The Players Scourge, Part 1 · Act 6 · Scene 2
SCENA SECVNDA.
THe second consequent or effect of Stage-playes; is a prodigall, sinfull, vaine expence of money, which should be more profitably, more charitably disbursed, then in supporting Playes or Players. From whence I argue in the 28. place; thus.
That which alwayes necessarily occasions a prodigall vaine expence of mony or estate, which should be well imployed, is certainely sinfull and unlawfull unto Christians.
But this doe Stage-playes, and *Satiat praeterea & inebria… histriones mimos, turpissimos que & vanissimos ioculatores… tū pauperes Ecclesiae fame discruciati intereant. Agobardus, De Dispensatione & ordine totius rei Eccl…siast. Bib. …at. Tom. 9. pars 1. p. 603. Hcommon Actors.
Therefore they are certainely sinfull and unlawfull unto Christians.
The Major cannot be gainsaid, because prodigally and idle expence of mony, is a sinne, as the l…say 55.2, Prov. 21.20. c. 29.3. c. 18.9. c. 19.26. c. 23.10 21. c. 27.7. Lu. 15.13, 14, 19. Rom. 13.13… 14. Gal. 5.21. Ezech. 16.49. Ephes. 5.18. Phil. 3.18, 19. Iam. 5.5. 1 Pet. 4.3, 4, 5. 2 Pet. 2.13. Iude 4.12.13. Rev. 18.6, 9.Scriptures, mClemens Alexand. Paedag. l. 2. c. 12. Lactantius, De Vero Cultu. c. 17. Ambros. De Officijs. l. 2. c. 2. Basil. Sermo. 2. in Divites & Avaros. Nazienz…n. Cygnaeorum. Carm. lib. p. 1056. Theophylact & Beda, in Luc. 15.Fathers, with sundry nPlato De Repub. Dialog. 8. p. 665. Aristot. Ethic. l. 4. c. 1. Cicero, De Officijs lib 2. Plutarch, De Vitando. AEre alieno. lib. Iuvenal. Satyr. 6. AEneae Gazaei. Theophrastus apud Philonem Iudaeum. pag. 1470.Pagan Authors have determined: and that in two respects. First, because it abuseth, it perverteth Gods good creatures to an unlawfull end, by *Iam. 4.2, 3. Luk. 15.13, 14, 19.mispending them upon carnall pleasures, lusts, and vaine fantastique humours; when as they should be imployed to pProv. 3 9.Gods glory, our owne and qEccles. 11.1. Luk. 19.8. 1 Tim… 6.17, 18, 19. Psal. 41 1. Prov. 19.17. Heb. 13.16. Luk. 12.33.others good. Secondly, because it rQuid peculator? Ille qui aufert aliena Non tupeculator, cum ea quae ad dispensandum distribuendum que reciperis, tibi propria facis? Num qui vestem diripuerit spoliator nominabitur, qui autem nudum non texerit, modo possit, alterius cujusdam nominis appellatione dignus erit? Basil, in Divites & Avaros. Sermo. 1.robs the poore of that bountifull charitable reliefe, which else they should receive from that superfluity of wealth which Prodigals consume: The sDeut. 15.7. to 19. Iob 31.16. to 23. 1 Tim. 6.17, 18, 19. 2 Cor. 9.1. to 14. Acts 11.29, 30. Cur tu dives, ille pauper? Profectò non ob aliam causam, nisi ut tu benignitatis ac fidelis administrationis praemium accipias, ille verò patientiae maximae mercede honoretur. Esurientis est panis quem tu retines; nudi est vestis quam tu arca custodis; discalceati calceus qui apud te marcessit; egentis argen…ū quod tu in terram desodis. Deni que tot affers hominibus iniurias, quot deseris cum …uvare possis. Dei minister fact…s es, tuorum dispensator conservorum. Nec puta omnia tuo ventri praeparari: quae in manibus habes ut aliena existima. Ba…il. Mag. in Divites & Avar…s… Sermo. 1. vid. Ibidem.maine end why God bestowes abundance of earthly riches upon some men, more then others, being onelyonly this; that their super-abundant plenty, might supply the wants of others: not feed their owne excessive lusts, as Play-haunters for the most part doe.
The Minor (that Stage-playes alwayes necessarily occasion much prodigall expence, which might be better imployed;) is most apparant, not onelyonly by that of Ovid, *Tristium. lib. 2. pag. 160.Inspice ludorum sumptus Auguste tuorum; Empta tibi magno talia malta leges. Quod que minus prodest paena est lucrosa Poëtae, Tantaque non parvo crimina praetor emit; but likewise by the Records and Histories of former ages. It is storied of the tLivy, Rom. Hist. l. 40. s…ct. 44.45. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 36. c. 15. August. De Civ. Dei. l 3. c. 19. l. 5 c. 12. & De Cō sensu Evang. l. 1 c. 33. Salvian, De Guber. Dei. l. 6. Tacitus, Annal. l. 14. sect 3. Su… tonij Tiberius. sect. 35.47. Caligula, sect. 18.21. Nero. sect. 11.12, 20. to 26. & 30 V…spatianus. sect. 19. Petrarch. De Remed. Vtr. Fortunae. l. 1. Dial. 30. Opmeeri. Chronogr. p 186. D. Hackwels Apologie. l. 4. c. 8. sect. 3.4.Romans; that the summes of mony they disbursed in erecting Theaters, in setting forth Stage-playes, and such like publike Spectacles, did annually amount to more then their expences on their Warres, or Fortifications: in so much that the charge of them at last grew altogether intollerable, not onelyonly to Rome it selfe, but to all her Confederates, and forraigne Tributary Provinces; who were much oppressed, much impoverished by reason of the excessive charge of Playes, and publike Shewes, uLivy. Rom. Hist. l. 5. sect. 1. l. 7. sect. 2.3. l. 10 sect. 23. l. 40. sect. 24.25. Salvian. De Gub. Dei… l. 6… p. 198.199.towards which they were Contributors. It is registred of the xPlutarch. De Gloria Atheniensiū. lib. Thucides. Hist. l. 5. p. 477. Iustin. Hist. l. 6. Caelius. Rhod. Antiqu. Lect. l. 8. c. 9.Athenians, that their very publike Stage-playes, (maintained at the republikes cost) did so exhaust their common treasure, that at last they left no mony in their Exchequer to rigge their Ships, to set forth their Navy, or to defend their Country: in so much that their enemies laying hold on this their penury, prevailed much against them. Whence they w…re not uniustly taxed by a Lacedemonian, for yRes serias in ludū impendentes, & magnarum classium & exercituū cōmeatum in Theatrū prodigentes. Plutarch. De Gloria Atheniensiū. lib.wasting serious things on sports, and lavishing out the provision, the supplies of great Navies and Armies, upon Playes and Theaters. It is recorded of divers Roman Emperours, (as zSee Suetonij Caligula. sect. 18 21. Nero. sect. 11.12, 20… to 26. & 30. Vespatianus. sect. 19. Domitianus. sect. 4 Herodian. Hist. l. 1. Iulij Capitolini Antonius pius. p. 38. Ejusdem Verus. p. 67.68, 69. & Maximinus & Balbinus. p. 301. Trebellij Pollionis Galieniduo. p. 306.309, 310, 316. Idem. De Ingenuo p. 327. Flavij Vopisci Carinus. p. 447.449. Cassiodorus Variarum. l. 3. Epist. 50. Ioannis Salisburiensis, De Nugis Curialium. l. 1. c. 7.8. & l. 8. c. 7.Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Verus, Maximinus, Balbinus, Carinus, and others) who are therefore censured by their owne Historians; that they spent a great part of their Revenues upon Playes and common Actors, who received annuall Pensions from them, besides other Boones and Gratuities: which publike Stipends and Donations, aSu…onij Tiberius. sect 35. & 47. Iulij Capit… lini, Mar. Antonius Philosophus p. 48.57. Flavij Vopisci Carinus. p. 449. AElij L… ̄ pridij S…verus. p. 228. Opmeeri Chronogr. p. …86.187. Bu…engerus, De Theatro. l. 1. cap. 30.Tiberius, Marcus Antonius the Philosopher, Dioclesian, Alexander Severus, with other Roman Emperours did curtale, or totally withdraw, as over-chargeable to their Exchequers, which they did much exhaust. Not to relate the prodigall expences of the Roman State in generall, or of bSee Cicero, Oratio, De Aruspicū responsis. p. 524.526, 527 In Pisonem. Oratio. p. 600.602. Pro Sextio Cratio. p. 558.559, 560, 561, 562. Pro L. Muraena. Oratio. p. 463. In Catilinam. Oratio. 3. p. 452. Philip. Oratio … p. 638. De Divinatione. l. 3. pag. 557. Livy, Rom. Hist. l. 2. sect. 36. D…onysius, Hallicarnas. Antiq. Rom. l. 7. sect. 9. See … before, & Ambrose, Ser. 64. Tom. 5. p. 44. Bul…ngerus, De Circis Romanis. & cap. l. 1. c. 41.42. p. 163.164, 165. & De Theatro. l. 1. c. 11. p. 242.243.some of their Magistrates, or Editors of Playes in particular, who prodigally spent their whole estate in celebrating Playes to the honour of their Idols, or to gaine the acclamations of the vulgar crew, who were much delighted with theatricall and gladiatory Enterludes; of which there are sundry precedents, wherein I might expatiate: I shall relate the summe of all in the words of S. Augustine, who complaines; cEos modo vix feramus, quā do pro superflua voluptate plura donātur histrionibus, quàm tunc legionibus pro extrema salute collata sunt. De Civ. Dei. l. 3 c. 19…that even in his time, and before, more was given to Stage-players, for superfluous pleasure, then was disbursed in the second Punicke warre upon the Roman Legions for the publike safety, which was then indangered: with which the patheticall speech of Salvian, to this purpose, well accords. dTunc enim integra Romani orbis mē bra florebant, a…gusta esse horrea publica opes fecerant, cunctarū urbiū cives divitijs ac delicijs affl…ebant. Vix poterat religionis auctoritas inter tanta rerū exuberantiā morū …enere mensurā. Pascebantur tunc quidē passim in locis plurimis auctores turpiū voluptatū, sed plena ac referta erāt omnia. Nemo reipu… sumptus cogitabat, nemo dispendia, quia non sentiebantur expensa. Quaer…bat quodāmodo ipsa Respublica ubi perderet; quod penitus posset vix recipere; & ideo cumulus divitiarū, qui iam fere modū excesserat, etiā in res nugatorias redūdabar. Nunc autem quid dici potest? Recesserunt à nobis copiae veteres, recesserunt priorum temporum facultates. Miseri iàm sumus, & nec dum nugaces esse cessamus… Salvian De Gub Dei. l. 6. p. 201.202.In former time (saith he) when every Part of the Roman Empire flourished, the Common-weale after a sort, did seeke where and how to waste her wealth, having almost no place to keepe it. And therefore heapes of treasure, wel-nigh above measure, were consumed upon vaine Enterludes. But now what can be said? Our old abundance is departed from us… gone is the wealth of former times; poore are we now, and yet we cease not to be vaine. eLoca enim & habita cula turpitudinum idcircò adhuc sunt, quia illic impura omnia prius acta sunt: nunc autem ludi…ra ipsa adeò non aguntur, quia agi iàm prae miseria t…mporis at que egestate non possunt. Et ideò quo… prius actū est, vitiositatis fuit; quod nunc non agitur, necessitatis. Calamitas enim fisci, & mendicitas Romani aerarij nō sinit, ut ubi que in res nugatorias perditae profundātur expensae. Pereant adhuc quālibet multa, & quasi in caenum proijciantur, sed tamē perire iam tanta non queunt, quia non sunt tanta quae pereant. Ibidem. p. 198.Play-houses, the places and habitations of filthinesse, are yet standing, because in them all impure things were formerly acted: but yet now in many places Playes themselves are not so frequently acted… because the misery, the poverty of the time will not permit it. So that it was from mens impiety that Playes were acted in times past; and it is onelyonly from their necessity that they are not acted now. For the p…verty of the Exchequer, and the beggerlinesse of the Roman Treasury permit not now, that any prodigall expenses should be every where lavished out upon such n…gatory trifles. Althought as yet much is still lost, and cast as it were into the dirt; yet nothing so much can be now consumed, because there is not much to spend. fNam quantum ad votum nostrae libidinis atque impurissimae voluptatis, optaremus profectò vel ad hoc tantum modo plus habere, ut possemus in hoc turpitudinis lutum plura convertere. Et res probat quanta prodigere vellemus, si opulenti essemus ac splendidi, cum prodigamus tanta mendici. Ea est enim labes praesentium morum atque perditio, ut cum iam non habeat paupe…tas quod possit perdere, adhuc tamen …elit vitiositas plus perire. Ibidem, pag. 198.199.And yet such is our unsatiable desire of most filthy pleasure, that verily, we could wish that we had more, for this onelyonly purpose, that we might convert more into this mire of filthinesse. Yea, the very thing it selfe shewes how much we would prodigally consume on Stage-playes if we were rich, when as we waste so much upon them being poore. For this is the blemish and misery of our present condition, that although through our poverty we cannot, notwithstanding through our vitiousnesse, we would yet spend more. Which may as truely be predicated of the English Play-haunters now, as of the Romans then. By all these testimonies wee may evidently discerne, how prodigally expensive these Playes and Players were unto the ancient Romans, both in their wealth and poverty. The expences in setting forth pub…ke Playes and Enterludes being so excessive, that they could hardly be undergone by any but the Emperour, as *De Theatro. l. 1. c. 11. p. 242.Caesar Bulengerus testifieth. And if they were such to the very richest Common-weales and Monarches, how much more intollerably expensive, thinke you, were they to private persons? gLegat hūc locū Iulius Messalla, quem ego libere culpare audeo: ille enim patrimoniū suū scenicis dedit, haeredibus abnegavit: matris tunicam dedit mimae, lacernā patris, mimo. Flau. Vopisci, Carinus. p. 449 See p 450.Flavius Vopiscus reports, of Iulius Messalla; that he spent his whole Patrimony upon Stage-players, leaving nought unto his Heires: and that he gave his Mothers Coate unto a Woman-Actor, and his Fathers Cloke to a Player, for which he liberally taxeth him. hHistoriarum. lib. 27.Nicolaus and iDipnos. lib. 6. cap. 6.Athenaeus record of Sylla, the Roman Captaine, that he was so adicted to Playes, (he being much enamored with ludicrous sports,) that he gave them many acres of ground, out of the Republikes revenues. To which I may adde that of *Circà a…ios omnes parcissimus …uit, quod l…xuriae sumptibus aerariū minu… rat… Circensos multos addidit ex …ibidine potius quam religione, & ut domin…s factionū ditaret. Cōmodu… Antoninus. p. 93.AElius Lampridius, who writes of Commodus Antoninus; that he deminished his Treasury by prodigall expenses upon Stage-playes; and that he added many Cirque playes rather out of lust, then out of religion, that so he might enrich the Masters of those factions. Gregory Nazienzen informes us; kQuapropter manifestò patet, scenicorū & equestriū certaminū spectaculū merā animorū esse perniciem, corporū pugnā, ac praeter haec certissimū facultatum detri…ē tum. Quot enim familias subitò prostravit? Quot homines opulentos coegit …bum mendicare? Quot urbes prius summa inter se amicitia conjunctos, funditus evertît? Ad Selucū. De Recta Educat. p. 1063.1064.that Stage-playes and Horse-races doe manifestly impoverish mens estates. How many Families (writes he) have they sodainely over-turned? how many rich men have they enforced to begge their bread? how many Citties living peaceably among themselves, have they u…terly overthrowne? lNonne vides quosdam in Theatris in pancratiastas & mimos, quos spectare quis abominetur, pro brevis temporis honore ac populi plausu pecuniam prodigentes, &c? In Divites & Avaros, S…rmo. 1. pag. 305.Seest thou not some men (writes S. Basil) prodigally consuming their mony in Play-houses upon Tumblers and Stage-players, which every one should abhor to behold, to gaine some momentany honour, and a little popular applause? It is (quoth mEt quod nullis possit satisfactionibus expiari, histrionibus, Pantomimis, exoletis at que irrisoribus numinum dona instituuntur, & munera; ab officijs ocium publicis immunitas & vacatio cum coronis. Adv…rs. Gente…. lib. 4. …ag. 150.Arnobius) an inexpiable sinne, that gifts and stipends are alowed and appointed unto Stage-players, and worne-out Pantomimes, the deriders of the gods; that they are exempted from publike O…ices and imployments, and crowned with Garlands. Saint nQuid ergo illos inducis cinaedos & exoletos? Ne que solum inducis, sed etiam innumerabilibus & ineffabilibus honoras muneribus: alibi …os qui talia … gunt pu…iens, hic autem tanquā de republica bene meritis, & pe…unias insumis, & publicis impensis …os alis. At sunt, inquit, infames. Cur ergo in eos tam multa impendis? Nā si sunt infames, opor…et …os expelli, &c. Hom 13. in 1 Cor. 4. Tom. 4. Col. 356. C.D. See Hom. 42. in Act. Apost. Hom. 62 ad Pop. Antioch. Hom. 17. in Ephes. & Hom. 6.7. & 38. in Matth. accordingly.Chrysostome oft complaines; that Stage-playes are the occasions of many prodigall vaine expenses: that men did bestow innumerable, yea, unspeakeable gifts, and consume much mony upon Stage-players: that they cherished them at their owne… private houses, bestowing that food, that cost upon them, which should be spent upon Christs poore members: and that they maintained them likewise out of the publike Treasury, as if they had well deserved of the Common-weale, which had disfranchised and made them infamous. Saint oProdigum est popularis favoris gratia, exinanire proprias opes. Quod faciunt qui ludis Circēsibus, vel etiam theatralibus, & muneribus gladiatorijs patrimonium dilapidant suū ut vincant superiorū celebritates; cùm to…um illum sit inane quod agunt. De Officijs. l. 2. c. 21. & Ser. 64. Tom. 5. p. 44. E.Ambrose makes mention of some, whom he censureth for prodigals, who spent their Patrimonies upon Stage-playes, Cirques, and Sword-playes, out of a vaine-glorious humour, to surpasse the solemnities of former times, when as all they did was but vanity. S. Augustine complaines, pEt per illas moribus corrumpendis, rapiendo miseris civibus, largiendo scenicis turpibus. Quis ferret istos, quando pro superflua voluptate plura donātur histrionibus, quàm tunc legionibus pro extrema salute collata sunt? De Civ. Dei. l. 5. c. 12. & l. 3. c. 19. See l. 2. c. 5. to 15.that the Roman Magistrates, did corrupt the publike manners, by spoyling the miserable Citizens, and by giving unto filthy Stage-players; who received more gifts for their superfluous Playes, then the ancient Roman Legions had bestowed on them for their Warres. Pope Leo the first, makes this complaint, of the age wherein he lived. qPudet dicere, sed necesse est non tacere. Plus impenditur Daemonijs quam Apostolis, &c. In Octavo Petri & Pauli. Sermo c. 1 f… 165.I am ashamed (saith he) to speake, and yet there is a necessity that I should not be silent: there is more now spent upon the Devill at Play-houses, then there is bestowed on Christ, or his Apostles. Asterius in his Homely against the feast of the Kalends, informes us, rEgregium hoc festum …is alieni causa ac faenoris, paupertatis occasio, mis…riarium initium. Si pauxillum aliquid domi conditum in alimenta conjugis at que mis…rorū liberûm, promitur id ac proijcitur, ac …edet ille cum suis per festum hoc prae…larum esuriens atque omniū indigus. Bonorū ja…turā saciunt, taxationis que & vulnerum mercedem, annonam ac cibariā promunt ac prodigunt, cum graui morū disciplinae que damno. Consules etiā ipsi fama inclyti ad fastigium rerū humanarū evecti per vanitatem opes exhauriunt, nō modo sine fruct…, sed etiā cū pecc…to; dici que verè potest, quàm sublimis corū thronus, tàm insignem esse dementiā. Cūenim capescere permultos solent honores, &c. nunc autē praesident. aurū que congestū intra breve tēpus in aurigas, tibicines, mimos, saltatores, spadones distribūnt, &c. Ibid. Bibl. Patrū. Tom. 4. p. 704.That Playes are the cause of Debt and Vsury; the oc…asion of Poverty, the beginning of Beggery. If one hath but a small stocke of mony layd up at home for the sustentation of his Wife and miserable Children, it is here drawne out and cast away; and he and his sit all this eminent feast, hungry, and indigent of all things. Men now make havocke of their goods, and prodigally spend them with the great losse both of manners and discipline. Yea, the very Consuls themselves, being men of renowne, advanced to the very top of humane honours, exhaust their wealth through vanity, not onelyonly without fruit, but likewise with sinne; and it may be truely said; that as sublime as their throne is, so eminent is their folly. For whereas they are wont to accept of many dignities, and to obtaine most ample royall Leiftenantships; they study to rake as much wealth out of each of them as they can. Some of them convert the millitary stipends to their owne private lu…re: others of them sell iustice and truth for mony: other of them poll the Kings Treasures and revenues, laying up all they can scrape together on every side, to the offence of God, pretermitting no uniust, no in…amous or dishonest gaine: And now when as they beare rule, in a very short space they spend the Gold they have thus hourded, upon F…dlers, Stage…players, Dancers and Eunuches. And a little after. But sAt in loculos evacuas in turpē animi relaxationē, in risum indecorū & inconditü, ne que cōsideras quam multas pauperū lachrymas dones, per quas opes illae tuae cōflatae; quam multi in vincula coniecti verberati que fu…rint, aut ad laqueū accesserint; ut tibi suppetat quod scenicis hodierno die la…gi…ris, &c. Ibid.thou (saith he) dost *See Bulengerus, De Theatro lib. 1 cap. 11 pag. 242.empty thy Bagges, upon the dishonest recreation of thy minde, upon unseemely and disorderly laughter, never considering how many teares of poore men thou mightest relieve, by which thy wealth hath beene scraped together; how many have beene cast into prison? how many have beene whipt and brought to the Gallowes, that thou mightest have sufficient to give to Stage-players on this day? To passe by the testimony of tPaedagogi. lib. 2. cap. 12. lib. 3. cap 11.Clemens Alexandrinus, uDe Spectaculis. lib.Tertullian, and Cyprian in this nature, with sundry *Cassiodorus Variarum lib. 5. Epist. 42. & lib. 1. Epist. 30.other Fathers; I shall close up this with that of Iohn Salisbury, our owne ancient Country-man; xHist… ionibus ac mimis pecunias, infinitas erogare non gravabatur, &c. Gratiam suam histrionibus & mimis multi prostituunt, & in exhibenda malitia corum caeca quadā & contemptibili magnificentia, non tàm mirabiles, quàm miserabiles faciūt sumptus. De Nugis Curialium. l. 1. c 7.8. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 15. pag. …48. A.B.Many (writes he) out of a blinde contemptible magnificence, care not to lavish out infinite summes of mony to Stage-players and Actors. Many there are who prostitute their grace and favour unto Players, and in setting forward their lewd…esse, out of a blinde dishonourable bounty, put themselves not so much to wonderfull, as to miserable expenses: and among others, be sharpely tax…th Nero the Emperour for this very crime. To these I shall adde the concurrent testimony of some few Pagan Authors. ySee Marcus Aurelius, printed at London 1586. towards the end.Marcus Aurelius, that worthy Roman Emperour, in his 12. Epistle to Lambert, hath this notable passage, concerning Players and mens expences on them. Sith fatall destinies have brought me into this world, I have seene nothing more zSee Scene 5. ensuing.unprofitable to the Commonwealth, nor greater folly in them that be light of conditions, nor a worse invention of Vagabonds, nor a more cold revocation of mortall folke, then to learne of these Players, triflers and such other Iuglers. What thing is more aSee Ioannis Saresburiensis. De Nugis Curialium. l. 1. c. 8. & Act 5. Scene 11. accordingly.monstrous, then to see wisemen reioyce at the pastime of these vaine tri…lers? What greater mockery can there be in the Capitoll, then the foolish saying of a lester to be praysed with great laughter of wise men? What greater slander can be to Princes Houses, then to have their Gates alwayes open to these fooles, and never open to wise folkes? What greater cruelty can there be in any person, then to give more in one day to a foole, then to his servants in a yeere, or to his kinne all his life? What greater inconstancy can there be then to want men to furnish the Garrisons and Frontiers of Illirico, and these trewands to abide at Rome? What like shame can there be to Rome,bRegis enim curiam sequuntur assidue histriones, aleatores, mimi, balatrones, id genus omne. Petrus Blesensis. Epist. 14. Bibl. Patrum Tom. 12. pars 2. p. 714. B. Ioannis Saresburiensis De Nugis Curialium. l. 1. c. 7.8. Gualther. Hom. 11 in Nahum. AEneas Sylvius. Epist. 105. p. 604. & …pist. 166. p. 721. accordingly. then that the memory shall be left in Italy of the Tumblers, Trewands, Pipers, Singers of Iests, Taberers, Crowders, Dancers, Mummers, Iesters, and Iuglers, rather then the renowne of Captaines, with their Triumphes and Armes? And when these Captaines wandred all about Rome in safety, sounding their lewdnesse and gathering of mony, the Noble Barons and Captaines went from Realme to Realme, w…sting their mony, adventuring their lives, and shedding their blood. In the uttermost parts of Spaine, when Warre began betweene the Liberiens and Gaditaines, and they of Liberie lacked mony, dThese ensuing Histories of the excessive wealth of Players, together with that of AEsop, his wealth & luxury in Pliny. Nat. Hist. l. 9. c 35. lib. 10. c. 51. & l. 35 c. 12. are an unanswerable Argument of mens great expenses at Playes which thus enrich the Players.two Iuglers and Taberers offred to maintaine the Warre an whole yeere. And it followed, that with the goods of two fooles many wise men were slaine and overcome. In Ephesus a Citty of Asia, the famous Temple of Diana was edified with the confiscation of the goods of such a truant and foole. When Cadmus edefied the Citty of Th…bes in Egypt with 50. Gates, the Minstrels gave him more towards it then all his friends. If the History be true, when Augustus edefied the walls of Rome, he had more of the trewands that were drowned in Tiber, th…n of the common Treasure. The first King of Corinth arose by such villanies. And as I say of this small number, I might say of many other. One thing is come to my mind… of the chance of these Trewaends, and that is, Whiles they be in presence, they make every man laugh at the follies they doe and say, and when they be gone, every man is sorry for his mony that they bare away. And of truth it is a iust sentence of the gods, that such as have taken vaine pleasure together, when they are departed to *Sp…rne voluptates; nocet empta dolore voluptas Horat. Epist l. 1. Epist. 2. pag. 241.weepe for their losses. Thus he. The Poet I…venal reports; elàm …adem summis pariter minimis que libido est, Vtspectet ludos cōduci… Ogulnia vestem. Conducit comites, cellā, cervical, amicas, Nutricem & flavem cui det mandata puellā. Haec tamēargenti superest quodcun que paterni Levibus athletis, ac vasa novissima donat, &c… Prodiga non sentit pereuntem …aemina censum; At velut exhausta redivivus pullulat arca, Nummus & è pleno semper tollatur acervo, Non unquā rep…tant quantū sibi gaudia constant, &c. Satyr 6. p. 54.55.that many women by frequenting Stage-Playes had beggered their Husbands and spent their whole estates: and fNam codice saevo Haeredes vetat esse suos, bona tota feruntur Ad Phialem, tantū artificis valet halitus oris. Saty…. 10. p. 99.that divers had disinherited their Heires, and either spent or given away all their goods and lands to Players: which is seconded by Flavius Vopiscus, in the life of Carinus. pag. 449 450. The Poet Horace makes mention of one gVt quondam Marsaeus amator Originis ille, Qui patriam mimae donat, fundum que larem que Sermo. l. 1. Satyr. 2. p. 165. See p. 163.Marsaeus, who gave all his Lands, his Patrimony and Houshold-stuffe to a Woman-Actor: informing us withall; hIn cicere at que faba bona tu perdas que lupinis, Latus ut in Circo spatiere, aut aeneus ut stes, Nudus agris, nudus nummis, insane paternis? Sermo. l. 2. Satyr… 3. pag. 210.that there were divers who had spent both their lands and mony upon Stage-playes, and donations to the people in Floralian Enterludes. To these I might accumulate the severall suffrages of moderne Christian Authors; as namely, of Vincentius, in his Speculum Historiale. lib. 29. c. 141. fol. 367. a pregnant place; of Francis Petrarcha. De Remedio Vtrius que Fortunae. lib. 1. Dialog. 30. Of Nicolaus De Clemangis, De Novis celebritatibus non instituendis. pag. 143. to 160. Of Bodinus, De Republica. lib. 6. c. 1. Of Master Northbro…ke, against Vaine Playes and Enterludes. fol. 28.29. Of Stephen Gosson, in his Schoole of Abuses, and Playes Confuted. Action 3. The 2. and 3. Blast of Retrait from Playes and Theaters. Bishop Babingtons Exposition upon the 8. Commandement. Iohn Field, his Declaration of Gods Iudgement at Paris Garden. 1583. A short Treatise against Stage-playes. Anno 1625. D. Reinolds, his Overthrow of Stage-playes. pag. 143. to 149. Caesar Bulengerus, De Circis Romanis ludis que Circensibus. lib. cap. 41.42. & De Theatro. lib. 1. cap. 11. pag. 242.243. with infinite others which I pretermit, who all condemne and censure Stage-playes, in regard of the immoderate sinfull vaine expenses which they occasion, to Gods dishonour, the publike preiudice, and poore mens detriment. But for brevity sake, I shall close up all these evidences, with that of learned and laborious Gualther, who affirmes; iSunt hujusmodi homines, non parva rerumpublicarū pestis. Nam & opes publicas quàm privatas quàm maximè attenuant, & quod in pauperum subventionem impendi debeat, ipsi suis artibus paenè intercipere consueverunt. Hom. 11. in Nahum. vid. Ibidem. See Vincentij Speculum Historiale. l. 29. cap. 141. fol. 367. to the same purpose.that Stage-playes are no small plagues of Common-weales: For they exceedingly deminish (among other mischiefes which hee there enumerates) as well the publike, as mens private wealth… and they almost wholy intercept by their arts and sleights, that which ought to be bestowed for the poores reliefe. Neither need I seeke for further testimonies in so cleare a case, since our owne domestique experienc (especially in the Raigne of *See Halls Chronicle. part 2. fol. 2. to 11. & 68. to 89. & 155.156, 157. & 212. to 218.King Henry the VIII. who spent infinite summes of mony upon Stage-playes, Masques, and such like prodigall Shewes and Pageants) is a sufficient confirmation of my Minors truth. Not to mention the over-prodigall disbursements upon Playes, and Masques of late kMiseri iam sumus, & necdū nugaces esse cessamus. Cū que etiam pupillis vel prodigis soleat subvenire paupertas, simu… que ut destiterint esse divites, desinunt esse vitio…: nos tantū novum genus pupillorum ac perditorum sumus, in quibus opulentia esse desij…, sed nequitia perdurat: adeò nos non ut alij homines causas corrupt…larū in illecebris sed in cordibus habemu…, & vitiosi…as nostra, mens nostra est, & ad emē dandos nos, nō faculta…ū ablatione, sed malarū rerū amore peccemus Salv. De Gub. Dei. l. 6. p. 262.penurious times, which have beene wel-nigh as expensive as the Wars, and I dare say more chargable to many then their soules, on which the most of us bestow least cost, least time and care. How many hundreds, if not thousands, are there now among us, (to their condemnation, if not their reformation be it spoken,) who spend more, daily, weekely, monethly, if not yeerely at a Play-house to maintaine the Devils service and his instruments; then they disburse in pious uses, in reliefe of Ministers, Schollers, poore godly Christians, or maintenance of Gods service, all their life? How many assiduous Play-haunters are there who contribute more liberally, more frequently to Play-houses, then to Churches; *See Iohn Fields Declaration of Gods Iudgement at Paris Garden, accordingly.to Stage-playes, then to Lectures… to Players, then to Preachers; to Actors, then to lS…tius est au…ē prodesse etiā malis propter bonos, quàm bonis decsse propter malos. Senec. De Beneficijs. l. 4… c. 28.poore mens Boxes? being at far greater cost to promote their owne and others iust damnation; then themselves or others are to advance their owne or others salvation. How many are there, who can bee at cost to hire a mQuē tulit ad scen…m ventoso gloria curru Horat. Epist l. 2. Ep. 1. p. 283.Coach, a Boate, a Barge, to carry them to a Play house every day, where they must pay deare for their admission, Seates and Boxes; who will hardly be at any cost to convey themselves to a Sermon once a weeke, a monethmonth, a yeere, (especially on a weeke day) at a nVerū quid ego de spatio loquar itineris lōgioris, cū plurimaefaeminarū tanta i…m animi mollitudineresolvātur, ut nisi advectae mulis, quālibet exiguo spacio à domibus suis ven…re nequeant ad videndū Dominū in praesepi spiritali? Sed ex his qui cer…è ambulandi labo…ē ferūt, alij theatrales turbas sanctis caetibus anteponunt. …t barbari quidē illi priusquā Christū viderunt, tam longā propter ipsum viam exuperaverunt: tu verò nec posteaquā videris, illos probaris imitari. Nam & cum eum videris, ita eum relinquis, ut post eum curras ad Theatra, ac mimū potius audire ac videre desideres. At que ut eadem rursus attingam quae antea sum insectatus: Christum quide… in spiritali s…um praesep…o derelinquis, properas verò …acētem, videre in scena meretricem. Hoc autem quibus tandem putamus dignū esse supplicijs? Chrysost. Hom, 7. in Mat. Tō. 2. Col. 59. A.Church far nearer to them then the Play-house; where they may have Seates, have entrance, (yea oProv. 9.2, 3, 5. Cant. 5.1. 1 Pet. 2.2, 3.spirituall Cordials, and celestiall Dainties to refresh their soules) without pIsay 55.1, 2. Rev. 22.17.any money or expence? How many are there, who according to their severall qualities *See Bulenger…s De Theatro. l. 1. cap. 30.spend 2. d. 3. d. 4. d. 6. d. 12. d. 18. d. 2. s. and sometimes 4. or 5. shillings at a Play-house, day by day, if Coach-hire, Boate-hire, Tobacco, Wine, Beere, and such like vaine expences which Playes doe usully occasion, be cast into the reckoning; and that in these penurious times, who can hardly spare, who can never honestly get by their lawfull callings, halfe so much? How many prodigally consume, not onelyonly their charity, apparell, diet, bookes, and other necessaries; but even their annuall Pensions, Revenues and Estates at Picke-purse Stage-playes; qParum enim est luxuriae quod naturae satis est. Seneca. De Vita Beata. cap. 13.which are more expensive to them, then all their necessary disbursements? If we summe up all the prodigall vaine expenses which Play-houses and Playes occasion every way, we shall finde them almost infinite, wel-nigh incredible, rSee Scene 5. afterward.altogether intollerable in any Christian frugall state; which must needs abandon Stage-playes as the sSee Scene 5. & Act 7. Scene 7.Athenians and Romans did at last, even in this rega…d, tQui enim volupta…é sequitur omnia postponit, nec voluptates sibi emit, sed se voluptatibus vendit. Seneca, De Vita Beata. c. 14.that they impoverish and quite ruine many; as the fore-quoted testimonies, with many domestique experiments daily testifie. *Flavij Vopisci Carinus. pag. 450.Et haec quidem idcirco ego in literas retuli (as Vopiscus writes of Iulius Messalla) quo futuros editores pudor tangeret, ne patrimonia sua, proscriptis legitimis haeredibus, mimis & balatronibus deputarent.
If any here reply, that they spend not much at Playes, and that their Play-house expences are farre from prodigality, what ever some men deeme them.
I answer first; that there are few ordinary Stage-haunters of any generous quality, uSee Ambrose, Augustine, Basil, Nazienzen, Asterius, Salvian, Chrysostome, Iohn Saresbury, and others in their fore-quoted places.but spend excessively at Playes: some waste their *Codex Theodosij. l. 15. Tit. 5. & 9. accordingly.Patrimonies at Play-houses, others the pensions which their friends alot them; others the money which should satisfie their Creditors, and xCur eget indignus quisquā te divite? quare Templa ruunt antiqua Deum? &c Horat. Sermo l. 2. Sat. 2. p. 202.relieve their needy Brethren; or else maintaine their Families. Most of them mispend more there, then they can well spare; all of them more then is well or lawfully spent. Secondly, he that spends least of all at Playes and Play-houses, is yVnus utri que Error sed varijs ludit partibus. Horat. Sermon. lib. 2. Satyr. 3.as really guilty of prodigality, though not in the same degree, as he that lavisheth out most of any, because the very giving of money to Players as Players; that is, for the exercising of their lewde lascivious art, is prodigality. Witnesse Tully himselfe, zProdigi sunt qui ludor… apparatu pecunias fundunt. Cicero, De Officijs. l. 2. about the middest.who defineth Prodigals, to be such who spend their money in setting forth Stage-playes, with which definition, aDe Remed. Vtri. Fortunae. l. 1. Dialog. 30.Petrarch doth accord. Witnesse Clemens Alexandrinus, who resolves; that money spent on Playes and such like vanities, is bInteritus nō sumptus locum obtinet. Paedag. l. 2. c. 12. & l. 3. c. 11. fol. 53. A.wastfull prodigality, not honest expence. Witnesse Saint Ambrose, who describes prodigality, cProdigū est popularis favoris gratia exinanire proprias opes. Quod faciunt qui ludis Circ…ibus, vel etiam theatralibus patrimoniū dilapidant suum, ut vincant superiorū celebritates; cùm totum illud sit inane quod agunt. De Offi…ijs. l. 2. c. 21. & Sermo. 64. Tom. 5. p. 44. E.to be a w…sting of wealth upon Pl…yers and Playes for popular applause: whence he reputes those Prodigals who doe so: informing us, withall, dIbi histriones accipiunt & gladiatores, & perit omne quod perditis datur. Ambr…s. Sermo. in D…minica 8. post Pentecost…n. Tom. 5. pag. 44. E. G. Sermo. 8. in the old, and 64. in the new Impressions of Saint Ambrose Workes.that whatsoever is given to Stage-players, Sword-players, and such like cast-awayes, is utterly lost, so that men ca… reape no comfort from it. And yet, saith he, eMagistratus in Theatris, mimis, athletis & gladiatoribus, ali…sque hujusmodi generibus hominum totum paenè pat…monium suum largitur, ac prodigit, ut unius horae f…vorem vulgi nimirum adquirat, nihil sibi ulterius profutu…um. Ibidem. Tom. …. p. 44. E.divers Magistrates have prodigally given and consumed almost their whole Patrimony in Theaters, upon Players, Wrestlers, Fencers, and such kinde of men, that they might purchase to themselves the peoples favo…r but for one houre, without any further advantage. To passe by Tertullians verdict; fHis it…que infructuosos esse magnus est fructus. Apologia, Advers. Gentes. Tom. 2. pag. 706.that to be unfruitfull unto Players, and such unusefull persons, is great frugality: and so by cons…quence, that to part with money to them is prodigality: as Saint Basil, Nazia…zen, Leo, Chrysostome, Asterius, Salvian, Iohn Sarisbury, Petrarch, Bodinus, Northbrooke, Gualther, Gosson, Doctor Reinolds, and others, in their fore-going passages testifie. Incognitus in Psal. 149. and our owne famous English Apostle, gDial. l. 3. c. 1. fol. 45. a. b.Iohn Wickleff…, expresly teach us; that to give to Stage-players is prodigality: and therefore Wicklef instructs us: hVeruntamen magnificus debet secundum prudentiā pro talibus casibus suā largitionē providè mensurare, specialiter non dando histrionibus, vel mēdicis validis, pro vano nomine acquirendo. Dial… l. 3. c 1. fol. 45. a.that a magnificent man ought carefully to measure out his bounty in many cases according to prudence, especially in not giving to Stage-players, or sturdie Beggers to purcase a vaine-glorious name, as the custome of many was to doe. S. Augustine is yet more strict; resolving us; iDonare res suas histrionibus vitiū est immane, non virtus. Exposit… in Ioan. Tract 100. Tom. 9. pars 1. p. 608.that for a man to bestow his goods or mony upon Stage-players, is not onelyonly prodigality and no vertue, but a great hainous vice. Which assertion of his is both recited and approved by kDistinct. 86. fol. 139.Gratian, lDe Nugis Curialium. lib. 1. cap 8.Iohn Sarisbury, mSecunda secundae. Quaest. 168. Artic. 2.3m.Aquinas, nSūma Theologiae… pars 2. Quaest. 133. memb. 4.Alexander de Hales, oExposit. in l. 4 Regū. Tō. 7. p. 100. C.D.Tostatus, pIn Psal. 149.Incognitus, qDe. Casibus. l. 2. Tit. 53.Astexanus, rExposit. on the 8. CōmandementBishop Babington, sTreatise against Vaine Playes & Enterludes. f. 28.29.Master Nor…hbrooke, tPlayes Confuted. Act. 2.Stephen Gosson, and uMariana & Brissonius, De Spectaculis. lib. Sūma Rosella. Tit. Histrio.others, upon these ensuing reasons. First, because the donation of money unto Stage-players xExanimat lentus spectator. sedulus inflat. Horat. Epist. l. 2. Ep. 1. p. 283…doth animate, yea maintaine them in their diabolicall lewde un…hristian profession, and makes their yVbi enim malos praemia sequūtur, haud facile quisquā gratuito bonus est. Salustij. Histor. l. 1. p. 200.reformation desperate. Secondly, because it supports the Synagogues, Lectures, and lewde instruments of Satan, (the Seminaries of all wickednesse) which else would fall to ruine, there being no contributing Spectators to suport them. If there were no Play-haunters to behold and cherish Stage-playes, there would then (as zNon ita ille, qui hoc fingit, est delinquens, ut tu qui haec iubes fieri: ne que iubes solū, sed studes & laetaris & laudas quae fiunt, & omninò applaudis tali ergasterio daemoniorū. Principiū & radix talis iniquitatis vos estis, maximè qui tribuitis, qui diem universam in his consumitis. Si enim nullus esset t…lium spectator ac fautor, nec essent quidē qui dicere illa aut agere curarent. Quando verò vos cernunt & artes proprias, & ipsa exercendi quotidiani operis loca, & ipsum quem ex his paratis quaestum & prorsus omnia simul vanissimi illius spectaculi amore deserere, avidiori & illi intentione ad haec rapiuntur, studiū que his magis impendunt. Chrys. Hom. 6. in Mat… Tom. 2. Col. 51.52. & Alex… Alensis. Sūma Theologiae. pars 2. Quaest. 133. Memb. 4.Chrysostome truely writes) be no Play-poets, no Players for to pen or act them: But when Actors see men leave …heir owne callings, trades, and daily imployments, together with the gaine arising thence, and all thing else to run to Stage-playes; this makes them more earnestly to addict themselves to their trade of acting, and to bestow more diligence in playing: The multitude of prodigall Spectators, is that which makes so many Play-houses, Playes, and Actors, which else would quickly vanish: Play-…aunters therefore, (if we believe Saint *See n & z before.Chrysostome and Alexander Alensis) are the chiefe originall delinquents in the case of Playes, because their presence at them, their contribution towards them and their Actors, is the rise from whence they spring. Thirdly, because it maintaines Players in a constant course of theft: For the very profession of a Stage-player aSee Act 7. Scene 2.3. & Part 2. Act 2. thorowout.being unlawfull (as Divines agree:) the mony they receive for acting (as bIn 4. Regum. Tom. 7. p. 100. C. D.Tostatus, cDe Ludo Aleae. lib.Danaeus, dIn their severall Expositions and Treatises on the 8. Cōmandemēt.Bishop Babington, Master Perkins, Elton, Dod, Downham, Lake, and Williams, with sundry others have resolved) must certainely be theft, because not gotten by any lawfull meanes. Fourthly, because it *Basil. Hom. 1. in Divites & Avaros. Gualther. …om. 11. & Ambros. Sermo. 64. Tom. 5. p. 44. E G accordingly.extenuates, or intercepts mens charity to the poore, who like fSee Ambros. Sermo. 64. & Basil. Hom. 1. in Divites & Avaros, accordingly.empty Bagges, are best capable to receive the superfluity of rich mens plenty, which Players for the most part now engrosse. Fiftly, g…ui histrionibus donant, dicant mihi, quare donant? hoc in illis amant in quo nequissimi sunt: hoc in illis pascunt, hoc in illis vestiunt, ipsam nequitiam publicam spectaculis homin…. Qui donant aliquid histrionibus, quare donant? nūquid non & ipsa hominibus donantur? Non tam naturam ibi attendunt operis Dei, sed nequitiam op…ris humani. Qui histrionibus donant, non hominibus donant, sed arti nequissimae. Nam si homo tantum esset, & histrio non esset, non e… donares. Honoras in …o vitium, non naturam. August. Enar. in Psal. 102. Tom. 8. pars 2. p. 336. See Gratian, Distinct. 88. & Ioa…. Saresburiensis. De Nugis Curialiū. l 1. c. 8. accordingly.because those who give their money to Stage-playes, bestow it on them onelyonly for the exercise of their unchristian art; for their Playes and Action, not their poverty or desert: they are bountifull to them as Players onelyonly, not as men, as Christians, whose very penury begges an almes. Our Players, though they are h14. Eliz c. 5.39. Eliz. c. 4 & 1. Iac. c. 7.Rogues and Sturdy-beggers by Statute, are yet so haughty in their mindes, iSee Gosson, his Schoole of Abuses… accordingly.so gorgeously glittering in their hired Brokers Robes; and sometimes so well lined in the Purse, that they disdaine the name of Beggers, though in truth they are no other, then kThe 3. Blast of Re…rait from Playes & Theaters. p. 75.76. accordingly.arrogant saucy Vagrants, who rather challenge as a due, then begge the almes of Play-haunters: Hence all the coyne they get by Playing, is stiled by themselves, not Almes, but Wages: not Charity, but Desert; not bounty, but reward: and those who part with it deeme it so; who gratifie them onelyonly for their Playing, not pitty them for their poverty; as Augustine, with others well observe: Now thus to remunerate Stage-playes, pro exercitio sui vitij, as the lHistrionibus dare causa vanae gloriae, vel pro exercitio vitij sui, immane peccatū est. Aquinas, secūda secundae. Quaest. 168. Art. 2.3m. Alexander Alens…s, Summa Theologiae. pars 2. Quaest. 133. Memb. 4. Astexanus, De Casibus. l. 2. Tit. 53. Gratian. Distinct. 86. fol. 139. August. Tractat 100. in Ioan. Summa Rosella. Histrio. Alvarus Pelagius, De Planct…s Eccl…siae. lib. 2. Artic. 46. fol. 150.Schoolemen speake; that is, for the very exercise of their unlawfull art, is a vast notorious sinne: ( *Vincentij Speculum Historiale. lib. 29. cap. 341. fol. 367.Quoniaem histrionibus dare, est Daemonibus imolare:) which as it mQui donant histrionibus, quare donant? hoc utique in illis fovent in quo nequissimi sunt. Nempè qui nequitiam fovet, estne bonus? unde quid faut oribus eorum immineat colligis; si facientes & consentientes pari paena recolis esse plectendos. Ioannis Saresburiensis. De Nugis Curialium. lib 1. cap. 8.makes those who are guilty of it, wicked men; so it bindes them over to eternall punishments without repentance, as all the Marginall Authors doe define. Lastly, because mens contribution to Playes and Players (whose nNihil demen…ius quàm de improbo homine benè mereri. Quisquis enim id facit, suo officio suoque sumptu hostem sibi facit eum, quem ne que amicum, ne que inimicū habere li…uit. Erasmus. De Rat. Cons…r. Epist. pag. 182.approbation or applause, no good men should demerit by their bounty to them) involues them both in the guilt and punishment of all those sinnes that are occasioned or committed by them: as Chrysostom…. Hom. 6. in Matth. Salvian, De Gubernatione Dei. lib. 6. Augustine. En…r. in Psal. 102. with all the other fore-quoted Authors largely testifie. What th…refor… Seneca writes in a paralell case: oPecuniam non dabo quam numeraturam adulterae sciam; ne in societatem turpis facti, aut cōsilij veniam… Si potero, revocabo; sin mimus non adjuvabo scelus. De Beneficijs. lib. 2. cap. 14.I will not give money unto him, whom I know will part with it to an A dulteresse, lest I should participate of his filthy fact or counsell: If I can, I will recall him; if not, I will not further him in his wickednesse: The same should bee every true Christians resolution in this case of Stage-players: hee should not give his money unto Players; lest he participate both in the guilt and punishment of their sinnes; he should doe his best to hinder; at leastwise he should never foster Playes or Players, by contributing to their Boxes, or resorting to their Theaters, for the fore-named reasons.
Since therefore it is abunndantly evident by the premises; that Stage-playes are the occasions of much pTurpissimū genus damni est inconsulta donatio. Sen…ca. De Ben…ficijs. lib. 4. …ap. 10.vaine, much sinfull prodigall expence: and that the very contributing to Players Boxes (of which every common Spectator must be alwayes culpable) is not onelyonly apparant prodigality, but a qImmane peccatum. See l before.Giant-like sinne, which brings much danger to mens soules: It must needs cause us to abominate, to abandon Stage-playes, even for this effect, which alwayes necessarily attends them.