 | The Magnetick Lady :or, Hvmors Reconcil'd |  |
Chorus.
Dam.But whom doth your Poët meane now by this—Mr. Bias?
what Lords Secretary, doth hee purpose to personate, or perstringe?
Boy.
You might as well aske mee, what Alderman, or Aldermans Mate,
hee meant by Sir Moath Interest? or what eminent Lawyer, by the ridiculous
Mr. Practise? who hath rather his name invented for laughter,
then any offence, or injury it can stick on the reverend Professors of the
Law: And so the wise ones will thinke.
Pro.
It is an insidious Question, Brother Damplay! Iniquity it selfe
it the faire way with a Key. A Play, though it apparell, and present
vices in generall, flies from all particularities in persons. Would you
aske of Plantus, and Terence, (if they both liv'd now, who were Davus, or
Pseudolus in the Scene? who Pyrgopolinices, or Thraso? who Euclio or
Menedemus?
Boy.
Yes, he would: And inquire of Martial,or any other Epigrammatist,
whom he meant by Titius, or Seius (the common John à Noke, or
Iohn à Style) under whom they note all vices, and errors taxable to the
Times? As if there could not bee a name for a Folly fitted to the Stage,
but there must be a person in nature, found out to owne it.
Dam.
Why, I can phant'sie a person to my selfe Boy, who shall hinder
me?
Boy.
And, in not publishing him, you doe no man an injury. But if
you will utter your owne ill meaning on that person, under the Authors
words, you make a Libell of his Comœdy.
Dam.
O, hee told us that in a Prologue, long since.
Boy.
If you doe the same reprehensible ill things, still the same reprehension
will serve you, though you heard it afore: They are his owne
words. I can invent no better, nor he.
Pro.
It is the solemne vice of interpretation, that deformes the figure
of many a faire Scene, by drawing it awry; and indeed is the civill murder
of most good Playes: If I see a thing vively presented on the Stage,
that the Glasse of custome (which is Comedy) is so held up to me, by the
Poet, as I can therein view the daily examples of mens lives, and images
of Truth, in their manners, so drawne 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 imperill
the innocence, and candor of the Author, by his calumnie? It is
an unjust way of hearing, and beholding Playes, this, and most unbecomming
a Gentleman to appeare malignantly witty in anothers Worke.
Boy.
They are no other but narrow, and shrunke natures, shriveld up,
poore things, that cannot thinke well of themselves, who dare to detract
others. That Signature is upon them, and it will last. A halfe-witted
Barbarisme! which no Barbers art, or his bals, will ever expunge
or take out.
Dam.
Why, Boy? This were a strange Empire, or rather a Tyrannie,
you would entitle your Poet to, over Gentlemen, that they should come
to heare, and see Playes, and say nothing for their money.
Boy.
O, yes; say what you will: so it be to purpose, and in place.
Dam.
Can any thing be out of purpose at a Play? I see no reason, if
I come here, and give my eighteene pence, or two shillings for my Seat,
but I should take it out in censure, on the Stage.
Boy.
Your two shilling worth is allow'd you: but you will take your
ten, shilling worth, your twenty shilling worth, and more: And teach
others (about you) to doe the like, that follow your leading face; as if
you were to cry up or downe every Scene, by confederacy, be it right or
wrong.
Dam.
Who should teach us the right, or wrong at a Play?
Boy.
If your owne science can not doe it, or the love of Modesty, and
for the Beares, then us, or the Puppets. This is a popular ignorance
indeed, somewhat better appareld in you, then the People: but a hard handed,
and stiffe ignorance, worthy a Trewel, or a Hammer-man, and not
onely fit to be scorn'd, but to be triumph'd ore.
Dam.
By whom, Boy?
Boy.
No particular, but the generall neglect, and silence. Good Master
Damplay, be your selfe still, without a second: Few here are of your
opinion to day, I hope; to morrow, I am sure there will bee none, when
they have ruminated this.
Pro.
Let us mind what you come for, the Play, which will draw on to
the Epitasis now.
| The Magnetick Lady :or, Hvmors Reconcil'd | |