The Players Scourge, Part 1 · Argument
The Argument, Parts, and Method, of the ensuing TRAGAEDIE.
BVt not to spend more time in Prologues; I shall now addresse my selfe vntounto the Argument, or Subiect, of this Tragicall Discourse, which is no more in briefe, then this Conclusion.
That all popular, and common Stage-Playes, whether Comicall, Tragicall, Satyricall, Mimicall, or mixt of either: (especially, as they are now compiled, and personated among vsus,) are such sinfull, hurtfull, and pernitious Recreations, as are altogether vnseemely, and vnlawfull vntounto Christians.
A Paradoxicall, new, and strange Conclusion, or Probleme vntounto many, and yet an ancient; and resolued trueth, acknowledged at first by Heathen Emperors, States, and Writers, yea, and Iewish Authors, both before, and after Christ; and since that, ratified by the concurrent voyce, and verdict of the whole Church of God, from age, to age, euen to this present day: as the venerable records of all the Fathers; the irrefragable Decrees of sundry Councells; and the learned Treatises of diuers Moderne Christians, both Protestants, and Papists, doe at large declare; a catologue of whose names, and workes shall bee presented to you in its proper Scaene.
Not to enter into any curious diuision, or enumeration of such Playes, or Enterludes, as were vsuall among the Greekes, and Romans: such as were their Ludi Circenses with Chariots: their Ludi Gladiatorij, or Sword-Playes: their Ludi Compitalitij, Florales, Gymni…i, Lupercales, Megalenses, Cereales, Martiales, Appollinares, Consuales, Capitolini, Laquearij, Retiarij, Troiani, Plebeij, and the like: since iGodwin. Roman Antiquities lib. 2. Sect. 3. cap. 1. to 14. Alex. ab Alexand. Gen. Dierum lib. 6. cap. 19. Coel. Rhod. Antiq. Lect. lib 8. c. 7.8. Lipsius de Gladiatoribus. Mr. Northbrooke against vaine Playes, & Enterludes. fol. 29. Polyd. Virgil. De Inuent. Rerum. lib. 2. cap. 13.14. lib. 4. c. 14.diuers now of late, as well as heretofore, hauehave discribed them to the full, in sundry Treatises: nor yet to shew you the exact differences betweene Comicall, Tragicall, Satyricall, or Mimicall Enterludes, together with their seuerall circumstances, inuentions, parts, or properties, (delineated likewise by the marginall Authors,) which differ more in substance, then in forme, or action, in which they neere accord: I shall onelyonly informe you of one moderne distinction, which some hauehave pleased for to make of Stage-Playes. kDoct. Case. Ethic l 4. c. 8. pag 307. Polit. l. 5. c 8. p. 474.475. Doct. Gager in his Reply to Doct. Re…nolds. Doct. Gentilis in his 2. Ep. to Dr. Reinolds.Of Stage-Playes (say they) there are two sorts: The one popular, or publike, acted by hired, and professed Stage-Players: (the Playes wee hauehave now in hand,) and these they all confesse to be abominable, and vnlawfull Pas-times: The other Academicall, managed on…ly by Schollers in priuate Schooles, and Colledges at some certaine seasons: and these they hold at least wise tollerable, if not lawfull, so as these sixe prouisoes be obserued: lMr. Northbrooke against vaine Playes, and Enterludes. fol. 37. Bucer de regno Christi. Sempiterno… lib. 2. cap… 54.First, that there bee no Obscenitie, Scurrilitie, Prophanenesse, Amorous LoueLove-toyes, Wantonnesse, or Effeminacy mixed with these Playes: Secondly, that there bee no Womans part, no Dalliance, no Lustfull, nor Lasciuious Complements, Clippings, or Embracements in them: Thirdly, that there be no mention, or Inuocation of Heathen Gods, or Goddesses in them: Fourthly, that there be no putting on of Womans apparell, or any sumptuous, or costly attire: Fiftly, that these Playes produce no prodigall, or vnnecessary expence, either of money, or time: Sixtly, that they be not ordinarily, but very rare, and seldome Acted; and that for the most part in the Latine tongue, for vtterance, and learning sake alone; not for any gaine of money, or vaine-glory.
If all, or any of these conditions faile (as what Achademicall Enterludes faile not, either in all, or most?) these very scholasticall Spectacles, become vnlawfull, euen by the most moderate mens confession. For the lawfulnesse, or Illegitimacy of our Achademicall Stage-Playes, I shall discusse it in its proper place: in the meane time, I shall addresse my selfe vntounto the probate, of my precedent Conclusion: by Reasons, by Authorities.
Reasons against Stage-Playes.My Reasons to euince the vnlawfulnesse of Stage-Playes, I shall branch into these sixe seuerall Acts.
The first, is drawne from the Originall Authors, and Inuentors of them: The second, from those Impious endes, to which they were destina…ed, and ordained at the first: The third, from their ordinary Stile, or subiect matter, which no Christian can euer iustifie, or excuse: The fourth, from the persons that Act, and parties who frequent them: The fift, from the very forme, and manner of their Action, and those seuerall parts, and circumstances which attend them: The sixt, from the pernitious effects, and sinfull fruites, which vsually, if not necessarily, and perpetually, issue from them.
Authorities against Stage-Playes.My Authorities doe marshall themselues into seuen seuerall Squadrons: The first, consisting of Scriptures: The second, of the whole Primitiue Church, both vnderunder the Law, and Gospel: The third, of Councells, and Canonicall, or Papall Constitutions: The fourth, of the ancient godly Fathers: The fift, of Moderne Christian writers of all sorts, as well Diuines, as others: The sixt, of Heathen Philosophers, Orators, Historians, and Poets: The last, of the Acts, and Edicts of sundry Christian, and Heathen States, and Emperours. All which, accompanied with the irrefragable, and plaine defeates of those pretences, which giuegive any colourable iustification to these Theatricall Enterludes; will giuegive no doubt a fatall, if not a finall ouerthrow, or Catastrophe to Playes, and Actors, whose dismall Tragoedie doeth now begin.