The Players Scourge, Part 2 · Act 2 · Scene 1

The Players Scourge · Part 2 · Act 2 · Scene 1

p. 841SCENA PRIMA.

I proceed now to the second Corollary,The infamie of Stageplayers That the very profe…iō of a Stageplayer, & the acting of Stageplays is base and infamous, yea sinfull and unlawfull among Christians. First, for the infamie of Stage-players and play-acting, it may be evidenced by these examples. First, they were infamous even among Pagans and Infidells: Witnesse the ancient pagan Romanes, who adiudged all Actors, all Stage-players infamous persons; & thereupon excluded thē their temples, disfranchised them their tribs, as unworthy of their stock or kinred; disabling them both to inherit lands as heires to their parents, or to beare any publike office in the common…wealth: as aaRom. Hist. lib. 7. sect. ….3.Livie bbOratio pro P. Quin…tio.Cicero, ccl. 2. c. 4.Valerius Maximus, ddExcellentium Imperato…rum vitae, praefacio. p. 256.AEmilius Probus eeAnnall. l. 14… s. 2.3.Tacitus, ffSaturnal. l. 2… c. 7.Macrobius ggTiberius. Sect. 35.Suetonius, hhNoct. A… tic. lib. 20. c. 4.Gellius, ii6. Satyr. ….Iuvenall, kkDe spectac. c. 22.Tertullian, llAdversus Gentes. l. 7. p. 233.Arnobius, mmDe Civit. Dei. l. 2. c. 10… to 15.29. l. 4. c. 28.Augustine nnVariarum. l. 7. c. 10.Cassiodorus, ooTom. 10. pars 3. in Matt. c. 6. Quaest. 38. f. 40. E.Matt 6Tostatus, ppDe v…nitate scientiarum. c. 20.Agrippa, qqGenialium Di…rum. l 3. c. 9.Alexander ab Alexandro, rrComment in Corpus iuris ciuilis Tom. 1. p. 342.338Gothofrede, ssComment in lib. Iudicum. c. 16. p. 570. to 575.Arius Montanus, ttAn…iqu. Lect. l. 14. c. 17.Caelius Rhodiginus, uuDe spectac. in codice Theodosij Comment. p. 268.Barnabas Brissonius, xxAnnot: in pandect.Budaeus, yyOverthrow of Stage-players p. 4. to 10. & 29. to 82. where this point is largely debated.Dr. Rainol…s, zzSee here p. 133. & 456. in the margent.and infinite others testifie. Hence aaVlpianus l. 6. paragr. 5. Digest vet. l. 3. Tit, 2. Corpus iuris Ciuilis. Tom. 1. p. 342.Nerva & Pegasus pronounce… all such infamous, qui quaestus causa in certamina discendunt, et propter praemium in Scenam prodeunt: Hence also bbibidem p. 338 Tit. de his qui notantur infamia.Praetoris verba dicunt: infamia notatur qui artis Ludicrae pronunciandiue causa in Scenam prodierit. Infames sunt qui comicam artem exercent: which extends as well to voluntary as hired actors. And hence even by the Municipall Lawes of the ancient p. 842heathen Romans as ccqua … Corpus Iuris Civil…s: Tom. 1. p. …38.342. & Gothof…ed Ibidem. & D. Rainolds. qua y before Ioanni… Mariana. De Spectac. lib. De Rege et Regum Instit. l. 3. c. 16. & Petrus Faber. Agonistico… l. 1. c. 3. p. 9.Vlpian & other Civillians informe us, all stageplayers and Actors were infamous persons; and so disabled to beare testimony, to inherit lands, or to receive any publicke place of honour in the Common-weale. And as these Romans, even so the Pagan Grecians too (who ddAEmilij Probi Praefatio. August. De Civit. Dei l. 2… c. 10, 11, 13, 14. l. 4. c. 28.hono…red Stage-players at the first) reputed thē infamous at the last, as eeHomil. 38 in Matth. & Homil. 13. in 1 Cor 4. here p. 738.1 Cor 4Chrysosto… ffComment. l. 29. f. 113.Volat…ranus, together with ggLegum Dialogus. 7.Plato & hhSee Gellius Noct… A…tic. l. …o. c. 4.Aristotle informe us, and iiPlutarchi Laconica Apotheg. p. 462. here p. 741, 742.Agesilaus his answer to Callipedes implies. Secōdly, as they were thus kkSee …ulengerus De Theatro lib. 1. c. 51. De infamia Theatri & Olaus Magnus Hist. l. 15. c. 31.34.infamous among Pagans, so much more are they among Christians, as both llSee Concilium Eliberinum Can. 62. & those other councels quoted. p 133…134.561. in the Margent, and here p. 844.Councels mmTertul. De spectac. c 22. Cyprian. Epist. l. 1. Epist. 10. & Arnobius, Clemens Romanus, Augustine Cassiodorus qua supra. l. m. n. & infra. p. 844.Fathers, nnSee …. u. x. …. b. c before & Bulengerus de Theatro l. …. c. 51. & Codex …heodos…i l. 15. Tit. 7. de ScenicisCivilians, ooSee Gratian Distinctio 33.48. & De Consecratione distinct. 2. Paulo Lanceletto Institutiones Iuris Canonici: l. 2. Ti…. de Eucharistia: p. 269. Ioannis Caluini, & Iacobi Spielegii Lexicon Iuridicum Tit. histrione…: Aluarus Pelagius de planctu Ecclesiae. l. 1 Ar…e 49. with sundry others here quoted p. 844. &c.Canonists, ppAstexanus decasibus l. 4. Tit. 7. Artic. 4. summa Ro…e…la, & summa Angelica. Tit. histrio. Adula…io, & Infamia: with others p. 845.Casuists, qqAlexander …lensis… summa Theologiae pars 4. Quaest. 17. Artic. 2… p. 394. Aquinas 32. pars Quaest. 8. Artic. 6. Didacus de Tapia in 3 am. partem diui Thomae Artic. 8. p. 545, 546.Schoolmen, rrOlaus Magnus Hist. l. 15. cap. 31 34. Bulengerus de Theatro. l. 1. c. 51.Historians ssD. Rainolds Overthrow of Stage playes p. 4. to 10. & 29. to 82. See here p. 561. s & p.Divines, vnanimously testifie: Heare bu… ttComment… in li…. Iudicum. c. 16. p. 570, 571.Arias Montanus for all the rest, who informes us in expresse termes, that publicke dauncing or acting of playes for money or sport, is condemned as base… infamous, and unworthy any ingenuous person, not only by Scripture & reason, but almost by all humane laws. Et vocari fecerunt (saith he) Simsonem ex domo vinctorū &c. nec ad digniorem et honestiorem agendam rem, quam ad ridiculum atque turpe de se spectaculum saltandrop aebendum inimicis, p. 843principilius, ac populo. Qui legit intelligat; publice saltantes; et huiusmodi spectaculorum personas, …urpitudinis atque infamiae nota inustas, et ratio ipsa, et antiqua jura **Nota.fere omnia volunt, divina vero lex minimè admittenda, sensuit, in vulgaribus etiam ac vilibus capitibus… nedum in honestioris ordinis atque census viris… nequ… vero tantum vl…o non quaerenda & optanda, sed nec si inui…is fuerin… illata, ferenda esse censet &c. Certe qui de virtute vera, …leque corruptis hominum moribu prudenter locuti sunt, hujus generis actiones ingenuo homine iudignissimas duxerunt, vt ille de Nero…e.

uuIuvenal Satyr. 8.In Scena nunquam cantavit Orestes,

Haec opera, atque hae sunt generosi principis artes,

Gaudentis patrio peregrina aut pulpita sal…u

Prostitu…, Graiaeque apium meruisse coronae?

Which passage of his extends as well to Masquers, or Academical voluntary Actors, as …o common stage-players, they being both alike in…amou… in this Authors judgement. How great this infamy of Actors was among Christians in the primitive Church, and yet is, or at leastwise ought to be, with modern Christians, will appeare by these par…iculars. First, it xxSee here p. 133.134.161.excluded them from the Church, the Sacraments, & all Christian society… making them ipso facto excommunicated so long as they continued players, neither were they readmitted to the Church, til they had wholy relinquished & given over acting … Witnes the severe imperiall Edicts of Valentinian Valens and Gracian, against Male and Female Actors. yySee Codex Theodosii. l. 15. Tit. 7. l ex. 1. Baronius & Spondanus. Anno. 371. sect 10. See here p. …68.469.Scenici & Scenicae qui in ultimo vitae necessitate cogente interitus imminentis ad Dei summi sacramenta properarunt, si fortassis evaserint, nulla posthac in Theatralis spectaculi conventione revocentur: Ante omnia tamen diligenti observatione tueri sanctione jubemus, ut verè et in extremo periculo Constituti, id pro salute poscen…es (si tamen antistites probant) beneficij consequantur. Quod vt fideliter fiat, p. 844statim eorum ad judices si in presenti sunt, vel curatores Vrbium singularum desiderium perferatur, Quod & inspectatoribus mis…is sedula exploratione quaeratur, an indulgeri his necessitas pos…at extrema suffragia: which Edicts, exclude all Stage-players from the Sacrament, even when they lay vponupon their death-beds, vnlesse they earnestly des…red it, and manifested such sincere repentance for their play-acting, as might in the Magistrats or Ministers judgement prepare and fit them to receive it. Hence, zzSee here p. 571, 572, 57, 574, 582, 583, 586, 517.Concilium Eliberinum. Can. 62. Concilium Arelatense 1. Can … 4, 5. & 2. Can. 20. Concil. Carthag. 4. Can. 88. Concil. Constantinopolitanum 6. Can. 24.51. Concil. Hipponense. Can, 35. Concil. Carthaginense. 3. Can. 35. Concilium Africanum. Can. 12.28. & Synodus Augustensis 1549. Can. 19. expressly decreed; that all Stage-players shall be excomunicated, and debarred from the sacrament till they gave over their profession, & that upon their repentance they should be admitted to the sacrament & reconciled to the Church. Hence aaSee here p. 652.Clemens Romanus. Constit. Apostol. l. 8. c. 38. Tertullian de Pudicita. c. 7. Cyprian Epist. l. 1. Epist. 10. Chrysostome Hom. 3. De Davide & Saule, Theodoret de Martyribus. lib. Tom. 2. p. 390. Gratian Distinctio. 33. & 48. & de Consecratione Distinctio. 2. expresly teach, that Sage-players are to continue excomunicated and excluded from the Eucharist, & all Christian society, till they abandon playes and acting. And hence bbIndubitanter turpe est esse histrionem. Sacram quidem communionem histrionibus et mimis dum in malitia perseve rant ex auctori…ate patrū non ambigisesseprae clusam. &c. IbidIoannes. Sarisberiensis De Nugis Curialium l. 1. c. 8. Alexander, Alensis Summa Theologiae pars 4. Quest. 17. Artic. 2. Sect. 4. p. 394. Aluarus Pelagius de Planctu, Ecclesiae l. 1. Artic. 49. f. 28. Astexanus de Casibus. l. 4. Tit. 7. Artic. 4. Tostatus in Math. c. 6. Quaest. 38. p. 845ccItem histrionibus scenicis et aliis infamibus notoriis et manifestis non est Eucharistia conferenda, quia tales vitam ducunt illicitam sic dicit Cyprianus; nec pu…o Maiestati divinae, nec Ecclesiasticae disciplinae congruere ut pudor et honor Ecclesiae tam turpi atque infami contagione faedetur; et loquitur ibi de quodam qui fuit histrio, qui publice artem suam exercuit, et inde Doctor puerorum perdendorum suit. Posset ergo illud decretum intelligi de quolibet simili histrione notorio: Glossa dicit, quod hec tali nec cuicun que infami notorio est Eucharistia impertienda. Si tamen tales revertantur ad de…um ex gratia vel reconciliatione, eis deneganda non est. Non statim tamen debedari talibus hostia seu Eucharistia, nisi vsq…e ad perac…m paenitentiam, proptet reverent…m Sacramenti, vt probetureorum conversio non ficta, nisi aliq…is articulus necessitatis seu Pietatis aliter fieri suaderet, secu…dum Richard. Distinc…io. 9… Ibidem.Ioannis de Burgo, Pupilla oculi pars 4, cap. 8. l: Photius Monocanonis. Tit. 13. ca. 21.22. Ioannis Bertochinus de Episcopis, Tracta…us Tract. part 4. f. 25. …. 101. Nichol…us Plo…e, de Sacr…menti…. Ibid. pars. 8. f. 51. n. 3. Stephanus Costa. de Ludo. Tract. Tract. part. 1. f. 157.158.159, 160. Angelus de Clavasio, summa Angelica Histrio. & Infamia. Baptista Tr…mala summa Rosella Tit. Adulatio. Ioannis Banghe…ucius de vita & honestate Ecclesiasticorum lib. 2. ca. 22. ddSee here p. 48.482. Scenici… atque histrionibus caeterisque personis huiusmodi, quamdiu tam detestandas artes exercuerin…, non est danda eucharistia. nec enim Evangelicae Disciplinae congruit vt pudor et honor ecclesiae tam turpi et infami contagione faede…ur Ibidem.Didacus de Tapia in teriam partem divi Thom… A…tic. 8. Q…aest, vtrum sacramentum dari potest histrionibus. p. 545.546. (e) Paulo Lanceletto, Institutiones juris Canonici lib. 2. …it. de Eucharistia. p. 269.270. Ivo Carnote…sis, pars 11. Decret. c. 83. & pars 2. c. 35. Aquin. tertia parte, qu. 8. Art. 6. Iosephus Angles Flores Theolog. qu. in. l. 4… sent. pars 1. quaest. de suscipientibus Eucharistiam. art, 4. conclus. 1. p. 101.102. Iacobus Spielegius… Lexicon juris civilis, & Iohannis Calvini Lexicon juridicium, histrio… Centuriae. Magd: cent: 3. col. 142. Bar…ius & Spondanus Annal. Eccl. An. 206. sect. 2, & 371. Sect. 10. Bulengerus de Theatro lib. 1. ca. 51. the 3 Blast of Retrait from playes & Theaters. pa. 116. Doct Rainolds, M… Northbrook & M. Gosson in their Treatises against Stag…playes, Ioannis Mariana de spectaculis lib. with ffSee he…e p. 133, 1…4.561. & Act. 7 Scene 5. Summula Raymundi fol. 97.Acts 7sundry other schoolemen, Canonists, and divines, expresly determine, that the Eucharist or Sacrament of our Saviours body and blood, ought not to be administred to Stageplayers… as long as they vse their detestable infamous v…christian art of acting playes, which excludes them from the Sacrament, not only of the Lords Supper, but of Baptisme too no ggSee here p. 561. to 568.571. to 580.Players, no play-haunters being received into the Primitiue Church… or admitted to the Sacrament of Baptisme, till they had renounced their acting & beholding of stageplayes, as the very pompes and inventions of the Devill, as I hauehave elsewhere largely manifested. Such was, such is the notorious infamie of acting playes, as thus to exile men frō p. 846the Church, the Sacraments and all Christian society, and to make them Excommunicate ipso facto; An infallible evidence of its great vnlawfullnes.

2Secondly, the acting of Playes, disables Players to receive any Sacred Orders, or Ecclesiasticall preferments whatsoever; no player being capable of any Ministeriall, or Epi…copall function; hence Augustine de Ecclesiasticis Regulis cap. 20. & out of him, **Decretal. pars 8. c. 295.I…o Carnotensis & **Distinctio. 33.Gratian, conclude; Clericum non ordinandū qui aliquādo in scena lusisse probatur: hence Hierom… Epi. 83. Oceano, ca. 4. & Anselme in Epist. 1… ad Timotheum. c. 3. tom. 2. p. 356. write thus hhSee Gratian distinctio 48. c. Prohibentur accordingly.Non congruit, vt here in Amphitheatro, hodie in Ecclesia; vespere in circo… mane in altario: dudum fautor histrionum, nunc consecrator virginum. Hence Pope Gregorie the first, determines thus of Stageplayers iiGratian Distinctio 33. cap. Mari…um. f. 55.Illos qui in Scena lusisse noscuntur non ordinandos censemus: all which extend to voluntary, as well as hired Actors. Hence Tostatus Abulensis informes vsus, kkIn Matth. 6. Quaest. 38. f. 40.Matt 6Histriones & qui adhaerent ijs sunt infames, nec possunt promoveri ad sacros Ordines. Hence llIn c. cum decorum, de vita et honest Clericorum. & summa Angelica. Histrio.Panormitan affirmes, Histriones non possunt promoveri ad clericatum etiam peracta paenitentia, dummodo exercuerunt artem suam causa quaestus. Hence mmTractatus Tract. Tom. …. p. 157. to 161.Stephanus de Costa, writes. Histriones infames sunt, nec possunt ad ordines promoveri. Hence nnRepertorii Moralis. pars. 2… Histrio. p. 669.Ioannes Bertochinus propounds this question. Quaero an histrio possit elegi Episcopus? & he resolves it thus: Respondeo quod non, neque post peractam paenitentiam. Quinimo histrio non potest corpus Christi accipere, ratio est… quia est infamis notorie. Hence ooSuper. l. 3. Decretalium. De vita et honesta-C…ericorum. c. 12. Tom. 5. f. 4.Antonius de Brutio avers: Histriones non possunt promover… post paenitentiam, quia infames, nisi Papa dispensarit: and he quotes Gratian distinctio. 51. & causa 4. Quaest. 1. to warrant it. All which ppPupilla Oculi. pars 7. c. 5. l.Io…nnis de Burgo our Countrey-man, thus seconds. Item mimi, histriones & huj…smodi non sunt ad ordines promovendi, nisi ex dispensatione Papae, quia sunt infames. Hoc intellige de his p. 847qui publice coram Populo faciunt aspectum sive Ludibrium sui corporis exercendo opus illud. Si autem in occulto aliquis saltaret, vel huiusmodi opus facere posset, nihil ominus post peractam paenitentiam potest ordinari. Vilitas enim personae est causa quare tales ab ordinibus repelluntur: for which he quotes Extrauag. de vita est honestate Clericorum: cum decorum in glos. **See here p. 653, 654.Inno: &c. So that no academicall or private voluntary Actors by the cannon Law ought to be admitted to orders, before they have publikely repented and done some open pen…ance for this their private acting. The same we shall finde affirmed by Aluarus Pelagius: De Planctu Ecclesiae. l. 2. Artic. 28. H. histriones (writes he) non promoventur ad clericatū: & in qqSummula Raymundi f. 93 94. Summa Angelica. Tit. Histrio. Summa Rosella… Adulatio. Bulengerus de Theatro. l. 1. c. 50, 51.sundry other Canonists: Yea the Canon Law is so strict in this, rrSee Apostolorum Canones Can. 17. Gratian Distinct. 34. here p. 649.that if any one married a woman actor, he could not be promoted to any ecclesiasticall living, or take orders upon him.

Thirdly, the acting of Playes made Players so infamous, that they could give no publike Testimony between man & man… witnesse Concil. Africanum Canon. 96. & 3Concil. Carthaginense. 7. Can. 2. here p. 577. Ioānes Bertachinus Repertorij Moralis. pars. 2. p. 669 Tit. histrio; Angelus De Clauasio, Summa Angelica. Tit. Infamia. Adulatio, Histrio, & Testis: with ssCaluini Lexicon Iuridicum, and most other Canonists in their Titles Histrio, Infamia Testis, &c.divers others.

Fourthly, it made Players so execrablie infamous, 4that for a Christian woman to marrie a Stageplayer, was Excommunication ipso facto: witnes, Concilium Eliberinum, can. 67. here p. 571.

Fiftly, the infamie of players was such, that they might lawfully be disinherited by their parents, and so might Play-haunters too; histriones enim sunt infames &c. et qui adhaerent mimis et histrionibus possunt exheredari 5&c. as Tostatus informes us.ttIn Matth. c. 6. Quaest. 38. f. 40Matt 6

Lastly, Such is the infamie of Play-acting, that our owne uu22. H 8. c. 12.14. Eliz. c. 5.39. Eliz. c. 4.1. Iacob. c. 7. See here p. 495, 496.Statutes have branded Players with the stile of Rogues and vagabonds, making them liable to the stocks, the whipping post, and all other punishments to which Rogues are subiect: Which Statutes if any p. 848Actors thinke over rigorous; let them remember that both xxSee here p. 459, 460. accordingly.Augustus Caesar, and yyTacitus. Annal. l. 1. c. 14. & l. 4. c. 3. See here p. 460.Tiberius, two heathen Roman Emperours, made Stage-players liable to the lash, or Bedles whip, (a punishment suitable to such base idle Rogues as they) When as it was altogether unlawfull for any ingenuous Roman to be scourged Act. 16.37, 38. & 22.24. to 30. By all which Testimonies together with that passage of Tully concerning Roscius the eminent Roman Actor, to whom **Oratio pro. P Quintio. p. 225.Syla gave an Annual Pension and a ring of gold; Etenim, cum artifex ejusmodi est, ut solus dignus videatur esse, qui in scena spectetur; tum vir ejusmodi est, ut solus dignus videatur qui eo non accedat: quid aliud apertissime ostendens, (as **Mac…obius Saturnal. l. 3. c. 14.St. August: descants on it) nisi illam scenam esse tam turpē, ut tāto minus ibi esse homo debeat, quāto fuerit magis vir bonus: it is abundandly evident, That Stageplayers are most **De consensu Euangelistarum. l. 1. c. 33.infamous persons, and their very pr…fession most base and execrable both among Pagans and Christians.**Sic itaque et circa voluptates spectaculorum infamata conditio est. Tertullian de Corona m… litis. c. 5. p. 7….

Neither is the art or publike profession of acting Stage-playes vile and execrable onelyonly when it is practised for lucre sake, but likewise the voluntary personating of them too for recreation or entertainement, especially in persons of ranke and quality. To instance in some particulars.

First, it hath beene alwayes reputed dishonorable, shamefull, infamous, for Emperors, Kings, or Princes to come upon a Theatre to dance, to masque, or act a part in any publike or private Enterludes… to deligh… themselves or others: Hence zzRom. hist. l. 59 p. 830.Dion Cassius aaSuetonii Caius Sect. 18.35.52, 53, 54, 55.Suetonius, bbDe Legatione ad Caium li.Philo Iudaeus with sundrie ccZonaras, Eutropius, Sallicus Anton…nus, Grimstō in his life, and Vinc…ntius Speculum hist. l. 7. c 1…9.other writers impu…e this as an inexpiable infamie to that monster and shame of Monarches, Caius Caligula, ddQuendam equorūsu…orū Incitatum nomine, ad caenam quo que ad hibebat, et ei in auro hordeum appo…e…at… et poculis aureis vinum pr…pi nabat, salutem eius ac for…unam …urans; Consule… se e…m creaturam policiba…ur, facturus si d…ut…s vixisset Dion Cassius l. 59. p. 83….(who w…s so farre beso…ed, as not onelyonly to drinke his horses Incitatus health. &c. and to spend whole nights in beholding masques and Stage-playes, turning night as it were into day; but likewise by a publike edict to compell all the people to be present at his enterludes p. 849at his unseasonable houres, and to chop off the heads of such as either came not to them, or departed from them ere they were ended:) Quod procedente tempore et aurigauit et pugnauit, et saltavit, et Tragaediam egit, semper haec tractans: et quod semel noctu primoribus Patrum quasi ad necessariam deliberationem vocatis, coram saltav…, ac desaltato cantico abijt: which caused Chaerea to conspire his death, and to murther him as he was coming out of the Theater: which ffLib. 59. p. 854. & Su…tonii Caius sect. 56.58.Dion Cassius thus rela…eth. Postquam vero saltare etiam et fabulam agere Caius instituit, Chaerea cum suis rem extra…endam porro non rati, observarunt eeNoctem quo que in diem velut mar… in terram convertere volebat: nam loco in Lunae formam curuato, vndique ignis quasi in theatro qu…dam videbatur, ita vt omnem tenebrarum sensum eriperet. Ac ne qua vlli excusatio esset non veniendi in theatrum (nam egerrime id ferebat si quis abesse…, aut spectaculo nondum finito discederet) iustitium indixit. Interdixitetiam id vt obvii in viis Imperatorem salutarent, quo inmirum facilius ad theatrum iri posset. Multos inter…spectandum arreptos… multos a theatro domum revertentes apprehendens obtruncaret. Causa irae po…issima fuit, quod negligentius ad spectacula conveniebant, scilicet vexati …o, quod alias alio tempore quam edixisset, ac saepe noctu etiam eo veniret, et quia non semper …osdem, quos ipse probabant, nonnunquam etiam inuisi, &c. Dion Cassius l. 59. p 831.837.842.Theatro exeuntem, ut pueros spectaret, deprehensumque in angiportu obtruncar…nt. An end most sutable to his vitious tyrannicall play-adoring life, which had quite exhausted the Romane treasurie. We find this recorded to Nero his perpetuall shame. ggTacitus. Annal. l. 14. c. 2. l. 15 c. 4, 5.6 Sabellicus Eneid 7. l. 2 p. 201. Eutropius rerum Ro. l. 9. p. 204. Zonaras Annal. Tom. 2. fol. 98.Quod postremo ipse scenam inscendit, multa cura tentans cytharam et praemeditans, assistentibus familiaribus Quod faeminarum illustrium senatorumque plures per arenam faedasset, et acriore in dies cupidine adigebatur promiscuas scenas frequentandi. Nam adhuc per domum aut hortos cecinerat iu…enalibus ludis, quos vt parum celebres et tantae voci angustos spernebat. Non tamen Romae incipere scenas ausus, Neapolim quasi Graecam vrbem dilegit: inde initium fore vt transgressus in Achaiam insignesque et antiquitus sacras coronas adeptus maiore fama studia ciuium eliceret, &c. hhSuetonii Nero Sect 12, 13, 20. to 25. et Sect. 42. he writes thus, Quinimo cum prosperi quiddam ex provinciis nunciatum esset, superabundantissimam ca…nā iocularia in defectionis duces carmina, lasciue que modulata, quae vulgo inno…uerunt, etiam gesticulatus est; ac spectaculis theatri clam illatus, …uidam Scenico placenti nuncium misit, abuti cum occupationibus suis, & sec. 54. Sub exitu quidem vitae palam voverat, si sibi incolumis status permansisset, proditurum se partae victoriae ludis, etiam hidraulam et choraulam, et vtricularium, ac no…ssimo die… hi-strionem, saltaturum que Virgilii Turnum. &c.Ibidem saepius per complures p. 850cantauit dies. Neque eo segnius adolecentulos equestris ordinis et quinque amplius millia è plebe robustissimae iu…entutis vndique elegit, qui divisi in factiones plausuum genera condiscerent, operamque nauarent cantanti sibi insignes pinguissima coma, et excellentissimo cultu pueri, nec sine annulo laeues: quorum duces quadragena millia H S. merebant. Etiam Romae Neroneum agens ante praestitutum diem reuocauit: Nomen suum in albo profitentium citharaedorum iussit ad scribi sorticulaque in vrnam cum caeteris demissa, intrauit ordine suo… simulque Praefecti praetorij citharam sustinentes, post tribum militum, juxtaque amicorum intimi. Vtque constitit peracto principio, Nioben se cantaturum per Cluvium Rufum consularem pronuntiavit, et in horam fere decimam perseveravit… coronamque eam, & reliquā certaminis partem in annum sequentem distulit, ut saepe canendi occasio esset. Quod cum tardum videretur, non cessauit identidem se publicare. Non dubitauit etiam priuatis spectaculis operā inter scenicos dare, quodā praetorum H S. decies offerente iiEutroplus Rerum Rom. l. 9. f. 104. writes thus of him: Ad postremum Nero tanto se dedecore prostituit, vt om…nia pene Italiae ac Graeciae the…tra perlustratus, assumpto etia… va…ii vestitus dedecore saltaret, cantaret, in Scena citharedico habi…u …el tragaedi…. See Grimston in the life of Nero. Vincentii Speculam histor. l 9. c. 6. Freculphi… Chronicon. Tom. 2. l. 1. c. 16. &c.Tragaedias quoque cantauit personatus heroum Deorumque, item heroidum, a… Dearum personis effictis ad similitudinem oris sui, et faeminae, prout quamque diligeret: inter caetera cantaui… Canacen parturientem, Orestem matricidam, Oedipodem excaecatum, Herculem insanum. In quaefabula fama est tyrunculum militē positum ad custodiam aditus, cum eum ornari ac vinciri catenis, sicut argumentū postulabat, vid… r…t, accurisse ferendae opis gratia. Mox ipse aurigare at que etiam spectari saepius voluit, positoque in hortis inter servitia et sordidam plebem rudimento, vniversorum se oculis in Circo maximo praebuit, certamina deinceps obijt omnia. Cantante eo, ne necessaria quidem causa excedere Theatro licitum erat. Itaque & enixae quaedam in spectaculis dic…ntur, et multi taedio audiendi …audandique, clausis oppidorum portis, aut furtim dissiluisse de muro, aut morte simulata funere elati. kkTacitus Annal… l. 16. sect. 1.Constitit plerosque equitum dum per angustias aditus & ingruentem p. 851multitudinem enituntur obtritos, et alios dum Diem noctemque sedilibus continuant, morbo exitiabili correptos; quippe gravior inerat metus si spectaculo defuissent, multis palam et pluribus occultis, vt nomina ac v…ltus, alacritatem, tristitiamque coeuntium scrutarentur. Vnde ten…iorib…s st…tim irrogata supplicia, aduersus illustres dissimulatum ad presens, et mox redditum odium. Interea Senatus propi…quo iam lustrali certamine, ut dedecus averterit, offert Imperatori victoriam cantus, adijcit facundiae coronam, qua ludicra deformitas velaretur. Sed Nero nihil ambitu nec potestate Senatus opus esse dictitans, se aequum adversus aemulos et religione indicum meritam laudem assecuturum, **Nero publice cit…ara cecinit; in circo aurigauit. Traiecit in Graeciam, non ut maiores sui sed saltandi, citharae Pulsandae, praeconii faciendi agendae que tragediae causa. Nec … …i Roma satis ampla erat, sed expedi…ione erat opus vt Periodonices, id est, pa… sim victor, vt a…bat, euaderet. Sed qui… singula …ius sacta enumeret? Nam vno verbo, quicquid viles histriones representant ea omnia ipse dicebat et faciebat, et tolerabat, nisi quod aureis catenis vin…iebatur, nam ferreae Romanorum Imperatorem haud decuissent. A…iquando igitur Miles vinctum conspicatus prae indignatione accurrit, cumque soluit. Zonaras Annal. Tom. 2. s. 98.primo carmen in Scena recitat: mox flagitante vulgo vt omnia studia sua publicaret (hac enim verba dix…re) ingreditur theatrum, cunctis citharae legibus obtemperans: ne fessus resideret, ne sudorem nisi ea quam indutus gerebat veste detergeret; vt nulla oris vel narium excrementa viserentur. Postremo flexus genu, et caetum illum manu veneratus sententias iudicum opperiebatur ficto pauore. Et plebs quoque vrbis histrionum quoque gestus inuare solita personabat certis modis, pla…suque composito, Cr…deres laetari, ac fortasse laetabantur per iniuriam **Omnia in Ne…one probri et ignominiae plena. Omni pudore abiecto Romae cantu in theatro certavit, vbi insanum Herculem acturus, cum de more vinculis ornaretur, qui praesidi… causa in proximo sterit, catenas intuitus, ratusque vim illi intendi, consternatus animo, co occurrit opem principi laturus. Nec satis fui… per haec indelebilē Romano Populo notam ab eo inustam, in Graeciam cantandi studio navigavit omnibusque eius ge…tis spectaculis, cantu, aurigatione, praeconio certavit. Indereversus curru quo olim Augustus triumphans vrbem ingressus est, praemiorum pompa titulisque singulorum certaminum longo ordine praemissis. Sabel…licius AEn…id. 7 l. 2. p. 201.publici flagitij: so he stiles it. Sed qui remotis èmunicipijs, seueramque adhuc, et antiqui moris retinentes Italiam, quique per longas prouincias lasciuiae inexperti, officio legationum, aut priuata v…ilitate advenerant: neque aspectum illum duplicate page duplicate page p. 852tolerare, neque labori inhonesto sufficere, cum manibus nescijs fatiscerent, turbare…t gnaro, ac saepe a militibus verberarentur, qui per cuneos stabant, ne quod temporis momentum impari clamore, aut silentio segni praeteriret, &c. Such was the Playerlike citharedicall life of this lewd vitious Emperour: which made him so execrable to some noble Romanes, who affected him at first, before he fell to these infamous practises; that to vindicate the honour of the Romane Empire, which was thus basely prostituted, they conspired his destruction: which conspirarie being detected, Subrius Flavius a chiefe captain, one of the conspirators, being demaunded of Nero, for what reason he had thus conspired against him? returned this answerellTacitus Annal. l. 15. cap. 10 …. 306. Oderam te inquit, nec quisquam tibi fidelior militum fuit dum amari mer…isti; odisse caepi postquam parricida matris et vxoris, auriga, Histrio, et incendiarius extitisti. And Sulpitius Asper, a Centurian, being demanded the like question, made this reply; Non aliter tot flagitijs eius subueniri posse. And when as some of these Conspirators would have had Piso to succeed Nero in case their treachery had succeeded, Flavius made them this answere mmTaci…us Annal. l. 15. …ect. 9. p. 359.Non referre dedecori, si citharaedus dimoueretur et Tragaedus succederet: quia vt Nero …ithara, ita Piso tragico ornatu canebat. All which, together with the Satyricall invectiues of **Res haud mi…a tamen citha…aedo Principe …imus Nobilis &c. In Scena nunquam can…avit Orestes: haec opera at que hae sunt gene…osi Principis …tes, Gauden…isfaedo peregrina ad pulpita saltu Prostitui, Graiaeque apium meruisse coronae Iuuenal Satyr. 8. p. …2, 83.Inuenall and ooEutropi…s, Zonaras, Sabellicus, & Grimston in his life. Arius Montanus in lib. Iudicum c. 16. p. 590. 571. Dr. Rainolds Overthrow of Stage-playes p. 1. to 10. & 29. … 82.others against this infamous Playerlie Emperor, are a sufficent evidence, what an ignoble shamefull thing it is for any Prince or Emperour to sing, to dance, or act upon a Stage. Hence ppPag. 10, 91.AElius Lampridius, and Eutropius in their Commodus Antoninus, and Herodian historiae l. 1. & 2. p. 57. to 73. severely censure this dissolute Emperour Commodus … whom they and the people stiled, a Gladiator, an Actor on the stage: Quod nudus ingressus amphitheatrum est, sumptisque armis numeros gladiatorios implebat &c. Triste vero (writes qqHisto…ae. l. 1. p. 57.59.….Herodia…) Romano populo spectaculum id visum, p. 853nobilissimum Imperatorem, post tam multos parentis sui maiorumque triumphos, non quidem adversus Barbaros arma capere militaria, vel Romanorum Imperio congruentia, se… amplissimam dignitatem, turpissimo faedissimoque cultu contaminare; eoque tandem vesaniae provectus est, ut deserere principalem aulam atque in domicilium gladiatorium migrare institueret. Neque se amplius Herculem appellari patiebatur, adoptato nobilissimi gladiatoris nomine, qui jam vita excessisset: atque in basi simulachri Colossei solis effigiem gerentis subscripsit, non quos consuesset imperatorios Paternosque titulos, sed pro Germanico, mille gladiatoru… vict… rem: To such prodigious degrees of basenesse of degeneracy doe dissolute Princes come to by degrees, when as they once addict themselves to such infamous delights. These actions of his were so execrable to the Senate, the common people, and to all his freinds; that when as on the feast of Ianus, rrHerodian. Histor. l. 1. p. 59 61.63. See Eutropius, Zonares, Coc…ius Sabellicus, Eli…us Lampridlus, Grimston, and others in his life accordingly.Statuisset non quidem ex imperatorijs (ut mos erat) aedibus, sed ex ipso gladiato…rio prodire in publicum, deducente gladiatorum agmine in conspectu Populi Romani &c. Martia his best beloved Concubine, Intellecto tam absurdo turpi que Consilio, primū orare multis lachrymis, supplexque ad genua accidere, ne aut Romanum imperium contumelia afficeret, aut ipse vitam suā perditis ac deploratis hominibus tam periculose cōmitteret. Sed cum diu supplicando nihil proficisse…, lachrymans discessit. Ille Praefectum exercitibus Laetum nomine et Electum cubiculi custodem, ad se accitis, parare iubet in ludo ipso gladiatorio, quo se dormitum recipiat, vt illic ad sacrificandum mane procederet, ac se armatum Romano Populo ostentaret. Illi supplicabant et persuadere tenta…ant, ne quid imperio indignum faceret. But loe the desperate obstinacie of this wicked Emperour; …ommodus id aegre ferens, eos quidem amandauit: reversus autem in cubiculum ad capiendum somnum (nam meridie id facere moris habebat) sumpto in manus libello, conscribit in eo quoscunque illa nocte interficere p. 854destinaverat. Ex quibus prima erat Martia, mox Laetus atque Electus: post hos ingens eorum numerus qui plurimum authoritatis in senatu obtinebant. **Note here the condition of wicked Princes and great persons; they desire not to have any good men near them to censure or beare witnes of their shamefull actions.Siquidem senes vniversos, & reliquos patris amicos tollere è medio (quod graves turpium factorum inspectores habere puderet) bonaque ipsa divitum d…largiri partim militibus, partim gladiatoribus decreverat, vt alteri se defenderent, alteri oblectarent. Which booke comming to Martia her hands, shee and Electus with others, conspired to poyson him: which when they had effected; all the people rejoyced, & ra… to their Temples, to giuegive publick thanks… ssHerodian l. 2. p. 73. Eli… Lampridii Commodus p. 94, 95, 96. Eutropius, Zonaras, Sabe…licus & Grimston in his life.vocerebant urque quidam, jacere tyrannum, pars gladiatorem, qui faelicitatem suam alijs in rebus studijs faedissimis contaminasset. Which severall passages, are a most pregnant testimony, how infamous, how disgraceful a thing it is, for Kings or Emperours to turne Actors, Masquers, or Gladiators on a Stage, even in the very judgement of heathens, much more of Christians. It is storied of Antoninus the Emperour to his deserved infamie; **Herodian l. 5. p. 267.269.271.279.281.Quod è Syriae profectus, statim debacchari supra modum caepit, cultum patrij numinis, cui dicatus fuerat, celebrare supernacuis saltationibus, vestitum vsurpans luxuriosum: ad tibiarum et tympanarum sonum in publicum prodibat orgya numinis celebrans &c. From which Maesa earnestly deswaded him; ne spectantium oculos offenderet. Ipse ver… identidem aurigans aut saltans conspiciebatur: quippe ne latere quidem sua patiebatur flagitia, procedens etiam in publicum **Let our effeminate men… women who are guilty of the selfesame womanish folly consider this.pictis oculis genisquepurpurissatis, faciemque suapte natura for mosam, indecoris coloribus inficiens. Quod ammaduertens Maesa, ac suspectans militum ob talem Imperatoris vitam indignationem: persuadet leui alioqui stolidoque adolescenti, vt sibi consobrinum suum Alexandrum adoptaret, et Caesarem declararet, &c. Postea igitur quam Alexander Caesar est appellatus volebat eum statim Antoninus suis illis institutis imbuere, ut scilicet choros agitans saltansque, vestitu p. 855eodem atque artibus vteretur; quem tamen mater Mammaea a **Dancing therefore, together with acting, masquing were infamous among the Romans. See Gul…elmus Stuckius Antiqui… tatum Conviu: l. 3. c. 21. accordingly.faedis illis et quae Imperatores dedecebant actionibus av…rtebat: atque omnium disciplinarum doctores clam accersebat; modestiamque edocens, ac Palaestra virilibusque gymnasijs insuefaciens, graecisque eum pariter ac la…inis literis instituens. Quibus iratus Antoninus magnopere indignabatur. Quapropter omnes illius Doctores aula exegit. Quosdamque illustriores partim morte, partim exilio affecit; ridiculas allegans causas, **The same do some obiect a…gainst such tutors, friends, Masters, parents, who keep their scholars, servants and children from these lewde practises and excesses now, which say they doe quite corrupt and make them Puritans.Quod filium ipsius corrumperent, eum neque agitare choros, neque ebacchari permittendo, sed ad modestiam componendo, et virilia officia edocendo. Eo…ue vecordiae provectus est ut omnes scenicos artifices ac theatricos ad maximas imperij dignitates promoveret. Quippe exercitibus saltatorem quendam praefecit, qui olim i…uenis publice in theatro operas dederat. Alium item è scena, iuuentuti, alium senatui, alium etiam equestri ordini praeposuit. Aurigis item et comaedis mimorumque histrionibus maximae imperij munia demandabat: seruisque suis aut libertis vt quisque turpitudine reliquos an…eibat, procurationes tradebat prouinciarum. Ita rebus omnibus per omnem contumeliam et temulentiam debacchantibus, **An evident and remarkable testimony how execrable, this Emperours dancing and effeminacy was to all the Romans, though most of them were then meer Pagans.cum caeteri omnes, tum imprimis Romani milites indignabantur; abominabanturque eum, vtpote vultum componentem …legantius quam faeminam probam deceret: insuper aureis monilibus, mollissimoque vestitu ba…dquaquam viriliter ornatum,, saltantemque in conspectu omnium. Quare propensi…res animos in Alexandrum habebant, spemque meliorem in puero modeste et continentere ducato, &c. Quae intelligens Antoninus nihil non insidiarum Alexandro matrique intendebat, &c. Quod milites aegre ferentes, imperato…em e medio tollere turpiter se gerentem vellent; quapropter ipsum Antoninum et matrem Soaemidem interficiunt, cumque ijs seruos ministrosque omnes scelerum. So execrable did his dancing, acting, effeminacy, & love of Stage-players make him to all the Senate, soldiers and people, p. 856that they thought him unworthy for to raigne or live, and at last dragged his carcase through the Citty and cast it into the common Iakes. It is registred among other of Heliogabalus his lewd effeminate unworthy actions uuAElii Lampridii Heliogabalus p. 189, 190.207. See here p. 208.Quod agebat domi fabulam Paridis, ipse Veneris personam subiens, ita vt subito vestes ad pedes defluerent, nudusque vna manu ad mammam, altera pudendis adhibita, ingenicularet, posterioribus eminentibus in subactorem reiectis et oppositis. Vultum praeterea eodem quo Venus pingitur schemate figurabat, corpore toto expolitus; ipse cantavit, saltavit, ad tibias dixit, tuba cecinit, pandurizavit, organo modulatus est. Fertur et vna die ad omnes Circi et theatri meretrices (a good evidence that all whores, and few women else frequent these Play-houses) tectus cuculione mulionico, ne agnosceretur, ingressus &c. An aparant proofe, that an Emperour dancing or acting a part in Playes or Masques even in his own private pallace is infamous, and his resort to playhouses more abominable. To passe by the censure of **Histor. l 6.Philarcus & **Dipnosoph. l. 14. c. 3. p. 980.Athenaeus, upon Lysimachus, who bring in Demetrius thus usually speaking of his Court. Aulam Lysimachi nihil differre a Scena Comica: to whom Lysimachus replied: ego igitur meretricem exeuntem ex Scena tragica non vidi. It is recorded to the shame of Vitellius; Cornelius Tacitus hist. l. 2. c. 2. r. p. 478. &c. …6, 17. p 469.Vitellio cogniti scurrae quibus ille amicitiarum dehonestamentis mire gaudebat. Quantoque magis appropinquabat vrbi, tanto corruptius iter, mixtis histrionibus & spadonum gregibus, et caetero Neronianae aulae ingenio. Namque et Neronem ipsum Vitellius admiratione celebrabat sectari cantantem solitus non necessitate, qua honestissimus q…isque, sed luxu et sagina mancipatus emptusque. The like is storied to the infamie of **Trebellii Polionis Gallieni duo. p. 315, 316. See p. 306.309.Gallienus the elder, qui natus abdomini et voluptatibus. Quod saepe ad tibicinem processit, ad organum se recepit, cum processui et recessui cani iuberet: et quod mensam secundam scurrarum et mimorum semper prope habuit. To which I may add that of Saloninus p. 857Gallienus; yyIdem p. 319.Quod plura quae ad dedecus pertinebant ab eo gesta sunt: nam noctibus popina dicitur frequentasse, et cum lenonibus, mimis, scurrisque vixisse: And that of the Emperour Carinus too, zzFlauii Vopisci Carinus p. 449.Quod mimos vndique advocavit. Exhibuit et ludum Sarmeticum quo dulcius nihil est: Donatum est et graecis artificibus, et gymnicis, et histrionibus, et musicis aurum et argentum: donata et vestis serica. Sed haec omnia, nescio quantum ad populum (writes Vopiscus) gratiae habeant, nullius certe sunt momenti apud principes bonos. Dioclesiani denique dictum fertur, cumei quidam largitionalis suus editionem Cari laudaret, dicens; multum placuisse principibu… illos, causa ludorum theatralium, ludorumque Circensium; ergo (inquit) bene risus est imperio suo Carus. All which is a convincing proofe, how absurd a thing it is for Princes to **Hence also Duidas in his historica Col. 127. thus taxeth Ardaburius Quod sedeflexit ad muliebres delicias. Gaudebat enim Minis, et praestigiatoribus, et omnibus scenicis ludicris; et huiusmody ineptiis totos dies exigens, glo…iae insignia prorsas negligebat.delight in playes or Actors, much more to Act Enterludes or Masques themselves, Theopompus Historiarium lib. 28… & Athenaeus Dipnosph. lib. 6. c. 6. pa. 422. condemne King Philip, qui cum Thessalos prodigos esse cognovisset, atque omnino intemperantes, artibus omnibus illis placere studuit: nam et tripudiabat, et lasciviebat, omnia que praeter modestia… patiebatur. Erat enim natura scurra, singulisque diebus ebrius &c. aaPolybius hist l. 31. & Athenaeus Dipnos. l. 10. c. 12. p. 694.695. See here p. 249, 250.Polybius & Athenaeus, severely censure Antiochus the illustrious, whō they phrase the mad: Quod vna cū recitatoribus ludebat, totus que velatus inferebatur a mimis, atque in t…rram deponebatur quasi vnus esset ex mimis. Concinnitate deinde evocante, rex exiliebat, tripudiabatque et iocabatur cum mimis, ita vt omnes verecundia caperentur. Ad res huiusmodi misoras inducit stupor is, qui ex ebrietate …ascitur. Yea bbDipnosoph l. 12. c. 13 p. 841.Athenaeus taxeth Straton King of Sidonia for this very thing Quod conventus cum tibicinis, saltatricibus ac cytharistis faciebat; multasque amicas ex Peloponeso accersebat, compluresque cantatrices ex Ionia, atque ex vni…ersa Graecia amicas puellas, quarū alias quidē saltantibus, alias canētibus amicis praemium certaminis proponere solebat, quibuscum p. 858etiam coire saepius delectabatur: cum vitae huiusmodi institutionem complecteretur, ipsa natura seruus erat voluptatum. By all which severall recited examples (well worthy all Christian Princes consideration and detestation too; De quibus nescio an decuerit memoriae prodi, as ccRorum Roma norum l. 7. p. 101.Eutropius writes of Caligula his vices, nisi fort… quia iuvat de Principibus nosse omnia, vt improbi saltem famae metu declinent talia:) it is most evident: that it hath beene alwayes a most infamous thing for Kings, and Emperours to act Playes or Masques either in private or publike; or to sing, or dance upon a Stage or theatre; or to delight in Playes and Actors. Which assertion is likewise confirmed by Plinius secundus Panegyr: Traiano dictus p. 32.45.110. here p. 462, 463. Froysart his Chronicle Booke 4. cap. 192. fol. 243.244. The generall history of France p. 231. Gueuara his Dial of Princes l. 3. c. 43. to 47. D. Rainolds his Overthrow of Stage-playes p. 6. to 10. & 63. to 76. Arius Montanus in lib. Iudicum c. 16. p. 470.571. & Iuuenal Satyr 8. by Tacitus, Herodian, Suetonius Polybius, Athenaeus, Flauius Vopiscus, AElius Lampridius, Trebellius Pollio, Eutropius, Corceius Sabellicus, Antoninus, Grimston, in the lives of these fore-named Emperours, and in the places quoted in the margent with ddSee Comment: & Notae Lubini, Ioannis Brittanici, P. Pithaei, Caelii Secundi, Curionis, Theodor Pulmanni, et Thomae Parnabii in Iuvenal Satyr. 8. Iustin. Hist l. 30. p. 254. & Suida Histo…ica. Ardaburius.sundry others whom I pretermit. See here p. 462, 463, 557, 558, 734. to 743. & p. 710. the example of Ptolomie, accordingly.

Secondly as it is absurd & most infamous for Princes, so also is it for any Magistrates, Nobles, Gentlemen, or persons of ranke or quality, to act a part in publicke or private on the Stage. Hence eeAnnal. l. 14. c 2.3. p. 301, 32, 303.Cornelius Tacitus writes thus of Nero his times. Sed faeminarum illustrium Senatorumque plures per arenam faedati sunt. Ratusque dedecus amoliri si plures faedasset, nobilium familiarum posteros egestate …enales in Scenam deduxit, quos fato perf…nctos, ne nominatim traedam, maiorib…s eorum tribuendum …uto. Nam et ei…s flagitium est p. 859qui pocuniam ob delicta potius dedit, quam ne delinquerent. Notos quoque equites Romanos operas …renae promitter… subegit, donis ingentibus, nisi quod merces ab eo quii ubere potest, …im necessitatis affert. Ne tam…n adhuc publico theatro dehonestare…ur, instituit ludos I…uinalium vocabulo in quos passim nomina data non nobillitas cuiquam non aetas aut acti honores impedimento, quo minus Graeci Latiniue histrionis artem exercerent vsque ad gestus, motusque haut viriles &c. Whereupon divers of the Senators and people complained and cried out, Proceres Romani specie orationum et carminum Scena polluantur, quid superesse, nisi vt corpora quo que nudent, et caestu aessumant, eas que pugnas pro militia et armis meditentur &c. vid Ibidē: Which infamous act ffSect. 11.12. See Lypsius de Saturn. et Sabellicus, Eutropius Zonaras & Grimston in Nero his life.Suetonius thus expresseth, Spectaculorum plurima et varia genera edidit, Invenales, Circences, Scenicos Ludos, gladiatorum munus: Iuvenalibus senes quoque Consulares anusque matronas recepit ad lusum. Ludos quos proaeternitate imperij susceptos appellari maximos voluit, ex vtroque ordine et sexu plerique ludicras partes sustinuerunt. Exhibuit autem ad ferrum etiam quadringentos Senatores, sexcentosque equites Romanos et quosdam fortunae atque eflimationis integrae ex ij…dem ordinibus, confectoresque ferarum et ad varia arenae ministeria, &c. Which ignobl…flagitious ba…e practise of his & others, the Poet Iuvenal doth thus notably inveigh against.

ggIuvenal Satyr 8. p. 81, 82.At vos Troiugenae vobis ignoscitis, & quae

Turpia Cerdoni. Volesos, Bru…ósque decebunt.

Quid si nunquam adeò foedis, adeóque pudendis

Vtimur exemplis, vt non peiora supersint?

Consumptis opibus vocem Damasippe locasti

Sippaerio, …lamosum ageres vt Phasma Catulli.

Laureolum v…lox etiam bene Lentulus egit,

Iudiceme, **Nota.dignus vera cruce: nec tamen ipsi.

Ignoscas populo: populi frons durior huius,

Qui sedet, & spectat trisc…rria patriciorum:

Planipedes audit Fabios ridere potest qui

p. 860Mamercorum alap…s, quanti sua funera ven…ant,

Quid refert? vendunt nullo cogente Nerone,

Ne… dubitant celsi Praetoris vendere ludis.

**Nota.Finge tamen gladios inde, atque hinc pulpita pon…,

Quid satius? mortem sic quisquam exhorruit, vt sit

Zelotypus Thymeles, stupidi collega Corinthi?

Res haud mira tamen, citharoedo Principe mimus

Nobilis, haec vltra quid erit nisi ludus? & illic

Dedecus urbis habes, nec Mirmillonis in armi…,

Nec clypeo Gracchum pugnantem, aut falce supina.

(Damnat enim tales habitus, & damnat & odit.)

Nec galea frontem abscondit, movet ecce tridentem,

Postquam vibrata pendentia retia dextra

Nequicquam effudit, nudum ad spectacula vultum

Erigit, & tota fugit agnoscendus arena.

Ergo ignominiam graviorem pertulit omni

Vulnere, cum Gracco iussus pugnare secutor. &c.

An elegant description & demonstratiō of the infamie of such mensacting playes: Which Laberius an anciēt Roman Knight, drawne upō the Stage to act a part by the hire & cōmād of Nero, doth excellently descypher in this expression of his owne dishonor. hhMacrobius Saturn l. 2. c. 7. p. 408.409.Laberiū asperae libertatis equitem Romanum (writes Macrobius) Caesar quingentis millibus invitavit, ut prodiret in scenam, es ipse ageret mimos quos scriptitabat. Sed potestas non solum si iu…itat, sed etiam si supplicet, cogit. Vnde se et Laberius a Caesare coactum in Prologo testatur his versibus. Necessitas, cuius cursus aversi impetum Voluerunt multi effugere, pauci pot…erunt. Quo me detrusit pene extremis sensibus? Quem nulla ambitio, nulla unquam largitio, Nullus timor, vis nulla, nulla aucto…itas Movere potuit in iu…enta de statu; Ecce in senecta vt facile labefecit loco viri excellentis mente clemente edito, Submissa placidè blandiloquens oratio. Etenim ipse dij negare cui nihil potuerunt Hominem me denegare quis posset pati? Ego bis tricenis annis actis, sine nota, Eques Romanus lare egressus meo, Domum revertar p. 861mimus. **Nota.Nimirum hoc die Vno plus vixi mihi quam vivendum fuit. Fortuna immoderata in bono atque in malo, Si tibi erat libitum literarū la…dibus Floris cacumen nostrae famae frangere, Cur cum vigebam membris praeuiridantibus, Satisfacere Populo, et tali cum poteram viro, Non flexibilem me concuruasti, vt caperes? Nunc me quo d…ijcis? quid a scena affere? Decorem formae, an dignitatem corporis? Animi virtutem, an vocis iocundae sonum? Vt haedera serpens vires arboreas n…cat; …ta me vetustas amplexu annorum necaet; Sepulchris similis, nil nisi nomē retineo. In ipsa quo que actione subinde se qua poterat vlciscebatur, inducto habitu Syri, qui velut flagris caesus, praeripienti que se similis, exclamabat. Porro, Quirites libertatem-perdimus… Et paulo post adiecit; necesse est mult…s timeat quem multi timent: quo dicto vniversitas populi ad solum Caesarem oculos et ora convertit; notantes eius impotentiam hac dicacitate lapidatam. A most pregnant evidence of the point in question. Among the ancient Romans as Macrobius, Cicero, Seneca and others in their iiSee here p. 245. to 251.forequoted passages witnes, it was an infamous thing for Senators, Knights, for men or women of quallity, or their Children, to dance either in a publicke Theatre, or at any private feasts: Hence Seneca thus complaines kkContro. l. 1: proaemio p. 967 See here p. 248.Cantandi saltandique obs…aena studia effaeminatos tenent: llSeneca Epist. 90 p. 377, 379.hinc molles corporis motus docentium, mollesque cantus et infractos: Sapientia vero animorum magistra, non indecoros corporis motus, ne… varios per tubam et tibiam cantus efficit, &c. Hence mmDion Cassius Hist. l. 54. p. 682.Augustus Caesar, quoniam Equites et feminae illustres adhuc in Orchestra saltaban…, prohibuit ne non modo… Patriciorum liberi (id enim antea cantum erat) sed etiam nepotes eorum, quique equestris …rant ordinis, amplius id facerent. In his actionibus Legis…atoris Augustus et Imperatoris speciem nomenque ostendit. Hence this is laid as a tax upon Caligula, that in his presence, nnDion Cassius hist l. 59. p. 831.Patricij pueri Troiam l…serunt. And her…upon ooDion Cassiu… hist l. 60. p. 891…Claudius his successor, to draw men p. 862from this infamie; In Orchestram introduxit inter alios viros etiam equites ac mulieres, quales Caij principatu saltare solebant; non quod ijs delectaretur, sed vt praeterita arg…eret. Nam posthac certe nemo eorum in scena visus est dum Claudius viveret? Pueri quoque quos ad Pyrr…icam saltationem Cains evocaverat, semel duntaxa… …a saltata civitate donati, ac ablegati sunt, Alij deinde ex famulis Claudij saltarunt: haec in theatro. Yea such was the infamie of acting playes among the ancient Pagan Romans; that even lewde **Corn. Tacitus Histor. l. 2. c. 15. p. 465.Vitellius inacted this law: Cautum severe ne equites Romani Ludo et arenâ pollu… rentur … And Plinius Secundus in his Panegyricall oration to Traian, in the name of the whole Roman Senate & people, stiles the acting of Playes; ppPage 38. & 45. See here p. 462, 463.Effaemin…tas artes, et ind…ora seculo studia: which the whole Roman Nation did condemne. See here p. 462, 463. accordingly. To these severall recited Pagan testimonies, I might accumulate, the forequoted evidences of the qqSee here page 843, 844, 845, 846, 847… &c.Praetor, Budaeus, Arius Montanus, Vlpi…n, AEmilius Probus, Dio, **See D. Rainolds his overthrow of Stage playes, p. 8.Xiphilinus, Dionyssius Gothofredus, Ioann…s d… Burgo &c. together with the concurrent suffrages of Lipsius Saturnal. l. 2. c. 1. and of Lubine Caelius secundus, Farnaby, and others in their Commentaries and notes upon I…venal, Satyr 8. who all affirme, the voluntarie descending of any persons of quality or ranke upon the Stage (**See D. Rainolds his overthrow of Stage playes, p. 8. etiam …t sine praemio) to act a part even without reward or hire, to be infamous and absurd: but our learned Dr. Rainolds in his Overthrow of Stage-playes p. 4. to 11. & 63. to 77. and in other pages of that discourse, hath proved this point so fully, that I will here proceede no further in it.

3Thirdly, it is altogether infamous, yea unlawfull, for any Clergie-men whatsoever or their Children, and for any who intend to enter into orders, either voluntarily or compulsorily, for reward or without reward, to act a part upon the Stage, either in any publicke or private Enterludes. Hence the rrSee here p. 574.Councel of Carthage, p. 863Anno. Dom. 397. Can. 11. Decrees: That sonnes of Bishops and Cleargie men (much lesse then they themselves) should neither exhibit, act or behold any secular Enterludes: Hence also the 4. Councell of Carthage: Can. 56.60.62. The 7. Coun. ofsshere 578, 582, 584, 595. &c. See Gulielmus Stuckius Antiquita…um Convivialium l 3. c. 21.22. accordingly. Carthage, can: 70. the 6. Coun. of Constantinople, can. 24.51.62. the 3. Synod of Towers, can. 7.8. the 2. Synod of Cabilon, ca… 9. the coun, of Mentz An. 813. can. 14. the Coun. of Paris, An. 829. can. 38. the Synod of Mentz under Rabanus: can. 13. the Coun. of Nants, quoted by Gratian: distinct. 44 her. p. 599. The Coun. of Gants, An. 1231. here. p. 598. The Synod of Lingres, An. 1404. her. p. 599.600. The Councel of Toledo, An. 1473. here. p, 603.604. The Synod of Seine, An. 1524. here. p. 606. The Synod of Chartres, An. 1526. here p. 609.610. The Coun. of Seine, An. 1528. can. 25. here p. 611. The Synod of Heidelsheim An. 1539. can. 14. here p. 616. The Councel of Triers An. 1549. here p. 617. The Synod of Mentz, An. 1549. can. 74. here p. 620.621. The Coun. of Paris: 1557. here p. 622. The Councell of Trent. Sess. 24. De Reformatione Can. 12. here p. 623. The Councel of Millaine 1560. here p. 625. The Councel of Burdeaux An. 1582. here p. 630.631. The Councel of Biturium An. 1584 here p. 633, 634. The Synod of Aquin. An. 1585. here p. 635. The Councell of Tholoose: An. 1590. and sundry other forementioned Councells Act. 7. Scene 3. together with tthere p. …54, 655, 656. And yet Ipsi autem Episcopi redditus Ecclesiarum, non in pias causas, sed consanguineis, histrionibus, adulatoribus, Venatoribus Scortis et similibus personis friuole expendunt, et magis attendunt nequitiam hominum quam necessitatem naturae, contra Canonum dedecreta. Episcopus chemnensis Onus Ecclesiae cap 20. sect. 10.Sextus, Odo Parisiensis, and Pope Pius the 5. Ivo Carnotensis Decret. pars 6. cap. 208, 209.349. pars 11. cap. 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81. Hostiensis Summa l. 5. Tit. de Clerico Venatore fol. 455. Summa Angelica Ludus, have possitiuely prohibited all sorts of Clergie-men whatsoever * from dancing… from acting (and which is farre more strict, even from * beholding) Stage-playes or any such ioculatorie Enterludes, either in publicke or private; which resolutions and decrees of theirs, are abundantly ratified by the concurrent suffrage of all the uuH…re p. 665, 666. & p. 843. to 848. Summula Raymundi f. 92, 9….forequoted Canonists p. 864and Civilians on which you may reflect. Yea such is the rigidnesse of the Canon-law in this particular; than it makes not onelyonly all professed Stageplayers, but likewise all Schollers and others who have voluntarily acted any part in publicke or private Enterludes, uncapable of any Ecclesiasticall Orders or preferments, till they have done publicke pennance, and openly manifested their serious repentance for the same; as our owne famous English Canonist xxPupilla Oculi pars 7. c. 5. I. See here p. 846.Ioannis de Burgo, Chanceller of the Vniversitie of Cambridge in Henry the 6. his raigne (the onelyonly ancient extant writer of that Vniversity before Henry the 7. his dayes, which I have hitherto met with) **Se Ivo Carnotensis Decret. pars 6 c. 349. & pars 8. c. 295. accordingly.with others, expresly testifie in their forementioned passages. And hereupon Ioannis Langhecrucius a famous popish Canonist and Divine, in his Treatise De vita et honestate Ecclesiasticorum. l. 2. after he had largely proved in the 20. & 21. Chapters of that Booke, that Clergie men ought not to act or see any Stage-playes or Enterludes; in the 22. Chapter he propounds this question (which naturally comes here to be discussed from the premises;) Whether Schoolemasters or their Schollers may at this day act any Cōedies, Tragaedies or other Stagplayes?yyVtrum scolares corumque Magistri, vel… Ludimagistri …orum…c discipuli (as the text & the margent propounde it) comaedias et tragaedias aliosue ludos scenicos nunc agere possint? And he resolves it negatively that they may not doe it, whether these Masters or scholers are such as are already admitted, or as yet not entred into clericall Orders: zzIbidem p. 318, 319, 320. &c.Verū si quis in terroget (writ he) anne ludimagistri possint per discipulos suos cōaedias et tragaedias aliosue ludos scenicos agere? Respōdendū videtur, quod si praedicti ludimagistri, eorūve discipuliclericali tōsura insigniti sint, eos non posse, vt per supradicta pat et. Quia jure canonico expresse cautū est, vt clerici mimis ioculatoribus et histrionibus non intendant. Verum si discipuli non sint tonsurati, nec illis quidem permittendum hoc videtur, (pray marke it) praesertimsi lascivi vel prorsus profani sint, cū ab illis **Pray note this reason well.Christiana religio eos prohibeat. Nam cum paruuli qui succrescentes in maiorum suorum locum in reipublicae tam p. 865ecclesiasticae quam secularis administratione succedant, **Nota.consequēs sit, ab ipsis prane ac nequiter institutis reip…b: perniciē imminere; idcirco summopere refert, vt pueritia, quae seminarium est omnium rerum publicarū in timore Domini, verecundia, pudicitia, et bonis disciplinis edoceatur, prout supra ex SS. Con…ilio Tridentino demonstratum fuit. aaEpist. l. 1. Epist. 10. …ucrati.Divus enim Cyprianus, consultus quid sibi videretur de histrione quodam, an talis deberet communicare cum catholicis, qui adhuc in in eiusdem artis suae dedecore perseuerabat; respondit his verbis: Puto ego nec maiestati divinae, nec evangelicae disciplinae congruere, vt pudor …t honor ecclesiae, tam turpi et infami contagione faedetur, &c. Nec excusetse quispiam, si à theatro ipse cessaverit cum tamen hoc caeteris doceat. Non potest enim uideri cessasse, qui vicarios substituit, et qui pro se vno plures succedaneos suggerit, contra institutionem Dei, erudiens et docens quem admodum masculus frangatur in faeminam, et sexus arte mutetur, et diabolo divinum plasma maculanti, per corrupti at que ener nati corporis delicta placatur, &c. **See here p. 584.Then he quotes the forementioned passage of St. Cyprian to Donatus Epist. l. 2. Epist. 2. to iustifie this his answer: After which he thus proceeds. Deinde in aecumenica Synodo sexta, quae fuit Constantinopolitana 3. Canon 62. statutum est: vt nullus vir muliebri veste induatur, nec mulier veste viro conveniente; sed nec Comicas, nec Tragicas nec Satyricas personas induant. Qui secus fecerit, si clerici sint, deponantur; si Laici, segregentur à communione: (which Canon prohibites all manner of persons whatsoever, whether laymen or Clergiemen, from acting any sort of Enterludes, be they Comedies, Tragaedies or Satyrs) Quare piè et rectè a provinciali Synodo Mechliniensi statutum fuit; vt illi auctores, qui per gentilitatē aut turpes amores iuuenum mores **Let those who now erect Crucifixes and Images in our Churches contrary to our Articles, Iniunctions, homilies, Conons, Statutes, & writers yea contrarie to their owne subscription, consider this: and those also who use any heathenish Ceremonies and representations in their Enterludes.corrumpere possent à scholis arceantur? Et vt non solum è templis et locis sacris, verum etiam è domibus et hortis ecclesiasticorum tollantur imagines, sculpturae, aulaea, quae gentilitatem, p. 866aut mendaces ethnicorum fabulas, Satyrorum, faunorum… Sy…enarum, terminorum ac Nympharum, ac id genus alia repraesenta…t: (which are the commonnest representations in all Masques and Stage-playes:) Similiter quaecunque figurae lasciu…, procaces, et ob pudendam nuditatem vel alias tam obscenae, vt pios mentes offendant, et superstitiosae, qui fidelium mentes à religione et devotione distrahunt et saepius graviter offendunt. Then hee quotes the bbSee here page 601, 603, 604, 608, 611, 631, 634.forementioned Cano…s, prohibiting childrens acting of Playes in Churches upon Innocents day: together with the Canons of the Councell of Millaine;ccSee here page 624, 625. from all which he truely and positively concludes: That it is unlawfull for Schoolemasters or their Schollers, to act any Comedies, Tragedies or other stageplayes. And shall Protestants then allow of that which the very Papists condemne? God forbid. From all which premises thus layd together, wee may quickly lear…e what to judge, not onelyonly of the perso…ating of all private and publick Masques and Mummeries, which are now to frequent, but likewise of the acting of **Academicall Enterludes and the acting of them infamous See Gullelmus Stuckius Anti. qui. Conviv. l. 3. c. 21, 22.Academicall Enterludes, by Vndergraduates, Graduates, Deacons, and sometimes young Divines; which Playes are commonly as scurrilous, as prophane as scandalous, as invectiue against religion and the professors of it, as experience witnesseth, as any that are acted in our standing Play-h…uses. Certainly whatever the Error, the corruption of the times may judge; yet the fore-aleaged **See p. 573. to 668.843 to 850. & 933, 934, 940.Councels, Fathers, Authors doome the acting, (yea the very beholding of such academicall E…terludes, especially by Clergie-men, who are now to forward to pen, to act and see them… whereas ddSee Act. 7. Scene. 3.Acts 7above 40. severall Councels have possitively decreed, that they ought not to be present at any such Playes or E…terludes) to bee both scandalous and infamous, not onelyonly in the repute of Christians, but of Pagans too, especially of the anciant Pagan Romans; In scenam enim pr…dire et populo esse spectaculo **That is, …s first.nemini in Graecis gentibus p. 867fuit turpitudini: quae omnia apud Romanos, partim infamia, partim humilia, atque ab honestate remot… ponuntur, as eeIn his Excellentium Imperatorum vitae: P…fatio p. 356.AEmilius Probus writes. And ca… any gentlemen or schollers whatsoever, thinke this an honor to them, to be excellent Actors, Masquers or dancers, in any Academicall Enterludes, which the very heathe… (besides, Councels, Fathers, and Christian authors) hauehave long since sentenced as their shame? Doubtles no ingenuous christian ought to be so stupid… so prophane or gracelesse, as to harbour any such conceit within their breasts. And here that I may not to farre digresse into a large discourse against Academicall or private Enterludes since I have beene so over…eedious against popular, I shall onelyonly commend these three considerations to the Readers, a…d all Academicall Actors consciences.

First, that the Fathers, the Primitiue Christians, 1the fore-recited Councels, and Pagan authors, never made, nor knew of any such novell distinction as …his, of Popular & Academicull Enterluds, but condemned all playes alike, as well those in ffSee here page 573.581.private houses, as in publike Theators, as well those that were acted by Voluntary as by hired and professed Actors, both which they reputed infamous, as I hauehave here largely manifested.

Secondly that all, at leastwise most of all the arguments, 2the authorities here produced against popular stage-players, stand firme against Academicall too, there being no other difference betweene them that I know, but this; that the one …re m…re frequent, m…re publike then the other: their materials, circumstance…, concomitants, and manner of acting. being ggParia sunt vni…s sementis germina. Prosper Aquit. Contr. Collatorem c. 41.for the most part both alike, and their original too.

Thirdly, that Academicall Enterludes are in this regard farre worse then popular, in that they give a kind of authoritie, and justification to publike Enterludes 3Actors, and Play-haunters, o…r common Players and Playhaunters alleaging the exampl…s of our vniversity p. 868Enterludes as their cheifest Agument, their best apologie both for the vse and lawfullnesse of publicke Stage-playes, as present experience manifes…s: and in that their hhVelocius enim et citius nos corrumpunt vi…tiorum domestica exempla subeunt animos magnis auctoribus. Iuvenal Satyr 14… p. 126. Exempla tantum conspectiora sunt, et efficacius movent, quanto illustriores sunt perso…ae aquibus designantur Diodorus Sic. Bibl. hist. Epist. Dedic…t.example, their scandall is farr worse then that of popular stage-playes, and so apt to doe more harme, by increasing the number both of popular players and Actors, and hardning them in the love, the practise of acting and frequenting Playes; because the persons who commonly Act, behold and pen them being schollers and divines (who should be ii1 Tim. 3.2. to 14. c. 4 12.1 Tim 3:2–14patternes of piety, gravity, sobriety and right christian conversation unto others) are of farre better education ranke and qua…lity, in regard of their professions, and of the Vniversities thē selves in which they live, (they being the very eyes and Lampes, the Seminaries and Nurseries of our Iland, where youth are vsually either made or marde for ever, to the great publike good or hurt) then either the penners, or actors, of our common Enterludes, who are kkSee here Act. 4. Scene 1, 2.Acts 4ordinarily men of meanest quallity & lewdest conditions, even such as our ll22 H. 8. c. 12.14. Eliz. c. 5.39. Eliz. c. 4.1. Iac. c. 7.owne statutes brand for Rogues. Which three Considerations added to all the premises, to page 489.490.491. & to Doct. Reynolds his learned Over-throw of Stageplayes, (where he hath professedly proved, Academicall stageplayes as w…ll as popular, to be unlawfull, mauger all Doct. Gagers, or Doctor Gentiles their slen…er cavils and objections to the contrary, which are there so solidly answered, that they were inforced to yeeld their cause… mmSee the Epistle to the Reader before Dr. Rainolds his Overthrow of Stage playes, accordingly.Doct Gager subscribing at last unto D. Reynolds his judgement;) will be a sufficient evidence, to convince the vnlawfulnes of Academicall Enterludes, and the nnSee I. G. his Refutation of the Apologie for Actors, here p. 490… 491.infamie of such as shall presume to act thē; A…l voluntary, hyred, or professed Actors of Academicall, of common Stageplayes being infamous persons, as the foregoing Authorities, largely testifie I shal therfore here cōclude this Scene,**De Vanitate Scient. c. 20. See cap. 19. with that excellent passage of Cornelius Agrippa, of the infamie of acting & frequenting stagplayes, Proinde p. 869exercere histrinicā, non solū turpis et scelesta occupatio est, sed etiā conspicere et dilectari flagitiosum: siquidem et lasciuientis animi oblectatio cadit in crimen. Nullū deni que nomen olim fuit infamius, quam histrionum, et legibus ipsis arcebantur ab honoribus, quicun que fabulam saltassent in Theatro. And thus much for the infamie of Acting Stageplayes: a good Prologue or introduction to the unlawfulnes both of the Profession of stage-players and of acting Playes, which I shal next discusse.