principal_a action_n of_o the_o poem_n and_o likewise_o in_o the_o most_o sensible_a incident_n of_o it_o but_o they_o go_v no_o further_o now_o be_v it_o most_o certain_a that_o the_o least_o action_n bring_v upon_o the_o stage_n aught_o to_o be_v probable_a or_o else_o they_o be_v entire_o faulty_a and_o shall_v not_o appear_v there_o there_o be_v no_o action_n of_o humane_a life_n so_o perfect_o single_a as_o not_o to_o be_v accompany_v by_o many_o little_a circumstance_n which_o do_v make_v it_o up_o as_o be_v the_o time_n the_o place_n the_o person_n the_o dignity_n the_o design_n the_o mean_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o action_n and_o since_o the_o stage_n ought_v ot_fw-mi be_fw-mi a_o perfect_a image_n of_o action_n it_o ought_v to_o represent_v it_o entire_a and_o that_o probability_n and_o decency_n be_v observe_v in_o all_o its_o part_n when_o a_o king_n speak_v upon_o the_o stage_n he_o must_v speak_v like_o a_o king_n and_o that_o be_v the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o dignity_n against_o which_o nothing_o ought_v to_o be_v do_v with_o decency_n except_o there_o be_v some_o other_o reason_n to_o dispense_v with_o this_o last_o as_o that_o he_o be_v in_o disguise_n beside_o without_o doubt_n a_o king_n speak_v according_a to_o his_o dignity_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v somewhere_o and_o therefore_o the_o stage_n must_v carry_v the_o image_n of_o the_o place_n where_o he_o than_o be_v for_o there_o be_v thing_n which_o in_o probability_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v do_v or_o say_v but_o in_o certain_a place_n it_o ought_v also_o to_o appear_v in_o what_o time_n he_o speak_v for_o one_o ought_v to_o speak_v different_o in_o different_a time_n as_o a_o prince_n before_o he_o give_v battle_n will_v speak_v otherwise_o than_o after_o he_o have_v win_v it_o or_o lose_v it_o therefore_o to_o preserve_v this_o probability_n in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o treatral_n action_n the_o poet_n must_v be_v master_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o stage_n and_o practise_v they_o for_o they_o teach_v nothing_o else_o to_o make_v all_o the_o part_n of_o a_o action_n appear_v with_o probability_n and_o decency_n and_o to_o represent_v a_o whole_a and_o entire_a image_n of_o they_o to_o this_o some_o have_v say_v that_o reason_n and_o common_a sense_n be_v sufficient_a of_o themselves_o to_o judge_n of_o all_o these_o thing_n i_o grant_v it_o but_o it_o must_v be_v reason_n and_o common_a sense_n instruct_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o stage_n and_o in_o what_o be_v design_v to_o be_v represent_v for_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n of_o good_a sense_n shall_v have_v never_o see_v nor_o hear_v of_o a_o play_n and_o be_v bring_v to_o see_v one_o without_o be_v tell_v what_o it_o be_v he_o be_v carry_v to_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o he_o will_v hardly_o know_v whether_o the_o player_n be_v true_a king_n and_o prince_n or_o only_o the_o image_n of_o they_o and_o when_o he_o do_v know_v that_o all_o that_o be_v but_o a_o fiction_n yet_o will_v he_o scarce_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o fault_n or_o perfection_n of_o the_o play_n without_o make_v many_o reflection_n to_o consider_v whether_o what_o be_v represent_v be_v profitable_a or_o no_o for_o to_o judge_n perfect_o of_o a_o dramatic_a poem_n our_o natural_a reason_n must_v be_v instruct_v and_o enure_v to_o that_o kind_n of_o image_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o man_n to_o represent_v any_o action_n and_o know_v precise_o how_o probability_n be_v to_o be_v preserve_v in_o all_o the_o stroke_n of_o this_o animate_v picture_n and_o that_o can_v be_v attain_v to_o but_o by_o a_o great_a number_n of_o observation_n make_v by_o length_n of_o time_n and_o different_a person_n the_o art_n of_o the_o stage_n be_v by_o these_o observation_n frame_v by_o the_o ancient_n and_o have_v so_o slow_a a_o progress_n that_o from_o thespis_n who_o first_o add_v a_o actor_n to_o the_o chorus_n who_o before_o that_o act_v tragedy_n alone_o to_o the_o time_n of_o aristotle_n who_o reduce_v these_o rule_n into_o a_o art_n there_o pass_v two_o hundred_o year_n he_o therefore_o that_o on_o a_o sudden_a without_o study_n or_o reflection_n will_v pronounce_v his_o judgement_n of_o a_o play_n will_v often_o find_v himself_o mistake_v because_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a he_o shall_v have_v before_o his_o eye_n on_o a_o sudden_a all_o those_o consideration_n which_o be_v requisite_a to_o examine_v the_o probability_n of_o what_o have_v be_v represent_v and_o it_o have_v often_o happen_v that_o people_n of_o very_o good_a understanding_n have_v at_o first_o commend_v some_o action_n of_o the_o stage_n for_o well_o invent_v thing_n which_o upon_o be_v better_o inform_v they_o have_v find_v contrary_a to_o all_o probability_n and_o ridiculous_a but_o it_o be_v a_o much_o strange_a thing_n and_o yet_o very_o true_a that_o i_o have_v see_v people_n who_o have_v for_o many_o year_n compose_v play_v themselves_o read_v a_o play_n of_o another_o and_o that_o over_o and_o over_o again_o and_o yet_o never_o find_v out_o the_o length_n of_o time_n nor_o the_o place_n of_o the_o scene_n nor_o many_o of_o
be_v pity_v not_o but_o that_o there_o be_v some_o passion_n who_o subject_n be_v false_a which_o nevertheless_o be_v very_o agreeable_a though_o they_o be_v not_o reasonable_a in_o their_o ground_n for_o example_n jealousy_n but_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o passion_n be_v to_o be_v without_o any_o foundation_n in_o truth_n or_o reason_n for_o else_o it_o will_v not_o be_v jealousy_n but_o a_o just_a indignation_n which_o will_v inspire_v the_o spectator_n with_o hatred_n against_o the_o woman_n and_o compassion_n for_o the_o husband_n whereas_o quite_o contrary_a we_o have_v natural_o aversion_n for_o a_o jealous_a man_n and_o compassion_n for_o a_o poor_a woman_n innocent_o persecute_v by_o he_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o covetousness_n which_o will_v still_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o divert_v if_o the_o care_n and_o fear_n in_o keep_v of_o a_o treasure_n with_o distrust_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n be_v without_o ground_n or_o rather_o we_o may_v say_v that_o the_o discourse_n which_o be_v make_v to_o express_v these_o passion_n do_v not_o so_o much_o please_v the_o spectator_n by_o make_v he_o concern_v for_o those_o that_o speak_v as_o they_o do_v it_o by_o give_v he_o a_o sort_n of_o compassion_n mingle_v with_o sentiment_n of_o scorn_n and_o derision_n for_o the_o misery_n and_o folly_n of_o those_o that_o be_v tyrannize_v over_o by_o they_o at_o least_o those_o be_v the_o thought_n which_o i_o have_v in_o read_v the_o second_o comedy_n of_o plautus_n call_v aulularia_fw-la three_o to_o make_v a_o complaint_n that_o shall_v touch_v and_o concern_v the_o audience_n the_o cause_n of_o it_o must_v be_v just_a for_o else_o no_o body_n will_v enter_v into_o the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o grieve_a person_n for_o example_n if_o a_o actor_n shall_v express_v great_a affliction_n for_o not_o have_v be_v able_a to_o execute_v a_o conspiracy_n against_o a_o good_a prince_n or_o some_o great_a piece_n of_o treachery_n against_o his_o country_n he_o will_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o wicked_a and_o not_o a_o unhappy_a person_n and_o all_o that_o he_o can_v say_v will_v but_o increase_v the_o people_n aversion_n to_o he_o beside_o all_o these_o consideration_n if_o the_o pathetic_a discourse_n be_v not_o necessary_a that_o be_v to_o say_v expect_v and_o desire_v by_o the_o spectator_n it_o will_v be_v very_o nauseous_a to_o they_o let_v the_o poet_n art_n be_v what_o it_o will_n that_o a_o husband_n shall_v be_v grieve_v for_o the_o loss_n of_o his_o wife_n be_v so_o natural_a that_o we_o need_v not_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o stage_n to_o see_v example_n of_o it_o but_o that_o herode_fw-la shall_v first_o condemn_v his_o wife_n in_o a_o transport_n of_o rage_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o the_o tender_a thought_n inspire_v by_o his_o love_n it_o excite_v our_o curiosity_n to_o know_v what_o his_o thought_n be_v after_o such_o a_o action_n that_o masinissa_n force_v by_o the_o roman_n shall_v send_v his_o wife_n poison_n though_o passionate_o in_o love_n with_o she_o and_o she_o die_v of_o it_o one_o can_v but_o desire_v to_o know_v what_o that_o unfortunate_a prince_n can_v say_v or_o do_v after_o so_o desperate_a a_o adventure_n but_o that_o for_o example_n the_o wife_n of_o alexander_n son_n to_o mariam_n shall_v come_v and_o make_v great_a lamentation_n upon_o the_o body_n of_o her_o husband_n who_o herode_fw-la have_v put_v to_o death_n without_o any_o other_o motive_n that_o because_o she_o be_v his_o wife_n that_o be_v very_o superfluous_a and_o do_v not_o prove_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o audience_n who_o know_v well_o enough_o that_o she_o have_v reason_n to_o grieve_v but_o not_o upon_o the_o stage_n the_o spectator_n know_v already_o all_o that_o she_o can_v say_v upon_o that_o subject_a and_o from_o thence_o we_o must_v likewise_o infer_v that_o all_o confident_n and_o attendant_n of_o prince_n though_o they_o be_v very_o necessary_a person_n upon_o the_o stage_n for_o the_o union_n of_o all_o the_o intrigue_n yet_o they_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o carry_v their_o lamentation_n and_o reflection_n on_o their_o master_n misfortune_n very_o far_o because_o every_o body_n know_v that_o they_o be_v thing_n of_o course_n in_o true_a friend_n and_o faithful_a servant_n and_o so_o not_o extraordinary_a enough_o for_o the_o stage_n the_o same_o thing_n may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o chief_a actor_n when_o their_o interest_n be_v not_o ground_v upon_o sensible_a motive_n for_o example_n if_o a_o rival_n have_v seek_v his_o mistress_n only_o for_o her_o fortune_n and_o not_o out_o of_o any_o inclination_n from_o his_o heart_n shall_v complain_v of_o have_v lose_v she_o it_o will_v produce_v no_o effect_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o audience_n his_o lamentation_n have_v no_o ground_n in_o nature_n or_o reason_n but_o one_o of_o the_o chief_a observation_n of_o all_o be_v this_o that_o all_o passion_n that_o be_v not_o found_v upon_o opinion_n and_o custom_n conformable_a to_o those_o of_o the_o spectator_n be_v sure_a to_o be_v cold_a and_o of_o no_o effect_n because_o they_o be_v already_o possess_v with_o a_o opinion_n contrary_a to_o the_o action_n of_o the_o player_n can_v approve_v of_o any_o thing_n he_o say_v or_o do_v in_o another_o sense_n for_o example_n the_o grief_n of_o one_o who_o have_v undertake_v to_o kill_v a_o tyrant_n and_o fail_v in_o his_o design_n will_v not_o move_v we_o in_o france_n so_o much_o as_o it_o will_v have_v do_v the_o people_n at_o athens_n because_o we_o live_v in_o a_o monarchy_n look_v upon_o the_o person_n of_o king_n as_o sacred_a be_v they_o never_o so_o unjust_a whereas_o the_o athenian_n breed_v up_o in_o a_o popular_a state_n hate_v all_o monarch_n and_o can_v not_o endure_v the_o name_n of_o they_o thus_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n those_o pathetic_a discourse_n which_o we_o read_v in_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a comedys_n will_v never_o take_v with_o we_o as_o they_o do_v upon_o the_o stage_n of_o the_o ancient_n because_o 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