PROBEE

Well, Boy, it is a fair Presentment of your Actors. And a handsome promise of somewhat to come hereafter. Nay, there the Boy said well: They do defraud themselves in deed. Why do you maintain your Poets quarrel so with velvet, and good clothes, Boy? we have seen him in indifferent good clothes, ere now. He is beholden to you, if you can make this good, Boy. Good Boy. It is and insidious Question, Brother Damplay! Iniquity it self would not have urged it. It is picking the Lock of the Scene; not open ning it the fair way with a Key. A Play, though it apparel, and pre sent vices in general, flies from all particularities in persons. Would you ask of Plantus, and Terence, (if they both lived now) who were Davus, or Pseudolus in the Scene? who Pyrgopolinices, or Thraso? who Euclio or Menedemus? It is the solemn vice of interpretation, that deforms the figure of many a fair Scene, by drawing it awry; and indeed is the civil mur der of most good Plays: If I see a thing vively presented on the Stage, that the Glass of custom (which is Comedy ) is so held up to me, by the Poet, as I can therein view the daily examples of men's lives, and ima ges of Truth, in their manners, so drawn for my delight, or profit, as I may (either way) use them: and will I, rather (then make that true use) hunt out the Persons to defame, by my malice of misapplying? and im peril the innocence, and candor of the Author, by his calumny? It is and unjust way of hearing, and beholding Plays, this, and most unbe coming a Gentleman to appear malignantly witty in another's Work. Let us mind what you come for, the lay, which will draw on to the Epitasis now. The Boy is too hard for you. Brother Damplay, best mark the Play, and let him alone. Not now, because the Gentlewoman is in travel: and the Midwife may come on the sooner, to put her and us out of our pain. He hath said sufficient, Brother Damplay; our parts that are the Spectators, or should hear a Comedy, are to await the process, and events of things, as the Poet presents them, not as we would corruptly fashion them. We come here to behold Plays, and censure them, as they are made, and fitted for us; not to beslave our own thoughts, with censo rious spittle tempering the Poets clay, as we were to mould every Scene anew: That were a mere Plastic, or Potters ambition, most unbe coming the name of a Gentleman. No, let us mark, and not loose the business on foot, by talking. Follow the right thread, or find it. Which, ending here, would have shown dull, flat, and unpoin ted; without any shape, or sharpness, Brother Damplay.