The Lines of Virtue and Vice are Struck out by Nature in very Legible Distinctions; They tend to a different Point, and in the greater Instances the Space between them is easily perceiv'd. Nothing can be more unlike than the Original Forms of these Qualities: The First has all the sweetness, Charms, and Graces imaginable; The other has the Air of aPostill Carved into aMonster, and looks both foolish and Frightful together. These are the Native Appearances of good and Evil: And they that endeavour to blot the Distinctions, to rub out the Colours, or change the Marks, are extreamly to blame. 'Tis confessed as long as the Mind is awake, and Conscience goes true, there's no fear of being imposed on. But when Vice is varnish'd over with Pleasure, and comes in the Shape of Convenience, the case grows somewhat dangerous; for thenthe Fancy may be gain'd, and the Guards corrupted, and Reason suborn'd against it self. And thus aDisguiseoften passes when the Person would otherwise be stopt. To putLewdnessinto a Thriving condition, to give it an Equipage of Quality, and to treat it with Ceremony and Respect, is the way to confound the Understanding, to fortifie the Charm, and to make the Mischief invincible. Innocence is often owing to Fear, and Appetite is kept under by Shame; But when these Restraints are once taken off, when Profit and Liberty lie on the same side, and a Man can Debauch himself into Credit, what can be expected in such a case, but that Pleasure should grow Absolute, and Madness carry all before it? TheStageseem eager to bring Matters to this Issue; They have made a considerable progress, and are still pushing their Point with all the Vigour imaginable. If this be not their Aim why isLewdnessso much consider'd in Character and Success? Why are their Favourites Atheistical, and their fine Gentleman debauched? To what purpose isVicethus prefer'd, thus ornamented, and caress'd, unless for Imitation? That matter of Fact stands thus, I shall make good by several Instances: To begin then with their Men of Breeding andFigure.Wild-bloodsets up forDebauchery, Ridicules Marriage, and Swears byMahomet.Mock Astrol. p. 3, &c.Mock Astrol. p. 57, 59.Spanish Fryar. p. 61.Country Wife. p. 25.Old Batch.Double Dealer. p. 34.Love for Love p. 90.[287]Bellamymakes sport with the Devil,[288]andLorenzois vitious and calls his FatherBawdy Magistrate.[289]Horneris horridly Smutty, andHarcourtfalse to his Friend who used him kindly.[290]In thePlain DealerFreemantalks coarsely, cheats the Widdow, debauches her Son, and makes him undutiful.Bellmouris Lewd and Profane,[291]AndMellefontputsCarelessin the best way he can to debauchLady Plyant.[292]TheseSparksgenerally Marry up the Top Ladys, and those that do not, are brought to no Pennance, but go off with the Character of Fine Gentlemen: InDon-Sebastian,Antonioan Atheistical Bully is rewarded with the LadyMoraima, and half theMuffty's Estate.ValentineinLove for Loveis (if I may so call him) the Hero of thePlay;[293]This Spark thePoetwould pass for a Person of Virtue, but he speaks to late. 'Tis true, He was hearty in his Affection toAngelica. Now without question, to be in Love with a fine Lady of 30000 Pounds is a great Virtue! But then abating this single Commendation,Valentineis altogether compounded of Vice.Love for Love. p. 6, 7. 25. 61. 89. 91.[294]He is a prodigal Debauchee, unnatural, and Profane, Obscene, Sawcy, and undutiful, And yet thisLibertine is crown'd for the Man of Merit, has his Wishes thrown into his Lap, and makes the HappyExit. I perceive we should have a rare set ofVirtuesif thesePoetshad the making of them! How they hug a Vitious Character, and how profuse are they in their Liberalities to Lewdness? In theProvoked Wife,ConstantSwears at Length, solicits LadyBrute, Confesses himself Lewd, and prefers Debauchery to Marriage. He handles the last Sybject very notably and worth the Hearing.There is(says he)a poor sordid Slavery in Marriage, that turns the flowing Tide of Honour, and sinks it to the lowest ebb of Infamy. 'Tis a Corrupted Soil, Ill Nature, Avarice, Sloth, Cowardize, and Dirt, are all its Product.—But thenConstancy (alias Whoring) is a Brave, Free, Haughty, Generous, Agent. This is admirable stuff both for the Rhetorick and the Reason!p. 35.[295]The CharacterYoung Fashionin theRelapseis of the same Staunchness, but this theReadermay have in another Place.
To sum up the Evidence. A fine Gentleman, is a fine Whoring, Swearing, Smutty, Atheistical Man. These Qualifications it seems compleat theIdeaof Honour. They are the Top-Improvements of Fortune, and the distinguishing Glories of Birth and Breeding! This istheStage-TestforQuality, and those that can't stand it, ought to beDisclaim'd. The Restraints of Conscience and the Pedantry of Virtue, are unbecoming a Cavalier: Future Securities, and Reaching beyond Life, are vulgar Provisions: If he falls a Thinking at this rate, he forfeits his Honour; For his Head was only made to run against a Post! Here you have a Man of Breeding and Figure that burlesques theBible, Swears, and talks Smut to Ladies, speaks ill of his Friend behind his Back, and betraies his Interest. A fine Gentleman that has neither Honesty, nor Honour, Conscience, nor Manners, Good Nature, nor civil Hypocricy. Fine, only in the Insignificancy of Life, the Abuse of Religion and the Scandals of Conversation. These Worshipful Things are thePoetsFavourites: They appear at the Head of theFashion; and shine in Character, and Equipage. If there is any Sense stirring, They must have it, tho' the rest of theStagesuffer never so much by the Partiality. And what can be the Meaning of this wretched Distribution of Honour? Is it not to give Credit and Countenance to Vice, and to shame young People out of all pretences to Conscience, and Regularity? They seem forc'd to turn Lewd in their own Defence: They can'totherwise justifie themselves to the Fashion, nor keep up the Character of Gentlemen: Thus People not well furnish'd with Thought, and Experience, are debauch'd both in Practise and Principle. And thus Religion grows uncreditable, and passes for ill Education. TheStageseldom gives Quarter to any Thing that's serviceable or Significant, but persecutes Worth, and Goodness under every Appearance. He that would be safe from their Satir must take care to disguise himself in Vice, and hang out theColoursof Debauchery. How often is Learning, Industry, and Frugality, ridiculed in Comedy? The rich Citizens are often Misers, and Cuckolds, and theUniversities, Schools of Pedantry upon this score. In short, Libertinism and Profaness, Dressing, Idleness, and Gallantry, are the only valuable Qualities. As if People were not apt enough of themselves to be Lazy, Lewd, and Extravagant, unless they were prick'd forward, and provok'd by Glory, and Reputation. Thus the Marks of Honour, and Infamy are misapplyed, and the Idea's of Virtue and Vice confounded. Thus Monstrousness goes for Proportion, and the Blemishes of Human Nature, make up the Beauties of it.
The fine Ladies are of the same Cut with the Gentlemen;Moraimais scandalously rude to her Father, helps him to a beating, and runs away withAntonio.Don Sebast.Love for Love. p. 20.Provok'd Wife. p. 64.Chap. 1. & 2.[296]Angelicatalks sawcily to her Uncle,[297]andBelindaconfesses her Inclination for a Gallant.[298]And as I have observ'd already,[299]the Toping Ladies in theMock Astrologer,Spanish Fryar,Country Wife,Old Batchelour,Orphan,Double Dealer, andLove Triumphant, are smutty, and sometimes Profane.
And was Licentiousness and irreligion, alwaies a mark of Honour? No; I don't perceive but that the oldPoetshad an other Notion of Accomplishment, and bred their people of Condition a different way.PhilolachesinPlautuslaments his being debauch'd; and dilates upon the Advantages of Virtue, and Regularity.Mostel. A. 1. 2.Trinum. A. 2. 1. A. 2. 2.Enuch. A. 3. 3.Hecyr. A. 3. 4.[300]Lusitelesanother Young Gentleman disputes handsomly by himself against Lewdness. And the discourse between him andPhiltois Moral, and well managed.[301]And afterwards he lashes Luxury and Debauching with a great deal of Warmth, and Satir.[302]ChremesinTerenceis a modest young Gentleman, he is afraid of being surpriz'd byThais, and seems careful not to sully his Reputation.[303]AndPamphilusinHecyraresolves rather to be govern'd by Duty, than Inclination.[304]
Plautus'sPinaciumtells her FriendPanegyricthat they ought to acquit themselves fairly to their Husbands, tho' These should fail in their Regards towards them.Stich A. 1. 1.[305]For all good People will do justice tho' they don't receive it. LadyBrutein theProvok'd Wifeis govern'd by different maxims. She is debauch'd with ill Usage, saysVirtue is an Ass, and a Gallant's worth forty on't.p. 3.[306]Pinaciumgoes on to another Head of Duty, and declares that a Daughter can never respect her Father too much, and that Disobedience has a great deal of scandal, and Lewdness in't.Stich. A. 1. 2.[307]The LadyJacintaas I remember does not treat her Father at this rate of Decency. Let us hear a little of her Behaviour. TheMock Astrologermakes the Men draw, and frights the Ladys with the Apprehension of a Quarrel. Upon this;Theodosiacryswhat will become of us!Jacintaanswers,we'll die for Company: nothing vexes me but that I am not a Man, to have one thrust at that malicious old Father of mine, before I go.p. 60.[308]Afterwards the old GentlemanAlonzothreatens his Daughters with a Nunnery.Jacintaspars again and says,I would have thee to know thou graceless old Man, that I defy a Nunnery: name a Nunnery once more and I disown thee for my Father.Ibid.[309]I could carry on the Comparison between the oldand Modern Poets somewhat farther. But this may suffice.
Thus we see what a fine time Lewd People have on theEnglish Stage. No Censure, no mark of Infamy, no Mortification must touch them. They keep their Honour untarnish'd, and carry off the Advantage of their Character. They are set up for the Standard of Behaviour, and the Masters of Ceremony and Sense. And at last that the Example may work the better, they generally make them rich, and happy, and reward them with their own Desires.
Mr.Drydenin thePrefaceto hisMock-Astrologer, confesses himself blamed for this Practise.For making debauch'd Persons hisProtagonists,or chief Persons of the Drama; And, for making them happy in the Conclusion of the Play, against the Law of Comedy, which is to reward Virtue, and punish Vice. To this Objection He makes a lame Defence. And answers
1st.That he knows no such Law constantly observ'd in Comedy by the Antient or Modern Poets.What then?Poetsare not always exactly in Rule. It may be a good Law tho' 'tis not constantly observ'd, some Laws are constantly broken, and yet ne're the worse for all that. He goes on, and pleads the Authorities ofPlautus, andTerence. I grant there are Instances ofFavour to vitious young People in those Authors, but to this I reply
1st.That thosePoetshad a greater compass of Liberty in their Religion. Debauchery did not lie under those Discouragements of Scandal, and penalty, with them as it does with us. Unless therefore He can proveHeathenism, andChristianitythe same, hisprecedentswill do him little service.
2ly.Horacewho was as good a judge of theStage, as either of thoseComedians, seems to be of another Opinion. He condemns the obscenities ofPlautus, and tells you Men of Fortune and Quality in his time; would not endure immodest Satir.De Art. Poet.[310]He continues, that Poets were formerly admired for the great services they did. For teaching Matters relating to Religion, and Government; For refining the Manners, tempering the Passions, and improving the Understandings of Mankind: For making them more useful in Domestick Relations, and the publick Capacities of Life.Ibid.[311]This is a demonstration that Vice was not the Inclination of the Muses in those days; and thatHoracebeleiv'd the chief business of aPoemwas, to Instruct the Audience. He adds farther that theChorusought to turn upon the Argument of theDrama, and support the Design of theActs. ThatThey ought to speak in Defence of Virtue, and Frugality, and show a Regard to Religion. Now from the Rule of theChorus, we may conclude his Judgment for thePlay. For as he observes, there must be a Uniformity between theChorusand theActs: They must have the same View, and be all of a Piece. From hence 'tis plain thatHoracewould have no immoralCharacterhave either Countenance or good Fortune, upon theStage. If 'tis said the very mention of theChorusshews the Directions were intended forTragedy. To this
I answer, that the Consequence is not good. For the use of aChorusis not inconsistent withComedy. The antientComedianshad it.Aristophanesis an Instance. I know 'tis said theChoruswas left out in that they call theNew Comedy. But I can't see the conclusiveness of this Assertion. ForAristophaneshisPlutusisNew Comedywith aChorusin't.[......] Schol.[312]AndAristotlewho lived after this Revolution of theStage, mentions nothing of the Omission of theChorus. He rather supposes its continuance by saying theChorus was added by the Government long after the Invention of Comedy.Libr. de Poet. cap. 5.[313]'Tis truePlautusandTerencehave none, but those before them probably might.Molierehas now reviv'd them,Psyche.[314]AndHoracemight be of his Opinion, for ought wee know to the contrary.
Lastly.Horacehaving expresly mentioned the beginning and progress ofComedy, discovers himself more fully: He advises aPoetto form his Work upon the Precepts ofSocratesandPlato, and the Models of Moral Philosophy. This was the way to preserve Decency, and to assign a proper Fate and Behaviour to everyCharacter.Ibid.[315]Now ifHoracewould have hisPoetgovern'd by the Maxims of Morality, he must oblige him to Sobriety of Conduct, and a just distribution of Rewards, and Punishments.
Mr.Drydenmakes Homewards, and endeavours to fortifie himself in Modern Authority. He lets us know thatBen Johnson after whom he may he proud to Err, gives him more than one example of this Conduct;Pref. Mock. Astrol.[316]That in theAlchemistis notorius, where neitherFacenor hisMasterare corrected according to their Demerits. But how Proud soever Mr.Drydenmay be of an Errour, he has not so much ofBen Jonson's company as he pretends. His Instance ofFace &c.in theAlchemistis rathernotoriousagainst his Purpose then for it.
ForFacedid not Council his MasterLovewitto debauch the Widdow; neitheris it clear that the Matter went thus far. He might gain her consent upon Terms of Honour for ought appears to the contrary. 'Tis trueFacewho was one of the Principal Cheats is Pardon'd and consider'd. But then his Master confesses himself kind to a fault. He owns this Indulgence was a Breach of Justice, and unbecoming the Gravity of an old Man. And then desires the Audience to excuse him upon the Score of the Temptation. ButFace continued, in the Cousenage till the last without Repentance.Ibid.[317]Under favour I conceive this is a Mistake. For does notFacemake an Apology before he leaves theStage? Does he not set himself at theBar, arraign his own Practise, and cast the Cause upon the Clemency of the Company? And are not all these Signs of the Dislike of what he had done? Thus careful thePoetis to prevent the Ill Impressions of hisPlay! He brings both Man and Master to Confession. He dismisses them like Malefactours; And moves for their Pardon before he gives them their Discharge. But theMock-Astrologerhas a gentler Hand:Wild-BloodandJacintaare more generously used: There is no Acknowledgment exacted; no Hardship put upon them: They are permitted to talk on in their Libertine way tothe Last: And take Leave without the least Appearance of Reformation. TheMock-AstrologerurgesBen Johnson'sSilent Womanas an otherPrecedentto his purpose. ForthereDauphineconfesses himself in Love with all the Collegiate Lady's.And yet this naughtyDauphineis Crowned in the end with the Possession of his Uncles Estate, and with the hopes of all his Mistresses.Ibid.[318]This Charge, as I take it, is somewhat too severe. I grantDauphineProfesses himself in Love with the Collegiate Ladies at first. But when they invited him to a private Visit, he makes them no Promise; but rather appears tired, and willing to disengage.Dauphinetherefore is not altogether so naughty as this Author represents him.
Ben Johnson'sFoxis clearly against Mr.Dryden. And here I have his own Confession for proof. He declares thePoets end in this Play was the Punishment of Vice, and the Reward of Virtue.Essay of Dramatick Poetry. p. 28.[319]Benwas forced to strain for this piece of Justice, and break through theUnity of Design. This Mr.Drydenremarks upon him: How ever he is pleased to commend the Performance, and calls it an excellentFifth Act.
Ben Johnsonshall speak for himself afterwards in the Character of a Critick;In the mean time I shall take a Testimony or two fromShakespear. And here we may observe the admir'dFalstaffegoes off in Disappointment. He is thrown out of Favour as being aRake, and dies like a Rat behind the Hangings. The Pleasure he had given, would not excuse him. ThePoetwas not so partial, as to let his Humour compound for his Lewdness. If 'tis objected that this remark is wide of the Point, becauseFalstaffeis represented in Tragedy, where the Laws of Justice are more strickly observ'd, To this I answer, that you may callHenrythe Fourth and Fifth, Tragedies if you please. But for all that,Falstaffewears noBuskins, his Character is perfectly Comical from end to end.
The next Instance shall be inFlowerdaletheProdigal. This Spark notwithstanding his Extravagance, makes a lucky Hand on't at last, andmarriesa rich Lady.The London Prodigall.[320]But then the Poet qualifies him for his good Fortune, and mends his Manners with his Circumstances. He makes him repent, and leave off his Intemperance, Swearing&c.And when his Father warn'd him against a Relapse, He answers very soberly,
Heaven helping me I'le hate the Course of Hell.
Heaven helping me I'le hate the Course of Hell.
I could give some instances of this kind out ofBeaumountandFletcher, But there's no need of any farther Quotation; For Mr.Drydenis not satisfied with his Apology from Authority: He does as good as own that this may be construed no better than defending one ill practise by another. To prevent this very reasonable objection he endeavours to vindicate hisPrecedentsfrom the Reason of the Thing. To this purpose hemakes a wide difference between the Rules of Tragedy and Comedy. That Vice must be impartially prosecuted in the first, because the Persons are Great &c.
It seems thenExecutionsare only forGreatness; andQuality.Justiceis not to strike muchlowerthan aPrince.Private Peoplemay do what theyplease. They are toofewforMischief, and tooLittleforPunishment! This would be admirable Doctrine forNewgate, and give us a generalGoal-Deliverywithout more ado. But inTragedy(says theMock Astrologer.)the Crimes are likewise Horrid, so that there is a necessity for Severity and Example. And how stands the matter inComedy? Quite otherwise. There theFaults are but the follies of Youth, and the Frailties of Human Nature.Ibid.[321]For Instance. There is nothing but a little Whoring, Pimping, Gaming, Profaness&c, And who could be so hard heartedto give a Man any Trouble for This? Such Rigours would be strangely Inhumane! APoetis a better natur'd Thing I can assure you. These little Miscarragesmove Pity and Commiseration, and are not such as must of necessity be Punish'd.Ibid.[322]This is comfortable Casuistry! But to be Serious. Is Dissolution of Manners such a Peccadillo? Does a Profligate Conscience deserve nothing but Commiseration? And are People damn'd only forHumane Frailties? I perceive the Laws of Religion and those of theStagediffer extreamly! The strength of his Defence lies in this choice Maxim, that theCheif End of Comedy is Delight. He questionswhether Instruction has any thing to do in Comedy; If it has, he is sure'tis no more then its secondary end:For the business of the Poet is to make you laugh.Ibid.[323]Granting the Truth of this Principle, I somewhat question the serviceableness of it. For is there no Diversion to be had unless Vice appears prosperous, and rides at the Head of Success. One would think such a preposterous, distribution of Rewards, should rather shock the Reason, and raise the Indignation of theAudience. To laugh without reason is the Pleasure of Fools, and against it, of something worse. The exposing of Knavery, and makingLewdnessridiculous, is a much better occasion for Laughter.And this with submission I take to be the End ofComedy. And therefore it does not differ fromTragedyin the End, but in theMeans. Instruction is the principal Design of both. The one works by Terror, the other by Infamy. 'Tis true, they don't move in the same Line, but they meet in the same point at last. For this Opinion I have good Authority, besides what has been cited already.
1st.MonsieurRapinaffirms 'That Delight is the End that Poetry aims at, but not the Principal one. For Poetry being an Art, ought to be profitable by the quality of it's own nature, and by the Essential Subordination that all Arts should have to Polity, whose End in General is the publick Good. This is the Judgment ofAristotleand ofHoracehis chief Interpreter.Rapin Reflect. &c. p. 10.[324]Ben Johnsonin his Dedicatory Epistle of hisFoxhas somewhat considerable upon this Argument; And declaims with a great deal of zeal, spirit, and good Sense, against the Licentiousness of theStage. He lays it down for a Principle, 'That 'tis impossible to be a goodPoetwithout being a goodMan. That he (a good Poet) is said to be able to inform Young Men to all good Discipline, and enflame grown Men to all great Virtues &c.—That the general complaint was that theWritersof those days hadnothing remaining in them of the Dignity of aPoet, but the abused Name. That now, especially in Stage Poetry, nothing but Ribaldry, Profanation,Blasphemy, all Licence of Offence to God and Man, is practised. He confesses a great part of this Charge is over-true, and is sorry he dares not deny it. But then he hopes all are not embark'd in this bold Adventure for Hell. For my part (says he) I can, and from a most clear Conscience affirm; That I have ever trembled to think towards the least Profaness, and loath'd the Use of such foul, and unwash'd Bawdry, as is now made the Food of theScene.—The encrease of which Lust in Liberty, what Learned or Liberal Soul does not abhor? In wholeEnterludesnothing but the Filth of the Time is utter'd—with Brothelry able to violate the Ear of aPagan, and Blasphemy, to turn the Blood of a Christian to Water. He continues, that the Insolence of these Men had brought theMusesinto Disgrace, and madePoetrythe lowest scorn of the Age. He appeals to his Patrons theUniversities, that his Labour has been heretofore, and mostly in this his latest Work, to reduce not only the antient Forms, but Manners of theScene, the Innocence and the Doctrine, which is thePrincipal Endof Poesy,to inform Men in the best Reason of Living.' Lastly he adds, that 'he has imitated the Conduct of the Antients in thisPlay, The goings out (or Conclusions) of whoseComedies, were not always joyful but oft-times the Bawds, the Slaves, the Rivals, ye and the Masters are multed, and fitly, it being the Office of aComick Poet(mark that!) to imitate Justice, and Instruct to Life&c.' Say you so! Why then ifBen Johnsonknew any thing of the Matter, Divertisment and Laughing is not as Mr.Drydenaffirms, theChief EndofComedy. This Testimony is so very full and clear, that it needs no explaining, nor any enforcement from Reasoning, and Consequence.
And because Laughing and Pleasure has such an unlimited Prerogative upon theStage, I shall add a Citation or two fromAristotleconcerning this Matter. Now this great Man 'calls those Buffoons, and Impertinents, who rally without any regard to Persons or Things, to Decency, or good Manners. That there is a great difference between Ribaldry, and handsom Rallying. He that would perform exactly, must keep within the Character of Virtue, and Breeding. He goes on, and tells us that the old Comedians entertain'd the Audience with Smut, but theModern ones avoided that Liberty, and grew more reserv'd. This latter way he says was much more proper and Gentile then the other. That in his Opinion Rallying, no less than Railing, ought to be under the Discipline of Law; That he who is ridden by hisJests, and minds nothing but the business ofLaughing, is himself Ridiculous. And that a Man of Education and Sense, is so far from going these Lengths that he wont so much as endure the hearing some sort of Buffoonry.'Libr. 4. de Morib. cap. 14.[325]
And as to the point of Delight in general, the same Author affirms, 'that scandalous Satisfactions are not properly Pleasures. 'Tis only Distemper, and false Appetite which makes them palatable. And a Man that is sick, seldom has his Tast true. Besides, supposing we throw Capacity out of the Question, and make Experiment and Sensation the Judge; Granting this, we ought not to chop at every Bait, nor Fly out at every Thing that strikes the Fancy. The meer Agreableness must not overbear us, without distinguishing upon the Quality, and the Means. Pleasure how charming soever, must not be fetched out of Vice. An Estate is a pretty thing, but if we purchase by Falshood, and Knavery,we pay too much for't. Some Pleasures, are Childish and others abominable; And upon the whole, Pleasure, absolutely speaking, is no good Thing.'De Mor. Lib. 10, cap. 2.[326]And so much for the Philosopher. And becauseRibaldryis used for Sport, a passage or two fromQuintilian, may not be unseasonable. This Orator does not only Condemn the grosser Instances, but cuts off all theDouble-Entendre'sat a Blow. He comes up to the Regularity of Thought, and tells us 'that the Meaning, as well as the Words of Discourse must be unsullied.'Institut. Lib. 6; c. 3.[327]And in the sameChapterhe adds that 'A Man of Probity has always a Reserve in his Freedoms, and Converses within the Rules of Modesty, and Character. And that Mirth at the expence of Virtue, is an Over-purchase,'Nimium enim risus pretium est si probitatis impendio constat.
Thus we see how these greatMastersqualify Diversion, and tie it up toProvisoes,and Conditions. Indeed to makeDelightthe main business ofComedyis an unreasonable and dangerous Principle. It opens the way to all Licentiousness, and Confounds the distinction between Mirth, and Madness. For if Diversion is theChief End, it must be had at any Price, No serviceable Expedient must be refused,tho' never so scandalous. And thus the worst Things are said, and best abus'd; Religion is insulted, and the most serious Matters turn'd into Ridicule! As if the Blindside of an Audience ought to be caress'd, and their Folly and Atheism entertain'd in the first Place. Yes, if the Palate is pleas'd, no matter tho' the Body is Poyson'd! For can one die of an easier Disease than Diversion? But Raillery apart, certainly Mirth and Laughing, without respect to the Cause, are not such supreme Satisfactions! A man has sometimes Pleasure in losing his Wits. Frensy, andPossession, will shake the Lungs, and brighten the Face; and yet I suppose they are not much to be coveted. However, now we know the Reason of the Profaness, and Obscenity of theStage, of their Hellish Cursing, and Swearing, and in short of their great Industry to make God, and Goodness Contemptible: 'Tis all to Satisfie the Company, and make People Laugh! A most admirable justification! What can be more engaging to anAudience, then to see aPoetthus Atheistically brave? To see him charge up to the Canons Mouth, and defy the Vengeance of Heaven to serve them? Besides, there may be somewhat of Convenience in the Case. To fetch Diversion out ofInnocence is no such easy matter. There's no succeeding it may be in this method, without Sweat, and Drudging. Clean Wit, inoffensive Humour, and handsom Contrivance, require Time, and Thought. And who would be at this Expence, when the Purchase is so cheap another way? 'Tis possible aPoetmay not alwaies have Sense enough by him for such an Occasion. And since we are upon supposals, it may be theAudienceis not to be gain'd without straining a Point, and giving a Loose to Conscience: And when People are sick, are they not to be Humour'd? In sine, We must make them Laugh, right or wrong, forDelightis theCheif End of Comedy.Delight!He should have saidDebauchery: That's the English of the Word, and the Consequence of the Practise. But the Original Design ofComedywas otherwise: And granting 'twas not so, what then? If theEndsof Thing are naught, they must be mended. Mischief is the Chief end of Malice, would it be then a Blemish in Ill Nature to change Temper, and relent into Goodness? The ChiefEndof a Madman it may be is to Fire a House, must we notthereforebind him in his Bed? To conclude. IfDelightwithout Restraint, or Distinction without Conscience or Shame, is theSupream Law ofComedy, 'twere well if we had less on't. Arbitrary Pleasure, is more dangerous than Arbitrary Power. Nothing is more Brutal than to be abandon'd to Appetite; And nothing more wretched than to serve in such a Design. TheMock-Astrologerto clear himself of this Imputation, is glad to give up his Principle at Last.Least any Man should think(says He)that I write this to make Libertinism amiable, or that I cared not to debase the end, and Institution ofComedy. (It seems thenDelightis not the Chief end.)I must farther declare that we make not Vitious Persons Happy, but only as Heaven makes Sinners so.&c. If this will hold, all's well. ButHeavendoes not forgive without Repentance. Let us see then what Satisfaction he requires from hisWild-Blood, and what Discipline he puts him under. Why, He helps him to his Mistress, he Marries him to a Lady of Birth and Fortune. And now do you think He has not made him an Example, and punish'd him to some Purpose! These are frightful Severities! Who would be vitious when such Terrors hang over his Head? And doesHeaven make Sinners happyupon these Conditions? Sure some People have a good Opinion of Vice, or a very ill one of Marriage, otherwise theywould have Charged the Penance a little more. But I have nothing farther with theMock-Astrologer.
And now for the Conclusion of aChapter, I shall give some Instances of theMannersof theStage, and that with respect to Poetry, and Ceremony.Mannersin the Language of Poetry, is a Propriety of Actions, and Persons. To succeed in this business, there must always be a regard had to Age, Sex, and Condition: And nothing put into the Mouths of Persons which disagrees with any of these Circumstances. 'Tis not enough to say a witty Thing, unless it be spoken by a likely Person, and upon a Proper occasion. But my Design will lead me to this Subject afterwards, and therefore I shall say no more of it at present, but proceed to apply the Remark.
One Instance of Impropriety inMannersboth Poetical and Moral, is their making Women, and Women of Quality talk Smuttily. This I have proved upon them already, and could cite many more places to the same Purpose were it necessary.
But I shall go on, and give theReadersome other examples of Decency, Judgment, and Probability.Don Sebastianwill help us in some measure. HeretheMuftimakes a foolish Speech to the Rabble, and jests upon his own Religion. He tells them,tho' your Tyrant is a Lawful Emperour, yet your Lawful Emperour is but a Tyrant,——That your Emperour is a Tyrant is most Manifest, for you were born to be Turks, but he has play'd the Turk with you.And now is not this Man fit to Manage theAlcoran, and to be set up for on Oracle of State?Captain Tomshould have had this Speech by right: But thePoethad a farther Design, and any thing is good enough for aMufti.
Sebastianafter all the violence of his Repentance, his grasping at self Murther, and Resolutions for theCell, is strangely pleased with the Remembrance of hisIncest, and wishes the Repetition of it: AndAlmeidaout of her Princely Modesty, and singular Compunction, is of the same mind. This is somewhat surprising!OedipusandJocastainSophoclesdon't Repent at this rate. No: The horror of the first Discovery continues upon their Spirits: They never relapse into any fits of Intemperance, nor entertain themselves with a lewd Memory. This sort of Behaviour is not only more Instructive but more Natural too. It being very unlikely one should wish the Repeating a Crime, when He was almost Distractedat the thoughts on't, At the thoughts on't, tho' 'twas comitted under all the Circumstances of excuse. Now when Ignorance and meer Mistake are so very disquieting, 'tis very strange if a Man should plague his Mind with the Aggravations of Knowledge; To carry Aversion, and Desire, in their full strength upon the same Object; To fly and pursue with so much eagerness, is somewhat Unusual.p. 32.[328]
If we step to theSpanish FryarHe will afford us a Flight worth the observing. 'Tis part of the Addresses ofTorrismondtoLeonora.
You are so BeautifulSo wondrous Fair, you justifie Rebellion;As if that faultless Face could make no Sin,But Heaven by looking on it must forgive.
You are so Beautiful
So wondrous Fair, you justifie Rebellion;
As if that faultless Face could make no Sin,
But Heaven by looking on it must forgive.
These are strange Compliments!Torrismondcalls his Queen Rebel to her head, when he was both her General and her Lover. This is powerful Rhetorick to Court a Queen with! Enough one would think to have made the Affair desperate. But he has a Remedy at hand. ThePoets Nostrumof Profaness cures all. He does as good as tell Her, she may Sin as much as she has a mind to. Her Face is a Protection to her Conscience. ForHeaven is under a necessity to forgive a Handsom Woman. To say all this ought to be pass'd over inTorrismondon the score of his Passion, is to make the Excuse more scandalous than the Fault, if possible. Such Raptures are fit only forBedlam, or a place which I shan't name.Love Triumphantwill furnish another Rant not altogether inconsiderable. HereCeladeaa Maiden Lady when she was afraid her Spark would be married to another, calls out presently for aChaos. She is for pulling the World about her ears, tumbling all the Elements together, and expostulates with Heaven for making Humane Nature otherwise than it should have been.
Great Nature break thy chain that links togetherThe Fabrick of this Globe, and make a Chaos,Like that within my Soul.——p. 52.[329]
Great Nature break thy chain that links together
The Fabrick of this Globe, and make a Chaos,
Like that within my Soul.——p. 52.[329]
Now to my fancy, if she had call'd for aChairinstead of aChaos, trip'd off, and kept her folly to her self, the Woman had been much wiser. And since we have shown our Skill in vaulting on the High Ropes, a littleTumblingon theStage, may not do amiss for variety.
Now then for a jest or two.Don Gomezshall begin:Spanish Fryar. p. 36.[330]And here he'le give usa Gingle upon the double meaning of a word.
I think, saysDominickthe Fryar,it was my good Angel that sent me hither so opportunely.Gomezsuspects him brib'd for no creditable business and answers.
Gom.Ay, whose good Angels sent you hither, that you know best, Father.
TheseSpaniardswill entertain us with more of this fine Raillery. ColonelSanchoinLove Triumphanthas a great stroak at it. He says his BrideDalindais no moreDalinda, butDalilahthePhilistine.p. 70.[331]This Colonel as great a Soldier as he is, is quite puzzled at aHerald. Hethinks they call himHerod,or some such Jewish Name. Here you have a good Officer spoil'd for a miserable jest.p. 61.[332]And yet after all, thisSanchotho' he can't pronounceHerald, knows what 'tis to beLaconick, which is somewhat more out of his way.ThrasoinTerenceEnuch.King Arth. p. 2.[333]was a man of the same size in Sense, but for all that he does not quibble.AlbanactCaptain of the Guards,[334]is much about as witty asSancho. It seemsEmmelineHeiress to the Duke ofCornwalwas Blind.Albanacttakes the rise of his Thought from hence; And observesthat as Blind as she is, Coswald would have no blind Bargain of her.CarlostellsSanchohe is sure of his Mistress,Love Trium. p. 26.[335]andhas no more to do but to take out a License.
Sanchoreplies,Indeed I have her License for it.Carlosis somewhat angry at this Gingle, and cries,what quibling too in your Prosperity? Adversity it seems is the only time forpunning. Truly I think so too. For 'tis a sign a Man is much Distress'd when he flies to such an Expedient. However,Carlosneeded not to have been so touchy: For He can stoop as low himself upon occasion. We must know then thatSanchohad made Himself a Hunch'd Back, to counterfeit theConde Alonzo. The two Colonels being in the same Disguise, were just upon the edg of a Quarrel. After some Preliminaries in Railing,Sanchocries,Don't provoke me; I am mischeivously bent.
Carlos replies,Nay, you areBentenough in Conscience, but I have aBentFistfor Boxing. Here you have a brace of Quibbles started in a Line and a half. And which is worst of all, they come fromCarlos, from aCharacterof Sense; And therefore the poet, not theSoldier, must answer for them.
I shall now give theReadera few Instances of the Courtship of theStage, and how decently they treat the Women, andQualityof bothSexes. TheWomenwhoare secured from Affronts by Custom, and have a Privilege for Respect, are sometimes but roughly saluted by these Men of Address. And to bar the Defence, this Coarseness does not alwaies come from Clowns, and Women-haters; but fromPersonsof Figure, neither singular, nor ill Bred. And which is still worse, The Satir falls on blindly without Distinction, and strikes at the wholeSex.
EnterRaymonda Noble-man in theSpanish Fryar.p. 47.[336]