2ly.They Represent their single Ladys, and Persons of Condition, under these Disorders of Liberty, This makes the Irregularity still more Monstrous and a greater Contradiction to Nature, and Probability: But rather than not be Vitious, they will venture to spoil a Character. This mismanagement we have partly seen already.Jacinta,Mock Astrologer. Old Batchelour.[7]andBelinda[8]are farther proof. And theDouble Dealeris particularly remarkable. There are butFourLadys in thisPlay, andThreeof the biggest of them are Whores. A Great Compliment to Quality to tell them there is not above a quarter of them Honest! This was not the Roman Breeding,TerenceandPlautushis Strumpets were Little people; but of this more hereafter.
3dly.They have oftentimes not so much as the poor refuge of a Double Meaning to fly to. So that you are under a necessity either of taking Ribaldry or Nonsence. And when the Sentence has two Handles, the worst is generally turn'd to the Audience. The Matter is so Contrived that the Smut and Scum of the Thought rises uppermost; And like a Picture drawn toSight, looks always upon the Company.
4ly.And which is still more extraordinary: thePrologues, andEpiloguesare sometimes Scandalous to the last degree.Mock Astrologer. Country Wife. Cleomenes. Old Batchelour.[9]I shall discover them for once, and let them stand like Rocks in the Margin. Now here properly speaking theActorsquit theStage, and remove from Fiction, into Life. Here they converse with theBoxes, andPit, and address directly to the Audience. These Preliminarie and concluding Parts, are design'd to justify the Conduct of thePlay, and bespeak the Favour of the Company. Upon such Occasions one would imagine if ever, the Ladys should be used with Respect, and the Measures of Decency observ'd, But here we have Lewdness without Shame or Example: Here thePoetexceeds himself. Here are such Strains as would turn the Stomach, of an ordinary Debauchee, and be almost nauseous in theStews. And to make it the more agreeable, Women are Commonly pick'd out for this Service. Thus thePoetCourts the good opinion of the Audience. This is the Desert he regales the Ladys with at the Close of the Entertainment: It seems He thinks They have admirable Palats! Nothing can be a greater Breach of Manners then such Liberties as these. If a Man wouldstudy to outrageQualityand Vertue, he could not do it more Effectually. But
5thly.Smut is still more insufferable with respect to Religion. The Heathen Religion was in a great Measure aMysteryofIniquity. Lewdness was Consecrated in the Temples, as well as practised in theStews. Their Deitys were great Examples of Vice, and worship'd with their own Inclination. 'Tis no wonder therefore their Poetry should be tinctured with their Belief, and that theStageshould borrow some of the Liberties of their Theology. This madeMercurysProcuring, andJupitersAdultery the more passable inAmphitrionPlaut.Cistellar.Terent. Eunuch.[10]: Upon this ScoreGymnasium[11]is less Monstrous in Praying the Gods to send her store of Gallants. And thusChæræa[12]defends his Adventure by the Precedent ofJupiterandDanæ. But the Christian Religion is quite of an other Complexion. Both its Precepts, and Authorities, are the highest discouragement to Licentiousness. It forbids the remotest Tendencies to Evil, Banishes the Follies of Conversation, and Obliges up to Sobriety of Thought. That which might pass for Raillery, and Entertainment in Heathenism, is detestable in Christianity. The Restraint of the Precept, and the Quality of theDeity, and the Expectations of Futurity quite alter the Case.
But notwithstanding the Latitudes of Paganism, the Roman and GreekTheatreswere much more inoffensive than ours. To begin withPlautus. This Comedian, tho' the most exceptionable, is modest upon the Comparison. For
1st.He rarely gives any of the above mention'd Liberties to Women; And when there are any Instances of the contrary, 'tis only in prostituted and Vulgar People; And even these, don't come up to the Grossness of theModern Stage.
For the Purpose.CleæretaAsinar.Cistellar.Bacchid.Casin.Mercat. Act. 3.Persa.Trucul.[13]the Procuris borders a little upon Rudeness:Lena[14]andBacchis[15]the Strumpet are Airy and somewhat over-merry, but notA l'Angloisobscene.Chalinus[16]in Womans Cloaths is the most remarkable.Pasicompa Charinushis Wench talks too freely toLysimachus;[17]And so doesSophroclidiscaSlavetoLemnoselene.[18]And lastly:Phronesiama Woman of theTownuses a double entendre toStratophanes.[19]These are the most censurable Passages, and I think all of them with relation to Women; which considering how the World goes is very moderate. Several ofourSinglePlaysshall far out-do all This put together. And yetPlautushas upon thematter left us 20 entireComedies. So that in short, these Roman Lasses are meerVestal Virgins, comparatively speaking.
2ly.TheMenwho talk intemperately are generallySlaves; I believeDordalusPersa.Trinum.[20]the Pandar, andLusiteles[21]will be found the only exception: And this latter young Gentleman; drops but one over airy expression: And for this Freedom, the Poet seems to make him give Satisfaction in the rest of his Character. He disputes very handsomly by himself against irregular Love; The Discourse between him andPhiltois instructive and well managed.Act. 2. 1.Act. 2. 2.[22]And afterwards he givesLesbonicusa great deal of sober advice,[23]and declaims heartily against Luxury and Lewdness! Now by confining his Rudeness to little People, the Fault is much extenuated. For First, the representation is more Naturally this way; And which is still better, 'tis not so likely to pass into Imitation: Slaves and Clowns are not big enough to spread Infection; and set up an ill Fashion. 'Tis possible thePoetmight contrive thesePesants Offensiveto discountenance the Practise. Thus theHeilotsinSpartawere made drunk to keep Intemperance out ofCredit. I don't mention this as if I approv'd the Expedient, but only to show it a circumstance of Mitigation and Excuse.
Farther, TheseSlavesand Pandars, Seldom run over, and play their Gambols before Women. There are but Four Instances of this Kind as I remember,Olympio,Casin.Mil. Glor.Pers.Trucul.[24]Palæstrio,[25]Dordalus,[26]andStratilax[27]are the Persons. And the Women they discourse with, are two of them Slaves, and the third a Wench. But with ourDramatists, the case is otherwise. With usSmuttinessis absolute and unconfin'd. 'Tis under no restraint, of Company, nor has any regard to Quality or Sex. Gentlemen talk it to Ladies, and Ladies to Gentlemen with all the Freedom, and Frequency imaginable. This is in earnest to be very hearty in the cause! To give Title and Figure to Ill Manners is the utmost that can be done. If Lewdness will not thrive under such encouragement it must e'en Miscarry!
4ly.PlautushisProloguesandEpiloguesare inoffensive. 'Tis true,Lambinuspretends to fetch a doubleentendreout of that toPœnulus, but I think there is a Strain in the Construction. HisPrologueto theCaptiviis worth the observing.
Fabulæ huic operam date.
Fabulæ huic operam date.
Pray mind the Play.The next words give the reason why it deserves regarding.
Non enim pertractate facta estNeque spurcidici insunt versus immemorabiles.
Non enim pertractate facta est
Neque spurcidici insunt versus immemorabiles.
We see here the Poet confesses Smut a scandalous Entertainment. That such Liberties ought to fall under Neglect, to lie unmention'd, and be blotted out of Memory.
And that this was not a Copy of his Countenance we may learn from his Compositions. His bestPlaysare almost alwaies Modest and clean Complexion'd. HisAmphitrioexcepting the ungenuine Addition is such. HisEpidicusthe Master-Piece of his whole Collection is inoffensive Throughout: And so are hisMenechmi,Rudens, andTrinummus, which may be reckon'd amongst some of his next Best. HisTruculentusanother finePlay(tho' not entire) with a Heathen Allowance, is pretty Passable. To be short: Where he is most a Poet, he is generally least a Buffoon. And where the Entertainment is Smut, there is rarely any other Dish well dress'd: TheContrivance is commonly wretched, the Sence lean and full of Quibbles. So that his Understanding seems to have left him when he began to abuse it.
To conclude,Plautusdoes not dilate upon the Progress, Successes, and Disappointments ofLove, in theModernway. This is nice Ground, and therefore He either stands off, or walks gravely over it, He has some regard to the Retirements of Modesty, and the Dignity of Humane Nature, and does not seem to make Lewdness his Business. To give an Instance.Sileniumis much gone in Love,Cistellear. A. 1.[28]but Modest withall, tho' formerly debauch'd.
She is sorry her Spark was forced from her, and in Danger of being lost. But then she keeps within compass and never flies out into Indecency.Alcesimarchusis strangely smitten with thisSilenium, and almost distracted to recover her.Ibid. A. 2.[29]He is uneasy and blusters, and threatens, but his Passion goes off in Generals. He Paints no Images of his Extravagance, nor descends to any nauseous particulars.
And yet after all,Plautuswrote in an Age not perfectly refin'd, and often seems to design hisPlaysfor a Vulgar Capacity. 'Twas upon this view Isuppose hisCharactersexceed Nature, and his ill Features are drawn too large: His old Men over credulous, his Misers Romantick, and his Coxcombs improbably singular. And 'tis likely for this reason hisSlavesmight have too much Liberty.
Terenceappear'd when Breeding was more exact, and theTownbetter polish'd; And he manages accordingly: He hasHeauton.[30]but one faulty bordering Expression, which is that ofChremestoClitipho. This single Sentence apart, the rest of his Book is (I think) unsullied and fit for the nicest Conversation. I mean only in referrence to the Argument in Hand, for there are things in Him, which I have no intention to warrant. He is Extreamly careful in the Behaviour of his Women. NeitherGlyceriuminAndria,PamphilainEunuchus, orPamphilainAdelphi,PhaniuminPhormio, orPhilumenainHecyra, have any share of Conversation upon theStage. such Freedom was then thought too much for the Reservedness of a Maiden-Character. 'Tis true inHeautontimoroumenosthePoetsPlot obligedAntiphila, to go under the Disguise ofBacchisher Maid. Upon this Occasion they hold a little Discourse together. But thenBacchistho' she was a Woman of theTown, behaves her self with all the Decency imaginable. She does not talk in the Language of her Profession. But commendsAntiphilafor her Virtue:Antiphilaonly says how constant she has been toChinia, seems surprised at his Arrival, and salutes him civilly upon't, and we hear no more from her. Mr.Drydenseems to refer to this Conduct in his DramatickPoesie. He censures theRomansfor makingMutesof their single Women. This He calls theBreeding of the OldElizabethway, which was for Maids to be seen and not to be heard. Under Favour the old Discipline would be very serviceable upon theStage. As matters go, theMutesare much to few. For certainly 'tis better to say nothing, than talk out of Character, and to ill purpose.
To return. The Virgin injured byChæreadoes nothing but weep, and won't so much as speak her misfortune to the Women.Eunuch.Love Triump.[31]But Comedy is strangly improved since that time; ForDalinda[32]has a great deal more Courage, tho' the loss of her Virtue was her own Fault.
ButTerencehas that regard for Women, that he won't so much as touch upon an ill Subject before them. ThusChremeswas ashamed to mention any thing about his Sons Lewdness when his Wife was present.
Pudet dicere hac præsente verbum turpe.Heauton. A. 5. 4.[33]
Pudet dicere hac præsente verbum turpe.Heauton. A. 5. 4.[33]
The Slaves in this Comedian are kept in order and civilly bred. They Guard and Fence when occasion requires, and step handsomly over a dirty place.Eunuch A. 5. 4. 5.Adelph. A. 2. 3.[34]The Poet did not think Littleness and low Education a good Excuse for Ribaldry. He knew Infection at the weakest, might seize on some Constitutions: Besides, the Audience was a Superior Presence, and ought to be considered. For how Negligent soever People may be at Home, yet when they come before their Betters 'tis Manners to look wholsom.
Now tho'Plautusmight have the richer Invention;Terencewas always thought the more judicious Comedian. His Raillery is not only finer, and his stile better polish'd; but hisCharactersare more just, and he seems to have reach'd farther into Life than the other. To take Leave of this Author, even his Strumpets are better behaved than our honest Women, than our Women of Quality of the EnglishStage.BacchisinHeautontimoroumenosandBacchisinHecyra, may serve for example. They are both modest, and converse not unbecoming their Sex.Thaisthe most accomplish'd in her way,Eunuch.[35]has a great deal of Spirit and wheadling in her Character, but talks no Smut.
Thus we see with what Caution and Sobriety of LanguageTerencemanages. 'Tis possible this Conduct might be his own Modesty, and result from judgment and Inclination. But however his Fancy stood, he was sensible the Coarse way would not do. TheStagewas then under Discipline, the publickCensorsformidable, and the Office of theChoraguswas originally to prevent the Excesses of Liberty.
To this we may add theNoblesshad no Relish for Obscenity; 'twas the ready way to Disoblige them.Casaub. Annot. in Curcul. Plauti.[36]And therefore 'tisHoracesRule.
Nec immunda crepent ignominiosaque dicta.Offenduntur enim quibus est Equus & Pater, & res.De A te Poet.[37]
Nec immunda crepent ignominiosaque dicta.
Offenduntur enim quibus est Equus & Pater, & res.De A te Poet.[37]
The OldRomanswere particularly carefull their Women might not be affronted in Conversation: For this reason the Unmarried kept off from Entertainments for fear of learning new Language.Var. apud. Nonium.Corn. Nep.Arist. Lib. 4. de Mor. cap. 14.Vit. Eurip. ed Cantab. 1694.[38]And inGreeceno Woman above the degree of aSlavewas treated abroad by any but Relations.[39]'Tis probable the old Comedy was silenced atAthensupon this Score, as well as for Defamation. For asAristotle[40]observes the new Set of Comedians were much more modest than the former. In this celebrated Republick, if thePoetswrote any thing against Religion or Good Manners, They were tryed for their Misbehaviour, and lyable to the highest Forfeitures.[41]
It may not be amiss to observe that there are no Instances of debauching Married Women, inPlautus, norTerence, no nor yet inAristophanes. But on ourStagehow common is it to make a Lord, a Knight, or an Alderman a Cuckold? The Schemes of Success are beaten out with great Variety, and almost drawn up into a Science. How many Snares are laid for the undermining of Virtue, and with what Triumph is the Victory proclaim'd? The Finess of thePlot, and the Life of the Entertainment often lies in these Contrivances. But theRomanshad a different sence of these Matters, and saw thro' the consequences of them. The Government was awake upon the Theatre, and would not suffer the Abuses of Honour, and Family, to pass intoDiversion. And before we part with theseComedianswe may take notice that there are no Smutty Songs in theirPlays; in which theEnglishare extreamly Scandalous.Love for Love.Love Triump. &c.[42]Now to work up their Lewdness with Verse, and Musick, doubles the Force of the Mischief. It makes it more portable and at Hand, and drives it Stronger upon Fancy and Practice.
To dispatch theLatinsall together.Senecais clean throughout the Piece, and stands generally off from the point of Love. He has no Courting unless in hisHercules Furens;p. 14. Ed. Scriv.[43]And here the TyrantLycusaddressesMegaravery briefly, and in Modest and remote Language. In hisThebais,Oedipus's Incest is reported at large, but without any choaking Description. 'Tis grantedPhædraspeaks her Passion plainly out, and owns the strength of the Impression, and is far less prudent than inEuripides.Hippol.[44]But tho' her Thoughts appear too freely, her Language is under Discipline.
Let us now Travel fromItalyintoGreece, and take a view of the Theatre atAthens. In this City theStagehad both its beginning and highest Improvement.Æschyluswas the first who appear'd with any Reputation. His Geniusseems noble, and his Mind generous, willing to transfuse it self into the Audience, and inspire them with a Spirit of Bravery. To this purpose his Stile is Pompous, Martial, and Enterprizing. There is Drum and Trumpet in his Verse. 'Tis apt to excite an Heroick Ardour, to awaken, warm, and push forward to Action. But his Mettal is not always under Management. His Inclination for theSublime; carrys him too far: He is sometimes Embarrass'd withEpithites. His Metaphors are too stiff, and far fetch'd; and he rises rather in Sound, than in Sence. However generally speaking, his Materials are both shining and solid, and his Thoughts lofty, and uncommon. This Tragedian had always a nice regard to Good Manners. He knew corrupting the People was the greatest disservice to the Commonwealth; And that Publick Ruine was the effect of general Debauchery. For this reason he declines the Business of Amours, and declares expresly against it.Aristoph. Ran.[45]Now here we can't expect any length of Testimony. His aversion to the subject makes him touch very sparingly upon it. But in this case there is no need of much citation. His very Omissions are Arguments, and his Evidence is the stronger for being short. That little I meet with shall be produced.
1st.Orestes was obliged by the Oracle to revenge his Fathers Death in the Murther of his Mother.Χοηφορ.253, Ed. Steph.Orest. 48. Ed. Cantab.Ευμεν.305.[46]When he was going to kill her, he Mentions her Cruelty, but waves her Adultery.Euripidesapprov'd this Reservedness and makes hisElectrapractise it upon the same occasion.[47]Æschylusin his next Play complements his Country with a great deal of Address in the Persons of theEumenides.[48]They are very Gentile and Poetical in their Civilities: Among other things They wish the Virgins may all Marry and make the Country Populous: Here thePoetdo's but just glance upon the Subject of Love; and yet he governs the Expression with such care, that the wishes contain a Hint to Sobriety, and carry a Face of Virtue along with them.
TheDouble Dealerruns Riot upon such an Occasion as this; and gives LordTouchwooda mixture of Smut and Pedantry to conclude with,p. 79.[49]and yet this Lord was one of his best Characters: ButPoetsare now grown Absolute within themselves, and may put Sence and Quality upon what Drudgeries they please. To return.Danauscautions his Daughters very handsomly in point of Behaviour. They were in a strange Country, and had Poverty and Dependance tostruggle with: These were circumstances of Danger, and might make him the more pressing. He leaves therefore a solemn Charge with them for their Security, bids them never to subsist upon Infamy, but to prefer their Virtue to their Life.
Μόνον φύλαξαι τάς δ' ἐπιστολὰς πατρὸςἹκέτ.340.[50]Τὸ σωφρονεῖν τιμῶσα του βίου πλέον.
Μόνον φύλαξαι τάς δ' ἐπιστολὰς πατρὸςἹκέτ.340.[50]
Τὸ σωφρονεῖν τιμῶσα του βίου πλέον.
OurPoetsI suppose would call this Preaching, and think it a dull Business. However I can't forbear saying an honest Heathen is none of the worst Men: A very indifferent Religion well Believed, will go a great way.
To proceed.Sophoclesappear'd next upon theStage, and was in earnest an Extraordinary Person. His Conduct is more Artificial, and his Stile more just, than that ofÆschylus. His Characters are well drawn, and Uniform with themselves: HisIncidents, are often surprising, and hisPlotsunprecipitated. There is nothing but what is Great, and Solemn Throughout. The Reasoning is well Coloured. The Figures are sometimes Bold, but not Extravagant. There are no Flights of Bombast, no Towring above Nature and Possibility: In short, Nothing like DonSebastiansReigning in hisAtomes.Don Sebast. p. 12.[51]
This Tragedian likeÆschylusdoes not often concern himself withAmours, and when he does, nothing can be more temperate, and decent. For example where the Incest ofOedipusis described,Oedip. Tyran. Ed Steph.Antig. 242. 244.[52]the Offensiveness of the Idea is screen'd off and broken by Metaphorical and distant Expressions. In anotherPlay[53]Creonresolves to putAntigoneto Death for presuming to buryPolynices. This Lady andHæmonCreonsSon were very far engaged;Hæmonendeavours to disswade his Father fromAntigonesExecution: He tells him the burying her Brother tho' against his Order, was a popular Action. And that the People would resent her being punish'd: But never so much as mentions his own Concern unless in one Line; which was so obscure thatCreonmisunderstood him.Antigoneamongst her other Misfortunes laments her dying Young and Single, but says not one word aboutHæmon. ThePoettakes care not to bring these two Lovers upon theStagetogether, for fear they might prove unmanagable? Had They been with us, they had met with kinder treatment. They might have had Interviews and Time and Freedom enough. Enough to mud their Fancy, to tarnish their Quality, and make their Passion Scandalous. In the Relation ofHæmonsDeath, his Love is related too, and that with all the Life andPathosimaginable. But the Description is within the Terms of Honour: The tendernesses are Solemn, as well as Soft: They move toIbid. 264.[54]Pity and Concern, and go no farther. In hisTrachiniætheChorusowns the Force of Love next to irresistable; gently hints the Intrigues of the Gods, and then passes on to a handsomeTrach. 348.[55]Image of the Combat betweenAchelousandHercules. We see how lightly thePoettouches upon an amorous Theme: He glides along like a Swallow upon the Water, and skims the Surface, without dipping a Feather.
Sophocleswill afford us no more, let us therefore take a view ofEuripides. 'Tis the Method of this Author to decline the Singularities of theStage, and to appear with an Air of Conversation. He delivers great Thoughts in Common Language, and is dress'd more like a Gentleman than aPlayer. His Distinction lies in the perspicuity of his Stile; In Maxim, and Moral Reflection; In his peculiar Happiness for touching the Passions, especially that of Pity; And lastly, in exhausting the Cause, and arguingproandCon, upon the streach of Reason. So much by way of Character. And as for the Matter before us He is entirely Ours. We have had an Instance or two already inElectraandPhædra: To go on to the rest. In hisHippolitusHe callsWhoring,stupidness and playing the Fool. And to be Chast and regular, is with him, as well as withÆschylus,Σωφρονεῖν. As much as to say 'tis the Consequence of Sence, and right Thinking.Phædrawhen her Thoughts were embarrass'd withHippolitus, endeavours to disentangle her self by Argument.Μωρία τὸ ΜῶρονEd. Cant. 241. 250. 252.[56]She declaims with a great deal of Satyr against intemperate Women; she concluded rather to die then dishonour her Husband and Stain her Family. The Blemishes of Parents, as she goes on, often stuck upon their Children, and made them appear with Disadvantage. Upon this, theChorusis transported with the Virtue of her Resolution and crys out
Φεῦ Φεῦ. Τὸ σῶφρον ὥς ἁπανταχοῦ καλὸνIbid. 232. 233.[57]καί δό ξαν ἐσθλην ἐνβροτοῖς κομίζεται.How becoming a Quality is Modesty in all Places.How strangly does it burnish a Character, and oblige ones Reputation?
Φεῦ Φεῦ. Τὸ σῶφρον ὥς ἁπανταχοῦ καλὸνIbid. 232. 233.[57]
καί δό ξαν ἐσθλην ἐνβροτοῖς κομίζεται.
How becoming a Quality is Modesty in all Places.
How strangly does it burnish a Character, and oblige ones Reputation?
The Scholiast upon these verses ofHippolitus.
Σοί τόν δε πλεκτὸν Στεφανον εξ ἀκηράΛειμῶνος, &c.
Σοί τόν δε πλεκτὸν Στεφανον εξ ἀκηρά
Λειμῶνος, &c.
Makes this Paraphrase, 'Tha[......] Mind should be clean and unsulli[......]that the Muses being Virgins their Performances should agree with their Condition.'
To proceed.Hermionecomplains againstAndromachebecause she was entertain'd by her HusbandAndrom. p. 303.Iphig. in Aulid. p. 51.Helen. 277, 278.Mourning Bride. p. 36.[58]: For thisAndromachetells her she talk'd too much for a Young Woman, and discover'd her Opinion too far.Achillesat the first Sight ofClytemnestra, lets her understand he was as much taken with the Sobriety of her Air,[59]as with the rest of her fine Face and Person. She receives the Complement kindly, and commends him for commending Modesty.MenelausandHelenafter a long Absence manage the surprize of their good Fortune handsomly.[60]The Most tender Expression stands clear of ill Meaning. HadOsminparted withAlmeriaas civilly as these Two met,[61]it had been much better. That Rant of smut and profainness might have been spared. TheReadershall have some of it.
O myAlmeria;What do that Damn'd endure but to despair,But knowing Heaven, to know it lost for ever.
O myAlmeria;
What do that Damn'd endure but to despair,
But knowing Heaven, to know it lost for ever.
Were it not for theCreed, thesePoetswould be crampt in their Courtship, and Mightily at a loss for a Simile! ButOsminis in a wonderful Passion. Andtruly I think his Wits, are in some danger, as well as his Patience. You shall hear.
What are Wracks, and, Whips, and Wheels to this;Are they not soothing softness, sinking Ease,And wasting Air to this?
What are Wracks, and, Whips, and Wheels to this;
Are they not soothing softness, sinking Ease,
And wasting Air to this?
Sinking Ease, and Wasting Air, I confess are strange comforts; This Comparison is somewhat oddly equip'd, but Lovers like sick People may say what they please!Almeriatakes this Speech for a Pattern, and suits it exactly in her return.
O I am struck, thy words are Bolts of Ice?Which shot into my Breast now melt and chill me.
O I am struck, thy words are Bolts of Ice?
Which shot into my Breast now melt and chill me.
Bolts of Ice?Yes most certainly! For the Cold is struck up into her Head, as you may perceive by what follows.
I chatter, shake, and faint with thrilling Fears.
I chatter, shake, and faint with thrilling Fears.
By the way 'tis a mighty wonder to hear a Woman Chatter! But there is no jesting, for the Lady is very bad. She won't be held up by any Means, but Crys out:
——lower yet, down down;
——lower yet, down down;
One would think she was learning a Spanel toSett. But there's something behind.
——no more we'll lift our Eyes,But prone and dumb, Rot the firm Face of Earth,With Rivers of incessant scalding Rain.
——no more we'll lift our Eyes,
But prone and dumb, Rot the firm Face of Earth,
With Rivers of incessant scalding Rain.
These Figures are some of them as stiff as Statues, and put me in mind ofSylvesters Dubartas.
Now when the Winters keener breath beganTo Crystallize, the Baltick Ocean,To glaze the Lakes, to bridle up the Floods,And periwig with Snow the bald pate woods.
Now when the Winters keener breath began
To Crystallize, the Baltick Ocean,
To glaze the Lakes, to bridle up the Floods,
And periwig with Snow the bald pate woods.
I take it, the other Verses are somewhat of Kin to These, and shall leave them to Mr.Dryden'sReflection.Spanish Fryar. Ep. Ded.[62]But then as forSoothing Softness, Sinking Ease, Wasting Air, thrilling Fears, and incessant scalding Rain; It puts me to another stand. For to talk a little in the way of theStage. This Litter ofEpithetesmakes thePoemlook like a Bitch overstock'd with Puppies, and sucks the Sence almost to skin and Bone. But all this may pass in aPlayhouse: False Rhetorick and false Jewells, do well together. To return toEuripides.Cassandrain reporting the Misfortunes oftheGreeksstops at the Adulteries ofClytemnestraandÆgialaAnd gives this handsome reason for making a Halt.
Σιγᾶν ἄμεινον τἀισχρὰ, μηδέ μοῦσα μοῖTroad. p. 146.[63]Γένοιτ ἀοιδὸς ἥτις ὑμνήσει κακὰ.Foul Things are best unsaid, I am for no Muse,That loves to flourish on Debauchery.
Σιγᾶν ἄμεινον τἀισχρὰ, μηδέ μοῦσα μοῖTroad. p. 146.[63]
Γένοιτ ἀοιδὸς ἥτις ὑμνήσει κακὰ.
Foul Things are best unsaid, I am for no Muse,
That loves to flourish on Debauchery.
Some Things are dangerous in report, as well as practise, and many times a Disease in the Description. ThisEuripideswas aware of and manag'd accordingly, and was remarkably regular both in stile, and Manners. How wretchedly do we fall short of the Decencies of Heathenism! There's nothing more ridiculous than Modesty on ourStage.Plain Dealer. p. 21.[64]'Tis counted an ill bred Quality, and almost sham'd out of Use. One would think Mankind were not the same, that Reason was to be read Backward, and Vertue and Vice had changed Place.Provok'd Wife. p. 41.[65]
What then? Must Life be huddled over, Nature left imperfect, and the Humour of the Town not shown? And pray where lies the Grievance of all This? Must we relate whatever is done, and is every Thing fit for Representation? is a Man that has the Plague proper to make aSight of? And must he needs come Abroad when he breaths Infection, and leaves theTokensupon the Company? What then must we know nothing? Look you! All Experiments are not worth the making. 'Tis much better to be ignorant of a Disease then to catch it. Who would wound himself for Information about Pain, or smell a Stench for the sake of the Discovery? But I shall have occasion to encounter this Objection afterwards,**Remarks upon Quixot.[66]and therefore shall dismiss it at present.
ThePlay-houseatAthenshas been hitherto in Order, but are there no Instances to the contrary? Do's notAristophanestake great Liberties and make Women speak extraordinary Sentences? He do's so. But his Precedent signifies nothing in the case. For
1st.We have both the Reason of the Thing, and all the Advantage of Authority on the other side. We have the Practise and Opinion of Men of much greater Sence, and Learning then Himself. The best Philosophers and Poets, Criticks and Orators, both Greek and Latin, both Antient and Modern, give the Cause against him. ButAristophaneshis ownPlaysare sufficient to ruin his Authority. For
1st, He discovers himself a downright Atheist. This Charge will be easily Madegood against himbyComparing hisNubeswithhis otherPlays. The Design of hisNubeswas to exposeSocrates, and make a Town jest of him. Now this Philosopher was not only a Person of great Sence and Probity, but was likewise suppos'd to refine upon the Heathen Theology, to throw off the Fabulous part of it, and to endeavour to bring it back to the Standard of Natural Religion. And thereforeJustin Martyrand some others of theFathers, look'd on him as a Person of no Pagan Belief, and thought he suffer'd for the Unity of the God-Head. This ManAristophanesmakes fine sport with as he fancies: He puts him in a Fools Coat, and then points at him. He makesSocratesinstruct his DiscipleStrepsiadesin a new Religion, and tell him thathe did not own the Gods in the vulgar Notion. He brings him in elswhere affirming that theClouds are the only Deities.Nub. Act. 1. Sc. 3. p. 104. Ed. Amstel.[67]Which is the same Lash whichJuvenalgives theJews, because they worship'd but one single Soveraign Being.
NilpræterNubes & Cœli numen adorant.Sat. 14.[68]
NilpræterNubes & Cœli numen adorant.Sat. 14.[68]
Socratesgoes on with his Lecture of Divinity and declares very roundly that there is no such thing asJupiter.p. 106.[69]Afterwards he advances farther, and endeavoursto getStrepsiadesunder Articles to acknowledge no other Gods, butChaos, theClouds, and theTongue.Nub. p. 110.[70]At last thePoetbrings the Philosopher to publick Pennance for his Singularities. He sets fire to hisSchoolfor teaching Young People (as he pretends) to dispute against Law and Justice; for advancing Atheistick Notions, and burlesquing the Religion of the Country.Act. 5. p. 176.[71]
ThatSocrateswas no Atheist is clear from Instances enough. To mention but one. The Confidence he had in hisDæmon, orGeniusby which he governed his Affairs puts it beyond all dispute.Plat. Apol. Socrat.[72]However 'tis plainAristophaneswas not of his Religion. TheComedianwas by no means for correcting the Common Perswasion. So that he must either be an Orthodox Heathen or nothing at all. Let us see then with what Respect he treats the Receiv'dDivinities. ThisPlay, where one would not expect it, discovers somewhat of his Devotion. In the beginning of itPhidippides, who was a sort orNew-MarketSpark, swears byJocky Neptune,Nub. p. 86.[73]that he had a strange Kindness for his FatherStrepsiades. upon this the old Man replies;No Jocky, if you love me; that Deity has almost undone me. This was making somewhat bold withNeptunewho wasJupitersBrother,Soveraignof a wholeElement, and had noless than the Third Share of the Universe! CertainlyAristophaneshad no Venture at Sea, or else must think theTridentsignified but very little. But this is meer Ceremony to what follows. In his firstPlayPlutuspretends he had a mind to oblige only Men of Probity, butJupiterhad made him blind on purpose that he might not distinguish Honest men from Knaves: For to be plainJupiterhad a Pique against Good people. Towards the end of thisComedy Mercuryis abused byCario,Plut. A. 1. Sc. 2.[74]and acts a ridiculous, and lessening part himself. Afterwards he complains heavily that sincePlutuswas cured of his Blindness, the business of Sacrifing fell off, and the Gods were ready to starve. ThisMercuryhas the same ill Usage with thePoetsKnaves, Informers, and Lewd Women; From all this stuff put together, his meaning is pretty plain,viz.That Religion was no better than an Imposture supported by Art, and Ignorance: And that when Men's Understandings were awake, and their Eyes a little open, they would have more discretion than to be at any expence about the Gods.
This I take to be part of the Moral of his Fable. If we look farther into him we shall see more of his Mind. HisRanæmakes Merry with the Heathen Scheme ofHeaven and Hell. HereCharonand theStygian Frogsare brought in Comically enough. And that you may understand his opinion more perfectly we are told, that He that Bilks hisCatamiteafter aSodomiticalAbuse, is thrown into the Common shore ofHades. And what Company do you think he is lodg'd with? Why with those who Perjure themselves, with those who Kick their Fathers and Mothers? It seems in thePoetsJustice a Man might as good be false to his Oath, as to his Lewdness.Ran. p. 188.[75]To disappoint theStews, is every jot as great a Crime; as to fly in the Face of Nature, and outrage our Parents. His Quartering his Malefactors thus critically, was without question on purpose to Banter the perswasion of future Punishment. In the samePlayXanthiasbidsÆacusanswer him byJove,Ὅς ἡμὶν ἐστὶν ὁμομαστιγίας. This little Scoundrel of a Slave has the Manners to makeJupitersQuality no better than his own. To go on with him: In hisAveshe speaks out to purpose. HerePisthetærustellsEpopsthat if theBirdswould build a Castle in the Air, they might intercept the Fumes of the Sacrifices, and starve the Gods unless they would come too, and be Tributary. It seems theBirdshad very good Pretences to execute this project; for theywere ancienter thanJupiterandSaturn, and Govern'd before the Gods. And to speak truth were more capable of the Function. Their Adviser goes on to inform them,536. 538. 546.[76]that after they had built their pensile City, and fortifyed the Air, their next business was to demand their ancient Soveragnity: IfJupiterrefused to quit, they were to declare a Holy War against Him, and the rest of the Confederate Gods, and to cut off the Communication between Heaven and Earth.Pisthæterus542.[77]grows very warm in his new Interest, and swears byJovethat Men ought to Sacrifice to theBirds, and not toJupiter. And if things came to a Rupture, andJupitergrew Troublesome, he undertakes582.[78]to send a Detachement of Eagles against Him; with Orders to storm his Palace with Flambeaux, and fire it about his Ears. At last to prevent the Calamities of a War,Herculesproposes an Accomodation,Ibid.[79]and is willingJupitershould Resign.Neptunecalls him a Block-head for his pains, because he was Heir atLaw, and afterJupitersDecease was of Course to succeed in his Dominions: Once more, and I have done: InEirene,Trygæusspeaks in a menacing way.602.[80]That unlessJupitergave him Satisfaction in his business, he would informagainst Him as a disaffected Person, and a betrayer of the Liberties ofGreece.Eiren.616.[81]I might add many other Instances, and some more Scandalous than any I have mentioned; But these are sufficient to shew the Authors Sentiment: And is it any wonder an Atheist should misbehave himself in point of Modesty? What can we expect less from those who laugh at the Being of a God, at the Doctrines of Providence, and the Distinctions of Good and Evil? ASceptickhas no notion of Conscience, no Relish for Virtue, nor is under any Moral restraints from Hope or Fear. Such a one has nothing to do but to consult his Ease, and gratifie his Vanity, and fill his Pocket. But how these Ends are compassed, he has no squeamishness, or Scruples about it. 'Tis true when the Methods of Lewdness will Take, they are generally most agreeable. This way suits their Talent, and screens their practise, and obliges their Malice. For nothing is a greater Eye-sore to these Men, then Virtue and Regularity. What a pleasure is it then to be admired for Mischeif, to be reveng'd on Religion, and to see Vice prosper and improve under our Hands! To return: BesideAristophanesAtheisme, I have a Second objection to his Authority, and that is want ofJudgment. If we examine hisPlayswe shall find his Characters improper, or ununiform; either wrong at first, or unsteady in the Right. For the purpose. In hisNubes. A. 3. S. 3. p. 146. 150. He puts dirty expressions in the Mouth of his Man of Probity, makes him declaim vitiously against Vice, and Corrects scurrility with Impudence; Now what can be more idle and senceless, than such Conduct as this? Epecially when thisJustusas he calls him had told them in the beginning of his speech, that People used to be well slash'd for such Fooling, when Government and Discipline were in their due Force. TheChorusof hisRanæslidesp. 142.p. 200.[82]into the same Inconsistency of Precept, and Practise. Farther, in the Progress of thisPlay;Æschylusfalls a rallying contrary to his Humour, and jests away his own Arguments at a very unseasonable Juncture, when he was disputing for no less prize than the Laureatship. ThisTragedianafter he had play'd a little with the Story ofBellerophon,242.[83]goes on in the same strain; And chargesEuripidesthat he had furnish'd all sorts of People with Sawciness and Prattle. TheSchoolsandAcademieswere spoil'd by this means; So that the Boys were often whip'd, and the Boatswains drubb'd, fortheir Chattering.p. 244.[84]These Comical Levities come with an ill Grace fromÆschylus. His Character was quite different both in Reality, and in thePlaybefore us. He is all along represented as a Person of a serious Temper, of a reserv'd Loftiness, Cholerick, and tender of his Honour to an Excess, and almost in a rage at the Affront of a Rival, and being forc'd to enter the Lists withEuripides. The case standing thus, neither the Man, nor the Business, would admit of Drolling. Another Instance of his want of Conduct we have in hisConcionatores. HereBlepyrusand some others of his Legislative Assembly, talk at a very dirty insipid rate. The Lowest of theMob, can hardly jest with less Wit, and more Lewdness. And to make their Discourse more remarkable; These douty Members were just going to theHouse, and had their Heads full of the Good of the Nation, when they entertain'd themselves thus decentlyp.[......]p.[......][85]. And are these little Buffoons fit to consultde Arduis Regni, &c.to give Authority to Law, and Rules for publick Life? Do's Ribaldry and Nonsence become the Dignity of their Station, and the Solemnity of their Office? To make hisParliament-Menplay the Fool thus egregiously, must needs have a great deal of Decorum, and State-Policy in theContrivance; And is just as wise as if aPaintershould have Drawn them in the Habit ofJack-Puddings, andMerry-Andrews. ButAristophaneshas still higher Flights of Absurdity. He won't so much as spare the Gods but makes them act these little Parts of Clownishness and Infamy.BacchusandHerculesin hisRanæare forced to talk Smut and rally likeLink-boys, and do almost all the Tricks ofBartholomew-Fair. To mention something that will bear the quoting.Bacchusenquires ofHerculesthe readiest way toHades, or the other World. He bids him either Hang, or Poyson himself, and he can't miss the Road. This isHercules'sHumour to a Tittle! And represents him as much to the Life, as anApewould do theGrand Signiorat a publick Audience! This with a short Sentence or two of Lewdness,Ranæp. 186.p. 182.[86]is the hardest ofHerculeshis Usage: And 'tis well he escaped so; forBacchusis treated much worse. He appears under the disadvantages of a ClownishDebauchee, and a Coward. And is terribly afraid of aSpectre.p. 192, 194, 196.[87]When he comes beforeÆacus, this Judge is very rough with him; and tries his pretences to a Deity by Bastinado:Bacchushowls in the drubbing and had almost spoil'd all.Act 2. Sc. 6.[88]Now do's this paultry Behaviour agree with the Heathen Theology, with the Common Opinion concerningBacchusandHercules? Do's aBlew-Capand aLadle, become the Sons ofJupiterand the Objects of Religious Worship? Those who at the lowest, were counted the Conquerors of the World, and more than Men both by Birth andEnterprize?SophoclesandEuripidesmake these two Persons manage at a quite different rate of Decency. 'Tis no defence to sayAristophaneswrot Comedy, and so was obliged to make his Scenes more diverting. This excuse I say is defective; for a Comedian ought to imitate Life and Probability, no less than a Tragedian. To MetomorphoseCharacters, and present Contradictions to Common Belief, is to write,Farceinstead ofPlays. Such Comedians likeThespisought to have a travellingStage, and take the Air withPorcupinesandDromedaryes. If 'tis said that Gravity and greatness do's not suit the Complection and Entertainment of Comedy. To this I answer, that therefore thePersonsshould be chosen accordingly. They should have nothing in their known Humour, and Condition too Noble, and solemn for Trifling. 'TisHoracesadvice.