CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 ENGUSH COLLECTION 
 
 ({.SLQH-66Q 
 
 THE GrFT OF 
 
 JAMES MORGAN HART 
 
 PKOFESSOR OF ENGUSH 
 
Cornell University Library 
 PR 652.H43 
 
 The English drama and stage under the Tu 
 
 3 1924 013 271 709 .i»...i 
 
The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013271709 
 
Clje iRoyburglje Hihvdix^. 
 
 REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31ST, 1868. 
 
 j N the exacft words of the " Revifed Profpedlus," iflued 
 Feb. I, 1868, " The Roxburghe Library was organized 
 in 1867, w^th the objed of bringing within the reach of 
 everybody who cares for them the beft inedited remains 
 of our ancient literature for a moderate yearly fubfcription." 
 
 The original intention of the Promoter of this new claimant to 
 public favour was to have divided the refponfibility, both literary and 
 monetary, between himfelf and a certain number of coadjutors, form- 
 ing a Committee of Management in the fame manner and on the fame 
 principles as other fopieties which exift, or have exifted, among us. 
 With this view a communication was made to feveral gentlemen, 
 whofe names are well known in antiquarian circles, ftating the Pro- 
 moter's plans and wifhes, and he was fuccefsful in obtaining the ad- 
 hefion of two or three literary friends, whofe affiftance and advice 
 would have been extremely welcome and valuable to him. Others, 
 however, with whom he had defired to adt, were precluded by pre- 
 engagements or by their regular avocations from joining him ; and 
 
2 Report. 
 
 he has only to add, that on mature confideratlon, he refolved to dif- 
 penfe with a Council, and to attempt, fingle-handed, the condu6t of 
 the fcheme which he had fet on foot. He felt that, if it fhould be 
 fuccefsful, fo much the better ; if it fhould be a failure, that blame 
 would refl; with him alone. In confequence of this determination, 
 the Roxburgh E Library became, in September, 1867, an accom- 
 plifhed fac5i:, fo far as its eftablifhment was concerned, and in January, 
 1868, it iflued its firft volume. 
 
 Although, it is believed, there are at the prefent moment, and have 
 been in former days, a few fo called Societies, which to all pradtical 
 intents and purpofes are under individual fupervifion, and follow the 
 guidance of a fingle direfting hand, the Book-Club now inftituted may 
 claim to be the firft and only enterprife of the kind in this country, 
 which is not merely oftenfibly but avowedly and fpecifically under 
 the control of one perfon. This fyftem, for which the recommenda- 
 tion of novelty is thus claimed rightly or wrongly, has its advantages 
 and alfo its difadvantages. 
 
 Its advantages appeared to the Promoter at the time — and he muft 
 confefs that he has feen no reafon to alter his opinion — to confift in 
 the facilities which are thus afforded of carrying out without reftraint 
 or interruption the programme fubmitted to the public, or that portion 
 of the public, at leaft, which is interefted in fuch matters, and of which 
 the latter may feem to indicate approval and acceptance by fubfcrip- 
 tion to the undertaking ; fecondly, the removal of any rifk of thofe 
 internal differences, which have proved difaftrous to feveral Societies 
 launched under the moft favourable aufpices ; and thirdly, the cen- 
 tralizing of all refponfibility in one perfon. 
 
 On the other hand, a Book-Club conduced on this perfonal prin- 
 ciple labours under certain inconveniences and difadvantages, which. 
 
Report. 3 
 
 fo far from defiring to fhirk, the Editor has every wifh to make 
 clear, and generally known. In the firft place, it is an invidious tafk 
 for any man to aik for feveral hundreds of pounds from thofe to 
 whom he is, for the moft part, a ftranger, for the purpofe of carrying 
 out entirely at. his owndifcretion certain literary defigns, of which the 
 charafter cannot be exaftly known to any beyond his own circle of 
 friends, till it is too late to retra6t. Again, a man is apt by this 
 means, to incur the fufpicion of putting money into his own pocket, 
 under the pretence of benefiting others ; and however groundlefs and 
 I muft add prepofterous, fuch an idea may, and would be, intending 
 fupporters are doubtlefs deterred from coming forward by the con- 
 fideration in queftion. A third drawback may be, that the Editor is 
 poflibly engaged in more important purfuits, and that delays may 
 take place in the produdlion and diftribution of the volumes forth- 
 coming and due for the annual fubfcription, or (a ftill worfe con- 
 tingency) that the work is hurried and imperfedl, while, where the 
 labour of editorfhip is divided among feveral, greater promptitude and 
 efficiency are at once fecured. 
 
 The editor of the Roxburghe Library does not raife thefe objec- 
 tions for the fake of anfwering them ; he merely puts down on paper 
 what he is fully aware has been in fome quarters alleged againft his 
 projeft. To the firft and fecond points one reply may feem fufficient 
 and fatisfadtory. Accompanying thefe remarks will be found a ftate- 
 ment of accounts for our firft financial .year, ending December 31, 
 1868, from which the Subfcribers will at once perceive that the 
 Editor has fulfilled his engagements to his fupporters not only with- 
 out any honorarium or profit, but at a pecuniary facrifice. With 
 fome what under 100 fubfcribers, he has given three books, of which 
 two coft upwards of 100/. each, not reckoning Agent's commiflion. 
 
4 Report. 
 
 The third, which was the firft in order of time — the "Paris and 
 Vienne " — was a fmaller volume, and proportionably lefs expenfive. 
 It cannot be difputed, that thefe works might have been produced 
 more cheaply, if woodcuts had been omitted, and other acceflbries 
 had been difpenfed with ; but it was part of the plan, it may be re- 
 colledted, to reprefent in the Roxburghe Library texts, as clofely as 
 poffible, the original publication or MS. ; and competent tranfcribers, 
 engravers, and typographers very properly expert the higheft market 
 price for what they do. 
 
 To the third objeftion, the beft reply, and perhaps the moft 
 d-efirable mode of replying, will be a reference to what has been 
 achieved, and a candid review, juftifiable by the perfed: eafe with 
 which it is capable of being verified or difproved, of the works which 
 have been transferred from the editor's hands to the fhelves of fub- 
 fcribers, in the courfe of the twelvemonth. 
 
 The Roxburghe Library, in the firft year of its exiftence, has re- 
 printed an unique romance, interefting in itfelf, and alfo of value as 
 having been printed (and probably tranflated) by Caxton ; as a work, 
 of which no Englifh MS. is known ; and in a philological refpeft. 
 In the Preface, the Editor endeavoured to colleft all that was known 
 of the literary hiftory and bibliography of the ftory, and in a few 
 Notes at the end of the volume, he explained a few obfcure allufions 
 to the beft of his ability, and compared the Englifh narrative as 
 printed by Caxton with the beft French text. 
 
 The firft inftalment of the Works of William Browne, the 
 Devonftiire poet, formed the fecond ifiue of laft year. The Editor 
 had the good fortune to meet with many new biographical fails re- 
 lating to Browne, which, if they did not go fo far as could have been 
 wiftied towards the folution of obfcurities and the removal of our un- 
 certainty, in regard to many leading features in the poet's life, at 
 
Report. 5 
 
 leaft fupplied fome lacuna and hitherto miffing dates, and placed 
 the author of " Britannia's Paftorals " more clearly and humanly 
 before us. Exception has been taken to the choice of Browne's 
 Works as among the earlieft volumes of the prefent feries ; and the 
 ground taken, oddly enough, was the cheap rate, at which they were 
 already procurable. To any one converfant with the fads, it will be 
 unneceflary to point out how totally this idea proceeds from a mif- 
 apprehenfion ; for the truth is, that no good edition of Browne, at all 
 pretending to completenefs and uniformity, either exifts, or has ever 
 been attempted hitherto ; and that the entire body of Browne's 
 poetry, including much that has never been colledled, and more that 
 has never been edited in the ftridt fenfe of the term, is to be found in 
 the volume already forwarded to fubfcribers, and in a fecond which 
 will be in their hands this very fummer, and to be found nowhere elje. 
 When it is added, that in thefe writings are fome of the moft de- 
 lightful compofitions of the kind in our language ; that there Milton 
 met with paflages which fixed themfelves in his ftill greater mind, 
 and which he has reproduced with added force and new embelHfhments, 
 and that the author of them is believed to have executed nothing 
 of any confequence after he had pafled his nine-and-twentieth year, we 
 have faid enough, it is prefumed, in vindication of the ftep here taken. 
 We have a fecond phenomenon in our early literature of the 
 fame fort; but Randolph, who died very young, although he far 
 excelled Browne in fancy and wit, and left behind him the mafterly 
 and firft-clafs paftoral comedy of Amyntas, did not exhibit, or 
 perhaps poflefs, that genius for delineating the fcenery and pur- 
 fuits of the country, that grace and fweetnefs of manner, and that 
 rare chaftity of ftyle, which have very juftly recommended Browne 
 to attention. Nor, indeed, where the occafion demanded it, has the 
 Devonfliire poet fhown himfelf unequal to higher flights, as the 
 
6 Report. 
 
 Editor thinks that his fubfcribers will be prepared to allow, when 
 they have, for the firft time, an opportunity of perufing his mifcel- 
 laneous pieces, as he wrote them ; efpecially if, as there is fome 
 reafon to believe, the celebrated Elegy on Mary, Countefs of Pem- 
 broke, muft be taken from Jonfon, and given to him. 
 
 It has arifen, from the anxiety and refolution to do all in his 
 power to juftify his feleftion of Browne's Works, that the Editor has 
 decided on including in the Second Volume all the remaining matter ; 
 fo that fubfcribers will, at an early date, poflefs the means of forming 
 their own conclufions on this fubjedt. The Editor refpecftfully trufls 
 that the verdift will not be adverfe. 
 
 With the third iffue for 1868 the cafe feems to ftand differently. 
 So far as the Inedited Tracts are concerned, no apology or ex- 
 planation is furely requifite. Thefe fpeak for themfelves, and tell 
 their own tale. They certainly abound in intereft, each in its 
 particular way. Of courfe, hundreds of pages of Notes might have 
 been appended, if need had been ; but the Editor does not regret his 
 hefitation to import illuftrative paflages from works in everybody's 
 hands, fuch as Bacon's " EfTays," More's " Utopia," Overbury's 
 " Charadters," and half a dozen more, which might be enumerated, 
 all or moft of which could only have been trite and ftale. A Second 
 Series of fimilar Trafts, printed between 1591 and 1636, will pro- 
 bably conftitute one of the volumes for 1870. 
 
 Notwithftanding the trifling deficiency which was referred to at 
 the outfet of the Report, the fcheme is undoubtedly a fuccefs. Its 
 progrefs has been fteady and unceafing, if flow ; fcarcely a week 
 elapfes without bringing frefh fupport ; and the Library has its 
 friends on the Continent, in the United States, and in Auflralia, as 
 well as in England and Scotland. Still the Editor cannot but feel 
 that he is beft ferving the interefl:s of all parties concerned by alking 
 
Report. 
 
 7 
 
 the exifting fubfcribers to make the Series known among their 
 friends ; the fubfcription-lift once filled up, the number of iflues 
 might be increafed, the Society's work be expedited, and thus its 
 fphere of ufefulnefs enlarged. He appeals for additional help the 
 more earneftly, inafmuch as the books for 1869 are of a much more 
 coftly charadler than thofe for 1868; the volume on the Drama 
 now delivered is the heavieft hitherto printed ; the fecond and con- 
 cluding volume of Browne will even exceed it in bulk and coft ; 
 and then there is the Gascoigne to come, to fay nothing of a fourth 
 book which will be given, if it fhould turn out to be at all pradlicable. 
 Altogether, it fhould be tolerably evident that the Editor is not 
 carrying on under colour of literary enthufiafm, any thriving commer- 
 cial /peculation ; and it is not, perhaps, on the whole a very unreafon- 
 able thing to folicit all the co-operation for the future on the part of 
 thofe willing to lend aid, fo that the Roxburghe Library may be kept 
 in found working order, and do its part both quickly and well. But 
 even in the exifting ftate of the funds, the Editor will be perfeflly 
 able to keep faith with his fupporters, and to produce the fame 
 number of books as was given laft year, namely three ; the amount, 
 in fadl, ftipulated in the profpedtus. 
 
 The attention of members of the Society may further be requefted 
 to the faA that the back ftock of at prefent unfubfcribed books in 
 the Agent's hands reprefents a not inconfiderable money value. 
 
 Mr. John Ruflell Smith, of 36, Soho Square, continues to ad as 
 Agent for the Roxburghe Library, and receives fubfcriptions. 
 
 W. C. Hazlitt. 
 Kensington, May i, 1869. 
 
BALANCE SHEET. 
 
 Dr. 
 
 £ 
 9' 
 
 Received of 91 Subfcribers 
 for Small Paper Copies . 
 
 Do. of 12 Subfcribers, for 
 Large Paper do. . . 63 
 
 ^254 
 
 On hand. 
 
 79 copies of Paris and Vienna, 
 fmall ; 18 do., large; 79 
 Browne's Works, Vol. I., 
 fmall ; 18 do., large; 
 79 Old Manners, fmall ; 
 18 ditto, large ; eftimated 
 to be worth the deficiency, 
 viz. : — .... 
 
 •il 4 
 
 ^309 6 II 
 
 Cr. 
 
 Paid for Tranfcripts (fome 
 
 not yet ufed) 
 Facfimile to Paris 
 
 and Vienna 
 Books for ufe 
 Woodcuts 
 
 Printing Profpeftufes . 
 Printing Paris and Vienna 
 — Browne's Works 
 
 Vol. I. 
 
 Old Manners 
 
 Binding Paris and Vienna 
 
 Browne 
 
 Old Manners . 
 
 60 vols, various 
 
 Paid for Paper 
 
 Allowed to Agents 
 
 Poftages of Books to Sub 
 fcribers 
 
 Agent's Commiffion, Poftage 
 of Correfpondence, paper- 
 ing and direfting Books 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 3 12 o 
 
 I 8 6 
 
 14 16 6 
 
 5 '3 9 
 
 33 13 o 
 
 67 7 3 
 
 65 10 3 
 
 898 
 
 n 3 
 12 4 
 
 3 IS 
 
 29 2 
 
 3 7 
 
 A true ftatement of Receipts and Expenditure. 
 
 9 o 3 
 
 31 15 2 
 
 £309 6 1 1 
 
 John Russell Smith. 
 
THE ENGLISH DRAMA 
 
 AND STAGE 
 
THE 
 
 €nsU0|) Brama anb ^tage 
 
 UNDER THE TUDOR AND 
 STUART PRINCES 
 
 1543-1664 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY A SERIES OF DOCUMENTS 
 TREATISES AND POEMS. 
 
 WITH A PREFACE AND INDEX. 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE ROXBURGHE LIBRARY. 
 
 (XM.DCCC.LXIX. 
 
 H 
 
 -/:■;•■■ 
 
I^.^^'f5 54 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 HE following pages embrace nearly all the Documents 
 and Treatifes diredly illuftrating the early hiftory of 
 Englifh Dramatic Poetry and of the Englifh Stage, 
 which have not hitherto been made acceffible, or of 
 which it was thought expedient to furnifh more fcrupuloufly accurate 
 texts than thofe previoufly given in other books. The Editor did 
 not confider that there would be any advantage gained by including 
 in fuch a colleftion as the prefent fuch works as Northbrooke's 
 " Treatife againft Dancing," &c., Goflbn's "Schoole of Abufe," 
 • Lodge's " Defence of Plays," which have been republifhed of late 
 years, and are to be purchafed at a very cheap rate : nor could he 
 decide on the infertion of "A Mirrour of Monfters," 1587, by W. 
 Rankins, fince, although the laft trad is certainly diredled in large 
 meafure againft the Stage, the writer does not throw even an inci- 
 dental or cafual light on the fubjed, which he feems to have been 
 equally incapable of treating inftruftively and entertainingly. It is 
 true enough, that the " Second and Third Blaft of Retrait from 
 plaies and Theaters," 1580, and "A Short Treatife againft Stage 
 Playes," 1625, are not particularly edifying ; but the latter had the 
 merit of brevity, as its title prepares one to exped : and the former. 
 
VI 
 
 Preface. 
 
 befides containing occafional paflages and allufions of an interefting 
 charadber, belongs to a rather important period in our early Dramatic 
 Annals, appearing juft when a great ftir was being made in the City 
 of London againft theatrical performances and exhibitions, and pur- 
 porting to be " publifhed by authority," — i. e., the authority of the 
 corporation. The arms of the city are, in fa6t, on the back of the 
 title ; and the typographer, whofe name is attached to the piece, was 
 the perfon ufually employed in fuch cafes. The " Treatife againft 
 Stage-Playes," 1625, indeed, has this feature to recommend it — that 
 it was feemingly put forth at the moment when Charles I. had pub- 
 liftied his a6t againft the profanation of the fabbath, and, though 
 deftitute of literary value, forms an exponent and echo of the 
 feeling of the time. It fcarcely looks as if it had been the produdtion 
 of an Englifti prefs ; the type, the ornament on the title (of which a 
 careful facfimile has been given), and the whole appearance of the 
 traft, are foreign. 
 
 The Corporation of London poflefles a feries of documents be- 
 longing to the reign of Elizabeth, and connedled with the difputes 
 and difficulties which arofe in or about 1573 refpefting the per- 
 formance of plays within the civic jurifdidtion. The Editor would 
 have gladly made thefe valuable original papers part of his volume ; 
 but, unfortunately for him, they occur in a collection of mifcellaneous 
 MSS. of which the Library Committee of the Court of Common 
 Council, he believes, contemplate the publication hereafter in their 
 entirety, and confequently are not difpofed to permit any partial 
 foreftalment. It is, befides, by no means certain that the Corpora- 
 tion will not difcover, at fome future period, among its uncatalogued 
 records, other documents of a fimilar defcription. All that can be 
 faid, therefore, under the circumftances is, that thefe and the contents 
 
Preface. vii 
 
 of the new Roxburghe Library volume muft be left to illuftrate each 
 other. 
 
 Our volume is divided, as may be feen, into two diftind portions : 
 I. " Documents." ii. " Treatifes." The firft divifion might have 
 been enlarged to an almoft unlimited extent, if the Editor had com- 
 prifed within it all the papers which are to be found in the Record 
 Department and in various public and private libraries, containing 
 Eftimates for Mafques, Warrants for the payment of money for 
 court or private theatricals, Inftruments of all kinds relative to the 
 licenfing of plays, the regulation of theatres, the accounts of the 
 revels, and ah endlefs aflbrtment of fimilar or analogous matters. A 
 careful fele<3:ion from thefe might ufefully form a fecond feries here- 
 after ; but to print the whole mafs would be clearly out of the 
 queftion at any time. 
 
 Of thofe Documents which have been given, feveral appear in Mr. 
 Collier's well-known work, printed in 1831 ; but, with the exception 
 of one, which has been temporarily miflaid, and for which repeated 
 fearch has been recently inftituted without fuccefs, all the pieces 
 common to Mr. Collier's volumes and to this have been collated 
 with the original MSS. or printed tra6ts among the public records in 
 the Britifh Mufeum, in the Library of the Society of Antiquaries, 
 and in the Bodleian. It is plainly worfe than ufelefs, in all cafes, to 
 reproduce texts without fubjedting them to this procefs, let the prior 
 Editor's charader for precifion be what it may. 
 
 The major part of the Treatifes have never been edited or re- 
 printed before ; and if regarded in no higher light, they furely offer 
 a body of material and a ftore of information, which will be of fervice 
 in more than one way, and to more than one clafs of inquirers. The 
 Second and the Third Blaft of Retrait proceeded from very different 
 
viii Preface. 
 
 pens ; the former is utterly valuelefs in an Englifh point of view, and 
 is not, perhaps, of great importance in any refped ; it is merely an 
 attack by an early Chriftian bifhop on the ungovernable and licentious 
 paffion of the Romans of his day for theatricals. Of the " Third 
 Blaft," the author does not appear; his treatife was put into the 
 hands of the perfon who has edited the entire volume, and added the 
 marginal notes ; and the latter fpeaks of his friend as defiring to pre- 
 ferve his incognito, although he feems to have thought that the 
 readers of the period would not have much difficulty in identifying 
 him. All that we glean is that he had been a dramatift, and had 
 forfaken his profeffion, juft as Goflbn did. As it is tolerably evident, 
 from an explicit paflage in the preface, that it was not Goflbn himfelf, 
 the Editor rnufl confefs his ignorance. Goflbn's own unqueftioned 
 produftion, the " Plaies Confuted," feemed to be as well worth re- 
 printing as his " Schoole of Abufe;" and if the Editor had not 
 decided on admitting it into this volume, it would have been in- 
 cluded at an early date in Mr. Arber's excellent feries of " Englifh 
 Reprints." Mr. Arber very obligingly gave way, on learning that it 
 was intended to republifli the piece here. 
 
 Regarding the date of the " Plays Confuted," Mr. Collier ob- 
 ferves ■} "No fooner had Lodge's ' honeft excufes' [his 'Defence of 
 Plays'] made their appearance, than Goflbn fet about his ' Plays Con- 
 futed in Five Actions,' which he dedicated to Sir F. Walfingham ; 
 but, as it is without date, we can only prefume that it was not 
 delayed beyond the autumn of 1581, or the fpring of 1582." 
 
 Goflbn and the author of the " Third Blafl:," began by contributing 
 
 ' Introduftion to the Shakefpeare Society's edition of the "Schoole of Abufe," 
 1 841, p. vii. 
 
Preface. ix 
 
 to the ftage, and ended by a fierce denunciation of theatres and 
 theatricals. Rankins, the writer of " A Mirror of Monfters/' and 
 other tradtsj began by the publication of attacks upon the drama, 
 and .then, fhifting his ground, turned dramatift. A more eminent 
 and able man than any of thefe, Thomas Lodge, was at the com- 
 mencement of his literary career a warm advocate of the drama ; he 
 fubfequently wrote two plays, one in conjunftion with Robert Greene ; 
 and in the end he renounced the calling of a playwright, and divided 
 his attention between his profeflion as a doftor and one or two dull 
 tranflations. He is referred to, in no very complimentary terms, in 
 a MS. of the early part of thS feventeenth century, which contains 
 fatirical notices of many of the phyficians of the period. 
 
 Puttenham, in his " Arte of Englifh Poefie," written apparently 
 at intervals, but probably completed fome years before it was printed 
 in 1589, fays, refpedling dramatic performances in his day : "Some 
 wordes of exceeding great length, which haue bene fetched from the 
 Latine inkorne or borrowed of ftrangers, the vfe of them in ryme is 
 nothing pleafant, fauing perchance to the common people, who 
 reioyfe much to be at playes and enterludes, and befides their naturall 
 ignoraunce, haue at all times their eares fo attentiue to the matter, 
 and their eyes vpon the fliewes of the ftage, that they take little 
 heede of the cunning of the rime." 
 
 In the Britifh Mufeum there is a printed fheet, entitled, "A 
 Table made by the Learned Aftronomer Erra Pater, fhewing that 
 the Twelve Signes and Seuen Planets haue as great a Predomination 
 ouer all Trades, and Callings, which are the Members of the Body 
 of a Common-wealth as ouer the Body of Man." From this 
 document, publiftied about 1620, it appears that Players are under 
 the Sign 'Taurus. 
 
 b 
 
X Preface. 
 
 As regards the diforders and licenfe Incidental to dramatic exhi- 
 bitions, and to the maintenance of feveral theatres in a city, fuch as 
 London formerly was, it may be a queftion, after all, whether the 
 evil was fo ferious as has been reprefented to us by the Puritanical 
 party. Anthony Babington, who feems to have come up to London 
 before Shakefpeare began to write for the ftage (he was executed in 
 1588), is made to fay in his " Complaint :" 
 
 " for that caufe forthwith I to London wente, 
 
 where in lyncolns Inn a ftudent I became, 
 and there feme parte of my flittinge tyme I fpente ; 
 but to bee a good iawier, my mynde woulde not frame; 
 I addifted was to pleafure, and given fo to game ; 
 But to the Theatre and Curtayne woulde often reforte. 
 Where I mett companyons fittinge my difporte." ' 
 
 This, after all, amounts to nothing more than what a young man 
 of the prefent day might very well fay, looking back with regret at 
 the unfortunate intimacies he had formed at the Lyceum or any 
 other houfe now in exiftence. The T^ heater here mentioned was, of 
 courfe, the building fo called far excellence. 
 
 A writer, more judicious and difcriminating than moft of thofe 
 who made the ftage their fubjed in early times, both fenfibly and 
 wittily obferves, in a traft printed in 1642,^ juft when the movement 
 for the fuppreflion of plays and play-houfes was commencing — he 
 is addreffing the Parliament : " That being," he fays, " your fage 
 Counfels have thought fit to vote downe Stage-Playes roote and 
 branch, but many even of the well-aiFedted to that Reformation have 
 
 ' '-The Complaynte of Anthonye Babington "(" Poore Man's Pittance," by R. 
 Williams, circa 1604, repr. 1869, p. 13.) 
 
 ^ " Certaine Propofitions offered to the Confideration of the Honourable Houfes of 
 Parliament." Printed Ann. Dom. 1642 (" Antiq. Repert." ed. 1808, iii. 35.) 
 
Preface. xi 
 
 found, and hope hereafter to find, Play-houfes moft convenient, and 
 happy places of meeting ; and that now in this Bag-pipe Minftralfie 
 weeke (I meane this red packe of leafure dayes that is comming) there 
 muft be fome Enterludes whether you will or no ; You would be 
 pleafed to declare your felves that you never meant to take away the 
 calling of Stage-playes, but reforme the abufe of it ; that is, that they 
 bring no profane plots, but take them out of the Scripture all (as that 
 of Jojeph and his brethren would make the Ladies weepe : that of 
 David and his Troubles would do pretty well for this prefent ; and, 
 doubtlefs, Sujanna and the two Elders would be a Scene that would take 
 above any that was ever yet prefented). It would not be amifle, too, 
 if inftead of the Muficke that playes betweene Adls, there were onely 
 a Pfalme fung for diftindtion fake. This might be eafily brought to 
 pafle, if either the Court Play-writers be commanded to read the 
 Scripture, or the City Scripture-Readers be commanded to write 
 Playes." 
 
 In the curious volume pubHfhed in 1616,' of which a feftion 
 forms part of the prefent work, there is a paflage relating to adlors, 
 which, confidering the date, feemed worth extradting : " DrunkennefTe," 
 it fays, " puts a Carpenter by his rule, a Fencer from his ward, a 
 Poet out of his vaine, and a Flayer out of his fart." A little further 
 on, there is a good illuftration of the fubjeft in hand, where, fpeaking 
 of the gentleman without means, the author obferves : " Take him 
 to a play, and trouble not his cogitation with the water-man, 
 entrancBy ox fitting : hee fhall laugh as hartily, obferue as iudicioufly, 
 and repeat as exaflly for nothing, as another man fhall for his halfe- 
 
 ' "The Rich Cabinet Furnifhed with varietie of Excellent defcriptions, &c.," by 
 T. G., 1616, fol. 37 verfo. 
 
xii Preface. 
 
 crowne. Yea, you fhall finde him able (or forward) in fliort time to 
 corred the Aftors, or cenfure the Poet." This was in the year of 
 Shakefpeare's death ; it helps out partly what Lambarde fays in his 
 "Perambulation," 1576, refpefting the prices charged for feats at the 
 theatres. 
 
 The Editor begs to offer his beft acknowledgments to the Secre- 
 tary and Affiftant-Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries, London, 
 and to Alfred Kingfton, Efq., of the Record Department, for the 
 courtefy ftiown to him by thofe gentlemen, and for their kind affift- 
 ance in permitting or procuring collations of the documents under 
 their charge ; and to W. H. Overall, Efq., librarian to the Corpora- 
 tion of London, for his obliging attention during a late negotiation 
 refpedhing the early dramatic papers preferved at Guildhall. 
 
 W. C. H. 
 
 Kensington, April, 1869. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 I. Documents. 
 
 I. Aft 34 and 35 Hen. VJir. cap. i (1543), as far as it refers to the 
 Stage ...... 
 
 II. Proclamation of Henry VIII. againft Vagabonds, Ruffians, and idle 
 perfons (including common players). 26 May, 1545 . 
 
 III. Firft Proclamation of Edward VI. againft dramatic performances 
 
 Auguft 6, 1549 .... 
 
 IV. Second Proclamation of Edward VI. relating (among other matters) 
 
 to dramatic performances. April 28, 155 1 
 V. Proclamation of Queen Mary, Auguft 18, 1553 
 VI. Queen Elizabeth's Second Proclamation againft Plays, &c. i6th 
 May, 1559 . 
 VII. The Statute 14 Elizabeth (1571-2) againft Common Players, &c. 
 VIII. Letter from the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London to the Lord 
 Chamberlain, March 2, 1573-4, declining to licenfe a place for 
 Theatrical Performances within the limits of the City . 
 IX. Privy Seal of Queen Elizabeth, May 7, 1574, granting a Licence for 
 Dramatic Performances to James Burbage and others . 
 X. Order of the Common Council of London in reftraint of Dramatic 
 Exhibitions, Dec. 6, 1574 . 
 XI. Petition of the Queen's Players to the Privy Council. 1575 
 
 9 
 '5 
 
 19 
 21 
 
 23 
 
 27 
 31 
 
xiv Contents. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 XII. Warrant of Queen Elizabeth to Thomas Gyles, authorizing and ap- 
 pointing him to train up boys as performers in the Revels at 
 Court, April z6, 1585 . • • ■ 33 
 
 XIII. Letter of John Hart, Lord Mayor of London, to Lord Treafurer 
 
 Burleigh, Nov. 1589, relating to dramatic performances within 
 
 the City • • 34 
 
 XIV. Petition of Thomas Pope, Richard Burbage, and others to the Privy 
 
 Council, A.D. 1596, praying for a continuance of the licence to 
 the Private houfe in the Blackfriars . 35 
 
 XV. The Statute 39 Eliz. (1597-8) cap. 4, againft Common Players, &c. 
 
 (Extraft.) . . . -37 
 
 XVI. Privy Seal of James I. to Lawrence Fletcher and others, licenfmg 
 
 their performances of plays. May 17, 1603 . . 38 
 
 XVII. Privy Seal of James I. to Edward Kirkham and others to train up 
 children to perform in the Revels at Court, under the Superin- 
 tendence of Samuel Daniel. Jan. 31, 1603-4 • • -4° 
 XVIII. Statute of James I. (1605-6) cap. 21, to reftrain abufes connefted 
 
 with the Stage ... .42 
 
 XIX. Privy Seal of James I. for the ilTue to Inigo Jones of money for the 
 
 preparation of Court Entertainments. January 7, 1612-13 . 43 
 
 XX. Privy Seal of James I. for the iffue of letters patent in favour of 
 Thomas Downton and others on transferring their fervices as 
 players to the Eledtor Frederic. January 4, 161 2-1 3 44 
 
 XXI. Privy Seal of James I. granting to Philip Roffeter and others 
 permiffion to ereft a fecond theatre in Blackfriars. May 31, 
 1615 . . 46 
 
 XXII. Letter of affiftance from the Privy Council to John Daniel, April, 
 16 1 8, for the purpofe of enabling him to train children for 
 ■• playing in interludes . . .49 
 
 XXIII. Patent of James I. licenfmg the performance of plays by bis Majefty's 
 
 Servants at the Private Houfe in Blackfriars, as well as at the 
 Globe. March 27, 1619-20 ... 50 
 
 XXIV. Patent of James I. appointing Sir John Altley Matter of the Revels, 
 
 as fucceflbr to Sir George Buc. May 22, 1622 . 52 
 
Contents. xv 
 
 er 
 
 PAGE 
 
 57 
 59 
 
 XXV. Letter of James I. to the Privy Council, cancelling a Patent granted 
 for a new Amphitheatre in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields. Septembe 
 29, 1620 ... .56 
 
 XXVI. Patent of Charles I. renewing that of James I. (1619-20). June 24, 
 
 1625 
 XXVII. Statute i Charles I. cap. i. touching theatrical exhibitions. June 8, 
 
 1625 ... 
 
 XXVIII. Privy Seal of Charles I. for the grant of a bounty of 100 marks to 
 
 the King's Players. Dec. 30, 1625 . . 61 
 
 XXIX. Privy Seal of Charles I. to provide neceflaries for the Revels at 
 
 Court. Nov. 7, 1626 . . . .62 
 
 XXX. Firft Ordinance of the Long Parliament againft Stage-plays and 
 
 Interludes. September 2, 1642 . . .63 
 
 XXXI. Second Meafure of the Long Parliament direfted to the fuppreffion of 
 
 theatrical performances in England. Odlober 22, 1647 . 64 
 
 XXXII. Third and Final Ordinance of the Long Parliament againft Theatres, 
 
 &c. February 2, 1647-8 . . 67 
 
 II. Treatises. 
 
 I. A Sermon againft Miracle-Plays .... 73 
 
 II. A fecond and third blaft of retrait from plaies and Theaters 97 
 
 III. Playes Confuted in fiue Aftions, &c. By Stephen Goffon 157 
 IV Obfervations on the Elizabethan Drama by Philip Stubbes, a. d. 1583. 
 
 (Extraft) . . . . 218 
 
 V. A Sonnett upon the PittifuU Burneing of the Globe Play Houfe in 
 
 London . . .... 225 
 
 VI. Stateof the Drama in l6i6,illuftrated by a contemporary publication 228 
 
 VII. A Shorte Treatife againft Stage-playes, 1625 . . 231 
 
 VIII. The Stage-players Complaint, 1641 . 253 v^ 
 IX. The Adlors Remonftrance or Complaint : for the filencing of their 
 
 profeffion and banifhment from their feverall Play-houfes, 1643 259 
 
xvi Contents. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 X. Mr. William Prynn His Defence of Stage-plays, 1649 . 266 
 
 XI. The Vindication of William Prynne, Efquire, from fome fcandalous 
 
 Papers and imputations newly printed and publifhed to traduce 
 
 and defame him in his reputation . 271 
 
 XII. The Players Petition to the Parliament (1643) . . 272 
 
 XIII. A Difcourfe of the Englilh Stage (circa 1660), by Richard Flecknoe 275 
 
 Index and Notes . 283 
 
Part the First. 
 
 DOCUMENTS. 
 
 <k; 
 
DOCUMENTS. 
 
 I. A5i 34 and 35 Hen. VIII. cap. i (1543), as far as it 
 refers to the Stage. 
 
 Anno .XXXIIII. et .XXXV. Henrlci. VIII.» 
 
 % An ad: for the aduauncement of true religion, and for the 
 
 abolifhment of the contrary. Cap. i. 
 
 I HERE the kynges moft royal maieftee our gracious and 
 natural] fouerayne liege lorde, fupreme head of the 
 churche of England, and alfo of Ireland, and his 
 honourable counfayle, perceyueth the ignoraunce, fonde 
 opinions, errours, and blyndnes of dyuers and fondry his fubieftes of 
 this his realme, in abufynge, and not obferuinge, nor folowinge the 
 commaundmentes, preceptes, and lawes of almighty god, nor the 
 
 ' From the contemporary edition of the Statutes, printed by T. Berthelet, 1543, 
 folio. Berthelet made a colleflion this year of all the Afts pafTed fince the time of 
 Henry III. (inclufive). It was not thought necefTary, as the Aft 34-35 Hen. VHI. 
 c. I embraces a variety of fubjefts, to reproduce more than related to dramatic 
 matters. See Collier's Hijl. of Dram. Poetry, Sec, i. 128-33. 
 
4 Documents. 
 
 very true and perfeft religion of Chrifte, not withftandinge fuche 
 
 holefome doftrines, and documentes as his maieftee hathe heretofore 
 
 caufed to be fet forthe for that purpofe, befydes the greate lybertee 
 
 graunted to them, in hauynge amonges them, & in theyr handes the 
 
 newe and olde teftament, whiche not withftandyng many fedicious 
 
 people, arrogant and ignorante perfones, wherof fome pretendyng to be 
 
 lerned, and to haue the perfite and true knowlege, vnderftanding, and 
 
 judgement of the facred and holy fcriptures, and fome others of theyr 
 
 peruerfe, frowarde and malicious myndes, wylles and intentes, en- 
 
 tendyng to fubuerte the veray trew and perfedt expofition, dodtrine, 
 
 and declarapion of the fayd fcripture, after theyr peruers fantafies : 
 
 haue taken vpon them, not onely to preache, teache, declare, and fet 
 
 forth the fame by wordes, fermons, difputacions, and argumentes, but 
 
 alfo by prynted bokes, prynted balades, playes, rymes, fonges, and 
 
 other phantafies, fubtelly and craftely inftruftinge his highnes people, 
 
 and fpecially the youthe of this his realme vntreuly, & otherwife than 
 
 the fcripture ought or ihuld be taught, declared, or expounded, and 
 
 contrary to the veray fyncere, and godly meanyng of the fame. 
 
 Wherevpon diuerfitee of opinions, fayinges, varyaunces, argumentes, 
 
 tumultes, and fcifmes haue ben fprong and aryfen amonges his fayd 
 
 fubiedes, within this his realme, to the greate inquietacion of his fayd 
 
 people, and greate dyfpleafure of his maieftee, and contrary to his 
 
 graces true meanynge, good intencion, and mofte godly purpofe. 
 
 % For reformacion wherof, his maieftee moft vertuoufely, and pru- 
 dently confidereth, and thinketh that is, and ftialbe moft requifite, 
 expedient and neceflary, not onely by lawes dredfuU and penal, to 
 take away, purge, and clenfe this his highnes realme, territories, 
 confines, dominions, and countreys, of al fuche bookes, writinges, 
 fermons, difputacions, argumentes, balades, playes, rymes, fonges, 
 
Documents. 5 
 
 teachynges and inftruccions, as be peftiferous, and noyfome, with all 
 the caufes, inftrumentes, and meanes of the fame : But alfo to 
 ordeine and eftablifhe a certeine fourme of pure and fincere teachynge, 
 agreable with goddes woorde, and the true dotftrine of the catholyke 
 and apoftolycall churche, whervnto men maie haue recourfe for 
 the true decifion of fome fuche controuerfies as haue in tymes paft 
 and yet do happen and aryfe amonges them. And therfore be 
 it enaftedj ordeyned, and eftablyfshed, by our fayd foueraygne 
 lorde the kyng, the lordes fpirituall and temporall, and the com- 
 mons in this prefent parlyament aflembled, and by the audoritee of 
 the fame, that all maner of bookes of the olde and newe teftament 
 in englifh, being of the craftie, falfe, and vntrue tranflation of 
 Tindal, and all other bookes and writynges in the englifhe tongue, 
 teachyng or comprifyng any matters of chryften religion, articles of 
 the fayth, or holy fcripture, or any parte of them, contrary to that 
 dodtrine, wiche fins the yere of oure lorde. MD. xl. is, or any tyme 
 duryng the kynges maieftees lyfe, our fayed foueraygne lorde that now 
 is, kyng Henry the .VIII. whiche our lorde longe preferue, fhalbe 
 fette forthe by his hyghnes, with fuche fuperfcripcion and fubfcripcion, 
 as hereafter fhall be declared, fhalbe by audoritee of this prefent ad 
 clerely and vtterly abolifhed, extinguifhed, and forbydden, to be kepte 
 or vfed in this realme, or els where in any the kynges domynyons. 
 
 [Par. 9.] % Prouyded always, and be it enaded by the audoritee 
 aforefayd, that it fhall be laufull to all and euery perfone and per- 
 fonnes, to fette forth fonges playes and enterludes, to be vfed and 
 exercifed within this realme, & other the kynges dominions, for the 
 rebukyng and reproching of vices, & the fetting forth of vertue : So 
 alwayes the faide fonges playes or enterludes medle not with inter- 
 pretacions of fcripture, contrary to the dodryne fet forth or to be fet 
 
6 Documents. 
 
 forth by the kynges maieftie, our faide foueraygne lorde that now is, 
 kyng Henry the eight in fourme aforefayd. Any thyng conteyned 
 in this a6t to the contrary not withftandyng. 
 
 II. Proclamation of Henry VIII. againji Vagabonds, Ruffians, 
 
 and idle perfons [including common players'). 
 
 26 May, 1545.^ 
 
 A Proclamation for punifhment of Vagabonds, Ruffins, and Idle 
 pfons. 
 
 Rex Maiori et Vicecomitibus Ciuitatis London. Salutem. Vobis 
 mandamus, &c. 
 
 '"^^^(HE Kings mofl: royall ma*'^ feing dailye before his moft 
 
 noble eyes that notwithstanding the fondry good and 
 wholefome lawes and ftatues made by his highnes and 
 his mofl: noble progenitors for the good and vertuous occu- 
 pacon of his people, the p'feruacon of the fame from ydlenes, the 
 mother and roote of all mifchiefes, and the punifhment of Vaga- 
 bonds, RufFyns, and idle pfons, there doe remayne yett in this 
 Realme of England, fpecially about the Cittie of London, a 
 
 ' This proclamation, which is only known to me from a tranfcript by Humphrey 
 Dylbn, (apparently) of a printed broadfide, among the archives of the London Society 
 of Antiquaries, is not mentioned by Mr. Collier, who feems to have been unaware of 
 any inftrument earlier than that put forth by Henry's fucceflbr in 1549. Confidering 
 that this document, fo far as can be at prefent afcertained, is the firft of the kind, the 
 omiifion is fuificiently remarkable. 
 
Documents. 7 
 
 great nomber of Ryffins and Vagabonds, to whome albeit God hath 
 giuen pfonage and ftrength apt and able to labor, worke, and doe 
 farvice for their lyving : Yet be they foe rooted in mifcheefe and 
 Idlenes, that they giue themfelues to noe Labor or honeft kind of 
 living ; but entertayne themfelues with theft and fallhood In plale, ^ 
 
 whereby many fimple yong men be polled, and fome vtterly vndone, 
 and with other deteftable vices and fafhions, commonly vfed at the 
 Banke, and fuch like naughtie places, where they much haunt, and in 
 manner the {fic) nightly for the accomplifh"' and fatisfying of their 
 vile, wretched and filthye purpofes. For reformacon whereof like as 
 his mofl: royall ma'''' hath thought convenient, and doth determyne to 
 vfe & ymploie all fuch rufFyns, Vagabonds, Maflerles men, Comon ^ 
 -players, and euill difpofed pfons, to ferve his ma"% and his Realme in 
 theis his warres, in certaine Gallies and other like veflells, w^ his high- 
 nes entendeth to arme forth againfl: his enemyes before the firft of 
 June next comyng. Even foe his ma*'^ ftraightly chargeth & co- 
 maundeth that noe pfon of what eftate, degree or Condicon foeuer he 
 be, doe in any wife hereafter name or avowe any man to be his 
 fervant, unles he be his houfliold fervant, or his BailiiFe or keeper, or 
 fuch other as he may keepe and retayne by the lawes & Statutes of 
 this Realme, or be retayned by the Kings ma'''[s] Licence, vpon paine 
 of the incurring of extreame dainger of his graces lawes and Im- 
 prifonm* of his body, and as he will further anfwere for his Contempt 
 in that behalfe at his highnes pleafure. 
 
 Et hoc fub p'culo incumbenti nullatenvs omittatis : T[efte] me 
 ips apud Weftrfi. xxvj . die maij. Anno r'. n'. xxxvq". 
 
Documents. 
 
 III. Firjl Proclamation of Edward VI. againfl dramatic 
 performances, Auguft 6, 1549. 
 
 The vj daie of Auguft [1549].' 
 
 A Proclamation for the inhibition of Plaiers. 
 
 OR afmuche as a greate number of thofe that be common 
 Plaiers of Enterludes and Plaies, as well within the citie of 
 London, as els where within the realme, do for the mofte 
 part plaie fuche Interludes as contain matter tendyng to fedicion and 
 contempnyng of fundery good orders and lawes, where upon are 
 growen, and daily are like to growe and enfue, muche difquiet, 
 divifion, tumultes, and uproares in this realme ; the Kynges Maieftie 
 by the advife and confent of his dereft Uncle Edward Duke of 
 Somerfet, Governour of his perfone, and Protedlor of his realmes, 
 dominions, and fubiedtes, and the reft of his highnes privie Counfall 
 ftraightly chargeth and commaundeth al and every his Maiefties fub- 
 ieftes of what foever ftate order or degree thei bee, that from the ix 
 daie of this prefent moneth of Auguft untill the feaft of all Saindles 
 nexte commyng, thei ne any of them, openly or fecretly plaie in the 
 Englifti tongue any kynde of Interlude, Plaie, Dialogue or other 
 matter fet furthe in forme of Plaie in any place publique or private 
 within this realme, upon pain that whofoever Ihall plaie in Engliftie 
 any fuch Play, Interlude, or other matter, fhall fuffre imprifonment, 
 and further punifhment at the pleafure of his Maieftie. 
 
 1 Printed by Collier, Annals of the Stage, &c., 1831, i. 144-5. -^'^ ^^'^^ has been 
 collated with the old one apud Suche proclamacions as haue been Jette furthe by the 
 Kynges Maiejiie, 1550, 8vo. The original proclamation feems to have been loft. 
 
Documents. g 
 
 For the better execution wherof his Maieftie, by the faid advife 
 and confent, ftraightly chargeth and commaundeth all and finguler 
 maiors, flierifes, bailifes, conftables, hedborowes, tithyng men, juftices 
 of peace, and all other his Maiefties hed officers in all the partes 
 throughout the realme, to geve order and fpeciall heede, that this 
 Proclamation be in all behalfes well and truely kept and obferved, as 
 thei and every of them tender his highnes pleafure, and will avoyde 
 his indignacion. 
 
 IV. Second Proclamation of Edward VI. relating [among other 
 matters) to dramatic performances. April 2^, 1551.^ 
 
 A Proclamacion fet furth by the Kynges Maieftie, with the aduife 
 of his Highnes mofte honorable counfail, for the reformacion of 
 Vagabondes, tellers of newes, fowers of fediclous vamaurs, players, 
 and printers without licence & diuers other difordred perfons, 
 the .xxviii. day of Aprill in the .v. yere of his highnes moft 
 profperous reigne. 
 
 |HE Kinges moft excellent maieftie, our naturall fouereigne 
 lorde, certainly and vnderftandyng by the good aduife and 
 information of the Lordes and others of his priuie counfail, 
 that by the fetting furth of Goddes holy worde and theftabliftiment 
 of a pure and fincere religion, conformable to goddes inftitucion, and 
 the vfage of the holy catholique churche, and thadminiftration of 
 
 ' From the original broadflieet (cut into three flips) in the library of the Society of 
 Antiquaries. Mr. Collier {H. E. D. P. i.) gives the date wrongly as the i8th April, 
 1552. 
 
 7< 
 
I o Documents. 
 
 juftice, and thobferuation of the lawes and ftatutes of this Realme 
 indifferently amonges al his fubietles, he fhould not onely difcharge his 
 duety to god, but alfo geue an occafion of perfecft quietnes, humble 
 obedience, charitable concorde, greate felicitie and welth, to al his 
 people, euery man in his degree : And vpon trufi: to fe theffedtes 
 and fruidle of the fame, hauyng caufed goddes word to be truely and 
 fincerely taught and preached and a godly order for the adminiftracion 
 of the Sacramentes, and other conuenient and decent orders, to be fet 
 furth in the churche. Is mofte fory, and earneftly from the botom 
 of his harte doth lament, and fo dooe all his counfailors to heare and 
 fe many of his fubiedes to abufe dayly by their vicious and corrupt 
 conuerfations, that moft precious Juell the worde of god, and by their 
 licencious behauiors, leude and fedicious talkes, boldely and pre- 
 fumptuoufly without feare either of goddes plague or the fwearde 
 of their Prince, to breake continually the Lawes and ftatutes of the 
 realme, to difpute of his maiefties affayres, to fow, fprede abrode, and 
 tel from man to man, falfe lies, tales, rumors and fedicious deuifes, 
 againft his maieftie, his counfaillors, Magiftrates, and Juftices : The 
 fede and rote wherof, as they firft had beginning and fprang of the 
 corrupte nature, and yll difpoficion of naughty men (whiche therefore 
 without ftiort amendement, mufte and fhalbe firfte fcourged with the 
 rod of the prince, & afterward by moft dredfull condempnation at 
 goddes had). So the great fault for the continuaunce of the people 
 in euill hath proceded for want of execution of the good Lawes and 
 ftatutes of the realme, and efpecially the ftatutes made againft vaga- 
 boundes, vnlaufuU games, tellers of newes, Inuentors of tales and 
 rumors, vnlauful aflembles, riotes, rowtes, huntinges, fiftiinges, 
 fhoting in handgonnes, and Croflebowes, keping of ale houfes, eating 
 of flefli on fifhe dales, regrators, forftallers, breakers of thorder of 
 religion and fundry other like ftatutes, ftioulde vndoubtedly not only 
 
Documents. 1 1 
 
 haue caufed eche man, to haue liued in quiet, and to haue applied 
 himfelf according to his difcretion and degre : but alfo bene caufers 
 of great welth and felicitie to this realme. No prince in theworlde is 
 more iothe to vfe thextremitie of correftion vpon his fubiedes, then 
 is his maieftie, nor no counfailors more vnwilling to aduife his maieftie 
 therunto, then his highnes counfailors be, but if the fubieftes do grow 
 into fuche a contempt of their prince, of his lawes, and of his minifters, 
 as they care not to vfe al fuche waies as may be daungerous to their 
 fouereigne lorde and his eftate, and defperately and obftinately in 
 thende, to caft them felfes into vtter ruine and deftruftion : In this 
 cace hys Maiefty wil feuerely and fharply loke vpon, corred; and 
 ponifhe, thefe oiFendors, thereby to preferue his eftate, and to faue the 
 reft of the membres of his politique body, whiche be his faythful 
 louing and obedient fubiedtes. And yet before his maieftie precede 
 fo farre furth, he will vfe a fatherly facion, and gentely admoniftie 
 and geue warning ere his maieftie fall to chaftifinge. Wherfore his 
 highnes on goddes behalfe, mooft hartely doth requyre, and neuerthe- 
 leffe, by his royal power and princely audlhoritie, ftraightly chargeth 
 and commaudeth all and euery his fubiedtes, of what eftate, degre, or 
 condicion foeuer he be, to dreade and feare god and his plagues, 
 to conuert and amend their maners, and to liue according to the 
 profeffion of Chriften men, to loue his Maieftie, and to feare his 
 Swerde, to obferue his highnes Lawes, Statutes, and Proclamations, 
 to liue euery man within the compafl"e of his degre, contented with 
 his vocation, euery man to applie himfelf to liue obediently, quietly, 
 without murmur, grudging, fowing of fedicion, fpreding of tales, and 
 rumors, and without doyng or faiying of any manner of thing (as nere 
 as God wil geue theim grace) that may touch the dignitie of his 
 maieftie, his counfayl, his magiftrates or minifters, or be hurtful to his 
 neighbour, or in any wife contrary to his maiefties lawes, ftatutes, or 
 
1 2 Documents. 
 
 proclamations, whereby his maiefty Jfhal the rather be tnoued to ftudy, 
 deuife, and put in vfe, by the good aduife of his counfail, al good 
 wayes and meanes, that may reduce again this realme vnto that prof- 
 peritie, eftimation, and wealthe, whiche by fundry occafions in proces 
 of time hath and is decaied, a thing that his maieftie and counfail do 
 moft defire, and dout not with fome conuenient time to bring to 
 pafle, if the nawghtines of fome euell hartes geue not caufe of let and 
 empechement to the fame, wherunto, if any fhalbefo vnhappy as to geue 
 themfelfes, his maieftie wil with the iharpe fwerde of his princely power, 
 fo fharpely chaftife and correal them, as may be to the feareful example 
 of all other. And for the better aduoiding of a! fuche inconueniences, 
 his maieftie ftraightly chargeth and commaundeth all Juftices, Mayors, 
 Shirifes, baylifes,Conftables, Hedboroughes, Tithing men, and al other 
 Officers and minifters of what eftate, degree, or condicion foeuer they 
 be, from hencefurth to loke to their offices, and earneftly, truly, and 
 vprightly, to execute and fe executed, al his maiefties Lawes, Statutes, 
 and proclamations, whiche be within the compafte of their offices, and 
 fpecially the ftatutes aboue reherfed, and others of like kinde and 
 qualitie. And for becaufe that within the citie of London, ther is at 
 this prefent a great number of idle perfons & mafterles men, which 
 fek rather by Idlenes & mifchief to liue by other mens labours & 
 induftries the to trauail by any paynes takyng, to liue like good and 
 obedient membres of the comon welth : His maiefty ftraightlye chargeth 
 and commaundeth all maner of vagaboundes, and mafterles men, vpon 
 the paines, not onelie all ready appoynted by the Lawes and Statutes 
 made for fuche maner of menne, but alfo vpon fuche paynes as his 
 maieftie may and wil ordaine, to be inflicfled vpon them, by his pre- 
 rogatiue royal, to departe al fuche out of the citie of London, and the 
 Suburbes of the fame, within .iiii. dayes after the making of this pro- 
 clamation home to the place where they wer borne, or wher they haue 
 
Documents. 1 3 
 
 dwelt laft thre yeres within the realme, goyng at the lead .vii. miles a 
 day (if they haue fo farre to go from London) and paffing not aboue 
 .ii. or .iii. or .iiii. at the mofte in a company, and not to abide aboue 
 one night in a place, till they come home (except caufe of ficknes, the 
 fame caufe to be allowed by a Juftice of the peace, dwelling next to 
 the place where he or they Ihal fortune to be ficke). And that al 
 vagabondes, and mafterles men in al other places, within this realme, 
 fhall alfo within .iiii. dayes after the making of this proclamation in 
 the next market towne, where they fhal fortune to be, departe likewife 
 to the place where they were borne, or laft dwelled thre yeres within 
 the realme, without lenger tarieng by the way, or going mo in com- 
 pany together, or fewer miles in a day, then aforefaid : And vpon 
 like paynes as is aforefayd for them which departe from London. 
 
 And furthermore, his maieftie ftraightly chargeth and comaundeth, 
 that no man be fo hardy either to deuife any tale, rumor or talke, 
 touching his maieftie, his Counfail, Magiftrates, Juftices, officers, or 
 minifters, nor hearing any fuche tale, rumor or talke, to tel, reporte, 
 or fpeake, the fame agayne to any other perfon or perfons, then 
 to either one of his counfayl, or to a Juftice of peace, and then withall 
 to fhew alfo, of whome he had the fame, to thintent that the fame 
 perfon, from whome the tale or rumor commeth, may be punifhed 
 for the deuifing of it, if he deuifed it, or for the telling of it to any 
 other perfon, then by this proclamation is appointed. 
 
 And forbicaufe diuers Printers, Bokefelers, and Plaiers of Enter- 
 ludes, without confideracion or regarde to the quiet of the realme, do 
 print, fel, and play whatfoeuer any light and phantaftical hed lifteth 
 to inuent and deuife, whereby many inconueniences hath, and dayly 
 doth arife and follow, amonge the kinges maiefties louyng and faith- 
 ful fubiedtes: His highnes therfore ftraightly chargeth and com- 
 maundeth that fromhencefurth, no printer or other perfon do print 
 
1 4 Documents. 
 
 nor fel, within this Realme or any other his maiefties dominions any 
 matter in the thenglifh tog, nor they nor any other perfo, do fel or 
 otherwife difpofe abrode any mattre, printed in any forreyn dominion 
 in thenglifhe tongue, onles the fame be firfte allowed by his maieftie, 
 or his priuie counfayl in writing figned with his maiefties moft gratious 
 hand or the handes of fixe of his fayd priuie counfayl, vpon payne of 
 Imprifonment without bayle or mayne price, and further fine at his 
 maiefties pleafor. Nor that any common players or other perfons, 
 vpon like paines, to play in thenglifh tong, any maner Enterlude, play 
 or mattre, without they haue fpecial licence to fliew for the fame 
 in writing vnder his maiefties figne, or figned by .vi. of his highnes 
 priuie counfaill : willing & ftraightly charging & commaunding al 
 Juftices, Mayors, Shirifes, Baillfes, Conftables, & other officers and 
 minifters, diligently to enquire for, and ferche out al maner ofi^endors 
 within the limites and compafle of their commiflions, and fpecially al 
 fuche as ftial ofFende againft any the poindtes or brauches expreflely 
 fet furthe in this proclamation, and to punifhe the fame without 
 remiffion : Willing iykewife, and alfo ftrayghtely .charging and com- 
 maunding al his good, true, louing and faythefull Subie6les to be 
 aiding, helping, and affifting to all and euery officer in thexecution of 
 their charges, as they tender the fauor of his Maieftie, and the prefer- 
 uation of the commonwealthe, as they will aunfwertohis Maieftie for 
 the contrary at their vttermoft perill. 
 
 0OD faue tf)C l^ing. 
 
 RICHARDVS GRAFTON 
 
 typographus Regius 
 
 excudebat 
 
 M. D. LI. 
 
 Cum ■priuilegio ad imprimendum Jolum. 
 
documents. 
 
 15 
 
 V. Proclamation of Slue en Mary, Auguji 18, 1553/ 
 By the Quene. 
 
 tJ^ he Quenes highnes well remembrynge what great incon- 
 uenience and daungers haue growen to this her hyghnes 
 realme in tyme paft thorough the diuerfitie of opinions, in 
 queftions of religion, and hearing alfo that now of late, fithens the 
 begynning of her mooft gracioufe reygne, the fame contentions be 
 agayne muche renewed thorowe certeyne falfe and vntrue reportes and 
 rumors fpredde by fome lyght and euyll difpofed perfons, hath thought 
 good to do to vnderftande to all her hyghnes mooft louynge and 
 obedient fubiecftes her moofte gratious pleafure, in maner and fourme 
 folowynge. 
 
 Fyrst her maieftie being prefently by thonely goodnes of God 
 fettled in her iuft pofleflion of thimperiall crowne of this realme, and 
 other dominions therunto belongynge, can not nowe hyde that re- 
 ligion (whiche God and the worlde knoweth fhe hath euer profefTed 
 from her infancy hitherto) whiche as her maieftie is mynded to obferue 
 and maynteyne for her felfe by gods grace durynge her tyme, fo 
 dothe her highnes muche defyre, and woulde be gladde the fame were 
 of all her fubiedtes quietly and charitablye embraced. And yet fhe 
 doth fignifye vnto all her maiefties fayde louinge fubieftes, that of her 
 mooft gratious difpofition and clemency, her highnes rayndeth not to 
 
 From the original broadfheet in the Library of the Society of Antiquaries. 
 
1 6 Documents. 
 
 compel] any her fayde fubiedtes thervnto, vnto fuche tyme as further 
 ordre by common aflent maye be taken therein. Forbyddinge neuer- 
 thelefTe all her fubledles of all degrees, at theyr perylles, to moue 
 fedlcions, or to ftyrre vnquietnes in her people by interpretyng the 
 lawes of this realme after theyr braynes and fanfies, but quietly to 
 continue for the tyme, tyl as before is fayde further order maye 
 be taken. And therefore wylleth and ftreyghtly chargeth and com- 
 maundeth all her fayde good louynge fubiedtes, to lyue togethers in 
 quiet forte, & chriftian charitie, leauynge thofe newe founde deuelifhe 
 termes of Papyfte or Heretique, and fuche lyke, and applyenge theyr 
 whole cares, ftudye, and trauayle, to lyue in the feare of God, exer- 
 cifing theyr conuerfations in fuche charitable and godlye doynge, as 
 theyr Hues maye in dede expreffe that great hunger and thyrft of 
 Goddes glorye and holye worde, whiche by rafhe talke and wordes 
 many haue pretended, and in fo doynge, as they fhall beft pleafe God, 
 and lyue withoute daunger of the lawes, and maynteyne the tranquillite 
 of the realme, wherof her hyghnefle fhalbe moft gladde : fo yf anye 
 man Ihall raflielye prefume to make any aflembles of people, or at any 
 publique affembles or otherwyfe, fhall go aboute to ftyrre the people 
 to diforder, or difquiet, fhe myndeth accordinge to her duetye, to fee 
 the fame mooft feuerely refourmed and punyfhed, accordyng to her 
 hyg[h]nes lawes. 
 
 And furthermore, forafmuche alfo as it is well knowen, that fedition 
 and falfe rumours haue bene nouryfhed and maynteyned In this 
 realme, by the fubteltye and malyce of fome euell difpofed perfons, 
 whiche take vpon them withoute fufEcient audloritie, to preache, and 
 to interprete the worde of God, after theyr owne brayne, in churches 
 and other places, both publique and pryuate. And alfo by playinge of 
 Interludes and pryntynge falfe fonde bookes, ballettes, rymes, and 
 
Documents. \j 
 
 other lewde treatifes in the englyftie tonge, concernynge dodtryne in 
 matters now in queftion and controuerfye, touchynge the hyghe 
 poyntes and mifteries of chriften religion, whiche bokes, ballettes, 
 rymes, and treatifes are chiefly by the Prynters and Stacioners fette 
 out to fale to her graces fubiedes, of an euyll zeale, for lucre and 
 couetous of vyle gayne. Her highnes therfore flrayghtly chargeth 
 and commaundeth all and euery her fayde fubiedes, of what foeuer 
 fl:ate, condition, or degree they be, that none of them prefume from 
 henceforth to preache, or by waye of readynge in Churches, or other 
 publique or pryuate places (excepte in the fcholes of the vniuerfities) 
 to interprete or teache any fcriptures, or any maner poyntes of dodryne 
 concernynge religion. Neyther alfo to prynte any bookes, matter, 
 ballet, ryme, interlude, proceffe or treatyfe, nor to playe any interlude, 
 except they haue her graces fpeciall licence in writynge for the fame, 
 vpon payne to incurre her highnefle indignation and difpleafure. 
 
 And her highnefle alfo further ftrayghtly chargeth and com- 
 maundeth all and euery her fayde fubiefles, that none of them of 
 theyr owne pryuate authoritie, do prefume to punyflie, or to ryfe 
 agaynft any ofrendour in the caufes aboue fayde, or any other 
 off'endour in wordes or dedes in the late rebellion commytted by the 
 Duke of Northumberlande, or his complices, or to feife any of their 
 goodes, or violentlye to vfe anye fuche ofFendour by ftrykynge, or 
 impryfoninge, or threatynge the fame, but wholy to referue the 
 punyfliment of all fuche ofl^endours vnto her highnes and her 
 publique authoritie, wherof her maieftie myndeth to fee due punyfli- 
 ment accordyng to the order of her highnes lawes. Neuertheles as 
 her highnes myndeth not hereby to reftreyn and difcourage any of her 
 louinge fubiedtes, to geue from tyme to tyme true information 
 agaynft any fuche ofi^endours in the caufes abouefayde, vnto her 
 grace or her counfell, for the punifliment of euerye fuche offendour. 
 
1 8 Documents. 
 
 accordynge to thefFefte of her hyghneffe lawes prouyded in that part. 
 So her fayd highnes exhorteth and ftrayghtly chargeth her fayde 
 fubiedes to obferue her commaundement and pleafure in euery parte 
 aforefayde, as they wyll auoyde her hyghnefle fayd indignation, and 
 mooft greuoufe difpleafure. The feueritie and rygour wherof, as her 
 hyghnefTe fhalbe mooft forye to haue to put the fame in execution : fo 
 doth fhe vtterlye determine not to permytte fuche vnlawfull and re- 
 bellioufe doynges of her fubiedtes (wherof may enfue the daunger of 
 her royall eftate) to remayne vnpunyfhed, but to fee her fayde lawes, 
 touchy ng thefe pointes, to be thoroughly executed, whiche extremities 
 fhe trufteth all her fayde louynge fubiedles wyll forfee, dreade, and 
 auoyde accordinglye. 
 
 Her fayde hyghnefle ftrayghtely chargyng and commaundinge all 
 Mayors, SheryfFes, Juftyces of peace, BaylifFes, Conftables, and all 
 other publique officers and minifters, diligently to fee to the obfer- 
 uynge and executynge of her fayde commaundementes and pleafure, 
 and to apprehende all fuche as ftiall wylfully ofFende in this parte, 
 committlnge the fame to the next gaile, there to remayne without 
 bayle or mayneprife, tyll vpon certificate made to her highnes, or her 
 pryuye counfell, of theyr names and doynges, and vpon examination 
 had of theyr offences, fome further ordre ftialbe taken for theyr 
 punyfhment, to the example of others, accordynge totheffedte and tenor 
 of the lawes aforefayde. Geuen at our manour of Rychemonde, the 
 .xviii. of Auguft. In the fyrfte yeare of our mooft profperous reygne. 
 
 God faue the Quene. 
 
 Londini in adihus lohannis Cawodi 
 Typographi Regina excujum. 
 
 Anno. M.D.liii. 
 Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum folum. 
 
Documents. 
 
 19 
 
 VI. ^een Elizabeth's Second Proclamation againft Flays, 
 &c. 1 6th May, 1559.^ 
 
 By the Quene. 
 
 |ORASMUCHE as the tyme wherein common Interludes in 
 the Englifhe tongue are wont vfually to be played, is now 
 paft vntyll All Halloutyde, and that alfo fome that haue 
 ben of late vfed, are not conuenient in any good ordred Chriftian 
 Common weale to be fufFred. The Quenes Maieftie doth ftraightly 
 forbyd al maner Interludes to be playde, eyther openly or priuately, 
 except the fame be notified before hande, and licenced within any 
 citie or towne corporate by the Maior or other chiefe officers of the 
 fame, and within any fhyre, by fuche as fhalbe Lieuetenaunts for the 
 Queenes Maieftie in the fame fhyre, or by two of the Juftices of 
 peax inhabyting within that part of the fhire where any fhalbe played. 
 And for inftrudlion to euery of the fayde officers, her maieftie doth 
 likewife charge euery of them as they will aunfwere : that they per- 
 myt none to be played, wherin either matters of religion or of the 
 governance of the eftate of the commo weale fhalbe handled, or 
 treated ; beyng no meete matters to be wrytten or treated vpon, but 
 by menne of audlhoritie, learning, and wifedome, nor to be handled 
 
 1 
 
 ' The Queen's 7?^/? proclamation (April 7, 1 559), is known only at prefent from the 
 allufion to it by Holinflied. See Collier, i. 168. The proclamation of May is re- 
 printed from the original broadfide, preferved in the Bodleian Library. A fecond copy 
 is in the Britilh Mufeum. 
 
2 Documents. 
 
 before any audience but of graue and difcreete perfons : All which 
 partes of this proclamation her majeftie chargeth to be inuiolably kepte. 
 And if any flial attempte to the contrary : her maieftie giueth ail 
 maner of officers, that haue authoritle to fee common peax kepte, in 
 commandement to arreft and emprifon the parties fo offending for the 
 fpace of fourteene dayes or more, as caufe fhall nede : And furder alfo 
 vntill good afluraunce may be founde and gyuen, that they fhalbe of 
 good behaviour, and no more to offende in the like. 
 
 And further her Maieftie gyueth fpeciall charge to her nobilitie and 
 gentilmen, as they profefTe to obey and regarde her maieftie, to take 
 good order in thys behalfe wyth their fervauntes being players, that 
 this her Majefties commaundement may be dulye kepte and obeyed. 
 
 Yeuen at our Palayce of Weftminfter, the xvj daye of maye, the 
 firft yeare of oure Raygne. 
 
 Imprinted at London in Powles Churchyarde by Richard Jugge 
 and John Cawood, Printers to the Quenes maieftie. Cum priuilegio 
 Regime Maiejiatis} 
 
 ' See a Letter from Lord Robert Dudley to the Earl of Shrewfbury, Lord Prefident 
 of the North, relevant to this document (Collier, i. 170). 
 
Documents. 21 
 
 VII. The Statute 14 Elizabeth (157 1-2) againft Common 
 
 Players, &c^ 
 
 An Adte for the Puniftiement of Vacabondes, and for Relief 
 of the Poore & Impotent. 
 
 ;HERE all the partes of this Realme of England and 
 Wales be pfentlye with Roges Vacabondf and Sturdy 
 Beggers excedinglye peftred, by meanes wherof daylye 
 happeneth in the fame Realme Murders, Theftf and other greate 
 Outragf, to the highe difpleafure of Almightye God, & to the greate 
 annoye of the Comon Welthe ; And for avoydinge Cofufion by 
 reafon of numbers of Lawes concerninge the pimifles {landing in force 
 togeather ; Bee yt enadted, that the Statute made in the two and 
 twentye yere of the Raigne of the late Kinge Henrye the Eyght, en- 
 tituled An Afte concerninge aged poore and impotent perfons com- 
 pelled to lyve by Almes, &c. fhalbee from and after the Feafte of 
 Saindte Bartholomewe Thapoftell next comynge utterly void fruftrate 
 and of none efFedt. [Then follows the recital of the new Adl, by 
 which "Perfons above the age of 14 taken Begging fhall be committed 
 to Gaol until the next Seffion ; when conviifted," fhall be whipped, 
 unlefs fome honeft perfon will take them into fervice for a year ; fhall 
 be whipped, if they defert from fuch fervice ; and on a fecond con- 
 vidtion, fhall be adjudged Felons, unlefs fome one will take them 
 fimilarly for two years. Then the A6t proceeds as follows :] And for 
 the full expreffing what perfone and pfones fhalbe intended within this 
 
 ' Statutes, ed. Record Comm. vol. iv. part i. p. 590-2. 
 
2 2 Documents. 
 
 Braunche to be Roges Vacaboundf and Sturdye Beggers, to have and 
 receave the punyfhement aforefaid for the faid lewde maner of Lyef ; 
 It ys nowe publyfhed declared and fet foorth by the Au6thorytie of 
 this pfent Parlyament, That all & every fuche pfone & pfones that 
 be or utter themfelves to be Prodtours or Procuratours, goinge in or 
 about any Countrey or Countreys within this Realme, without 
 fufficyent aufthoritye deryved from or under our Soveraigne Ladye 
 the Queene, and all other ydle pfones goinge about in any Countrey 
 of the faid Realme, ufing fubtyll craftye or unlawfuU Games or 
 Playes, and fome of them fayninge themfelves to have knowledge in 
 Phifnomye Palmeftrye or other abufed Scyences, whereby they Beare 
 the people in Hand they can tell their Deftinyes Deathes and Fortunes, 
 and fuche other lyke fantafticall Imaginacons ; And all and everye 
 pfone and pfones beynge whole and mightye in Body and able to 
 labour, having not Lord or Maifter, nor ufing any lawfull Marchaun- 
 dize Crafte or Myfterye whereby hee or fhee might get his or her 
 Lyvingeand can gyve no reckningehow hee or fhee doth lawfully get 
 his or her Lyvinge ; & all Fencers Bearewardes Comon Players in 
 J Enterludes^ & Minftrels, not belonging to any Baron of this Realme 
 or towardf any other honorable Perfonage of greater Degree ; all 
 Juglers Pedlars Tynkers and Petye Chapmen ; whiche faid Fencers 
 Bearewardes Comon Players in Enterludes Mynftrels luglers 
 Pedlers Tynkers and Petye Chapmen, fhall wander abroade, and 
 have not Lycenfe of two Juftices of the Peace at the Feafte, whereof 
 one to be of the Quorum, wher and in what Shier they fhall happen to 
 wander fhalbee taken adjudged and deemed Roges Vaca- 
 
 ^ The aflors are found in rather difreputable company here. Stubbes points out in 
 his Seftion on Plays (printed fojf), the identification of players with rogues and vaga- 
 bonds, with evident cordiality and gujlo. 
 
Documents. 23 
 
 boundes and Sturdy Beggers, intended of by this prefent A61:, 
 togeather with all and every e fuche other pfone and pfones as fhalbe 
 hereafter for altering & breaking of fuch good Orders as in the 
 fecond parte of this p>fent Afte ftialbe eftablyfhed, for the Releef of 
 the aged and impotent poore people fet forth and declared to bee 
 Vacaboundes. 
 
 VIII. Letter from the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London 
 to the Lord Chamberlain, March 2, 1573-4, declining to 
 hcenfe a place for Theatrical Performances within the 
 limits of the City^ 
 
 ^UR dutie to your good L. humbly done. Whereas your 
 Lord, hath made requeft in favour of one Holmes for our 
 affent that he might have the appointment of places for 
 playes and enterludes within this citie, it may pleafe your L. to reteine 
 undoubted aflurance of our redinefle to gratifie, in any thing that we 
 reafonably may, any perfone whom your L. fhall favor and recom- 
 mend. Howbeit this cafe is fuch, and fo nere touching the govern- 
 ance of this citie in one of the greateft matters thereof, namely the 
 
 ' Communicated to the Gentleman's Magazine, vol. Ixii. part i. p. 412, by S[amuel] 
 A[yfcough] of the Britifh Mufeura. Ayfcough obferves :— " The following tranfcript 
 from an original letter, preferved in the Britifh Mufeum, may aiFord feme amufement 
 to your readers in general, as well as to the refearchers after theatrical hiftory and 
 anecdotes ; and at the fame time illuftrate the care of the magiftrates to the rights of 
 the city, the peace and well government thereof, and their regard for the poor and 
 neceffitous. 
 
24 Documents. 
 
 afTemblies of multitudes of the Queenes people, and regard to be had 
 to fundry inconveniences, whereof the peril is continually, upon 
 everie occafion, to be forefeen by the rulers of this citie, that we can- 
 not, with our duties, byfide the precident farre extending to the hart of 
 our liberties, well aflent that the fayd apointement of places be com- 
 mitted to any private perfone. For which, and other reafonable 
 confiderations, it hath long fince pleafed your good L. among the reft 
 of her Majefties moft honourable counfell, to reft fatisfied with our 
 not granting to fuch perfone as, by their moft honourable lettres, was 
 heretofore in like cafe commended to us. Byfide that, if it might 
 with reafonable convenience be granted, great ofFres have been, and 
 be made for the fame to the relefe of the poore in the hofpitalles, 
 which we hold as affured, that your L. will well allow that we prefer 
 before the benefit of any private perfon. And fo we com mitt your 
 L. to the tuition of Almighty God. At London, this fecond of 
 
 March, 1573. 
 
 Your L. humble 
 
 Wm. Box. John Ryvers, Maior. 
 
 Thomas Blanke. Row Hayward, Alder. 
 
 Nicholas Woodrof. William Allyn, Alderman. 
 
 Anthony Gamage. Leonell Ducket, Aldr. 
 
 Wyllm Kympton. James Haloys, Alderman. 
 
 WoLSTAN DixE. Ambrose Nich'as, Aid. 
 
 Jhon Langley, Aid. 
 
 Thomas Ramsey. 
 
 Wyllym Lond. 
 
 John Clyffe. 
 
 Richard Pype. 
 
 To the moft honourable our Angular good Lord, the 
 Erie of SufTex, Lord Chamberlan of the Queens 
 moft honourable Houfhold. 
 
Documents. 25 
 
 IX. Privy Seal of ^een Elizabeth, May 7, 1574, granting a 
 Licence for Dramatic Performances to fames Bur b age and 
 others} 
 
 By the Queene. 
 
 SIGHT truftie and welbeloved Counfello"' we grete yow 
 well, and will and coinaunde yow, that under o' Frivie 
 Scale for the tyme being in yo' keping, yow caufe o' tres 
 to be directed to the kep' of o' greate Seale of England, willing and 
 comaunding him, that under o' faid greate Seale he caufe o"^ tres 
 patents to be made forth in forme following. Elizabeth by the 
 grace of god Quene of England, France, and Ireland, defendo' of the 
 faith &c. To all Juftice[s], Mayors, Sheriefs, BaylifFs, heade Confta- 
 bles, under Conftables, and all other our officers and minifters greeting. 
 Knowe ye that we, of o"^ efpiall grace, certen knowledge and mere 
 mocon. Have licenfed and authorized, and by thefe p'fents do licenfe 
 and authorize, o" loving fubjedts James Burbadge, John Perkyn, John 
 Lanham, William Johnfon and Robert Wylfon, fervante[s] to o' truftie 
 and welbeloved Cofyn and Counfello', the Earle of Leiceftre, To ufe, 
 exercife and occupie the art and faculty of playeng comedies, trage- 
 dies, Enterludes, Stage playes, and fuch other like as they have 
 alredy ufed and ftudied, or hereafter fhall ufe and ftudye, afwell for 
 
 1 Collier, i. 211. It is printed here from the original in the State Paper Office. 
 Mr. Collier's text is not ftriflly accurate. 
 
2 6 Documents. 
 
 the recreacon of o"^ loving fubjeds, as for o"' folace and pleafure, when 
 we fhall thinke good to fe them. As alfo to ufe and occupie all fuch 
 Inftrum" as they have alredy pradtifed, or herafter fliall pradife, for 
 and during our plef' : And the faid Comedies, Tragedies, Enterludes 
 and Stage playes, together w* there mufick, to fhewe, publifshe, ex- 
 ercife and occupy to their beft comoditie during all the terme affore- 
 faid, afwell w'^'in o' Cyty of London and LIbties of the fame, as alfo 
 w^'in the liberties & fredoms of any o' Cytyes, townes, Boroughes 
 &c. whatfoever, as w^out the farne, thoroughout o" Realme of Eng- 
 land : willing and comaunding yow and every of yow, as ye 
 tender our pleafure, to pmit and fuffer them herin w"'out any yo' letts, 
 hinderance, or moleftacon during the terme afForefaid, any aft, 
 ftatute, pclamacon, or comaundm' hertofore made, or herafter to be 
 made, to the contrary notw"'fl:anding. Provided that the faide 
 Comedies, Tragadies, Enterludes and Stage-playes be by the M"^ of 
 o' Revills (for the tyme being) before {^^n and allowed, and that the 
 fame be not publifshed, or fhowen in the tyme of coinen prayer, or 
 in the tyme of greate and comen plague in o'' faid Cyty of London. 
 In witnes whereof, &c. And thefe o'' tres flialbe yo'' fufficient warr 
 and difcharge in this behalf. Geven under our Signet, at o' manno' 
 of Greenewich, the vij"" daye of maye, the Sixtenth yere of our 
 reigne, 1574. 
 
 " To o"^ right truftie and welbeloved Counfello', S' Thomas Smyth, 
 knight, Keper of o' Privie Scale for the tyme being." 
 
Documents 
 
 X. Order of the Common Council of London in rejiraint of Dra- 
 matic Exhibitions, Dec. 6, 1574.^ 
 
 Orders of the Common Council, made Dec. 6, 17th Eliz. James 
 Hawes, Mayor, and William Fleetwood, Recorder. 
 
 . HEAREAS heartofore fondyre greate diforders and incon- 
 venyences have beene found to enfewe to this Cittie 
 by the inbrdynate hauntynge of greate multitudes of 
 people, fpeciallye youthe, to playes, enterludes and fhewes ; namelye 
 occafyon of frayes and quarrelles, eavell praftizes of incontinencye 
 in greate Innes, havinge chambers and fecrete places adjoyninge 
 to their open ftagies and gallyries, inveyglynge and alleurynge of 
 maides, fpeciallye orphanes, and good cityzens children under age, 
 to previe and unmete contraftes, the publifhinge of unchafte, un- 
 comelye, and unfhamefafte fpeeches and doynges, withdrawinge of 
 the Quenes Majefties fubjedtes from dyvyne fervice on Soundaies 
 & hollydayes, at which tymes fuch playes weare chefelye ufed, un- 
 thriftye wafte of the moneye of the poore & fond perfons, fon- 
 drye robberies by pyckinge and cuttinge of purfes, utteringe of 
 popular, bufye and fedycious matters, and manie other corruptions 
 of youthe, and other enormyties ; befydes that allfo foundrye flaughters 
 and mayhemminges of the Quenes Subjedles have happened by ruines 
 of SkafFoldes, Frames and Stagies, and by engynes, weapons and 
 
 ' Lanfd. MS. 20, printed by Collier, i. 274, and now collated with the original. 
 
28 Documents. 
 
 powder ufed in plaies. And whear in tyme of Goddes vifitacion by 
 the plaigue fuche aflemblies of the people in thronge and prefle have 
 benne verye daungerous for fpreadinge of Infection, and for the fame, 
 and other greate cawfes, by the authoritie of the honorable it, maiors 
 of thisCyttie and thaldermen their brethern, and fpeciallye vppon the 
 fevere and earnefte admonition of the W. of the mofte honorable 
 Councell, w"" fignifyenge of her Ma"''' exprefle pleafure and com- 
 maundemente in that behalfe, fuche vfe of playes, Interludes and 
 fhewes hathe benne duringe this tyme of fyckenes forbydden and 
 reftrayned. And for that the lorde Maior and his bretheren th'alder- 
 men, together w"" the grave and difcrete Citizens in the Comen 
 Councell afl'emblyd, doo doughte and feare leafte vppon Goddes 
 mercyfuU w'^'drawinge his hand of fyckenes from vs (w'^'' God 
 graunte) the people, fpeciallye the meaner and mofte vnrewlye forte, 
 fhould w"" fodayne forgettinge of his vifytacion, w^'owte feare of 
 goddes wrathe, and w^'^owte deowe refpe6i:e of the good and politique 
 meanes, that he hathe ordeyned for the prefervacion of commen 
 weales and peoples in healthe and good order, retourne to the vndewe 
 vfe of fuche enormyties, to the greate offence of God, the Queenes 
 ma''" commaundemets and good governance. Nowe therefore to the 
 intent that fuche perilles male be avoyded, and the lawfull, honeft, and 
 comelye vfe of plaies, paftymes, and recreacions in good forte onelye 
 permitted, and good provifion hadd for the faiftie and well orderynore 
 of the people thear aflemblydd : Be yt enafted by the Authoritie of 
 this Comen Councell, that from henceforthe no playe, comodye, 
 tragidie, enterlude, nor publycke fhewe fhalbe openlye played or 
 fhewed w'^'in the liberties of the Cittie, whearin fhalbe vttered anie 
 wourdes, examples, or doynges of anie vnchaftitie, fedicion, nor fuche 
 lyke vnfytt, and vncomelye matter, vppon paine of imprifonment by 
 
Documents. 29 
 
 the fpace of xiiij'™ daies of all perfons ofFendinge in anie fuche open 
 playlnge, or fliewinges, and v". for evrie fuche offence. And that no 
 Inkeper Tavernkeper, nor other perfon whatfoever w"'in the liberties 
 of thys Cittie (hall openlye fhewe, or playe, nor cawfe or fuffer to 
 be openlye fhewed or played w'Mn the hous yarde or anie other place 
 w"'in the liberties of thys Cittie anie playe enterlude comodye, tragidie, 
 matter, or fhewe w'''' fhall not be firfte perufed, and allowed in fuche 
 order and fourme, and by fuche perfons as by the Lorde Maior and 
 courte of Aldermen for the tyme beinge fhalbe appoynted, nor flialle 
 fuffer to be enterlacedj added, mynglydd, or vttered in anie fuche 
 playe, enterlude, comodye, tragidie or fhewe, anie other matter then 
 fuche as flialbe firfte perufed and allowed, as ys abovefaid. And that 
 no perfon fhall fuffer anie plays, enterludes, comodyes, tragidies or 
 ihewes to be played or fhewed in his hous, yarde, or other place, 
 wheareof he then fhall have rule or power, but onelye fuche perfons, 
 and in fuche places, as apon good and reafonable confideracions 
 fhewed, fhalbe thearvnto permitted and allowed by the lord maio' and 
 Aldermen for the tyme beinge : neither ftiall take or vfe anie benifitt, 
 or advauntage of fuche permiffion or allowaunces, before or vntill 
 fuche perfon be bound to the Chamberlaine of London for the tyme 
 beinge w"" fuche fuerties, and in fuche Summe, and fuche fourme for 
 the keepinge of good order, and avoydinge of the difcordes and in- 
 convenyences abovefaid, as by the Lorde Maio' and Courte of Alder- 
 men for the tyme beinge fhall feme convenyent ; neither fhall vfe or 
 execute anie fuche lycence, or permiffion at or in anie tymes in w''" 
 the fame for anie reafonable confideracion of fycknes or otherwife, 
 fhalbe by the lorde Maior and aldermen, by publique proclamacion 
 or by precept to fuche perfons, reftrayned or commaunded to ftaye 
 and ceafe ; nor in anie vfuall tyme of Dyvyne Service in the foundaie 
 
30 Documents. 
 
 or hollydaie, nor receyve anie to that purpofe in tyme of Service to 
 fe the fame, apon payne to forfedte for everie oiFence v^'. And be yt 
 enadled, that everie perfon fo to be lycenfed or permitted fhall duringe 
 the tyme of fuche contynuaunce of fuche lycens or permiffion, paye or 
 cawfe to be paid, to the vfe of the poore in hofpitalles of the Cyttie, 
 or of the poore of the Cyttie vifyted w"" fycknes, by the dyfcretion 
 of the faid lorde Maior and Aldermen, fuche fomes and paymentes, 
 and in fuche forme as betwen the lord Maior and Aldermen for the 
 tyme beinge, on th'onne partie, and fuche perfon fo to be lycenfed or 
 permitted, on thother partie, fhalbe agreed, apon payne that in waunte 
 of everie fuche paymente, or if fuche perfon fhall not firfte be bound 
 with good fuerties to the Chamberlayne of London for the tyme 
 beinge for the trewe payment of fucli Sommes to the poore, that then 
 everye fuche lycence or permiffion fhalbe vtterlye voide, and everie 
 doinge by force or cullo' of fuche lycence or permiffion, ffialbe adjudged 
 an offence againfte this a6te in fuche manner as if no fuche lycence or 
 permiffion hadd benne hadd, nor made, anie fuche lycence or permif- 
 fion to the contrarye notw"'fl:andinge. And be yt lykewife enadled, 
 that all fommes and forfeytures to be incurrydd for anie offence againfl 
 this A(5te, and all forfeytures of bondes to be taken by force, meane, 
 or occafyon of this Adle, fhalbe ymployed to the reliefe of the poore 
 in the hofpitalles of this Cittie, or the poore infeded or difeafed in 
 this Cittie of London, as the Lorde Maior and Courte of Aldermen 
 for the tyme beinge fhall adjudge meete to be diflributed : and that 
 the Chamberlayne of London fhall have and recover the fame to the 
 purpozies aforefaid by Bill, Plainte, Accion of debt, or ynformacion 
 to be comenced and purfewed in his owne name in the Courte of the 
 vtter Chamber of the Guildhall of London, called the Maio" Courte, 
 in w'*" fute no effoine nor wager of lawe for the Defendaunte fhalbe 
 
Documents. 
 
 31 
 
 admittyd or allowed. Provydid allwaie that this Afte (otherwife then 
 touchinge the publifhinge of unchafte, fedycious, and vnmete matters) 
 fhall not extend to anie plaies Enterludes ComodieSj Tragidies or 
 fhewes to be played or fhewed in the pryvate hous, dwellinge, or 
 lodginge of anie nobleman, citizen, or gentleman, w'''' fhall or will 
 then have the fame thear fo played or fhewed in his prefence, for the 
 feflyvitie of anie marriage, afTemblye of ffrendes, or otherlyke cawfe, 
 w^wte publique or comen colleftion of money of the auditorie, or 
 behoulders theareof ; referringe alwaie to the Lorde Maior and Alder- 
 men for the tyme beinge the Judgement, and conflruflion accordinge 
 to equitie, what fhalbe counted fuch a playenge or fhewing in a 
 pryvate place, anie thinge in this Adle to the contrarie notw"'fl:anding. 
 
 XI. Petition of the ^een's Players to the Privy Council. 
 
 ^575" 
 To the Right Honorable the Lordes of her Mat'" 
 Privie Counfell. 
 
 ?N moft humble manner befeche yo' Lis. yo' dutifull and 
 daylie Orators the Queenes Ma"'^ poore Players. Whereas 
 the tyme of our fervice draweth verie neere, fo that of 
 neceffitie wee muft needes have exercife to enable us the better 
 
 1 Lanfd. MS. 20, printed by Collier, i. zig, but now collated with orig. This 
 petition arofe out of the foregoing reftriftions impofed by the civic authorities ; it is to 
 be furmifed, that the latter gained the day, at leaft for the time. See the report of the 
 Common Council on the petition, as forwarded to it by the Government, in Collier 
 uii/upra. 
 
32 Documents, 
 
 for the fame, and alfo for our better helpe and relief in our poore 
 lyvinge, the ceafon of the yere beynge paft to playe att anye of 
 the houfes w"'out the Cittye of London as in our articles annexed 
 to this our Supplicacion maye more att large appeere unto yo' Lis. 
 Our moft humble peticion ys, thatt yt maye pleafe yo' Lis. to 
 vowchfafFe the readlnge of thefe few Articles, and in tender con- 
 fiderafion of the matters therein mentioned, contayninge the verie 
 ftaye and good ftate of our lyvinge, to graunt vnto us the confir- 
 macion of the fame, or of as many, or as much of them as flialbe to 
 yo' honors good lykinge. And therw^'all yo' Lis. favorable letters 
 unto the L. Mayor of London to pmitt us to exercife w*in the Cittye, 
 accordinge to the Articles ; and alfo thatt the faid Ires maye contayne 
 fome order to the Juftices of Middx, as in the fame ys mentioned, 
 wherbie as wee fhall ceafe the continewall troublinge of yo' Lis. for 
 yo"^ often Ires in the pmifles, fo fhall wee daylie be bownden to praye 
 for the profperous prefervation of yo' Lis. in honor, helth, and 
 happines long to continew. 
 
 Yo' LI' moft humblie bownden 
 and daylie Orators, 
 
 her Ma"" poor Players. 
 
Documents, 3 3 
 
 XII. Warrant of ^een Elizabeth to Thomas Gyles, autho- 
 rizing and appointing him to train up boys as performers in 
 the Revels at Court, April 26, 1585.1 
 
 By the Queene. 
 Elizabeth R. 
 
 HEREAS we have authoryzed our fervaunte Thomas 
 Gyles, M^ of the Children of the Cathedrall Churche of 
 St. Paule, within our Cittie of London, to take upp 
 fuche apte and meete children, as are moft fitt to be inftrufted and 
 framed in the arte and fcience of muficke and finging, as may be had 
 and founde out within anie place of this our Realme of England or 
 Wales, to be by his education and brnging up made meete and 
 hable to ferve us in that behalf, when our pleafure is to call for 
 them. We, therefore, by the tenor of thefe prefents, will and require 
 you, that ye permitt and fufFer from henceforthe our faide fervaunte 
 Thomas Gyles, and his deputy or deputies, and every of them, to 
 take upp in anye Cathedrall or Collegiate Churche or Churches, and 
 in everye other place or places of this our Realme of England and 
 Wales, fuch Childe or Children, as he or they or anye of them fhall 
 finde and like of; and the fame Childe and Children, by vertue 
 hereof, for the ufe and fervice aforefaide, with them or anye of them 
 to bringe awaye, without anye your letts, contradidions, ftaye or 
 interruption, to the contrarye. Charginge and commaundinge you, 
 and everie of you, to be aydinge helpinge and affiftinge unto the 
 
 * I hardly underftand why Mr. Collier {^Annals of the Stage, i. 265) fliould have 
 affigned the date, 1 586, to this inftrument. Search has quite of late been undertaken in 
 the Record Department for the original paper, but without efFedl. 
 
 F 
 
34 Documents. 
 
 abovenamed Thomas Gyles, and his deputie & deputies, in and about 
 the due execution of the premifles, for the more fpedie efFedtuall and 
 bettar accomplifshing thereof from tyme to tyme, as you and everie 
 of you doe tendar our will & pleafure, and will aunfwere for doinge 
 the contrarye at your perills. Yoven under our Signet at our Manor 
 of Grenewich, the 26th day of Aprill, in the 27th yere of our reign. 
 To all and finguler Deanes, Provoftes, Maifters and War- 
 dens of Collegies, and all ecclefiafticall perfons and mynifters, 
 and to all other our officers mynifters and fubjefts to whom in 
 this cafe it fhall apperteyne, and to everye of them greetinge. 
 
 XIII. Letter of fohn Hart, Lord Mayor of London, to Lord 
 Treafurer Burleigh, Nov. 1589, relating to dramatic per- 
 formances within the City. 
 
 I Y very ho : good lord. "Where by a Ire of your Lordfhips, 
 direded to Mr. Yonge, it appered unto me, that it was 
 your ho : pleafure I fholde geve order for the ftaie of all 
 playes within the cittie, in that Mr. Tilney did utterly miflike the 
 fame. According to which your Lordfliips good pleafure, I prefentlye 
 fent for fuche players as I coulde here of, fo as there appered yefter- 
 day before me the Lord Admeralls, and the Lord Straunges players 5 
 to whome I fpeciallie gave in charge, and required them in her 
 Majeftys name, to forbere playinge untill further order might be 
 geven for theire allowance in that refped : Whereupon the Lord 
 
 > Land. MS. 60, printed by Collier, i. 272-3, but now collated with orig. 
 
Documents. 
 
 35 
 
 Admeralls players very dutifullie obeyed ; but the others, in very 
 contemptuous manner departing from me, wente to the CrofTe Keys, 
 and played that afternoone to the greate oiffence of the better forte, 
 that knew they were prohibited by order from your Lordfhip. Which 
 as I might not fufFer, fo I fent for the faid comtemptuous perfons, 
 who haveing no reafon to alleadge for theire contempte, I could do 
 no lefs but this eveninge committ tow of them to one of the Compters, 
 and do meane, according to your Lordfhips diredtlon, to prohibite all 
 playing until your Lordfhips pleafure therein be further knowen. 
 And thus refting further to trouble your Lordfhip, I mofte humblie 
 take my leave. At London the lixte of November 1589. 
 
 Y' Lordfhips moft humble 
 
 John Harte, maior. 
 
 XIV, Petition of Thomas Pope, Richard Burbage, and others 
 to the Privy Council, a.d. 1596, praying for a continuance 
 of the licence to the Private houfe in the Blackfriars. 
 
 To the right honorable the Ll. of her Ma''" moft honorable 
 privie counfell. 
 
 "^W^ HE humble petition of Thomas Pope, Richard Burbadge, 
 John Hemings, Auguftine Phillips, Wiftm Shakefpeare, 
 Wittm Kempe, Wittm Slye, Nicholas Tooley, and others, 
 fervaunts to the right honorable the L. Chamberlaine to her Ma"'. 
 
 ' From the original document in the State Paper Office. It has been printed by 
 Collier, i. 298-300. 
 
36 Documents. 
 
 Sheweth moft humbly, that yo'' Petitioners are owners and players 
 of the private houfe, or theater, in the precindb and libertie of the 
 Blackfriers, w'''^ hath beene for manie yeares ufed and occupied for the 
 playing of tragedies, commodies, hiftories, enterludes, and playes. 
 That the fame, by reafon of having beene foe long built, hath falne 
 into great decaye and that befides the reparation thereof, it hath 
 beene found neceflarie to make the fame more convenient for the 
 entertainement of auditories comming thereto. That to this end 
 yo'' petitioners have all and eche of them putt down fommes of money, 
 according to their fhares in the faid theater, and w""" they have juftly 
 and honeftlie gained by the exercife of their qualitie of Stage Players ; 
 but that certaine perfons, (fome of them of honour) inhabitants of the 
 precindt and libertie of the Blackfriers have, as yo' petitioners are 
 enfourmed, befought yo' honorable Lps not to permitt the faide 
 private houfe anie longer to remaine open, but hereafter to be fliutt 
 upp and clofed, to the manifeft and great injurie of yo' petitioners, 
 who have no other meanes whereby to maintaine their wives and 
 families, but by the exerfife of their qualitie as they have heretofore 
 done. Furthermore, that in the fummer feafon yo' petitioners are 
 able to playe at their newe built houfe on the bankfide callde the 
 Globe, but that in the winter they are compelled to come to the 
 Blackfriers ; and if yo' honorable Lps give confent unto that w'^'' is 
 prayde againft yo' petitioners, they will not onely, while the winter 
 endureth, loofe the meanes whereby they nowe fupport them felves 
 and their families, but be unable to pradlife them felves in anie playes 
 or enterludes, when calde upon to performe for the recreation and 
 folace of her Ma '' and her honorable Court, as they have beene here- 
 tofore acuftomed. The humble prayer of yo' petitioners therefore is, 
 that yo' hon*"' Lps will graunt permiffion to finiflie the reparations and 
 
Documents. 37 
 
 alterations they have begunne ; and as yo' petitioners have hitherto 
 beene well ordred in their behaviour, and juft in their dealinges, that 
 yo' honorable Lps will not inhibit them from ading at their above 
 named private houfe in the precindt and libertie of the Blackfriers, 
 and yo' petitioners, as in dutie moft bounden, will ever praye for the 
 encreafing honour and happinefle of yo' honorable Lps. 
 
 XV- The Statute 39 Eliz. (1597-8) cap. 4, againji Com- 
 mon Players, Gfc/ {^ExtraSl.') 
 
 " An Adte for punifhment of Rogues Vagabonds and Sturdy Beggars. 
 
 'OR the fupprefling of Rogues Vagabond^ and Sturdy 
 Beggars, Be it enadted by the audtority of this prfent 
 Pliament, That from and after the Feafte of Eafter next 
 cominge, all Statutf heretofore made for the punyfhment of Rogues 
 Vagabond^ or Sturdy Beggars, or for the ereccon or maynten'ce of 
 Howfes of Correccon, or towching the fame, fhall for fo much as 
 conc'neth the fame be utterly repealed .... And be it alfo further 
 enaded by the audtority aforefaid. That all pfones calling themfelves 
 Schollers going about begging, all Seafaring-men ptending lofles of 
 their Shippes or Goodf on the fea going about the Country begging, 
 all idle pfons going about in any Country eyther begging or ufing any 
 
 ' " Statutes of the Realm," iv. art. 2. This A6t repeals all former A6ls ; it is a 
 very long document, and a very fmall portion (that here reprinted) relates to the 
 drama. A Statute of 7 James I. (1609-10) cap. 4, was alfo direfted againft Rogues, 
 Vagabonds, and Sturdy beggars ; but " Common players " are not mentioned. 
 
38 Documents. 
 
 fubtile Crafte or unlawful! Games and Playes, or fayning themfelves 
 to have knowledge in Phifiognomye Palmeftry or other like crafty 
 Scyence, or ptending that they can tell Deftenyes Fortunes or fuch 
 other fantafticall Ymagynacons ; all pfons that be or utter themfelves 
 to be Prodtors, pcurors. Patent Gatherers, or Colleftors for Gaoles 
 Prifons or Hofpitalf ; all Fencers, Bearewardf, comon Flayers of 
 Enterludf and MinftrellC wandring abroade (other than Players of 
 Enterludf belonging to any Baron of this Realme, or any other 
 honorable Pfonage of greater Degree, t6 be audloryzed to play, under 
 the Hand and Seale of Armes of fuch Baron or Pfonage) all Juglers, 
 &c. . . . fhall be taken adjudged and deemed Rogues, Vagabond^, 
 and Sturdy Beggers, and fhall fufteyne fuch Payne and Punyfhment 
 as by this Ade is in that behalfe appointed." 
 
 XVI. Privy Seal of yatnes I. to Lawrence Fletcher and others, 
 licenjing their performances of plays. May 17, 1603.' 
 
 By the King. 
 
 SIGHT trufty and welbeloved Councello% we greete you 
 well and will and Coiiiaund you, y' under o'' privie Seale 
 in yo' Cuftody for the time being, you caufe o' ires to be 
 directed to the keep'^ of o' greate feale of England, coinaunding him 
 y' under o' faid greate Seale, he caufe o'' tres to be made patents in 
 forme following. James, by the grace of God, King of England, 
 
 ' From the original in the State Paper Office. 
 
Documents. (J9: 
 
 Scotland, Fraunce & Irland, defendo"^ of the faith, &c. To all 
 Juftices, Maio"", SheriiFs, Conftables, Hedboroughes, and other o' 
 officers and loving fubjefts greeting. Know ye, y' we of o^^ fpeciall 
 grace, certaine knowledge, & meere motion have licenced and 
 authorized, & by thefe prfits doo licence & authorize, thefe o' svants, 
 Lawrence Fletcher, WilHam Shakefpeare, Richard Burbage, Auguftine ^ 
 Phillippes, John Hennings {^fic\ Henry Condell, William Sly, RoBt 
 Armyn, Richard Cowlye, and the reft of their aflbciats, freely to ufe 
 and exercife the Arte and facultie of playing Comedies, Tragedies, 
 Hiftories, Enterludes, Moralls, Paftoralls, Stage plaies, & fuch other 
 like, as they have already ftudied, or heerafter fhall ufe or ftudie, af- 
 well for the recreation of o' loving fubjedls, as for o' folace and 
 pleafure, when we fhall thinke good to fee them, during o'' pleafure. 
 And the faid Comedies, Tragedies, Hiftories, Enterlude, Morall, 
 Paftoralls, Stage plaies, & fuch like. To fliew and exercife publiquely 
 to their beft Commoditie, when the infecftion of the plague fhall de- 
 creafe, as well w*''in theire now ufuall howfe called the Globe, w*''in 
 o' Countie of Surrey, as alfo w*''in anie towne halls, or Mout halls, or 
 other convenient places w"'in the lifeties and freedome of any other 
 Cittie, Univ'fitie, Towne, or Borough whatfoef w"'in o'' faid Realmes l/ 
 and dominions. Willing and coiiiaunding you, and efy of you, as 
 you tender o' pleafure, not only to gmitt and fuff^er them heerin, 
 w"'out any yo" letts, hinderances or moleftacons, during' o"' faid plea- 
 fure, but alfo to be ayding and aflifting to them yf any wrong be to 
 them offered. And to allowe them fuch former Courtefies, as hathe 
 bene given to men of their place and qualitie : And alfo what further 
 favo' you fliall ftiew to thefe o' svants for o'' fake, we fhall take 
 kindely at yo' hands. In witnefs wherof &c. And thefe o' tres 
 fhallbe yo' fufiicient warrant and difcharge in this behalfe. Given 
 
40 
 
 Documents. 
 
 under o' Signet at o' Man no'' of Greenwiche, the feavententh day of 
 May in the firft yeere of o'' raigne of England, Fraunce and Ifland, 
 and of Scotland the fix and thirtieth. 
 
 Ex. p Lake. 
 
 XVII . Frivy Seal of James I. to Edward Kirkham and others 
 to train up children to perform in the Revels at Court, under 
 the Superintendence of Samuel Daniel, Jan. 31, 1603-4.' 
 
 I IGHT truftie and right welbeloved Councello' we greet yo""' 
 well and will and Comaund yo™ that under o'' Privie Seale 
 being for the time in yo' Cuftody, yo" caufe o"^ tres to be 
 addrefled to o' Chauncello' of England, Willing and Coiiiaunding 
 him that under o' greate Seale of England he caufe our tres to be made 
 forth patente in forme followinge. 
 
 James by the grace of God, &c. To all Maio", Sheriffs, Juftices 
 of peace, BaylifFs, Conflables, and to all other our Officers, Myniflers 
 and loving Subjefts to whome theife prits fhall come, greeting. 
 Whereas the Queene, our deereft wife, hath for her pleafure and re- 
 creation, when fhe fhall thinck it fitt to have any Playes or fhewes, 
 appointed her Servante, Edward Kirkham, Alexander Hawkins, 
 Thomas Kendall, and Robert Payne to provide and bring up a con- 
 venient nomber of Children, who fhalbe called Children of her 
 Revells. Knowe ye, that we have appointed and audlhorized. And 
 
 ' From the original in the State Paper Office. It was printed by Collier, i. 353-4. 
 
Documents. 41 
 
 by theis pnts doe audlhorize and appoint the faid Edward Kirkhara, 
 Alexander Hawkins, Tliomas Kendall, and Robert Payne from tyme 
 to tyme to provide, keepe, and bring up a convenient nomber of 
 Children, And them to pradtize and exercife in the quallitie of playing, 
 by the name of Children of the Revells to the Queene w"'in the 
 Blackfryers in our Cittie of London, or in any other convenient place 
 Where they fhall thinck fitt for that purpofe. Wherefore we will 
 and Comaund yo"', and every of yo"', to whome it fhall appteyne, to 
 gmitt her faid Servante to keepe a convenient nomber of Children by 
 the name of Children of her Revells, and them to exercife in the 
 quallitie of playing accordinge to her pleafure. Provided alwaies, 
 that noe fuch Playes or Shewes fhalbe pfented before the faid Queene 
 our Wife by the faid Children, or by them any where publickly aded, 
 but by the approbation and allowance of Samuell Daniell, whome her 
 pleafure is to appoint for that purpofe. And thefe our Lres Patents 
 fhalbe yo' fufficient warrant in this behalf. In witnes whereof, &c. 
 And theis our ires fhall be yo"^ fufficient warrant and difcharge in this 
 behalfe. Given under our Signett at our hono' of Hampton Courte, 
 the Thirtith day of January in the Firft yere of o' Raigne of England 
 Fraunce, and Ireland and of Scotland the Seaven and Thirtith. 
 
 Ex p Lake. 
 
42 
 
 Documents. 
 
 XVIII. Statute of James I. (i 605-6) cap. 21, to rejlrain abufes 
 conneSled with the Stage. 
 
 An A(5te to reftraine Abufes of Players. 
 
 OR the Inventing and avoyding of the greate Abufe of the 
 Holy Name of God in Stage playes Interludes Maygames 
 Shewes and fuch like ; Be it enadted by our Soveraigne 
 Lorde the Kingf Majefty, and by the Lordes Spirituall and Tem- 
 porall, and Comons in this jpfent Parliament affembled, and by the 
 authoritie of the fame, That if at any tyme or tymes, after the end of 
 this pifent Seffion of Parliament, any pfon or pfons doe or fhall in 
 any Stage play interlude Shewe Maygame or Pageant jeftingly or 
 pphanely fpeake or ufe the holy Name of God or of Chrift Jefus, or 
 of the Holy Ghoft or of the Trinitie, which are not to be fpoken but 
 with feare and reverence, fhall forfeite for everie fuch Offence by 
 hym or them comitted Tenne Pounds, the one moytie thereof to the 
 Kingf Majeftie his Heires and Succeflbrs the other moytie thereof to 
 hym or them that will fue for the fame in any Courte of Recorde 
 at Weftminfter, wherein no efToigne, Proteccon or Wager of Lawe 
 fhalbe allowed. 
 
Documents. 4^ 
 
 XIX. Privy Seal of James I. for the iffue to Inigo Jones of 
 money for the preparation of Court Entertainments. January 
 J, 1612—13/ 
 
 SIGHT trufty, and right welbeloved Coufin and Councello"', 
 we greet yo^ well. And will and Coinaund yo'", that under 
 o' privie Seale, yo™ caufe o' tres to be made forth in forme 
 following. James, by the grace of God, &c. To the Comiffioners 
 for the exercife of the office of o' high Trer of England, And to the 
 Trer and Undertrer of o"' Excheq', for the tyme being, greeting. 
 Whereas, we have refolved, and given fpeciall order and direccon for 
 a Mafke to be pvided againft the folemnizing of the marriage betwene 
 our deareft daughter the lady Elizabeth, and the Prince Eledtor 
 Palatyne of the Rhyne, And have referred the order and managing 
 thereof unto the care of our right trufty, and right welbeloved Coufins 
 and Councello'% the Earle of Suffolk, o'' Chamberlen, and the Earle of 
 Worcefter, Mafter of o' horfe, to looke into the empcons and pro- 
 vifions of all things neceffary for the fame. Theis fhalbe, therefore, 
 to will and require yo" to caufe payment to be made from tyme to 
 tyme, out of fuch our treafure as fhall remayne in the Receipt of o"' 
 Exchecquer, unto Inigo Jones, or to any other pfon or pfons as fhall 
 either be ymployed in that fervice, or fhall pvide and furnifti us with 
 emptions, and other neceffary pvicons for the fame, fuch fome and 
 fomes of money as the faid lords fhall, by tres under their hands, 
 
 ' From the original in the State Paper Office ; it is given merely as the earlieft docu- 
 ment of the clafs. It was printed by Collier, i. 378. 
 
'44 
 
 Documents. 
 
 require Yo" to pay. And theife o' ires (lialbe yo' fufficient warrant 
 & difcharge In this behalf. Given under o' Signet at o"' Pallace of 
 Weftm the feaventh day of January in the Tenth yeare of o' raigne 
 of England, France and Ireland & of Scotland the fix and Forteth. 
 
 Ex p Lake. 
 
 XX. Privy Seal of James I. for the iffiie of letters patent in 
 favour of Thomas Downton and others on transferring their 
 fervices as players to the EleSlor Frederic. January 4, 
 161 2-13.' 
 
 ilGHT trufty, and right welbeloved Coufin and Councello^ 
 we greet yo" well, and will and comaund yo", that under 
 our privy Seale yo" caufe our tres to be addrefled to our 
 Chauncello'' of England, Comaunding him that under our great Seale 
 of England he caufe our tres to be made forth patents in forme fol- 
 lowing. James by the grace of God, &c. To all Juftices, Mayo", 
 SherrifFs, Bailiffs, Conftables, Hedboroughes, and all other our Officers 
 and loving fubjedts greeting. Know ye that we of our efpeciall grace, 
 certaine knowledge and meere mocon have licenfed & authorized, 
 And by theis jPiits do licenfe and authorize Thomas Downton, William 
 Bird, Edward Juby, Samuell Rowle, Charles Maffey, Humfrey Jeffs, 
 Franclc Grace, William Cartwright, Edward Colbrand, William Parr, 
 William Stratford, Richard Gunnell,John Shanck and Richard Price, 
 
 ' From the original in the State Paper OfBce. Mr. Collier's text {Hiji. of Dram. 
 Poetry, i. 380-1) exhibits numerous variations. 
 
Documents. 45 
 
 fervants to our fonne in Lawe the Eleflor Palatine, and the reft of 
 their Aflbciates, to ufe and exercife the art and facultie of playing 
 Comedies, Tragedies, Hiftories, Enterludes, Moralls, Paftoralls, Stage 
 Plaies and fuch other like as they have already ftudied, or hereafter 
 fhall ufe or ftudy, afwell for the recreacon of our Loving fubjedls, as 
 for our folace and pleafure when we fhall thinke good to fee 
 them, during o" pleafure. And the faid Comedies, Tragedies, 
 Hiftories, Enterludes, Moralls, Paftoralls, Stage Plaies, and fuch 
 like, to fhew and exercife publiquely to their beft comoditie, afwell 
 w^'in their now ufuall howfe called the Fortune, w'^in our Countie of 
 Midd, as alfo w^'in any Towne halls or Moute halls, or other con- 
 venient places w"'in the libertie and freedome of any Citie, Univerfitie, 
 Towne or Borough whatfoever w"'in our Realmes and dominions. 
 Willing and comaunding yo", and everie of yo", as yo" tender our 
 pleafure, not onely to pmit and fuffer them herein w'^out any yo"' Letts, 
 hinderances, or moleftacons, during our faid pleafure, but alfo to be 
 aiding and affifting unto them, if any wrong be to them offered, and 
 to allow them fuch former curtefies, as hath ben given to men of their 
 •place and qualety; And alfo what further favour yo" fhall fhew unto 
 them for our fake We fhall take kindly at yo' hands. Provided 
 alwaies. And our will and pleafure is, That all authoritie, power, 
 priviledges and profitts whatfoever, belonging and properly apper- 
 tayning to the Mafter of our Revells in refpedt of his office, and every 
 claufe, article or graunt conteyned w'^in the Lres patents or comifTion 
 w"'' have heretofore ben graunted or directed to our Welbeloved 
 svant Sir George Buck, knight, Mafter of our faid Revells, ftiall be, 
 remaine and abide entire, and in full force and eftate and vertue, and 
 in as ample fort as if this our ComifTion had never ben made. In 
 witnefs whereof &c. And theis our Lres fhalbe yo'^ fufficient warrant 
 
46 Docume7Us . 
 
 and difcharge in this behalf. Given under our Signet at our PaJlace 
 of Weftm'', the fourth day of January, in the Tenth yeare of our 
 Raigne of England, Fraunce and Ireland, and of Scotland the fix and 
 fortith. 
 
 Ex p Lake. 
 
 Ex''. 
 
 Addrejfed: 
 To our right trafly and right welbeloved Coufin and 
 Counfello"' Henry Earle of Northampton, keep of 
 our privy Seale. — 
 
 Indorfed : 
 
 Count Palatine. 
 Plaiers Comiffion. 
 
 XXI. Privy Seal of James I. granting to Philip Rojfeter and 
 others permijjion to ereSl a fecond theatre in Blackfriars. 
 May 31, 1615.^ 
 
 SIGHT truftie & right welbeloved Coufin & Councello', we 
 greet yo" well. And will & comaund you, that under our 
 privy Seale, being in yo" cuftody for the tyme being, yo^ 
 caufe our Ires to be addreflM to our Chauncello"^ of England, Co- 
 maunding him that under ou' great Seale of England he caufe our tres 
 to be made forth patents in forme following. James, by the grace of 
 God, kinge of England, Scotland, Fraunce, and Ireland, Defendo' of 
 
 ' From the original in the State Paper Office. It was printed by Collier, i. 396-8. 
 The plan was not carried out, although in confequence of the Privy Seal, a Patent had 
 been drawn and delivered. 
 
Documents. 47 
 
 the faith, &c. To all Mayo"^, SherrifFs, Juftices of Peace, Bailiffs, 
 Conftables, Headborroughs, and to all other o' officers, Minifters, and 
 loving fubjefts, to whom theis pnts fhall come, Greetinge. Whereas 
 wee, by our tres Pattents fealed w"' o' greate feale of England, bear- 
 ing date the fowrth dale of January, In the feaventh yere of our raigne 
 of England, Fraunce, And Ireland, and of Scotland the Three and 
 Fortieth (for the confideracons in the fame tres Pattents exprefled), 
 did appoint and authorize Phillipp RofTeter, and Certeyne others, 
 from time to time to provide, keepe, and bring up a convenient 
 number of Children, and them to praftife and exercife in the quallitie 
 of playinge by the name of the Children of the Revells to the Queene, 
 w*in the Whitefryers, in the Subburbes of o'' Cittie of London, or in 
 any other convenient place where they, the faid Phillipp RofTeter and 
 the refl of his partners, fhould thinke fittinge for that purpofe. 
 As in and by the faid tres Pattents more at lardge appeareth. 
 And whereas the faid Phillipp RofTeter, and the refl of his 
 faid partners have ever fince trayned up and praftized a con- 
 venient nomber of children of the Revells for the purpofe afore- 
 faid in a MefTuage or Manfion houfe, being percell of the late difTolved 
 Monaftery called the Whitefryers, neere Fleete Streete in London, 
 w"*" the faid Phillipp RofTeter did lately hold for terme of certeine 
 yeres expired : And whereas the faid Phillipp RofTeter, Togeither 
 with Phillipp Kingman, Robert Jones and Raph Reeve to continue 
 the faid fervice for the keeping and bringing up of Children, for the 
 folace and pleafure of o' faid mofl deare wife, and the better to praftize 
 and exercife them in the quallitye of playing by the name of the 
 Children of the Revells to the Queene, have lately taken in Leafe and 
 farme divers buildings, Cellers, follars. Chambers and yards, for the 
 building of a Playe Houfe thereupon for the better pradlizing and 
 
48 Documents. 
 
 exercife of the faid Children of the Revells, All w'^'' premifles are 
 fcittuat and being w"'in the precinift of the Blackfryers neere Puddle- 
 wharfe, in the Subburbes of London, called by the name of the 
 Ladie Saunders houfe, or otherwife Porters Hall, and nowe in the 
 occupacon of the faid Robert Jones. Nowe knowe yee. That wee of 
 o' efpeciall grace, certeyne knowledge, and meere mocon have given 
 and graunted, And by theis pnts, for us o'' heires and Succeflb'^, doe 
 give and graunt Licence and authoritie unto the faid Phillipp Rofleter, 
 Phillipp Kingman, Robert Jones and Raph Reeve, at their prop Cofts 
 and Chardgs, to erred: build and fett up, in and upon the faid pre- 
 mises before menconed. One Convenient Playehoufe for the faid 
 Children of the Revells, the fame Playehoufe to be ufed by the 
 Children of the Revells for the time beinge of the Queenes Ma"^, 
 and for the Princes Players, and for the Ladie Elizabethes Players, 
 foe tollerated or lawfully licenfed to plaie exercife and praftife them 
 therein, Any Lawe, Statute, Ad of Parliam' reftraint, or other matter 
 or thing whatfoef to the contrary notw"^fl:anding. Willing and 
 Coinanding yo", and every of yo", o'' faid Maio''% SherrifFs, Juftices 
 of peace. Bailiffs, Conftables, Headborroughes, and all other o"' officers 
 and Minifters for the time being, as yee tender o' pleafure, to pmitt 
 and fufFer them therein w^'out any yo' letts, hinderance, moleftacon, 
 or diflurbance whatfoever. In witnefs whereof &c. And theis our 
 Lres fhalbe yo'" fufHcient warrant & difcharge in this behalf. Given 
 under o' Signet, at our Manno'' of Greenewich, the laft day of May 
 in the thirteenth yeare of our Ralgne of England, Fraunce & Ireland 
 and of Scotland the eight & fortlth. 
 
 Ex p Lake. 
 
Docmnents. 49 
 
 XXII. Letter of ajjijiance from the Privy Council to John 
 Darnel, April, 1 6 1 2>,for the purpofe of enabling him to train 
 children for playing in interludes} 
 
 I FTER our harty comendations. Whereas it pleafed his 
 Ma"^ by his Lrs Patents under the great Seale of England, 
 bearing date the xvij"' daie of Julie in the xiii yeare of 
 his Highnes Raine, to grant unto John Daniell, gent, (the Prince his 
 fervant) Aufthoritie to bring upp a Companie of Chilldren and youths 
 in the quallitie of playing Enterludes & Stage plaies. And wee are 
 informed, y' notw^'ftanding his Ma"*' pleafure therein, that there are 
 fome who oppugne and refift the faid authority in contempt of his 
 Ma""' Lrs Patents. 
 
 In confideracon whereof, and for the further effedting and pform- 
 ance of his Ma""" pleafure therein. Wee have thought good to grant 
 unto the faid John Daniell thefe o" Lres of Affiftance, Thereby re- 
 quiring you, and in his Ma"" name ftraightly chardging and comaund- 
 ing you and every of you, not only quietly topmitt and fufFer Martin 
 Slatier, John Edmonds and Nathaniel! Clay (her Ma"" fervants) w"" 
 their Affociatts, the bearers hereof, to play as aforefaid (As her Ma""' 
 fervants of her Royall Chamber of Briftoll) in all Playhowfes, Towne- 
 halls, Schoolehowfes and other places convenient for y' purpofe, in 
 all Citties, Uniffities, Townes, and Burroughes w^'in his Ma"" Realmes 
 
 ' From an original draft in the State Paper Office. It was printed by Collier, i. 41 2-13. 
 Two flmilar documents have already been gwsnfuprd. John Daniel was brother to 
 Samuel Daniel the poet. 
 
 H 
 
5° 
 
 Documents. 
 
 and Dominions, Freely & peaceably w^ut any of your letts, trobles 
 or moleftations. But as occafion fhall be offred (they or any of them 
 having to fhowe his Lres Patents, and a Letter of AfTignem' from y' 
 faid John Daniell) to be lykewife aiding and affifting unto them, they 
 behaving themfelves civilly and orderly, lyke good and honeft fubjeds, 
 and doing nothing therein contrary to the teno' of his Ma "' faid Lres 
 Patents, nor flaying to play in any one place above Fowreteene dales 
 together, and the tymes of Devine Service on the Saboth dales only 
 excepted. 
 
 Whereof faile you not at yo'' pills. Given at the Court at White- 
 hall, this [the reft to be filled up according to circumftances.j 
 
 To all Maiors, SheriiFes, BaylifFs, Conftables, and other 
 his Ma"*^' officers and Liege Subjefts, to whome it 
 may belong, or in any wife appertaine. 
 
 XXIIL Patent of 'James I. licenjing the perfortnance of plays 
 by his Majejiy's Servants at the Private Houfe in Black- 
 friars, as well as at the Globe. March 27, 1619-20.^ 
 
 James R. 
 
 >AMES by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, 
 France and Ireland, defend' of the faith &c. To all 
 Juftices, Mayo", Sheriffs, Conftables, Headborowes, and 
 other o' Officers and loving fubjedts greeting. Knowe yee That wee 
 
 ' From the original in the State Paper Office. It was printed by Collier, i. 
 416-17. 
 
Documents. ^\ 
 
 of o' fpeciall grace, certaine knowledge, and meere mocon have 
 Lycenfed and authorized, and by theis piits doe lycence and authorize, 
 theis o' welbeloved Servants, John Hemings, Richard Burbadge, 
 Henry Condall, John Lowen, Nicholas Tooley, John Underwood, 
 Nathan Feild, Robert Benfeild, Robert Gough, William Eccleftone, 
 Richard Robinfon and John Shancks, and the reft of their Affociates, 
 freely to ufe and exercife the Art and Facultie of playing Comedies, 
 Tragedies, Hiftories, Enterludes, Morralls, Paftoralls, Stage playes 
 and fuch other like, as they have alredy ftudied, or hereafter fhall ufe 
 or ftudie, as well for the recreacon of our loving Subiedls, as for our 
 folace and pleafure when wee (hall thinck good to fee them, during 
 o' pleafure. And the faid Comedies, Tragedies, Hiftories, Enter- 
 ludes, Morralls, Paftoralls, Stage-plaies and fuch like, to fliow and 
 exercife publiquely or otherwife to their beft comoditie, when the 
 infection of the plague fhall not weekely exceed the nomber of Fortie 
 by the certificate of the Lord Mayo' of London for the time being, 
 as well within theis two their now ufuall Houfes called the Globe 
 within o' Countie of Surrey and their private Houfe fcituate in the 
 precinds of the Blackfriers within our Citty of London, As alfo with- 
 in any Towne Halls, or Moute-halls, or other convenient places 
 within the liberties and freedom of any other Cittie, Univerfttie, 
 Towne, or Burrough whatfoever within o' faid Realmes and Do- 
 mynions. Willing and comaunding you and every of yo™, and all 
 o' loving fubjefts, as you tender our pleafure, not onely to permit 
 and fufFer them herein without any yo' letts, hindraunces or molefta- 
 cons during o'' faid pleafure. But alfo to be ayding and affifting to 
 them, if any wrong be to them ofired. And to allow them fuch former 
 curtefies as hath byn given to men of their place and qualitie. And 
 alfo what further favo' you ftiall ftiew to theis our Servants and the 
 
5 2 Documents. 
 
 reft of their Aflbclates for o' fake, we fhall take kindly at your hands. 
 
 In witnefs wherof &c. 
 
 Pembroke. 
 By order from the Lord 
 Chamberlin of y' Ma'^ Houfliold, 
 Ex' Levynus Munck. 
 
 It is indorfed, 
 Expedit apiid Weftm vicefimo feptimo die Martij Anno. 
 R. Regis Jacobi decimo ieptimo. 
 
 P WiNDEBANK. 
 
 XXIV. Patent of James I. appointing Sir John \AJiley Majler 
 of the Revels, as fucceffor to Sir George Buc. May 22, 
 1622.' 
 
 i IGHT truftie and right welbeloved Coufin and Councello' 
 wee greet yo"' well and will and comaund yo" that under 
 o'' privy Seale yo" caufe o'' tres to be addrefTed to the 
 keeper of o'' great Seale of England, willing and comaunding him 
 that under our great Seale of England, he caufe our tres patents to be 
 made foorth in forme following. 
 
 James by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, Fraunce 
 and Ireland defendor of the Faith, &c. To all and finguler o' Juftices, 
 Maiors, Sheriffs, Bayliffs, Conftables, and all other our Officers, 
 minifters, true leige men and fubjefts, and to every of them, Greet- 
 
 ' From the original in the State Paper OfBce. It was printed by Collier, i. 419- 
 22. The document at that time (1831) was preferved at the Chapter Houfe, Weft- 
 minfter. 
 
Documents. 53 
 
 ing. Wee lett yo" witt That wee have authorifed, licenfed and co- 
 maunded. And by thefe prefents doe authorife, licenfe and coiSaund 
 our welbeloved Servant S' John Afhley, Knight, Mafter of o"" Revells, 
 afwell to take and retaine for us and in o' name, at all times from 
 hencefoorth, and in all places w"'in this our Realme of England afwell 
 w'^in Franchifes and liberties as w'^out, at competent wages, afwell 
 all fuch and as many Painters, Embroderers, Taylors, Cappers, 
 Haberdafhers, Joyners, Carters, Glafiers, Armorers, Bafkett makers. 
 Skinners, Sadlers, Waggen-makers, plafterers, feather-makers, as all 
 propertie makers and cunning Artificers, and labourers whatfoever, 
 as o"" faid fervant, or his Affigne, bearer hereof, fliall thinke neceflary 
 and requifite, for the fpeedy working and finifhing of any exploit, 
 workmanfhip, or peece of fervice that fhall at any time hereafter 
 belong to our faid OfBce of the Revells ; as alfo to take at price 
 reafonable in all places w"'in our faid Realme of England, afwell 
 w'^in franchifes and liberties as w**'out, any kind or kinds of ftufFe, 
 ware or marchandize, wood or Coale or other fewell, timber, wain- 
 fcott, board, lath, nailes, brick, tyle, leads. Iron, wyer, and all other 
 neceflaries for o' faid works of the faid Office of our Revells, as he 
 the faid Sir John Afliley, or his Affignes, fhall thinke behoofull and 
 expedient, from time to time for our faid fervice in the faid Office of 
 the Revells, together w"" all Cariages for the fame, both by land and 
 water as the cafe fhall require. And furthermore wee have by thefe 
 prefents authorifed and comaunded the faid S' John Afhley, that in 
 cafe any perfon or perfons, whatfoe-v* they be, will obftinately difobey, 
 and from hencefoorth refufe to accomplifh and obey our Comaunde- 
 ment and pleafure in that behalf, or w"'drawe themfelves from any of 
 our faid works upon warning to them or any of them given by the 
 faid S' John Afhley, or by his fufficient deputie in that behalf to be 
 
54 Documents. 
 
 named or appointed for their diligent attendance and workmanfhip 
 upon the faid works or divifes, as to their naturall dutie and allege- 
 ance appertaineth, That then it fhalbe lawful! unto the faid S' John 
 Afliley, or his deputie for the time being, to attache the partie or 
 parties foe offending, and him or them to comitt to ward, there to 
 remaine w"'out bayle or mainprife, until the faid S' John Afhiey fhall 
 thinke the time of his or their Imprifonm' to bepunifhment fufficient 
 for his or their faid Offences in that behalf; And that done to enlarge 
 him or them, foe being imprifoned, at their full libertie, w"'out any 
 loffe penaltie, forfaiture or other damage in that behalf to be fuftained 
 or borne by the faid S' John Afhley or his faid deputie. And alfo if 
 any perfon or perfons, being taken into our faid works of the faid 
 office of our Revells, being arrefted coming or going to or from our 
 faid works of o' faid office of our Revells, at the fuite of any perfon 
 or perfons, then the faid S' John Afhley, by vertue and authority 
 hereof, to enlarge him or them as by our fpeciall prote6tion during 
 the time of our faid works. And alfo if any perfon or perfons, being 
 retained in o' faid works of our faid Office of Revells, have taken 
 any manner of Taflceworke, being bound to finifli the fame by any 
 certaine day, fhali not runne Into any manner of forfeiture or penaltie 
 for breaking of his dale ; Soe that he or they, imediately after the 
 finifhing of our faid works, endeavor him or themfelves to finifh the 
 faid Tafkeworke. And further alfo wee have and doe by thefe 
 prefents authorize and comaund o'^faid fervant S' John Afhley, Mafter 
 of o' Revells, by himfelf or his fufficient deputie or deputies, to warne 
 comaund and appoint in all places w^'in this o" Realme of England, 
 afwell w^'^in Franchifes and liberties as w^out, all and every player 
 and players, w"' the playmakers, either belonging to any Noblemen, 
 or otherwife, bearing the name or names of ufing the facultie of play- 
 
Documents. 55 
 
 makers or players of Comedies, tragedies, Interludes, or what other 
 fhowes foever, from time to time and at all times to appeare before 
 him w"" all fuch plaies, tragedies, Comedies or fhowes as they fliall 
 have in readines or meane to fett foorth, and them to prefent and 
 recite before o'" faid fervant or his fufficient deputy, whome wee ordaine 
 appoint and authorife by thefe prefents of all fuch fhowes, plaies, 
 players and playmakers, together w*'' their playing places, to order 
 and reforme, authorife and put downe, as fhalbe thought meete or 
 unmeete unto himfelf or his faid deputie in that behalf And wee 
 have likewife by thefe prefents authorifed and comaunded the faid S' 
 John Afhley, That if any of them, whatfoever they be, will obftinately 
 refufe, upon warning unto them given, by the faid S' John Afhley or 
 his fufficient deputie, to accomplifh and obey o' Comaundem* in this 
 behalf, then it fhalbe lawfull to and for the faid S' John Afhley, or 
 his fufficient deputie, to attach the partie or parties fo offending, and 
 him or them to c5mitt to ward, there to remaine w"'out baile or 
 mainprife, untill fuch time as the faid S' John Afhley or his fufficient 
 deputie fhall thinke the time of his or their Imprifonment to be pun- 
 ifhment fufficient for his or their faid offences in that behalf; and that 
 done to enlarge him or them fo being imprifoned at their plaine 
 libertie, w^ut any lofTe penaltie forfeiture or other danger in this 
 behalf to be fuflained or borne by the faid S' John Afhley or his 
 deputy, Any Ad, flatute, ordinance or provifion heretofore had or 
 made to the contrary hereof in any wife notw^'flanding. Wherefore 
 wee will and comaund yo" and every of yo", that unto the faid S' John 
 Afhley, or his fufficient deputie, bearer hereof, in the due execucon of 
 this our Authority and Comaund, yee be ayding, fupporting and 
 affifling from time to time as the cafe fhall require, as yo" and every 
 of yo" tender our pleafure, and will anfwer the contrary at yo' utter- 
 
56 
 
 Documents. 
 
 moft perills, Witnefs, &c. And thefe our tres fhalbe yo' fufficient 
 warrant and difcharge in this behalf. Given under our Signett at o' 
 Pallace of Weftm'" the fecond day of May in the twentith yeare of 
 our Raigne of England, Fraunce and Ireland, and of Scotland the 
 five & fiftith. 
 
 Ex. R. KiRKHAM. 
 
 XXV. Letter of James I. to the Privy Council, cancelling a 
 Patent granted for a new Amphitheatre in Lincoln s-Inn- 
 Fields. September 29, 1620.' 
 
 James R. 
 
 pIGHT trufty and right welbeloved Coufins and Councello'% 
 and Right trufty and welbeloved Councello'^ wee greete 
 you well. Whereas at the humble fuite of o' fervants 
 John Cotton, John Williams and Thomas Dixon, and in recompence 
 of their fervices, wee have been pieafed to Licenfe them to buyld an 
 Amphitheater, w'^'' hath pafled o' Signett and is flayed at o' Privy 
 Seale ; and finding therein conteyned fome fuch Wordes and Claufes, 
 as may in fome conftru6lions feeme to give them greater liberty, both 
 in the point of buylding and ufing of exercifes, then is any way to be 
 permitted, or was ever by us intended. Wee have thought fitt to 
 comaund and give authority unto yo", or any fower of yow, to caufe 
 
 ' From the original in the State Paper Office. 
 
Documents. ^j 
 
 that allready pafTed to be cancelled, and to give order unto o' Solli- 
 cito' generall for the drawing up of a new warrant for o"' Signature to 
 the fame pties, according to fuch direftions and Refervations as here- 
 w'" wee fend yow. Wherein wee are more pticular, both in y= affir- 
 mative and y"= negative, to the end that, as on the one fide wee would 
 have nothing pafle us to remaine upon Record, w"^" either for the 
 forme might not become us, or for y*^ fubftance might crofTe o'' many 
 Proclamacons (purfued w"" fo good fucceffe) for buyldings, or on the 
 other fide might give them caufe to importune us after they had ben 
 at Charges, to w'='' end wee wi{he that yow call them before yow, and 
 lett them knowe o' pleafure and refolution therein. Given under o' 
 Signett at o' Hono' of Hampton Court, the 29"" of September in the 
 eighteenth yeare of o' Raigne of greate Brittaigne, France and 
 Ireland. 
 
 XXVI. Patent of Charles I. renewing that ofjames I. 
 (1619-20). June 24, 1625.' 
 
 D. con fpial licenc Johi Heminge & atf . 
 
 jHARLES by the grace of God, &c. To all Juftices, 
 Maiors, SherrifFes, Conftables, Headboroughes, and other 
 our Officers and lovinge Subiefts greeting. Knowe ye 
 that We of our efpeciall grace, certayne knowledge, and meere 
 mocTon have licenced and authorifed, and by thefe pfents doe 
 
 * From the original in the State Paper Office. Printed by Collier, ii. 3-4. 
 
 I 
 
58 Documents. 
 
 licence and authorife, thefe our welbeloved fervants John Hemings, 
 Henry Condall, John Lowen, Jofeph Taylor, Richard Robinfon, 
 Robert Benfeild, John Shanck, William Rowley, John Rice, Elliart 
 Swanfton, George Birch, Richard Sharpe, and Thomas Pollard, and 
 the reft of their aflbciate, freely to ufe and exercife the Art and 
 facultye of Playing Comedies, Tragedies, Hiftories, Enterludes, 
 Morralls, Paftoralls, Stageplayes and fuch other like as they have 
 already Studied, or hereafter fhall ufe or Studdy, afwell for the Re- 
 creacon of our loving Subiefts, as for our follace and pleafure when 
 we fhall thinke good to fee them, duringe our pleafure ; And thefaide 
 Comedies, Tragedies, Hiftories, Enterludes, Morralls, Paftoralls, 
 Stageplayes and fuch like to ftiowe and exercife publiquely, or other- 
 wife, to theire beft comoditie When the Infeftion of the Plague fliall 
 not weekely exceede the nomber of Forty, by the Certificate of the 
 Lord Mayor of London for the tyme being, afwell within thefe twoe 
 theire moft ufuall houfes, called the Globe within our County of 
 Surrey, and theire private Houfe fcituate within the Precindl of the 
 Blacke Friers within our Citty of London, as alfoe within any Towne- 
 halls, or Moutehalls, or other convenient places within the litjties and 
 freedome of any other Citty, Univerfity, Towne or Burrough what- 
 foever within our faide Realmes and Domynions : Willing and co- 
 maunding you and every of you, and all other our loving fubiedts, as 
 you tender our pleafure, not only to pmitt and fufi^er them herein 
 without any your letts, hindrances, or moleftacons, duringe our faide 
 pleafure, But alfoe to be ayding and affifting to them, yf any wrong 
 be to them offred, and to allowe them fuch former curtefies as hath 
 bene given to men of theire place and quality ; And alfoe what 
 further favour you ftiall ftiewe to thefe our Servants, and the reft 
 of theire Aflbciats for our Sake, We ftiall take kindly at your hands. 
 
Documents. 59 
 
 In witnefs, &c. Witnes our felfe at Weftin, the foure and twentith 
 day of June. 
 
 p Bre de private figillo, &c. 
 
 XXVII. Statute i Charles I. cap. i. touching theatrical 
 exhibitions, yune 8, 1625.^ 
 
 An A<5te for punifliing of divers abufes comitted on the 
 Lordf day called Sunday. 
 
 jORASMUCH as there is nothing more acceptable to God 
 then the true and fincere Service and worfhipp of him 
 according to his holy Will, and that the holy keeping of 
 the Lordf day is a principall part of the true Service of God which in 
 very many places of this Realme hath beene and now is pfaned and 
 neglected by a diforderlie fort of people in exercifing and frequenting 
 Bearebaiting, Bullbaiting, Enterludes, coinon Playes and other un- 
 lawfuU exercifes and paftimes uppon the Lordf day ; And for that 
 many quarrellf bloodfheddf and other great inconveniences have 
 growen by the refort and concourfe of people out of their owne 
 parifhes to fuch difordered and unlawfull exercifes and paftimes 
 neglecting Divine fervice both in their owne parifhes and elfe 
 where. Be it enadted by the Kingf moft Excellent Majeftie 
 the Lordf Spirituall and Temporall and the Coinons in this pfent 
 Parliament aflembled and by the Authoritie of the fame, That 
 from and after fortie dayes next after the end of this Seflion of 
 Parliament there fhalbe no meeting^ aflemblies or concourfe of people 
 out of their owne Parifhes on the Lordf day within this Realme of 
 
 ' Statutes of the Realm, Record Commiffion, ed. v. p. i. 
 
6o Documents. 
 
 England or any the Dominions thereof for any fportf or paftimes 
 whatfoever nor any Bearebaiting BuUbaiting Enterludes Comon playes 
 or other unlawful! exercifes or paftimes ufed by any ^fon or ^fons 
 within their owne Parifties and that every ^fon & ^fons offend- 
 ing in any the p'miffes fhall forfeit for every offence three fhil- 
 lingf foure pence. The fame to be employed and converted to the ufe 
 of the poore of the Parifh where fuch offence flialbe comitted. 
 And that any one Juftice of the peace of the Countie or the cheife 
 Officer or Officers of any Cittie Borough or Towne corporate where 
 fuch offence fhalbe comitted uppon his or their view or confeffion of 
 the partie or proofe of any one or more witneffe by oath which the 
 faid Juftice or Chiefe Officer or Officers ftiall by virtue of this Adt 
 have authoritie to minifter, ftiall fynde any pfon offending in the 
 p)miffeSj the faid Juftice or Cheife Officer or Officers fhall give warrant 
 under his or their hand and Scale to the [Conftables] or Church- 
 wardens of the Pariflie or Parifties where fuch offence ftialbe comitted 
 to levie the faid penaltie fo to be affeffed by way of diftreffe and fale of 
 the goodf of every fuch offendor, rendring to the faid offenders the 
 overplus of the monie raifed- of the faid goodf fo to be fold And in 
 default of fuch diftres that the partie offending be fet publiquelie in the 
 ftockf by the fpace of three houres And that if any man be fued or im- 
 peached for execucion of this Lawe he fhall and may plead the generall 
 iffue and give the faid matter of Juftificacion in evidence. Provided that 
 no man be impeached by this A6t except he be called in queftion within 
 one moneth next after the faid offence comitted. Provided Alfo that the 
 Ecclefiafticall Jurifdiccion within this Realme or any the Dominions 
 thereof by virtue of this A<5t or any thing therein conteyned ftiall not 
 be abridged but that the Ecclefiafticall Court may punifli the faid 
 offences as if this acSte had not bene made. This A6tto contynue untill 
 the end of the firft Seflion of the next Parliament, and no longer. 
 
Documents. 
 
 61 
 
 XXVIII. Privy Seal of Charles I. for the grant of a bounty 
 of 100 marks to the King's Players. Dec. 30, 1625.' 
 
 By the King. 
 ilGHT trufty and right well-beloved Coufin and Coun- 
 cello', wee greet you well. And will and comaund you, that, 
 under our privy feale, you caufe our tres to be addreffed 
 forth in forme following. Charles by the grace of god &c. To the 
 Trer & Undertrer of o' Excheq' greeting. Whereas wee have bene 
 pleafed to beftowe upon the Company of our players, who are to attend 
 us daily at o' Court this Chriftmas, the fome of one hundred marks 
 for the better furnifhing them w"" apparell : Wee doe hereby will & 
 comaund you, of our treafure in the Receipt of our Excheq^, to caufe 
 pnt paym' to be made unto Jofeph Taylor, gent., one of the faid 
 Company, of the faid fome of one hundred marks, to the ufe of him- 
 felf and the reft of his Company of Players, as of our free guift & 
 Princely bounty, for provicon of apparell as aforefaid, w^'out accompt, 
 impreft, or other charge to be fett upon them, or any of them, for 
 the fame or any pt thereof. And theis our tres fhalbe your fufBcient 
 warrant & difcharge in this behalf. Given under o"^ Signett at 
 o"' Hono' of Hampton Court, the thirtieth day of December in the 
 firft yere of o"' Reigne. 
 
 Fra. Galle. 
 
 ' From the original in the State Paper Office. Printed by Collier, ii. 6-7. 
 
62 
 
 Documents. 
 
 XXIX. Privy Seal of Charles I. to provide necejfaries for the 
 Revels at Court. Nov. j, 1626.^ 
 
 By the King. 
 
 IGHT truftie and right welbeloved Cofin & Councello'' wee 
 greete you well. Wee Will & comaund you that under our 
 privy Seale, you caufe o' tres to bee made forth in forme 
 following. Charles by the grace of god, &c. To the Trer & un- 
 dertrer of our Excheq' for the time being greeting. Whereas Wee are 
 informed by o' truftie & welbeloved fervant, S' Henry Herbert, 
 Knight, M' of o' Revells, that there are div's things neceflarily to bee 
 provided for that office for our ufe & fervice. Theis are to will & 
 Comaund you, out of fuch o' treafure as is nowe remayning in the 
 receipt of o' Excheq', upon receipt heerof, to impreft to the faid M' 
 of o' Revells, or his affignes, the fome of twoe hundred poundes. The 
 fame to bee by him imployed about provifion of neceflaries for the 
 fame, whereof he is to yeeild an accompt. And further, wee will & 
 Comaund yow, from time to timeyeerely, to impreft unto the faid S' 
 Henry Herbert, nowe M' of o' Revells, fuch fome and fomes of 
 money to bee by him expended about the provifions of neceflaries for 
 o' faid Revells, as to you ftiall feeme meete & Convenient for pvifions 
 of the faid office. And theis our tres fhalbee yo' fufficient warrant 
 & difchardge in this behalf Given under o' Signet at o' Pallace 
 of Weftminfter, the feaventh daye of November in the fecond yeare 
 
 or o raigne. 
 
 WiNDEBANK. 
 
 ' From the original in the State Paper Office. Collier, ii. ii. 
 
XXX. Fir ft Ordinance of the Long Parliament againjl' Stage- 
 plays and Interludes. September 2., 1642.1 
 
 An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons concerning Stage-plays. 
 
 HEREAS the diftreffed eftate of Ireland, fteeped in her own 
 blood, and the diftraded eftate of England, threatened 
 with a cloud of blood by a civil war, call for all poffible 
 means to appeafe and avert the wrath of God appearing in thefe 
 judgments : amongft which fafting and prayer, having been often 
 tried to be very effedual, have been lately and are ftill enjoined : and 
 whereas public fports do not well agree with public calamities, nor 
 public ftage-plays with the feafons of humiliation, this being an exer- 
 cife of fad and pious folemnity, and the other being fpedtacles of 
 pleafure, too commonly expreffing lafcivious mirth and levity : it is 
 therefore thought fit and ordained by the Lords and Commons in 
 this Parliament aflembled, that while thefe fad caufes and fet-times of 
 humiliation do continue, public ftage-plays ftiall ceafe and be for- 
 borne. Inftead of which are recommended to the people of this land 
 the profitable and feafonable confiderations of repentance, reconcilia- 
 tion and peace with God, which probably will produce outward 
 peace and profperity, and bring again times of joy and gladnefs to 
 thefe nations. Sept. 2. 1642. 
 
 ' Collier's Hift. of Engl. Dram. Poet. ii. 105. The original is on a fingle quarto 
 leaf, and I regret that I have not been able to meet with it. A facfimile reprint of it 
 was inferted many years ago in one of the magazines. 
 
64 Documents. 
 
 XXXI. Second Meafure of the Long Parliament direSled to the 
 fupprejjion of theatrical performances in England. OStober 
 22, 1647.' 
 
 An Ordnance of the Lords and Commons, aflembled in Parliament, 
 for thie Lord IVIayor of the City of London, and the Juftices of 
 the Peace, to fupprefs Stage-plays and Interludes, &c. 
 
 T)ie Veneris, Oftob. 22, 1647. 
 
 OR the better fuppreffion of Stage-plays, Interludes, and 
 Common Players. 
 
 It is this day ordered, by the Lords and Commons in 
 Parliament aflembled, that the Lord Mayor, Juftices of the Peace, 
 and Sheriffs of the City of London and Weftminfler, the Counties of 
 Middlefex and Surrey, or any two or more of them, fhall and may, 
 and are hereby authorifed and required to enter into all houfes, and 
 other places within the city of London, and liberties thereof, and 
 other places within their refpeftive jurifdidlions, where fl:age plays, 
 interludes, or other common plays are or fhall be adled or played, and 
 all fuch common Players or Adtors, as they upon view of them, or 
 any one of them, or upon oaths by two credible witnefTes (which they 
 are hereby authorifed to minifter), fhall be proved before them, or any 
 two of them, to have afted or played in fuch Playhoufes or places 
 abovefaid : and all perfon and perfons fo offending to commit to any 
 
 Collier, ii. i lo-j i. 
 
Documents. 
 
 65 
 
 common jail or prifon, there to remain until the next general Seffions 
 of the Peace, holden within the faid City of London or Liberties 
 thereof, and places aforefaid, or fufficient fecurity entered for his or 
 their appearance at the faid Seffions, there to be puniftied as Rogues, 
 according to law. 
 
 Jo. Brown, Cleric. Parliamentorum. 
 
 Hen, Elsynge, Cler. Pari. Dom. Com. 
 
 XXXI L Third and Final Ordinance of the Long Parliament 
 againji Theatres, &c. February 9, 1647-8.^ 
 
 ' From the original 410. tradl of four leaves, preferved in the Bodleian Library. Mr. 
 Collier {Hift. of Dr. Poet. ii. 114-17) gives it from the reprint in Scobell's Colledlion. 
 
J*. , 
 
 AN 
 
 ORDINANCE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 LORDS and COMMONS 
 
 Affembled in 
 
 PARLIAMENT, 
 
 For, 
 The utter fuppreffion and aboliiliing 
 
 of all 
 
 Stage-Playes 
 
 AND 
 
 INTERLUDES. 
 
 With the Penalties to be inflifted upon 
 
 the Adlors and Spedlators, herein expreft. 
 
 Die Veneris ii Februarii. 1647. 
 
 ORdered by the Lords, AJJembled in Parliament, That this 
 Ordinance for the fuppreffion of Stage-Playes, fhall be 
 forthwith printed and publifhed. 
 
 Joh. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum. 
 
 Imprinted at London for John Wright at the 
 Kings Head in the old Bayley. 1647. 
 
Documents. 67 
 
 Die Mercurii 9 Februarii, 1647. 
 An Ordinance for Suppreffion of all Stage-Playes and Interludes. 
 
 . HEREAS theAdts of Stage-Playes, Interludes, and common 
 Playes, condemned by ancient Heathens, and much lefTe 
 to be tolerated amongft Profeflbrs of the Chriftian Religion, 
 is the occafion of many and fundry great vices and diforders, tending 
 to the high provocation of Gods wrath and difpleafure, which lies 
 heavy upon this Kingdome, and to the difturbance of the peace 
 thereof; in regard whereof the fame hath beene prohibited by Ordi- 
 nance of this prefent Parliament, and yet is prefumed to be praftifed 
 by divers in contempt thereof. Therefore for the better fuppreffion 
 of the faid Stage-Playes, Interludes, and common Players, It is 
 Ordered and Ordained by the Lords and Commons in this prefent 
 Parliament Aflembled, and by Authority of the fame, That all Stage- 
 Players, and Players of Interludes, and common Playes, are hereby 
 declared to be, and are, and fhall be taken to be Rogues, and punifh- 
 able, within the ftatutes of the thirty ninth yeare of the Reigne of 
 Queene Elizabeth, and the feventh yeare of the Reigne of King 
 James,' and lyable unto the paines and penalties therein contained, and 
 proceeded againft according to the faid Statutes, whether they be 
 wanderers or no, and notwithftanding any Licenfe whatfoever from the 
 King or any perfon or perfons to that purpofe. 
 
 And it is further Ordered and Ordained by the Authority afore- 
 faid. That the Lord Mayor, Juftices of the peace, and Sheriffs of the 
 City of London and Weftminfter, and of the Counties of Middlefex 
 
 1 See p. 37, fuprd. 
 
68 Documents. 
 
 and Surrey, or any two or more of them, fliall, and may, and are 
 hereby authorized and required, to pull downe and demoli(h, or caufe 
 or procure to be pulled downe and demolifhed all Stage-Galleries, 
 Seates, and Boxes, eredted or ufed, or which fhall be eredled and ufed 
 for the ailing, or playing, or feeing a6led or plaid, fuch Stage-Playes, 
 Interludes, and Playes aforefaid, within the faid City of London and 
 Liberties thereof, and other places within their refpedtive jurifdidtions; 
 and all fuch common Players, and A6lors of fuch Playes and Inter- 
 ludes, as upon view of them, or any one of them, or by Oath of two 
 WitnefTes (which they are hereby authorized to adminifter) fhall be 
 proved before them, or any two of them to have Adted, or played 
 fuch Playes and Interludes as aforefaid at any time hereafter, or 
 within the fpace of two Moneths before the time of the faid Convic- 
 tion, by their Warrant or Warrants under their hands and feales, to 
 caufe to be apprehended, and openly and publikely whipt in fome 
 Market Towne within their feverall Jurifdidlions during the time of 
 the faid Market, and alfo to caufe fuch Offender and Offenders to 
 enter into Recognizance, or Recognizances, with two fufficient 
 Sureties never to Adl or play any Plaies or Interludes any more, and 
 fhall returne in the faid Recognizance, or Recognizances into the 
 Sizes or SefTions to be then next holden for the faid Counties and 
 Cities refpedlively ; and to commit to the common goale any fuch 
 perfon and perfons as aforefaid, as fball refufe to be bound, and finde 
 fuch Sureties as aforefaid, untill he or they fhall fo become bound. 
 And in cafe any fuch perfon or perfons fo convidted of the faid offence, 
 fhall after againe offend in the fame kinde, that then the faid perfon 
 or perfons fo offending, fhall be, and is hereby Declared to be, and be 
 taken as an incorrigible Rogue, and fhall be punifht and dealt with as 
 an incorrigible Rogue ought to be by the faid Statutes. 
 
Documents. 69 
 
 And it is hereby further Ordered and Ordained, That all and every 
 fumme and fummes of Money gathered, Colledled, and taken by any 
 perfon or perfons, of fuch perfons as fhall come to fee, and be Speda- 
 tors of the faid Stage-Playes, and Interludes, fhall be forfeited and 
 paid unto the Church-wardens of the Church or Parifh where the faid 
 fummes fhall be fo collefted and taken, to be difpofed of to the 
 ufe of the poore of the faid Parifh, and fhall from time to time 
 be leavied by the faid Churchwardens, and Conflables of the faid 
 Parifh, by Warrant under the hands and feales of any two of the 
 Juflices of the Peace of the County, City or Town Corporate 
 where the faid fummes are to be taken and Colledted, upon com- 
 plaint thereof to them made, on the Goods and Chattels of the perfon 
 or perfons collefting the fame, or of the perfon and perfons to whom 
 the fame fhall be paid by them that Colledt the fame, by DiftrefTe, 
 and fale of their Goods and Chattels, rendring to them the overplus, 
 upon examination of the faid perfons, or proofe made upon Oath 
 before the faid Juflices of the fumme or fummes fo Colledted and re- 
 ceived, which the faid Juftices are hereby authorized to take and 
 examine. 
 
 And it is hereby further Ordered and Ordained, That every perfon 
 or perfons which fhall be prefent, and a Speftator at any fuch Stage- 
 play, or Interlude, hereby prohibited, fhall for every time he fhall be 
 fo prefent, forfeit and pay the fumme of five fhillings to the ufe of the 
 Poore of the Parifh, where the faid perfon or perfons fhall at that time 
 dwell or fojourne, being convidled thereof by his owne confeflion, or 
 proofe of any one WitnefTe upon Oath, before any one Juflice of 
 Peace of the County, City, or Towne-Corporate where the faid offence 
 is committed (who is hereby authorized to take the fame Oath) to 
 be leavied by the Church-wardens or Conftables of the faid Parifh, by 
 
70 Documents. 
 
 warrant of the fald Juftice of Peace, by diftrefle and fale of the Goods 
 of the faid perfon offending, rendring to him the overplus. 
 
 And it is hereby further Ordered and Ordained, That all Mayors, 
 Bayliffes, Conftables, and other Officers, Souldiers, and other perfons 
 being thereunto required fhall be from time to time, and all times 
 hereafter, aiding and afTifting unto the faid Lord Mayor, Jufliices of 
 the Peace, and SherifFes, in the due execution of this Ordinance, upon 
 paine to be fined for their contempt in their negledl or refufall thereof. 
 
 JoH. Brown, Cler. Parliamentorum. 
 
 END OF PART THE FIRST. 
 
Part the Second. 
 
 TREATISES 
 
TREATISES. 
 
 I. A Sermon againji Miracle-Plays} 
 
 Here bigynnis a tretife of miraclis pleyinge. 
 
 NOWE 3ee, Criften men, that as Crift God and man is 
 bothe weye, trewth, and lif, as feith the gofpel of Jon, 
 weye to the errynge, trewth to the unknowyng and doutyng, 
 lif to the ftrynge to hevene and weryinge, fo Crift dude nothinge to us 
 but effeduely in weye of mercy, in treuthe of ritwefnes, and in lif of 
 3ildyng everlaftynge joye for oure continuely morning and forwynge 
 in this valey of teeres. In myraclis therfore that Crift dude heere in 
 erthe, outher in hymfilf outher in hife feyntis, weren fo efeduel and 
 in erneft done, that to fynful men that erren thei brou3ten for3yve- 
 nefle of fynne, fettynge hem in the weye of ri3t beleve ; to doutoufe 
 men not ftedefaft thei brou3ten in kunnyng to betere plefen God and 
 verry hope in God to been ftedefaft in hym ; and to the wery of the 
 
 ■ From a volume of Homilies, written at the clofe of the fourteenth century, for- 
 merly preferved in the library of St. iVIartin's-in-the-Fields, London. This article is 
 taken from Reliquia Antiiiua, ii. 42 et feqq. The MS. in which it occurs was fold 
 by auftion among Archbifliop Tenifon's books in 1863. 
 
 L 
 
74 Treatifes. 
 
 weye of God, for the grette penaunce and fuffraunce of the trybula- 
 cioun that men moten have therinne, thes brou3ten in love of bryn- 
 nynge charite, to the whiche alle thing is li3t, and he to fuffere dethe, 
 the whiche men moft dreden, for the everlaftynge lyf and joye that 
 men mofte loven and difiren, of the whiche thing verry hope puttith 
 awey alle werinefle heere in the weye of God. Thanne fythen myra- 
 clis of Crift and of hyfe feyntis weren thus effeftuel, as by oure bileve 
 we ben in certeyn, no man fhulde ufen in bourde and pleye the 
 myraclls and werkis that Crift fo ernyftfully wrou3te to our helye ; 
 for whoevere fo doth, he errith in the byleve, reverfith Crift, and 
 fcornyth God. He errith in the bileve, for in that he takith the 
 moft precious werkis of God in pley and bourde, and fo takith his 
 name in idil, and fo myfufith oure bileve. A ! Lord ! fythen an 
 erthely fervaunt dar not taken in pley and in bourde that that her 
 erthely lord takith in erneft, myche more we ftiulden not maken 
 oure pleye and bourde of tho myraclis and werkis that God fo erneft- 
 fully wrou3t to us ; for fothely whan we fo done, drede to fynne is 
 taken awey, as a fervaunt whan he bourdith with his mayfter leefith 
 his drede to ofFendyn hym, namely, whanne he bourdith with his 
 mayfter in that and that his mayfter takith in erneft. And ri3t as a 
 nayl fmyten in holdith two thingis togidere, fo drede fmyten to God- 
 ward holdith and fufteyneth oure bileve to hym. Therefore ri3t as 
 pleyinge and bourdynge of the moft erneftful werkis of God takith 
 aweye the drede of God that men ftiulden han in the fame, fo it 
 takith awey oure bileve and fo oure mofte helpe of oure falvacioun. 
 And fith takyng awey of oure bileve is more venjaunce takyng than 
 fodeyn takyng awey of oure bodily lif ; and whanne we taken in bourde 
 and pley the moft erneftful werkis of God, as ben hyfe myraclis, God 
 takith awey fro us his grace of mekenefle, drede, reverence, and of 
 
^is^ 1 '>yi.'< I 
 
 Treatifes. y^ 
 
 oure bileve ; thanne whanne we pley in his myraclis as men don nowe 
 on dayes, God takith more venjaunce on us than a lord that fodaynly 
 fleeth his fervaunt for he pleyide to homely with hym ; and ri5t as 
 that lord thanne in dede feith to his fervaunt, " pley not with me, 
 but pley with thi pere," fo whanne we taken in pley and in boiirde the 
 myraclis of God, he fro us takynge his grace feith more erneftfully 
 to us than the forfeid lord, " pley not with me, but pley with thi 
 pere." Therefore fich emyraclis pleyinge reverfith Crift ; firft, ein 
 takynge to pley that that he toke into moft erneft ; the fecound, in 
 takyng to myraclis of oure fleyfhj of oure luftus, and of oure fyve 
 wittis, that that God tooc to the bryngyng in of his bitter deth, and 
 totechyng of penaunfe doynge, and to fleyinge of fedyng of oure wittis, 
 and to mortifiyng of hem. And therfore it is that feyntis myche 
 noten that of Criftis lawthyng we reden never in Holy Writt, but of 
 his myche penaunfe, teris, and fchedynge of blod, doyng us to witen 
 therby that alle oure doyng heere ftiulde ben in penaunce, in difciplyn- 
 yng of oure fleyfsh, and in penaunce of adverfite, and therfore alle the 
 werkis that we don and ben out of alle thes thre utturly reverfen 
 Criftis werkis, and therfore feith feynt Poul, " 3at jif 3ee been out of 
 difciplyne of the whiche alle gode men ben maad perceveris, thanne 
 avoutreris 36 ben and not fones of God." And fith myraclis pleynge 
 reverfen penaunce doying, as thei in greet likyng ben don and to 
 grete likyng ben caftbiforn, there as penaunce is in gret mournyngof 
 hert and to greet mournyng is ordeynyd biforne, it alfo reverfith dif- 
 fipline, for in verry difcipline the verry voys of oure mayfter Crift is 
 herd, as a fcoler herith the vois of his mayfter ; and the werd of God 
 in the bond of Crift is feyn, in the whiche fi3t alle oure othere thre 
 wittis for drede tremblyn and quaken as a childe tremblith feyng the 
 jerde of mayfter ; and the thridde in verry diffipline is verry turnyng 
 
76 'Treatifes. 
 
 awey and for3etyng of alle tho thingis that Crift hatith and turnyde 
 hymfilf awey heere, as a chi[l]de undir diffipline of his mayfter 
 turnith hym awey fro alle thingis that his mayfter hath for- 
 bedun hym, and forjetith hem for the greet mynde that he hath 
 to done his mayftris wille. And for thes thre writith feynt Petur 
 feyinge, " Be 3ee melcid undur the my3ty hond of God, that he hen- 
 haunce yon in the tyme of vifityng all 30ure bufinefle throwynge in 
 hym." That is ; be -^ee mekid, that is to Crift, herynge his voyce, by 
 verry obefchaunce to his heftis ; and undur the my^ty hond of God, 
 feeing evere more his 3ird to chaftifen us in his hond 3if wee waxen 
 wantown or idil, bethenkyng us, feith feynt Petre, that "hydous and 
 ferful it is to fallen into the hondis of God on lyve ;" for ri3t as moft 
 joye it is to fteyen up into the hond of the mercy of God, fo it is 
 moft hydous and ferful to fallen into the hondis of the wrathe of God. 
 Therfore mekely drede we hym heere evere more feynge and 
 thenkynge his 3erde overe oure hevyd, and thanne he ftial enhauncyn 
 us ellifwhere in tyme of his graceous vifityng. So that alle oure byfi- 
 nefle we throwyn in hym, that is, that alle othere erthely werkis we 
 don, not bitt to don his goftly werkis, more frely and fpedely and 
 more plefauntly to hym triftyng, that to hym is cure over us, that is, 
 3if we don to hym that that is in oure power he fchal merveloufly don to 
 us that that is in his power, bothe in delyveryng us fro alle perilis and 
 in 3yvyng us gracioufly al that us nedith or willen axen of hym ; and 
 fythen no man may ferven two lordis togydere, as feith Crift in his 
 gofpel, no man may heren at onys efedluely the voyce of oure mayfter 
 Crift and of his owne luftes. And fythen myraclis pleyinge is of the 
 luftis of the fleysfh and myrthe of the body, no man may efedtuely 
 heeren hem and the voyce of Crift at onys, as the voyce of Crift and 
 the voyce of the fleyfti ben of two contrarious lordis ; and fo myraclis 
 

 Treat if es. 77 
 
 pleyng reverfith difcipline, for as feith Seynt Poul, " eche forfothe 
 difcipline in the tyme that is now is not a joye but a mournynge." 
 Alfo fithen it makith to fe veyne fi3tis of degyfe, aray of men and 
 wymmen by yvil continaunfe, eyther ftiryng othere to letcherie and 
 of debatis, as aftir moft bodily myrthe comen mofte debatis, as fiche 
 myrthe more undifpofith a man to paciencie and ablith to glotonye 
 and to othere vicis, wherfore it fuffrith not a man to be holden enterly 
 the 3erde of God over his heved, but makith to them ken on alle 
 fiche thingis that Crift by the dedis of his paffion badde us to for3eten. 
 Wherefore fiche myraclis pleyinge, bothe in penaunce doyng, in 
 verry difcipHne, and in pacience, reverfyn Crifl:is heftis and his dedis. 
 Alfo, fiche myraclis pleying is fcornyng of God, for ri3t as erneftful 
 levyng of that that God biddith is difpifing of God, as dide Pharao, 
 fo bourdfully takyng Goddis biddynge or wordis or werkis is fcorn- 
 yng of hym, as dyden the Jewis that bobbiden Crift. Thanne fythen 
 thes myraclis pleyens taken in bourde the erneftful werkis of God, no 
 doute that thei ne fcornen God, as didden the Jewis that bobbiden 
 Crift, for thei lowen at his paflioun as thefe lowyn and japen of the 
 myraclis of God. Therfore as thei fcorneden Crift, fo theefe fcorne 
 God, and ri3t as Pharao wrooth to do that that God bad hym difpifide 
 God, fo thefe myraclis pleyeris and mayntenours, leevynge plefingly 
 to do that God biddith hem, fcornen God. He forfothe hath beden 
 us alle to halowyn his name, 3yvyng drede and reverence in alle mynde 
 of his werkis, withoute ony pleyng or japynge, as al holynefle is in 
 ful erneft men, thanne pleyinge the name of Goddis miraclis, as 
 plefyngly thei leeve to do that God biddeth hem, fo thei fcornen his 
 name and fo fcornyn hym. 
 
 But here a3en is thei feyen that thei pleyen thefe myraclis in the 
 worfchip of God, and fo dyden not thefe Jewis that bobbiden Crift. 
 
78 Treatifes. 
 
 Alfo, ofte fithis by fiche myraclis pleyinge ben men convertid to gode 
 lyvynge, as men and wymmen feyng in myraclis pleyinge that the 
 devil by ther aray, by the which thei moven eche on othere to lec- 
 cherie and to pride, makith hem his fervauntis to bryngen hemfilf and 
 many othere to helle, and to han fer more vylenye herafter by ther 
 proude aray heere than thei han worfchipe heere, and feeynge ferther- 
 more that al this wordly beyng heere is but vanite for a while, as is 
 myraclis pleying, wherthoru thei leeven ther pride and taken to hem 
 afterward the meke converfacioun of Crift and of his feyntis, and fo 
 myraclis pleyinge turneth men to the bileve, and not pervertith. 
 Alfo, ofte fythis by fiche myracHs pleyinge men and wymmen, feynge 
 the paiTioun of Crift and of hife feyntis, ben movyd to compaffion and 
 devociun, wepynge bitere teris, thanne thei ben not fcornynge of God 
 but worfchipyng. Alfo, prophitable to men and to the worfchipe of 
 God it is to fulfillun and fechen alle the menes by the whiche men 
 mowen feene fynne and drawen hem to vertues ; and fythen as ther 
 ben men that only by erneftful doynge wylen be convertid to God, 
 fo ther been othere men that wylen be convertid to God but by gamen 
 and pley ; and now on dayes men ben not convertid by the erneftful 
 doyng of God ne of men, thanne now it is tyme and (kilful to aflayen 
 to convertyn the puple by pley and gamen, as by myraclis pleyinge 
 and other maner myrthis. Alfo, fumme recreatioun men moten 
 han, and bettere it is or lefle yvele that thei han theyre recrea- 
 coun by pleyinge of myraclis than bi pleyinge of other japis. Alfo, 
 fithen it is leveful to han the myraclis of God peyntid, why is not as 
 wel leveful to han the myraclis of God pleyed, fythen men mowen 
 bettere reden the wille of God and his mervelous werkis in the 
 pleyinge of hem than in the peyntynge, and betere thei ben holden in 
 mennus mynde and aftere reherfid by the pleyinge of hem than by 
 the peyntynge, for this is a deed bok, the tother a qu[i]ck 
 
/ 
 
 !/ 
 
 Tredtifes. 79 
 
 To the firft refon we anfweryng feying that fiche myracHs pleyinge is ' 
 
 not to the worfchipe of God, for thei ben don more to ben feen of the 
 world and to plefyn to the world thanne to ben feen of God or to plefyn 
 to hym ; as Crift never enfaumplide hem but onely hethene men that 
 everemore difhonouren God, feyinge that to the worfchipe of God, 
 that is to the moft velenye of hym ; therfore as the wickidnefle of 
 the mifbileve of hethene men lyith to themfilf whanne thei feyn that 
 the worfhipyng of theire maumetrie is to the worfchipe of God, fo 
 mennus lecherye now on dayes to han ther owne luftus lieth to hem- 
 felf, whanne thei feyn that fuche miracles pleiyng is to theworfchip of 
 God. For Crift feith that folk of avoutrie fechen fiche fyngnys, as a 
 lecchour fechith fignes of verrey love, but no dedis of verrey love ; 
 fo fithen thife myraclis pleyinge ben onely fyngnis of love withoute 
 dedis, thei ben not onely contrarious to the worfchipe of God, that is 
 bothe in figne and in dede, but alfo thei ben gynnys of the devvel to 
 cacchen men to byleve of Anti-Crift, as wordis of love withoute 
 verrey dede ben gynnys of the lecchour to cacchen felawchipe to ful- 
 fillynge of his leccherie. Bothe for thefe myraclis pleyinge been 
 verrey leefyng, as thei ben fygnis withoute dede, and for thei been 
 verrey idilneffe, as thei taken the myraclis of God in idil after their 
 owne luftj and certis idilnefie and leefyng been the moft gynnys of the 
 dyvul to drawen men to the byleve of Anti-Crift, and therfore to 
 priftis it is uttirly forbedyn not onely to been myracle pleyere but 
 alfo to heren or to feen myraclis pleyinge, left he that fliulde been the 
 gynne of God to cacchen men and to holden men in the bileve of 
 Crift, thei ben maad a3enward by ypocrifie the gyn of the devel to 
 cacchen men to the bileve of Anti-Crift. Therfore ri3t as a man 
 fwerynge in ydil by the names of God, and feyinge that in that he 
 worfchipith God and difpifith the devyl, verryly lyinge doth the re- 
 
8o Treatifes. 
 
 verfe, fo myraclis pleyers, as the! ben doers of ydilnefle feyinge that 
 thei don it to the worfchip of God, verreyly lyyn ; for as feith the 
 gofpel, "not he that feith. Lord! Lord! fchal come to bliffe of 
 heven, but he that doth the wille of the fadir of hevene fchal come to 
 his kyndam ;" fo myche more not he that pleyith the wille of God 
 worfchipith hym, but onely he that doith his wille in deede worfchipith 
 hym. Ri3t therfore as men by feynyd tokenes bygilen and in dede 
 difpifen ther ney3boris, fo by fiche feynyd myraclis men bygylen 
 hemfilf and difpifen God, as the tormentours that bobbiden Crift. 
 
 And as anentis the fecond refon, we feyen that ri3t as a vertuous 
 deede is otherewhile occafioun of yvel, as was the paffion of Crift to 
 the Jewis, but not occafioun 3y ven but taken of hem, fo y vele dedis ben 
 occafioun of gode dedis otherewhile, as was the fynne of Adam occa- 
 fioun of the comyng of Crift, but not occafion 3y ven of the fynne, 
 but occafion takin of the grete mercy of God, the fame wife myraclis 
 pleyinge, albeit that it be fynne, Is othere while occafion of conver- 
 tyng of men, but as it is fynne it is fer more occafion of pervertyng 
 of men, not onely of oon fynguler perfone but an hool comynte, as 
 it makith al a puple to ben ocupied in veyn a3enus this heefte of the 
 Pfauter Book, that feith to alle men and namely to priftis that eche 
 day reden it in ther fervyfe, " Turne awey myn eyen that thei fe not 
 vanytees," and efte, " Lord, thou hatiftde alle waytynge vanytees." 
 How thanne may a prift pleyn in entirlodies, or 3yve hymfilf to the 
 fijt of hem ? fythen it is forbeden hym fo exprefie by the forfeyde 
 hefte of God ; namely, fythen he curfith eche day in his fervice alle 
 tho that bowen awey fro the heftis of God ; but alas ! more harme is, 
 prifts now on dayes mofl: fhrewyn hemfilf and al day, as ma[n]y that 
 al day crieth " watte, ftirewe ! " fhrewynge hymfilf. Therfore 
 myraclis pleyinge, fythen it is a3enus the heeft of God, that biddith 
 
c 
 
 Treatifes. 8 1 
 
 that thou {halt not take Goddis name in ydil, it is a3enus cure bileve, 
 and fo it may not 3yven occacioun of turnynge men to the bileve but 
 of pervertyng ; and therfore many men wenen that ther is no helle of 
 everlaftynge peyne, but that God doth but thretith us and not to do 
 it in dede, as ben pleyinge of miraclis in fygne and not in dede. 
 Therfore fiche myraclis pleying not onely pervertith oure bileve but 
 oure verrey hope in God, by the whiche feyntis hopiden that the 
 more thei abfteneden hem fro fiche pleyes, the more mede thei fhuld 
 then have of God ; and therfore the holy Sara, the dou3ter of Raguel, 
 hopynge heie mede of God, feith. Lord, thou wooft that nevere y 
 coveytide man, and clene y have kept myfelfe fro all luftis, nevere 
 with pleyeris y-myngid me myfilfe ; and by this trwe confeffioun to 
 God, as flie hopide, fo fche hadde hir preyeris herd and grete mede of 
 God ; and fythen a 3onge womman of the Olde Teftament, for 
 kepyng of hir bodily vertue of chaftite and for to worthily take the 
 facrament of matrimonye whanne hir tyme (hulde come, abftenyde 
 hir fro al maner ydil pleying and fro al cumpany of idil pleyeris ; 
 mychen more a prift of the Newe Teftament, that is paflid the tyme 
 of childehod, and that not onely fhulde kepe chaftite but alle othere 
 vertues, ne onely mynyftren the facrament of matrimonye but alle 
 othere facramentis, and namely fythen hym owith to mynyftre to alle 
 the puple the precious body of Crift, aw3te to abftene hym fro al 
 ydil pleying bothe of myraclys and ellis. For certis fythen the quen 
 of Saba, as feith Crift in the Gofpel, fchal dampne the Jewis that 
 wolden not refeyve the wifdom of Crift, myche more this holy wom- 
 man Sara at the day of dom fchal dampnen the priftis of the Newe 
 Teftament that jyvis hem to pleyes, reverfen her holy maners 
 aprovyd by God and al holy chirche ; therfore fore au3ten priftis to 
 be afchamyd that reverfen this gode holy womman and the precious 
 
 M 
 
8 2 Treattfes. 
 
 body of Crift that thei treytyn in ther hondis^ the whiche body never 
 3af hym to pley but to alle fiche thing as is moft contrarious to pley, 
 as is penaunce and fufFryng of perfecution. And fo thes myraclis 
 pleyinge not onely reverfith feith and hope, but verry charite, by the 
 whiche a man fhulde weylen for his owne fynne and for his neye- 
 burs, and namely priftis ; for it withdrawith not onely oon perfone 
 but alle the puple fro dedis of charite and of penaunce into dedis 
 of luftis and lik thingis, and of fedyng of houre wittis. So thanne 
 thes men that feyen, pley we a pley of Anti-Crift and of the day of 
 dome, that fum man may be convertid therby, fallen into the here- 
 fie of hem that reverfyng the apofteyl and feyden, do we yvel 
 thingis that ther comyn gode thingis, of whom, as feith the apofteyl, 
 dampnyng is ri3twife. 
 
 By this we anfweren to the thridde refoun, feyinge that fiche myra- 
 clis pleyinge 3y veth noon occafioun of verrey wepynge and nedeful, 
 but the wepyng that fallith to men and wymmen by the fi3te of fiche 
 myraclis pleyinge, as thei ben not principaly for theire oune fynnes ne 
 of theire gode feith withinne forye, but more of theire fi3t withoute. 
 Sory ^ is not alowable byfore God, but more reprowable ; for fythen 
 Crift hymfilf reprovyde the wymmen that wepten upon hym in his 
 paffioun, myche more thei ben reprovable that wepen for the pley of 
 Criftis paffioun, leevynge to wepen for the fynnes of hemfilf and of 
 theire chyldren, as Crift bad the wymmen that wepten on hym. 
 
 And by this we anfweren to the furthe refen, feyinge that no man 
 may be convertid to God but onely by the erneftful doyinge of God, 
 and by noon veyn pleying ; for that that the word of God worchith nof, 
 ne his facramentis, how fhulde pleyinge worchen, that is of no vertue 
 but ful of defaute. Therfore ri3t as the wepyng that men wepen ofte in 
 fiche pley comunely is fals, witneflenge that thei lovyn more the lykyng 
 
 ' Sorh, forrow. 
 
l-^W-€ 
 
 Treatifes. 83 
 
 of theire body and of profperite of the world than lykynge in God and 
 profperite of vertu in the foule, and therfore havyng more compaffion 
 of peyne than of fynne, thei falfly wepyn for lakkynge of bodily 
 profperite more than for lakkyng of goftly, as don dampnyd men in 
 helle ; rl3t fo ofte fythis the convertynge that men femen to ben con- 
 vertid by fiche pleyinge is but feynyd holynefTe, worfe than is othere 
 fynne biforehande. For 3if he were werryly convertid, he fhulde haten 
 to feen alle fiche vanyte as biddith the heftis of God, al be it that of 
 fiche pley he take occafion by the grace of God to fle fynne and to 
 folowe vertu. And 3if men feyn heere that, 3if this pleyinge of 
 myraclis were fynne, while God converten men by the occafion of 
 fiche pleyinge, heereto we feyen that God doith fo for to comenden 
 his merfy to us, that we thenken enterly hou good God is to us, that 
 whil we ben thenkynge a3enus hym, doynge idilnefle and with-feyinge 
 hyni, he thenkith upon us good and fendynge us his grace to fleen alle 
 fiche vanyte ; and for ther fhulde nothinge be more fwete to us than 
 fiche maner merci of God, the Pfauter Book clepith that mercy blef- 
 fynge of fwetnefle, where he feith. Thou cam bifore hym in bleffynges 
 of fwetnefTe, the whiche fwetnefTe, al be it that it be likynge to the 
 fpirit, it is while we ben here, and ful travelous to the body whan it 
 is verry ; ^ as the flefche and the fpirit ben contrarious, therfore this 
 fwetnefTe in God wil not been verely had while a man is ocuped in 
 feynge of pleyis. Therefore the priftis that feyn hemfilf holy, and 
 byfien hem aboute fiche pleyis, ben verry ypocritis and lyeris ; and 
 herby we anfweren to the fifte refone, feyinge, that verry recreation is 
 leeveful ocupiynge in falfe werkis to more ardently worfchen grettere 
 werkis, and therefore fiche myraclis pleyinge ne the fi3te of hem is no 
 verrey recreafion, but fals and wordly, as provyn the dedis of the 
 fautours of fiche pleyis, that 3it nevere taftiden verely fwetnefl"e in God, 
 
 ' Weary. 
 
 ■ / 
 / 
 
84 Treatifes. 
 
 traveylynge fo myche therinne that their body wolde not fofifen to 
 beren fiche a traveyle of the fpirite ; but as man goith fro vertue in[to] 
 virtue, fo thei gon fro luft into luft, that thei more ftedefaftly dwellen in 
 hem, and therefore as this feynyd recreacioun of pleyinge of myraclis is 
 fals conceite, fo it is double fhrewidnefle, worfe than thouth thei pleyiden 
 purevaniteis. For now the puple3yveth credence to many mengid leefyn- 
 gis, for other mengid trewthis, and maken wenen to be gode that is ful 
 y vel; and ofte-fithis lafle yvele it were to pleyin rebaudye, than to pleyin 
 fiche myriclis. And 3if men axen what recreacion men fliulden have 
 on the haliday after theire holy contemplacioun in the chirche, we 
 feyen to hem two thingis, oon, that 3if he hadde veryly ocupiede hym 
 in contemplacioun byforn, neyther he wolde alke that queftion ne han 
 will to fe vanyte ; anothere, we feyn that his recreacioun fhulde ben 
 in the werlcis of mercy to his neyebore, and in dilityng hym in alle 
 good comunicacioun with his neybore, as biforn he dilited hym in 
 God, and in alle othere nedeful werkis that refon and kynde axen. 
 And to the laft refon we feyn, that peinture 3if it be verry withoute 
 mengyng of lefyngis, and not to curious [ne] to myche fedynge mennus 
 wittis and not occafion of maumetrie to the puple, thei ben but as 
 nakyd lettris to a clerk to riden the treuthe ; but fo ben not myraclis 
 pleyinge, that ben made more to deliten men bodily than to ben bokis 
 to lewid men, and therefore 3if thei ben quike bookis, thei ben quike 
 bookis to fchrewideiiefTe more than to godenefl"e. Gode men there- 
 fore feinge ther tyme to fchort to ocupyen hem in gode erneft werkis, 
 and feinge the day of the rekenynge ney3en fafte, and unknowyng 
 whan thei fchal go hennys, fleen alle fiche ydilneffis, hyinge that thei 
 weren with her fpoufe Crift in the blifle of Hevene, 
 
 An half frynde tariere to foule helthe, redy to excufen the yvil and 
 hard of bileve, with Thomas of Ynde, feith, that he wil not leevyn 
 
Treatifes. 85 
 
 the forfeyd fentenfe of myraclis pleyinge, but and men fchewen it hym 
 bi holy writt opynly and by oure bileve. Wherfore that his half 
 frenfchip may be turnyd to the hoole, we preyen hym to beholden 
 firft in the feconde maundement of God that feith, Thou fchalt not 
 take Goddis name in idil ; and fythen the mervelous werkis of God 
 ben his name, as the gode werkis of craftefman been his name, than 
 in this heft of God is forbeden to takun the merveloufe werkis of 
 God in idil ; and how mowen thei be more takyn in idil than whanne 
 thei ben maad mennus japynge ftikke, as when thei ben pleyid of 
 japeris ? And fythen erneftly God dyde hern to us, fo take we hem 
 of hym ; ellis fofothe we taken hem in veyn. Loke thanne, frend, 
 3if thi byleve tellith that God dide his myraclis to us for we fhulden 
 pleyn hem, and yn trowe it feith to the, nay, but for thou fchuldift 
 more dredyn hym and lovyn him, and certis greet drede and gret 
 effeftuel loove fuiFrith no pleyinge nor japyng with hym. Thanne 
 fythen myraclis pleyinge reverfith the wille of God, and the ende for 
 the which be wrou3t myraclis to us, no doute but that myraclis pley- 
 inge is verre takyng of Goddis name in ydil. And 3if this fuffifith 
 not to thee, albeit that it fhulde fuffifen to an hethene man, that there- 
 fore wil not pley in the werkis of his mawmete, I preye thee rede en- 
 terly in the book of lyf that is Crift Jhefus, and if thou mayft fynden 
 in hym that he evere exfaumplide that men fhulden pleye myraclis, 
 but alwey the revers, and oure byleve curfith that ladden or laflen 
 over that Crift exfaumplide us to don. Hou thanne darft thou holden 
 with myraclis pleyinge, fythen alle the werkis of Crift reverfiden hem, 
 and in none of his werkis thei ben groundyd ? namely, fythen thou 
 feyft thifelven that thou wolt nothing leven but that may be fchewid 
 of oure bileve, and fythen in thing that is acordyng with the flefsh 
 and to the likyng of it, as is myraclis pleyinge, thou wilt nothing don 
 
86 Treat if es. 
 
 a3enus it, but 3if it be fchewid of oure bileve ; myche more in thing 
 that is with the fpirit, and alwey exfawmplid in the lif of Chrift, and 
 fo fully writen in the booke of lif, as is levyng of myraclis pleyinge 
 and of alle japyng, thou fhuldefl: not holden a3enys it, but if it my3te 
 ben fchewid a3ens the bileve, fythen in al thyng that is dowtous men 
 fhulden holden with the partye that is more favowrable to the fpirit, 
 and more exfawmpplid in the lif of Chrift ; and fo as eche fynne dif- 
 truyith hymfilfe, and eche falftied, fo thi anfwere diftruyith hymfilfe, 
 and therby thou mayft wel witen that it is not trewe, but verre un- 
 kyndenefle ; for if thou haddift hadde a fadir that hadde fuffred a 
 difpitoufe deth to geten thee thyn heritage, and thou therafter woldeft 
 fo ]i3tly bern it to make therof a pley to the and to alle the puple, no 
 dowte but that alle gode men wolden demyen the unkynde, miche 
 more God and alle his feyntis demyen alle tho criften men unkynde 
 that pleyen or favouren the pley of the deth or of the myracles of 
 the moft kynde fadir Crift, that dyede and wrou3te myraclis to bryngen 
 men to the evere-laftande heretage of hevene. 
 
 But peraventure heere thou feift, that if pleyinge of myraclis be 
 fynnen, never the latere it is but litil fynne. But herefore, dere frend, 
 knowe 3ee that eche fynne, be it never fo litil, if it be mayntenyd and 
 prechid as gode and profitable, is deadely fynne ; and therefore feith 
 the prophite. Wo to hem that feien gode yvel, and yvel good ! 
 and therfore the wyfe man dampeneth hem that gladen whan thei don 
 yvel ; and therfore alle feyntis feyen, that mannyfche it is to fallen, 
 but develiche it is to abyden ftylle therinne. Therfore, fithen thes 
 myraclis pleyinge is fynne, as thou knowlechift, and is ftedefaftly 
 meyntenyd, and alfo men deliten hem therinne, no dowte but that it 
 is deadly fynne, and dampnable, develiche not mannyfch. Lord, 
 fythen Adam and Eve and al mankynde weren dampnyd out of para- 
 

 Treatifes. 87 
 
 dife, not onely for etyng of the appul, but more for the excufyng 
 therof, myche more pleyinge of myracHs not onely excufid but ftede- 
 faftly meyntenyd is dampnable and deadly, namely fythen it not onely 
 pervertith oon man but al a puple, that thei feien good yvel, and 
 yvel gode. And if this wil not fuffife thee, albeit that it fhulde 
 fuffifen to eche Criften man, that nothing fchulde done oute of the 
 techynge that Crift tau3te, tachide to the dedis that God hath done, 
 of whiche we reden that at the biddyng of God, for Ifmael pleyide 
 with his brother Ifaac, bothe Ifmael and his modir weren throwen out 
 of the hous of Abraham, of the whiche the caufe was for bi fiche 
 pleyinge Ifmael, that was the fone of the fervant, my3te han begilid 
 Ifaac of his heretage, that was the fone of the fre wif of Abraham. 
 Another caufe was fythen Ifmael was born after the fleyfli, and Ifaac 
 after the fpirit, as feith the apoftele, to exfaumplen that pley of the 
 fleyfh is not covenable ne helpely to the fpirit, but to the bynymmynge 
 of the fpiritus heretage. And the thridde caufe was to figuren, that 
 the olde teftament, that is teftament of the fleyfh, may not benholden 
 with the newe teftament, that is teftament of the fpirit ; and 3if it be 
 hooly kept with the teftament of the fpirit, it doith away verre fredom, 
 and bynymmeth the heretage of hevene. Thanne fythen the pley of 
 Ifmael was not leveful with Ifaac, myche more fleyfly pley is not 
 leveful with the goftly werkis of Crift and of his feyntis, as ben hife 
 myraclis to converten men to the bileve, bothe for fer more diftaunce 
 of contrarite is bitwene fleyfhly pley and the erneftful dedis of Crift 
 than birwene the pley of Ifmael and Ifaac, and alfo for the pley 
 bitwene Ifmael and Ifaac was figure of the pley bitwene the fleyfh and 
 the fpirit. Therefore, as two thingis moft contrarious mowen not pleyn 
 togidere withouten hurtyng of either, as experiens techith, and moft that 
 party fchal hurtyn that is moft meyntenyd, and that partie fchal be moft 
 
 v^ 
 
88 Treatifes, 
 
 hurt that is left meyntenyd ; than pleyinge that is flefchely with the 
 werkis of the fpirit, is to harmynge of ever either, and moft fchal the 
 fleyfti hurtyn the fpirit, as in fuche pleyinge the fleyfh is moft meyntenyd 
 and the fpirite laffe. And as in good thingis the figuride is evermore 
 bettere than that that is figure, fo in yvel thingis that that is figurid is fer 
 werfe than the figure ; than fythen the pleyinge of Ifmael with Ifaac 
 is figure of the pleyinge of the fleyfti with the fpirit, and the ton is 
 yvel, thanne fer werfe is the tother. Than pleyinge with the myraclis 
 of God diflervith more venjaunce, and more fynne is, than diflervyde 
 the pleyinge of Ifmael with Ifaac, and lafTe yvel was ; and as felawchip 
 of a thral with his lord makith his lord difpifid, fo myche more pleyinge 
 with the myraclis of God makith hem difpifid, fythen pleyinge to com- 
 parifoun of the merveloufe werkis of God is fer more cherl than ony 
 man may ben cherl of a lord ; and therefore the pleyinge of Ifmael, that 
 was thefone of the fervant, with Ifaac, that was the fone of the fre wom- 
 man, was juftly reprovyd, and bothe the damme and the fone put out 
 of his cumpanye ; myche more mennus pley with the merveloufe werkis 
 of God is reprovable, and worthi to ben put out of ther cumpanye. 
 And therfore, as feith the apoftel, as ther is no gode commyng betwene 
 the develis inftrument to perverten men, as pleying of the fleyfh, and 
 goddis inftrewment to converten men, as be his mervelous werkis, 
 therefore, as this is a verre lefynge to feyen that for the love of God he 
 wil ben a good felowe with the devil, fo it is a werry lefyng to feyen 
 that for the love of God he wil pleyen his myraclis : for in neyther 
 is the love of God fchewid, but his heftis to-brokun. And fythen the 
 ferymonyes of the olde la we, albeit that thei weren 3iven by God, for 
 thei weren fleyfh ly, thei fhulden not be holde with the newe teftament, 
 for it is goftly ; myche more pleyinge for it is fleyfly, never bedyn of 
 God, fhulde not ben don with the merveloufe werkis of God, for thei 
 
Treatifes. 89 
 
 ben goftly; for as the pleyinge of Ifmael with Ifaac ftiulde han 
 bynomyn Ifaac his heretage, fo in the kepyng of the feremonyes of 
 the olde lawe in the newe teftament fhulde han bynomen ther bileve 
 in Crift, and han made men to gon bacward, that is to feie, fro the 
 goftly lyvyng of the newe teftament to the fleyfhly lyvyng of the olde 
 teftament. Myche more pleyinge of myraclis benemeth men ther 
 bileve in Crift, and verre goynge bacward fro dedis of the fpirit to 
 onely fyngnes don after luftis of the fleyfti, that ben ajenus alle the 
 deedis of Crift, and fo myraclis pleyinge is verre apoftafye fro Crift, 
 and therfore we fchal nevere fyndyn that myraclis pleying was ufid 
 among Criftene men ; but fythen religious onely in tokenes fliewiden 
 ther religioun, and not in dedis, and fythen priftis onely in fyngnes and 
 for money fchewiden ther prifthode, and not in dedis, and therfore 
 the apoftafye of thefe drawith myche of the puple after hem, as the 
 apoftafyie of Lucifer the firft aungel droowj myche of hevene after 
 hym. 
 
 And if this, frend, wil not fuffifen to thee, that the ey3en of the 
 blynd pite takun fi3te, take hede how the pleyinge of two contrari 
 partis togidere, as of the pleyinge of the childre of Abner and of the 
 childre of Joab weren thre hundrid men and fixti fleyn, and mo out 
 of doute, myche more harm doth pleyinge of goftly werkis, after luftus 
 of the fleyfli, as thei ben more enemyes ; for it is of myraclis pleyinge 
 as it is of thes apoftates that prechen for bodily avauntage ; for ri3t as 
 thes han bodily avauntage at more pris than the word of God, as thei 
 maken the word of God but a mene to ther avauntage, fo thefe my- 
 racle pleyeris and the fawtours of hem ben verre apoftatas, bothe for 
 thei puttun God bihynde and ther owne luftis biforn, as thei han 
 mynde of God onely for fake of ther pley, and alfo for thei deliten 
 hem more in the pley than in the myraclis iilf, as an apoftata more 
 
 N 
 
go Trea fifes. 
 
 delitith hym in his bodily wynnyng than in the trowthe of God, and 
 more preyfith feemely thingis withoute forth than ony fayrnefle 
 withinne forth to God-ward. And herfore it is, that fiche myraclis 
 pleyinge thretith myche the maunfe of God ; for ri3t as a jelous man 
 feeynge his wif to conapun with his kyndneffis, and to lovyn by hem 
 another man more than hym, abidith not longe to don variaunfe to 
 chaftifynge of hyr, fo fithe God is more jelous over his puple, as he 
 more lovyth it, than ony man is jelous upon his wif, he feeynge the 
 kyndneffis of his myraclis put byhynde, and mennus luftis beforn, and 
 fo menis wil to ben more lovyd than his owne wille, no wondir thof 
 he fende fone venjaunfe therafter ; as he moot nede, for his gret ri3t- 
 wefTnefTe and merfy ; and therefore it is that the wife man feith. The 
 ende of myrthis is forowe, and ofte 30ure law3yng fhal be medelid 
 with forowe. And therfore, as experience proveth, ever fithen 
 regnyde fiche maner apoftafie in the puple, fefide never the venjaunce 
 of God upon us, outher of peftilence, outher of debate, outher of 
 flodis, other of derthe, and of many othere, and commely whan men 
 be moft unlkilfuly merye fone after fallith forowe. Therfore fiche 
 myraclis pleyinge now on dayes witneffith thre thingis, firft, is grete 
 fynne byforne the, fecond, it witneffith grete foly in the doinge, and 
 the thridde, greet venjaunfe aftir ; for ri3t as the chyldren of Ifrael, 
 whan Moyfes was in the hil bifily preyinge for hem, thei myftriftyng 
 to hym, honouriden a calf of gold, and afterward eetyn and drinken 
 and rifen to pleyn, and afterward weren fleyn of hem thre and twenty 
 thowfend of men ; fo thanne as this pleyinge wittneffide the fynne of 
 ther maumetrie beforn, and her myftryft to Moyfes whanne thei 
 fhulde moft han triftenede to hym, and after ther foly in ther pleyinge, 
 and the thridde the venjaunfe that cam after ; fo this myraclis pley- 
 inge is verre witneffe of mennus averice and coveytife byfore, that is 
 
Treatifes. g i 
 
 maumeti-ie, as feith the apoftele, for that that thei fhulden fpendyn 
 upon the nedis of ther ne eboris, thei fpenden upon the pleyis, and to 
 peyen ther rente and ther dette thei wolen grucche, and to fpende two 
 fo myche upon ther pley thei wolen nothinge grucche. Alfo to 
 gaderen men togidere to bien thederre ther vetailis, and to ftiren men 
 to glotonye, and to pride and booft, thei pleyn thes myraclis, and alfo 
 to han wherof to fpenden on thefe myraclis, and to holde felawfchipe 
 of glotenye and lecherie in fich dayes of myraclis pleyinge, thei bifien 
 hem beforn to more gredily bygilen ther ne3bors, in byinge and in 
 fellyng; and fo this pleyinge of myraclis now on dayes is werre wit- 
 nefTe of hideous coveytife, that is maumetrie. And ri5t as Moyfes was 
 that tyme in the hil moft travelynge aboute the puple, fo now is Crift 
 in hevene with his fader moft bifily preyinge for the puple ; and never 
 the latere as the chlyndren {ftc) of Ifrael diden that tyme that in hem 
 was, in ther pleyinge of ther maumetrie, moft folily to diftro^en the 
 grete travele of Moyfes, fo men now on dayees, after ther hidoufe 
 maumetree of covetyfe in ther pleyinge of myraclis, thei don that in 
 hem is to diftroje the ententive preyere of Crift in hevene for hem, 
 and fo ther myraclis pleyinge witneffith ther moft folye in ther doynge, 
 and therfore as unkyndely feiden to Aaron the children of Ifrael, 
 Moyfes beinge in the hil, we witen never how it is of Moyfes, make 
 us therfore Goddis that gon biforn us, fo unkyndeli feyen men nowe 
 on dayes, Crift doth now no myraclis for us, pley we therfore his 
 olde, addyng many lefynges therto fo colowrably that the puple 3ife 
 as meche credenfe to hem as to the trwthe, and fo thei for3eten to ben 
 percever of the preyere of Crift, for the maumetrye that men don to 
 fiche myraclis pleyinge ; maumetrye, I feye, for fiche pleyinge men 
 as myche honoryn or more than the word of God whanne it is prechid, 
 and therefore blasfemely thei feyen, that fiche pleyinge doith more 
 
92 Treatifes. 
 
 good than the word of God wanne it is prechid to the puple. A, 
 Lord, what more blasfeme is a3enus thee, than to feyen to don the 
 byddyng, as is to prechen the word of God doth fer lafTe good than 
 to don that that is bodyn onely by man and not by God, as is myra- 
 chs pleying ? Rit forfothe, as the lyknefTe of myraclis we clepen 
 myracHs, ri^t fo the golden calfe the children of Ifrael clepiden it God ; 
 in the whiche thei hadden mynde of the olde miraclis of God beforn, 
 and for that licnefle thei worfchipiden and preyfeden, as thei worfchip- 
 iden and prefiden God in the dede of his myraclis to hem, and there- 
 fore thei diden exprefle maumetrye. So fythen now on daies myche 
 of the puple worfchipith and preyfith onely the licnefle of the myraclis 
 of God, as myche as the worde of God in the prechours mowth by the 
 whiche alle myraclis be don, no dowte that ne the puple doth more 
 mawmetrie now in fiche myraclis pleyinge than dide the puple of 
 Ifrael that tyme in heryinge of the calf, in as myche as the lefynges 
 and luftus of myraclis pleyinge that men worfchipen in hem is more 
 contrarious to God, and more accordynge with the devil, than was 
 that golden calf that the puple worfchipid. And therefore the 
 maumetrye that tyme was but figure and licknefl!e of mennus maume- 
 trye nowe, and therfore felth the apofl:el, afle thes thingis in figure 
 fellen to hem, and therefore in fiche myraclis pleyinge the devel is 
 moft plefid, as the dyvel is beft payid to difceyve men in the licnefle 
 of that thing in whiche by God man weren convertid biforhond, and 
 in whiche the devel was tenyd byfornhond. Therfore oute of doute 
 fiche myraclis pleying pretith myche more venjaunce than dide the 
 pleyinge of the chyldren of Ifrael, after the heriynge of the calf, as 
 this pleyinge fettith but japes grettere and more benfetes of God. 
 
 A, Lord, fythen chyldres pleyinge witneflith ther fadris fynnes 
 before hem, and ther owne oryginal fynnes beforn, and ther owne 
 
f 
 
 Treatifes. 93 
 
 defaute of wifdartij whanne thei pleyen, and ther chaftifyn afterward 
 
 fchal more greve hem, fo myche more this myraclis pleylnge witnef- 
 
 fith mennys hydous fynnes beforn hand, and the for-jetyng of ther 
 
 mayfter Crift, and ther owne folye, and the folye of malyce paflynge 
 
 the folye of chyldre, and that ther is grete venjaunce to comyn to hem 
 
 more than thei fhul mowen paciently boren, for the grete lykyng that 
 
 thei han in ther pley. But, frend, peraventure 3ee feyen that no man 
 
 fchal make 30U to byleven but that it is good to pleyen the paffion of 
 
 Crift, and othere dedis of hym. But here a3enus herith, how whanne 
 
 Helyfe fte3ede up into Bethel, chyldre pleyingly comyng a3enus hym, " l- '' ox/u' 
 
 feiden, fte3e up, ballard, fte3e up, ballard ; and therfore hee curfid ' ^"^/^ '■ 
 
 hem, and two bores of the wylde wode al to-toren of hem, two and 
 
 fourty childre ; and as alle feyntis feyen the ballednefle of Helifee be- 
 
 tokeneth the paflion of Crift, thanne fythen by his ftorye is opynly 
 
 fchewid that men fchulden not bourden with the figure of the paffion 
 
 of Crift, ne with an holy prophete of Crift, myche more in the newe 
 
 teftament, and whanne men ftiulden be more wis, fe[r]there from alle 
 
 maner pleyinge and erneftful dedis more comaundid now than that 
 
 tyme, and the paffion of Crift more ftiuld ben in drede than that tyme 
 
 fchulde han ben Helifee, men ftiulden not pleyn the paffion of Crift, 
 
 upon peyne myche grettere than was the venjaunce of the childre that 
 
 fcornyden Helifee. For fiker pleyinge of the paffion of Crift is but 
 
 verre fcornyng of Crift, as it is feid beforn, therefore, dere frend, 
 
 beholdith how kynde tellith that the more eldere a man waxith the 
 
 more it is a3en kynde hym for to pleyn, and therfore feith the booc, 
 
 curfid be the childe of han hundred 3eer ! And certis the world, 
 
 as feith the apoftil, is now at his endyng, as in his lafte age ; therfore 
 
 for the grete ne3yng of the day of dome, alle creaturis of God nowe 
 
 weryen and wrathen of mennus pleying, namely of myraclis pleyinge, 
 
94 T'reatifes. 
 
 that moft fchuin be fchewid in erneft and into venjaunce at the day of 
 dome ; therfore a3en kinde of alle creaturis it is now myraclis pley- 
 inge, and therfore God now on dayes fendith fom wifdam to children 
 than herbyforn, for thei fchulden now on dayees leven pleyinge, and 
 3yven hem more to erneftful werkis, pleafaunt to God. Alfo, frend, 
 take hede what Crift feith in the gofpelle, that, ri3t as it was in 
 the daies of Noye a3enus the greet flood, men weren etynge and 
 drynkynge and ther lykyngis takynges takyng, and feerely cam the 
 venjaunce of God of the grete flode upon hem ; fo it fchalle ben of 
 the comyng of Crift to the day of dome, that whanne men 3ifen 
 hem moft to ther pleyinge and myrthis, ferely fchal come the day of 
 dome upon hem with greet venjaunce beforn. Therefore oute of 
 dowte, frynd, this myracle pleyinge that is now ufid is but trewe 
 thretyng of fodeyn venjaunce upon us ; and therfore, dere frend , 
 fpende we nouther oure wittis ne oure money aboute myraclis pleying, 
 but in doinge in hem dede, in grete drede, and penaunce, for fikir the 
 wepyng and the fleyfhly devocion in hem ben but as ftrokis of han 
 hamer on every fide, to dry ve out the nayl of oure drede in God and 
 of the day of dome, and to maken the weye of Crift flidir and hevy 
 to us, as reyn on erthe and cley weies. Than, frend, 3if we wilen 
 algate pleyen, pleyne we as Davith pleyide bifore the harrke of God, 
 and as he fpac by for Mychel his wif, difpifyng his pleyinge, wherfore 
 to hir he feyde in this wife. The Lord lyveth, for I fhal pleyn bifore 
 the Lord that hath chofen me rather than thi fadir, and al the hous of 
 hym, and he comaundlde to me that Lwere duke upon the puple of 
 the Lord of Ifrael, and I fchal pleyn, and I fchal be maad fowlere more 
 than I am maad, and I fchal ben meke in myn e3en, and with the 
 hand-wymmen of the whiche thou fpeke I fchal more glorious aperen ; 
 fo this pleyinge hath thre partelis, the firfte is that we beholden in how 
 
/ / n . /// 
 
 Treatijes. 95 
 
 many thingis God hath 3yven us his grace paflynge oure ne3theboris, 
 and in fo myche more thanke we hym, fulfillyng his wil, and more 
 triftyng in hym a3en alle maner reprovyng of owre enmys ; the 
 fecound partel ftant in contynuel beynge devowt to God almy3ty, and 
 fowl and reprovable to the world, as Crift and his apoftelis fchewiden 
 hemfelf, and as Davith feide ; the thridde partel ftant in beynge as 
 lowly in owre owne e3en or more than we fchewen us withoute forth, 
 fyttynge left by in us filf, as we knowen mo fynnes of us filf than of 
 ony other, and thanne beforn alle the feyntis of hevene and biforn 
 Crift at the day of dome and in the blifle of heuene we ftiul ben more 
 glorious, in as myche as we pleyn betere thre forfeid perfelis heer, the 
 whiche three perfelis wel to pleyn heere and after to comyn to hevene, 
 graunt the holy Trinite. Amen. 
 
A fecond and third blaft 
 
 of ret rait from plates 
 
 and Theaters: 
 
 the one whereof was founded by a re- 
 
 uerend Byfhop dead long fiiice ; 
 
 the other by a worjhipful and 
 
 zealous Gentleman 
 
 now aliue: 
 
 one fhowing the filthines of plaies in 
 
 times pafi; the other the abhomination of 
 
 Theaters in the time prefent: 
 
 both exprejiy prouing that that Common-weale is 
 
 nighvnto the curfle of God, where- 
 
 in either plaiers be made of, or 
 
 Theaters main- "~ 
 
 tained. 
 
 Set forth by Anglo-phile Eutheo. 
 
 Ephef. 5, verfe. 15, 16. 
 
 Take heede therefore that ye nvatke circumfpeillie ,not 
 
 as ^nivife, but as luife, redeeming the time, 
 
 becaufe the daies are euil. 
 
 Allowed by auftoritie. 
 I 5 8 u. 
 
Treatifes. 
 
 99 
 
 Anglo-phile Eutheo to the Reader, S. 
 
 |HOU haft here, Chriftian reader, a fecond and third blaft 
 of retrait from plaies and Theaters. The firft blaft in my 
 compt is The Schoole of abufe: a title not vnfitlie 
 afcribed vnto plaies. For what is there which is not abufed thereby .? 
 Our hartes with idle cogitations ; our eies with vaine afpefts, geftures, 
 and toies ; our eares with filthie fpeach, vnhoneft mirth, and rebal- 
 drie ; our mouths with curfed fpeaking ; our heads with wicked ima- 
 ginations ; our whole bodies to vncleannes ; our bodies and mindes 
 to the feruice of the Diuel ; our holie daies with prophanes ; our time 
 with idlenes ; al our bleffings, health, wealth, and profperitie to the 
 increafe of Satans kingdome are there abufed : that not vnfitlie they 
 aretearmed, as of late The fchoole of abufe, by one ;^ The fchoole of 
 Bauderie, by another ;'' The neft of the Diuel, and finke of al finne, 
 by a third,*" fo long agoe. The chaire of peftilence, by Clement Alex- 
 andrinus f by Cyril ;' and Saluianus*' The pompe of the Diuel ; 
 the foueraigne place of Satan, by Tertullian.^ 
 
 And albe I cal them, A fecond and third blaft, &c. yet do I not 
 fo, as though there were no moe blaftes, or d ehortatio ns fro them, or 
 inuedtiues againft them befide. For in al ages the moft excellent men 
 for learning haue condemned them by the force of eloquence, and 
 power of Gods worde (as I am to proue vpon anie good occafion 
 offered). But fo do I tearme them in refpedt of the time prefent, 
 wherein none, that I knowe, befides thefe Autors haue written, though 
 
 Schoole of a- 
 bufe. 
 
 » M. Goflbn 
 in his inuefliue 
 againft plaies, 
 called The 
 Schoole of 
 abufe. 
 
 •> 3. Blaft of 
 retrait fro plaies. 
 
 <: M. Sparlc 
 in his reherfal 
 fermon at 
 Paules Crofle, 
 29. of April. 
 Ann. 1579. 
 
 <> Clement 
 Alexand. li. 3, 
 Paedag. cap. 12. 
 
 « Cyril. Ca- 
 tech. I. My- 
 ftagogica. 
 
 f2. blaft of 
 retrait fro plaies. 
 
 S Tertul. lib 
 de fpe£laculis. 
 
 Autor of y"= fe- 
 cond blaft. 
 
100 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 ^ Saluianus 
 Maffilienfis 
 Epilcopus lib. 6. 
 de gubernat. 
 Dei. 
 
 ' Gennadius 
 de illuftribus vi- 
 
 manie, thanked be God, in the principal places of this land haue, and 
 dailie, yea and openlie do fpeake againft plaies and Theaters. 
 
 The former of thefe two was written in the Latine tong by that 
 reuerend man, Saluianus,'' Bifliop of Maffilia, who for his wonderful ■■ 
 eloquence and zeale is called, Magifter Epifcoporum, The Maifter 
 of Bylhops, by Gennadius;' and that iioo. yeeres fithence. Where- 
 bie thou maift gather, firft, that it is a moft odious, and intolerable 
 thing in aChriftian Common-weale, which fo learned a Byfliop would 
 ftand to confute ; and fecondlie, that to dehort from plaies is no newe 
 thing, being condemned fo long ago. 
 
 The Lord of his infinite mercie grant, that his blaft male do more 
 good with Englifhmen, than it did with the Romans, to which he 
 founded the fame. Otherwife I know right wel, that mull needs be- 
 tide vs which happened vnto them. For they condemned his faiengs, 
 and the warnings of fuch like good men. Therfore firft came the 
 foraine enimies, the Gothes and Vandales who ouercarne them, and 
 opprefled them with moft grieuous bondage ; and afterward they fel 
 into the handes of Satan, who caried them headlong into al impuritie 
 of life, & abomination, vnder which curfe of God they as yet con- 
 tinue. So we, afiuredlie, vnles we liften vnto the dehortations of 
 thefe good men, and fhun plaies, with fuch like pompes of Satan, the 
 which once we, when it was before God & his congregation, re- 
 nounced, fhal fal into fome one intolerable plague of God or other, 
 into the handes if not of foraine enimies, which I feare ; yet of our 
 fpiritual aduerfarie, the Pope or Diuel, which I am fure of. 
 
 Touching the Autor of the latter blaft, thou maift coniedture who 
 he was, but I male not name him at this time for my promife fake ; 
 yet this do I faie of him, that he hath bine, to vfe his verie wordes, 
 A great afFefter of that vaine Art of plaie making, &c. Yea, which 
 
Treatifes. i o i 
 
 I ad, as excellent an Autor of thofe vanities, as who was beft. But 
 the Lord of his goodnes hath called him home ; fo that he did not 
 fo much delight in plaies in times paft, but he doth as much deteft 
 them now, and is hartilie forie that euer he was fuch an inftrument to 
 fet vice afloate : as more at large in his difcourfe, thou maift perceaue . 
 Whereby firft, note with me, the goodnes of our God toward vs, who 
 feeing that we wil not fhun plaies for anie dehortations of his godlie 
 Preachers, who daie by daie in al places of greateft refort denounce 
 the vengeance of GOD to them, be they hie or lowe, that fauor 
 plaies. Theaters, or plaiers, ftirreth vp the verie Autors themfelues to 
 inueigh againft them, that we maie be afhamed any waie to allowe 
 that, which the verie Autors do vtterly condemne. Secondlie praife 
 God, I befeech you, for bringing this Autor, and Maifter Goflbn, who 
 made the Schoole of Abufe out of Babylon. And thirdly praie vnto 
 him, that al makers of plaies maie folowe their example : then fure I 
 am, that both the rude multitude, if not for feare of Gods difpleafure, 
 yet becaufe they can heare nothing but what is ftale, wil leaue haunt- 
 ing of ftinking plaies ; and alfo plaiers themfelues forfake their vn- 
 lawful, vngodlie, and abominable exercife, for lacke either of Autors, 
 or of auditors. 
 
 Loth was the Autor, I muft needs confefle, to haue his worke pub- 
 lilhed, not becaufe he would not haue plaies openlie reproued, 
 which from his hart he wifheth were moft ftraightlie forbidden, but 
 through a too too bafe conceipt of his owne worke, thinking that fome 
 grounded Diuine were more fit to dehort from fo prophane an exer- 
 cife, than he, whofe profeffion (if fo I maie faie) is otherwife. But 
 hearing partlie by me, and partlie by others, what a ioie to the 
 children of God, and griefe to the feruants of Satan it would be to 
 heare, that he, who was fo famous an Autor was now become a reli- 
 
I02 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 gious dehorter from plaies ; yea, thinking how the one fort would 
 with more Zeale auoide them, & the other with more fhame appeare 
 on ftage, when they fhould vnderftand that al the world knoweth that 
 their exercife is neither warranted by Gods worde, nor liked of Chrif- 
 tians, but difalowed vtterly by Scripture, by reafon, by Dodlors, by 
 Byftiops, by their verie Autors themfelues, yea and by al other good 
 men, as the enimie to godlines, and the corruption of the wel difpofed, 
 and fo confequentlie a fpecial engine both to fubuert al Religion, and 
 to ouerthrowe the good ftate of that Common-weale where it is main- 
 tained, he altered his minde, and gaue me his booke, wifhing me to do 
 therewithal as I thought beft for the glorie of God, and thy com- 
 moditie. 
 
 Which I haue now, together with the inuedive of that reuerend 
 Bifliop Saluianus, publiflied, that one of them might fhowe the abomi- 
 nation of Theaters in the time prefent, and the other how odious they 
 haue feemed to the godlie in time paft, and both allure thee vtterlie to 
 forbid them, if thou be a Magiftrate of power, and to auoide them more 
 than anie peftilence, be thou whofoeuer. Which God grant. 
 
^^i^-(U'n.i-A.-l!, 
 
 \i^- 
 
 
 lUi HO 
 
 I 
 
 A fecond blaji of ret rait 
 
 from plaies and Theaters, 
 
 founded by that reuerend, god- 
 
 lie and learned Byfhop Saluianus, 
 
 fometime By/ho^of M-diGiliiai, in his 
 
 fixt booke De guber- u-^ 
 
 natione Dei. 
 
 II 
 
 6W t- 
 
 t^ 
 
 f,^. ■ ^S^-. ^%l 
 
 5VCH thinges are committed at plaies and theaters, as 
 cannot be thought vpon, much lefTe vttered without 
 finne. For other vices chalenge their feueral portions 
 within vs, as filthie cogitations the minde ; vnchafte afpefts the 
 eies ; wicked fpeech the eares : fo that when one of thefe doth 
 offend, the reft may be without fault. But at Theaters none ot .thefe 
 but finnethj for both the mind there with luft ; and the eies with 
 fhowes ; and the eares with hearing be polluted ; al which are fo 
 bad, that no man can wel report or declare them with honeftie. 
 For who, without pafling the boundes of fhamefaftnes, can vtter 
 thofe imitations of vnhoneft things ; that filthie fpeech ; that vile 
 motion, the beaftlie geftures, vfed there ? The vilenes whereof may 
 be gathered euen by the vnlawfulnes to name them. Forfom finnes, 
 though moft hainous, may wel and honeftlie both be named, & 
 blamed too, as murder, theft, adulterie, facriledge, and fuch like ; 
 onlie the filthines of Theaters are fuch as may not honeftlie, be no not 
 fo much as blamed. Such new matter arifeth againft the reproouer 
 
1 04 Treatifes. 
 
 for finding fait with this moft horrible filthines ; that albeit he be a 
 moft perfeft honeft man that would fpeake againft it, yet can he not 
 fo doe and keepe his honeftie. 
 
 Againe, al other euils pollute the doers onlle, not the beholders, or 
 the hearers. For a man may heare a blafphemer, and not be partaker 
 of his facriledge, inafmuch as in minde he difTenteth. And if one come 
 while a roberie is a doing, he is cleere, becaufe he abhors the fadt. 
 Onlle the filthines of plaies, and fpedlacles is fuch, as maketh both the 
 adtors & beholders giltie alike. For while they faie nought, but 
 gladHe looke on, they al by fight and aflent be adtors, that trulie 
 may be applied vnto them that faleng of the apoftle, How that not 
 onlle they which commit fuch things are worthle death, but alfo which 
 Rom. i. 31. fauour them that do them. 
 
 So that in the reprefentation of whoredome, al the people in mind 
 plale the whores. And fuch as happille came chafl:e vnto ftiowes, 
 returne adulterers from plaies. For they plale the harlots, not then 
 onlle when they go awale, but alfo when they come. For as foon as 
 one lufteth after a filthie thing, whiles he hafteneth to that which is 
 vncleane, he becometh vncleane. 
 
 Now this being fo, behold I praie you, what partes either al or 
 almoft al Romans, doe plaie. And yet, we doing thus, faie we are 
 not regarded of God ; we faie God hath forfaken vs, when in verle 
 deede we forfake God. 
 God cannot For fuppofe wc, that our Lord will refped: vs, not deferuing his 
 
 haTnt phies. fauor ? let VS fee if he can. Lo, Infinite thoufandes of Chriftians doe 
 daille abide at the fhowes of vnfeemlle things. Can God then fauor 
 fuch kinde of perfons ? Can God caft his gratious countenance vpon 
 fuch as rage in circles, and plaie the harlots in Theaters ? Or is this 
 our meaning, and doe we thinke it meete, that forfomuch as God 
 
'Treatifes. 105 
 
 feeth vs in circles, and Theaters, that what things we fee, he behold- 
 eth ; and what filthines we looke on, he feeth it alfo for companie ? 
 For one of thefe muft needes be : for if he vouchfafe to looke vpon 
 vs, it foloweth, that he muft beholde al thofe thinges, where we are : 
 or if, which is moft true, he turne awaie his eies from thofe thinges, 
 he muft likewife turne his countenance fro vs who are there. And 
 the cafe ftanding thus, yet naie-theles we doe thefe things which I 
 haue faid, and that without ceffing. 
 
 Or thinke we that God hath his Theaters, and circles, as had the The oiud de- 
 gods of the Gentils ? For thus did they in old time, becaufe they puies" Cod de- 
 were perfuaded their idols delighted in them. But how is it that we '' "" ""' 
 doe fo, who are certaine that our God detefteth them ? Or if wee 
 knowe that this abominatio doth pleafe God, I will not gaine-faie, but 
 wee maie frequent it daie by daie. But if it be in our confcience that 
 God abhorreth, that he detefteth, that God is offended as the Diuel is 
 fed by Theaters ; how faie we that wee worftiip God in his Church, 
 which ferue the Diuel alwaies at plaies, and that wittinglie, and 
 willinglie ? And what hope ftial we haue with God, who not igno- 
 rant! ie, or by chance wound him, but after the example of thofe 
 gigants whome we reade, full madlie bent themfelues againft God, and 
 againft the cloudes. So we through the iniuries which al the world 
 ouer continualie we infer, doe beate the heauens, as it were, with a 
 common confent. 
 
 To Chrift therfore, O monfterous madnes ! euen to Chrift doe we 
 offer plaies and tomblers ; yea and that efpecialie then when we 
 receiue goodnes at his hands, whe we enioie profperitie through his 
 blefling, or God hath giuen vs vicitorie ouer the enimies, whereby 
 what elfe do we fhow our felues, but euen iniurious to him which hath 
 done vs good ; to raile vpon him, who bleffeth vs ; to ftrike him ouer 
 
 p 
 
1 06 Treatifes. 
 
 the face with a fworde, who louinglie doth kifle vs. For I aflce the 
 mightie and rich men of this world, of what offence is that feruant 
 guiltie, which wifheth il to a good and gratious maifter ; which raileth 
 on him that deferueth wel ; and rendereth defpiteful wordes for bene- 
 fits receiued ? without controuerfie al men wil iudge him a moft 
 hainous offender, which for good rendreth il to him, to whom indeed 
 he might not yeeld il for euil ; euen thus do we, which are called 
 Chriftians ; we flir vp againfl vs a merciful God by our vncleannes ; 
 we ftrike a gratious God by our fiithines ; we wound a louing God by 
 our wickednes. 
 
 To Chrift therefore, 6 monfi:erous madnes ! euen to Chrift doe 
 we offer plaies and tomblers ; to Chrift we do render for his benefits 
 the fiithines of theaters ; euen to Chrift do we facrifice the obla- 
 tions of moft beaftlie fport. As though our Sauior, who for vs 
 became man, taught vs to doe fo, and. had preached the fame either 
 by himfelfe, or by his Apoftles ; as though that to this end he took 
 vpon him the fhame of mans natiuitie, and the contumelious be- 
 
 Luk. ii. 12.13. ginnings of an earthlie generation ; to that end he laie in a c ratch, at 
 what time notwithftanding the verie Angels minlftred vnto him ; to 
 what end he would be fwadled with rags of cloth, who gouerned the 
 heauens in fimple cloth ; to that end he hong on the crofTe, at whofe 
 hanging the verie world was aftonifhed. Who being rich, faith the 
 
 2 Cor. 8. 9. Apoille, for your fakes became poore, that yee thorough his pouertie 
 might be made rich. And being in the forme of God, he humbled 
 
 Phil. ii. 6. himfelfe vnto the death, euen the death of the croffe : Euen this did 
 Chrift teach vs when he fuffered thefe things for our fakes. 
 
 Wel do we requite his pafTion, who receiuing through his death 
 redemption, leade a moft filthie life. For the grace of God that bringeth 
 faluation vnto al men hath appeared, faith bleffed Paule, and teacheth 
 
 Tit. ii. II. 12. 
 
Treatifes. 1 07 
 
 vs that wee fliould denie vngodlines, and worldlie luftes, and that wee 
 fhould Hue foberlie, and righteouflie, and godlie in this prefent world, 
 looking for the blefled hope, and appearing of the glorie of the 13. ,4. 
 mightie God, and of our Sauior lefus Chrift, who gaue himfelfe for 
 vs, that he might redeeme vs from al iniquitie, and purge vs a peculiar 
 people vnto himfelfe, zealous of good workes. 
 
 Where be they which doe thefe things, for which the Apoftle faith 
 Chrift came ? where be they which flie the defires of this world ? 
 where be they that liue godlie & righteouflie, that looke for the 
 bleffed hope by wel doing, and leading a pure life, fhow thereby that 
 they looke and long for the kingdome of God ; where be fuch ? 
 
 Our Lord Jefus Chrift came, faith he, that he might purge vs a Tit. ^. 14. 
 peculiar people vnto himfelfe, zealous of good workes. Where is that 
 pure people ? that peculiar people ; that good people ; that people of 
 holines ? 
 
 Chrift, faith the Scripture, fuffered for vs, leauing vs an enfample, iPet. u. 21. 
 that we ftaould folow his fteps. And we folow the fteps of our Sauior 
 in circles, and in Theaters, we folow the fteps of our Sauior : as 
 though our Sauior left vs fuch an enfample, whome wee read did 
 weepe, but that he laughed, we neuer read. And both thefe for our 
 fakes, becaufe weeping is a pricking of the hart, laughter the corruption 
 of maners. Therefore faid he. Woe to you that laugh, for yee fhal Lukevi.25,21. 
 waile and weepe : and, Blefled are ye that weepe now, for yee fhal 
 laugh. But it is not enough for vs to laugh and be merrie, vnles we 
 reioice with fin and madnes ; vnles our laughter be tempered with 
 filthines, & mixed with impietie. 
 
 What error, I faie, is this, naie, what foolifhnes ? Can we not dailie 
 be merrie, and laugh, vnles we make our laughter & mirth to be 
 wickednes ? Or els thinke we fimple mirth to be nothing worth ? 
 
io8 Treat if es. 
 
 and can wee not laugh except we finne ? what a mifchiefe Is this, naie 
 what furle ? Let vs laugh, I praie you, yea vnmeafurabh'e ; and let 
 vs be merrie, yea continualie, fo we finne not. What foolifhnes, naie 
 madnes is it, to thinke mirth and ioie nothing worth, vnles God be 
 iniuried therebie ? yea iniuried, & that moft halnouflie ? 
 To fee piaies a For in fliowes there is a certaine Apoftafie from the faith ; and a 
 fie" ° '"' " deadlie declining from our beliefe, and the heauenlie facraments. For 
 what is the firft profeffio of Chriftians at their baptifme ? They pro- 
 teft they wil renounce the Diuel, and al his workes, his pompes, and 
 vanities. Therefore by our owne confeffion, fhowes and pompes are 
 the workes of the Diuel. 
 
 How then, 6 Chriftian, doft thou haunt piaies and Theaters after 
 baptifme, which thy felfe confefleft are the works of the Diuel! Once 
 thou didft renounce the Diuel and al his fhowes, wherebie it foloweth, 
 that whiles thou goeft witting and willinglie vnto common fpe6tacles, 
 thou muft thinke thou returneft again vnto the Diuel. For thou haft 
 renouced both, and didft confefle one of them to be both. So that 
 returning vnto one, thou wenteft back vnto both. For, thou faieft, 
 I renounce the Diuel, his pompes, ftiowes, and workes. And what 
 afterward ? I beleeue, thou faieft, in God the Father almightie, and 
 in lefus Chrlft his fonne. Therefore before we can beleeue in God, 
 the Diuel muft be renounced. For he beleeueth not in God, who 
 renounceth not the Diuel. So then he forfaketh God, who returnes 
 to the Diuel. But the Diuel is in his pompes & fhowes, then it 
 foloweth that by returning vnto his pompes wee forfake the faith of 
 Chrift. Then hereby al the myfteries of the Beliefe and al which 
 foloweth in the Creede, is weakened, and tottereth. For the building 
 cannot ftand, if the principal be downe. 
 
 Then tel me, 6 Chriftian, how canft thou think thy felfe to keepe 
 
Treatifes. 109 
 
 that which folowes in the Creed, when thou haft loft the beginning 
 of the fame ? The members without an head be nothing worth ; & 
 to their beginning al things haue refped: ; which once being decaied 
 euerie thing goes to wracke. For the roote being gone, either no- 
 thing remaines ; or if there do, it ferues to fmal profit, for without an 
 head nothing can ftand. 
 
 He therefore that thinkes it a light offence to fee plaies, let him 
 confider al what we haue faid and he ftial fee that in plaies there is 
 deftru6tion, and no pleafure. And what els is it, but to fal into de- 
 ftruftion, to forgo the beginning of life ? For where the fundacion 
 of the Beliefe is ouerthrown, life it felfe is deftroied. 
 
 Then againe we muft needs returne vnto that which we haue often 
 faid : what fuch thing among the barbarous ? where be anie ftages 
 among them, or Theaters ? where is the finne of manie finnes, that is 
 the deftruftion of our hope, and faluation ? which notwithftading they, 
 being Pagans did vfe, they fhould erre with lefle offence of God :' Pagans might 
 
 better ere£l & 
 
 becaufe albe fuch doing were a defiling of the fight, yet were it not a frequent Thea- 
 
 , , . r \ r ''" '''an Chrif- 
 
 breakmg or the iacrament. tians. 
 
 But now, what can we faie for our felues ? we hold the beleefe, and 
 we ouerthrowe the beleefe ; wee confeffe the dutie of faluation, and 
 alfo denie the fame. And therefore where is our Chriftianitie ? who, 
 as it feemeth, hereunto are baptized, that afterward more hainoufly 
 we might offend ? we prefer paftimes before the Church ; we defpife 
 the Lordes table, and honor Theaters ; at a worde, we loue al 
 things, reuerence al things, God alone feemeth vile to vs in compari- 
 fon of other things. 
 
 Finalie among the reft which proue the fame, this which I now 
 faie, doth ftiowe it to be true. For if it fal out, as often it doth, that 
 at one & the fame time an holie dale be kept, and common plaies 
 
I lO 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 proclamed, I demaund, whether do men flock moil, to the court of 
 God, or to the den of plaies ; to the temple, or to Theaters ? And 
 what do men heare mofl; wiUinglie, the falengs of the Euange- 
 llfts, or the toies of plaiers ; the wordes of life, or the wordes of 
 death ; the wordes of Chrifl:, or the words of a foole in a plaie ? 
 doubtles we loue that beft, which we prefer. For if the Church Iceepe 
 anie feaft on that daie when deadlie paftime is fhowen, men, fuch as 
 fay they are Chriflians, either come not at al vnto Church ; or, if not 
 thinking of plaies they come and heare in the fame plaies to bee abroad, 
 they leaue the Church. The temple is defpifed, to run vnto 
 Theaters ; the Church is emptied, the yeard is filled ; wee leaue the 
 facrament, to feede our adulterous eies with the impure, & whorifli 
 fight of moft fikhie paftime : But forfooth we, whom profperitie 
 doth mar, muft do fomething in the beginning. And therfore ful 
 rightlie faith the Lord God vnto vs ; For your vncleannes are yee with 
 deftru6lion abolifhed. And againe, The altars of this mirth ftialbe 
 rooted out. 
 
 But now it male be anfwered, that in all the townes of the Romans 
 plaies be not vfed. True it is, and I ad moreouer, that neither be 
 Theaters where in times paft they were. For they are not vfed 
 neither at Magontia, nor at Maffilia, becaufe thofe townes be ouer- 
 throwen, and deftroied ; They are not vfed at Agrippina, for the 
 enimie hath fubdued the fame ; not in Treuers that famous towne, be- 
 caufe being foure-times fubdued, it is now brought to ground, to con- 
 clude they are not vfed in moft townes both of France, and Spaine ; 
 and therefore wo to vs men, and to our vncleannes ; wo to vs, and to 
 our wickednes. What hope is there for Chriftian people before God ? 
 inafmuch as thofe euils haue neuer ben in Roman cities, fince they 
 came into the hands of Barbarians. Wherby it appeareth that wicked- 
 
Treatifes. 
 
 1 1 1 
 
 nes and impuritiej is proper & peculiar vnto the Romans, and their Romans fmgu- 
 verie nature as it were. For there wickednes doth chieflie raigne, a goodiie 
 
 1 1 Tj % praife of the 
 
 where the Romans be. Romans. 
 
 But haplie this maie feeme a grieuous, and vniuft complaint : 
 grieuous indeede, if it be falfe. But how, thou wilt faie, how can it 
 be otherwife, fithence what we haue faid, are done in a few cities of the 
 Romans ? And moft of them are not polluted with this fpot of filthi- 
 nes, where although the place and dwelling of ancient error do abide, 
 yet are not thofe things now done which were in times pafled. 
 
 It wil be good therefore to confider both thefe things, that is, both 
 why the places & houfes of plaies are yet vp ; and yet no plaies 
 vfed. The places and houfes of filthines are therefore yet ftanding, 
 becaufe in them all impure things were wont to be fhowen : and now 
 the vaine paftime is not vfed, for that the miferie of the time, and 
 mens pouertie will not permit. So that it was of their impietie, why 
 in time paft plaies were frequented, & neceffitie is the caufe that 
 they are not now. For the miferable cafe of the exchequer, & the 
 emptines of the Romane treafurie wil fuffer no monie to be wafted 
 commonlie vpo trifling things. And although much is loft, and 
 caft as it were vpon the dunghil : yet nothing fo much can be con- 
 fumed, becaufe they haue not wherewithal to do fo. For fuch is our 
 infatiable delire of filthie plefure, that we could wifli to haue more, 
 onlie to laie it vpon this dirte of abhomination. And the thing 
 fhowes what we would prodigalie confume, if we were rich, when 
 we waft fo much being in fo poore a ftate. For this is the fpot, and 
 miferie of the prefent time, that although through pouertie we cannot, 
 yet through our impietie we would confume much. 
 
 There is no caufe then why we fhould deceaue our felues, 
 in faieng that in al cities thofe things are not, which were before 
 
I 12 
 
 'Treatifes. 
 
 done. For therefore they are not in this time vfed, becaufe the 
 townes where they were vfed, are not to be feene : and where they 
 haue a long time bene vfed, there is not to bring it to pafle : as 
 God himfelfe fpeaketh vnto finners by the prophet, And it afcended 
 vpon his harte, and the Lord could beare it no longer: for 
 the wickednes of your ftudies, and for the abhominations which 
 you haue committed, and your land is brought into defolation, 
 into barrennesj and accurfed. This is the caufe then whie the maior 
 part of the Romane empire is brought into defolation, into barrennes, 
 and accurfed. And would to God they were onlie done in times 
 paft, and not now in thefe dales, happelie then, as it is written, God 
 would be merciful to our finnes. But we take not the waie to haue 
 Gods fauor. For vnceflantlie we ad finne to fin & heape wicked- 
 nes vpon wickednes, that as the better part of vs are deftroied, fo we 
 male al come to nought. 
 
 For, I demand, who feeth another flaine before his face, and is not 
 afraide ? who beholdeth his neighbors houfe on fire, and wil not by al 
 meanes prouide for the falfetie of his owne ? wee do not onlie fee our 
 neighbors to burne, but alfo are fet on fire our felues from the chiefeft 
 part of our bodies. And, 6 abomination ! what a mifchiefe is this ? 
 we burne, we burne, yet dread we not the fire wherwith we burne. 
 For, as I faid, the caufe why thofe things which before time were 
 vfed, are not now done, is to be afcribed to the miferie we are in, not 
 to anie difcipline or good order which we haue. 
 
 FinaUe, I doe eafilie prooue the fame. For make the time as it 
 was, and forthwith al things fhalbe as they were in thofe dales. Yea 
 moreouer, as touching the defire of men, though thofe things are not 
 euerie where, yet in refpedt of their minds euerie where they be. For 
 the Romans would haue them vfed euerie where. For when neceflitie 
 
Treatifes. 1 1 3 
 
 onlie makes an euil thing to be left vndone, the verie defire of a filthie 
 
 thing is condemned in fuch fort as if it were done. For, as I faie, 
 
 according to the wordes of our Sauior, Whofoever looketh on a woman 
 
 to luft- after her, hath committed adulterie with her alreadie in his Matt.5,>g. 
 
 harte : whereby we maie gather, that albe we leaue things filthie & 
 
 damnable vndone, and that onelie through neceffitie ; yet becaufe our 
 
 wil is good to haue them, wee are guiltie of cpndemnation. 
 
 And what fpeake I of wil ? when almoft euerie where thofe things 
 are committed. For what ftranger foeuer commeth either to Rauenna 
 or to Rome, fhal finde a part of the Romans at fhowes : and a part 
 of the Rauenians at Theaters. And although anie be either abfent, 
 or diftant by place, yet is he not excufed thereby. For as manie as 
 are ioined together in likenes of affedtion, are guiltie alike of the 
 fame wickednes which either do commit. 
 
 Yet for al this wee flatter our felues of our good behaiuor ; wee 
 flatter our felues of the rarenes of impuritie. But I fay yet more, 
 that not onelie thofe foule fpots of infamous plaies are yet to be feene 
 as afore time ; but alfo be more abominablie fet forth, than euer they 
 were. For in thofe dales euerie part of the Romane empire was in 
 health and found ; the riches of other townes made the common 
 barnes to be large & big ; citizens did abound in wealth and pleafure, 
 fo that it was verie hard in fuch aboundance of al things, for religion 
 to continue pure, and manners vncorrupt. Then euerie where Autors 
 of filthie pleafure were cheriflied ; for in al places men were fat. No 
 man waide the charge of the Common-weale, no man feared to come 
 behind hand ; for expenfes was not perceaued. The Common-weale 
 after a fort did feek where, and how to wafl: wealth, hauing almofl: no 
 place to keepe it. And therefore heaps of wealth, euen wel nigh 
 aboue meafure, were confumed vpon vaine things. 
 
1 14 Treatifes. 
 
 But now what maie be faid ? old aboundance is gone, gone is the 
 wealth which once we had. Poore wee are, yet ceafe wee not to be 
 vaine. And whereas pouertie doth reclaime prodigal and prodigious 
 pupils, fo that when their wealth is gone, they leaue wickednes : we 
 fhowe our felues a newe kind of pupils and vnthriftes, who lacking 
 wealth wil not leaue wickednes. Whereby it appeareth, that the caufe 
 of our wickednes, is not in the inticements, as of other men, but in 
 our hartes : and that [in] our mindes, is our wickednes ; that in deede 
 not by the taking awaie of riches, but through the defire of euil things 
 we finne. 
 
 And although we haue hitherto recited manie vices of the Romans, 
 
 which the barbarous people are not polluted withal : yet are there 
 
 manie mo, which I wil now ad. But firft this I warne you by the 
 
 waie, that you account no kind of finne light, which tendeth vnto the 
 
 difhonor of God. For if no man maie difhonor him that is noble and 
 
 mightie ; but if he do fo he is made to anfwere it where he would not, 
 
 and condemned by lawe : how much more hainous is that offence, 
 
 whereby the glorie of God is defaced? For alwaies the fault doth 
 
 increafe, according to the worthines of him that is iniuried. Becaufe 
 
 by how much the perfon is greater that fuffereth reproch, by fo much 
 
 Exod. 3i,verre jg ^g faultic that doth the fame. Whereof it is which wee read in the 
 
 13, 14. 
 
 Nomb. 2o,verfe lawc, that they which to mans thinking did but lightlie offend, were 
 
 Nomb. z5,verfe moft fcucrelie for al that punifhed : which was to giue vs to vnder- 
 {land that nothing, which concerneth God, fhould be lightlie ac- 
 counted of: & that that which man efleemed a fmal offence, 
 
 I chr. i3,verfe bccaufe it was committed againfl the glorie of God, was a mofl 
 
 9, i°- 
 
 grieuous crime. 
 
 Vzza. To be fhort, Vzza, that Leuite of the Lord, what did he con- 
 
 trarie vnto the commandement of God, when he affaied to keepe vp 
 
Treatifes. 1 1 5 
 
 the Arke of God from falling ? No precept was there by lawe to 
 forbid him ; yet while he held vp the fame, prefently, through the 
 wrath of God he died : not becaufe he had done anie thing rebel- 
 liouflie, or at leaftwife not dutifuUie, but by fhowing dutie he prooued 
 vndutiful, for taking more vpon him than he was commanded. 
 
 That man among the people of Ifrael, that had gathered ftickes Gathering of 
 vpon the Sabboth dale, died the death, and that by the iudgement, i;*^, veke 32, ' 
 and commandement of God, euen the moft gratious and merciful! ''' ^ " 
 iudge, who out of doubt had rather pardon than kil, had not the 
 confideration of feueritie preuailed ouer his mercie. For one rafh 
 felowe perifhed, that manie afterward through rafhnes might not 
 perifti. 
 
 And what fliould I fpeake of each particular man? The whole Nomb.n.vede 
 nation of. the lewes traueling thorough the wildernes, becaufe they +'3i. 33>33- 
 lufted after their wonted meate, loft a part of their people. 
 
 Yet was there no comandement that they fhould notluft, but God, pfa.78,30, 31. 
 as I fuppofe, would prouide afore hand for the due obferuation of the 
 moral law, by reftraining their rebellious concupifcence : euen that al 
 the people might the more eafily confefTe, how earneftlie they fhould 
 auoid thofe things, which God in his holie Scripture fhould forbid, 
 when they were punifhed for that, which as yet they were not for- 
 bidden. 
 
 The fame people alfo complained that they tooke fuch paines, for 
 which caufe the Lord plagued them from heauen : not becaufe a man 
 opprefTed with labor might not complaine ; but for that therebie they 
 fhowed themfelues vnthankful towards God, making God, as it were, 
 the Autor of their immoderate bufines. Wherby we maie gather, 
 how zealouflie hee ought to ferue God, which enioieth profperitie, 
 when as he maie not complaine being in aduerfitie. 
 
ii6 Treatijes. 
 
 But perchance, fome wil faie, whereto ferues al this ? whether to ? 
 
 'ioubtles, that we fhould count nothing a fmal thing, which hurteth 
 
 piaies the the glorie of God. We fpeake of common plaies, the verie mockerie 
 
 mockerie of 
 
 religion. of religion, and the toies of our life. For while wee plaie at Theaters 
 
 and ftages, we are rauifhed with the loue thereof, according to that in 
 
 Prou x.verfe23. the hoHc Scripturc, It is a paftime for a foole to do wickedlie. And 
 fo, in laughing at filthie and abhominable thinges, we commit wicked- 
 nes : & thofe no fmal fins, but therefore the more damnable : becaufe 
 though they feeme fmal at the firft fight, yet are they moft peftilent 
 
 Twomoftno- \^ tj^g gj^^cj^ Por inafmuch as there be two moft notorious euils, as 
 
 tonous orrences 
 
 comitted by fre- when a man either flaieth himfelfe, or defaceth the glorie of God, both 
 
 quenting plaies. ^ 
 
 they are done in common plaies. For at plaies both the euerlafting 
 faluation of Chriftian people is quite extinguiflied thorough wicked 
 filthines, & the maieftie of God violated, through facrilegious fuperfti- 
 tion. For it is certaine that it ofFendeth God, being confecrated to 
 idols. 
 
 For Minerua in fchooles of exercife, Venus at Theaters, Neptune 
 at circles, in the field Mars, Mercurie at wreftling places is adored, & 
 had in honor : and fo, according to the qiialitie of the Autors, fuper- 
 ftition doth encreafe. 
 
 Al vncleannes is fhowed at plaieng ; al luxurioufnes at wreflling, at 
 tumbling al vnfliamefaftnes ; al madnes in caues. Vncleannes is one 
 where: wantonnes anotherwhere ; anotherwhere intemperancie ; and 
 madnes anotherwhere : but the Diuel is eueriewhere, yea in euerie 
 particular place where plaies be, are al the fortes of Diuels. For 
 they gouerne thofe places which are dedicated vnto them. And 
 therefore the onlie inticement is not there, nor wickednes onelie in 
 fuch fpeftacles, or fhowes. For it is a kind of facriledge befide for a 
 Chriftian to be at fuch fuperftition ; becaufe he taketh part with their 
 idolatrie, whofe feafts he is delighted withal. 
 
Treatifes. 1 1 7 
 
 The which albeit alwaies it hath bene a lamentable thing : yet then 
 is it moft intollerable, when as befides the cuftomable vfe of life, either 
 our aduerfitie, or profperitie doth make it the more hainous. And 
 that becaufe God in aduerfitie fhould be the more pacified, & lefle 
 offended in profperitie. For Gods fauor fliould be fought for when 
 he is angrie ; and when he is merciful, he fhould not be difhonored. 
 For we fall into aduerfitie through the difpleafure of God ; and by 
 his fauor, we enioie profperitie. 
 
 But we doe al things cleane otherwife. How fo ? doe you afke ? Profperitie 
 
 . . . abufed. 
 
 marke what I faie. And firfl when God being intreated of his owne 
 mercie (for wee do neuer fo liue, than we can deferue to haue him en- 
 treated) but, as I faie, when God hath entreated himfelfe, and giuen vs a 
 peaceable time, great encreafe, a rich tranquillitie, and ftore of al 
 thinges more than we can defire ; then we fo corrupt our felues with 
 fuch profperitie, and fo defile our liues with wickednes, that we vtterlie 
 forget both God and our felues. 
 
 And whereas the Apoflle faith, that The frute of peace which God iTim.ii.verfe2. 
 doth fend, confifleth in this, that we fhould liue a peaceable and quiet 
 life in al godlines, and honeftie, we vfe the fame, as though God gave 
 it to the end, that we fhould liue in al drokennes, in al riotoufnes, in 
 naughtines, in theft, and in al wickednes and difhoneflie : as though 
 the benefite of peace giuen, were leafure to do wickedlie ; and wee 
 fhould take the truce of tranquillitie at Gods hand the more licentiouflie, 
 and fecurelie to finne. 
 
 Therefore wee are vnworthie Gods gifts, which vfe the benefits of 
 God fo wickedly. We make the occafion of good workes, to be 
 onlie the matter of wickednes. Wherebie commeth to pafTe, that 
 peace it felfe is againfl: vs. For fo we deale, that better it were for 
 vs to be without that thing whereby we proue the worfe. 
 
1 1 8 Treatifes. 
 
 Who would thinke it ? we change the courfe of things by our 
 wickednes ; and what God of his mercie made good, we make the fame 
 il for vs, through our vile behauior, &c. 
 
 It remaineth that we now proue that neither the giftes nor alluremets 
 of God do better vs one iote. And what are they ? what, but euen 
 our peace, quietnes, & tranquillitie which we enioie according to our 
 wifh and defire. Wherfore becaufe the matter doth fo require, let vs 
 vtter fome fpecial thing. 
 
 Then, as often as we are in feare, in afflidtion, in perils ; when 
 either cities with enimies are befieged, or countries by inuafion or anie 
 other aduerfitie are wafted : then we beate the members of a Com- 
 monweale, and by praier cal for the affiftance of God. If by the aide 
 of God either tounes be faued, or fpoile and pilling hath an end ; or 
 the hoft of enimies foiled ; & al feare through the bleffing of God is 
 taken awaie, what do wee ftraight after al thefe things ? 
 ironia. I belccue wc endeuor to requite the benefits that we haue receiued 
 
 fr5 our Lord God with feruing, honoring, and reuerencing his holie 
 name. (For this followeth, & experience doth prooue, that they who 
 are thankeful, get moe benefits, and they are blefled with moft ample 
 and frefti rewardes that requite good turnes). 
 
 So happelie we do, & requiting our God at leaftwife after the maSer 
 of men, we render good for his benifites, that is, we forthwith make 
 recourfe vnto the houfe of the Lord ; throwe our felues vpon the 
 ground ; praie vnto him with ioie and teares together ; fet forth the 
 temple with our gifts, and beftowe rewards. And becaufe thorough 
 his gift we are made merrie, we fhowe the fignes of our ioie in his 
 teples, or at leaftwife, which he likes as wel, we renounce the former 
 wickednes of our life ; flaie the facrifices of good workes ; and for 
 newe confolations we offer the facrifice of a new conuerfation ; finalie 
 
Treatifes. 119 
 
 we proclame an holie warre againft al vncleannes ; fhun the madnes of 
 ftages ; abhor the filthines of plaies ; promife a new life to the Lord, 
 and finalie for the attainement of his perpetual protedtion we offer vp 
 our felues wholie vnto God. 
 
 NoWj forafmuch as thefe things which we haue metioned, fhould 
 be done for Gods beneiites newlie extended vpon vs^ let vs confider 
 what is done. Wee run forthwith vnto plaies, we flie vnto madnes, 
 the people difperfe them felues in Theaters, the whole multitude 
 reuel it out at ftages. He beftoweth good thinges vpon vs, that wee 
 fhould be good ; we contrariewife when we haue receaued good, en- 
 creafe our wickednes ; He by his benefites calleth vs vnto godlines, we 
 therby fal to fin ; He by his gifts allureth to repentace, we rufh vnto 
 vncleannes : He calleth vnto puritie of life, we folowe filthines. 
 
 Thus we wel requite him for his liberalitie, we do wel either 
 
 acknowledge, or honor him for his giftes, who as greatlie do recom- 
 
 penfe him with iniuries, as he 
 
 hath mercifullie bleft vs 
 
 with benefits. 
 
 Finis. 
 
I20 Treattfes. 
 
 A third blafi of retrait 
 
 from plaies and Theaters, 
 
 Jhoiving the abhominatton 
 
 of them in the time prefent. 
 
 jNOWLEGE makes her feate and abode in the mindes of 
 thofe men, who are neither addicted to their owne opinion; 
 nor yet carried awaie with euerie likelihood of troth. For 
 as he that is vnwilling to heare, is furtheft from knowledge ; fo he 
 that is carried awaie with euerie likelihood, before he haue waded far 
 & deeplie in the caufe, dial prooue but flender of iudgement. But 
 he who neuer wil be fatisfied with reafon maie rightlie be counted 
 obftinate and peruerfe ; and without reafon to be perfuaded commeth 
 either of fimplicitie, or compulfion. 
 
 I write this to none other end but to fhowe, that as I ought not, 
 being wedded too much to mine owne opinion, to be caried to the 
 defence of a wrog caufe ; fo it doth not befeeme me ouerlightlie to be 
 mifled vnto error through the cenfure of thofe, whofe bare affirmation 
 or denial ferue onlie to maintaine, but not to prooue ; for that men 
 are not to be fatisfied with wordes, but with reafon. Which if I maie 
 be, I wil not be counted a peruerfe wrangler, but franklie wil con- 
 defcend into the opinion of the wife : otherwife am I to be pardoned, 
 though I ftand erneft & ftiffe againft that which is contrarie to 
 virtue ; difagreeing from good religion : furtheft from ciuilitie, and 
 maie neither by argument of reafon, nor power of learning be de- 
 fended . 
 
 Such doubtles is mine opinion of common plaies, vfual iefting, and 
 
Treatifes. 1 2 1 
 
 riming extempore that in a Chriftian-weale they are not fufferable. 
 My reafon is, becaufe they are publike enimies to virtue, & religion : 
 allurements vnto finne ; corrupters of good manners ; the caufe of 
 fecuritie and carelefnes; meere brothel houfes of Bauderie: and bring 
 both theGofpel into flander ; theSabboth into contempt; mens foules 
 into danger; and finalie the whole Common-wfeale into diforder. 
 
 Great and hainous fpeeches, no doubt : yet not fo hainous, as the 
 exercifeof them is odious ; biting wordes, yet not fo bitter as the caufe 
 requireth. 
 
 It were il painting the Diuel like an Angel, he muft be portraied 
 forth as he is, that he male the better be knowen. Sinne hath alwaies 
 a faire cloake to couer his filthie bodie. And therefore he is to be 
 turned out of his cafe into his naked flcin, that his naftie filthie bodie, 
 and ftinking corruption being perceaued, he might come into the 
 hatred and horror of men. For as we are naturalie of our felues euil 
 and corrupt : fo are we naturalie giuen to loue our felues, and to be 
 blinded with our owne afFedions, infomuch that, what we knowe to 
 be euil, we are not afliamed either openlie to defend, or flilie to 
 cloake. 
 
 The excufe of wickednes is but the increafe of punifhment ; & an 
 il caufe defended by audloritie, & maintained by learning, bringes 
 Magiftrates into flander, and learning into contempt. 
 
 This I fpeake, for that I knowe thofe aforefaid do want neither 
 countenance to vphold, nor yet ikil to defend them. But yet, vnder 
 corredion, an euil caufe maintained is nearetheles euil ; &, as pitch 
 defiles the toucher thereof, be he neuer fo cleane ; fo the virtuous bring 
 their life into queftion either by fufFerace, or maintenance of euil. 
 For who wil not iudge but what a man allowes in another, he com- 
 mends in himfelfe ? 
 
 R 
 
 1/^ 
 
122 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 I therefore with reuerence, not as a teacher, but as a wel-willer 
 both to the noble and learned, would wifhe them with Adrian the 
 Emperor to fuffer no paftime, that maie bring them to vanitie ; nor 
 to frequent that recreation which tendes either to the hurt of a Com- 
 monweale, or to the ouerthrowe of religion. 
 
 It is true that one opinion maie be contrarie to another ; and that 
 for the difliking of one or two, the qualitie of plaieng were not to be 
 laid oiF, being fo highlie efteemed of al fortes of men, for that euerie 
 man conceaueth of the goodnes or badnes of a thing according as it 
 feemeth in his owne opini5. And therefore the thing which they dif- 
 commend, maie be both liked, and allowed. 
 
 I confefle the iudgement of one or two is not to be allowed in fuch 
 cafes : neuertheles the opinions of the rude multitude are not alwais 
 the foundeft, which are mooued with vnconftant motions, whereby 
 raanie times they like of that which is moft hurtful ; and diflike that 
 which is moft profitable : becaufe the one pleafeth their humors, and 
 the other reftraineth their afi^edions. The cenfure therfore of them 
 who carie beft groud from Gods worde ; and is moft agreeable to 
 reafon, moft profitable for the Coinon-weale ; leaft hurtful to our 
 brethren : and tending alonelie to the reformation of abufe, is fooneft 
 to be allowed, and followed. 
 
 Then, whether this my iudgmet be to be admitted or no, as being 
 the foundeft, & refpeding the benefit of this our countrie, I leaue it to 
 the iudgement of the godlie, wife, and learned. And that I maie 
 feeme to write nothing without ground, or to finde fault without caufe, 
 I wil, God to freend, fet downe nothing to prooue mine aflertion 
 good, but what Scripture fhal warrant, examples confirme, reafon 
 allowe, and prefent experience ratifie. 
 
 Which mine arguments, if anie by more colour of truth, can ouer- 
 
Treatifes. 123 
 
 throwe, I am readie to recant, and to allowe that for good, which I 
 can yet but condemne as wicked, and thinke of al other to be the 
 moft intolerable abufe in our Comon-weale. For otherwife I cannot 
 thinke, vnles I be conftrained, as Petrarch faith, to iudge by other ^^.^^ 
 mens iudgements ; which who fo doth, iudgeth not of himfelfe, but 
 reportes the opinions of others, 
 
 Manie run on their courfes verie vainelie, til it pleafe God to cal 
 them home by the Spirit of his grace vnto amendment of life. For 
 when it flial pleafe him to touch the confcience of the wicked with 
 repentance, the whole ftate of their life doth alter from that it was 
 before : as male appeare in S. Paule at his conuerfion. And afluredlie 
 the Lord doth fufFer vs manie times to run paft our felues, that when 
 he hath called vs home, we male become examples of virtue and god- 
 lines vnto others. 
 
 I confefs that ere this I haue bene a great afFefter of that vaine art The Autors 
 
 ^ former fludie ; 
 
 of Plaie-making, infomuch that I haue thought no time fo wel be- and life. 
 flowed, as when my wits were exercifed in the inuention of thofe 
 follies : I might fcarfelie with patience heare anie man fpeake, were he 
 neuer fo learned and godlie, that thought to perfuade me from them. 
 So far was I from receauing of their good and godlie admonitions, 
 that I flopped mine eares, and hardened mineharte againft their counfel. 
 Such is our peeuifh nature ; we can like of nothing which doth diflike 
 vs, or feemeth contrarie to our vaine opinions. And therfore it is 
 God onlie, that mufl turne our mindes, otherwife we fhal neuer dif- 
 cerne profitable from hurtful things. For albe we haue fome about 
 vs, who counfel vs the befl, and feeke our profit : yet for al that our 
 nature is fo peruerfe & fro ward, that what is wel faid wil take no place. 
 This found I by my felfe, & this I now perceaue to be in others : but 
 the Lordes purpofe is good in al his dealings. 
 
124 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 Hereby learne 
 thou good 
 Reader, how to 
 fhun not onlie 
 the vanitie of 
 plaies, but al 
 other vanities, 
 after the ex- 
 ample of the 
 Autor, who by 
 diligent reading 
 the holie Scrip- 
 tures, and re- 
 pentance, fel 
 into an vtter de- 
 teftation of 
 plaies. 
 Luke xi. 9. 
 
 What God re- 
 quireth at our 
 hands. 
 
 Plaies cannot 
 abide the truth 
 of Gods word. 
 
 Vaine plaies 
 make vaine 
 folkes. 
 
 The ende why 
 his booke was 
 made. 
 
 It might haue bene faid of me then, as it was written of the wicked, 
 that They confidered not the waies of the Lord, but after when it 
 pleafed God of his mercie to cal mee to the reading of his worde, and 
 dihgent ftudie of the Scriptures, I began to loath my former life, and 
 to miflike my owne doings ; and I was no fooner drawen with an 
 hartie defire to returne vnto the Lorde, but I found my felfe ftrength- 
 ened with his grace vnto good defires. For the Lord neuer faileth 
 them that feeke him. Afluredlie his promife can neuer deceaue men, 
 but when they knock, the gate fhalbe opened vnto them ; & when 
 they feeke, they fhal find. There is nothing more required in vs, than 
 a readie defire of wel doing, who no doubt, being trulie ingraffed in 
 our minds, fhalbe fo watered with the dewe of Gods holie fpirit, that 
 it wil increafe and grow vp in vs to a more ful grouth and perfedtion. 
 
 When I came to a ftreit examination of my life, which I had 
 vainelie confumed in thofe exercifes : and that I began to cal mine 
 old doings into quefl:ion, and to trie them by the true tuch of Gods 
 word, I found what I had counted for gold to be but drofle, vile, and 
 of none account, hauing the propertie to make their fauorers of their 
 owne nature. 
 
 Then to the end that others fhould not be deceaued with that 
 wherewith my felfe was ouertaken, I thought it my part to laie open 
 to al mens eies the horrible abufe as wel of plaies as of the Inaftors, 
 & the diforder of their Auditorie ; that the abufe being perceaued, 
 euerie man might reforme himfelfe, & be weaned from their wicked- 
 nes ; or otherwife, that the Magiftrats being informed might take fuch 
 good waies, that the intolerable exercife of plaies might be vtterlie 
 put downe. For I am verilie perfuaded, that if they may be per- 
 mitted ftil to make fale of finne, we fhal pul on our heads Gods ven- 
 geance, & to our realme bring an vtter confufion. 
 
Treatifes. 125 
 
 What I fhal fpeake of the abufe by plaies of my owne knowledge, 
 I know male be affirmed by hundreds, to whome thofe matters are as 
 wel knowen as to my felfe. Some citizens wiues, vpon whom the 
 Lord for enfample to others hath laide his hands, haue euen on their Frutes of piaies 
 death beds with teares confefled, that they haue receiued at thofe owne mouth. 
 fpecflacles fuch filthie infedions, as haue turned their minds from 
 chaft cogitations, and made them of honeft women light hufwiues ; by i cor. vi. verfe 
 them they haue diflionored the veflels of holines ; and brought their 
 hufbandes into contempt, their children into queftio, their bodies into 
 ficknes, and their foules to the ftate of euerlafting damnation. 
 
 Such is the nature and inclination of vs al, that we run whether He thattouch- 
 affedtion leades vs, and are withdrawen by companie. And therefore defiled.' 
 Dauid faith. With the godlie, thou wilt fbowe thy felfe godlie ; with 2 Sam. xxH. 
 the vpright man thou wilt fliowe thy felf vpright. With the pure p^ ^^jjj ^ '^^ 
 thou wilt fliewe thy felfe pure, and with the froward, thou wilt fliowe 
 thy felfe froward. 
 
 The repaire of them that are honeft to thofe places of euil refort, Auoid luvaed 
 
 places. 
 
 makes their owne good life to be doubted of; for that the place breedes 
 fufpicion afwel of good, as of bad. For who can fee man or woman 
 refort to an houfe which is notoriouflie wicked, but wil iudge them to 
 be of the crewe of the wicked and vngodlie } 
 
 The moft honeft wife, is the fooneft aflalted, and hath fuch fnares xhebeftfocneft 
 
 tempted. 
 
 laid to entrap her, as, if God aflift her not, ftie muft needes be taken. 
 
 When I gaue my felfe firft to note the abufe of common plaies, I Hombie fmnes 
 found mine harte fore fmitten with forowe (finne did there fo abound & mitted at 
 was fo openlie committed, that I looked when God in iuftice would 
 haue prefentlie in his wrath haue confounded the beholders). The Marke this, 6 
 
 11 r Ti 1 • • y^^ fauorers, 
 
 Theater I found to be an appomted place or bauderie ; mine owne frequeters, & 
 eares haue heard honeft women allured with abhominable fpeeches. piaies. 
 
 \^ 
 
126 Treatifes. 
 
 Sometime I haue feen two knaues at once importunate vpon one light 
 hufwife ; whereby much quarel hath growen to the difquieting of 
 manie. There feruants, as it is manifeftlie to be prooued, haue con- 
 fented to rob their maifters, to fupplie the want of their harlots ; 
 there is the pradtifing with married wiues to traine them from their 
 hufbands, and places appointed for meeting and conference. 
 Who can tauor When I had taken a note of all thefe abufes, & fawe that the 
 / Autorsthe(eiues Theater was become a confulto rie houfe of Satan, I concluded with 
 
 abhor them. r \r • i • r '\ r 1_ 
 
 my lelre, neuer to imploie my pen to lo vile a purpole, nor to be an 
 inftrument of gathering the wicked together. 
 
 It maie feeme I am ouer lauifh of fpeech ; and that which I haue 
 publiquelie exprefTed of others by mine owne knowledge might haue 
 bene diflembled. But I haue learned that he who diffembles the euil 
 which he knowes in other men, is as giltie before God of the offence, 
 as the offenders thefelues. And the Lord hath expreflie commanded 
 Exod.xxiii. in Exodus, that we fhould not folowe a multitude to do euil, neither 
 agree in a controuerfie to decline after many, and ouerthrowe the 
 truth. I cannot therefore but refifl fuch wickednes, leaft I might 
 feeme to maintaine them. For he that diffembles vngodlines is a 
 traitor to God. 
 
 Since therefore that the caufe is Gods, I dare prefTe forth my felfe 
 to be an Aduocate againfl Satan vnto the rooting out of finne. For 
 I am fully refolued in Gods truth, to build fo flrong and fure a fun- 
 dation againfl thefe fellers, & fetters forth of finne, as neither they, 
 nor their adherents fhal euer be able to ouerthrowe. And my truft is 
 that the godlie wil ioine with me to the fuppreffmg of thofe which 
 fight againft his worde, waging their battel on the Sabboth day the 
 more conuenientlie to deftroie the foules of the children of God. 
 
 The caufe is generalie to be defended, for that the contention of 
 
Treatifes. 127 
 
 the Aduerfaries is about religion, and therefore none can be difcharged 
 for bare faieng they confent not to the wicked. For it is the part of 
 euerie true foldier of Jefus Chrift with al power to withftand, & refift 
 fuch as offer wrong to the maieftie of God, by hindering the feruice 
 which we owe vnto him. We are to be enimies vnto the death 
 againft thofe vpholders of wickednes ; and neuer to giue ouer the 
 battel in fo holie, & iuft a quarel. 
 
 We fee the wicked are alwaies readie to maintaine euil caufes, & 
 in thefe daies the worft men flial find bearers, and bolfterers, and be 
 fupported by thofe, who by iuftice are to fuppreffe them, or at leaft 
 to reforme their abufes, which are intolerable. U the wicked lurke 
 together to vpholde their lewdenes, how much more ought the faith- 
 ful to ioine themfelues together to plucke downe vanitie ! 
 
 I knowe my felfe a worme of al other the weakeft to medle in 
 thefe cafes, yet fuch is my defire to ouerthrowe their wickednes, that 
 I dare, inflamed with the holie zeale of Dauid in the quarel of God, 
 vnprovided both of armor and weapon, with one poore fling refift the 
 ftrength of their hugeft Champion, and endure the brunt of his fierce 
 afTalts ; doubting not but to finde fome that wil ftande with me to 
 ouerthrowe the enimies of God, and to pul downe thofe flags of 
 defiace, which Satan hath fet vp againft the preaching of the Gofpel to 
 the decaie of the Church. 
 
 Let vs delaie no time, deere brethren, their doings are abhomi- 
 nable in the fight and eares of God, and condemned of the righteous : 
 if therefore fentence againft their euil workes be not executed fpeedily. 
 The hartes of the children of men, as Ecclefiaftes faith, wilbe fullie Ecci. %, n. 
 fet in them to do euil. piaies do not 
 
 If there were nothing to moue you, but the breach of Gods com- the Gofpei, but 
 
 . - „. jrr-JI hurte the Com- 
 
 mandement, it were great caufe to ftir vp your godlie tune, and zeale mon-weaie. 
 
128 Treatifes. 
 
 to difcommend plaies vtterlie : but their abufes ftretching further 
 
 into the Common-wealth, are by fufFerance growen fo huge, that it is 
 
 hard dealing with them as againft foes ; for they are become priuate 
 
 Wales how to frcends. They are therefore to be delt withal by degrees. For it is 
 
 uppre e p aies. ^^^.^ ^^^^ ^^ roote out that fro our hartes, be it neuer fo great an 
 
 abufe, wherof we haue conceaued a good opinion. 
 The Magiftrates Let therefore the Magiftrate but repel them from the libertie of 
 
 dutie in fup- ... 
 
 preffing plaies. plaieng on the Sabboth daie, For that is the abufe which is generahe 
 found fault withal, & allowed of none but thofe who are altogether 
 deftitute of the feare of God, and without confcience. To plaie on 
 the Sabboth is but a priuiledge of fufFerance, and might with eafe be 
 repelled, were it throughlie folowed. The warrant which Magiflrats 
 have to forbid plaies is great, and pafled vnto them by fuch a Prince, 
 whofe auftoritie is aboue al au6tori[ti]es of earthlie gouernors. . 
 
 Exo. 20, 8,9, QqJ \x'xt!a. giuen vs an expreffe commandement that wee fhould not 
 violate the Sabboth daie ; and prefcribed an order how it fhould be 
 fanftified, namelie in holines, by calling into minde the fpiritual reft ; 
 
 Worices which hearing the worde of God; and ceffing from worldlie bufines. 
 
 God requireth » ° 
 
 on the Sabboth. Whcrevpon Ifaiah the Prophet fhowing how the Sabboth fhould be 
 ^^aie 5 , ver e Q^^^gj-^g^j^ faith. If thou tume away thy foote from the Sabboth, from 
 doing thy wil on mine holie daie, & cal the Sabboth a delite, to con- 
 fecrate it, as glorious to the Lord, and fhalt honor him, not doing 
 Efa. 58. 14. thine owne waies, nor feeking thine owne wil, nor fpeaking a vaine 
 worde, then fhalt thou delite in the Lord, and I wil caufe thee to 
 mount vpon the hie places of the earth, and feede thee with the heri- 
 tage of laakob thy father : for the mouth of the Lord hath fpoken it. 
 How the Sab- Here we fee how the Lord requireth that this daie fhould be 
 fumed!'^'^""' obferued ; and what reft he looketh for at our hands. But, alas, how 
 do we followe the order which the Lord hath fet downe ! Is not the 
 
Treatifes. 129 
 
 Sabboth of al other daies the moft abufed ? whiche of vs on that daie 
 is not carried whether his afFedlion leades him vnto al diffolutenes of 
 life ? How often do wee vfe on that daie vnreuerend fpeeches ? which 
 of vs hath his hart occupied in the feare of God ? who is not led 
 awaie to the beholding of thofe fpedtacles, the fight whereof can bring 
 but confufion both to our bodies and foules ? 
 
 Are not our eies (there*) carried awaie with the pride of vanitie? 'Atpiaies. 
 our eares abufed with amorous, that is lecherous, filthie, and abhomi- Euerie meber of 
 
 , , _ . . . man defiled at 
 
 nable ipeech ? Is not our tong, which was giuen vs onelie to glorifie piaies. 
 God withal, is not our tong there imploied to the blafpheming of 
 Gods holie Name ; or the commendation of that is wicked ? Are not 
 our hartes through the pleafure of the flefh ; the delight of the eie ; 
 and the fond motions of the mind, withdrawen from the feruice of the 
 Lord, & meditation of his goodnes ? 
 
 So that albe it is a fhame to faie it, yet doubtles whofoeuer wil 
 mark with what multitudes thofe idle places are repleniftied, & how ^^^ 
 
 emptie the Lordes fandtuarie is of his people, may wel perceaue what 
 deuotion we haue. We maie wel faie, wee are the feruants of the 
 Lord: but the flender feruice wee do him, and the fmal regard we 
 haue of his commandements, declares our want of loue towardes 
 him. For, if yee loue me, faith Chrift, keepe my commandements. John 14, verfe 
 We maie wel be hirelings, but we are none of his houfhold. 
 
 Wherfore abufe not fo the Sabboth daie, my brethren, leaue not 
 the temple of the Lord ; fit not ftil in the quagmire of your owne 
 luftes ; but put to your ftrength to helpe your felues, before your owne 
 waight finke you downe to hel. Redeeme the time, for the daies are Eph.5, 16. 
 
 euij. None delight in 
 
 Alas, what folie is in you, to purchafe with a penie damnation to defbut^fuch as 
 your felues ? why feeke yee after finne, as after a banket ? None ^"iw. ^ ''"' 
 
13° Treattfes. 
 
 delight in thofe fpedtacles, but fuch as would be made fpedlacles. 
 Account not of their drofle ; their treafures are too bafe to be laied vp 
 in the rich coafers of your minde. Repentance is furtheft from you, 
 ly" when you are neareft fuch maiegames. Al of you, for the moft part, 
 
 do leefe the time, or rather wilfulie caft the fame awaie ; contemning 
 that as nothing, which is fo pretious as your liues cannot redeeme. 
 
 Time would not I would to God you would bcftowe the time you confume in thofe 
 vanities in feeking after virtue, & glorie. For to fpeake trulie, what- 
 foeuer is not conuerted to the vfe wherefore it was ordained, maie be 
 
 End of mas faid to be loft. For to this end was man borne, and had the benefit 
 of time giuen him, that he might honor, ferue, and loue his Creator, 
 & thinke vpon his goodnes. For whatfouer is done without this is 
 doubtles caft awaie. 
 
 Oh, how can yee then excufe your felues for the lofle of time ! do 
 ye imagine that your carelefle life fhal neuer bee brought into queftion } 
 Thinke yee the wordes of S. Paule the Apoftle are fpoken in vaine, 
 
 2 Cor. 5, verfe whcn he faith. We muft al appeare before the iudgment feate of Chrift, 
 that euerie man maie receiue the things which are done in his bodie, 
 according to that he hath done, whether it be good or euil. When 
 that account fhalbe taken, I feare me your reckoning wilbe to feeke. 
 But you faie, tufti al is wel, can the Lord fee this ? wel, folowe the 
 thoughtes of your owne harts, & fee what fhal come vpon you .? yee 
 fhal find al your imaginations to be wicked : and though you flatter 
 your felues in your finnes, tempt the Lord in his mercie, and pricke 
 forward his flownes of wrath by your prefumption : yet he will ftrike 
 in the end to your vtter cofufion. 
 
 Be thou not wicked ouermuch, neither be thou foolifh ; wherefore 
 
 Ecci. 7, 19. fhouldest thou perifh not in thy time, faith Ecclefiaftes godlie. And 
 
 I'mu. 30, v„fe Salomon, If thou haft bene foolifh in lifting vp thy felfe, and if thou 
 
J^'Tt' 
 
 Treatijes. 1 3 1 
 
 haft thought wickedlle, laie thine hande vpon thy mouth.* Againe, ' Ceffe from 11 
 Blefted is the man that feareth alwaie, but he that hardeneth his harte p°'„7,' ^g ^„,^ 
 fhal fal into euil. '4- 
 
 What fhal I faie ? None but the wicked fauor iniquitie. The 
 defpifers of God, looke where they take anie pleafure, and find 
 fweetnes, there they hold them-felues, and feede their greedie humors ; 
 & it falleth out, as Salomon faith, that he who is throughlie an 
 hungred, thinkes the meate which he eateth to be fweete, although it 
 be as bitter as wormewood. 
 
 Thofe vnfauerie morfels of vnfeemelie fentences paffing out of the 
 mouth of a rufFenlie plaier doth more content the hungrie humors of 
 the rude multitude, and carieth better rellifh in their mouthes, than 
 the bread of the worde, which is the foode of the Soule. 
 
 They are alwaies eating, & neuer fatisfied. : euer feeing, & neuer 
 contented ; continualie hearing, & neuer wearied ; they are greedie 
 of wickednes, and wil let no time, nor fpare for anie weather (fo 
 great is their deuotion to make their pilgrimage) to offer their penie 
 to the Diuel. 
 
 It is the nature of the wicked to find alwaie fuch fweetenes in their The nature of 
 mifdoings, as they wil neuer giue ouer, til they be ouerthrowen by 
 Gods righteous iudgement, or reclamed by the fecret working of his 
 holie fpirit. 
 
 Looke vpon a whore-mafter, if he be once chafed with his owne caiuin vpon 
 luft, the Divel blindes him, and makes him take fuch pleafure in his ° '" ^''" '''^' 
 wickednes, that al his delight is therein. If a ma be giuen to droken- 
 nes, or to other wickednes, he wil hardlie be reclamed, or giue it 
 ouer, fo great fweetenes doth he taft in thefe vnfeemlie pleafures, if 
 fo I maie faie. Thus you maie fee the defpifers of God do finde 
 fweetenes in al their mifdoings. 
 
132 Treatifes. 
 
 O my deere brethren, let not your affedtions carie you to wicked- 
 nes ; it behooueth you to be verie warie, and circumfped how you 
 thruft your felues into publique aflemblies of prophane plaies, fince 
 there be fo manie incitements vnto loofenes, & fo manie meanes to 
 traine you to vnthriftines there, as wonder it is, if you haunt them 
 but your foules wilbe grieuouflie hurt. 
 
 Pleafure their capitaine is fo poHtique an enimie, that he knowes 
 how to traine you into danger. But when ye are once within his 
 lap, hard wil it be for you to efcape, becaufe he can vfe you fo 
 freendlie, and fo fitlie applie himfelfe to your appetites, that yee wil 
 rather wifli to be in bondage with him, than at libertie without him. 
 So that yee are warilie to ftiun his ambuflies, and fo to retire, that 
 Satan be not able to endamage you anie kind of waie. And that you 
 male do it the better, it is meete that yee be made priuie to his 
 fubtile pollicies. 
 
 It was trulie faid of Chryfoftome, that none is hurt but of himfelf ; 
 no man hath fo dangerous a foe, as that he caries about him. The 
 fnake in our bofome, which wee nurifh with fuch care, wil fooneft 
 annoie vs. Let vs throwe awaie our flefblie minds, and bridle our 
 affeftions. For if they maie haue the hed, they wil neuer leaue run- 
 ning til they haue ouerthrowen vs, and brought vs to a wretched ftate. 
 
 In the beginning euerie difeafe is to be ftopped, and cured : but if 
 a fore run ouer-long it wil growe paft the cure of the Phyfition. 
 Duticofa The Magiftrate is therefore to prouide in time a remedie to 
 
 redrefle the mifchiefes that are like to enfue by this common plague. 
 They which gouerne the ftate are to trie, and decerne each caufe, 
 that they appeare not to deale vnaduifedlie. They are to be diligent 
 to finde out the truth of things ; and when a matter is knowen of 
 them to be euil, it is their part to reforme it ; otherwife by negli- 
 gence they ihal run into the difpleafure of God. 
 
 Mag'iftrate. 
 
Treatifes. 133 
 
 The Magiftrates hart muft be as the hart of a Lion. He is not virtues of a 
 to flirinke in the Lordes caufe, or to ftand in feare to reforme abufes '^"«''*"''^- 
 of the Common-weale, becaufe of fome particular men of auftoritie. 
 He muft haue both ftoutnes and conftancie to repreJTe euil. And 
 then doubtles the Lord wil blefle them in their enterprifes. Let not 
 therefore the interceffion of the mightie mooue the Magiftrate to ftaie 
 his fworde from doing iuftice on the wicked. 
 
 The parciaiitie which is vfed in thefe daies for fauor, makes thefe 
 yonkers to become bolder by reafon of thofe liberties which are granted 
 them. They vphold themfelues by the countenance of their maifters : 
 as if their audloritie were a warrant fufficient for them to do euil, and 
 to beare them out againft good orders. 
 
 Let not the abufe of the Sabboth proceede further and further, and 
 in the meane while the iudge be a looker on, daring not for feare to 
 reforme their diforder til al be out of order. Alas, that priuate affec- 
 tion fhould fo raigne in the Nobilitie, that to pleafjre, as they thinke, a note for 
 their feruants, and to vphold them in their vanitie, they fhould reftraine 
 the Magiftrates from executing their office ! What credite can returne 
 to the Noble, to coutenance his men to exercife that qualitie which is 
 not fufFerable in anie Coinon-weale ? wheras it was an ancient cuftome, 
 that no man of Honor fhould reteine anie man, but fuch as was excel- 
 lent in fome one good qualitie or other, whereby if occafion fo ferued, 
 he might get his owne liuing? Then was euerie noble mas houfe a 
 Commonweale in it felfe : but fince the reteining of thefe Caterpillers, 
 the credite of noble men hath decaied, they are thought to be couetous 
 by permitting their feruants, which cannot Hue of them felues, and phiers bold 
 whome for neerenes they wil not maintaine, to hue at the deuotion or ^^^"'' 
 almes of other men, pafling from countrie to countrie, from one Gen- 
 tlemans houfe to another, offering their feruice, which is a kind of 
 
134 Treatifes. 
 
 beggerie. Who in deede, to fpeake more trulie, are become beggers 
 for their feruants. For comonlie the goodwil men beare to their 
 lordes, makes them drawe the ftringes of their purfes to extend their 
 liberalitie to them ; where otherwife they w6uld not. 
 
 By fuch infamous perfons much time is loft ; and manic daies of 
 honeft trauel are turned into vaine exercifes. Wherein is learned 
 nothing but abufe ; poore men Iluing by their hankie labor, are by 
 them trained vnto vnthriftines ; fcholers by their gaudes are allured 
 from their ftudies. 
 
 Thus the people are robbed ; youth corrupted ; the Sabboth pro- 
 phaned ; and of al thefe euils, who are counted the vpholders but the 
 
 Traiane the Noble, who of right fliould eftablifti the lawe of the Roman Traiane, 
 who commanded that no plaier, iefter, nor iugler fhould be admitted in 
 his Common-weale to pick the purfes of his fubiedls, but that they 
 (liould either learne fome occupation to mainteine themfelues in their 
 owne houfes, or otherwife be banifhed out of Rome. But now fuch 
 like men, vnder the title of their maifters or as reteiners, are priuiledged 
 to roaue abroad, and permitted to publifh their mametree in euerie 
 
 Temples pro- Temple of God, and that through England, vnto the horrible con- 
 
 phaned with ^ . i o • • i t • 
 
 piaies. tempt or praier. So that now the Sandtuarie is become a plaiers ftage, 
 
 and a den of theeues and adulterers. 
 Why the Emp. It was ordaincd in Rome by that aforefaid Emperor, that the 
 ed"but'i2°hone. Romans fliould obferue but in holie daies throughout the whole yeere. 
 out"th^y°"e.' ^°'' ^^ thought without al doubting, that the gods were more ferued 
 
 on fuch daies as the Romans did labor, than on fuch daies as they 
 
 refted : becaufe the vices were moe then which they did commit, than 
 
 the facrifices they did offer. 
 God worft And truft me I am of that opinion, that the Lord is neuer fo il 
 
 sTboth'daies. fcrued as on the holie-daies. For then hel breakes loafe. Then wee 
 
Treatifes. 135 
 
 permit our youth to haue their fwinge ; and when they are out of the -- 
 
 fight of their maifters, fuch gouernment haue they of themfelues, that 
 what by il companie they meete withal, & il examples they learne at 
 plaies, I feare me, I feare me their harts are more alienated in two 
 houres from virtue, than againe maie wel be amended in a whole 
 yeare. 
 
 But let vs leaue to fpeake hereof, and returne we to the further 
 abufe of thefe plaies, which is in breach of the firft Table of the c6- 
 mandements. Is it not expreflie commanded of God in Deuteronomie, 
 That we fhould not take his Name in vaine, either by fwearing rafhlie, Deu. 11,5. 
 or falflie ? Are we not flatlie warnd, if wee doe infringe the fame, 
 that he wil not hold vs giltles ? yet how wel this commandement is 
 kept at plaies, no man which refortes to heare them, but can report. 
 
 How often is the facred, and reuerend Name of God blafphemed on The Wafphe- 
 the ftages without regard of his iudgements ! Is not he held the vfed at piaies. 
 gallanteft rufler, that can rap out the moft difguifed othes, to tempt 
 the Lord withal I As who fhould fay, it were allowable to fweare, fo 
 it were done couertlie. As if it were none offence to refemble the 
 wicked ; and that to diffemble were commendable. 
 
 Chrift hath willed vs not to fweare at al, but thefe felowes thinke Matth. 5, verfe 
 
 34* 
 
 they maie iugle with God, as they do with the world. Therefore to 
 verefie their falfe-hoodes they take the names of lupiter, Saturne, 
 luno, & fuch like prophane Gods, as they are called, and Goddeffes 
 of the Gentils, and that they thinke they maie do lawfulie. But, if 
 that be not lawful which by the Scripture is not warranted, I dare 
 auar that that fwearing is as odious as the other ; and as plainlie for- 
 bidden by the worde of God. As we maie read in Exodus ; where Exod. 23, 
 
 veric I %. 
 
 among other things that God fetteth downe for the Ifraelits to do, he 
 giueth this vnto them as a principal charge, that they make no men- 
 
iS^ Treatifes. 
 
 tion of the names of other Gods ; that they open not their lips to 
 fpeake of them ; or to fweare by them, or otherwife. And herevpon 
 
 piai. i6, 4. Dauid faith. That the forowes of them which offer to another God 
 fhal be multiphed, their offerings of bioud, faith he, wil I not offer, 
 neither make mention of their names with my lips. 
 
 piaitrs open How then Can thefe men excufe them-felues, that they haue not 
 
 offered this facrifice of bloud ! when they not onelie name thofe pro- 
 phane gods in their mouthes, and take them as witneffes of their 
 falfhood, fhal wee not faie they haue confented to idolatrie ? I 
 refer their caufe to be confidered of the learned, my felf male not 
 pafTe beyond my latchet : but this much I dare affirme, that thefe 
 men which dallie with God with their blafphemous fwearings, are not 
 out of the danger of his indignation, and without repentance fhalbe 
 no partakers of Chrift, nor of his merites. 
 
 For al their othes what are they but open reproches againfl the 
 Name of God ? When thefe men fweare, as they fweare at aduen- 
 ture, doth it not declare that they regard not the Name of God, 
 which ought to be holden holie in our fight? Who fo fweareth 
 
 Leuit. 19, verCe vainlle by the Name of the Lord, defileth it. The Ifraelitifh womans 
 
 Lcuit. 24, verCe fonne for blafpheming the Name of the Lord, was ftoned to death. 
 
 ., ' ' , How is it, my deere brethren, that we can heare the name of the 
 
 Who can heare ' -' ' 
 
 Ibhorthem"' Lord vttcrcd from the mouth of thefe blafphemers, without cafling 
 downe our heads, and acknowledging his infinite maieflie ! How is 
 it, that we can heare, without flopping our eares, fo many counterfet 
 othes vttered of plaiers ! which, as light as they feeme in our eies. 
 Hearers of piaici are great reproches, and iniuries to the Maiefliie of God. Wherevnto 
 the wickednes yee are accefTarie, inafmuch as yee can vouchfafe to heare them without 
 fcruple of cofcience. But it appeareth yee haue litle confcience, and 
 therefore be fo litle moued. 
 
Magiftrats. 
 
 Treatifes. 137 
 
 Others there be which flatter themfelues in euil, accepting that pre- Defenders of 
 tious which is mofl: prophane. They wll ftand in contention, and '''""■ 
 defend the caufe of the wicked, yea they haue prepared argumets 
 againft Gods children ; fo fmal power haue they to withftand the 
 fancies which the diuel putteth into their heads. Wei, let thefe men 
 make their arguments, as fure as they can, though they haue an 
 hundred replies in defence of the wicked, yea, and fuch as maie feeme 
 to carie good likelihood for the maintenance of their caufe : yet fhal 
 they be as nothing, but fal to the earth, when the iudge of the caufe 
 fhal argue againft them. What fhal I faie ? wickednes fo encreafeth, 
 and groweth more and more to ripenes, when men giue it fcope, & 
 feeke not to redreffe it in conuenient time. When the wicked are fuf- a note of 
 fered and not reprefled, we muft needs faie the Magiftrate is a caufe of 
 fuch mifbehauior. Sixe fcore yeeres before the floud, the world did 
 fo exceede in voluptuoufnes and pleafure, as if the Lord had left to 
 take the charge of men : but whileft they liued fo at pleafure & 
 eafe, their arrainement was preparing in heauen : & when their finne 
 was ripe, the Lord pronounced iudgement againft thofe wicked liuers; 
 rained from heauen, & made a general fubmerfion of the whole 
 worlde. I cannot otherwife think, but that the wrath of God hanges 
 ouer vs, and that our arrainment is alredie drawen : we lacke but our 
 iudgment, which can pronounce nothing but death and damnation, 
 the finnes of all men are fo greeuous. 
 
 If we would confider the fhortnes of our life, which with the 
 turning of an hande maie be cut ofF, we could not be fo careles of 
 our felues. But the pleafures of this life fo beguile vs, & drawe vs 
 from the cofideration of our eftate, that we are vtterlie vnmindful of 
 our duties, and forgetful of God, and his worde. But let vs not 
 thinke that God in fparing vs of his mercie, doth giue libertie for to 
 
 T 
 
138 Treatifes. 
 
 fmne, as though we might do wickedlle becaufe we are vnpunifhed. 
 
 Oh let vs not delaie our amendment til he finite, but rather with 
 
 the repenting Niniuites aduifedlie preuent his judgements ; otherwife, 
 
 : Thefs. 5, when we fhal faie like reprobates, Peace, and falfetie, then fhal come 
 
 verie 3. 
 
 vpon vs fudden deftruftion. 
 
 Alas, that we fhould fo vnmeafurablie folowe thofe vanities, which 
 God condemneth. Thofe pleafures of the ftage, what are they, but 
 the drifts of Satan, which he vfeth to blind our eies withal, the more 
 eafilie to carie vs from the obedience of God ! Such knacks from 
 time to time he hath fet vp, and men haue willinglie followed that 
 which they haue liked of, and which the pleafure of the flefh hath 
 drawen them vnto. Yea, now adaies we fee manie that onelie feeke 
 after thofe vaine delights, counting no time wel fpent, but that they 
 confume in beholding of gaudes. 
 
 And albe thefe paftimes were not (as they are) to be condemned 
 fimplie of their owne nature : yet becaufe they are fo abufed they are 
 abhominable. For the foole no fooner ftioweth himfelfe in his 
 colors to make men merrie, but ftraight-waie lightlie there foloweth 
 fome vanitie, not onlie fuperfluous, but beaftlie and wicked. 
 
 Yet are we fo caried awaie with his vnfeemelie gefture, and vn- 
 reuerend fcorning, that wee feeme onelie to be delighted in him ; 
 and are not content to fport our felues with modeft mirth, as the 
 matter giues occafion, vnles it be intermixed with knauerie, dronken 
 merie-ments, craftie coofenings, vndecent iuglings, clownifti conceites, 
 & fuch other curfed mirth, as is both odious in the fight of God, & 
 offenfiue to honeft eares, being forbidden by S. Paule in his epiftle 
 Ephes. 5, 3, 4. vnto the Ephefians, where he willeth vs expreflie, that Neither filthi- 
 nes, neither foolifh talking, nor iefting, which are things not comelie, 
 fhould be once named among vs. Al which things wee now count 
 
Treatifes. 139 
 
 but light finnes (fo blinde we are, and fo far paft our felues, & the 
 knowledge of God.) 
 
 No zelous hart but muft needs bleed, to fee how manie Chriftian 
 foules are there fwalowed vp in the whirle-poole of diuelifti im- 
 pudencie. Whofoeuer fhal vifit the chappel of Satan, I meane the Theaters the 
 Theater, fhal finde there no want of yong ruffins, nor lacke of harlots, Satan. 
 vtterlie paft al fhame : who prefTe to the fore-frunt of the fcaffoldes, 
 to the end to fhowe their impudencie, and to be as an obiedt to al 
 mens eies. Yea, fuch is their open ftiameles behauior, as euerie man 
 maie perceaue by their wanton geftures, wherevnto they are giuen ; 
 yea, they feeme there to be like brothels of the ftewes. For often The open 
 without refpedt of the place, and company which behold them, they harlots at piaies. 
 commit that filthines openlie, which is horrible to be done in fecret ; 
 as if whatfoeuer they did, were warranted. For neither reuerence, 
 iuftice, nor anie thing befide can gouerne them. 
 
 Alas, that youth fhould become fo diuelifh, and voide of the An admonition 
 
 to Magiftrats. 
 
 feare of God. Let Magiftrates afture themfelues, that without 
 fpeedie redrefle al things wil growe fo far out of order, as they wll be 
 paft remedie. Shamefaftnes, & modeftle is quite baniftied from 
 yong men : they are vtterlie ftiameles, ftubborne, and impudent. 
 
 It was wel faid of Caluine, that a man fettled in euil, wil make but 
 a fcof of religion. He preacheth in vaine, that preacheth vnto the 
 deafe. Tel manie of thefe men of the Scripture, they wil fcof, 
 and turne it vnto a ieft. Rebuke them for breaking the Sabboth 
 day, they wil faie, you are a man of the Sabboth you are verie 
 p recife ; you wil allowe vs nothing ; you wil haue nothing but the 
 worde of God : you wil permit vs no recreation, but haue men like 
 Afles, who neuer reft but when they are eating. 
 
 Seeke to withdrawe thefe felowes from the Theater vnto the 
 
140 Treatifes. 
 
 fermon, they wil faie. By the preacher they maie be edified, but by 
 the plaier both edified and delighted. So that in them the faleng of 
 
 Rom. 8, 7. S. Paule is verified, where he faith, that The wifedome of the flefh is 
 nothing but enimitie againft GOD. How fmal heede take they of 
 thefelues, which fuffer their owne wicked afFedions to withdrawe 
 them from God, and his worde. Wee neede not voluntarilie feeke 
 our owne deftrudion. For he that is virtuouflie difpofed, fhal finde 
 lewd perfons enough to withdrawe him from wel doing by the pro- 
 mife of pleafure, and delightful paftime, wherevnto we are naturalie 
 
 Theaters the inclined, vnto the Schoolehoufe of Satan, and chappel of il counfel, 
 
 fchoolehoufe of 
 
 Satan, and whcrc he fiial fcc fo much iniquitie & loafenes; and fo great outrage 
 
 chappels of il _ _ _ . 
 
 counfel. and fcope of finne, that it is a wonder, if he returne not either 
 
 wounded in confcience, or changed in life. 
 
 Counfel to I would wifh therefore al maifl;ers, not onlie to withdraw them- 
 
 felues, but their feruants alfo, fro fuch wicked aflemblies. For it is 
 alwaies wifdome to fhun the occafions of euil. 
 
 Youth wilbe withdrawen by companie, if they be not reftrained of 
 their libertie. They neede not to feek for fchoole-mafters, they can 
 learne euil too faft of themfelues, and are pregnant enough at home to 
 learne vnhappines. Manie of nature, honeft, and tradable, haue bene 
 altered by thofe fhowes and fpeftacles, and become monfterous. Mans 
 minde, which of it felfe is proane vnto vice, is not to be pricked for- 
 ward vnto wantonnes, but bridled : if it be left vnto it felfe, it hardlie 
 ftandeth ; if it be driuen forth, it runneth headlong. 
 
 Rom. 6, 3. Flee far from Babylon, yee that carrie the Lordes veflels. For- 
 
 fomuch as yee are baptized into Chrift, it ftandeth you vpo to be holie 
 both of bodie and minde, & to dedicate your felues to his feruice, 
 which yee fhal neuer do, vnles ye withdraw your felues from the 
 inticements of vanitie, and efchue the occafions of euil, which that yee 
 
Treatifes. 141 
 
 maie the better do, yee are to faften your eies vpon God, by whome 
 we are fandtified. 
 
 Let not the examples of the wicked be a prefident vnto vs, neither 11 examples to 
 let vs be drawen awaie to euil with the multitude. Cuftome {hal but 
 make vs bold in fin, and the companie of fcorners make vs more 
 impudent, and difordered of life. 
 
 It is not for vs to excufe our felues by the doings of other men ; it 
 wil not be taken for an excufe, although we could alleage that euerie 
 man doth as wee doe. For it is no meanes to acquite vs before God, 
 to faie that other be no better than our felues. I would rather wifh 
 that the euil conuerfation of others might be an occafion to drawe vs 
 backe ; leaft perhaps we be wrapped in the vices that raigne in al the 
 wicked, and fo be partakers of the punifhment due to them. For we 
 are not to walke as men that looke but onlie vpon the creatures, but 
 our part is to fet God before our eies, whofe prefence we cannot poffi- 
 blie efcape. 
 
 It is maruelous to confider how the gefturing of a plaier, which Motion of the 
 
 bodie. 
 
 Tullie termeth the eloquence of the bodie, is of force to moue, and 
 prepare a man to that which is il. For fuch thinges be difclofed to 
 the eie, and to the eare, as might a great deale better be kept clofe- 
 Whereby a double offence is committed ; firfl by thofe difTolute 
 plaiers, which without regard of honeftie, are not afhamed to exhibit 
 the filthiefl matters they can deuife to the fight of men : fecondly by 
 the beholders, which vouchfalfe to heare and behold fuch filthie things, 
 to the great lofTe both of themfelues and the time. There cometh 
 much euil in at the eares, but more at the eies, by thefe two open 
 windowes death breaketh into the foule. Nothing entereth more 
 effedtualie into the memorie, than that which commeth by feeing : 
 things heard do lightlie pafTe awaie, but the tokens of that which wee 
 
142 Treatifes. 
 
 haue feene, faith Petrarch, fticke faft in vs whether we wil or no : and 
 yet they enter not into vs, vnles we be willing, except verie feldome. 
 
 Alack what violence carieth vs awaie, to be merie an hower, and 
 alwaies after to be fad : to fee that at one time, which a thoufande times 
 after wee fhal rue that euer we fawe it ! 
 
 Manie haue ben intangled with the webs of thefe fpiders, who 
 would gladlie haue bene at libertie when they could not. The webs 
 are fo fubtillie fpun, that there is no man that is once within them, 
 that can auoide them without danger. None can come within thofe 
 Snares of piaies. fnarcs that male efcape vntaken, be Hie maide, matrone, or whatfoeuer ; 
 fuch force haue their inchantments of pleafure to drawe the afFediions 
 of the mind. 
 
 This inward fight hath vanquiflied the chaftitie of manie women ; 
 fome by taking pittie on the deceitful teares of the ftage louers, haue 
 bene mooued by their com-plaint to rue on their fecret frends, whome 
 they haue thought to haue tafted like torment ; fome hauing noted 
 the enfamples how maidens reftreined from the marriage of thofe 
 whome their frends haue mifliked, haue there learned a policie to 
 preuent their parents, by ftealing them awaie ; fome feeing by enfample 
 of the ftage plaier one carried with too much liking of an other mans 
 wife, hauing noted by what praftife ftie hath bene aflailed and ouer- 
 taken, haue not failed to put the like in effedl in earneft, that was 
 afore ftiowen in ieft. 
 
 The wilines and craft of the ftage is not yet fo great, as is without 
 on the fca ffolde s. For that they which are euil difpofed, no fooner 
 heare anie thing fpoken that maie ferue their turne, but they applie it 
 vnto them felues. Alas, faie they to their familiar by them. Gentle- 
 woman, is it not pittie this paflioned louer {hould be fo martyred. 
 And if he find her inclining to foolifti pittie, as commonlie fuch 
 
Treatifes. 143 
 
 women are, then he applies the matter to himfelfe, and faies that he is 
 likewife caried awaie with the liking of her ; crauing that pittie to be 
 extended vpo him, as (he feemed to fhowe toward the afflifted amorous 
 ftager. 
 
 Thefe r unning headed louers are growen fo perfeft fcholers by 
 long continuance at this fchoole, that there is almofl: no worde 
 fpoken, but they can make matter of it to ferue their turne. They 
 can fo furelie difcouer the conceits of the minde, and fo cunninglie 
 handle themfelues, & are growen fo fubtile in working their matters, 
 that neither the ielofie of Juno, who fufpedteth al things ; nor the 
 ftreight keeping of Danaes maie debar ; nor the watchfulnes of 
 Argoes with his hundred eies efpie. 
 
 Credite me, there can be found no ftronger engine to batter the piie Theaters 
 honeftie as wel of wedded wiues, as the chaftitie of vnmarried maides beVondi!'""''* 
 and widowes, than are the hearing of common plaies. There 
 wanton wiues fables, and paftorical fonges of loue, which they vfe in 
 their comical difcourfes (al which are taken out of the fecret armorie 
 of Venus, 8d pradlifing bawderie) turne al chaftitie vpfide downe, & 
 corrupt the good difpofition & manners of youth, infomuch that it is 
 a miracle, if there be foiid anie either woman, or maide, which with 
 thefe fpedlacles of ftrange luft, is not oftentimes inflamed euen vnto 
 furie. 
 
 The nature of thefe Comedies are, for the moft part, after one 
 manner of nature, like the tragical Comedie of Califtus ; where the ^^ d r 
 
 bawdrefle Sceleftina inflamed the maiden Melibeia with her forceries. 
 Do wee not vfe in thefe difcourfes to counterfet witchcraft, charmed 
 drinkes, & amorous potions, thereby to drawe the aiFedtions of men, 
 & ftir them vp vnto luft, to like euen thofe whome of them-felues 
 they abhor. The enfamples whereof ftirre vp the ignorant multi- 
 
144 T'reatifes, 
 
 tude to feeke by fuch vnlawful meanes the loue, & goodwil of 
 others. 
 
 A^ftrangeex- J ^.^^ jg] yQy ^ ^ox'\& of lilcc pradlifc, vfed of late by a ielous wife 
 
 to her hufband, whofe hart being, as fhe thought, eftranged other- 
 wife than of cufliome, did praftife with a forcerefle to haue fome 
 powder which might haue force to renewe her hufbandes wonted 
 goodwil towardes her : but it had fuch a virtue in the operation, as it 
 wel nigh brought him his bane : for his memorie therby was gone : 
 fo that if God had not dealt miraculouflie with him, by reuealing 
 it, it had coft him his life. The like we read of Lucullus and Lucre- 
 tius, who by drinking fuch amorous confeftions loft firfl: their wits, & 
 afterward their Hues. 
 
 The deuife of carrieng and recarrieng letters by landrefTes, praftifing 
 with pedlers to tranfport their tokens by colorable meanes, to fel their 
 marchandife, and other kind of policies to beguile fathers of their 
 children, hufbands of their wiues, gardens of their wardes, and maif- 
 
 *He meaneth ters of their fcruants, is it not aptlie taught in the Schoole of abufe ?* 
 
 plaies, who are t-» in 
 
 notvnfitiiefo But hufh HO more. 
 
 I am forie this fchoole is not pluckt downe by the magiftrate ; and 
 t London. ^^ fchoolc-maiftcrs banifhed this citie."!" Thus much I wil tel them, 
 if they fuffer their brothel houfes to continue, or do in anie wife 
 allowe them, the Lord wil faie vnto them, as the Pfalmift faith, If 
 thou faweft a theife thou wenteft with him, and haddeft thy part with 
 adulterers ; thou haft done thefe things, and becaufe I haue held my 
 peace, thou hast beleeued, wicked man, that I am like vnto thee, but I 
 wil accufe thee, &c. 
 
 The reuerend word of God & hiflories the Bible, fet forth on the 
 flage by thefe blafphemous plaiers, are fo corrupted with their geftures 
 of fcurrilitie, and fo interlace with vncleane, and whorifh fpeeches, that 
 
Treatifes. 1 45 
 
 it is not poflible to drawe anie profite out of the dodrine of their 
 fpiritual moralities. For they exhibit vnder laughing that which 
 ought to be taught and receiued reuerendlie. So that their auditorie 
 maie returne madde merie in minde, but none comes awaie reformed 
 in manners. And of al abufes this is moft vndecent and intollerable, 
 to fuffer holie things to be handled by men fo prophane, and defiled 
 by interpofitio of diflblute words. 
 
 The writers of our time are fo led awaie with vaineglorie, that their AgainftAuftors 
 
 ... of plaies. 
 
 onlie endeuor is to pleafure the humor of men ; & rather with vanitie 
 
 to content their mindes, than to profit them with good enfample. 
 
 The notableft lier is become the beft Poet ; he that can make the ^ 
 
 moft notorious lie, and difguife falftiood in fuch fort, that he maie 
 
 pafle vnperceaued, is held the beft writer. For the ftrangeft Comedie 
 
 brings grea[te]ft delegation, and pleafure. Our nature is led awaie 
 
 with vanitie, which the auditor perceauing frames himfelf with nouelties 
 
 and ftrange trifles to content the vaine humors of his rude auditors, 
 
 faining countries neuer heard of; monfters and prodigious creatures 
 
 that are not ; as of the Arimafpie, of the Grips, the Pigmeies, the ^ 
 
 Cranes, & other fuch notorious lies. And if they write of hiftories 
 
 that are knowen, as the life of Pompeie ; the martial afiaires of 
 
 Caefar, and other worthies, they giue them a newe face, and turne 
 
 them out like counterfeites to fhowe themfelues on the ftage. It 
 
 was therefore aptlie applied of him, who likened the writers of our writers of thefe 
 
 daies vnto Tailors, who hauing their ftieers in their hand, can alter 
 
 the facion of anie thing into another forme ; & with a new face make 
 
 that feeme new which is old. The fhreds of whofe curiofitie our 
 
 Hiftorians haue now ftolen from them, being by pradtife become as 
 
 cunning as the Tailor to fet a new vpper bodie to an old coate ; and 
 
 a patch of their owne to a peece of another. 
 
146 Treatifes. 
 
 So that yee fhal find in al their writings three differences, manie 
 The beft thing things good, manic things indifferent, and manie flarke naught : but 
 ftarke naught, by reafon that thing which is good is aplied vnto il purpofe, & mixed 
 with euil, the good hath changed propertie, and is become of the 
 nature of the bad. Otherwife goodnes & badnes, being two cotra- 
 ries, cannot be made to agree together. And therefore there can be 
 no difference of choice, but al mufl be euil : becaufe it is generalie il 
 applied, and by altering propertie, hath changed his nature. Yet 
 neuertheles that it keepeth his virtue, of being good, and reduced to 
 his proper fubflance. 
 
 I do not denie but that writers in al their workes maie be pleafant, 
 fo far forth as they be profitable, and fwarue not from honeftie, and 
 therein deferue commendation. But what praife maie they deferue 
 who fet forth thofe workes which are vaine and naught, and conteine 
 in them no matter of good enfample, who write of thofe things, which 
 may corrupt the life of men, therby making them worfe by ten to 
 one, than they were before they heard them ? 
 
 What doe they leaue behind them ? monumentes of wanton wicked 
 life, and doting things for men of thefe latter dales. O Lord, how 
 do thefe wanton wordes of theirs intice vnto wicked life, and with a 
 poifoned baite allure men to finne ! Their wanton fpeeches do pearfe 
 our fecret thoughts, and moue vs thereby vnto mifchiefe, and pro- 
 uoke our members to vncleannes. 
 An obiediion. But fomc pcrhaps wil faie. The noble man delighteth in fuch 
 things, whofe humors muft be contented, partlie for feare, & partlie 
 for commoditie : and if they write matters pleafant, they are beft 
 preferred in court among the cunning heads. 
 Anfwere. Cunning hcads, whofe wits are neuer wel exercifed, but in the 
 
 praftife of fuch exploits ! But are thofe things to be fuffered and 
 praifed, becaufe they pleafe the rich, and content the Noble man, 
 
Treatifes. 1 47 
 
 that alwaies Hues in eafe? not fo. A two legged Afle maie be 
 clothed in gold, a man of honor maie be corrupt of iudgement, 
 though by his audtoritie he maie feeme wifer than Socrates, whome 
 PhcEbus for wifedome iudged to beare the bel. Thofe goodlie 
 perfons, if they be voide of virtue, maie wel be counted like faire 
 clothes ouer a foule wal ; big bladers ful of wind, yet of no waight. 
 Where wealth is abundant, pleafure is prefent ; pleafure bringeth 
 folic into eftimation ; and thereby the light of reafon is vtterlie ex- 
 tinguiftied. 
 
 Who writeth for reward, neither regardeth virtue, nor truth ; but writers for 
 
 ^ _ reward. 
 
 runs vnto falfhood, becaufe he flattereth for commoditie. Neede 
 and flatterie are two brothers, and the eldeft feruitors in the Court : 
 they were both fcholers vnto Ariftippus, and learned both of them to 
 applie themfelues to the time, & their matter to the difpofition ? No 
 maruel then though none can pleafe Dionyfius but Ariftippus, nor 
 anie the courtier but the flatterer. 
 
 The rich that followeth the pleafures of this life, maie not abide to Conditions of 
 be reformed, or to be drawen awaie from his defires, be they neuer rich. 
 fo wicked and vnfeemelie. Talke to him of amendement, he wil 
 faie, he is not dieng. He that reprehends him, is a Preacher, he 
 that fooths him, is a Saint. Who meddels with nettles cannot pafle 
 vnftinged : and he that deales with men of audtoritie otherwife than 
 maie like them, cannot fcape from his danger without hurt. I maie 
 not ftaie longer on this point. 
 
 As I haue had a faieng to thefe veHi -fieng Plaieteakers : fo muft I Againft training 
 likewife deale with fhameles inadtors. When I fee by them yong pfaUs. 
 boies, inclining of themfelues vnto wickednes, trained vp in filthie 
 fpeeches, vnnatural and vnfeemelie geftures, to be brought vp by 
 thefe Schoole-mafters in bawderie, and in idlenes, I cannot chufe but 
 with teares and griefe of hart lament. 
 
Plaiers, the 
 fcboolemaifters 
 of fin, in the 
 fchoole of 
 abufe. 
 
 Dirpofition of 
 plaiers for the 
 moft part. 
 
 Plaiers can not 
 better be com- 
 pared than to 
 the Camelion. 
 
 An Obiedtion. 
 
 148 Treatifes. 
 
 O with what deHght can the father behold his fonne bereft of 
 fhamefaftnes, & trained vp to impudencie ! How proane are they 
 of themfelues, and apt to receiue inftru6tion of their lewde teachers, 
 which are the Schoolemaifters of finne in the fchoole of abufe ! what 
 do they teach them, I praie you, but to fofter mifchiefe in their 
 youth, that it maie alwaies abide in them, and in their age bring 
 them fooner vnto hel ? 
 
 And as for thofe ftagers themfelues, are they not commonlie fuch 
 kind of men in their conuerfation, as they are in profeffion ? Are 
 they not as variable in hart, as they are in their partes ? Are they 
 not as good pradifers of Bawderie, as inaftors ? Liue they not in 
 fuch fort themfelues, as they giue precepts vnto others ? doth not 
 their talke on the ftage declare the nature of their difpofition ? doth 
 not euerie one take that part which is proper to his kind ? doth not 
 the Ploughmans tong walke {fic) of his plough ; the Sea-faring man 
 of his maft, cable, and faile ; the Soldier of his harnes, fpeare, and 
 ftiield ; & bawdie mates of bawdie matters ? Alke them, if in their 
 laieng out of their partes, they choofe not thofe partes which is moft 
 agreeing to their inclination, and that they can beft difcharge ? And 
 looke what euerie of them doth moft delight in, that he can beft 
 handle to the contentment of others. If it be a roiftering, bawdie, 
 and lafciuious part, wherein are vnfeemelie fpeeches, & that they 
 make choife of as beft anfwering, & proper to their manner of plaie ; 
 maie we not faie, by how much he exceedes in his gefture, he 
 delightes himfelfe in his part ? & by fo much it is pleafing to his 
 difpofition and nature ? If (it be his nature) to be a bawdie plater, 
 and he delight in fuch filthie & curfed aftions, ftial we not thinke 
 him in his life to be more difordered, and to abhor virtue ? 
 
 But they perhaps wil faie, that fuch abufes as are handled on the 
 
Treatifes. 1 49 
 
 ftage, others by their examples, are warned to beware of fuch euils, to 
 amendment. 
 
 In deed if their audloritie were greater than the wordes of the Anfwere. 
 Scripture ; or their zeale of more force than of the preacher, I might 
 eafilie be perfuaded to thinke, that men by them might be called vnto 
 good life. But when I fee the worde of truth proceeding from the 
 hart, and vttered by the mouth of the reuerend preachers, to be re- 
 ceaued of the moft parte into the eare, and but of a fewe rooted into 
 the hart : I cannot by anie means beleeue that the wordes proceeding 
 from a prophane plaier, and vttered in fcorning fort, i nterlaced with 
 filthie, lewde, & vngodlie fpeeches, haue greater force to mooue men 
 vnto virtue, than the wordes of truth vttered by the godlie Preacher, 
 whofe zeale is fuch as that of Mofes, who was contented to be raced Exo. 32, 32. 
 out of the booke of life ; and of Paule, who wifhed to be feparated Rom- 9. 3- 
 from Chrift for the welfare of his brethren. If the good life of a man 
 be a better inftrudlion to repentace than the tong, or words, why do 
 not plaiers, I befeech you, leaue examples of goodnes to their pofteritie.'' 
 But which of them is fo zealous, or fo tendereth his owne faluatio, 
 that he doth amend himfelfe in thofe points, which, as they faie, others 
 fhould take heede of? Are they not notoriouflie knowen to be thofe y ' 
 
 men in their life abroade, as they are on the ftage, roifters, brallers, 
 il-dealers, bofters, louers, loiterers, ruffins .'' So that they are alwaies 
 exercifed in plaieng their partes ; and pradlifing wickednes ; making 
 that an art, to the end they might the better gefture it in their partes. 
 For who can better plaie the ruffin tha a verie ruffin .' who better the 
 louer, than they who make it a common exercife ? To conclude, the 
 principal end of all their interludes is to feede the world with fights, chiefe end ot 
 & fond paftimes ; to iuggle in good earneft the monie out of other 
 mens purfes into their owne handes. 
 
15° 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 Plaiers in- 
 famous perlbns. 
 Plaiers baniilied 
 out of Rome. 
 
 In the primatiue 
 Church plaiers 
 kept from the 
 Communion. 
 
 Obieftion. 
 
 Anfwere. 
 
 Matth. 1 8, 
 verfe 1 5. 
 
 Matth. 18, 
 verfe 16. 
 
 '7- 
 
 What fhal I faie ? They are infamous men, and in Rome were 
 thought worthie to be expelled, albe there was llbertie enough to take 
 pleafure. 
 
 In the primatiue Church they were kept out from the Communion 
 of Chriftians, and neuer remitted til they had perfourmed publike 
 penance. And thervpon S. Cyprian in a certaine Epiftle counfeleth a 
 Bifhop, not to receiue a plaier into the penfion of a Church, by which 
 they were norifhed, til ther was an exprefle acft of penance with pro- 
 teftation to renounce an art fo infamous. And thus much for thofe 
 plaiers. 
 
 Some haue obiefted, that by thefe publique places manie forbeare 
 to do euil for feare to be publiquelie reprehended. And for that caufe 
 they wil faie it was tolerated in Rome, wherein Emperors were touched, 
 though they were prefent. 
 
 But to fuch it maie be anfwered, firft that in difguifed plaiers giuen 
 ouer to al fortes of diflblutenes, is not found fo much as a wil to do 
 good, feing they care for nothing lefTe than for virtue. Secondlie, 
 that is not a good meanes to corre6b finne. For that if it be fecret, 
 it ought not to be reuealed openlie, but by fuch meanes to be re- 
 formed as Chrift himfelfe alloweth in his Gofpel. If, faith he, thy 
 brother trefpafle againft thee, fpeaking of thofe fecret & particular 
 finnes, which are not open, and made knowen to others, go and tel 
 him his fault between thee and him alone : if he heare thee, thou haft 
 wonne thy brother. But if he heare thee not, take yet with thee one 
 or two, that in the mouth of two or three witnefles euerie worde maie 
 be confirmed. And if he will not vouchfafe to heare them, tel it vnto 
 the Church : (which is, to thofe ancient & expert men of the lewes 
 which were appointed to reforme manners, and execute difcipline. For 
 thofe aflemblies of ancient Fathers did reprefent the Church ; becaufe 
 
Treatifes. 1 5 1 
 
 they had the charge thereof appointed vnto them) and if he refufe to 
 heare the Church alfo, let him be vnto thee as an Heathen man, and 
 a Publicane. 
 
 You fee then that euerie fault being priuately knowen is to be kept 
 fecret, and not to be openlie vttered to the defamation of the offender. 
 And that on the other fide, if it be a matter openlie knowen, it is to 
 be put to the reprehenfion of the Magiftrate, and not of the plaier, 
 whofe reprehenfion is as vnreuerend, and odious, as the reprehenfion 
 of a Magiftrate is decent, and commendable. 
 
 The antiquitie of plaieng is likewife often vfed for an argument to An obieaion 
 proue it allowable. But the cuftome of euil is not to be maintained, ™ *"^ ' 
 becaufe of antiquitie. Gods truth is not to be opprefled vnder that Againft the 
 color, what examples of antiquitie (foeuer) do ferue to maintaine wicked- phies!"'^ ° 
 nes, I am not bounde to allowe of them, or to maintaine them. For 
 my part I difallowe al thofe antiquities which are contrarie to the 
 Scriptures. Thofe fpeftacles were vfed of the Gentils to the fetting 
 vp of idolatrie, and to the honor of their falfe gods : as Pefa and Elis. \/ 
 
 Such games were exercifed in the honor of lupiter worftiipped on the 
 hil Olympus. Thefeus ordained in the ftraightes of Corinth the Ifthe- 
 mian games in honor of Neptune. There were alfo Pythij ludi, Ludi 
 funebres, Lupercalia, Saturnalia, and Circenfes ludi, and manie other 
 deuifed as wel by Romans as Greeks to the greate charges of their 
 Coinon-weales. The exercife whereof was both bloudie and beaftlie, 
 and yet among them fuiferable and allowed. 
 
 Notwithftanding, thefe are not examples vnto Chriftians to allowe 
 that for good, which was fufFerable among them. For then one 
 might (laie another ; one might wound another ; then fhould we en- 
 counter with wild beaftes ; our hartes fhould then delight in fhedding 
 bloud ; and be al giltie of the death of the murdered. 
 
152 
 
 Treat if es. 
 
 The accept 
 which good 
 men haue of 
 our comon 
 gamefters, and 
 plaiers. 
 
 Would to God 
 London would 
 tbllowe the 
 example of 
 Marfiles. 
 
 Harke Magif- 
 tratea of Lon- 
 don. 
 
 London de- 
 famed thorough 
 plaies there 
 vfed, 
 
 Judges 13, verfe 
 i, z, &c. 
 
 As for the plaiers in thefe daies which exhibite their games for 
 lucre fake, as did thofe two Romans, Efopus and Aroffius, who 
 fhewed their wonderful cunning on the ftage to gather welth and fub- 
 ftance ; they are of the moft part of men either of audtoritie, or learn- 
 ing held for vagabondes, & infamous perfons ; they male aptlie be 
 likened vnto droanes, which wil not labor to bring in, but liue of the 
 labors of the paineful gatherers. They are therefore to be thruft out 
 of the Bee-hiue of a Christian Common-weale. 
 
 This vnhoneft trade of gaine, hath driuen manie from their occupa- 
 tions, in hope of eafier thrift. What fuccefle they haue had, fome of 
 them haue reported, finding the Prouerbe true, that II gotten goodes 
 are il fpent. 
 
 The citie Marfiles, as Valerian writeth, kept fo great grauitie, that 
 it would receaue into it no ftage-plaiers : becaufe their arguments for 
 the mofl: parte, contained the adles and doinges of harlots ; to the end 
 that the cuftome of beholding fuch things might not alfo caufe a 
 licence of folowing them. I would to God the Magiftrates of our 
 citie of London would haue the like forefight. The permiffion of 
 plaies fo long a time hath alreadie corrupted this citie ; and brought 
 the Name of the citizens into flander ; the examples of Gods iudge- 
 ment is at this prefent an example in this citie. The finne of whore- 
 dome being winked at by the children of Beniamin, they were puniflied 
 by the deftrudlid of their whole tribe. If we flacke to punifh 
 offenders, and giue our felues to maintaine the wicked in their lewde- 
 nes, wee are to looke for none other than a general confufion. For 
 the Lord himfelfe wil take part againft the wicked to deftroie them. 
 They male be wel let alone for a time, but yet that which is deferred 
 wil one dale come. 
 
 In the raigne of Tiberius the Emperor, the Lorde by ouerthrowing 
 
oU^ -^^y/JZ^^t 
 
 Treatifes. 153 
 
 the Amphitheater in the citie of Tidena {fic) flew 20 thoufand of a worthie ex- 
 the beholders. A notable example of Gods iuftice. For notable Tftiievpfnl' 
 offenders he appointeth flrange & notable punifhments ; And looke tw"''' °' 
 wherewith a man finneth, by the fame alfo fhal he be punifhed. Y'^^- "' ""'^ 
 
 Wherefore, my deere brethren, leaue thefe Cretan liers with their Theconciunon. 
 wicked inuentions : Do not companie with the wicked ; facion not p^^^^ ^ 
 your felues like vnto this world ; but be ye changed by the renuing '^'""- "> '■■ 
 of your mind, that ye male proue what is the good wil of God, and 
 acceptable, and perfedt ; efchew euil and do good. He that fhal faie Pfa- 34, h- 
 to the wicked. Thou art righteuous, him fhal the people curfTe, and Prou. 24, verfe 
 the multitude fhal abhor him. For the Lord is far from the wicked ; 20. 
 their houfe fhalbe deflroied, there fhalbe none end of their plagues, 
 their light fhalbe put out. Yeelde not your felues to them, lefl ye 
 perifh in their wickednes, yeeld not your felues to thofe vaine plea- 
 fures and delights. For yee fhal find nothing more hurtful, nor 
 preiudicial to your foules ; they depriue you of al good cogitations ; 
 enimies they are vnto virtue ; increafers of wickednes ; the nurfes of 
 al vice ; the corrupters of manners ; the fubuerters of religion ; and 
 fo bring at the end vnto euerlafling forowes and gnafhing of teeth in 
 the pit of hel. 
 
 The Lord of his infinite mercie looke vpon vs, and diredt vs with 
 his holie fpirit ; and fo order our Hues, that wee maie be holie and 
 acceptable in his fight. The Lord open our eies, that we maie fee our 
 finne, and loath it in our felues, repreffe it in the wicked, and con- 
 demne it in our Common-weale. Lord increafe our deuotion, that 
 our hartes maie be made zelous to heare the worde of God, which is 
 a lanterne vnto our feete, and a light vnto our pathes. 
 
 Preferve this Church of England ; increafe tliy flocke vniuerfal ; 
 be a fafegard vnto vs againft the force of our enimies, for our truft is 
 
^-'-f. 'U^Ck^^^ 
 
 4,:a Ci, 
 
 I 
 
 U'l 
 
 54 'Treatifes. 
 
 in thee. Blefle our worthie PrincefTe, & renowmed foueraigne Queene 
 Elizabeth, and eftablifh her ftate, as the feate of Dauid ; let thy 
 fpirit diredl her doings in al things ; that fhe maie be as the zelous 
 lofias to vphold the Hate of the true Church ; torooteout fuperftition 
 and idolatrie ; that fhe maie be a continual enimie to the enimies of 
 thy truth. Be thou, 6 Lord, her fupporter, that thou by her maift 
 defend thine owne caufe. 
 
 Merciful God, infpire her honorable Counfel with the wifedome of 
 Salomon, that their counfel maie be wife and good ; and their harts 
 linked vnfeparablie together to the preferuation of her ftate, and the 
 welfare of this land. 
 
 Lord ftrengthen the hand of luftice againft the wicked, that our 
 Magiftrates maie roote out the memorial of wickednes from the earth, 
 that our Realme maie fiorifh, & our Hues be as a lampe on a moun- 
 taine, to giue light vnto other nations how to diredl their Hues after 
 our good example. 
 
 Performe al wantes, O God, in thy Church ; increafe our faith and 
 loue towards thee ; continue thy Gofpel among vs for thy deere 
 Sonnes fake lefus Chrift, to whome with thee, and the holie Ghoft, 
 be al honor and giorie, worlde without ende. Amen. 
 
 EpheJ. 5, 13, 
 
 Al things, when they are reprooued 
 
 of the light, are manifeft. For it 
 
 is light that maketh al 
 
 things manifeft. 
 
! S 6 O- 
 
 ^Imprinted at London by Henrie 
 
 Denham, dwelling in Paternofter 
 
 Row, at the figne of the Starre, beipg 
 the affigne of William Seres. 
 
 Cum priuilegio Regis Maieftatis. 
 
PLAYES 
 Confuted in Jiue AEiions^ 
 
 Prouing that they are not to be Juffred in 
 a Chrijiian common weale, by the waye 
 both the Cauils o/'Thomas Lodge, and 
 the Play of Playes, written in their de- 
 fence, and other obieilions of Players 
 frendes, are truely fet downe 
 and direSilye aun- 
 fweared. 
 
 By Steph. Goflbn, Stud. Oxon. 
 
 S. Cyprian. 
 Non diferta,fed fortia. 
 
 
 LONDON 
 Imprfntell for Thomas Gojfon VOiZh 
 
 ling: tn Pater nofter roto at tlje 
 Offne of ttje S'unne. 
 
Treatifes. 
 
 59 
 
 To the Right Honorable Sir 
 Frances Walfingham Knight, one 
 
 of the principall Secretaries to her 
 
 excellent Maieftie, of her highnefle 
 
 moft honorable Priuy Coun- 
 
 fell, & Chauncellor 
 
 of the order, 
 
 Stephen Gojfon wi/heth profperitie in this 
 
 life, and life euerlafiing in Chriji 
 
 our Sauiour. 
 
 ST is reported (Right Honourable) of Callicratides, that 
 being appointed by the Lacedemonians to fucceede 
 Lyfander as Admirall of their Fleete, the Atheniens fente 
 out aboue a hundred & fiftie Shippes againft him : whervpon the 
 Mafter of his Shippe perfuadinge him to retire without oiFeringe hys 
 enemies anye play, becaufe he was to deale with the greater number ; 
 he anfwered, that Sparta wold be neuer the woorfe though he were 
 foylde, but to flie, was in hys iudgement, the greateft reproch of all. 
 So fareth it this prefent time with me, which giuing forth my 
 Defiaunce vnto Playes, am mightily befet with heapes of aduerfaries, 
 yet fuch is the Maieftie of the Caufe, that, though all the pride of 
 mine enemies, and porape of Athens be fhipt to meete me, it will 
 ftand vpright, when I with Callicratides am ouerthrowne, but to 
 
i6o Treatifes. 
 
 fhrinke in fo good a quarrell, is in my opinion^ more foule a difgrace 
 then death it felfe. God knoweth I neuer vndertoke thys trouble- 
 fome peece of vvoorke for any vaine glorie as CrafTus did his Inuecftiue 
 againfte Carbo, and repented him afterwardes, becaufe it was a hatchet 
 to hys owne Hbertie, fetting many mens eyes aworke to watch hym ; 
 nor of any fantafticall ouerhardinefle, as he that hauing taken a Wolfe 
 by the eare, neither letteth hym goe, for being aflaulted, nor is able 
 to mafter hym for wante of might : but as the Wraftler entring the 
 lifte, firft tafteth his ftrength, by lifting fome churlifh peece of weight 
 at the armes end, and therewith as it were rebateth hys ftomacke, for 
 being too rough when he comes to grapple ; I firft weighed in my 
 hands the aunciente Fathers of the Church, that the maffinefTe of theyr 
 argumentes in thys matter might caufe me not to deale fo ouerthwartlye 
 & ftubbornelye, as the Defendantes of players haue deferued. Neuer- 
 theles I thought it neceflarye to nettle one of their Orators aboue the 
 reft, not of any fet purpofe to deface hym, becaufe hee hath dealt very 
 groflely, homely, and vncharitably with me, but like a good Surgeon 
 to cut, & to feare, when the place requireth, for his owne amendment. 
 Which thinge I truft fliall neither difpleafe your honor, nor any of 
 ; the godly, in the reading, fo log as the perfon whom I touch is (as I 
 \ heare by hys owne frendes, to hys repentance if he can perceiue it) 
 hunted by the heauy hand of God, and become little better than a 
 vagarant, loofer than liberty, lighter than vanitie it felfe. The righte, 
 for the recouery wherof I framed thefe adtions belongeth not to mee, 
 but vnto God, whofe manner is to beate downe the loftinefle of 
 vfurpers, not wyth the wifdome of the world, or with preparation of 
 fpeare & ftiield, but with the fooliftines of the gofpel, and the naked- 
 nefle of hys truth. Therefore it had bene as daungerous for me, in 
 this fimple Confutation of our Comedies, to play with my penne by 
 
Treatifes. 1 6 1 
 
 feekinge fine pouders for deintie nofes, as it is for the foldier to dally 
 with his weapon when the battle ioynes. It is one thing to flouriflu 
 an other to fighte, one thing to bragge, another to come to handye 
 gripes. Finding playes of thefelues, as filthy as the ftables of Augia, 
 impoflible to bee cleanfed before they be carried out of Englande, 
 wyth a ftifFe ftreame, and the banifhinge of them as worthy to be 
 regiftred in the labors of Hercules as the conqueringe the monftruous 
 wilde Bore, of Erymanthus, that wafted the countrey round about : If 
 euer fo notable a thinge bee brought to pafle it muft bee done by fome 
 Hercules in the Court, whom the roare of the enimy ca neuer daunt. 
 Whiche perfwaded mee amongeft all the patrones of vertue in her 
 Maiefties court to dedicate both this & my felf vnto your honor, that 
 your wifedome might be a countenaunce to my ftudy, your authoritie a 
 buckler vnto my life. Agamemnon a valiaunt captayne of the 
 Greekes, thought verely, that if hee might haue but tenne fuche as 
 Neeftor to take hys part, it would be no trouble to facke Troy: I 
 haue beene alwaies of this opinion, that if but one fuche as Neftor, 
 that is, your honor, doe no more then thrufte out your hand to fuccour 
 mee, let the wicked difcharge their fhot at my face, playes will bee 
 eafily fired out : and I when I fleepe fhall be as fafe, as the childe in 
 his cradle, whofe mother will not fufi^er a flye to bite him. Meane 
 while I moft humbly craue pardon for my bouldnefle, in prefeeming, 
 to crepe into your honours patronage : I make as much accounte of 
 your honour, as the Atheniens did of Paralus their holye fhippe, that 
 was neuer lanched but vpon high, & great affaires : The Gentlemen 
 Players in the citie of London, are growen in fuch a heate, that by 
 their foming, their fretting, their ftampinge, my frendes do perceiue 
 how their harts woorke, and enforce me to bring to your honor no 
 comon fraighte, but as much as my life and fecuritie hereafter fhall be 
 
1 62 Treatifes. 
 
 woorth. If the prouidence of God, who many times fcourgeth a ma 
 with the finne that he loued, haue ordeined thofe players whome I fed 
 with fancies, to be a whippe to my back, and a dagger to my breft, 
 the fault is mine owne, the punifhmente due : But if it be the 
 pleafure of the Almightie, rather in mercy to deliuer, then in iuftice 
 to confound, & by your honorable patronage to fnatch mee out of the 
 iawes of thofe rauenous wolues, that haue whetted their teeth to pull 
 me downe ; I fhall learne to employ my ftudy to the' glory of God, 
 and be bound to your honour whileft I Hue. Thus wifhing a chari- 
 table minde to them, better fuccefle vnto my felfe, plentye of happines 
 to your honor ; I leaue them and me to your honors confederation, 
 and your honor to the tuition of God himfelfe. 
 
 Tis the Rightwor/hipful Gentlemen 
 
 andjiudents, of both Vniuerjities, 
 
 and the Innes of Court. 
 
 I WO things (Gentlemen) I perceiue to be inuincible in y' 
 world, both whiche, to my griefe, are quite againft me, Fauour, 
 & Eloquence : the one in Players, and that I feare : the other 
 in you, and that peradveture will ftay my pafTag. I miftruft that the 
 fauour, which Players have gotte with the greater multitude, will 
 make them preiudiciall to the caufe I handle, for loue is fo blinde, 
 that it neuer fees any blemilhe in the thing it liketh, but as iuy, even 
 by the fmalleft, and weakeft proppes that it catcheth, findeth a way 
 to reare it felfe. The eloquence that is in you, as I confefle it to be 
 
A] .) 
 
 Treatifes. 1 6 3 
 
 great, fo were it not greatly to be doubted, if it were but indifferent 
 in my felfe. Nowe fith my Rhetorike is litle, my Eloquence nothing, 
 compared to you, whofe continuall exercife, is ioyned to continuall 
 ftudye : though the trueth be as fure on my fide, as the fucceffion of 
 night is to day, yet I holde my felfe vanquifht before you ftrike. 
 
 One beeing afked of Archidamus the King of Sparta, whether he, 
 or Pericles were the better wraftler, anfwered, that he coulde not tell : 
 for, when I throw him (quoth he) he denies he was downe, and per- 
 fuadeth the beholders to beleeue him : Such is the excellencie of your 
 witte, if it be bent to contende with me for Playes, that howfouer I 
 trip you, or fetche you ouer, you are able to fay that I come not 
 neere you, and make the Reader auouch it, againfte the open tefti- 
 mony of his eyes. I woulde Readers confidered y' when they come 
 to the view of any newe booke, they are bidde by their frende as 
 gheftes to a banquet : at a banket if any difh bee before you, which 
 your ftomacke abhors. It is a point of good manners, fomewhat or- 
 derly to remoue it : In bokes if anything bee ofFred that you cannot 
 rellifh, curtefy wils you, with a thankefull kinde of modeftie to refufe 
 it. Our fathers forefathers in older time, were wont to place Mer- 
 curie in their Temples amonge the Graces, whofe meaninge was, that 
 as Mercuric was counted the God of vtterance : and the three Graces, 
 the Ladies of curtefy : fo placinge the flirines of them together, might 
 teach vs to know that fpeech is defirous of frendlye eares, and writers 
 haue great need of Gentle Readers. When Gentlemen reade with a 
 minde to barke, their throtes are fo narrow that nothing wil downe : 
 whatfoeuer we fpeake is too rounde or too flatte, too blunte or too 
 ftiarpe, too fquare or too crooked, one way or other it ftandes a wry. 
 The fayreft citie in the worlde may bee ouerthrowen, with lefle charge, 
 lefTe labor, lefle time, than it can be builte : a bracke is fooner fpiede 
 
1 64 Treatifes. 
 
 than drawne together : bookes many times are fpeedily reprehended, 
 but amended by lelfure at the Calendes of the Greekes. It is the 
 propertie of fome kinde of Dogges, to teare the fkinne of the beaft 
 with woderfull ftomacke, when it is deade and within the doores, 
 which abroad they neuer durft open at when it liued : and diuers 
 iollie fifters in thefe dayes can tofle, and turne, and within their owne 
 walles make difhecloutes of writers, whofe fight would be too hot for 
 their prefence if they might ioyne. Seeinge many bookes printed & 
 few liked, I coniedlure with my felfe that the reafon is, that fome ar 
 curious, fome froward, fome idle. We know that counfell is as ne- 
 cefTarie to our eares as light to our eies, the one is a lanterne to the 
 bodie, the other a bright fhining lampe vnto the foule. Receauing 
 inftruftion, if your tooth bee too white, you may chaunce to fterue : 
 if your nofe be fo fine that nothing will pleafe you, but that whiche 
 is fweete, you may well be copared to thofe nice kind of Dames which 
 in platting of Garlands forget their thrifte, or to him whiche thinkes 
 it impoffible to quench his thirft, if his drinke be not fervde in a cup 
 of golde : if you be contentious and ouer-thwart, willinger to cauil, 
 than to learne : contented to reade, but not to regard : to be 
 taught, but not reformed : you are like vnto him that for- 
 fakes the Phifitian when he is cutte, and neuer permits him to finifh 
 the cure : if you be fo flow, of your felues, that becaufe writers many 
 times doe not fet downe euery thing that may be fpoke, but onely 
 pointe with their fingers to the place, where you may bee fatisfied if 
 you feeke it, you wil not trauell and fl:udy to fifh it out, you are not 
 much vnlike to naked birdes in the nefl: that euer lie yauning at the 
 bill of y"= dam, & fearch for no more then is put in their mouths. 
 You know it is a notable point of folly for a man to toafte himfelf 
 by his neighbours fire, and neuer beftirre him to keepe any warmthe 
 in his owne chimnie: as great a madnes is it in manye Readers, when 
 

 Treatifes. 165 
 
 they are taught, not feeke to mainetaine it of their owne : whiche is, 
 to contente themfelues with the glorious blafe of an other mas know- 
 ledge, whereby they outwardly get fome colour in their cheekes, but 
 within they are duflcie, darke and obfcure. Many thinges might bee 
 fpoken againft Playes, for the vaine oftentation of a flourifhinge wit, 
 brauelie, for fatisfieng the that are vnfatiable, largelie : for inflirufting 
 of them that are vnlearned, plainly : which I haue omitted. For, to 
 treade aloft among you as a tragicall Poet in my buflcins, were as 
 fondlie done as to throw water in the fea where it can not be feene : 
 to dilate this difcourfe for the vnfatiable, were as much as to clofe vp 
 the mouth of Curtius gulfe, that will neuer be ftopt but with my life : 
 to lay open euery thing to y* ignorant, were without iudgment to 
 charge them beyond their ftrength, which are to be fed like childre, 
 with a litle, and ofte. 
 
 What efFe(5t my labour wil take amog you, I am not fure, yet hope 
 the beft, at all aduentures I haue committed it to the Prefle. Seir- 
 amnes the Perfian feeing many men wonder that he fpake wifely, but 
 nothing that euer he fpake was regarded : tolde them that wordes 
 were euer in his owne power, but fuccefle was neuer within his 
 reache. You may fee if you pleafe, that the counfel I bring is good 
 and founde, but if you defpife it when it is read, I wil comfort my 
 felf as Seiramnes did : I haue my bokes in my ftudy at commande- 
 ment : you are out of my walke, & your owne men. I was very 
 willing to write at this time, becaufe I was enformed by fome of you 
 which heard it with your ears, that fince my publifhing the Schole of 
 Abufe, two Playes of my making were brought to the Stage : the 
 one was a cafl: of Italian deuifes, called. The Comedie of Captaine 
 Mario : the other a Moral, Praife at parting. Thefe they very im- 
 pudetly afErme to be written by me fince I had fet out my inuecftiue 
 againft them. I can not denie, they were both mine, but they were 
 
1 66 Treatifes. 
 
 both pened two yeeres at the leaft before I forfoke them, as by their 
 owne friends I am able to proue : but they haue got fuche a cuftome 
 of counter-faiting vpon the Stage, that it is growen to an habite, 
 & will not be lefte. God knoweth, before whom to you all I doe 
 proteft, as I fhal anfwer to him at the laft day, when al hidden fecrets 
 fhal be difcouered, fince the firfl: printing of my Inue6tiue, to this day, 
 I neuer made Playe for them nor any other. Therefore if euer 
 they be fo fhameles, and graceles to belye me again, I befeech God, 
 as he hath giue me more wit, to fpende my time well : fo to fende 
 to them more honeftye, to fpeake a trueth. I coulde purge my felfe 
 of this fclaunder in many words, both how I departed from the City 
 of London, and bellowed my time in teaching yong Gentlemen in 
 the Countrie, where I continue with a very worfhipfuU Gentleman, 
 and reade to his fonnes in his owne houfe : but the men are fo vaine, 
 & their credite fo light, that the leaft worde I fpeake is inough to 
 choke them. He that repreheds a vice, & fhunnes it not, fnufFes the 
 Lampe to make it burne, but puts in no oyle to nouriftie the flame. 
 Therefore as fonne as I had inueighed againft Playes, I withdrewe 
 my felfe from them to better ftudies, which fo long as I Hue I truft 
 to follow. 
 
 Thus fubmitting my booke and my felf to your iudgement, I 
 leaue to trouble you any farther, crauing this at your hads before we 
 parte, that if anye Player belie me in your hearing vpon the ftage, 
 you would rather confider of the perfon than of the fpeach, for a 
 Player is like to a Marchants finger, that ftands fometime for a 
 thoufande, fometime for a cypher, and a Player muft ftand 
 as his parte fals, fometime 
 for a Prince, fometime 
 for a peafant. 
 
 Yours Stephen Gosson. 
 
THE CONFUTATION OF PLAYES. 
 
 Thejirji ASiion. 
 
 ^F any that haue known me alway by acquaintance, or fhall 
 
 knowe me hereafter by reading fome parte of my fimple 
 
 trauels, chance to wonder, that I whiche heretofore 
 
 haue not onely fo fauoured, but written Playes, that my penne 
 
 hath bene readier to defend them, then to deface them ; now 
 
 with alteration of minde fo depely accufe that which fo highly I 
 
 efteemed. Whatfouer hee bee, if hee weigh the reafon that mooueth 
 
 mee thereunto, I truft he will both allowe that which by my Schoole 
 
 of Abufe hath paft againft them : And thinke it neceflary for me at 
 
 this time, to renue my plea. When I firfte gaue my felfe to the 
 
 ftudie of Poetrie, and to fet my cunning abroache, by penning 
 
 Tragedies, and Comedies in the Citte of London : perceiuing fuch a 
 
 Gordians knot of diforder in euery play houfe, as woulde neuer bee 
 
 loofed without extremitie, I thought it better with Alexander to draw 
 
 •<j^ fword that ftiould knappe it a funder at one ftroke, then to feeke 
 
 ouernicely or gingerly to vndoe it, with the lofle of my time and 
 
 wante of fuccefle. This caufed mee to bidde them the bafe at their 
 
i68 Treatifes. 
 
 owne gole, and to geue them a volley of heathen writers : that our 
 diuines confidering the daunger of fuche houfes as are fet vp In 
 London againft the Lord, might batter them thoroughly with greater 
 fhotte. But fuch is the queafinefle of our ftomacke, that like vnto 
 traueilers at the Sea, being ready to caft, we thinke to finde remedy 
 by chaunge of place, fprawling down from the Ship to the Cockboate, 
 yet are neuer the neere, fo longe as the humour workes within vs : 
 & acknowledging the mifchiefe bred by playes wee hope to auoid yt 
 by changing their day yet fuffer the ftill to remaine amonge vs. 
 Wherein we may well be compared to children that holding yfe in 
 their handes for difcomodities fake are vnwilling to keepe it : & for 
 wantonnes, loth to let it go. Comodus a Roman Emperor, was fo 
 excellente in throwinge of his darte, that hauinge gotten Sundrie fortes 
 of wilde beaftes, as markes for the exercife of his hand, the whole 
 cittie of Rome aflembled together to behold him, neither fawe him 
 throwe twife at one marke, nor giue any wound which was not deadly 
 And yt were to bee wilhed that euery man which taketh vpo him to 
 rebuke finne, fhould leuell fo ftraight with Commodus, and fticke fo 
 fure, that as oft as he fhootes at deformity es, he might hit them, and 
 as ofte as he hittes, kill ; fo fhoulde the readers with the Romanes fee, 
 neyther anye kinde of monfter twice gaulde, nor any vice recouer the 
 firft wounde. Neuerthelefle as fome Philofophers are of this opinion 
 that the heauens becaufe they moue doe yelde a kinde of harmonie in 
 theyr motion, yet yf you requefte to knowe the reafone, why we 
 difcerne it not by the eare, their aunfwere is, that wee neuer heare it, 
 becaufe wee euer heare it. So the abhominable pradtifes of playes in 
 London haue bene by godly preachers, both at Paules crofle, and elfe 
 where fo zealoufly, fo learnedly, fo loudly cried out vpon to fmall 
 redrefle ; that I may well fay of them, as the Philofophers reporte of 
 
Treatifes. 1 69 
 
 the moouing of the heauens, we neuer heare them, becaufe we euer 
 heare the. Whereby I gather, that the wifedome of man, is able to 
 rule any thinge but man : for the fauage and brute beafts neither 
 grudge to feede where they are appoynted, nor refift when they are 
 driuen from thofe places, where they loue moft of all to byte. But 
 whether our eares be wilfully ftoped, & our eyes muffled, that in 
 hearing, we heare, and do not vnderftand ; in feeing, we fee and not 
 perceiue ; or whether the deuill our ancient enemie hath ftricken fo 
 deepe and fo venemous a tothe into the hart of man, as hath inferred, 
 and wounded the foule to death, I know not well : yet fure I am, and Heb. vi. s. 
 haue fufficient warrant by the worde of God, that beinge watred with Heb. iv. 12. 
 the Preachinge of the Gofpell, if the fruite wee yeelde bee thornes 
 and briers, it is a very earemarke of reprobates, and of fuch as are 
 giuen ouer by the Lorde, to their owne fenfe, to follow deftrudtion 
 with full faile. The worde of God is liuelie, and mightie in opera- 
 tion : being liuelie, if it doe not quicken and ftirre vs vp to a newe- 
 nefle of life, it is a token that we haue no life, but are alreadie ftone 
 deade, in the workes of darkenes : being mightie in operation, both the 
 plaiers and wee muft be perfuaded, that their idle occupation, hauing 
 fo ftoute, fo ftrong, fo puyflante, fo mightie an enemie as the worde 
 of God, though the honour and authoritie of their Mafters hold them 
 vp for a time, yet in the end they muft haue a fall. For neither 
 ftrongholds, nor inuentions of men, nor any high thing that is exalted 
 againft the knowledge of God, ftialbe able to ftand, whe the foote of 
 his Prophetes comes againft it. Amongeft all the fauorers of thefe 
 vncircumcifed Philiftines I meane the Plaiers, whofe hearten are not 
 right, no ma til of late durft thruft out his heade to mayntaine there 
 quarrell, but one, in witt, fimple ; in learning, ignorant ; in attempt, 
 rafh ; in name, Lodge : whofe booke, as it came not to my handes in 
 
 z 
 
1 70 Treatifes. 
 
 one whole yeere after the priuy printing thereof, fo I confefle, that to 
 
 it, before this time, I aunfwered nothing, partlie becaufe he brought 
 
 nothing ; partlie becaufe my hearte was to bigge, to wraftle with him, 
 
 that wanteth armes. Therefore confidering with my felfe that fuch 
 
 kinde of fores might bee Jaunced to fone, I chofe rather to let him 
 
 ripen and breake of him felfe, that vomiting out his owne difgrace, 
 
 & being worne out of fauour among his own friends, I might triumph 
 
 in the caufe & fhedde no blood. Though fome of his acquaintaunce 
 
 haue vaunted to cut and hewe mee, I knowe not howe : yet hauing 
 
 greater regarde to the foules of many, then to the threatninges of 
 
 fewe : to the honour of God, then to the pride of ouer bragging and 
 
 bufie Players ; by God's afliftance I will proue vnto you, that ftage 
 
 Plaies are not to be fuffred in a chriftian comon weale. Which I 
 
 truft I fhalbe able fufficietly to performe, if I giue you a taft both of 
 
 the caufes of Plaies, and of the efFedles : of the caufes, which I finde by 
 
 reading ; of the efFedles, which I knowe by my owne experience. I 
 
 hope that no Chriftia wilbe fo fhamelefTe to fay that the doctrine and 
 
 inuentio of the Deuill, is to bee fuffered in that commo weale, where 
 
 the glad tidings of grace is truelie preached. For to mainetaine the 
 
 dodlrine and inuention of the Deuil, is a kind of Apoftafie & falling 
 
 from the Lorde. For God hath made vs to his owne likenefle, which 
 
 Ephes. IV 24.. likenefle confifteth not in lineaments and proportion of the body, but 
 
 in holinefle and finglenefle of life. Therefore receiuing the do(5trine 
 
 and inuentions of the Deuill, betweene whome and God there can bee 
 
 no truce, no league, no manner of agreemente, becaufe the one is holy, 
 
 the other Impure ; the one good, the other euill ; the one light, the 
 
 other darkenes : we forfake our God, forfakynge of him, we loofe 
 
 his image and likenefl'e, loofing his Image, wee are not his children, 
 
 and confequentiy haue no part nor felowfliip with Chrifl: in the world 
 
Treatifes. iji 
 
 to come. That Stage Playes are the dodlrine and inuention of the 
 Deuill, may bee gathered by TertuUian, who noteth verie well that 
 the Deuill forefeenge the ruine of his kingdome, both inuented thefe 
 fhewes, and infpired men with deuifes to fet them out the better 
 thereby to enlarge his dominion and pull vs from God. 
 
 And William Lodge in that patchte pamphet of his wherein he 
 taketh vpon him the defence of playes, little perceiuinge how luftely 
 y" chippes flye in his face, whilft he heweth out timber to make the 
 frame, confefTeth openly that playes were confecrated by the heathens 
 to y" honour of their gods, which in deede is true, yet ferueth it better 
 to ouerthrow them them (Jic) eftablilh them : for, whatfoeuer was 
 confecrated to the honour of the Heathen Gods was confecrated to 
 idolatrie. Stage Playes by his owne confeffion were confecrated to the 
 honour of Heathen Gods, therefore confecrated to idolatrie. Being 
 confecrated to idolatrie, they are not of God, if they proceede not 
 from God, they are the dodtrine and inuentions of the deuill. This 
 will be counted new learning among a great number of my gay coun- 
 tymen, which beare a (harper fmacke of Italian deuifes in their heades, 
 then of Englifh religion in their heartes. Neuertheleffe the godly 
 perceiue how lamentable & damnable a cafe we ftand in ; lamentable, 
 becaufe we are fo afotted with thefe delightes, fo blinded with the loue, 
 and drunken with the fweetenes of thefe vanities, that greedely we 
 flocke together, and with our braineficke affemblies not vnlyke to the 
 Troyanes hale in the horfe, whofe mifchiefe hath beene difcouered by 
 the Prophets of the Lorde, and whofe bowels haue beene manye times 
 gaged with the fword of his trueth ; damnable, becaufe we profefle 
 Chrift, and fet vp the dodtrine of the deuill ; we holde with the hare 
 and run with the hound, heaping vp iudgement vpon our foules by 
 this hipocrifie. Certayne it is, that this life of ours is a continuall 
 
172 Treatifes. 
 
 warrefare, a pitchte fielde, wherein, as the lickerous tounge of our 
 mother Eue hath iuftly prouoked the Lorde, to fet the deuill and vs 
 at deadly feude, (o is it our part to bethlnke vs of him, that neuer leaues 
 nibling at our heele. Hee is called the Serpent, the enuious ma, the 
 Prince of this world, the common enemie of Chrifte, and of man 
 kinde. Being a Serpent hee is fubtile ; being enuious, he repineth at 
 our eftate ; being a Prince, hee is mightie ; being an enemy, hee is 
 malicious; malice breedeth continuall difcorde ; continuall difcorde, 'a 
 perpetuall ftudye and defire to hurt ; which the Apoftle vnderftading, 
 giueth vs a watche woorde to walke warely. For hauing an enemy 
 fo crafty conceited, fo well appoynted, fo enuious, fo malitious, fo 
 willinge to mifchiefe vs : no doubte but he hath fett vp many trappes, 
 fhott many nettes, bay ted many hookes, to take vs, to tangle vs, to 
 thrattle vs. Which is enough to make vs fufpedte euerie pleafure that 
 L. Fiorus. he profereth. When Pyrrhus fawe that the Romaynes could not be 
 ouer throwne by force of armes, he buried the bodies of them that were 
 flayne ; he dealte very honorablie with hys prifoners returninge 
 them home without ranfome, and fent his AmbafTadours to entreate of 
 peace: wherby he made accounte to winne that with vndermininge, 
 which open aflalt could neuer get. The Deuill, whofe treachery 
 pafleth the fhiftes of Pyrrhus, feelinge fuch a terrible pufh, giuen to 
 his breaft by the chaunge of religion, and by the happy entraiice of 
 her Maieftie to the crowne, hath played wilie beguilie euer fince. Hee 
 deales verye fauourabjy with vs now, hee entertayneth his captiues 
 with all manner of curtefie, hee craueth no ranfome for our releafe, 
 his AmbafTadours haue bene a great while amonge vs. Firft hee fente 
 ouer many wanton Italian bookes, which being traflated into englifh, 
 haue poyfoned the olde maners of our Country with foreine delights, 
 they haue fo hardned the readers harts, y' feuerer writers are trode vnder 
 
Treatifes. 173 
 
 foote, none are fo pleafunte or plaufible as they, that found fome kinde 
 of libertie in our eares. This contempt of good bookes hath breede 
 a defire of fancies and toyes. For if it be as Ambrofe fayth that the De fuga fecuii. 
 decreafe of vanitie is the increafe of vertue : I may reafon of the 
 contrary^ that the increafe of vanity is the decreafe of vertue. There- 
 fore the Deuill not contented with the number he hath corrupted with 
 reading Italian baudery, becaufe all canot reade, preseteth vs Comedies 
 cut by the fame paterne, which drag fuch a monftrous taile after the, 
 as is able to fweep whole Cities into his lap. They which haue any 
 experience in martial difcipline, know y' the eafieft way to conquere, is 
 either to bribe y' Captaine, to betray his Prince, or to allure y' Soul- 
 diers, to revoke & forfake their Captaine. Our enemie whofe experi- 
 ence is great by continuall pradtife had from the beginning tried his 
 cunning vpon Chrifte, but tooke the foyle : yet leauing nothing vnfifted 
 that may ferue his purpofe, and feeing that neither riches nor yet pre- 
 ferment of this world, could moue our Captaine to fall forward and 
 worfhip him, becaufe we are commanded to followe our Captaine foote 
 by foote which is Irckfome to performe, hee fettes Comedies abroach 
 and eredteth Theaters to make vs fall backwarde & flie the fielde. 
 Happy faith the Prophet is he That walketh not in the Counfell of pfaim i. 
 the vngodly, nor ftandeth in the way of finners, nor fitteth in the 
 chaire of peftilence. The counfell of the vngodly is the cunning drift, 
 .the deepe fearch, the fubtile caft of the Children of darknes which are 
 fharpe fighted in all kinde of mifchiefe. The way of finners is the 
 proceedings and praftifes of finners. The chaire of peftilence is the 
 AfTembly of wicked worldlings. But if we flocke to Theaters to gafe 
 vpon playes, wee walke in the Counfell of the vngodly, becaufe plaiying 
 is one of thofe politique homes which our enemie dofleth againft the 
 Gofpell ; We ftand in the way of finners, becaufe plaies are the pro- 
 
74 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 Obietflion. 
 
 Aunfweare De 
 corona milit. 
 
 ceedings & pradlifes of the Gentiles in their Idolatrie : We fit in the 
 chaire of peftilence, becaufe we thruft our felues into the companie of 
 them, which being ouergorged with the preaching of the word, begin 
 to lift at feuerer difcipline, and worfliip the Deuill by falling back- 
 ward. This Apoflrafy plungeth us vp to the throat in finne and 
 wickednes & ringes a peale for reueng in the eares of God, by whome 
 we learne that the reward of finne is a bitter curfle. Sithince flag 
 plaies are the doftrine of the Deuill ; the counfell of the vngodly ; 
 the way of finners, the chaire of peftilence ; the forerunners of a curfle 
 procured to that land wherein they floorifli, howe can they bee fuffered 
 in this common weale wherein we profefl"e the name of Chrift, except 
 we ftand at defiance with Chriftianity, or proclaime open warre to our 
 foules ? Some curious fifter peradueture may iudge me to be ftreighter 
 laced the I neede, or caft this in my teeth, y' fuch Chriftias as wil 
 borow nothing fro the Getiles left they ftand In the way of finners, 
 muft neither occupie flilps, for they were inueted by Minerua ; nor 
 weare any line, becaufe It was proper to Ofyris ; nor exercife almoft 
 any kinde of handycraft, for moft of them were borowed of the 
 Gentiles. To whome I aunfwere with Tertulllan, that of things 
 recelued from the Heathens, Some were reuealed vnto them by God, 
 for neceflary vfes and the benefite of ma ; fome were infpyred by the 
 Deuill, which vnder the fhew of IndifFerency fhadow the corruption 
 of a priuy condition, by which they are fubiedt vnto vanltie. Thofe 
 things that are Inuented for neceflarie vfes, as, Shippes, clothing wollen 
 or linnen, Manuary craftes, may be accepted of Chrlftians without 
 error, for they are the bleflings of God beftowed vpon vs, but thofe 
 things which are neither neceflary nor beneficlall vnto man, yet cary 
 In their Foreheaddes a manyfeft printe of their firft condition, as May- 
 games, Stageplaies, & fuch like, can not be fuffred amog Chrlftians 
 
Treatifes. 175 
 
 without Apoftacy, becaufe they were fuckt from the Deuilles teate to 
 Nurce vp Idolatrie. God thinking him felfe not fufficiently honoured, 
 except the outwarde conuerfation of our life doe giue a teftimony to 
 the worlde of the inwarde hoJinefle of the minde, chargeth vs feuerely to 
 avoide euery thingthat hindereth the outwarde profeffion ofChriftianitie. 
 Therefore the Apoftles writing to the Churches of Antioch, Syria, Aasis, vers. 
 Cilicia, iudged it a neceffary Burthen to bee layed vpon them, that ^ ^" ^^' 
 they touch not thinges Sanftified vnto Idoles. Wherefore if y' out- 
 ward vfe of things indifferent, as meats, be to be tied to y' rule of 
 charitie, and not to be taken, when they oiFende the confience of the 
 weake ; how much lefTe ough we to ioyne with idolaters in theire 
 playes, which are nawghte of them felues, & ofFenfiue to the godly ? 
 yf we be carefuU that no pollution of idoles enter by the mouth into 
 our bodies, how dilligent, how circumfpedt, how wary ought we to be, 
 that no corruption of idols, enter by the paflage of our eyes & 
 eares into the foule ? We knowe that whatfoeuer goeth into the 
 mouth defileth not but pafleth away by courfe of nature ; but that 
 which entreth into vs by the eyes and eares, mufte bee digefted 
 by the fpirite, which is chiefly referued to honor God. This 
 fpirite of ours is already defiled with the idolatrye of the Gentiles, 
 if wee be partakers of their facrifices, and maketh vs fl:inke in the 
 fight of God, for as he that fteales but a trifle is guiltie of theft, 
 fo hee that alloweth the leaft parcell of offringes of the Gentiles is 
 acceflary to idolatry if not by y'= quantitie of y' thing, yet by y"= nature 
 of the crime. Which being confidered, I am forced to faye, that 
 fuche men as are erectors of Stage Playes among Chrifl:ians, either fee 
 not that they communicate with the facrifices and idolatry of the 
 Gentiles, for lacke of knowledge ; or feeing it, difl!emble the matter 
 for want of zeale. Two fortes of facrifice were vfed among the 
 
176 Treatijes. 
 
 Heathens, the one, to the Gods of their countrey, the other to the 
 Spirites of the deade, they committed idolatrye in them both. Amonge 
 
 Lib. de fpe(3a- fuch Idoktrous fpeftacles as they facrificed to their Gods, TertuUian 
 affirmeth y' Playes were confecrated vnto Bacchus for the firfte find- 
 inge out of wine. Thefe Playes were not fet vp by the Gentiles of 
 any blinde zeale within themfeiues, but by the motion of the diuell, 
 as may be prooued by the originall of them at Rome. This kinde of 
 Idolatrye was long praftifed among the Greekes, the Romanes not 
 being acquainted with y^ fame. Therefore y" deuill fpying his time 
 to bring it into Italic, about 400 yeares after y'= building of Rome, in 
 y" Confulfhip of Sulpicius & Stolon, the inhabitantes beinge mightelie 
 deuowred with a greate plague, the Deuill forefeeing the time whe 
 the plague fhould ceafe, taught y' Romanes by the oracles of Sibilla 
 to fet forth plaies to appeafe y' ager of y^ Gods, y' y'= peftilence ceafing 
 after this folemnifing of their plaies, might nufsle the in idolatrie and 
 watonnefle euer after. For as y" wicked fpirits which y'= Gentiles 
 worfliipped appeared once fightinge in the plaine of Campania, to 
 whet them to flaughter and bloudfhead by this illufion : fo did they 
 
 Lib. 2. de ciui- (faith S. Augiiftine) with the like fubtilty, caufe Playes to be confe- 
 crated vnto them, wherein their Adulteries, and Impurities were pointed 
 out, that fuch as gave credite to the fame, might follow their example, 
 and they that coulde not be brought to beleeue it, yet feeing theyr 
 Gods delight to bee worfhipped fo, might giue them felues ouer to 
 abhominable luft. Though the Romans in that horrible Plague that 
 vexed theyr City fetcht the famoufeft Plaiers out of Hetruria, yet did 
 not the Sicknes of bodie furceafe, becaufe the delicate phrenfie of plaiyng 
 entred, but the craftines of wicked fpirits forefeeing that the peftilence 
 
 Auguft. lib. I. fhoulde haue an end, tooke aduantage hereby to infeft not the bodies, 
 
 cap^'s'i?'^ '"' but the manners of the Citizes with a greater plague. Euery Seafaring 
 
ireatifes. i jy 
 
 man is able to tell you that there is greater daunger in thofe ftonnes 
 that forbid you to fhoote into the Hauen, then in them that wil not 
 fufFer you to faile at al ; which policy the Deuill vfed to peruert the 
 Gentiles. For thofe wicked fpirites which challenging a diuinitie to 
 them felues were worfhipped of the Gentiles, neither regarded the 
 fmoke of facrifices, nor fhowe of plaies, but the men that offered vp 
 bothe to honour them. By this meanes the Deuill driuing them from 
 the worfhip of the true God, as fhips from the harbour where they 
 fhoulde ryde, helde them in greater peril! of death then if they had 
 worfhipped no God at all. Sithince it is manifefl by all Antiquities, 
 if we fearch them, that plaies are the facrifices of the Deuill, taught 
 by himfelfe to pull vs from the feruice of our God, as ofte as euer wee 
 fet them vp in our Chriflian Cities, the Diuell triumpheth and reioyceth 
 therein as in thinges facrificed by Chriftians vnto him. 
 
 Becaufe that as in the Church finging and prayfing the Lorde to- 
 gether as hee him felfe hath inflr[u]d:ed vs in his worde, is a figne by 
 whiche the true God is afTured that we facrifice our hearts vnto 
 him with the Calues of our lippes : So the Diuell perceiuing vs to 
 aduaunce the offringes or facrifices of the Gentiles after the fame 
 manner of houfes, of apparell, of Stages, of Plaies, that he inftructed 
 the Gentiles by his Oracles, hath greate caufe to bee merrie, and to 
 holde him felfe honoured thereby. Is it fo ? and fhall wee fay wee doe 
 it not with the minde to commit Idolatrie ? Truely this aunfweare 
 is like to a drawght of colde water in burning Feuers, whereby the 
 bodie is quieted for a time, but the fickenes can neuer be remoued. 
 The noble Scipio Nafica perceuing that the Citie cannot longe endure 
 whofe walles flande and manners fall, when hee fawe the whole Senate 
 bent to builde vpp Theaters, and fett out Playes, with earneft perfuafion 
 drewe them from it. And Valerius Maximus flatlie affirmeth, that 
 
 A A 
 
178 Treatifes. 
 
 they were not brought into Rome, Sine pacis rubore, without a fteine 
 Auguft.de ciuit. of difgrace to the time of Peace. They greive in time fo infamous 
 among y" Romanes the felues, that if any continued in that arte, they 
 were depriued of the dignitie of other Citizens, and remoued by the 
 Cenfors from their Tribe. 
 
 Wherefore I befeech God fo to touch the heartes of our Magiftrates 
 with a perfite hatred of finne, and feare of Judgement ; fo to ftirre 
 vpp fome noble Scipio in the Courte, that thefe daufing Chaplines of 
 Bacchus and all fuch as fet vp thefe wicked artes, may be driuen out 
 of Englande, may bee fliutt from the companie of the Godly, & as 
 open profeflbrs of Idolatrie, feparated from vs by Sea and Lande. If 
 there be a zeale in authoritie to banifh them ; a diligence in Preachers 
 to purfue ' them ; a generall confent In vs to loath them ; I dare 
 boldely auouch from my owne experience, that monftrous finnes, 
 with very light trauell ; imminent dager, with very fmall troble ; olde 
 feftred corruptions, in very fhorte time wilbe difplaced ; the Churches 
 in London more frequented, more furniflite, more filled ; the diuine 
 feruice of God more regarded, more reuerenced, more kept ; and the 
 vtter fuppreffing of a fewe, breede a fweete reformation in many 
 thoufandes. 
 
 ne 2 Action. 
 
 If the daye wherein wee bee deliuered from the iawes of death, 
 ought to bee as ioyfull to vs as the houer of birth, becaufe the ioy of 
 fafetie atchiued is fure, the condition of byrth vncertaine ; and be- 
 caufe wee are borne without pleafure, faued with gladnes : Both I 
 ftial think my ftudy very well employed, and my louing cuntrimen of 
 Englande fliall haue caufe to reioyce, if it pleafe God by my trauell 
 againft Plaies, to make me a ftay to the ryot of their expences, a dif- 
 
Treatifes. i yg 
 
 clofer of the corruptio in their families, and a watchman againfte the 
 
 hazard of their foules. All which as I iudge to proceed of Stage 
 
 Plays ; fo muft I confute the opinion of them that holde the contrary. 
 
 Yonge Mafter Lodge thinking to iett vpon ftartoppes, and fteale an 
 
 ynche of his hight by the bare name of Cicero, allegeth fro him, y' 
 
 a Play is the Schoolmiftrefle of life ; the lookinge glafle of manners ; 
 
 and the image of trueth. But finding him felfe too weeke in the 
 
 knees to ftand it out, neither alleadging the place where Tullie faith 
 
 it ; nor bringing any reafon of his owne, to proue it ; hee flittes from 
 
 this to the Etymologie of Plaies, fro thence to the inuentors, and fo 
 
 gallops his wifedome out of breath. It feemeth that Mafter Lodge 
 
 faw this in Tullie with other folkes eyes, and not his owne. For to 
 
 my remembrance I neuer read it in him, neither doe I thinke that 
 
 Mafter Lodge can fhewe it me. For in his Tufculans fecond, thirde, 
 
 and fourth booke, he mifliketh playes ; in his bookes of the common 
 
 weale, he is fliarpe fet againft them. In his Epiftles writing to % am. ub. 7. 
 
 Marius, who was abfent from the playes that were fet out at Pompeys 
 
 charges, he telleth him that if any paine of bodie, or decaye of health 
 
 withhelde him, he attributeth it rather to fortune, then to his wifdome, 
 
 but if he contemned thofe babies, that other men wonder at, and being 
 
 not hindered with ficknes refufed to fee them of his own accord, he 
 
 reioyceth greatly in his friedes behalfe, firft, that he felt no greefe of 
 
 bodie, next that he was perfedlly whole in minde, becaufe he foreflowed 
 
 to come to thofe fpedtacles, which other me delight in without caufe. 
 
 I would it pleafed mafter Lodge to remember that in cafes of confcience 
 
 no mans authoritie may ftand for reafon, it is therefore our duetie to 
 
 weighe before we fpeake, whether the teftimonies of other men will 
 
 abide the hammeringe, when they come to be wrought by the worde 
 
 of God, otherwife to take what foeuer they fay for Oracles, and mufter 
 
i8o Treat if es. 
 
 them together in proofe of that which neither reafon nor confcience 
 doth allow, is as fonde and impertinent an enterprife as to open our 
 locke with the hatchet, and cleaue our wood with the key. 
 
 But becaufe Matter Lodge will needes father thefe wordes vpon 
 Tullie that neuer fpake them, I will firft fette downe the matter, and 
 the perfons of both kindes of playes, then rippe vp euery part of this 
 Aefop. Fab. definition, that you may fee how this gentleman, like the Foxe at the 
 banquet of the Storke, lickes the outfide of the glafle with an emptie 
 ftomacke, when his heade will not fuffer him to enter in. 
 
 The argumet of Tragedies is wrath, crueltie, inceft, iniurie, murther 
 eyther violent by fworde, or voluntary by poyfon. 
 
 The perfons, Gods, GoddefTes, furies, fiendes, Kinges, Quenes, and 
 mightie men. The ground worke of Commedies, is loue, cofenedge, 
 flatterie, bawderie, flye conueighance of whoredome. The persos, 
 cookes, queanes, knaues, baudes, parafites, courtezannes, lecherous 
 olde men, amorous yong men. Therefore Plautus in his prologue 
 before the comedie of the captiues, defiring to curry fauoure with his 
 auditours, exhorteth them earneftly to marke that playe, becaufe it 
 fhall caft no fuche ftenche of impuritie into theire nofes as others doe. 
 There is in it (faith he) neither forfworne baude, nor harlot, nor 
 bragging fouldier. Why could he not giue this commendation to all 
 the reft ? becaufe it was the praftife of the deuill, to weaue in a thread 
 of his own fpinning. Why is this rather purged of filthines then the 
 reft ? becaufe it is the iuglinge of the deuill, to turne himfelfe fome- 
 times to an Angel of light, to deceiue vs the fooner. The beft play 
 you can picke out, is but a mixture of good and euill, how can it be 
 then the fchoolemiftres of life ? The beholding of troubles and 
 miferable flaughters that are in Tragedies, driue vs to immoderate 
 forrow, heauines, womanifh weeping and mourning, whereby we 
 
Treatifes. 1 8 1 
 
 become louers of dumpes, and lamentatio, both enemies to fortitude. 
 
 Comedies fo tickle our fenfes with a pleafanter vaine, that they make 
 
 vs louers of laughter, and pleafure, without any meane, both, foes to 
 
 temperance, what fchooling is this ? Sometime you fhall fee nothing 
 
 but the aduentures of an amorous knight, paffing from countrie to 
 
 countrie for the loue of his lady, encoutring many a terible monfter 
 
 made of broune paper, & at his retorne, is fo wonderfully changed, 
 
 that he can not be knowne but by fome pofie in his tablet, or by a 
 
 broken ring, or a handkircher, or a piece of a cockle fhell, what learne 
 
 you by that ? When y' foule of your playes is eyther meere trifles, 
 
 or Italian baudery, or wooing of gentlewomen, what are we taught ? 
 
 peraduenture you will faye, that by thefe kinde of playes, the authours a common & 
 
 inftrudt vs how to loue with confl:ancie, to fue with modeftie, and to 
 
 loth whatfoeuer is contrarie vnto this. In my opinion, the difcipline 
 
 we gette by playes is like to the iufl:ice that a certaine Schoolem after Anfwere. 
 
 taught in Perfia, which taught his fchollers to lye, and not to lye ; to 
 
 deceiue and not to deceiue, with a difl:ind:ion howe they might doe it Xenopho. Lib. 
 
 .. . ..-..- ._ide inftit. 
 
 to their triends, & how to their enemies ; to their friends, for exercife; Cyri. 
 to their fooes, in earneft. Wherein many of his fchollers became fo 
 flcilfuU by pradiife, by cuftome fo bolde, that their deareft friendes 
 payde more for their learning then their enemies. I would wifli 
 the Players to beware of this kinde of fchooling, leaft that whilft 
 they teach youthfull gentlemg how to loue, and not to loue ; how to 
 woo, and not to woo, their fchollers grow as cunning as the Perfians. 
 As the mifchiefe that followed that difcipline of Perfia enforced 
 them to make a lawe, that yong men fliould euer after be taught 
 fimply as houfeholders vfe to inftrudt their families ; fo I truft, that 
 when the Londoners are fufficiently beaten with the hurte of fuch 
 lefsos as are learned at Plaies, if not for confcience fake, yet for 
 
i82 Treatijes. 
 
 fhunning the mifchiefe that may priuately breake into euery mans 
 houfe, this methode of teaching will bee come fo hateful), that euen 
 worldly pollicy without any gramercy fhalbe driuen to banifh it. 
 
 Ouid.Epift. Sappho writing to her Louer Phaon, telieth him that her ftudy 
 
 peepes out in her behaiuour, and Thalia her Mufe hath made her 
 wanton. Howe true this aflertion is, appeareth by Mathematicians, 
 which are folitary ; mufitians, whofe mindes are as variable as their 
 arte. This may fuffice to perfuade vs that no manner of goodnes can 
 bee learned at a play, partly becaufe the beft is a mixture of good and 
 euill, as fhalbe fhowen more euidently by the formall caufe thereof 
 when I come to that place. The mind of it felfe is fimple without 
 mixture or compofition, therefore thofe inftruftions that are giuen to 
 the minde muft bee fimple without mingle magle of fifh & flefh, good 
 & bad, where both are profred, the hereditarie corruptio of our nature 
 
 PoHt. Ca. vit taketh y'' worft and leaueth the beft. Vpon this cofideratio Ariftotle 
 vtterly forbiddeth yog men of Plaies till they bee fetled in minde & 
 immoueable in affedtion left comming to the Stage to fetche Phyficke 
 for loue, they quench their heate with a pynte of water and a pottle 
 of fire ; partly becaufe that whiche is learned, muft be learned of the 
 beft, leaft the example of vngodly Mafters, poyfon vs rather the 
 inftrudle vs. But whether Playes, for the matter ; or Players, for 
 their manners ; be fitte Schoolmafters of honeftie, I report me to 
 them that by frequenting Theaters are very well acquainted with the 
 argument of the one, the life of the other. If any goodnes were to 
 be learned at Playes it is likely that the Players them felues which 
 committ euery fillable to memory fhoulde profitte moft, becaufe that 
 as euery man learneth fo hee liueth ; and as his ftudy is, fuch are his 
 manners ; but the dayly experiece of their behauiour, fheweth, that 
 they reape no profit by the difcipline them felues ; how then can they 
 
Treat ifes. 183 
 
 put vs in any good hope to be inftrudled thereby when wee haue the 
 fight of fuch leflbnSj but an houre or two as they ftudy aud praftife 
 euerie daye, yet are neuer the better. Matter Lodge finding fome 
 peeuifh index or gatherer of Tullie to be a fleepe, is very wel con- 
 tented to winke for company, and thinking his worde fo currant to 
 goe for payment, woulde gladly perfuade vs vpon Tullies credite that 
 a Play is the Schoolmiftres of life. Wherein I perceiue hee is no 
 changeling, for he difputeth as foundly being from the vniuerfitie and 
 out of exercife, as hee did when hee was there, and at his booke. 
 
 The next property that of his owne braine (but in Ciceroes name) 
 hee giues to a Play, is, that it is a very Glafle of behauiour. The 
 corruption of manners is there reuealed and accufed. "Which is eafily 
 confuted, by the circumftaunce of the place, of the perfon, of the 
 manner, and of the end of accufation. For the place ; no priuate 
 mans life ought to be brought in quefl:ion or accufed, but where he 
 may pleade in his owne defence and haue indifferent iudges to deter- 
 mine the caufe, to that ende receiue wee a couple of eares that both 
 partes might be heard, both equally weighed, and therfore did 
 Alexander in iudgement fl:op one eare with his finger, referuing it 
 wholly for the defendant. At Stage Plaies it is ridiculous, for the 
 parties accufed to replye, no indifFerency of iudgement can be had, 
 becaufe the worfte fort of people haue the hearing of it, which in 
 refpedte of there ignorance, of there ficklenes, and of there furie, are 
 not to bee admitted in place of iudgement. A ludge muft be graue, 
 fober, difcreete, wife, well exercifed in cafes of gouernement. Which 
 qualities are neuer founde in the bafer fort. 
 
 A ludge muft be immoueable, vncorrupted, vpright, neither turning 
 to the right hand, nor to the left ; the meaner forte tottre, they are 
 caried away with euery rumor, and fo eafily corrupted, that in the 
 
1 84 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 Obieftion . 
 
 Anfwere. 
 
 Cicer. in his 4. 
 book of the 
 comon-weale. 
 
 Epift. lib. i. 
 
 Theaters they generally take vp a wonderful] laughter, and fhout 
 altogether with one voyce, when they fee fome notable cofenedge 
 pradlifed, or fome flie conueighance of baudry brought out of Italy. 
 Wherby they ihowe them felues rather to like it then to rebuke it. 
 A iudge muft neither be inflamed with choler, nor blinded w' afFedlio ; 
 The rudeft of the people are fometime rauiflied with euery gewgawe 
 fometime fo headie, that they runne together by heapes, they know 
 not whither ; and lay about with theire clubbes, they fee not why. 
 Which thing the auncient Philofophers confidering called them a 
 monfler of many heades. If the common people which reforte to 
 Theaters being but a aflemblie of Tailers, Tinkers, Cordwayners, 
 Saylers, olde Men, yong Men, Women, Boyes, Girles, and fuch like, 
 be the iudges of faultes there painted out, the rebuking of manners in 
 that place, is neyther lawfull nor conuenient, but to be helde for a 
 kinde of libelling, and defaming. Howfoeuer they face it out with 
 their owne cardes, pretending that as the Painter in his flioppe 
 expreffeth one or other by a counterfaite : fo the Poet on ftages pre- 
 fenteth you a pi(5ture of his owne drawing, wherein you may behold 
 the whole life of man, it appeareth by antiquitie, that the Poets which 
 were before, had another meaning ; for as any man had difpleafed them, 
 to reueng theire owne caufe they ftudied to prefent him on the ftage, 
 there did they ruffle, and taunt ; fcoffe, and nippe ; thunder, and 
 lighten, and fpue vp theire counning to deface him. Whereupon 
 grewe one of the lawes of the twelue tables, that no man fliould be fo 
 hardie as to write any thing, whereby the good name of any bodie 
 might be hurt ; they woulde not haue the life and behauiour of the 
 citizens, fubiedt eyther to a Poets inkehorne, or a Players tongue, but 
 to the feate of iuflice. 
 
 This may be gathered by the Epiflle of Horace to Auguflus, and 
 
Treatifes. 185 
 
 by other famous writers, which hauinge curioufly fearched y' lawes of 
 the Romaines, confeffe in plaine words, that the ouerlafhing of players 
 was fo reftrayned. Whether this be the praftife of Poets in thefe 
 dayes you may perceiue by the drift of him that wrote the play termed 
 the three Ladies of London, which in the Cataftrophe maketh Loue 
 and Confcience to be examined how thrie (fie) good ladifhippes like 
 of playes ? Loue anfweres that fhe detefteth them, becaufe her guttes 
 are tourned outward, and all her fecret conueighaunce, is blazed with 
 colours to the peoples eye. Confcience like a kindhearted gentle- 
 woman doth alow them. 
 
 In this pointe the Poet makes fo much haft to his iorneyes end, that 
 he throwes him felfe headlong downe the hill. For neither Loue 
 difliked them, before he had married her to Diffimulation, whofe pro- 
 pertie is to fay one thing and thinke another : nor Confcience allowed 
 them, before he had fpotted her with all abhomination, whofe nature 
 is to allowe that which is like herfelfe, filthie, corrupt, fpotted, and 
 defiled. The writer of the plaie called London againft the three 
 Ladies confeffeth in his prologe that he made it partly for enuie, 
 partly for a vaine glorious minde. For enuie, becaufe his flromack 
 would not beare the commendations, that other men gaue to the three 
 Ladies in his hearing. For vaine glorie : becaufe he ftraue to do 
 better himfelfe, and mifd the cufhion : fomewhat I graunt he bettered 
 it in fhewe, touching the fubftance he doth but cauill as I woulde 
 declare, if it were not from the matter I take in hand. By thefe few 
 you may gather of all the reft, and perfwade your felues that as ftages 
 and Theaters are not allowed by the lawes of God, or man, to medle 
 with diforders : fo is it not the marke that theire authours fhoote at 
 when they fill thofe roomes. If any deformity be reprehended there, 
 it is to be done by the players mouth, he that will ftiewe another man 
 
 B B 
 
1 86 Treatifes. 
 
 his fault, muft purge him felfe firft. For as they were forbidden in 
 Plutarch. old time to expounde anie Oracles which had anie infeftion about 
 theire bodies : fo haue they no grace in rebuking others, that nourifh 
 a canker in their owne foules. How are they able to pull vs vp that 
 grouel as flatte in the duft as we ? what credit hath any good counfell 
 in Players lippes, when it workes no amendment in themfelues ? 
 
 Matt. 7. ver. 3. CoHceming the maner of rebuking whofoeuer taketh that office vpon 
 him muft do it fecretly, of compaffion, and in the fpirit of meeknes. 
 Secretly : becaufe we ought not to defame the partie rebuked againft 
 the law of charitie, or the rule of Chrift : the law of charitie, which 
 couereth the multitude of offences ; the rule of Chrift which willeth 
 vs to drawe our brother afide and tell him our minde. 
 
 Of compaffion ; for he that rebuketh muft be inwardly ftricken 
 with greefe of heart to fee the maieftie of God offended, and the foule 
 of his brother hazarded. 
 
 % Cor. 2. ve. 4. So Paul Writing againft an inceftuous perfon, confeffeth that he did 
 it with many teares, whereby he giueth vs to vnderftand how he pitied 
 the offender, and lamented the damnable cafe he ftood in. In the 
 
 Gaiiat. 6. ve. i. fpirit of mcckncs : becaufe we ought to confider our owne weaknes, 
 which are fubiedte to infirmities, and may be tempted as much as 
 other. But when any thing is reprehended by Players vpon the 
 Stage, it is openly blowne into the eares of many and made a by 
 worde, it procedeth not of forrow, or compaffion towards him that 
 
 Auguft. 2 ciuit. hath offended, but fpringeth either of y'^ Poets mallice, for fo Eupolis 
 hadledAlcibiades; or of corruption, as Ariftophanes dealt with Socrates 
 and Cleon ; with Socrates, in his Comedie called The cloudes, wherin 
 he was hyred by Anytus and Melitus to difcredit him ; with Cleon in 
 his Comedie named, The men at armes, bribed by Nicias and De- 
 mofthenes (as fome writers fufpedt) to do the like. 
 
Treatifes. 1 87 
 
 It is not fpoken in the fpirit of meeknes, but with a fcofEng, and 
 iearinge fpirit, altogether vnmeete for fuch a purpofe. The white 
 that rebukers ought to leuil at, is the recouerie of him that hath trodde 
 awrie. So Peter bidds Simon the forcerer to repent that his (inne might Aa. 8. %i. 
 be forgiuen him. So Paul comandeth the Church of Corinth to deliuer i Cor. 5. 5. 
 the inceftuous man vnto Satan that his foule might be fafe in the day 
 of the Lord. But neither the Poets which penne the playes, nor the 
 Adtors that prefent them vpon the Stage, doe feeke to doe any good 
 vnto fuch as they rebuke, for the Poets intente is, to wreake his owne 
 anger, as I fhewed you of Eupolis & thofe y' were reftrained by the 
 Twelue tables ; the Acflors either hut for their own profit, as the 
 players in London ; or followe the humor of their owne fancies, and 
 youthfull delightes, as the ftudentes of the vniuerfities, and the Inns 
 of Courte. 
 
 Therefore vpon the place, vpon the perfon, vpon the methode, 
 vpon the ende of reprehention, I conclude, that a plaie can bee no 
 looking glafle of behauiour, and the rebuking of manners is as fit for 
 the S[t]age, as the pidure of Chaftitie for the ftues. Yet is Mafter 
 Lodge very eager to force it vpon me, for Tullies fake, vfing his olde 
 facion of difputing, compelled with hunger when reafon is fcante 
 either to flye to a blinde texte, or to plaie the woman & braule it 
 out. He roweth on farther in this barge and holdes it harde that a 
 plaie is the Image of trueth. Wherein he fareth as mariners at fea, 
 who haue no more title to that they haue pafled and lefte behinde 
 them, then to that which remayneth vntouched, and lyeth before 
 them. 
 
 As the other two properties which he pofted ouer, are fuffitiently 
 proued not to belong to Comedies, for which he clames them : fo 
 (God willing) you fliall perceiue, that he entreth as boldely vpon this 
 
1 88 Treatifes. 
 
 without any commiflion to beare him out. The perfedlefl: Image is 
 that which maketh the thing to feeme neither greater nor lefTe then 
 in deede it is. But in Playes either thofe thinges are fained that 
 neuer were, as Cupid and Pfyche plaid at Paules ; and a greate many 
 Coedies more at y" Blacke friers and in euery Playe houfe in London, 
 which for breuities fake I ouer fkippe : or if a true Hiftorie be taken 
 in hand, it is made like our fhadows, longeft at the rifing and falling 
 of the Sunne, fhorteft of all at hie noone. 
 
 For the Poets driue it moft commonly vnto fuch pointes as may 
 beft fhowe the maieftie of their pen in Tragicall fpeaches ; or fet the 
 hearers a gogge with difcourfes of loue ; or painte a fewe antickes to 
 fitt their owne humors with fcofFes & tauntes ; or wring in a fhewe 
 to furnifh the Stage when it is to bare ; when the matter of it felfe 
 comes fhorte of this, they followe the pradbife of the cobler, and fet 
 their teeth to the leather to pull it out. 
 
 So was the hiftory of Csefar and Pompey, and the Playe of the 
 Fabii at the Theater, both amplified there, where the Drummes 
 might walke, or the pen ruffle ; when the hiftory fwelled and ran to 
 hye for the number of y' perfons that fhoulde playe it, the Poet with 
 Proteus cut the fame fit to his owne meafure ; when it afoorded no 
 pompe at al, he brought it to the racke to make it ferue. Which 
 inuinciblie proueth on my fide that Plays are no Images of trueth, 
 becaufe fometime they hadle fuch thinges as neuer were, fometime 
 they runne vpon truethes, but make them feeme longer, or fliorter, 
 or greater, or lefle then they were, according as the Poet blowes them 
 vp with his quill, for afpiring heades, or minceth them fmaller for 
 weaker ftomakes. 
 
 I may boldely fay it becaufe I haue feene it, that the Palace of 
 
Treatifes. 189 
 
 pleafure, the Golden Afle, the ^Ethiopian hiftorie, Amadis of Fraunce, 
 the Roimde table, baudie Comedies in Latine, French, ItaHan, and 
 Spanifh, haue beene throughly ranfackt to furnifh the Playe houfes in 
 London. How is it poflible that our Flayemakers headdes, running 
 through Genus and Species & euery difference of lyes, cofenages, 
 baudries, whooredomes, fhould preset vs any fchoole-miftres of life, 
 looking glafle of maSers, or Image of trueth ? for[s]ooth faith the 
 Authour of the Playe of plays fhowen at the Theater, the three and obieaion. 
 twentieth of Februarie laft : They (halbe nowe purged, the matter 
 ftialbe good. 
 
 Bee it as hee fayth, let vs graunte him that hee may haue Playes, if Aunfwere. 
 hee pleafe, whofe matter is good, fimple, fweete, and honeft, yet muft De fpeaacuiis. 
 I aunfwere him with Tertullian, that as no man which defireth to 
 giue you a deadly poyfon will temper the fame with gaull and Elle- 
 borus, or any thing that is bitter and vnpleafaunt, but with fweete & 
 holfome confeftios : So the Deuill at Playes wil bring the comfortable 
 worde of God, which, becaufe it nourifheth of nature is very con- 
 uenient to carry the poyfon into our vaines. 
 
 But fith Bucchanans booke is an old wormeaten obieftion which 
 was laide in my difh at my firft publifhing the fchoole of abufe, you 
 fhall fee whether it be lawfuU for Chriftians to play it, when I handle 
 the reprefentation of playes though theire matter be honeft. As for 
 that glofing plaie at y" Theater which profers you fo faire, there is 
 enterlaced in it a baudie fong of a maide of Kent, an a litle beaftly 
 fpeach of the new ftawled roge (rage ?), both which I am compelled 
 to burie in filence, being more afhamed to vtter them then they. For 
 as in Tragedies fome points are fo terrible that the Poets are con- 
 ftrayned to turne them from the peoples eyes ; fo in the fong of the 
 
190 Treatifes. 
 
 one, the fpeache of the other, fomewhat is fo difhoneft that I can not 
 with honeftie repeate it. NeuerthelefTe if they fhould altogether 
 fwepe of this donge from the Stage, and employ them felues foberlie 
 to rebukinge of manners ; as I haue already proued the Stage to be 
 vnfitte for fuch a purpofe, fo I perfwade my felfe that the other is but 
 the iugglinge of the deuill, who, perceyuing his comedies begin to 
 ftinke, giueth vs a graine or two in the weight of the caufe, to make 
 
 . Deciuit.Dei. vp his market, and, as Auguftine noteth is contented fometime to be 
 euill fpoken of in Playes to bleare our eyes. He affordeth to vs as he 
 did to Plautus fome fmall number of plaies without loue or curtefane, 
 
 obieaion. yea, with verie good matter, to maintaine the idolatry of the Gentils. 
 The number of the yeares wherein they floriflied amonge the Greekes, 
 though they be reconed to be thirtene hundreth, yet if they had 
 
 Anfwere. mounted to thirtene thoufande, this is not enough to perfwade vs that 
 
 are Chriftians to do the like. For the playes of the Grecians are to be 
 receyued among Chriftians, if their Gods be to be honoured, but 
 theire Gods are by no meanes to be honoured, therefore theire playes 
 
 De fpeaacuiis. are by no meanes to be receyued. TertuUian teacheth vs that euery 
 part of the preparation of playes was dedicated to fome heathe god, or 
 goddeffe ; as the houfe, ftage, apparrell, to Venus ; the mufike to 
 Apollo ; the penning to Minerua and the Mufes ; the pronuntiacion 
 and aftion to Mercurie : he calleth the Theater ; Sacrarium Veneris, 
 Venus chappell ; by reforting to which we worftiippe her. 
 
 The Cenfors in Roome whofe manner was once in fiue yeare ftraitly 
 to examine and redrefle diforders, hauing a great care to auoyde all 
 corruptions of manners, were verie painefull in racinge and deftroying 
 Theaters which poyfoned theire countrie with the loufnefte and diflb- 
 lute behauioure of y" Greekes. Therefore when Pompey had built a 
 ftately Theater of ftone at his owne charges, fearing that in time to 
 
Treatifes. \ 9 
 
 Obieftion. 
 
 come it would be defaced by the Cenfors fommoning the people to 
 the dedication of the fame, placed a chappel to Venus on the toppe, 
 and called it, not a Theater, but Venus temple confecrated vnto her. 
 Though the names of heathen gods or goddefles be of thefelues no 
 more hurtfull then the names of other men that are dead ; yet triuph- Anfwere. 
 ing vnder thofe titles with the Gentiles, and attributing a kind of 
 diuinitie vnto them, as the Gentiles did, is to be defiled with theire 
 idolatrie. What is idolatrie but to giue that which is proper to God 
 vnto them that are no gods ? what is fo proper vnto God, as worftiip 
 to his maieftie, truft to his ftrength, prayer to his helpe, thanks to his 
 goodnes ? Setting out the Stage playes of the Gentiles, fo we worfhip 
 that we ftoupe to the names of heathe idols ; fo we truft, that we giue 
 our felues to the patronage of Mars, of Venus, of luppiter, of luno, 
 and fuch like ; fo we pray, that we call for theire fuccour vpon the 
 Stage ; fo we giue thakes for the benefits we receiue, that we make 
 the y' fountaines of al our blefTings, wherin if we thinke as we fpeake, 
 we commit idolatry, becaufe we beftow that vpo the idols of y" 
 Gentils, which is proper to God ; if we make a diuorce betweene the 
 tongue & the heart, honouringe the gods of y' heathens in lips & in 
 iefture, not in thought ; yet it is idolatrie, becaufe we do y' which 
 is quite cotrary to y"= outward profeflion of our faith. God tearmeth 
 himfelfe to be iealous, and iealofie mifliketh the fmalleft ieftures or 
 fignes of familiaritie that are giuen to ftrangers. If Sidrach, Mifach, 
 & Abednago had not knowne this, they might haue vailed and bended 
 to the Kings idoll, but becaufe y^ outwarde fhew muft represiet y' 
 which is within, they would not feeme to be that they were not ; 
 whofe example is fet dowe as a rule for vs to followe. A bodie would 
 thinke it to be fomewhat tollerable to fitt at the table of Idolators, or 
 to eat of y' meate that hath bene confecrated vnto idols, whe we 
 
Corona. 
 
 192 Treatifes. 
 
 throw not our bodies downe before the ; yet is not y' to be fufFered 
 among Chriftians, as I proued before by y^ Apoftles ; much les 
 ought this to be fufFred among vs, y' any fliould take vnto the y' 
 names of y" idols, and iette vpon ftages in theire attire, contrary to 
 
 I Epift. ca. 5. the counfel of Saint John which exhorteth vs to kepe our felues fro 
 idols, wherein he doth not onely forbid the worfhipping, but the 
 
 Tertui.de rcprefcnting of an idoll. So fubtill is the deuill that vnder the colour 
 of recreation, in London, and of exercife of learning, in the vniuerfities, 
 by feeing of playes he maketh vs to ioyne with the Gentiles in theire 
 coruption. Becaufe the fweete numbers of Poetrie flowing in verfe 
 do woderfully tickle the hearers eares, the deuill hath tyed this to 
 moft' of our playes, that whatfoeuer he would haue flicke fafl to our 
 foules might flippe downe in fuger by this intifement ; for that which 
 delighteth neuer troubleth our fwallow. Thus when any matter of 
 loue is interlarded, though the thinge it felfe bee able to allure vs, yet 
 it is fo fette out with fweetnes of wordes, fitnes of Epithites, with 
 Metaphors, Alegories, Hyperboles, Amphibologies, Similitudes ; with 
 Phrafes, fo pickt, fo pure, fo proper ; with action, fo fmothe, fo liuely, 
 fo wanto, that the poyfon creeping on fecretly without griefe chookes 
 vs at laft, and hurleth vs downe in a dead fleepe. As the Diuell 
 hath brought in all that Poetrie can fing, fo hath hee fought out euery 
 flireine that muficke is able to pipe, and drawe all kind of inftruments 
 into that compafle, fimple and mixte. 
 
 For the eye, beefide the beautie of the houfes and the Stages, hee 
 fendeth in Gearifh apparell, maflces vanting, tumbling, daunfing of 
 gigges, ,galiardes, morifces, hobblhorfes, {howing of iudgeling caftes ; 
 nothing forgot that might ferue to fet out the matter with pompe, or 
 rauifh the beholders with variete of pleafure. To feeke this is to 
 fpend our ftudies in things that are meere naturall, to fpende our time 
 
'Treatifes. 193 
 
 fo is to be carnally minded ; but to be carnally minded is death, howe 
 then can wee looke to bee Partakers of the benefittes of Chrift, which Rom- »■ 
 runne a contrary race to him ? Where no promife is there can be no 
 fayth ; through the whole courfe of Scripture as there is no promife 
 for fuch as Hue in the flefli, fo hell and damnation is fharpely threatned, 
 and fhall wee flatter our felues with a wanne hope to nourifli the de- 
 lightes of the fleflie while wee liue, neuerthelefl"e to winne heauen 
 after death ? Paule flatlie pronounceth the delights of the flefli to be owea. 
 enmitie againfl: God ; if they be enmity, purfuing them fo greedely as 
 we doe, wee bend our felues openly agaynfl: him, that payde the price 
 of our rafome with the bloode of his fonne, O horrible ingratitude ! 
 we followe the pompe and vanitie of the wicked worlde which we re- 
 nounced in Baptifme ! O danable apoftacy ! The heathens that 
 knewe not God, but naturally guided them felues by reafon, iudged 
 the rather to be beaftes then men, which fixed their fliudies in wanton 
 fpeiftacles, and fpending good howers in euill exercife, feemed to 
 wroote in the earth like fwine. Therfore Marius in an oration to the 
 Romans reckoneth this vpp among the refl: of his vertues to gett him 
 credite, that hee neither banqueted curioufly, nor beheldeplayes: hauing Sai. lugunh. 
 before giue account of his bringing vp, howe hee was taught to fufFer 
 hunger & thirfl:,heate and colde, to beare all weather in the field ; by the 
 way of contempte hee fetteth out a fofte, a filken, a Courting kinde 
 of life, fitter for women then for men, wherein he holdeth playes fo 
 vnfit for manly difcipline that, attributing it for an ornament to his 
 honour to miflike them, he priuitly infinuates a reproach vnto fuch 
 as loue them. 
 
 Sithince you fee eue by y' examples of the Romans that playes 
 are Ratfljane to the gouernement of commonweales, and that Players 
 by the iudgement of them are infamous perfons, vnworthy of the 
 
 c c 
 
194 Treatifes. 
 
 credite of honeft Citizens, worthy to be remoued from their Tribe ; 
 if not for religion, yet for fhame that the Gentiles fhould iudge you 
 at the laft daye, or that Publicanes and finners fhoulde prefle into the 
 kingdome of God before you, withdrawe your feete from Theaters 
 with noble Marius ; fet downe fome punifliment for Players with the 
 Roman Cenfors ; fhewe your felues to be Chriftians, & with wicked 
 fpeflacles bee not puld from difcipline to libertie, from vertue to 
 pleafure ; from God to Mammon ; let nothing be acceptable in your 
 eyes that is not holy, nor fweete in your eares that is not heauenly ; 
 fo fhall you preuent the fcourge by repentance, that is coming towarde 
 you, and fill vp the gulfe that the Diuell by playes hath digged to 
 fwallowe you. 
 
 'The 3 Anion. 
 
 Such ought to be the liberty of fpeach in euery well gouerned 
 commonweale, that neither vertue might lacke an open friende, nor 
 vice an enemy; & happy no doubt were wee in Engeland, if, as 
 vertue is neuer commended in cloudes, fo vice might bee touchte 
 in the open Sunfhine. But we are fo generally giuen to flatter 
 our felues, and Parafites fo ready to couer our faultes, that becaufe 
 we loue our deformities wee defend them, and had rather excufe 
 them then fliake them off. This makes many writers willinger to 
 praife fome without deferte than to rebuke any vpon iufte occafion, 
 for, to commend men vnworthely is taken for curtefie ; to difpraife, 
 though iuftly, is thought for the moft parte a poynte of enuy. 
 Neuerthelefle fithince tongues are giuen vnto vs to fpeake, and eares 
 vnto euery man to heare, that the one might teach, y" other be ready 
 to receiue good Counfell, and receiuing it, praftife the fame in life : 
 according to the meafure of thofe giftes that God hath giuen mee, I 
 
Treatifes. 195 
 
 will fpeake fomewhat farther againft Playes, requefting my country- 
 men to open their eares as they do their bottles and fhake out the 
 duft of contentio that lyes within for corrupting good liquor when 
 they haue it. 
 
 And becaufe wordes many times are as fruitelefle as addle egges, 
 when conception is weake and without life. 
 
 If any bee fo captious as for the exercife of his witte to holde me 
 Playe, and prepare him felfe to encounter me in any one of mine 
 adions or in all, I muft c[h]allenge the lawes of the tennis court at his 
 handes, that is, to take whatfoeuer I fend him right ; and returne it 
 to, faire aboue the line. Whatfoeuer he be that looketh narrowly 
 into our Stage Playes, or confidereth how, and which waye they are 
 reprefented, fhall finde more filthines in them the Players dreame ofF. 
 The Law of God very ftraightly forbids men to put on womes 
 garments, garments are fet downe for fignes diftindliue betwene fexe 
 & fexe ; to take vnto vs thofe garments that are manifeft fignes of 
 another fexe is to falfifie, forge, and adulterate, contrarie to the 
 expreffe rule of the worde of God. Which forbiddeth it by threaten- 
 ing a curfe vnto the fame. 
 
 All that do fo are abhomination vnto the Lord ; which way, I Exod. 
 befeech you, fhall they bee excufed that put on, not the apparell onely, 
 but the gate, the geftures, the voyce, the paffions of a woman "i All 
 which, like the wreathinges and windingeof a fnake, are flexible to 
 catch, before they fpeed, and binde vppe cordes when they haue pof- 
 feffion. Some there are that thinke this commaundement of God to obieaion. 
 be reftrayned to them, that goe abroade in womens attyre, and vfe it 
 for iugglinge, to fhaddowe adulterie. 
 
 Thefe interpreters like vnto narrowe mouthed veflels, will receyue Anfwere. 
 nothing without lofle, except it bee flenderly powred in accordinge to 
 
196 Treatifes. 
 
 the ftraightnes of theire owne makinge. Thefe men muft vnderftande, 
 that that can beare noe excufe, which God condemneth, fuch is 
 the integritie, vniformitie, and fimplicitie of truth y' it is euer like it 
 felfe, it neuer carrieth two faces in one hoode, that thinge is no where, 
 nor at any time lawfull by the word of God which is not euer and 
 euery where lawfull. 
 
 Though the heathen Philofophers which knew not the truth, be- 
 caufe they were ignorant in God the fountaine of trueth, according to 
 their owne fiicies held out one thing to be fometime good, & fome- 
 times euill : yet will not God be mocked w*" Philofophers dreames. 
 Whatfoeuer he fimply pronounceth, euill, can neuer be conditionally 
 good and lawfull. I truft they will not haue God, which is y' 
 Author of all wifdome, al learning, all artes, to be ruder in fetting 
 downe to his people the precepts of life, then Philofophers are to 
 giue to their fcholers y^ precepts of arte. They ftudy in teaching of 
 theire auditours, to write generally and vniuerfally, and fhall God in his 
 tables be tyed to fpecificatlons, particularities, and exceptions ? no, 
 no, the fame God that faith thou (halt not couet thy neighbours wife, 
 faith thou fhalt in no place, & at no time couet her ; he y' {^ftc) forbiddeth 
 thee to fteale, comandeth that thou neuer fteale ; and he that chargeth 
 thee not to put on womens garments, chargeth thee in no place and 
 neuer to put the on. Neuertheles we will wade fomewhat further in 
 this point, and fee whether by y* Philofophers them felues it may be 
 fufFred. I truft they wil graunt me that euery lie is finne, for the 
 Matthew. deuill is the father of all lyes, as oft as euer he lyeth, he fpeaketh of 
 cap.'" '^' his owne. Ariftotle in the thickeft fogge of his ignorance concerning 
 God, pronounceth a lye to bee naught of it felfe and to be fled. Let 
 Aqui. part "^^ thcrcfore confider what a lye is, a lye is, ASlus cadens Juper inde- 
 o'^c'^x.an. bit am materiam, an ade executed where it ought not. This ade is 
 
Treatifes. 1 97 
 
 difcerned by outward fignes, euery man muft fliow him felfe out- 
 wardly to be fuch as in deed he is. Outward fignes confift eyther in 
 words or geftures, to declare our felues by wordes or by geftures to 
 be otherwife then we are, is an aft executed where it fhould not, there- 
 fore a lye. 
 
 The profe is euident, the confequet is neceflarie, that in Stage 
 Playes for a boy to put one the attyre, the gefture, the paffions of a 
 woman ; for a meane perfon to take vpon him the title of a Prince 
 with counterfeit porte, and traine, is by outwarde fignes to fliewe 
 them felues otherwife then they are, and fo with in the compafle of a 
 lye, which by Ariftotles iudgement is naught of it felfe and to be 
 fledde. 
 
 Some other there are that take greater occafion of {tumbling at obiea. 
 Gregory Naziancen, Bucchanan, & fuch like, then euer thofe famous 
 men did offer. It cannot be denied that Gregory Naziancen, one of 
 the fathers of the Church, wrote a Playe of Chrifl:e ; Bucchanan 
 wrote an other of John Baptift, to what ende ? To be Plaied vpon 
 Stages ? neither Players nor their friendes are able to proue it. 
 
 How the ? As the beginning of poetrie in the bookes of Mofes, Aunfwere. 
 & David, was to fett downe good matter in nubers, that the fweete- 
 nefle of the one might caufe the other to continue, and to bee the 
 deeper imprinted in the mirides of men : So Naziancen and 
 Bucchanan perceiuing the corruption of the Gentiles, to auoyde that 
 which is euill, and yet keepe that which is good, according to the 
 true vfe of Poetrie, penned thefe bookes in numbers with interloquu- 
 tions dialoguewife, as Plato and TuUie did their Philofophy to be 
 reade, not be played. 
 
 For Naziancen, detefting the corruption of the Corpus Chrifti 
 Playes that were fet out by the Papiftes, and inueighing againft the. 
 
198 Treat if es. 
 
 thought it better to write the paffion of Chrift in nubers him felfe, 
 that all fuch as delight in numerofitie of fpeach might reade it, not 
 beholde it vpon the Stage, where fome bafe fellowe that plaide Chrift, 
 fliould bring the perfon of Chrift into contempt. 
 
 So Bucchananus wrote his playe of John Baptift for the kinge of 
 Scots to reade, that beholding therein, the praftife of Parafits in 
 Herods court, the Tyranny of Herod powred out vpon the mef- 
 fenger of the Lord, & the puniftiment that followed : He might 
 learne to gouerne his owne houfe, and beware what entreatie he giues 
 to the Prophettes of God. 
 
 If it fhoulde bee Plaied, one muft learne to trippe it like a Lady 
 in the fineft fafhion, another muft haue time to whet his minde vnto 
 tyranny that he may giue life to the pidure hee prefenteth, whereby 
 they learne to counterfeit, and fo to finne. Therefore whatfoeuer 
 fuch Playes as conteine good matter, are fet out in print, may be 
 read with profite, but cannot be playd without manifeft breach of 
 obieflion. Gods comaundcment. Let the Author of the playe of playes & paf- 
 times, take heede how he reaso y' a6tio, pronutiation, agility of 
 body are y' good gifts of God. Ergo, plaies cofifting of thefe cannot 
 Anfwere. be cuill. The argument is faulty, and followes not, for fo might the 
 
 Adulterer defend himfelfe : the pricke of defire is naturally giuen 
 vnto man by God, all fortes of apparell are his bleflings. Ergo to 
 couet another mas wife, to put on the apparell of a woma cannot be 
 euill. Notwithftanding the one hath fo little fubftance to vtter it 
 felfe, the other fo fewe finewes in it, to giue it ftrength, that neither of 
 both is to be allowed. "Adlion, pronuntiatio, apparell, agility, 
 " muficke, feuerally confidered are the good bleflings of God, no- 
 " thing hurtfull of their owne nature, yet being boiid vp together in 
 " a bundle, to fet out the pompe, the plaies, the inuetios of the 
 
Treatifes. 199 
 
 " Diuell, it is abhominable in the fight of God, & not to be fuffred 
 
 " among Chriftias. Euery ftreame hath a tafte of the fpring from 
 
 " whence it flowes, fweete or fower ; euery branch is partaker of the 
 
 quality of the tree wheron it grewe, bote or cold ; and euery play to 
 
 y"= worldes end, if it be prefented vp on the Stage, fhall carry that 
 
 brand on his backe to make him knowne, which the diuel clapt on, 
 
 at the firft beginning, that is, idolatrie. The Godly can neuer like 
 
 of that which in a diameter is oppofit to the crofle of Chrift, whatfo- 
 
 euer is in the way of God beholdeth no vanity, the perfedt way of 
 
 God is Chrift, and fhall we that profefle y' name of Chrift behold 
 
 this vanitie ? The preparation of Stages, apparrell, & fuch like as 
 
 fetteth out our plaies in fhewes of pompe & ftate, is it that we 
 
 wonder and gaze at, by Tullie it is flouted and laught to fcorne, ye 
 
 ftatelynes of the preparation drownes y^ delight which the matter 
 
 affords, therfore he doubteth not but Marius could very willingly 
 
 abfent himfelfe from it. What delight (faith he) hath the fight of 
 
 600. mules in Clytemneftra ; or 3000. cuppes in the Troian horfe, or Epia. ad Mar. 
 
 varietie of footemen & horfmen in fome fkirmifh, thofe things y* 
 
 made y"= coiiion people wonder, would haue broght no delight at al 
 
 to thee. Macrin^, fucceeding Antonius in the Romane empyre, & 
 
 being at Antioche, gaue him felfe daily to beholding Playes, for which 
 
 he grewe into contempte among all his friendes, and is noted of 
 
 infamy by Herodian. ^'^- ^• 
 
 The wafte of expences in thefe fpeftacles that fcarce laft like fhooes 
 of browne paper, the pulling on, and this ftudy to prancke vp the- 
 felves to pleafe our eies, was longe agoe codemned by the heathe 
 Cato, whofe opinio is regiftred to be this, that fuch carefulnefs of our 
 bodies, is a carelefnes of our vertues. Shall Tullie, Herodian, Cato 
 condemne this glittering, this pompe, this diligece in fetting forth of 
 
200 Treatifes. 
 
 plaies, for vanitiy, for wantonnes, for negligence of honefty : and fhall 
 wee that uaute of the law, of the Prophets, of y'= gofpel, of God him- 
 felfe, fo looke, fo gaze, fo gape opo plaies, that as men y' ftare on the 
 head of Mardufa & are turned to ftones, we freeze vnto yfe in our owne 
 follies; If the Hues and examples of thefe heathes haue no force to moue 
 vs, whofe wifedome when wee confider it, was fo great, that they coulde 
 not bee deceiued in fo plaine a cafe ; whofe vertues fo notable, y' they 
 defpifed thefe vnfemely gaudes which y^ fkumme of all people haue 
 in admiration ; whofe gouernment fo politique, that riot and excefle 
 was feuerely punifhed ; yet let the commaundements of our God which 
 are autentike ; let the care of our foules that fhall be iudged ; let the 
 threatnings of him that detefteth hipocrifie, pompe and vanitie, fo 
 ftrike our heartes, that we tremble & fhiuer at the remembrace of 
 folly paft, & gather vp our wittes vnto amending. Haue we finned 
 with the Gentiles in reprefentinge of theire Playes ? let vs learne with 
 true Chriftians to abolifh them, it is incident to euery man to fall, 
 proper to the gracelefle to continue it, carry no faile againfl: the 
 winde, chaunge of courfe is a fafe rhode vnto the penitent. 
 
 The Fourth ASlion. 
 
 It hath beene an auncient pollicie in y" field to geue the enemie 
 grownde, for fome aduantage, and by counterfeyting a timerous 
 kinde of flight, to droppe downe the cariage, as mony, prouifion, and 
 viduall by the way, that the Souldiers might fl;ay theire purfute, and 
 fall to ryfling. Wherby both they that were chafed, haue recouered 
 them felues, and they that were conquerers haue loft all, fuddenly 
 difcomfited with newe fupplye among all the ftumbling blockes that 
 our enemy the deuill hath caft in our way for foylinge him vtterly. 
 
Treatifes. 20 1 
 
 It may eafely be gathered by the end of Playes, that Comedies and 
 Tragedies are the fitteft deuifes he could ftrew behind him, to ftoppe 
 vs of paflage, and breake our order. Not that he meaneth to take 
 his heeles, but to kill vs by fubtiltie when we ftraggle. What 
 bringeth diforder more then finne ? that playes are fet out for a 
 finfull delight, may be gathered partly by Msenander, partly by 
 Terence, partly by y" manner of pening in thefe dayes, partly by the 
 obiedt of playes. By Msnander becaufe Viues affirmeth that he comment in 
 
 ^ ■' ' . Auguft lib. 2, 
 
 perceyuing the Macedons wholy giuen ouer to loue, and wanton- 
 nefle, wrote Commedies of loue, to feede their humor. By Terence Prui..g. in 
 becaufe he confefleth of him felfe, that al he fought was but to clofe Po"pu"o « 
 with the common people. By the manner of penning in thefe dayes, ?ediTe"fal"uias. 
 becaufe the Poets fend theire verfes to the Stage vpon fuch feete as 
 continually are rowled vp in rime at the fingers endes, which is 
 plaucible to the barbarous, and carrieth a ftinge into the eares of the 
 common people. By the obiedt, becaufe Tragedies and Commedies 
 ftirre vp afFeftions, and aiFedtions are naturally planted in that part of 
 the minde that is common to vs with brute beaftes. 
 
 He that trauelleth the aduance the worft part of the minde, is like 
 vnto him, that in gouernement of Cities, giues all the authoritie to the 
 worfte men, which being well weighed, is to betraye the Citie, and the 
 beft men, into the handes of the wicked. But the Poetes that write 
 playes, and they that prefent them vpon the Stage, ftudie to make 
 our afFedlions ouerflow, whereby they draw the bridle from that parte 
 of the mind, that fhould euer he curbed, from runninge on heade : 
 which is manifefl: treafon to our foules, and deliuereth them captiue to 
 the deuill. 
 
 The Author of the playe of playes, fpreading out his battel to 
 hemme me in, is driuen to take fo large a copafle, that his array is 
 
 D D 
 
202 Treatifes. 
 
 obieftion. the thinner, and therefore the eafier to be broken. He tyeth Life 
 
 theVay of ° and Delight fo faft together, that if Dehght be reftrained, Life pre- 
 
 fn\^heirTowne fcntly perifhcth ; there, zeale perceyuing Delight to be embraced of 
 
 e ence. Ya{^^ puttes z. fnaflc in his mouth, to keepe him vnder, Delight 
 
 beinge bridled, Zeale leadeth life through a wildernefle of lothfome- 
 
 nefle, where Glutte fcarreth them all, chafing both Zeale and Delight 
 
 from Life, and with the clubbe of amafedneffe ftrikes fuch a pegge 
 
 into the heade of Life, that he falles downe for dead vpon the Stage. 
 
 Life beinge thus fainte, and ouertrauailed, deftitute of his guyde, 
 
 robbed of Delight, is readie to giue vp the Ghoft, in the fame place, 
 
 then entereth Recreation, which with mufic and finging rockes Life 
 
 a fleepe to recouer his ftrength. 
 
 By this meanes Tedioufnefle is driuen from Life, and the teinte is 
 drawne out of his heade, which the club of amafednes left behinde. 
 
 At laft Recreation fetteth vp the Gentleman vpon his feete, Delight 
 is reftored to him againe, and fuch kinde of fportes for cullices are 
 brought in to nourifhe him, as none but Delight muft applye to his 
 ftomache. Then time beinge made for the benefite of Life, and Life 
 being allowed to followe his appetite, amongft all manner of paftimes. 
 Life choofeth Commedies, for his Delight, partly becaufe Commedies 
 are neither chargable to y" beholders purfe, nor painful to his body ; 
 partly, becaufe he may fit out of the raine to veiwe the fame, when 
 many other paftimes are hindred by wether. Zeale is no more ad- 
 mitted to Life before he be fomewhat pinchte in the waft, to auoyde 
 extremitie, and being not in the end fimply called Zeale but Moderate 
 Zeale a fewe conditions are prefcribed to Comedies, that the matter be 
 purged, deformities blazed, finne rebuked, honeft mirth intermingled, 
 and fitte time for the hearing of the fame appointed. Moderate 
 Zeale is cotented to fufFer them, who wyneth with delight to dired: 
 
" / / ^ 
 
 i 
 
 Treatifes. 203 
 
 life againe, after which he triuphes ouer Death & is crowned with 
 eternitie. Thefe bugges are fitter to feare babes the to moue men. 
 Neuertheles this is the fubftance of that which is brought for plaies, 
 this is the piller of theire credit. Al other men y' fubfcribe not this, 
 but inueigh againft them, by writing in bookes, or by tongue in 
 Pulpits ; do but crow as he tearmeth it, and fpeake .againft Comme- 
 dies for lacke of learning. S. Siprian, S. Chrifoftome, S. Ambrofe, 
 S. Auguftine, Ifodorus, Tertullian, fathers of the Church moft ex- 
 cellently learned, coufels as the third of Carthage, the Synod of 
 Laodicea, and fuch like, that condemned plaies, and y' fkilfulft 
 Deuines at this day in England which are compelled in Sermons to 
 crye out againft them, were now to be fet to y" fchole againe, if 
 the mouth of this plai-maker, were any iuft meafure of their know- 
 ledge. Sithince al their force cofifteth in this pointe of Life & De- Anfwere. 
 light I wil take y"= more paine to ouerthrow it, and fo conquere y' 
 reft without fchirmifti, like to y" Romanes who meeting the whole 
 power of Carthage vpon y*^ fea, & foyling it ther, thought it fuper- 
 fluous to proceed any further, or bring the Ramme to the walles, 
 when Carthage was drowned in y' deepe. And as the Romans 
 thought y' after Carthage was ouercome, no coutry was afhamed to 
 be fubdued, fo I truft y' when I haue beaten theire captaine to the 
 earth, by force of argumet, none of them all wil difdaine to be taken, 
 or to crie out with teftimony of good confcience, greate is the trueth, 
 & it doth preuaile. Though it pleafe not him to diftinguifh betwene 
 delight & delight, yet for the better vnderftanding both of that which 
 is fpoken in defence of plaies, and of that which by me ftialbe s- 31- Art. 5. 
 brought againft them, you muft confider y' there are two fortes of 
 delight, the one belonging to y"= bodies the other to the mind, that, 
 is carnall, this, fpirituall. Carnall delight is the reft of fenfuall appe- 
 
204 'Treatifes. 
 
 tite in the thing defired whe it is felt. If this be not gouerned by 
 y^ rule of Gods word, we are prefently caried beyond our felues, 
 
 Coios. 3, 5. therefore ought we to followe the counfell of S. Paule, which ex- 
 horteth vs earneftly to fupprefle the fame. Spiritual delight is the 
 operation of vertue confifting in a meditation of the life to come 
 purchafed vnto vs by the bloode of Chrift, & reueiled for our corn- 
 forte in the word of God. A notable bleffinge is pronounced on 
 
 pfai. 1. him whofe delight is in the lawe of the Lord, and the Prophet him 
 
 felfe voweth folemnely to God, that he wil taike of his commande- 
 
 pfai. 119. ments, walke in his wayes, and delight in his ftatutes. By the whole 
 
 difcourfe it may be gathered, that the delight belonging to the bodie, 
 is it, which this gentlema requireth as phificke againft the troubles 
 and vexations of this life, which bewrayeth him to be fowfte in that 
 
 Lib. 7. Cap. 14. error, that Ariftotle reproueth in his Ethickes. For if the delight 
 of this life be to be fought as a remedie againft the forrows of the 
 fame, excefle of delight muft be graunted to excefle of forrowe, as 
 excefle of thirft, requireth exceffe of drinke, excefle of hunger excefle 
 of meat ; excefle of griefe, excefle of pleafure : but excefle of delight 
 in this life is not to be fought for feare of furfette ; therefore to cure 
 the anguiflie of this life with fuch kinde of pleafures as life purfues, is 
 to meafure the remedie by our owne appetite, which in deed is nothing 
 els, but either to receiue that, that our ficke ftomacke defireth, when 
 it cannot iudge ; as to eat chalke in the greene ficknes ; in an ague 
 pilchers ; or as they that in fome kinde of leprofie drinke poyfon, 
 which is altogether hurtful to good complexions, yet worketh it 
 accidentally fome eafe in them. Being once fliipped in this part of 
 Philofophie he is carried too far beyond his Ikill. 
 
 For in making forowe an enemie to delight without diftindtio, it 
 is eafy, to finde where the fliooe wringes him, and that want of 
 
Treatifes. 205 
 
 learning which hee imputeth to other, may very well be attributed to 
 himfelfe. 
 
 I graunt that forowe and delight are contrarie, yet may a contrarie 
 fometimes be the caufe of his contrarie. As Rheubart, which all the 
 Phifitians confeffe to be bote, yet doe they finde it to coole in the 
 hotteft feuerSj when it fweepes away choler, that caufeth heate. 
 
 Though contraries of theire owne nature be vtter enemies, yet 
 accidentally the one may begete the other, fo delight many times may Arift. Phific. %. 
 fpring, of forrowe, which is to be take two diners waies as it is in adl, 
 or as it is remebred : forrow as it is in a6te, may bring foorth delight, 
 whe it makes vs to thinke of the thinge we loue, fuch was the ^qui. part. 
 
 ^ Theolog. I. 9. 
 
 delight of the Apoftles when they were whipte, they departed from s^- art. 4. 
 
 the Counfell with greate ioye, to fee thefelues accounted woorthy to 
 
 fuffer for the name of Chrifte. Aa 5. 4. 
 
 Sorrowe as it is remembred when it is pafte, confidering with our 
 felues that wee were in trouble and efcaped it, is, alfo a caufe of delight, 
 fo jiEneas comforteth his fouldiers in the middeft of their forrowes, 
 putting them in minde, that the remembrance thereof, woulde turne virg. 
 to delight another daye. Therfore vnder colour of an abfolute con- 
 flidt betweene forrow & delight, to ihake off the yoake of feuerer 
 difcipline which Zeale bringeth in to govierne life, is to iuggle vnder 
 boarde, a Jecundum quid adjimfliciter, which Logicians doe knowe is 
 fo greate a faulte in difputing, as deferues to be puniflied in their 
 yongeft fcholars. By forcing vpon life a certaine neceffity of carnall 
 delight, to fet vp his Comedies, hee wrappeth himfelfe in many in- 
 conueniences. For it hindreth the courfe of reafon, it whets vs to 
 wantonnes, it norifheth imperfedtions, and argueth a corruption in our 
 maners, it hindreth the vfe of reafon three fundry wayes : Firft, it Aqu. part. i. 
 
 wi 
 
 thdraweth the minde from better ftudies, the minde like a ftringe, ^"" ^'*" 
 
2o6 "Treatifes. 
 
 being let downe, and pitcht, beneath his naturall Gompafl'e, to this 
 key of carnall delight, which wee reape by Comedies, is very fone 
 maymed and robbed of Souerainetie if delight bee greate. Next by 
 reafon of a contrariety when it exceedes, thus Ariftotle drawing out 
 
 Eth. 6. cap. 5. a ftreight line of the office of prudence, maketh it confift in giuing 
 good counfell, to liue well ; in which place hee counteth tem- 
 perance, the Nurfe : exceeding deligh[t,J y^ corrupter of prudence. 
 But Comedyes make our delight exceede, for at the many times we 
 laugh fo extreemely, that ftriuing to bridle our felues, wee cannot ; 
 
 2- de Rep. therefore Plato affirmeth y' great laughter breedeth a great change, 
 & y^ old prouerbe peraduenture rofe of this, much laughter is y' 
 cognisace of a foole : when fuch excefle of laughter burfteth out 
 y' we cannot holde it, there is no temperance, for the time ; where 
 no teperace is, ther is no wife[d]ome, nor vfe of reaso ; when we 
 fhew our felues voide both of reafon, and wifedome, what are we 
 then to be thought but fooles ? 
 
 Laft of all it is a blocke in the way of reafon, becaufe it locketh vp 
 y'= powres of the minde from doing their duetie, & like a kinde of 
 drunkennes, maketh vs ftagger, very vnfit, either to fpeake ; or to 
 walke as we fhoulde in our vocation. It whets vs to wantoiies : 
 becaufe it breedeth a hunger, & thirft, after pleafure. For whe the 
 thing which our appetite enioyeth caiiot bee receiued all at once, but 
 by fucceffion, or change, we gape after more, as hee y' hearing one 
 halfe of a fentence, & delighteth in that, is very defirous to haue the 
 reft. So in Comedies delight beeing moued with varietie of fhewes, 
 of euentes, of muficke, the longer we gaze, the more we craue, yea fo 
 forcible they are, y' afterwards being but thought vpo, they make 
 vs feeke for the like an other time. It nourifheth imperfedtions, fo 
 long as it fettes our heartes vpon thinges that are tranfitorie, vaine, 
 
Treatifes. 207 
 
 and fliall perifh in the twinckling of an eye, it argueth a corruption 
 in our manners, becaufe it is the windowe by which we look into the 
 fecret corners of the foule, it is the very Hne and lead, whereby our 
 difpofition is meafured to bee roughe or fmooth, ftreight or crooked 
 lawefull or vnlawfull, right or wrong. How (hall wee knowe a man 
 to be good, or euill, but by the goodnes or naughtines of his will ? 
 His will appeareth by the ende thereof, that is counted the end 
 wherein it refteth, and the reft of our will, is the delight that wee 
 reape in the thing that we holde to be good. 
 
 Thus we pronounce all them to bee vertuous, whome we fee to 
 delight in the workes of vertue : them to be wicked, whome we find 
 to reioyce in the works of wickednes. For as that is euill which 
 rebelleth againft reafon and the lawes of God, fo is that delight to be 
 iudged euil that is fixed in the fame, and the man likewife euill that 
 fo deliteth. Therfore I may well fay the delight which fpringeth of 
 Comedies (wherby fuperiority is giuen to afFe(51:ions and fo rebellion 
 rayfed againft reafon, the lawes of God are broke which bid vs come 
 out and departe from the do6lrine of the Diuell) fo marketh the cor- 
 ruption of our maners in our foreheaddes, that euery one that hath 
 iudgmente may poynte it out. 
 
 But to leaue ouer curioufly to defcant vpon this plainefonge of 
 life and delight, either by Aquinas, or by Ariftotle, or by Philofophie 
 her felf, I exhort you w' Paule to beware left any man fpoyle you CoUos. i. 8. 
 through Philofophy, and vaine deceite, after the traditions of men, and 
 after the rudiments of the worlde, and not after Chrift. And fithince 
 we are commanded by the fame Apoftle, as we haue receiued Chrift, 
 fo to walke in him, let vs bring the triall of our caufe to the touch 
 of Gods worde, and examine by that, what the life and delight of 
 a Chriftian ought to be, then fhall you fee my generall propofition 
 
20 8 Treatifes. 
 
 verie ftrongly confirmed, that Plaies are not to bee fufFred in a 
 Chriftian commonweale. Paule commandeth the Phillippians to reioyce 
 
 Cap. 4. ver. 4. in the Lord, not for a day nor a weelce, nor a moneth, nor a yeare, 
 but euer : the reafon is added that their modefty might bee knowne, 
 and why fhould their modefty be knowne ? becaufe the Lorde is at 
 hand : by whiche Particle the delight of this life is beate downe. 
 Chrifte giuing vs to vnderftand the danger of thefe delights wherein 
 
 Luk. 6. 25. wee laugh with the worlde, pronounceth a woe vpon them, wo bee to 
 you that laugh nowe, for ye fhall weepe and lament. 
 
 It behooueth a Chriftian fo to delight and reioyce nowe, that he 
 maye reioyce & delight at the laft daye, which ioye is accomplifhed 
 
 1 Pet. 4.25. by this that wee are partakers of the crofle of Chrifte. Howe farre 
 
 this delight is different from Comedies, is eafie to bee feene with 
 half an eye, and if Poets haue no furer gyrthes to their faddle the hfe 
 and delight, it will be no trouble to vnhorfe them, for a Chriftian 
 
 Tertui. deSpec. knowcth how to delight in death. Large is the groud I might trauace 
 in this behalfe, yet for breuities fake I will paffe it ouer, and ftiewe 
 you the life of a Chriftian as I promifed. 
 
 We are taught by Paule that Chrift is our life, and that our hfe 
 
 Coiios. 3. is layde vpp with Chrifte in God: therefore by the way of com- 
 
 parifon, as Chrift died, and after afcended vp to heauen, fo he per- 
 fuadeth vs to dye, that is to mortifie this flefti with the delights 
 thereof, and to feeke after thofe thinges that are aboue, where Chrift 
 our life is. The end of the death of Chrift was, that we which Hue in 
 
 2 Cor. 5. 15. this worlde, ftiould not liue to our felues, but vnto him ; heere is all 
 
 prerogatiue taken from vs, wee are nowe no longer our owne men, 
 for if by the benefite of him wee liue, our life muft be his and not 
 our own. Our life is not his, excepte wee crucifie the flefh, with 
 the affe6lions and concupifcences of the fame, wee crucifie not the 
 
Treatifes. loc) 
 
 afFedions of our flefh, when we reforte vnto playes to ftirre them 
 vpp, therefore running to playes wee Hue to our felues, and not to 
 Chrifte : when we Hue to our felues, it is no life. 
 
 Yet the Authour of the Playe of Playes and Paftimes thinkes hee ^,■ 
 
 hath plowed fuch furrowes on my backe, as will neuer bee filled vp 
 againe ; becaufe Comedis norifh delight, and delight ftiould neuer be 
 taken fro life. 
 
 This argument cuts like a Ledenhaule knife where (as they fay in 
 common fpeach) if one poure on fteele with a ladell, an other comes 
 and wipes it off with a fether, Neuerthelefle heere it maye bee that owea. 
 my friendes of the vniuerfityes will accufe me of that aufteryty, which Eufeb. 
 was vfed by fome of the Godly long agoe, who perceiuing men in all 
 thinges naturally to pafle the boundes of modefty, and beeing defirous 
 to lay fome ftrong kinde of playfter to this olde foare, allowed men 
 to vfe the bleffinges of God, but for neceflities fake, prefcribing them 
 nothing, but that whiche was neceflarie: thus were they inioyned to 
 abftain fro al maner of things, that might be fpared. Which in 
 deede is a harder yoake then the worde of God doth lay vpon vs : 
 For after this rate, we fhould haue no more then one coate to our 
 backes, nor the vfe of many creatures which God hath ordeined for 
 the feruice of man. Many things there are that the handes of God 
 hath beftowed vpon vs not onely for neceffitie, but for delight: as 
 apparell, meates, flowers, metalles, and fuch like. 
 
 Apparell as well for comelines, as to keepe off the iniury of the 
 ayre. Meats, as well for delight, as for nutriment ; otherwife had 
 the prophet neuer reckoned it vp amonge the benefits of God, that 
 hee giueth vs wine to make our heartes glad, and oyle to make vs a 
 chearefull countenance. The finguler beautie and fweetenes of P'ai. 104. 19. 
 flowers, the varietie of colours wherein one thing excelles another, 
 
 E E 
 
210 
 
 Treatifes, 
 
 had beene beftowed in vayne, if the Maiefty of God had not as well 
 regarded our delight, as relieued our neede. This I take to bee the 
 foundation wherupon the Authour of the Playe of Playes buildeth 
 his ftrongeft reafon, which is this, becaufe wee haue eares to heare, 
 eyes to fee, and fo forth, Comedies prefenting delight to both, are not 
 fo rafhly to be condemned. To whome I anfwere, that the creatures 
 
 Anfwere. of God may be vfed both for neceffity, & for delight, fo farre foorth 
 
 as they are referred to in that ende, for which they were made. 
 
 God hath beftowed apparrell, foode, flowers, Treafure, as golde, 
 filuer, pearle, bewetifuU and rich {tones, as Diamoundes, Saphires, 
 Rubies, Carbuncles, Turkies, Chryfolittes ; beefides them, Yuorie, 
 lett, and marble, of thefe bleffings fome are both neceffary and 
 delightfome, fome are only delightfome, nothing neceflary : but to 
 what end ? That we might vfe the well, & by thefe trafitorie bene- 
 fits be led as it were by y' hand, to a cofideratio of thofe benefits 
 that are layde vp for vs in the life to come. We are placed as 
 Pilgrimes in y'= flefli by which as by a iorney we muft come to 
 
 2 Cor. 5. our own home, therfor pafllng by the earth and by the flefh, it is 
 
 our duety (as trauelers) to be carefull to vfe the earth, and the flefh, and 
 the bleflings of both, fo that they may further, not hinder, the courfe 
 we take in hande. 
 
 Whereupon Paule exhorteth vs to vfe this worlde, as though wee 
 vfed it not, by which counfell of his, all afl^edions, all thoughtes, ail 
 delights, that may clappe any leade to our heeles, or drawe vs afide 
 when wee flioulde runne forwardes ftill, untill wee bee crowned, are 
 cutte away. How are we thankefuU to God, how lift we vp our 
 mindes to meditate on the life to come, howe vfe we thefe bleffings, 
 as helpes in the way we haue to trace, whe they are riottoufly wafted 
 vpon Comedies, which drawe vs all backe to a flnfulle delight ? howe 
 
Treatifes. 
 
 21 I 
 
 vfe wee the worlde as though wee vfed it not, when our ftudies are 
 fo fixed vpon the worlde ? how mightely Playes pull vs backe from 
 our trauell, hath beene already declared by many ftrong reafons 
 drawen from the foure caufes of the fame, therfore to hold them 
 tollerable becaufe they delight, is a reafon altogether rude, and 
 miftiapen, hauing neither head to bring it in, nor foote, to beare it vp. 
 But as many which fhowting luftely in their youth, bewraie the 
 greenenefle of their yeeres, by the rawenefle of their manners, and of 
 the wifer forte, are counted for boyes though they looke like me : fo 
 I truft y' all that haue iudgmet will meafure the reafons of life, and 
 delight, rather by the fubftance that is within ; then by the outward 
 fhew howfoeuer they mout, or brag it out. 
 
 Enter euery one into your felues, and whenfoeuer you heare that 
 playe againe, or any man els in priuate conference commend Playes, 
 confider not fo much what is fpoken to colour them, as what may 
 bee fpoken to confounde them. It is fhame to frequent playes, im- 
 pudency to defende them : it is dangerous to fall in the enemies 
 hande, prefent death to be pryfoners to the Deuill ; it is finne in the 
 Gentiles to fet out Playes, in Chriftians it is a prefumptuous finne, 
 becaufe we fee better wayes and take the worfe, we knowe their cor- 
 ruption, and allowe them. All this hath been fufficiently proued by 
 anciente writers, and dayly revealed by learned Preachers, yet will 
 not my countryme leaue their Playes, becaufe Playes are the now- 
 rifhers of delight, wherein I perceiue they are like to the fnake, cut 
 of their head, they whifke with the tayle. 
 
 The 5 Aaion. 
 
 I thinke you maruaile why fo many famous men in both vniuer- 
 fities haue made open outcries of the inconueniences bredde by pl^es, 
 
212 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 none of the by printing haue taken the paines to write any full 
 difcouery againft the, I efpecially, which neither in age, wifedme, nor 
 authority may be compared to them, with lefTe learning, and more 
 prefumption, haue taken the charge vpon my felfe. They holde this 
 opinio y' playes are not to be fufFred in a Chriftian common weale, 
 but they do not thoroughly profecute the fame, becaufe that finding 
 the eares of their hearers ftopte with the deafe adder, they beginne to 
 ftiake the duft fro their fliooes againft them, and followe the coufell 
 of God him felfe, which biddeth them throwe no pearles to fwine. 
 The thing they condeme, becaufe it is euill ; they beginne to bee 
 mute becaufe men are obftinate in opinions. What then ? am I the 
 boldeft in all the copany ? no. Am I more zealous the y'= reft ? God 
 forbid I fhould rob any of thofe titles of vertue y' they pofiefle, or 
 challenge y' to my felfe, which is due to them. What is the reafon 
 the y' I dare fet in my foote before the reft ? Becaufe that if any of 
 the fhoulde write againfte playes, that occupy your pulpits with 
 learned fermons, whofe knowledge and authority heerein is great. If, 
 I fay, they ftioulde fpeake but one worde againft y" fleepines of. 
 Magiftrats which in this cafe is neceft"ary to bee touchte, they ftiall 
 feeme ftreight to fwerue from the texte, to fpeake without booke, 
 and to vtter a greate deale more then needs. But I, though my 
 fpeach bee fomewhat more free then theirs, ftialbe excufed for wante 
 of iudgement, Sith I am rawe ; or for childifti afpiring, fith I am 
 yonge. ' Befide this, hauing once already writte againft playes, which 
 no ma that euer wrote plaies, did, but one, who hath chaged his coppy, 
 and turned himfelf like y° dog to his vomite, to plays againe. And 
 being falfly accufed my felfe to do y* like, it is needfull for me to 
 write againe. Thefe things w"" indiffericy cofidered, will perfuade 
 the reafonable, y' I haue take this enterprife vpo me, not only with- 
 
c 
 
 
 
 Treatifes. 2 1 3 
 
 out any malepart ouerhardines, but of neceffity, becaufe my expe- 
 rience hath taught as much as any, and made me able to fay Httle 
 lefle the any. Therfore as I haue already difcovered y" corruptid of 
 playes by y' corruptio of their caufes, The EfEciet, the Matter, the 
 Forme, the end, fo will I coclude y^ Effedis y' this poyfon works 
 amog vs. The diuel is not ignorat how mightely thefe outward 
 fpedtacles effeminate, & fofte y' hearts of me, vice is learned w*" be- 
 holding, fefe is tickled, defire pricked, and thofe impreffions of mind 
 are fecretly coueyed ouer to y" gazers, which y'' plaiers do couterfeit 
 on y"' ftage. As long as we know our felues to be flelh, beholding 
 thofe exaples in Theaters y' are incidet to flefh, wee are taught by 
 other mes exaples how to fall. And they that came honeft to a play, 
 may depart infedled. Lactatius doubteth whether any corruptio can 
 be greater, the y' which is daily bred by plaies, becaufe y' expreffing 
 of vice by imitation, brings vs by the fhadow, to the fubftance of the Lib. 6. cap. 2. 
 fame. Whereupon hee affirmeth them neceffary to bee banifhed, 
 leaft wickednes be learned, or with the cuftome of pleafure, by little 
 •and little we forget God. What force there is in the geftures of 
 Players may be gathered by the Tale of Bacchus and Ariadne, which sympos. 
 Xenophon reported to bee Played at a banquette, by a Syracufian and 
 his boy, and his dauncing Trull. In came the Syracufian not vnlike 
 to Prologue of our Playes, difcourfing the arguments of the fable, 
 then entred Ariadne, gorgeoufly attired like a Bride, and fate in the 
 prefence of them all, after came Bacchus dauncing to the pipe, Ariadne 
 perceiuing him, though fhee neither rofe to meete him, nor ftirred 
 from the place to welcome him, yet fhe fhewed by her gefture that 
 fhee fate vpon thornes. 
 
 When Bacchus beheld her, expreffing in his daunce the paffions of 
 loue, he placed him felfe fomewhat neere to her, and embraced her, 
 
2 1 4 'Treatifes. 
 
 fhe with an amorous kind of feare and ft[r]angenes, as though {hee 
 woulde thrufte him away with the htle finger, and pull him againe 
 with both her handes, fomewhat timoroufly and doubtfully enter- 
 tained him. 
 
 At this the beholders beganne to fhoute, when Bacchus rofe vp, 
 tenderly lifting Ariadne from her feate, no fmall ftore of curtefie 
 paffing betwene them, the beholders rofe vp, euery man ftoode on 
 tippe toe, and feemed to houer ouer the praye, when they fware, the 
 company fware ; when they departed to bedde, the company prefently 
 was fet on fire, they that were married poflied home to theire wives ; 
 they-that were fingle, vowed very folemly, to be wedded. 
 
 As the ftinge of Phalangion fpreadeth her poyfon through every 
 vaine, when no hurte is feene, fo amorous gefture, ftrikes to the heart 
 when no fkinne is raced. Therefore Cupid is painted with bowe and 
 arrowes, becaufe it is the propertie of luft to wound aloofFe. Which 
 being well weighed, Sainte Cyprian hath verie good caufe to com- 
 
 Epift. lib. 2. ep. plaine, that players are fpots to our manners, nourifliers of vice, and 
 corrupters of all thinges by their geftures. The godly Father 
 
 Epift. lib. I. ep. knowing the praftife of playing to be fo euil, and the inconueniences 
 
 tium. fo monftrous that grew thereby, thinkes the maieftie of God to be 
 
 fl:ayned, ye honour of his Church defaced, when players are admitted 
 
 Concii. Arciate- j.^ jf^g tiioXi of the Lord. Neither was this the opinion of Saint 
 
 us : 2, 20. I^ 
 
 Cyprian alone, but of the whole aflembly of learned fathers in the 
 councell held vnder Conftantius the emperor. 
 
 Create is the hardnes of our heartes when neither fathers, nor 
 counfels, nor God himfelfe ftrikes vs with any fhame of that, which 
 euery good man is afhamed to remember. Mine eyes throughly be- 
 hold the manner of Theaters, when I wrote playes my felfe, & found 
 them to be the very markets of bawdry, where choife w^'out fhame 
 
Treatifes. 2 1 5 
 
 hath bene as free, as it is for your money in the royall exchaung, to 
 
 take a fhort ftocke, or a longe, a falling bad, or a french ruffe. The 
 
 firft building of Theaters was to rauifh the Sabines, and y' they 
 
 were continued in whordome euer after, Ouide confeffeth in thefe 
 
 wordes. 
 
 Scilicet ex illo folenia more Theatra 
 
 niic quoq : formofis inlidiofa manet. Art. Amand. 
 
 As at the firft, fo nowe. Theaters are fnares vnto faire women. 
 And as I toulde you long ago in my fchoole of abufe, our Theaters, 
 and play houfes in London, are as full of fecrete adulterie as .they 
 were in Rome. In Rome it was the fafhion of wanton yonge men 
 to place them felues as nigh as they could to the curtefans, to prefent 
 them pomgranates, to play with their garments, and waite on them 
 home, when the fporte was done. In the playhoufes at London, 
 it is the fafhion of youthes to go firft into the yarde, and to carry 
 theire eye , through euery gallery, the like vnto rauens where 'they 
 fpye the carion thither they flye, and prefTe as nere to y' faireft as 
 they can. In ftead of poegranates they giue the pippines, they dally 
 w"* their garments to paffe y" time, they minifter talke vpo al occa- 
 fions, & eyther bring the home to theire houfes on fmall acquaintace, 
 or flip into tauerns whe y'= plaies are doe. He thinketh beft of his 
 painted fheath, & taketh himfelfe for a iolly fellow, y' is noted of 
 moft, to be bufyeft w"" women in all fuch places. This open cor- 
 ruption is a pricke in the eyes of them that fee it, and a thorne in 
 the fides of the godly, when they heare it. This is a poyfon to 
 beholders, and a nurferie of idelneffe to the Players. 
 
 Moft of the Players haue bene eyther men of occupations, which 
 they haue forfaken to lyue by playing, or common minftrels, or 
 trayned vp from theire childehood to this abhominable exercife & 
 
2 1 6 Treatifes. 
 
 haue now no other way to get theire liuinge. A common weale is 
 likened to the body, whofe heade is the prince, in the bodie ; if any 
 part be idle, by participation the damage redoundeth to the whole, if 
 any refufe to doe theire duetie, though they be bafe, as the guttes, 
 the gall, the bladder, howe daungerous it is both to the bodie, and to 
 the heade, euerie man is able to coniecfture. 
 
 We are commaunded by God to abide in the fame calling wheirein 
 we were called, which is our ordinary vocation in a commonweale. 
 This is the ftanding, which as faithfull fouldiers we ought to kepe, 
 till the Lord himfelfe do call vs from it. Be we neuer fo bafe or 
 meane in the fight of men, yet keeping our ftanding, liuing in our 
 vocation, doing our duetie, we haue this comforte, that God is our 
 captaine, God is our guide, it is giuen vs of God, yeelding our felues 
 obedient to him, we cannot but glifter in his fight, 
 
 If we grudge at the wifedome of our Maker, and difdaine the call- 
 inge he hath placed vs in, afpyring fomewhat higher then we ftioulde, 
 as in the body ; when the feete woulde be armes, the armes would be 
 eyes ; the guttes would be veines, the veines would be nerues, the 
 mufcles would be flefii, the flefh would be fpirit, this confufion of order 
 weakens the head ; So in a commonweale, if priuatmen be fuffered to 
 forfake theire calling becaufe they defire to walke gentleman like in 
 fattine & veluet, w"" a buckler at theire heeles, proportion is fo 
 broken, vnitie diflblued, harmony confoiided, y' the whole body muft 
 be difmembred and the prince or the heade cannot chufe but ficken. 
 Wherefore I hope y" wife will accompt it neceflarie, that fuch as haue 
 left theire occupations, eyther be turned to the fame againe, or cut of 
 from the body as putrified mebers for infedting the reft. Let them 
 that haue no occupation at all, afke God forgiuenes for the time 
 fo euill fpent, and apply them felues fpeedely to Hue within the 
 
Treatifes. 2 1 7 
 
 compafle of a common weale. Let them not looke to Hue by playes, 
 the little thrift that followeth theire greate gaine, is a manifeft token 
 that God hath curfed it, that which is gotten ouer the deuils backe is 
 fpet vnder his belly, it comes running, and departes flying with the 
 winges of an Egle in the aire. I haue fhowed you louing countrymen 
 y" corruptio & inconueniences of your plaies, as the fclendernes of my 
 learninge would afforde, being pulde from y^ vniuerfitie before I was 
 ripe, & withered in y"= countrie for want of fappe : if you prefer y' 
 opinion of Lodge or any fuch like before y" infallabe teftimony of 
 your owne fenfes, if I which for the loue I beare to your foules, & 
 the duetie which I owe vnto my God, haue plainly declared what I 
 reade by fl;udy, or finde by pradtife, concerning plaies, not as a pidte 
 Orator that with greateft Ikill ; but as a welwiller, y' w"" fmalleft 
 ieoperdie might fpeake my mind ; If your preachers whofe learning 
 is wonderful ; zeale, vnfpeakable ; if y^ auncient fathers of y'= church, 
 which haue lookte very narrowly into the caufe, & in anguifh of 
 heart fet downe theire iudgement ; if the counfels of fathers which 
 are not the Oracles of any one man but debated fubftantially by the 
 heades of many, if the word of God, which is the finger y' pointes 
 you out the way, which is the trumpete y' giueth y' fureft foud, 
 which is y' fquare, vnto which you muft be fafhioned, which is the 
 written voyce of the God of Ifraell challenginge credit of it felfe, may 
 not perfwade you to leaue your plaies, the fuccefTe of my labour wil 
 be leane, & y" hope of your amedment fterued to death : but if you 
 be fuch as I take you for, glad to be taught, vnwilling to perifh, 
 louers of the Gofpel, haters of libertie, champions in earth for the 
 right of Chrift, callegers to the deuill and all his workes, no fpirit of 
 fleepe fliall muffle your eyes, no fat of felfe will, or ignorance fhall 
 couer your heartes, no parafite fhall flatter you in your finne, no 
 
 F F 
 
2 1 8 Treatifes. 
 
 Lodge, no playmaker, no Epicure, no Atheifte, fliall make you to 
 furfette with thefe delightes. 
 
 Playes are the inuentions of the deuil, the ofFrings of Idolatrie, the 
 pompe of worldlinges, the bloiTomes of vanitie, the roote of Apoftacy, 
 foode of iniquitie, ryot, and adulterie, deteft them. 
 
 Players are mafters of vice, teachers of wantonnefle, fpurres to im- 
 puritie, the Sonnes of idlenefie, fo longe as they liue in this order, 
 loath them. God is mercifull, his winges are fpred to receyue you if 
 you come betimes, God is iuft, his bow is bent & his arrowe drawen, 
 to fed you a plague, if you ftaye too longe. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 IV. Obfervattons on the Elizabetha?! Drama by Philip Stubbes, 
 A.D. 1583. {ExtraSl.y 
 
 41 Stage-plates and Enterludes^ 
 ijoith their wickednejje. 
 Philo. 
 \LL Stage-playes, Enterludes, and Coramedies, are eyther 
 of diuine, or prophane matter : If they bee of diuine 
 matter, then are they mofte intollerable, or rather 
 Sacrilegious, for that the bleffed word of God, is to be 
 handled, reuerently, grauely, and fagely, with veneration to the glo- 
 
 ' From The Anatomie of Abufes : Containing a Difcouerie, or Briefe Summarie of 
 Juch Notable Vices and Corruptions, as nowe raigne in many Chriftian Countreyes of the 
 Worlde : but [efpeciallf) in the Cuuntrey of Ailgna, k£c. Made Dialogue-wife by 
 Phillip Stvbs. Lond. 1584, 8°. The book was firft publifhed May i, 1583. 
 
Treatijes. 2 1 9 
 
 rious Maieftie of God, whiche fhineth therein, and not fcoffingly, 
 floutingly, and iybingly, as it is vppon Stages in Playes and Enter- 
 ludes, without anye reuerence, worfhippe, or veneration at all done to 
 the fame : For it is moft certaine, the worde of oure Saluation, the 
 price of Chrift his bloude, and the merites of his Paflion, were not 
 geuen, to bee derided, and iefted at, or to bee mixt and interlaced ^he deriding 
 
 . , , J . of the word 
 
 With bawdrie, wanton ihewes, and vncomely geftures, as is vfed ofGojin 
 (euery man knoweth) in thefe Playes and Enterludes, vppon Stages '*'^' "''""' 
 and ScafFoldes, made for that purpofe. In the firft of lohn wee are 
 taught, that the word is God, and God is the Word. Wherefore, 
 who foeuer abufeth this word of our God on Stages, in Playes and 
 Enterludes, abufeth the Maieftie of God in the fame, maketh a mock- 
 ing ftocke of him, and purchafeth to himfelfe, eternall damnation. And Reuerence to 
 no maruel, for the facred word of God, and God himfelfe, is neuer to be of G^d'du'e! 
 thought of, or once named, but with great feare, reuerence, and obe- 
 diece to the fame. Al the holy companie of Heauen, Angels, Arch- 
 angels, Cherubins, Seraphins, and all other Seraphicall powers what 
 foeuer, yea the Deuilles themfelues (as Saindt lames fayth) doe tremble 
 and quake, at the naming of God, and at the prefence of his wrath ; 
 and do thefe Mockers and Flouters of his Maieftie, thefe diflembling 
 Hipocrites, and flattering Gnatoes, thinke to efcape vnpuniftied ? 
 Beware therefore you maflcing Plaiers, you painted Sepulchres, you a warning to 
 double dealyng ambodexters, be warned betimes, and like good Com- 
 putifts, caft your accompts before what will bee the reward thereof in 
 the ende, leaft God deftroye you in his wrathe : abufe God no more, 
 corrupt his people no longer with your dregges, and intermingle not 
 his blefled worde with fuch prophane vanities. For, at no hande, it is not ^ot lawful to 
 lawfull, to mixe^ fcurrilitie with diuinitie, nor diuinitie with fcurrilitie. u"nl™'^kh'" 
 
 fcurrilitie. 
 
 Old ed. has mixt. 
 
220 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 What if PU- 
 yes be of pro- 
 phane mat- 
 ter. 
 
 The worde of 
 God, all Wri- 
 ters, Counfels 
 & Fathers, a- 
 gainft Plaies, 
 and Enter- 
 ludes. 
 
 Wherefore 
 Playes were 
 ordeined. 
 
 Theopompus, mingled Moyfes Jaw with his writinges, and there- 
 fore the Lorde ftroke hym madde. 
 
 Theodides began the fame pradife, but the Lord ftroke him 
 blinde for it. With many others who attempting the like deuifes, 
 were all ouerthrowne, and dyed miferably : Befides, what is their 
 iudgement in the other worlde the Lorde onely knoweth. Upon the 
 other fide, if their Playes be of prophane matters, then tend they to 
 the difhonour of God, and nourifhing of vice, bothe which are dam- 
 nable. So that weather they be the one or the other, they are quite 
 contrarie to the word of grace, and fucked out of the Deuills Teates, 
 to nourifh vs in Idolatrie, Heathenrie, and finne. And therefore, 
 they carying the note & brand of God his curfe vpon their backes, 
 which waie foeuer they goe, are to be hiffed out of all Chriftian 
 Kingdomes, if they will haue Chrifte to dwell amongeft them. 
 
 Spud. Are you able to fhewe, that euer any good men from the 
 beginning, haue refifted Playes and Enterludes ? 
 
 Philo. Not only the worde of God doth ouerthrowe them, ad- 
 iudging them, and the pra6lifers of them to Hell, but alfo all holy 
 Counfels and Synodes, both generall, nationall, and prouinciall, 
 together, with all Writers both diuine and prophane, euer fince the 
 beginning, haue difalowed them, and writ (almoft) whole volumes 
 againft them. 
 
 The learned Father Tertullian in his Booke de Speculo, faieth : 
 that Plaies were confecrate to that falfe IdoU Bacchus, for that he is 
 faied to haue found out, and inuented ftrong drinke. 
 
 Auguftinus de ciuit. Dei, fayth : that Playes were ordeined by 
 the Deuill, and confecrate to Heathen Gods, to draw vs from Chrifti- 
 anitie to Idolatry, and gentilifme. And in an other place, Pecunias 
 Hiftrionibus dare, vitium eft immane, non virtus. "To giue money to 
 Players, is a greeuous finne, and no vertue. 
 
T'reatifes. 
 
 221 
 
 Chrifoftome calleth thofe Plaies : fefta Sathani, feaftes of the 
 Deuill. 
 
 Laftantius, an auncient learned Father, faith : Hiftrionu impudif- 
 fimi geftus, nihil aliud nifi Libidinem mouent. The JhameleJJ'e gejiures 
 of Players, feme to nothing fo much as to moue the flefh to luft, and vn- 
 cleannejfe. And therefore, in the 30. Counfell of Carthage, & in the Concilium 3. 
 
 „,__,. Cartha. cap. i. 
 
 bynode ot Laodicea : It was decreed that no Chriftian Man, or Wo- Synode Lao- 
 man, fhoulde reforte to Playes and Enterludes, where is nothing but 
 blafphemie, fcurrilitie and Whoredome maintained. 
 
 Scipio, feeing the Romaines bent to ere<5le Theateres, and places 
 for Plaies, dehorted them from it, with mofte prudent reafons and 
 forcible argumentes. 
 
 Valerius maximus faith : Playes were neuer brought vp, fine writers both 
 
 1 -7/7 7 ^ diuine & pro- 
 
 regni rubore, without Jhame to the Countrey. phaneagainft 
 
 Arifto. debarreth youth of accefle to Playes and Enterludes, leaft En?eriud"es. 
 thei feeking to quench the thirft of Venus, do quench it with a pottle 
 of fire. 
 
 Auguftus banifhed Ouid, for making books of Loue, Enterludes, 
 and fuche other amorous trumperie. 
 
 Confl:antius ordained that no Plaier, fiiould be admitted to the xheendesof 
 Table of the Lorde. Then, feeing that Plaies were inuented by the EnYeriuTes. 
 Deuill, pradifed by the Hathen Gentiles, and dedicate to their falfe 
 Idolles, Gods and Goddefles : as the Houfe, Stage, and Apparel to 
 Venus : the muficke to Appollo : the penny ng, to Minerua, and the 
 mufes : the adtion and pronuntiation, to Mercuric, and the refl: : it is 
 more then manifefl:, that they are noe fit exercifes for Chriftian men 
 to followe. But if there were no euill in them, faue this, namely 
 that the arguments of Tragedies, Anger, Wrathe, Immunitie, Cruel- The argu- 
 tie, Iniurie, Inceft, Murther, and fuche like : The perfons or Adors, ^edks.° 
 
222 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 The ground 
 of Comedies. 
 
 Theaters and 
 Curtains Ve- 
 nus pallaces. 
 
 No Plaies co- 
 parable to the 
 word of God. 
 
 He is curfed 
 that faieth, 
 Piayes and En- 
 terludes are 
 comparable 
 to Sermons. 
 
 are Gods, Goddefles, Furies, Findes, Hagges, Kynges, Queenes, or 
 Potentates. Of Commedies, the matter and ground is, Loue, Bawd- 
 rie, Cofenage, Flatterie, Whordome, Adulterie : The perfons or 
 agentes, Whores, Queanes, Bawdes, Scullions, Knaues, Curtizans, 
 Lecherous olde men. Amorous yong men, with fuche like of infinite 
 varietie. If I faie there were nothyng els, but this, it were fufficient 
 to withdraw a good Chriftia from the vfyng of them. For fo often, 
 as they goe to thofe houfes where Plaiers frequent, they goe to Venus 
 Pallace, and Sathans Sinagogue, to worfhip Deuilles, and betraie 
 Chrift Jefus. 
 
 Spud. But notwithftandyng, I haue heard fome hold opinion, that 
 they be as good as Sermons, and that many a good Example male 
 bee learned out of them ? 
 
 Philo. Oh blafphemie intoUerable .'' Are filthie Plaies and bawdie 
 Enterludes comparable to the worde of God, the foode of life, and 
 life it felf ? It is all one, as if they had faied : Bawdrie, Heathenrie, 
 Paganrie, Scurrilitie, and Deuilrie, it felf, is equall with the worde of 
 God. Or that the Deuill is equipollent with the Lorde. 
 
 The Lorde our God hath ordeined his blefled woorde, and made 
 it the ordenarie meane of our Saluation : the Deuill hath inferred the 
 other, as the ordenarie meane of our deftrudlion, and will they yet com- 
 pare the one with the other? If he be accu[r]fed, that calleth light darke- 
 nefle, and darkenefle light, truthe falfhoode, and falfhoode truth, 
 fweete fowre, and fowre fweete, then a fortiori is he accurfed that faieth, 
 that Piayes and Enterludes be equiualent with Sermons, Befides this, 
 there is no mifchiefe which thefe Piayes maintaine not. For, doe 
 they not nourifhe Idlenefle ? and otia dant vitia. Idlenejfe is the mother 
 of vice. Doe they not drawe the people from hearyng the word of 
 God, from godly Leftures, and Sermons ? For you fhall haue them 
 
Treatifes. 223 
 
 flocke thether thicke and threefolde, when the Churche of God Ihall 
 be bare and empde. And thofe that will neuer come at Sermons will 
 flow thether apace. The reafon is, for that the nuber of Chrifl: his wherefore fo 
 
 many flocke 
 
 eledb is but few, and the number of the reprobate is many : the way to fee piayes 
 
 ^ ' ^ h Enterludes. 
 
 that leadeth to life is narrowe, and fewe tread that path : the way 
 that leadeth to death is broade, and many finde it. This- llieweth, 
 they are not of God, who refufe to heare his worde (for he that is of 
 God, heareth God his worde, faith our Sauiour Chrifl:) but of the 
 Deuill, whofe exercifes they goe to vifite. Doe they not maintaine The fruites of 
 
 ' ° ■' Theaters, and 
 
 bawdrie, infinuat foolerie, and renue the remembraunce of Heathen Piayes. 
 
 Idolatrie ? Doe they not induce Whoredome and vncleannefle ? Nay, 
 
 are they not rather plaine deuourers of maidenly virginitie and chaf- 
 
 titie ? For proofe whereof, but marke the flockyng and runny ng to 
 
 Theaters and Curtens, daylie and hourelie, night and daie, tyme and 
 
 tide, to fee Plaies and Enterludes, where fuche wanton geftures, fuche J*"" ^°°'"^ 
 
 ' ^ D •' demeanoures 
 
 bawdie fpeeches: fuche laughyng and flearyng: fuche kiflyng and ^^^^^^'^J^^'^" 
 
 buflyng : fuche clippyng and culling : fuch wincking and glauncing 
 
 of wanton eyes, and the like is vfed, as is wonderfull to beholde. 
 
 Then thefe goodly Pageantes beeyng ended, euery mate fortes to his 
 
 mate, euery one bringes an other homewarde of their waie very 
 
 freendly, and in their fecrete conclaues (couertly) they plaie the So- 
 
 domits, or worfe. And thefe be the fruites of Plaies and Enterludes, 
 
 for the mofl: parte. And whereas, you faie, there are good Examples J^ampies^'lff 
 
 to be learned in them : truely fo there are : if you will learne falfliood : Enterludes. 
 
 if you wilflearne cofenage : if you will learne to deceiue : if you will 
 
 learne to plaie the hipocrite : to cogge, to lye and falfifie : if you will 
 
 learne to left, laugh and fleere, to grinne, to nodd, and mowe : if you 
 
 will learne to plaie the vice, to fweare, teare, and blafpheme bothe what thinges 
 
 Heauen and Earth : If you will learne to become a Bawde, vncleane, n^d at piaLT 
 
224 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 Theators, 
 Scooles, or 
 Seminaries, of 
 pftudochrif- 
 tianitie. 
 
 A deuine pre- 
 munire. 
 
 What it is to 
 comunicate 
 with other 
 mens finnes. 
 
 An exhorta- 
 tion to Pla- 
 yers. 
 
 and to diuerginate Maides, to deflowre honeft Wiues : If you will 
 learne to murther, flaie, kill, picke, fteale, robbe, and roue : If you 
 will learne to rebel! againft Princes, to commit Treafon, to confume 
 treafureSj to pradlife Idlenefle, to fing and talke of bawdie loue and 
 venerie : If you will learne to deride, fcofFe, mocke and flowte, to 
 flatter and fmooth : If you will learne to plaie the Whoremaifter, the 
 Glutton, Drunkard, or Inceftuous perfon : If you will learne to be- 
 come proude, hautie and arrogant : and finally, if you will learne to 
 contemne God and all his lawes, to care neither for Heauen nor Hell, 
 and to commit all kind of finne and mifcheefe, you neede to goe to 
 no other Schoole, for all thefe good examples male you fee painted 
 before your eyes in Enterludes and Plaies. Wherefore, that man who 
 giuethe money for the maintenaunce of the, mufl: needes incurre the 
 daunger of the deuine premunire, y' is, eternall damnation except he 
 repent : For the Apoflle biddeth vs beware, leafl: we communicate 
 with other mens finnes : and this their doing, is not only to communi- 
 cate with other mes finnes, and to maintaine euill, to the deflirudion 
 of themfelues & manie others, but alfo a fupporting of a great forte 
 of idle lubbers and buzzing Dronets who fucke vp and deuour the 
 good Honey, wherevpon the poore Bees fliould Hue. 
 
 Therefore, I befeeche all Plaiers, Founders, and maintainers of 
 Plaies and Enterludes, in the bowelles of lefus Chrift, as thay tender 
 the faluation of their foules, and others, to leaue of that curfed kinde 
 of life, and giue themfelues to fuche honefl: exercifes, and Godly mif- 
 teries, as God hath commaunded them in his worde to get their 
 liuynges withal i : For who will call him a wife man that plaieth the 
 parte of a foole and a vice ? Who can call hym a Chrifliian, who 
 plaieth the parte of a Deuill, y° fworne enemie of Chrift ? Who can 
 call hym a iuft man, that plaieth the parte of a diffemblyng Hipo- 
 
Treatifes. 225 
 
 crite ? And to bee breefe, who can call him a ftraight dealyng man, The ignomi- 
 
 who plaieth a Cofeners tricke ? And fo of all the reft. Awaie there- playel " 
 fore with this fo infamous an arte : for goe they neuer fo braue, yet 
 
 are they coiited and take but for beggers. And is it not true ? Liue Players iiue 
 
 1 1 • r vpon beg- 
 
 they not vppon beggmg of euery one that comes ? Are they not ging. 
 taken by the Lawes of the Realme, for roagues and vacabounds ? (I Players coun- 
 
 - . . . . ted Rogues 
 
 Ipeake of fuche as trauaile the Countreis, with Plaies & Enterludes, bytheUwes 
 
 1- • r • \ \ r •/11-/-11 of the Realm. 
 
 makmg an occupation of it) & ought fo to bee punilhed, if they had 
 their deferts. But hopyng that they will be warned now at the laft, 
 I will fay no more of them, befeeching them to confider what a fear- 
 full thing it is to fall into the handes of God, and to prouoke his 
 wrath and heauie difpleafure againft them felues and others. Which 
 the Lorde of his mercie tourne from vs. 
 
 V. A Sonnett upon the Pittifull Burneing of the Globe 
 Play Houfe in London.^ 
 
 PW fitt thee downe, Melpomene, 
 
 Wrapt in a fea-cole robe, 
 And tell the dolefull tragedie. 
 
 That late was play'd at Globe : 
 For noe man that can finge or faye 
 Was fcard on St. Peters daye. 
 
 Oh forrow, pittifull forrow, and yet all this is true. 
 
 ' Collier,!. 387, or " Gentleman's Magazine," lxxxvi. 114. Mr. Collier fuppofed 
 that the difafter occurred in 161 3 ; but it feems to me from an evident allufion to the 
 fire in the "Ravens Almanack," 1609, that the event ought to be dated four years 
 earlier, unlefs there were two conflagrations. 
 
 G G 
 
226 Treatifes. 
 
 " All yow that pleafe to underftand. 
 
 Come llften to my ftorye. 
 To fee Death with his rakeing brande 
 
 'Mongft fuch an auditorye : 
 Regarding neither Cardinalls might. 
 Nor yet the rugged face of Henry the eight. 
 
 Oh forrowj &c. 
 
 " This fearfull fire beganne above, 
 
 A wonder ftrange and true. 
 And to the ftage-howfe did remove. 
 
 As round as Taylors clewe ; 
 And burnt downe both beam & fnagge. 
 And did not fpare the filken flagge. 
 
 Oh forrow, &c. 
 
 " Out runne the Knights, out runne the Lords, 
 
 And there was great adoe. 
 Some loft their hatts, & fome their fwords ; 
 
 Then out runne Burbidge too : 
 The riprobates, thoughe drunke on munday, 
 Pray'd for the foole, and Henry Condye. 
 
 Oh forrow, &c. 
 
 '' The perry wigs & drumme heads pye. 
 
 Like to a butter firkin : 
 A wofuU burneing did betide 
 
 To many a good buffe jerkin. 
 
Treatifes. 227 
 
 Then with fwolne lipids, like drunken Flemmings, 
 Diftrefled flood old fluttering Heminges. 
 Oh forrow, &c. 
 
 " Noe fhower his raine did there downe force 
 
 In all that funn-ftiine weather, 
 To fave that great renowned howfe ; 
 
 Nor thouj O ale-houfe, neither. 
 Had it begun before, fans doubte. 
 Their wives for feare had p itt out. 
 
 Oh forrow, &c. 
 
 " Bee warned, you ftage ftrutters all, 
 
 Leaft yow againe be catched. 
 And fuch a burneing doe befall. 
 
 As to them whofe howfe was thatched : 
 Forbeare your whoreing, breeding biles, 
 And lay up that expenfe for tiles. 
 
 Oh forrow, &c. 
 
 " Goe drawe yow a petition. 
 
 And doe yow not abhorr itt. 
 And get, with low fubmiflion, 
 
 A licence to begg for itt ; 
 In churches, fans churchwardens checks, 
 In Surrey and in Middlefex. 
 
 Oh forrow, pittifull forrow, and yet all this is true." 
 
228 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 VI. State of the Drama in 1616, illufirated by a 
 contemporary publication} 
 
 Players. 
 
 I fliould be vertuous, fith to vice I aft: 
 
 As makes both me, and others loath the faiS. 
 
 SLAIER was not taken in ill part at the firft but counted 
 both a glory and a comendation : for as an Orator was 
 moft forcible in his el locution ; fo was an aftor in his 
 gefture and perfonated action. 
 
 Player and Hiftorian were gracious in all Common-welths : for as 
 their Tragedies and Comedies were feeldome vfed ; fo when they were 
 vfed, it ferued for honourable purpofe : either for the glory of a 
 Court, the priuate pleafure of a Prince, the gracing of triumphs, the 
 famofmg of great Captaines, or the perfonating fome particular humors. 
 Plaier was euer the life of dead poefie, and in thofe times, that 
 Philofophy taught vs morall precepts, thefe adled the fame in pub- 
 licke {howes : fo that vice was made odious, vertue fet on a throne of 
 immitation, punifhment warranted to the wicked, reward afforded to 
 well deferuers, fathers prouoked to prouident loue, children taught 
 obedience, and all forts feuerally inftruded in their feuerall callings. 
 
 ' The prefent feftion is republiflied (for the firft time) from The Rich Cabinet 
 Furnified with Varietie of Defcriptiotis, Sic, by T. G[ainsford?] 1616, 8°. Con- 
 fidering that the book appeared in the very year of Shakefpeare's death, the language 
 held by the writer is Angular enough. 
 
Treatifes. 229 
 
 Player is now a name of contempt, for times corrupt men with 
 vice, and vice is growne to a height of gouernment : fo that whereas 
 before men were affraid to offend, they now thinke it a difgrace to 
 bee honeft : whence the eie muft be fatisfied with vanitie, the eare 
 with bawdery, the hand with obfcenitie, the heart with luft, the feete 
 with wandrings, and the whole body and foule with pollutions : in all 
 which Players are principall aftors. 
 
 Players, Poets, and Parafites doe now in a manner ioyne hands, 
 and as Lucifer fell from heauen through pride : thefe haue fallen 
 from credit through folly : fo that to chaft eares they are as odious, 
 as filthy pidtures are offenfiue to modeft eyes. 
 
 Players haue by communitie mared their owne markets: for as 
 vertue is the better by enlargement and communication, fo is vice the 
 worfe by diffimulation and common infufion of it's contagious poyfon. 
 
 Players are difcredited in the very fubiedt of their profeflion, which 
 is onely fcratching the itching humours of fcabbed minds with pleafing 
 content and prophane lefts, and how can he be well reputed, that 
 employes all his time in vanity and lies, counterfeting and praiftifing 
 nothing elfe. 
 
 Player is afFraid of the plague, as much as a cowherd of a mufket : 
 for as deth is formidable to the one, fo is pouertie and wants to the 
 other. 
 
 Player is afFraid of the ftatute, for if he haue no better fupporta- 
 tion then his profeffion, he is neither admitted in publicke, nor if hee 
 bee a roamer dares iuftifie himfelfe in priuate, being a flat roague by 
 the ftatute. 
 
 Plaiers pradifes can hardly be warranted in Religion : for a man 
 to put on womans apparell, and a woman a mans, is plaine prohibi- 
 tion ; I fpeake not of execrable oathes, artificiall lyes, difcoueries of 
 
230 'Treatifes. 
 
 coufenage, fcurrulus words, obfcene difcourfes, corrupt courtings, 
 licentious motions, lafciuious aftions, and lewde ieftures : for all thefe 
 are incident to other men, but here is the difference : in thefe they 
 come by imperfeftion, in them by profeffion. 
 
 Player is a great fpender, and indeed may refemble ftrumpets, who 
 get their money filthily, and fpend it profufely. 
 
 Player is much out of countenance, if fooles doe not laugh at 
 them, boyes clappe their hands, pefants ope their throates, and the 
 rude rafkal rabble cry excellent, excellent: the knaues haue adled 
 their parts in print. 
 
 Player hath many times, many excellent qualities : as dancing, 
 adiuitie, muficke, fong, elloqution, abilitie of body, memory, vigi- 
 lancy, flcill of weapon, pregnancy of wit, and fuch like : in all which 
 hee refembleth an excellent fpring of water, which growes the more 
 fweeter, and the more plentifull by the often drawing out of it : fo 
 are all thefe the more perfedl and plaufible by the often pradtife. 
 
 Player is at the firft very baflifull, as ftrucken with a maze at the 
 multitude, which being of various difpofitions, will cenfure him 
 accordingly : but cuftome maketh perfedtneffe, and emboldeneth him 
 fometimes to be fhamelefle. 
 
 Player muft take heede of wrefted and enforced aftion : for if 
 there be not a facility in his delluerance, and as it were a naturall 
 dexteritie, it muft needes found harfli to the auditour, and procure 
 his diftaft and difpleafure. 
 
 Player is like a garment which the Tailor maketh at the direftion 
 of the owner; fo they frame their adtion, at the difpofing of the 
 Poet : fo that in trueth they are reciprocall helpes to one another ; 
 for the one writes for money, and the other plaies for money, & the 
 fpedtator payes his money. 
 
A 
 SHORTE TREATISE 
 
 againji 
 
 STAGE PLAYES 
 
 Prov. lo. 23. 
 // is a /port to a foole to doe mi/chief. 
 
 Prov. 21. 17. 
 He that hues pajiime /hall be a poore man. 
 
 Ephef. 5. II. 
 
 Haue no fellowjhip with the vnfruitfuU works of 
 
 darknejfe, but rather reproue them. 
 
 Printed in the yeere of our Lord 1625. 
 
:32 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 An Humble Supplication Tendred to the High and Honourable 
 Houfe of Parliament Aflembled May xxiij 1625. 
 
 [■HEREAS Stage-playes are repugnant to the written Word 
 and Will of Almightie God the onely Wife Gouernour & 
 righteous ludge of the Whole World dangerous to the 
 eternall faluation both of the aftours and fpedtatours breede many in- 
 conueniences Wherefoeuer they come procure the judgments of God 
 to the whole Kingdome for finne tollerated pourchafeth Gods Wrath 
 to the whole nation as appeareth Jofhu 22. 18. and Salomon fayth 
 Prov. 14. 34 Sinne is a reproach to any people and haue beenejuftly 
 cenfured and worthily prohibited by ftatute, made in the late Raigne 
 of famoufe Queene Elizabeth and of our Learned and Noble King 
 James : May it therefore pleafe this High and Honourable Houfe 
 which is the moft honourable Court in all Europe upon view of this 
 fliort Treatife following to take once more into confideration this 
 matter of Stage-playes and by fome few Words added to the former 
 Statutes, to reftreyne them for euer hereafter. 
 
Treatifes. 
 
 ^3,3 
 
 A Short Treatife of Stage Playes. 
 
 The Preface. 
 
 N all ages the Prophets haue applied their preachings to 
 the prefent occafions and the generall concurfle of many 
 baptifed Chriftians to Stage playes euery where in thefe 
 times haue occafioned the Lords remembrancers, which ftand con- 
 tinually on their watch-towres, both more diligently to examine the 
 nature of Stage-playes, which haue had much countenance, and fome 
 defenfe ; to trie whether they be warrantable by the word of God or 
 no ; and alfo more earneft prayer to God for his Affiftance, and ferious 
 indeavours to diflwade Chriftians from entertayning them. Hence 
 proceede thefe fewe enfuing reafons, briefly contradted into a narrow 
 roome, that the reader may with faclhtie conceaue the force of the 
 Arguments, And foundly judge of the trueth of them. And for 
 better diredlions to the Reader, the whole fumme Is drawne to thefe 
 foure heads. 
 
 Firft, the originall beginning of Stage-playes is fhewed : Sedt. i. 
 
 Secondly, the end is pointed out for which they were firft devifed. 
 Sea. 3. 
 
 Thirdly, the generall matter or argument a6ted in them, is 
 opened in few words : Sed:. 4. 
 
 Fourthly, the reafons to proue them unlawfull are rendered 
 Secft: 5. 
 
 H H 
 
2 34 Treatifes. 
 
 I. The originall beginning of Stage-playes. 
 
 Heathen in- The firft beginning of playes proceeded from thofe men which were 
 
 vented playes. ^^^ j^^ ^j^^ Church of God When God had appointed man to get his 
 liuing with his labour Gen. 3. 19. luball the feauenth of Cain his 
 race invented playing Gen. 4. 21 on Inftruments which (as after) is 
 a lawfull recreation. But the invention of divers forts of unlawful! 
 playes is briefely noted by Plinius Hiftor. natur. lib. 7 Cap. 59 by 
 Eufebius de praepar. euang. lib. I. Cap. 2 and lib. 2 Cap. 2. by Arnobius 
 contra gentes lib. 7. by Polydorus Virgilius de rerum invent, lib. 3 Cap. 
 13. by Alexander ab Alexandre genialium dierum libr. 6 Cap. 19. by 
 Caelius Rhodiginus antiq. lib. 8 Cap. 7. Whether they grew up firft 
 at Lydia in Afia as faith Herodotus Lib. i. or at Athens in Graecia as 
 Polydorus Virgilius lib. 3 Cap. i3andVolaterranus lib. 29 Ca. 1 1 report 
 it is not materiall. Paufanias in Elvacis writeth that Iphitus was ad- 
 monifhed by the oracle of Apollo to reftore the Olympilce games, 
 lofephus Scaliger poetices lib. i Cap. 22 &c. may fatisfie all men that 
 The Solemn defirc to reade more of this point. About the beginning of the Perfian 
 Pkyes'"^ °^ Monarchie which was almoft 500 yeeres afore Chrift and about the time 
 of thelewesreturneoutof thecaptivitie of Babylon this mifcreant author 
 alwayes of fome hurte never of any good to Chriftian or heathen firft 
 came abroad with great folemnitie as it may be gathered by Herodotus. 
 Afterwards from thofe Lydians in Afia or from the Grecians at 
 Athens came playes to Rome in the reigne of Tarquinius Prifcus as 
 Eufebius noteth in his Chronologic at the yeare of the world ^602. 
 Alexander ab Hcrmanus Contracftus at the yeare of the world 3341 noteth the fame. 
 Aiex^and. lib. 5. ^^^ TitusLivius lib. 7. Pomponius laetus in Philippo, Funecius 
 in his worthie Chronologic at the yeare of the world 3512, and Hero- 
 dianus lib. 3. Witnes how the Romans augmented their playes after- 
 wards. 
 
Treatijes. 235 
 
 The firft authorized entrance that any fuch kinde of playes or The entrance 
 
 I, ..,,. 1/-, r of playes into 
 
 heathen exercile had into the Church of God, feemeth to be about the church ot 
 i7oyeares before the birth of Chrift, when that uicked lefus affedting 
 heathenifme, changed his name into lafon, and for 150 talents of 
 filver purchafed a commiffion of Antiochus Epiphanes King of Syria, 
 that he might eredt a place for heathen exercifes at Jerufalem, and 
 traine up the youth of the lewes in the cuftomes of the Gentiles, i 
 Maccab. i. 12. lofeph. Antiq lib. 12. Cap. 6 but more fpecially 2 
 Maccab. 4. 7. &c. Which exercife though it was not to play on the 
 ftage, but for aflivitie of their bodies, yet it may here be obferved an 
 entrance to other heathen cuftomes, and as that which maketh way 
 to bring in Stage-playes afterwards. Then Herode the Greate in- 
 creafed heathenifh playes and exercifes greatly in his dayes, building 
 one theater at Jerufalem; lofeph. Antiq. lib. 15. Cap 10. or 11, and 
 another at Caefarea Stratonis ; lofeph. Antiq. lib. 15. Cap. 13, and 
 lib. 16. Cap. 9. The horrible finnes of the lewes cutte them off 
 ftiortly from being the Church of God, and therefore no more can be 
 fay'd of their heathenifli exercifes. 
 
 How or when Playes came into the Chriftian Church, and who Their entrance 
 
 into the Chrlf- 
 
 firft gaue them entertamment is more incident to this prefent purpofe tian church. 
 and fitter teftimonie to giue evidence hereafter either for them or 
 againft them. When the Roman Emperours delighted too much in 
 all kind of playes, and when Chriftian religion grew mightily under 
 them in Europe efpecially, Chriftians imbraceing the Gofpel could not 
 be altogether ignorant of thefe Stage-playes but fometimes fome 
 Chriftians refortedto thefe playes as by the complaints and inveftiues of 
 fome ancient fathers againft them it doth appeare. And though 
 fecretly by fuch means playes through fatans fubtilities approached 
 neare to the church doore, yet all this while neither the Emperours 
 
236 Treatifes. 
 
 power thruft them upon the Church nor the reverend Fathers and 
 faithfull Paftours of thofe times gaue way to fuch open wickednefs by 
 theire filence. But when the great fcarlet coloured whore of Babylon 
 with her golden cup of abhominations in her hand which hath a name 
 written in her forehead a myfterie great Babilon the Mother of 
 Whoredomes and which reigneth over the Kings of the earth was fet 
 in Peters Chaire at Rome as the Papifts fay, then did the Kings of 
 the Locufts called Abaddon and Apollyon hauing the key of the 
 bottomeles pitt with full power for fuch a purpofe fette the Church 
 doore wide open for fundrie fportes and playes, to enter freely into 
 the houfe of God as Platina reporteth Paulus II. did. And that not 
 onely in their great folemnities and feftivals which were fpent com- 
 monly in bellie cheare and Playes as Peucerus writeth of VrbanusIIII. 
 much after the fafhion of the Ifraelities fitting downe to eat and 
 drinke and rifing up to play, but fpecially in their rich lubilies firft 
 begunne in the Chriftian Church by Bonifacius VIII. in the yeare of 
 Chrift 1300 and afterwards continued and haftened by his fucceflbrs. 
 Of which Sports and Playes Aventinus annal. Bojor. lib. 7. fpeaking 
 of Clemens VI., and Bale in the life of lulius III doe write. And 
 thus much fliall fufEce for the beginning of Playes among the Lydians 
 of Afia and among the Grecians and Romans in Europe as aifo for 
 their entrance into the Chriftian Church, firft fecretly by the malice of 
 Satan ftealing fome Chriftians affeftions to fuch vanities, then openly 
 by the power of that Abaddon of Rome who befotted mens fenfes 
 with fuch fooleries that he might robbe their purfes in his rich lubilies. 
 
 II. ^he ende for which Playes were devifed. 
 
 The finall caufe or ende for which the Heathen firft devifed Playes 
 was to pacifie their angrie gods and fo remoue fome prefent calamitie 
 
Treatifes. 237 
 
 which vexed them. The Lydians fought by Playes to remedie by a 
 greate famine that was among them as Herodotus witnefleth in Clio. 
 The Athenians renewed their Playes about the latter ende of the 
 Perfian Monarchie in the dayes of Euthydemus their Governour 
 thereby thinking to remoue a grievous peftilence as fayth Diodorus 
 Siculus lib. 12. Alfo Livius lib. 7. and Paulus Orofius libr. 3. Cap. 4. 
 write that the heathen Romans fore afBided about the fame time with 
 peftilence by the advife of their idoll priefts fet forth their Stage-piayes 
 to turne away that afflidtion, thinking their Playes would pleafe their 
 gods. 
 
 But Dionyfius HalicarnafTeus li. 7, Arnobius. lib •;-. contra gentes, 
 Paufanias in Corinthiacis, Auguftinus de civitate dei lib. 2. Cap. 13 
 &Iib. 3 Cap. 1 8 &lib. 4Cap. i &Cap. 26 (5) ; Polydorus Virgil de inven- 
 tione rerum lib. 3 Cap. 13; and Volaterranus lib. 29. Cap. 1 1 write fo 
 plainly and fully of this matter that the reading of any one of them 
 may fatisfie the fober minded and giue them to underftand that as 
 Chriftians by direction out of Gods word ufe prayer and fafting to 
 turne away the Lords provoked anger, fo heathens inftrudted by the 
 Diveil their mafter thought to remoue their affliftions by Playes. But 
 the Popes of Rome folemnifed their Feftivals and lubilies with all 
 fortes of Playes and Sportes for recreation and to delite the people 
 with fuch fooleries. 
 
 III. The Argument of Stage-Play es. 
 
 Whereas Stage-Playes ordinarily goe under the name either of 
 Tragedies or els of Comedies we are to underftand that the argument 
 or matter adted in tragedies, is murther, treafon, rebellion and fuch like, 
 and in comedies is bauderie, cofenage and meere knaverie. 
 
 But here fome men eyther meerly ignorant (as the moft religious objeaion. 
 
238 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 Bucerus de 
 regnb Chrifti 
 lib. i.. ca. 54. 
 
 Anfwer, 
 
 I. Anfwer. 
 
 and learned are ignorant of many things, for we know but in part (i 
 Cor. 13. 9.) or els perverfly irreligious, will fay, that fometimes the 
 facred Scripture is or may be adled by players on the ftage, and 
 thereby a man may learne more than at a Sermon. 
 
 But for better information of the ignorant, and more forcible con- 
 futation of the perverfe and profane, a threefold anfwer may be 
 given. 
 
 Firft, concerning thofe perfons that fo greatly defire to learne 
 religion at Stage-playes, let them examine their owne confciences by 
 theire workes which are manifeft before God and men and confider 
 themfelues in thefe fiue points. 
 
 1. They feldome come to the Church to learne religion according 
 to Gods ordinance though God command them fo to doe. Deut. 12. 
 5. But ye fhall feeke the place which the Lord your God (hall 
 choofe out of all your tribes to put his name there and there to dwell 
 and thither thou fhalt come &c. though God intreate them fo to doe, 
 Prov. i. 20. Wifedome cryeth without, fhee uttereth her voyce in 
 the ftreets &c. as alfo Prov. 9. 3 &c. and though they promifed at 
 their baptifme fo to doe. 
 
 2. They reade the Scriptures little or never at home; they catechife 
 not their families Deut. 6, 7, or they are not catechifed themfelues. 
 
 3. They haue little or no delite to conferre and talk of religion, 
 but rather are wearie of fuch as fpeake to them of religion, avoide 
 their companie and call them Puritanes. 
 
 4. They leade not their life religioufly, but follow the fafhion of 
 the world eyther one way or other. 
 
 5. They refort not to Stage-playes to -learne religion, but to folice 
 them felues in Sinne. 
 
Treatifes. 239 
 
 Secondly, concerning the Stage-playes. 2nd Anfwer. 
 
 1. They are no great Divines, no Dodlors of divinitie, fcarce 
 good profeflbrs of religion. 
 
 2. They are not called of God to any fuch publike funcftion, As to 
 be teachers of religion, 
 
 3. They are forbidden to meddle with religion Pfal: 50. 16. 
 What haft thou to doe to declare mine ordinances that thou ftiouldeft 
 take my name in thy mouth, feeing thou hateft to be reformed, and 
 haft caft my wordes behinde thee ? 
 
 4. They abufe fcripture when they rehearfe it upon the ftage, as 
 conjurers and uitches do in their inchantments, charmes, forceries, and 
 conjurations. 
 
 5. They pollute Scripture when they mention it upon the ftage. 
 For as the Prieft anfwered. Hag. 2. 14. that if a polluted perfon 
 touched the facrifices, the oblation ftiould be unclean : fo if thefe 
 Stage-players meddle with Scripture they pollute it. 
 
 Thirdly, Concerning the Scripture it Jelfe. 
 
 1. God ordeyned not that the Holy Scriptures ftiould be adled 3. Anfwer. 
 upon the Stage, in fuch kinde of fcurrilitie, by fuch light and vaine 
 perfons, nor to fuch ende as to make fporte and paftime ; but with 
 greate reverence to be foberly handled, by faythfull and lawfull 
 minifters, in the holy Aftemblies of the Saintes. 
 
 2. The Scripture is Gods power to beate down finne and not to 
 mainteine it, to beget fayth not to deftroy it, to bring men into Gods 
 glorious Kingdome and not to throwe them downe into hell, 
 
 God fmote one Theopompus an infidell with Lunacie for Inferting 
 Scripture in his writings and one Theododtes with blindnes for citing 
 
240 Treatifes. 
 
 Scripture in his tragedie as it is reported by lofephus antiq. lib. 12. 
 Cap. 2 and by Eufebius de praeparat. euangel. lib. 8 Cap. i. 
 
 Wherefore it is a profane thing to deaie with Scripture upon the 
 Stage or in any fport and play ; it is pernitious to the Adlors hearers 
 and beholders. 
 
 IIII. 'The reajons which proue Stage-playes to be unlawfull. 
 The first reason. 
 
 The firft reafon fhall be taken from their originall beginning which 
 was from the Heathen, and to pacifie their idolls anger, that prefent 
 aiBi<ftions might be remoued, as hath been fhewed before ; Sed. 3. 
 And therefore they feeme unlawfull for Chriftians, whom the Apoftle 
 warneth to avoyd, not onely that which is evill. Abfteyne from all 
 appearance of evill i. ThefT. 5, 22. And in another place he fayeth: 
 Furthermore, brethren, Whatfoever things are true, whatfoever things 
 are honeft, whatfoever things are juft, whatfoever things are pure, 
 Whatfoever things perteine to love, Whatfoever things are of good 
 report, if there be any vertue, or if there be any praife, thinke on 
 thefe things, &c. Philip: 4, 8. 
 
 Wherefore feeing there are none of thefe things in Stage-playes, 
 And that they bring with them not onely appearance of evill, but 
 evill it felfe, they may not be counted lawfull for Chriftians. 
 
 But fome will fay, we have no refpedt to their heathenifti beginning 
 or ufe, but now they ferve onely for recreation, and not otherwife. 
 
 Anfwer. The Anfwcre firft ftieweth what are lawfull recreations. And 
 
 fecondly confuteth the objeftion. 
 
 Recreations. Recreation is a meere compound Latin word, made Englifti by ufe. 
 
 And fignifieth to renew, to repair, to recover, to reftore, or to refrefti 
 
 objection. 
 
Treatifes. 241 
 
 eyther the body or the minde, or both, when they are impaired, over- 
 worne, wearied, or fpent in the imployments of mens lawfull callings 
 to the end that men recreated (for it feemeth convenient to reteyne 
 the word) and refrefhed may chearefully returne to their lawfull call- 
 ings againe and therein ferue God faythfully. 
 
 Wherefore here are three things to be confidered. 
 
 Firft that recreations are not alwayes neceflarie nor to be permitted 
 to all perfons, but onely to thofe that are overwearied with honeft 
 labour in their lawfull callings. 
 
 Secondly, that recreations ferue onely to refrefli men and make them 
 fitter for the dueties of their callings. 
 
 Thirdly, fome recreations which the Lord our gratious God and 
 mercifull Father hath in his wifedome and loue to his fervants 
 granted and thought meete for the fonnes of men are particularly to 
 be mentioned, and namely thefe foe fpecially. 
 
 Firft fome little reft from labour as, if the reapers in harveft time 
 may but fit downe and reft themfelues for one quarter of an houre, 
 they will return more frefhly to their worke againe. 
 
 And fo it is with all other men in what calling foever they are oc- 
 cupied. 
 
 Secondly, foode meate and drinke which refrefheth man comfortably 2. Foode. 
 and maketh him fitter and more able to performe the dueties of his 
 calling. 
 
 Thirdly, Sleepe reneweth man and refrefheth him greatly that he is 3 sieepe. 
 thereby as if he had not beene wearied before. 
 
 Fourthly, fome change of labour quickeneth man that his former 4 change of 
 wearinefs is forgotten. 
 
 Fiftly, Mufick is a chearefull recreation to the minde that hath beene 5 Mufick. 
 blunted with ferious meditations. 
 
 1 I 
 
24-2 Treatifes. 
 
 Thefe and fuch like are holy and good recreations both comfortable 
 and profitable, whereunto may be added holy conference of good men 
 concerning good and neceflarie matters. 
 
 As for hawking, hunting, fifhing, fouling and fuch like they, are 
 rather to be counted honeft and lawfull callings wherein men may get 
 their living with their labour then recreations, except it be by change 
 of labour as in other lawfull callings. 
 Confutation. And now to comc to confutation of the objedbion. It feemeth that 
 
 Stage-playes cannot be counted in the number of recreations and that 
 for thefe three reafons. 
 
 Firft, they are not worthie to be compared to any of the former 
 lawfull recreations. 
 
 Secondly, they ferue not the ende of recreations which is to refrelh 
 the wearie but not to make men delight in finne. 
 
 Thirdly, the moft perfons that ordinarily reaforte to them are verie 
 idle perfons that fhould rather be fet to fome honeft labour then fo 
 unprofitably to mifpend their time to their owne hurte. 
 
 The originall beginning then is fufficient to perfwade the faythfull 
 to renounce Stage-playes and fay unto them Gette thee hence. 
 Efia 30. 22. 
 
 The Second Reason. 
 
 aReafon. The fccond Tcafon may be taken from the matter or argument 
 
 which is a6ted upon the Stage, which is eyther mvrther and mifchief 
 in tragedies or bauderie and cofonage in comedies, as was obferved 
 before fed. 4. And the reafon may be contrived thus. 
 
 It is not lawfull for Chriftians to fporte themfelues eyther with the 
 dreadfull judgments of God or with the abhominable finnes of men. 
 But in Stage-playes there are adbed fometimes the fearefull judg- 
 
Treatifes. 243 
 
 ments of God as in tragedies, and fometimes the vile and hateful! 
 finnes of men as in comedies. 
 
 And therefore it is full of horrour ferioufly to thinke upon them 
 and much more to be eyther aftor to fhew them, or beholder and 
 hearer to laugh at them or delite in them. 
 
 Ham derided his Fathers nakednefs. Gen : 9. 22., but he was ac- 
 curfed for it. Curfes are denounced in Gods Law againft all finners, 
 Deut. 27. 26. And they that make a fport of finne cannot avoyd 
 Gods curfe no more than they that feafted when they fhowld haue 
 fafted, Efay 22. 14. Surely this iniquitie fhall not be purged from 
 you, till ye dye, fayth the Lord of Hoaftes. 
 
 The Third Reason. 
 
 The third reafon is taken from the Stage-players and from fuch Reafon. 
 their vices as properly belong to them as they are Stage-players. 
 And four of their vices may perfwade all men that their playes are 
 unlawful]. 
 
 Firft they being men change their apparel and put on Womans 
 apparell, without which exchange they cannot adt fome partes in theire 
 Playes ; which thing the Lord forbiddeth : Deut 22. 5. the woman fhall 
 not weare that which perteyneth to the man, neyther fhall a man put 
 on Womans rayment : for all that do fo are an abomination to the 
 Lord thy God. For this change of apparell maketh the man effemi- 
 nate, and the woman manifli, as fome can teftifie if they would, fome 
 have confefledj and the Heathen know. Cyprianus lib. 2. epift. 2, 
 fpeaking of this change of apparell in Stage-playes, fayth thus : evi- 
 rantur mares ; men loofe their manhood &c. Charondas made law to 
 the inhabitants of Thuria (which is a citie in Greece, defcribed by 
 Paufanias in Meflenicis, and by Strabo, lib, 8.) that if any man refufed 
 
244 Treatifes. 
 
 to go to the warres, or being in the field caft downe his weapons and 
 ranne away, he ftiould fland three dayes in the open market in womans 
 apparell, which argued efFeminatenes in him, as if formerly he had 
 ufed it, Diodor. lib. 12. 
 
 Secondly, they never come on the Stage in theire owne name, but 
 fome in the name and perfon of a divell, others of a foole, others of 
 a bawde, others of a tyrant, others of other men, which befeemeth not 
 a Chriftian, neither proceedeth it of God, nor is approved of God, 
 but is contrarie to Chriftian profeffion. Tit. 2. 12. 
 
 Thirdly, they fweare vainly by the living God, which is contrarie to 
 the Law of God Exod. 20. 7. or by heathen idols, which is forbidden, 
 Exod. 23. 13. or by both, which is reproved, Amos 8. 14. Zephan. 
 I. 5. 
 
 Fourthly, they teach their hearers & beholders much finne in the 
 ading of their Playes as to fweare, curfe, lye, flatter, cofen, fteale, to 
 play the bawde and the harlot, with very many fuch other lewede 
 leflbns. 
 
 The Fourth Reason. 
 
 4. Reafon. The fourth reafon arifeth from the confideration of the hearers and 
 
 beholders, who being baptlfed into the name of Chrift are brought 
 into danger of Gods wrath, and their owne condemnation, in as much 
 as they are partakers of the finnes of the Players and of the Playes 
 in approving them. And whatfoeuer brings men Into thefe dangers 
 muft needs be evill, and befides the approbation, which maketh them 
 gulltle, they learne finne : for as fayeth Cyprianus, lib. 2. epift. 2. 
 adulterium difcitur, dum videtur, they learne to commit adulterie, 
 when they heare and beholde fuch immodeft and unchafte words and 
 geftures upon the ftage. And many goe honeft thither which returne 
 
Treatifes. 245 
 
 home diftioneft. lob made a covenant with his eyes that he would 
 not looke on a maide, lob 31. i. David defired God to turne away 
 his eyes from regarding vanitie, Pfal. 119. 37. 
 
 The Fift Reason. 
 
 The fift reafon may be taken from confideration of thefe eight 5 Reafon. 
 fruits or efFedls which follow Stage-playes. 
 
 Firft, the Stage-players get their living by an ungodly and un- ■ 
 lawfull trade never approved by God, & when they Ihall ftand at the 
 barre of Gods judgement, [they] fhall be fpeachles and caft into utter 
 darknefSj where fhall be weeping and gnaihing of teeth, except they 
 repent and forfake their wicked trade betimes, whiles the Lord granteth 
 {pace to repentance. 
 
 Secondly, the hearers receaue much hurte by them as was noted in 
 the fourth reafon, and if it be true which is reported, whoredome is 
 fometimes committed at that place & at that time. 
 
 Thirdly, the better fort of men which are governours of families 
 receaue domage, when fome of their goods are ftollen to mainteine 
 Lewdnes ; fometimes their daughters or maide- fervants are defiled, or 
 ftollen away and maried without their governours confent or privite. 
 
 Fourthly, the word of God and the minifters thereof are now and 
 then taxed and taunted. 
 
 Fiftly, the Lord himfelfe is there blafpheamed ordinarily. 
 
 Sixtly, the poore in the Church of Chrift are hindred from fome 
 reliefe which otherwife they might haue, for the prodigalitie lavifhed 
 upon Stage-players reftrayneth the liberalitie that might and ought to 
 be beftowed upon the poore. 
 
 Seauenthly, there is lofle of pretious time which fhould be fpent in 
 Gods fervice by thofe that are hired to be diligent labourers in his 
 
246 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 vineyard and not be wickedly mifpent in fuch finfull fportes, feeing 
 everie one both young and olde muft giue account to God of his 
 labours, and of his time fpent in this life. The Holy Ghoft fayeth 
 Ephef 5. 16. Reedeeme the time for the dayes are evill ; but fome 
 men fay. Let us haue paftime, that is, any finfull courfe, whereby we 
 may pafie away & mif-fpend the fhort time which we haue in this life, 
 that the day of death, judgment, and condemnation may come fpeedily 
 upon us before we repent, and before we confecrate our felues wholly 
 to God. Peter fayth ; It is fufficient for us ; that we haue fpent the 
 time paft of this life after the luftes of the Gentiles, walking in 
 Wantonnes, luftes, drunkennes, in gluttonie, drinkingsand abominable 
 idolatries, i Pet 4. 3. And if any be otherwife minded the Lord in his 
 time will either convert or confound him. 
 
 Eightly, Whereas the life of a Chriftian efFedtually called fhowld 
 be fpent continually in fighting againft all kinde of finne, in crucifying 
 the old man and in renewing the inner man dayly, thefe Stage 
 Playes quench the fpirit and deftroy the new man, as alfo on the [other] 
 part they fofter, cherifti and mainteyne the old man as all thofe that 
 haue the fpirit of Chrift know and feele. But if any haue not the 
 fpirit of Chrift the fame is not his, Rom 8.9. 
 
 The Sixth Reason. 
 
 6 Reafon. 
 
 1. Orthodoxal 
 Proteftants. 
 
 The fixt reafon may be taken from the opinion and judgment of 
 all fortes and ftates of men by whom thefe Stage-playes have been 
 difalowed. 
 
 Firft, all orthodoxall Proteftantz of all ages and times which main- 
 tayned the generall dodtrine of the Catholike Church haue cenfured 
 Stage-Playes as unlawfull from age to age hitherto. 
 
 To Reporte and repeate their feverall judgements out of their owne 
 
Treatifes. 247 
 
 writings or out of hiftories is more than I can performe, it would 
 make a great volume, it would be tedious to reade and perhaps not fo 
 neceflarie. 
 
 Wherefore it feemeth rather convenient to call a greate number of 
 them together out of all the places of their dwellings and as it were 
 out of all the world that they all may be heard to fpeake altogether 
 with one confent and voyce. But becaufe it would be a verie tedious 
 and troublefome thing for fo many fo reverend and fo old aged Fathers 
 to travell fo farre, it is more convenient and reafonable to fpare their 
 labours fo much as may be and call them together at three feverall 
 times and in three feverall places of their habitations, that is to call 
 thofe of Afia to meete together in Afia, thofe of Africa in Africa, and 
 thofe of Europe in Europe. 
 
 In Afia, about two and twentie of the moft reverend Fathers of Afia. 
 thofe times met together in Laodicea fomewhat more than 300 years 
 after Chrift and holding a councill there, decreed Cap. 54. that none of 
 the Cleargie fhould be prefent at Stage-playes. And the Centuriators 
 of Magdeburg haue inferted this whole Councill in their laborious and 
 worthie hiftorie. Cent. Cap. 9 Col. 834. 
 
 In Africa, more then 400 years after Chrift there were fome four Afrike. 
 and fortie of the worthieft & learnedft Fathers aflembled at Carthage 
 in the third Councill that was holden there, amongft whom was that 
 worthie Auguftinus; and they decreed. Cap. 11, that the children of 
 minifters or of others of the Cleargie fhould not be prefent at Stages, 
 feeing none of the Laitie might be there. Semper enim Chriftianis 
 omnibus hoc interdidlum eft, ut ubi blafphemi funt non accedant, that 
 is for all Chriftians haue evermore beene forbidden to come in place 
 where blafphemers are. And the fame religious Fathers then and 
 there decreed alfo, Cap. 35: — 
 
 That the Church ftiould not refufe to receaue the Stage-players into 
 
248 Treatifes. 
 
 their fellowfhip, if they repented and renounced that their trade of 
 playing; Whereby is evident that Stage-players in thofe former and 
 purer times were generally excommunicated and caft out of the Societie 
 of the Saintes. 
 Europe. In Europc, divers worthie and graue Fathers of the Church, called 
 
 and fummoned by Conftantinus Magnus a little after the Nicene 
 Councill to come together at Aries in France, held two Councils there 
 the firft and, ftiortly after, the fecond. In both which they decreed the 
 excommunication of all Stage- players fo long as they continued that 
 trade of life. And in the firft Councill, Cap. 5, thus they fay, De 
 theatricis & ipfis placuit quandiu agunt, a communione feparari, that 
 is as touching Stage-players we think it good that whiles they con- 
 tinue in that trade of life they be kept from the communion. 
 
 And in the fecond Council held there prefently after, they decree 
 the fame thing againe Can. 20. and almoft in the fame words. 
 
 But yet to giue in more evidence, we may haue all the worthie 
 Fathers of the Churches in Afia, Africa, and Europa, aflembled to- 
 gether in the fixt generall Council which was held at Conftantinople, 
 approue that which at Laodicea in Afia and at Carthage in Africa was 
 decreed againft Stage-players. For when Conftantinus Pogonatus in 
 the yeare 681. called that fixt general Councel at Conftantinople 
 againft the Monothelites of thofe times, as Zonorus Tomotertio fheweth 
 about fiue yeares after, his fonne luftinianus II aflembled the Fathers 
 there againe asGratianus, dift. 16 Cap. 7 and the Centuriators of Mag- 
 deburgh Cent. 7. Cap. 9, Col. 455. doe witnefl"e and Can. 20 they ap- 
 proue thofe two former Councils of Laodicea and of Carthage. 
 
 And thus we haue the judgment of all the orthodoxall and true 
 Catholike Fathers of the churches throughout the whole world 
 againft Stage-players and Stage-playing with one confent. 
 
I'reatifes. 249 
 
 Secondly, the Papifts though they be favourers of Stage-play es and z.Papids. 
 aftors fometime upon the Stage (as lately at Lions in France), yet they 
 cannot for verie fhame juftifie them, but contrariewife condemne them 
 in their writings. And in their great Canon boolce of Decrees com- 
 piled by Gratian they ratifie the four firft generall Councils and aU the 
 other Councils made afterwards and conteyned in that greate booke 
 of Decrees, dift. 15 Cap. 2 & 4.; and dift. 16. Cap. 6 &c. they approue 
 by name the three Councils alledged before. More particularly they 
 approue that which was mentioned before of the Council of Laodicea 
 de confecratione, dift. 5. Cap. 37. and that which was decreed againft 
 Stage-plaies in the third Councill of Carthage, de confecrat. dift. 2. 
 Cap. 96, and the canons of the fixt generall Councill, de confecratione 
 dift. 3 Cap. 29. 
 
 Thirdly, the Honourable Court of Parliament in this Land hath 3 Pariement. 
 juftly cenfured Stage-players as thofe that Hue not in a lawfuU trade 
 to mainteyne themfelues by, as in the xiiij yeareof Elizabeth, Chap. 5, 
 and in the xxxix yeare of Elizab. Chap. 7, and in the fecond yeare 
 of King James, Chap. vij. 
 
 Fourthly, the civill law in pointing out thofe perfons which are of 4Tiie civil Law. 
 evill note or namefayth thus of Stage-players, Pandecft. lib. 3. tit. 2 : 
 Eos enim, qui quasftus caufa in certamina defcendunt, & omnes propter 
 premium in fcenam prodeuntes. famofos efle, Pegafus & Nerva 
 refponderunt ; that is Pegafus and Nerva faid, that thofe were infa- 
 mous which tryed mafterie for gaine and all that came upon the Stage 
 for a rewarde. Alfo who lift may reade fomewhat to the fame pur- 
 pofe. Novel, conft. 51. 
 
 Fiftly, the infidell Heathens, hovyfoever they firft devifed them and 5 Heathens. 
 after ufed them, very much yet haue they difalowed them, as Auguftine 
 de civitate Dei, lib. 2. Cap. 13. rehearfing the words of Scipio out of 
 
 K K 
 
250 Treatifes. 
 
 Tullie, fheweth : Quam artem ludicram Scenamque totam probro 
 ducerent, genus id hominum non modo honore civium reliquorum 
 carere, fed etiam tribu moveri notatione cenforia voluerunt. that is, 
 the Romans accounting thofe playes and the whole Stage to be re- 
 proachful! when they valued the goods and enrolled the names of 
 their citizens gaue not the honour of other citizens to ftage-players 
 but razed their names out of their wordes or companies. Suetonius 
 taxeth Nero for a favorer of them and an adtor among them. 
 Arnobius lib. J. contra gentes, appealing to the confcience of the 
 Heathen, fheweth that they difallow them and fayth thus of the 
 Stage-players : adlores inhoneftos efle jus veftrum judicavit, that 
 is your owne law hath adjudged the ftage-players to be no honeft 
 men. 
 
 And thefe judgements of men are fufficient to condemne Stage- 
 playes as unlawful! and difhoneft alfo, as Cornelius Nepos fayth in his 
 preface before the defcription of the noble Emperours. 
 
 The Seauenth Reason. 
 
 7 Rcafon ii. The Scaucnth and laft reafon is drawne from the judgments which 
 
 God hath inflidled upon the Players and beholders. 
 
 I . Philip King of Macedonia and Father of Alexander the greate 
 was flaine at a play by Paufanias, as Diodorus Siculus writeth, lib. 16. 
 
 Plinius, hiftor. natur. lib. 7. cap. 53 fpeaking of diuers that dyed 
 fodainly, fayth that one M. Ofilius Hilarus a noble player of Comedies, 
 after he had played his part gallantly on the day of his birth and was 
 vaunting at fupper of his dayes worke, died fodainly at the table. 
 
 3. Paulus Orofius, lib. 7 cap. 4. writeth that in the twelft yeare 
 of Tiberius (which was three yeares before Chrift beganne to preach 
 
Treatifes. 251 
 
 the Gofpel publikly) there were twentie thoufand perfons flaine by 
 the fall of the Theater at Fidena in Italic. 
 
 4. About thirteene yeares after, Caius Caligula the Emperour was 
 flaine at a play. lofeph. antiq. lib. 1 9. Cap. i ; Suetonius in Caligula, 
 Cap. 58. 
 
 5. About 150 yeares after Chrifts nativitie, whiles the Playes were 
 kept at Rome with great folemnitie for the fpace of three dayes and 
 three nights together continually and without intermiflion, a great part 
 of the citie was fette on fire & confumed. And phillip the Emperour 
 was flayne at Varona and his fonne at Rome, as it is reported by 
 Sextus Aurelius, Pomponius Laetus, and Eutropius, lib. 9. 
 
 6. Tertullianus, in his booke de Speftaculis, fayth that a Chriftian 
 woman going to the playes was then poflefled of a divell, and when 
 other Chriftians intending to caft the divell out of her. demanded of 
 him how he durfl: prefume to aflault one that believed in Chrift, the 
 divell anfwered that he found her in his owne houfe and therefore 
 had good right to feaze upon her. Alfo he writeth in the fame 
 Booke and place, that an other faythfull woman going alfo to behold 
 the PlayeSj had eyther a fearefull dreame or a vifion the next night 
 after, wherein fliee was checked for going to the Playes, was warned 
 of her death, and dyed within fiue dayes after. 
 
 7. Aventinus, annal. Bojorum lib. 7 writeth that about 1200 
 yeares after Chrift, three hundred men were flaine with hayle and 
 lightning at Pifionium a cittie of Bavaria in the confines of Italie, whiles 
 they were there to behold the playes. 
 
 8. The fame Author Aventinus, annal, Bojor. lib. 7. writeth alfo 
 that, when Pope Nicholaus V. folemnized his rich lubilie in the 
 yeare 1450 with Stage-play es, fiue hundred and threefcore perfons 
 comming to Rome to behold the Playes were partly trodden to death 
 and partly drowned in Tiber, 
 
252 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 9. At London, in the yeare of Chrift 1583, eight perfons were 
 flaine and more hurte by the fall of the theater. 
 
 10. At Lions in France, in the moneth of Auguft in the yeare 
 1607, whiles the lefuites were afting their Playes to the difgrace of 
 true religion and the profeflbrs thereof, the Lord from heauen con- 
 tinuing thunder and lightnings for the fpace of two houres together, 
 flewe twelve perfons prefently, and amafed all the reft with great 
 terrour and feare. 
 
THE 
 
 STAGE -PLAYERS 
 
 COMPLAINT. 
 
 IN 
 
 A pleafant Dialogue betweene Cane of 
 
 the Fortune, and R e e d of the Friers. 
 
 Deploring their fad and folitary conditions for 
 
 want of Imployment. 
 
 In this heavie and Contagious time of the Plague 
 
 in London. 
 
 '•€iS455**3i**i'«4S***** 
 
 LONDON, 
 Printed for Tho: Bates, and are to be fold at his fhop in the 
 
 Old- Bailey. 1 641 . 
 
154 Treatifes. 
 
 T/i^ Stage-Players complaint. 
 
 Cane. 
 
 TAY, Reed. Whither away fo fpeedily ? What, you goe 
 as if you meant to leape over the Moon now ! What's 
 the matter ? 
 
 Reede. The matter is plain enough. You incufe me of my 
 nimble feet, but I thinke your tongue runnes a little fafter and you 
 contend as much to out-ftrip facetious Mercury in your tongue, as 
 lame Vulcan in my feete. 
 
 Quick. Me thinks you're very eloquent : Prithee tell me. Don't 
 Suada, and the Jove-begotten-braine Minerva lodge in your facundious 
 tongue : You have without doubt fome great caufe of alacrity that 
 you produce fuch eloquent fpeeches now. Prithee what is't ? 
 
 Light. How ? Caufe of alacrity. S'foot I had never more caufe 
 of forrow in my life : And doft thou tell me of that. Fie, fie ! 
 
 Quick. Prithee why ? I did but conjecture out of your fweet 
 words. 
 
 Light. Well ! I fee you'le never be hanged for a Conjurer. Is 
 this a world to be merry in ? Is this an age to rejoyce in ? Where 
 one may as foone find honefty in a Lawyers houfe as the leaft caufe 
 of mirth in the world. Yea you know this well enough, but onely 
 you love to be inquifitive, and to fearch the Nature of men. 
 
 Quick. You fay true indeed. I cann't deny but that the world 
 doe fwell with griefe-bedaubing cares For illuftrate the whole 
 
"Treatifes. 255 
 
 Univerfe from Aurora's purple doores to the Occidental! Weft, and 
 you (hall finde all things drowned in the floods of forrow. And no 
 marvaile too. For here Gods heavy hand doth punifh there mans 
 oppreflion doe raigne. And what greater afflidlion can be expefted 
 then that both of God and Man. 
 
 Light. Tis true. And now a dayes 'tis very difficult to live with- 
 out one of them. 
 
 Quick. Revolve all humane nature : Here you may fee a man 
 pufF't up with the winde of popular applaufe, climing to the top of 
 Honour, but being once touch't with the breath of Juftice, oh in 
 what a moment doth he tumble downe. There you may fee one 
 opprefled with the tyranny of difgrace, and groaning vnder the 
 burden of calamity, but being fmil'd upon by Juftice, o how fud- 
 dainly is he mounted up with the wings of Fame. There you may 
 perceive women lamenting the deaths of their poore Hulbands ; here 
 one deploring the Churches Anarchic : there one grieving at Fortunes 
 malignity : fo that in the whole world fuch diverfe ftreames of forrow 
 doe flow every where that if they ftiould meet : they would eafily make 
 up an Ocean. 
 
 Light. You fpeake of the Epidemicall caufe that produceth uni- 
 verfall griefe, but you fliall not need, for we our felves have caufe 
 enough to mourne for our owne mis-fortune, and not to participate 
 with the griefe of the whole world. 
 
 Quick. Well ! wee muft fubmit our felves to Gods all-difpofing 
 providence who in his owne time will give a period to our irregular 
 teares. But our caufe of forrow is the caufe of the whole world. For 
 I'me perfwaded that there's never a What lack you Sir in all the City 
 but is fenfible of our calamity too, although we feeme to them to 
 beare the greateft burthen thereof. 
 
256 Treatifes. 
 
 Light. I believe thee : therefore I thinke, they may well com- 
 mifTerate our caufe with their own, and not account us fo ridiculous to 
 the vulgar fpedacle of the world. For when we rejoyce, they doe all 
 rejoyce with us, but when wee lament, they have all caufe to lament 
 too, wherefore let not that thing trouble you fo much. 
 
 Quick. Ay, come, let us omit this patheticall paffion, and thinke 
 on the brave times which wee have had heretofore : Oh, the times, 
 when wee have vapoured in the ftreets like Courtiers. 
 
 Light. A pritty comparifon ! like Courtiers indeed, for I thinke 
 our pockets were as empty as the proudeft of them. 
 
 Quick. Oh, the times, when my tongue have ranne as faft upon 
 the Scceane, as a Windebankes pen over the Ocean. 
 
 Light. Oh the times, when my heeles have capoured over the 
 Stage as light as a Finches Feather. 
 
 Quick. But (alas) we muft looke for no more of thefe times, I 
 feare. 
 
 Light. Why fo ? Doft thou thinke becaufe a cloud fometimes 
 may cover and obnubilate the Sun, that it will therefore fhine no 
 more ? Yes, I'le warrant you, and that more bright too ; fo never 
 feare, Boy, but we fhall get the day agen for all this. 
 
 Quick. But I'le aflure you 'tis to be feared : For Monopolers are 
 downe, Projeftors are downe, the High Commiffion Court is downe, 
 the Starre-Chamber is down, & (fome think) Bifhops will downe, and 
 why fhould we then that are farre inferior to any of thofe not juftly 
 feare, leaft we fhould be downe too. 
 
 Light. Pifh, I can fhow thee many infallible reafons to the con- 
 trary we are very neceflary and commodious to all people : Firft for 
 ftrangers, who can defire no better recreation than to come and fee a 
 Play : then for Citizens to feaft their wits ; then for Gallants who 
 
Treatifes. 257 
 
 otherwife perhaps would fpend their money in drunkennefle and 
 lafcivioufnefle, [and] doe find a great delight and delegation to fee a 
 Play : then for the learned it does incieafe and adde wit conftruftively 
 to wit : then for Gentlewomenj it teacheth them how to deceive idle- 
 nefle : then for the ignorant it does augment their knowledge Pifh, 
 a thoufand more Arguments I could adde, but that I fhould weary 
 your patience too much Well, in a word, we are fo needful for the 
 Common good, that in fome refpedt it were almoft a finne to put us 
 downe : therefore let not thefe frivolous things perplex your vexatious 
 thoughts. 
 
 Quick. But it makes me feare, I'le aflure you, in thefe times ? And 
 I thinke it would be a wery good plot to borrow good Itore of money 
 & then runne away : what thinke you of it ? 
 
 Light. A good plot, quother ? So you may come to lie in a worfer 
 plot for it all the dayes of your life. S'foot, runne away too ? So you 
 may be taken for a young Suckling and then followed prefently with 
 a hundred Horfe. Fie, fie, remit thefe fopperies, you little thinke of 
 the laft Comedy you afted now. 
 
 Quick. The laft Comedy, quother ? I ad Tragedies every day but 
 I cannot remember fince I aded a Comedy, 'tis fo long agoe. 
 
 Light. But, Prithee, how comes it to pafle that you ad Tragedies 
 every day ? 
 
 Quick. How? I'le tell thee: my purfe each day perifheth moft 
 Tragaedically :) and now I may be taken for a Scholler, fince I've no 
 money, but becaufe I cannot fpeake true Latine, I'me afraid I fliall 
 be taken for a Lawyer. 
 
 Light. What do's Lawyers then fpeake falfe Latin ? 
 
 Quick. As if you know not that ! Why, True Latine is as much 
 out of faftiion at Innes of Court as good cloathes at Cambridge. 
 
 L L 
 
258 
 
 Treatife 
 
 es. 
 
 Light. Come, come, remit your Jefts, and thinke on our prefent 
 eftates now : and you know the Sicknefle is dangerous and increafeth 
 weekly ; therefore I thinke we muft be content in the mean while to 
 live like Diogenes in his Tub. 
 
 Quick. Well ! the beft remedy that I can imagine for our prefent 
 Calamitie is to downe on our knees humbly, and pray God to abate 
 the SicknefTe, and let each true hearted Subjeft conjoyne with us in 
 our fupplication. 
 
 Light. This motion pleafeth me exceedingly ; come, let us goe to 
 fome other friends, and unitely joyne in our Prayers. 
 
 Quick.. A match, come let us performe it with expedition, and in 
 the mean while let us conclude with part of our Letany. 
 
 From Plague, Peftilence, and Famine, from Battell, Murder, and 
 fuddaine Death : 
 
 Good Lord deliver us. 
 
 Finis. 
 
T H F 
 
 ACTORS 
 
 REMONSTRANCE, 
 
 OR 
 
 COMPLAINT: 
 
 FOR 
 
 The filencing of their profeffion, and ba- 
 nifhment from their feverall Play-houfes. 
 
 In which is fully fet downe their grievan- 
 ces, for their reftraint; efpecially lince Stage- 
 playes, only of all publike recreations are pro- 
 hibited ; the exercife at the Beares 
 Colledge, and the motions of Pup- 
 pets being ftill in force 
 and vigour. 
 
 As it was prefented in the names and behalfes of 
 
 all our London Comedians to the great God P h ce B u s- 
 
 Apollo, and the nine Heliconian Sifters, on the top of 
 
 Pernassus, by one of the Matters of Re- 
 
 quefts to the Muses, for this 
 
 prefent month. 
 
 And publifhed by their command in print by the Typo- 
 graph Royall of the Caftalian Province. 1643. 
 
 London, Printed for Edw. Nickson. 
 
 lanuar. 24. 1643. 
 
26o 
 
 Treatifes. 
 
 'The A5lors Remonjirance or Complaint for thejilencing of their 
 VrofeJJion and banijhment from their fever all Play Houfes. 
 
 Oppressed with many calamities and languifhing to death 
 under the burthen of a long and (for ought wee know) an 
 everlafting reftraint we the Comedians, Tragedians and 
 Adlors of all forts and fizes belonging to the famous private and 
 publike Houfes within the City of London and the Suburbs thereof, 
 to you great Phoebus and you facred Sifters, the fole Patroneffes of 
 our diftreffed Calling doe we in all humility prefent this our humble 
 and lamentable complaint, by whofe interceffion to thofe powers who 
 confined us to filence wee hope to be reftored to our priftine honour 
 and imployment. 
 
 Firft, it is not unknowne to all the audience that have frequented 
 the private Houfes of Black- Friers, the Cock-Pit and Salifbury-Court, 
 without aufterity wee have purged our Stages from all obfcene and 
 fcurrilous jefts, fuch as might either be guilty of corrupting the 
 manners, or defaming the perfons of any men of note in the City or 
 Kingdome; that wee have endevoured, as much as in us lies, to inftrudt 
 one another in the true and genuine art of adting, to reprefle bawling 
 and railing formerly in great requeft, and for to fuite our language and 
 aftion to the more gentile and naturall garbe of the times, that we 
 have left off for our owne parts, and fo have commanded our fervants, 
 to forget that ancient cuftome which formerly rendred men of our 
 quality infamous, namely the inveigling in young Gentlemen, Mer- 
 chants Fadtors, and Prentizes to fpend their patrimonies and Matters 
 
Treatifes. iti 
 
 eftates upon us and our Harlots in Tavernes ; we have cleane and quite 
 given over the borrowing money at firfl: fight of punie gallants or 
 praifing their fwords, belts and beavers, fo to invite them to beftow 
 them upon us ; and to our praife be it fpoken we were for the moft 
 part very well reformed, few of us keeping or being rather kept by our 
 Miftrefles betooke our felves wholy to our wives, obferving the 
 matrimonial] vow of chaftity, yet for ail thefe conformities and refor- 
 mations wee were by authority (to which wee in all humility fubmit) 
 reftrained from the practice of our Profeflion ; that Profeffion which 
 had before maintained us in comely and convenient Equipage, fome of 
 us by it meerely being inabled to keep Horfes (though not Whores) 
 is now condemned to a perpetuall, at leaft a very long tempoary, 
 filence, and wee left to live upon our ftiifts or the expence of our 
 former gettings, to the great impoverifhment and utter undoing of our 
 felves wives children and dependants, befides which [it] is of all other 
 our extremeft grievence, that Playes being put downe under the name 
 of pubhke recreations, other publike recreations of farre more harmful 
 confequence [are] permitted ftill to ftand in ftatu quo prius, namely that 
 Nurfe of barbarifmeand beaftlineffe, the Beare-Garden, where upon their 
 ufuall dayes thofe Demy-Monfters are baited by bandogs the Gentle- 
 men of Stave and Taile, namely, boyftrous Butchers cutting Coblers, 
 hard-handed Mafons and the like rioting companions, reforting thither 
 with as much freedome as formerly, making with their fweat and 
 crowding a farre worfe ftinck than the ill formed Beafts they perfecute 
 with their dogs and whips. Pick-pockets which in an age are not heard 
 of in any of our Houfes, repairing thither, and other difturbers of the 
 publike peace which dare not be feen in our civill and well governed 
 Theatres, where none ufe to come but the beftof the Nobility and 
 Gentry; and though fome have taxed our Houfes unjuftly for being 
 
262 Treatifes. 
 
 the receptacles of Harlots, the exchanges where they meet and make 
 their bargaines with their franck chapmen of the Country and City, yet 
 we may juftly excufe our felves of either knowledge or confent in 
 thefe lewd pra6tices, we having no propheticke foules to know womens 
 honefty by inftindt, nor commiffion to examine them ; and if we had, 
 worthy were thefe wretches of Bridewell, that out of their owne 
 mouthes would convince themfelves of lafcivioufnefTe : Puppit-plays, 
 which are not fo much valuable as the very mufique betweene each 
 Adl at ours, are ftill up with uncontrolled allowance, witneffe the 
 famous motion of Bell and the Dragon fo frequently vifited at 
 Holbourne-Bridge thefe pafled Chriftmas Holidayes, whither Citizens 
 of all forts repaire with far more detriment to themfelves then [they] 
 ever did to Playes, Comedies and Tragedies, being the lively repre- 
 fentations of mens adtions in which vice is alwayes fharply glanced 
 at, and punifhed, and vertue rewarded and encouraged, the moft exacft 
 and naturall eloquence of our Englifh language exprefled and daily 
 amplified, and yet for all this we fuifer and are inforced, our felves 
 and our dependants, to tender our complaint in doleful manner to 
 you great Phoebus and you infpired Heliconian Virgins : Firft, our 
 Houfe-keepers that grew wealthy by our endevours complaine that 
 they are enforced to pay the grand Landlords rents during this long 
 Vacation out of their former gejttings ; inftead of ten, twenty, nay 
 thirty, fliillings fhares which ufed nightly to adorne and comfort with 
 their harmonious mufique their large and well-fbuiFed pockets, they 
 have fhares in nothing with us now but our misfortunes, living 
 meerly out of the flock, out of the intereft and princfpall of their 
 former gotten moneyes, which daily is exhaufted by the maintenance 
 of themfelves and families. 
 
 For our felves, fuch as were fharers are fo impoverifhed that, were 
 it not for fome {lender helps afforded us in this time of calamitle by 
 
Treatifes. 263 
 
 our former providence, we might be enforced to adt our Tragedies ; 
 our Hired-men are difperft, fome turned Souldiers and Trumpetters, 
 others deftin'd to meaner courfes, or depending upon us, whom in 
 courtefie wee cannot fee want for old acquaintance fakes. Their 
 friends, young Gentlemen that ufed to feaft and frolick with them at 
 Tavernes, having either quitted the kin in thefe times of diftraftion, 
 or their money having quitted them, they are afliamed to look upon 
 their old expenfive Friends. Nay, their verie MiftrefTes, thofe Buxfome 
 and Bountifull Lafles that ufually were enamoured on the perfons of 
 the younger fort of Adtors, for the good cloaths they wore upon the 
 ftage, beleeving them really to be the perfons they did only reprefent, 
 and quite out of forts themfelves and fo difabled for fupplying their 
 poore friends neceflities. Our Fooles who had wont to allure and 
 excite laughter with their very countenances, at their firft appearance 
 on the flage (hard fhifts are better than none) are enforced, fome 
 of them at leaft, to maintaine themfelves by vertue of their babies. 
 Our boyes, ere wee fliall have libertie to aft againe, will be growne 
 out of ufe, like crackt organ-pipes, and have faces as old as our flags. 
 Nay our very Doore-Keepers men and women, moft grievoufly 
 complaine that by this ceflation they are robbed of the privilege of 
 fleahng from us with licence : they cannot now, as in King Agamem- 
 nons dayes, feeme to fcratch their heads where they itch not, and drop 
 fhillings and half Croune-pieces in at their collars. Our Mufike that 
 was held fo deledable and precious, that they fcorned to come to a 
 Taverne under twentie fhillings falary for two houres, now wander 
 with their Inftruments under their cloaks, I meane fuch as haue any, 
 into all houfes of good fellowfhip, faluting every roome where there is 
 company with. Will you haue any mufike Gentlemen ? For our 
 Tire-men, and others that belonged formerly to our ward-robe, 
 with the reft, they are out of fervice : our ftock of cloaths, fuch as 
 
264 Treatifes. 
 
 are not in tribulation for the generall ufe, being a facrifice to moths. 
 The Tobacco-men, that ufed to walk up and downe, felling for a 
 penny-pipe, that which was not worth twelve-pence an horfe-load ; 
 Being now bound under Tapfters in Inns and Tippling-houfes. 
 Nay fuch a terrible diftrefle and diflblution hath befallen us, and all 
 thofe that had dependance on the ftage, that it hath quite unmade our 
 hopes of future recoverie. For fome of our ableft ordinarie Poets 
 inftead of their annuall ftipends and beneficlall fecond-dayes, being 
 for meere neceffitie compelled to get a living by writing contemptible 
 penny-pamphlets in which they have not fo much as poetical licence 
 to ufe any attribute of their profeflion but that of Quid libet 
 audendi ? and faining miraculous ftories and relations of unheard 
 of battels. Nay, it is to be feared that fhortly fome of them (if they 
 have not been enforced to do it already) will be encited to enter 
 themfelves into Martin Parkers focietie, and write ballads. And 
 what a fhame this is great Phoebus and you facred Sifters, for your 
 owne Priefts thus to be degraded of their ancient dignities. Be your 
 felves righteous Judges, when thofe who formerly have fung with 
 fuch elegance the A6ts of Kings and Potentates, charming like 
 Orpheus the dull and brutifh multitude, fcarce a degree above ftones 
 and forrefts, into admiration though not into underftanding with their 
 divine raptures, ftiall be by that tyrant Neceffitie reduced to fuch 
 abjedt exigents, wandring like grand children of Old Erra Paters 
 thofe learned Almanack-makers without any Maecenas to cherifh 
 their loftie conceptions, proftituted by the mis-fortune of our filence 
 to inexplicable miferies, having no heavenly Caftalian fack to adtuate 
 and informe their fpirits almoft confounded with ftupiditie and coldnefle 
 by their frequent drinking (and glad too they can get it) of fulfome 
 Ale and hereticall Beere as their ufuall beverage. 
 
Treatifes. 265 
 
 To conclude this our humble complaint, great Phoebus and you 
 nine facred fifters, the Patronefles of Wit and Protedtrefles of us poore 
 difrefpefted Comedians, if for the prefent by your powerfull intercef- 
 fions we may be re-invefted in our former Houfes, and fetled in our 
 former Calling, we fhall for the future promife never to admit into our 
 fix-penny-roomes thofe unwholefome inticing Harlots that fit there 
 meerely to be taken up by Prentizes or Lawyers Clerks, nor any 
 female of what degree foever except they come lawfully with their 
 hufbands or neere allies ; the abufes in Tobacco fhall be reformed, 
 none vended, nor fo much as in three-penny galleries, unlefle of the 
 pure Spanifh leafe. For ribaldry or any fuch paltry ftufFe as may 
 fcandall the pious and provoke the wicked to loofenefle, we will 
 utterly expell it, with the bawdy and ungracious Poets the authors, to 
 the Anti[p]odes. Finally we (hall hereafter fo demeane our felves as 
 none fhall efleeme as of the ungodly, or have caufe to repine at our 
 Aftion or interludes : we will not entertaine any Comedian that 
 fhall fpeake his part in a tone, as if hee did it in derifion of fome of 
 the pious, but reforme all our difprders, and amend all our amifTes, 
 fo profper us Phoebus and the nine Mufes, and be propitious to 
 this our complaint. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 M M 
 
AS OA© Onfj y 
 
 Mr William Prynnj 
 
 I His Defence of j 
 
 ISTAGE-PLAYSj 
 
 1 OR 
 
 I 
 
 I A Retractation of a 
 
 I former Book of his called 
 Hiflrio-Maftix. 
 
 •0- ii lis wmil{^m> \M •$• 
 
 " tj^^y "-Bj* ^<^ ^^i" ^ta^ 
 
 ^ r T 1/ V T ^ 
 
 London^ printed in the Tear 1 649 . 
 
Treat if es. 267 
 
 Mr. William Prynn 
 
 his Defence of 
 STAGE-PLAYES. 
 
 Or a Retractation of a former book of his 
 called Hijirio-Majlix. 
 
 'HEREAS this Tyrannicall, abominable, lewd, fchifmati- 
 call, haeretical Army, are bent in a wilfull and forcible 
 way to deftroy all Lawfull Government ; and to com- 
 pafle thofe ends, have lately infringed the Priviledges of Parliament, 
 being a thing contrary to all Cuftomes, Laws, Statutes, Examples, 
 Precedents and precepts, as I have at large difcourfed in my laft 
 book, and brought a whole Army of proofs againft them ; (Origen, 
 Philo lud. Tertullian, Laftantius, Eufebius, Ambrofe, Gregory, Au- 
 guftine, Cyprian, Hieronimus, Bafilius, Nazianzen, Athanafius, Chry- 
 foftomus, Barnard, Tho. Aquinas, Hook Eccl. Calvin,) for it is 
 eafie to be proved by the Fathers, and all Chriftian Writers, That 
 Authority Lawfull is to be obeyed ; I cannot yet be filent in a thing 
 of fo great moment ; but muft make known to the People of Eng- 
 land, and to all the world, to all forts of men, nay, to men and 
 Angels, thofe exorbitant courfes in which they perfift ftill : It is not 
 long ago, and therefore too lately to be fo foon forgotten, how 
 Colonel Pride and diverfe others of the Army did flop the Members 
 of Parliament from doing of their duty in a moft forcible, unlawfull, 
 feditious, mutinous, unexampled, and unparraleld way ; among that 
 
2 68 Treatifes. 
 
 multitude of faithfull Patriots and Parliament-men, they feized alfo 
 upon me, carryed me away by force, and reftrained me of my liberty, 
 for no offence, but onely endeavouring to difcharge my confcience, 
 which is a thing I ftiall alwayes do, without fearing any man, any 
 arm of flefh, any Potentacie, Prelacy, fuperintendency, or power 
 terreftriall or infernal! ; and have done, witneffe my often fuiFerings 
 from the Court, from the Lords, and from the Prelates, when I 
 durft maintain the truth without fear of either King, Lords, Prelates, 
 Presbyterians, or Independents. But I let this pafTe, having already 
 at large written about that injurie ; but now there is another frefh 
 occafion, which hath incited my juft indignation againft this wicked 
 and Tyrannicall Army, they did lately in a moft inhumane, cruell, 
 rough, and barbarous manner take away the poor Players from their 
 Houfes, being met there to difcharge the duty of their callings ; as 
 if this Army were fully bent, and moft trayteroufly and malicioufly 
 fet to put downe and deprefle all the Kings Friends, not onely 
 in Parliament but in the very Theaters ; they have no care of 
 Covenant or any thing elfe, but being moft fasdifragous would 
 deprive the King of all his Rights and Prerogatives, which they 
 are bound by the Covenant to maintain ; and was it not alwayes 
 an allowed Prerogative to Kings and great Princes to have Players 
 for their Recreations, which I am verily perfwaded they are as little 
 able to anfwer for confidering their Covenant, as for their other 
 illegal aftion towards us in the Parliament. 
 
 But now I know what the malicious, Ill-fpoken, clamorous, and 
 obftreperous people will objeft againft me ; namely. That I did once 
 write a Book againft Stage-plays, called Hiftrio-maftix, for which I 
 underwent a cruel cenfure in the Starchamber, I confefle it is true, I 
 did once fo, but it was when I had not fo cleer a light as now I have ; 
 
Treatifes. 269 
 
 and it is no difparagement for any man to alter his judgment upon 
 better information, befides it was done long ago, and when the King 
 (whofe vertues I did not then fo perfedtly underftand) governed with- 
 out any controul, which was the time that I took the better to Ihew my 
 confcience and courage, to oppofe that power which was the higheft, 
 but had I truly known the King, I mufi: confefle with forrow, I fhould 
 not have compared him to Nero the moft wicked of the Roman 
 Emperors (as I did in that book) for loving of Stage-playes ; nor 
 have given the Queen thofe bitter and cruell words of whore and 
 ftrumpet, for playing a part in Mr. Montagues Paftorall, but I have 
 fufFered for that long a go, and am now ready to fufFer, in difcharging 
 my confcience, under what power fo ever is now fet up to Martyr me. 
 But that Playes are lawfull things, and are to be allowed as recrea- 
 ^ tions for honeft men, I need not quote many Authors to prove it, it 
 will ferve the turn, if I do but tell you that many good men have 
 been Authors of Comaedies and Tragsedies; and many of theni 
 Chriftians (Buchanon, Grotius, Henfius, Barclaius,) there are alfo 
 many ancient Comaedians and Tragaedians among the Heathen, which 
 were men of no ill note, (Menander, Sophocles, Aefchylus, Euripides, 
 Ariftophanes, Terentius, Plautus, Seneca) and whereas I did quote 
 many Fathers and other Ancient Chriftian Authors againft Stage- 
 playes, I confefs I was not perfeftly advifed in all the circumflances 
 belonging to them, being not fuch Plays as were written and aded 
 in England of late, for the Recreation of our moft gracious King and 
 Queen, and many of their beft friends : and therefore diftinftions 
 ought to be ufed in thofe cafes; for all Plays are not of one nature; 
 and vertues, magnanimity, chaftity, fobriety, temperance, juftice, 
 modefty, goodnefs, &c. may be taught in Plays, and many men 
 have been made the better for feeing of them. And whereas divers 
 
270 Treatifes. 
 
 objedlions have been made againft Stage-playes, for that many of them 
 are profane, many of them have fwearing and blafpheming in them, 
 many of them have cozening, cheating, lege[r]demain, fraud, deceit, 
 jugglings, impoftures, and other lewd things, which may teach young 
 people evil things, and corrupt good maners, I do alfo my felf fpeak 
 againft fuch Playes, and will not at all maintain them, much lefTe would 
 I be content to fufFer in fuch a caufe as that were. But that honeft 
 Playes may be tolerated, and not to be forbidden by any Army under 
 heaven, I do maintain before all the world. It is true that fome have 
 obje<5ted againft Stage-Playes, that there is an unlawful thing ufed in 
 them, which is againft a place in the Old Teftament (and is urged by 
 Dr. Reinolds and other reverend men againft Playes) namely, that 
 men or boyes do wear the apparel of women, being exprefly for- 
 bidden in the Text. To this I anfwer, firft, that if this be all, it is 
 a fault may be eafily amended ; and we may do in England, as they 
 do in France, Italy, Spain, and other places, where thofe which play 
 womens parts, are women indeed ; and fo there [is] no ofFence againft 
 that place. But then again it may be objected. That that is more 
 wanton then if boyes afted womens parts, and more apt to ingender 
 loofe thoughts ; and I my felf am of that opinion. And therefore do 
 defire father to maintain that tenent. That mens putting on of 
 womens apparel is not again[ft] the Scripture in a plain and ordinary 
 fence ; for it had a farther meaning, as one of the Rabbies affirms ; 
 for it was a cuftom of men in thofe days, when they prayed to 
 Rimmon who was Mars, that they put on womens apparels to 
 feem like to Venus, and fo to pleafe that falfe god ; and women, 
 when they prayed to Aftitaroth who was Venus, put on mens 
 apparel, to feem like to Mars, and fo to pleafe that goddefle. And , 
 therefore I think, becaufe this fcruple is fatisfied, I may conclude that 
 
Treatifes. 271 
 
 good Plays, which are not profane, lewd, bad, blafphemous, or un- 
 godly, may be afted ; and that this wicked and tyrannical Army 
 ought not to hinder, to impede, let, prohibit, or forbid the afting of 
 them ; which I dare maintain to all the world ; for I was never 
 afrayd to fufFer in a good caufe. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 XI. The Vindication of William Prynne, Ef quire, Jrom fome 
 Jcandalous Papers and imputations newly printed and publijlied 
 to traduce and defame him in his reputation. 
 
 .HEREAS a fcandalous Paper have been newly printed 
 and publifhed in my name by fome of the imprifoned 
 Stage-Players, or agents of the army ; intituled Mr. 
 William Prynne, his Defence of Stage- Playes, or a retradlion of a 
 former booke of his, called His-Triomaftrix, of purpofe to traduce 
 and defame me, I do hereby publicly declare to all the world the 
 fame to be a mere Forgery and impofture, and that my judgement 
 and opinion concerning Stage-Playes, and the Common Ad:ors of 
 them, and their intollerable mifcheivoufnefs in every Chriftian State, 
 is ftill the fame as I have more amply manifefted it to be in my 
 Hiftriomaftrix," &c. &c. William Prynne. 
 
 From the King's Head in the Strand, 
 Jan. 10, 1648.' 
 
 ' /.<•. Jan. 10, 1648-9. This is reprinted from Collier's "Poetical Decameron," 
 ii. 322, where it is inferted from a copy of the original ftieet, probably the fame which 
 was in the Bibl. Heber. I have not met with this broadfide myfelf ; but I thought it 
 defirable to admit it into the feries,.that it might be read in connexion with the 
 Retraftation. 
 
XII. T^he Flayers Petition to the Parliament (1643).' 
 
 EROIC Sirs, you glorious nine or ten, 
 That can depofe the King, and the Kings men ; 
 Who by your SubHme Rhetorick agree. 
 That prifons are the Subjeds libertie : 
 And though we fent in filver at great rates, 
 You plunder, to fecure us our Eftates. 
 Your ferious fubtility is grown fo grave, 
 We dare not tell you how much power you have. 
 At leaft you dare not hear us ; how you frown 
 If we but fay King Pym wears Charles his Crown, 
 Such a word's Treafon, and you dare not hear it, 
 Treafon to fpeak it, and yet not to wear it. 
 O wife myfterious Synod, what fhall we 
 Do for fuch men as you e're forty three 
 Be half expir'd, and in unlucky feafon 
 Shall fet a period to Triennial Treafon ! 
 When the fields pitcht, and fome for all their fkill, 
 Shall fight a Bloody Battel on Tower-Hill ; 
 Where Mafter Pym, your wife judicious Scholkr, 
 Afcends his Throne, and takes his Crown in Collar ; 
 When Canterbury coming forth fhall wonder 
 You have fo long fecur'd him from the thunder 
 
 ' From " Rump : An Exadl Colleftion of the Choyceft Poems and Songs relating to 
 the late Times." Lond. 1662, 8°, p. 33, 
 
Treatifes. 273 
 
 Of King-hunting Prentices, and the Mayor 
 Shall juflel zealous Ifaack from his Chair ; 
 Fore-feeing Brookes, thou drewft a happy lot, 
 Twas a wife Bolt, although 'twas quickly fhot : 
 But whilft you live, our loude Petition craves, 
 That we the true Subjefts, and the true Slaves, 
 May in our Comick mirth and Tragick rage, 
 Set up the theatre, and fhew the Stdge, 
 The (hop of truth and fancy, and we Vow 
 Not to Adt any thing you difallow : 
 We will not dare at your ftrange Votes to Jear, 
 Nor perfonate King Pym with his State-Bear ; 
 Afpiring Cataline fliall be forgot, 
 Bloody Sejanus, or whoe're would Plot 
 Confufion to a State ; the Warrs betwixt 
 the Parliament, and juft Henry the Sixt, 
 Shall have no thought or mention, caufe their power 
 Not only plac'd, but left him in the Tower ; 
 Nor yet the grave advice of learned Pym, 
 Make a Malignant, and then Plunder him. 
 All thefe and fuch like actions as may mar 
 Your foaring Plots, and fhew you what you are. 
 We will omit, left that your mention fhake 'em, 
 Why fhould the men be wifer than you make 'em ? 
 Methinks there ftiould not fuch a difference be 
 Twixt our profefTion and your quality, 
 You meet, plot, talk, confult, with minds immenfe, 
 The like with us, but only we fpeak fenfe 
 
 N N 
 
274 Treatifes. 
 
 Inferiour Unto you ; we can tell how 
 
 To depofe Kings, there we are more then you. 
 
 Although not more then what you would ; then we 
 
 Likewife in our vaft Priviledge agree. 
 
 Only yours are the longer ; and controules. 
 
 Not only Lives and Fortunes, but mens fouls ; 
 
 For you declare by ^nigmatick fenfe, 
 
 A Priviledge over mens Confcience, 
 
 As if the Trinity would not confent 
 
 To fave a Soul without the Parliament. 
 
 Wee make the People laugh at fome vain fliew. 
 
 And as they laugh at us, they doe at you ; 
 
 But then i th' contrary we difagree. 
 
 For you can make them cry fafter then wee : 
 
 Your Tragedies more really are expreft. 
 
 You murder men in Earneft, wee in jeft. 
 
 There we come (hort : But if you follow 't thus. 
 
 Some wife men fear you will come fhort of us. 
 
 Now humbly, as we did begin. Wee pray, 
 
 Dear School-mafters, you'd give us leave to play 
 
 Quickly before the King come, for we wou'd 
 
 Be glad to fay y'ave done a little good 
 
 Since you have fate, your Play is almoft done. 
 
 As well as ours, would it had ne'er begun ; 
 
 For we ihall fee e're the laft Aft be fpent, 
 
 Enter the King, Exeunt the Parliament. 
 
 And hey then up go we, who by the frown 
 
 Of guilty Confciences have been kept dpwn : 
 
Treatifes. 275 
 
 So may you ftill remain, and fit and Vote, 
 
 And through your own Beam, fee your Brothers Mote, 
 
 Until a legal trial do (how how 
 
 You uPd the King and hey then up goe you : 
 
 So pray your humble Slaves with all their powers ; 
 
 That they may have their due, and you have yours. 
 
 XIII. A Difcourfe of the Englifh Stage {circa 1660), 
 by Richard Flecknoe.^ 
 
 A Short Difcourfe of the Englifh Stage. To his Excellency, the 
 Lord Marquefs of Newcaftle. 
 
 My Noble Lord, 
 
 SEND your Excellency here a ftiort Difcourfe of the 
 Englifh Stage, (which if you pleaf'd you could far better 
 treat of then my felf) but before I begin it, I will fpeak 
 a word or two of thofe of other Countreys. 
 
 About the midft of the laft Century, Playes, after a long difcon- 
 tinuance, and civil death in a manner, began to be reviv'd again, firfl 
 in Italy by Guarino, TafTo, de Porta, and others ; and after-wards in 
 Spain by Lopes de Vega ; the French beginning later by reafon of 
 their Civil Wars, Cardinal Richlieu being the firfl that brought them 
 into that Vouge and Efteem as now they are ; well knowing how 
 
 ' Attached to "Love's Kingdom, a Paftoral Tragi-comedy," 1664, 8". 
 
276 Treatifes. 
 
 much the Adting noble and heroick Playes, conferr'd to the inftilling 
 a noble and heroick Spirit into the Nation. For us, we began before 
 them, and if fince they feem to have out-ftript us, 'tis becaufe our 
 Stage has flood at a ftand this many years ; nor may we doubt, but 
 now we fhall foon out-ftrip them again, if we hold on but as we begin. 
 Of the Dutch I fpeak nothing, becaufe they are but flow, and follow 
 other Nations onely afar ofi^: But to return unto our prefent fubjed:. 
 Playes (which fo flouriflit amongfl the Greeks, and afterwards 
 amongfl the Romans) were almoft wholly aboliflied when their 
 Empire was firfl converted to Chriflianity, and their Theaters, to- 
 gether with their Temples, for the moft part, demoliflied as Reliques 
 of Paganifme, fome few onely referved and dedicated to the fervice 
 of the True God, as they had been to their falfe gods before ; from 
 which time to the laft Age, they Adled nothing here but Playes of the 
 holy Scripture, or Saints' Lives ; and that without any certain Theaters 
 or fet Companies, till, about the beginning of Queen Elizabeths 
 Reign, they began here to afl^emble into Companies, and fet up 
 Theaters, firfl in the City, (as in the Inn-yards of the Crofs-Keyes, 
 and Bull in Grace and Bifliops-Gate Street at this day is to be feen) 
 till that Fanatick Spirit which then began with the Stage, and after 
 ended with the Throne, baniflit them thence into the Suburbs, as 
 after they did the Kingdom, in the beginning of our Civil Wars. In 
 which time, Playes were fo little incompatible with Religion, and the 
 Theater with the Church, as on Week-dayes after Vefpers, both the 
 Children of the Chappel and St. Pauls Adted Playes, the one in 
 White-Friers, the other behinde the Convocation- houfe in Pauls, till 
 people growing more precife, and Playes more licentious, the Theatre 
 of Pauls was quite fupprefl, and that of the Children of the Chappel 
 converted to the ufe of the Children of the Revels. 
 
Treatifes. 277 
 
 In this time were Poets and Aftors in their greateft flourifli, ] 
 Johnfon, Shakefpear, with Beaumont and Fletcher, their Poets, and 
 Field and Burbidge their Adors. 
 
 For Playes, Shakefpear was one of the firft who inverted the Dra- 
 matick Stile, from dull Hiftory to quick Comedy, upon whom John- 
 fon refin'd, as Beaumont and Fletcher firft writ in the Heroick way, 
 upon whom Suckling and others endeavoured to refine agen ; one 
 faying wittily of his Aglaurs, that 'twas full of fine flowers, but they 
 feem'd rather ftuck, then growing there ; as another of Shakefpear's 
 writings, that 'twas a fine Garden, but it wanted weeding. 
 
 There are few of our Engliih Playes (excepting onely fome few of 
 Johnfons) without fome faults or other ; and if the French have fewer 
 then our Englifh, 'tis becaufe they confine themfelves to narrower 
 limits, and confequently have lefs liberty to erre. 
 
 The chief faults of ours are our huddling too much matter to- 
 gether, and making them too long and intricate ; we imagining we 
 never have intrigue enough, till we lofe our-felves and Auditors, who 
 fhu'd be led in a Maze, but not a Mift ; and through turning and 
 winding wayes, but fo ftill, as they may finde their way at laft. 
 
 A good Play fhu'd be like a good ftufF, clofely and evenly wrought, 
 without any breakes, thrums, or loofe ends in 'um, or like a good 
 Pidture well painted and defigned ; the Plot or Contrivement, the 
 Defign, the Writing, the Coloris, and Counterplot, the Shaddowings, 
 with other Embellifhments ; or finally, it fhu'd be like a well con- 
 triv'd Garden, caft into its Walks and Counterwalks, betwixt an 
 Alley and a Wildernefs, neither too plain, nor too confus'd. Of all 
 Arts, that of the Dramatick Poet is the moft difficult and moft 
 fubjed: to cenfure ; for in all others, they write onely of fome par- 
 ticular fubjedt, as the Mathematician of Mathematicks, or Philofopher 
 
278 'Treatifes. 
 
 of Philofophy ; but in that, the Poet muft write of every thing, and 
 every one undertakes to judge of it. 
 
 A Dramatick Poet is to the Stage as a Pilot to the Ship ; and to 
 the Aftors, as an Architedl to the Builders, or Mafter to his 
 Schollars: he is to be a good Moral Philofopher, but yet more 
 learned in Men then Books. He is to be a wife, as well as a witty 
 Man, and a good Man, as well as a good Poet ; and I'de allow 
 him to be fo far a good fellow too, to take a chearful cup to whet 
 his wits, fo he take not fo much as to dull 'um, and whet 'um quite 
 away. 
 
 To compare our Englifh Dramatick Poets together (without 
 taxing them) Shakefpear excelled in a natural Vein, Fletcher in Wit, 
 and Johnfon in Gravity and ponderoufnefs of Style ; whofe onely 
 fault was, he was too elaborate ; and had he mixt lefs erudition 
 with his Playes, they had been more pleafant and delightful then 
 they are. Comparing him with Shakefpear, you fhall fee the differ- 
 ence betwixt Nature and Art ; and with Fletcher, the difference be- 
 twixt Wit and Judgement : Wit being an exuberant thing, like Nilus, 
 never more commendable then when it overflowes ; but Judgement 
 a ftayed and repofed thing, alwayes containing it felf within its bounds 
 and limits. 
 
 Beaumont and Fletcher were excellent in their kinde, but they 
 often err'd againft Decorum, feldom reprefenting a valiant man with- 
 out fomewhat of the Braggadoccio, nor an honourable woman without 
 fomewhat of Dol Common in her : to fay nothing of their irreverent 
 reprefenting Kings perfons on the Stage, who fhu'd never be repre- 
 fented, but with Reverence : Befides, Fletcher was the firft who 
 introduc't that witty obfcenity in his Playes, which like poifon in- 
 fufed in pleafant liquor, is alwayes the more dangerous the more 
 
Treatifes. 279 
 
 delightful. And here to fpeak a word or two of Wit, it is the 
 fplrit and quinteflence of fpeech, extraded out of the fubftance of 
 the thing we fpeak of, having nothing of the fuperfice, or drofs of 
 words (as clenches, quibbles, gingles, and fuch like trifles have) ; it 
 is that, in pleafant and facetious difcourfe, as Eloquence is in grave 
 and ferious ; not learnt by Art and Precept, but Nature and 
 Company. 'Tis in vain to fay any more of it ; for if I could tell 
 you what it were, it would not be what it is ; being fomewhat above 
 expreflion, and fuch a volatil thing, as 'tis altogether as volatil to 
 defcribe. 
 
 It was the happinefs of the Adors of thofe times to have fuch| 
 Poets as thefe to infl:ru6t them, and write for them ; and no lefs of 
 thofe Poets to have fuch docile and excellent Aftors to Adt their 
 Playes, as a Field and Burbidge ; of whom we may fay, that he was 
 a dehghtful Proteus, fo wholly transforming himfelf into his Part, and 
 putting off himfelf with his Cloathes, as he never (not fo much as in 
 the Tyring-houfe) aflum'd himfelf again until the Play was done : 
 there being as much diiFerence between him and one of our common 
 Atlors, as between a Ballad-finger who onely mouths it, and an ex- 
 cellent finger, who knows all his Graces, and can artfully vary and 
 modulate his Voice, even to know how much breath he is to give to 
 every fyllable. He had all the parts of an excellent Orator, (animating 
 his words with fpeaking, and Speech with Adtion) his Auditors being 
 never more delighted then when he fpoke, nor more forry then when 
 he held his peace ; yet even then, he was an excellent Ador fl;ill, 
 never falling in his Part when he had done fpeaking ; but with his 
 looks and gefture, maintaining it ftill unto the heighth, he imagining 
 Age quod agis, onely fpoke to him : fo as thofe who call him a Player 
 do him wrong/ no man being lefs idle then he, whofe whole life is 
 
28o Treatifes. 
 
 nothing elfe but adlion ; with only this difference from other mens, 
 that as what is but a Play to them, is his Bufinefs : fo their bufinefs 
 (js but a play to him. 
 
 Now for the difference betwixt our Theaters and thofe of former 
 times, they were but plain and fimple, with no other Scenes, nor 
 Decorations of the Stage, but onely old Tapeftry, and the Stage flrew'd 
 with Rufhes, (with their Habits accordingly) whereas ours now for 
 coft and ornament are arriv'd at the heighth of Magnificence ; but 
 that which makes our Stage the better, makes our Playes the worfe 
 perhaps, they ftriving now to make them more for fight, then hearing ; 
 whence that folid joy of the interior is lofl, and that benefit which 
 men formerly receiv'd from Playes, from which they feldom or never 
 went away, but far better and wifer then when they came. 
 
 The Stage being a harmlefs and innocent Recreation, where the 
 minde is recreated and delighted, and that Ludus Literarum, or School 
 of good Language and Behaviour, that makes Youth foonefl Man, 
 and man foonefl: good and vertuous, by joyning example to precept, 
 and the pleafure of feeing to that of hearing. Its chiefefl end is, to 
 render Folly ridiculous. Vice odious, and Vertue and NoblenefTe fo 
 amiable and lovely, as every one fhu'd be delighted and enamoured 
 with it ; from which when it deflefts, as corruptio optimi peflima : of 
 the beft it becomes the worft of Recreations. And this his Majefl:y 
 well underfliood, when after his happy Reftauration, he took fuch care 
 to purge it from all vice and obfcenity ; and would to God he had 
 found all bodies and humours as apt and eafie to be purg'd and 
 reform'd as that. 
 
 For Scenes and Machines they are no new invention, our Mafks 
 and fome of our Playes in former times (though not fo ordinary) 
 having had as good or rather better then any we have now. 
 
Treatifes. 281 
 
 They are excellent helps of imagination, moft grateful deceptions 
 of the fight, and graceful and becoming Ornaments of the Stage, 
 tranfporting you eafily without laffitude from one place to another ; 
 or rather by a kinde of delightful Magick, whilft you fit ftill, does 
 bring the place to you. Of this curious Art the Italians (this latter 
 age) are the greateft mafters, the French good proficients, and we in 
 England only Schollars and Learners yet, having proceeded no 
 further then to bare painting, and not arriv'd to the ftupendious 
 wonders of your great Ingeniers, efpecially not knowing yet how to 
 place our Lights, for the more advantage and illuminating of the 
 Scenes, 
 
 And thus much fuffices it briefly to have faid of all that concerns 
 our Modern Stage, onely to give others occafion to fay more. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 o o 
 
INDEX AND NOTES. 
 
 \CCIDENTS at theatres. 
 Pp. 27, 252. 
 A£lors. Miftaken by la- 
 dies for the perfons they 
 ©■^i:.^<iAB'^-&i^9 reprefented. P. 263. 
 Admiral, Lord, his company of players. 
 
 P. 34. 
 Ale-houfes. P. 10. 
 
 Atnadis of Gaul, the romance fo called 
 referred to : See Handbook of Early 
 Engl. Literature. Art. Amadis, No. I. 
 P. 189. 
 Amphitheatre in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields,pro> 
 pofed. P. 56. 
 
 Apuleius, Lucius, his Golden AJl referred^ — Bird, William, adlor. P.(44 
 
 to. P. 189. 
 ~Armin, Robert, adlor. P.®. 
 AJiley, Sir John, Mafter of the Revels. 
 Pp. 52-3. 
 
 Babington, Anthony. A paffage quoted 
 from his Complaint. Pref. p. x. 
 
 Ballads. Pp. 4, 15- 
 
 — — fingers of, compared with fingers on 
 the ftage. P. 279. 
 
 Bank, The (a place of ill-repute fo called). 
 P. 7. 
 
 Bear-baiting. P. 59. 
 
 Bear-Garden, an amufing piflure of the 
 diverfions and company there ; con- 
 trafted with the theatres. P. 261. 
 
 Bear in hand, i. e. make believe. See 
 A. C. Mery Talys (1525), No. 50. 
 
 Bearwards. P. 22. 
 
 Beaumont, Francis. Pp. 277-80. 
 
 Beggars, fturdy. Pp. 21, 23. 
 
 Bell and the Dragon, a puppet-ftiow ex- 
 hibited at Holborn- Bridge in 1643. 
 P. 262. 
 
 ^Benfield,Koheri,za.oT. Pp.^,g8) 
 
 Bible, The. P. 5. 
 
 Blackfriars theatre. Pp. 36, 50-1, i88, 
 
 260. 
 
 propofed new theatre in. P. 46. 
 
 Books (in the Englifh tongue). P. 1 6. 
 
 Bookfellers. Pp. 13, 17. 
 
 Bridewell. P. 262. 
 
 Brijtol. P. 49. 
 
 Buc, Sir George. Pp. 45, 52. 
 
 Buchanan, George, quoted. Pp. 197-8, 
 
 269. 
 Bugs, i.e. bugbears. P. 203. 
 Bull-baiting. P. 59. 
 
284 
 
 Index and Notes. 
 
 lUy^,'^^^ _, 
 
 Bull, The, the name of inns in Grace- 
 church and Bifliopfgate Streets, where 
 plays were performed in the yards.^ 
 P. 276. 
 'Burbage, Junes, s&or. P-{2^. — 
 
 ~ Richard, adlor. It is proper to"" 
 
 mention that in i860 the Petition of 
 Thomas Pope and others to the Privy 
 Council, printed at p. 35 et feqq. was 
 pronounced fpurious by Sir Francis 
 Palgrave, Sir F. Madden and other high 
 authorities, in a report made to the 
 Mafter of the Rolls. See Dyce's 
 Shakefpeare, 2nd edit, i, 142-3. Pp. 
 &(^'{S;}.' 226, j27g. 
 
 Cambridge. Charafter of the fcholars 
 there for dreffing (habbily. P. 257. 
 
 Ccefar and Pompey, a play fo called. It 
 is no longer known. See Hallivvell's 
 Dia. of Old Plays, p. 40. P. 188. - 
 
 Calijlus, comedy of, referred to. This is, 
 of courfe, a mere invention of the author. 
 
 '-Cartwright, William, aftor. P. ^. 
 Chapel, Children of the (Queen's or 
 
 King's), plays performed by them. 
 
 P. 276. 
 Chapmen, petty. P. 22. 
 Charles I., Statutes, &c. againft the drama. 
 
 Pp, sjetfeqq. 
 CiiiZrfrere, kidnapping of, for dramatic pur- 
 
 pofes. Pp. 33-4, 40-1,49. 
 — - — attrafted to plays. P. 27. 
 Chrijlmas, plays at, a. d. 1625. P. 61. 
 
 puppet fhows in 1643. P. 262. 
 
 Cock-Pit, the theatre fo called. P. 
 
 260. 
 
 Common, Doll, a cant term for a loofe 
 
 woman. P. 278. 
 'Condell, Henry, after. Pp. ^, 5I:, p, 
 
 226'. 
 'Cotton (John, and others), afitors. P.; 56. 
 •Cowiey, Richard, aftor. P-^^y 
 Croflbows. P. 10. 
 
 Crofl-Keys, an inn, where the Lord 
 Strange's players performed unlawfully 
 in 1589. P. 35. 
 
 mentioned in 1664. P. 276. 
 
 Cupid and Pfyche, a play fo called, men- 
 tioned. This was a drama (now no 
 longer known) by Chettle, Decker, and 
 Day. This feems to be the earlieft 
 mention of it. P. 188. 
 Curtains, i.e. playhoufes. P. 223. 
 
 Daniel, John. P. 49. 
 
 Samuel. P. 40. 
 
 Door-keepers at theatres. P. 263. 
 -Downton, Thomas (and others), aftors. 
 P.'ft, 
 
 •-^Ecdeflone, W., aftor. P. '5I. 
 
 Edward VI., Proclamations againft the 
 
 flage. Pp. 8, 9-14. 
 Elizabeth, Queen. Proclamations, fta- 
 
 tutes, &c. againft the Stage. Pp. 19, 
 
 22, 25-6, 33-4, 37-8. 
 
 the Queens Players. Pp. 31-2. 
 
 of Bohemia. Pp. 43, 48. 
 
 Erra Pater's Almanack. P. 264. 
 
 Fabii, The, a loft drama fo called. Mr. 
 Halliwell {Dia. of Old Plays, i860. 
 p. 103) is doubtlefs right in identify- 
 ing this with the play of The Four 
 Sons of Fabius, exhibited in 1579-80 
 P. 188. 
 
Index and Notes. 
 
 285 
 
 Fajl-days violated. P. 10. 
 Fencers. P. 22. 
 -Field, Nath. aftor and dramatift. Fp./fi), 
 
 <^ 
 Fijhing. P. 10. 
 
 Flecknoe, Richard, his Difcourfe of the 
 Englijh Stage. P. 275 etfeqq. 
 
 an advocate for plays. P. 280. 
 
 FleetwoodyW . Recorder of London. P. 27. 
 ~Fletcher, Laurence, aftor. P-f^^ 
 
 John, dramatift. Pp. 277-80. 
 
 Fool, The, a charafter in plays. P. 263. 
 Forejialters. P. 10. 
 Fortune-tellers. P. 22. 
 Fortune Theatre. P. 45. 
 Frederic of Bohemia. Pp. 43-4. 
 
 Games, unlawful. Pp. 10, 59. 
 
 Pythian. P. 151. 
 
 Globe Theatre. I am afraid that I have 
 miflaid the reference to the authority 
 which led me fome time fince to hazard 
 a doubt as to the propriety of affigning 
 the fire at this theatre to fo late a period 
 as 161 3, and I am now fure that I com- 
 mitted a miftake as to the title, though 
 not as to the date of the trail which 
 furniflied me with the apparent evi- 
 dence in favour of an earlier year. Pp. 
 39, 50-1, 58, 225. 
 
 Goflon, Stephen, his Schoole of Abufe, 
 1579. Pp. 99 etfiqq. 
 
 his Plaies Confuted republiflied. 
 
 P. 158 etfeqq. 
 
 refers to his own loft dramas. 
 
 P. 165. 
 
 ■ Gough, Robert, aftor. P-(s). 
 
 Guildhall. Dramatic documents preferved 
 
 there. Pref. vi. 
 referred to. P. 30. 
 
 Gunpowder. Its ufe at theatres dangerous. 
 Pp. 27-8. 
 
 Gyles, Thomas. Queen Elizabeth's war- 
 rant in his favour. Pp. 33-4. 
 
 Hand- guns. P. 10. 
 
 Harlots. Much money fpent on them in 
 the old time by apprentices and others 
 at taverns. P. 261. 
 
 their places of meeting. P. 262. 
 
 accuftomed to occupy the fixpenny 
 
 feats at the play. This was by no 
 means the cheapeft part of the houfe. 
 " Suffer mee to carrie vp your thoughts 
 vpon nimbler wings, where, as if you 
 fat in the mofte perfpicuous place of the 
 two penny galleries in a Play-houfe 
 you fliall cleerelye, and with an apes 
 eye, beholde all the parts." — The Ra- 
 vens Almanacke, by T. Decker, 1609, 
 fign. B 2 verfo. P. 265. 
 
 Hart, John, his letter to Lord Burleigh, 
 Nov. 1589. P. 34. 
 
 Heliodorus, his .Ethiopian Hiftory quoted. 
 This had been tranflated into Englifti 
 by Thomas Underdowne, and printed in 
 1569 or 1570. P. 189. 
 
 'Heming-s, John, aftor. Pp. (J5i^.;5i, 
 
 Henry VI. "The firft part of the Conten- 
 tion," 1595, or Shakefpeare's hiftorica! 
 drama, apparently alluded to. P. 273. 
 
 Henry VIII. Proclamations and Afls 
 againft the Stage. Pp. 3 etfeqq. 
 
 referred to. P. 21. 
 
 Herbert, Sir Henry, Mafter of the Revels. 
 P. 62. 
 
 Hijlories, i. e. hiftorical plays. P. 39. 
 
 Hunting. P. 10. 
 
286 
 
 Index and Notes. 
 
 Innkeepers. P. 28. 
 
 Interludes. Pp. 5, 8, 9, 13, 15, 19, 22, 
 
 25- 30. 39' 42. 45. 49' 5'- 'S'^ 
 James I. Meafures relating to the drama. 
 
 Pp. 38 et/eqq. 
 — ■ — ■ Buchanan's Baptijles written for 
 
 him to read. P. 198. 
 Jefuits-play at Lyons. P. 252. 
 ^John/on, W. a£lor. P.(2|) 
 Jones, Inigo. P. 43. 
 Jon/on, Benj. Pp. 277-80. 
 -Juby, Edward, aflor. P. 44. 
 Juglers. P. 22. 
 
 'Kempe, William, attor. P. '3^. 
 -Kirkham, Edward, (and others) aftors. P. 
 40. 
 
 -Laneham, John, a&or. P.(25. 
 
 Laud, W., Archbifhop of^ Canterbury, 
 mentioned. P. 272. 
 
 Lawyers, their bad Latinity ridiculed. P. 
 257. 
 
 Leicejter, R. Dudley, Earl of. Pp. 20 
 note, 25. 
 
 Lodge. Thomas, poet, dramatift and phy- 
 fician. GofTon calls him William Lodge 
 wrongly ; he alludes, of courfe, to 
 Lodge's Defence of Plays. Pp. 171, 
 179-80, 183, 187, 198, 201, 217. 
 
 London, City of Pp. 23, 26, 27, etfeqq. 
 
 Lord Mayor (and Corporation) ofr"^ 
 
 Pp. 23, 27, etfeqq. — In reference to the 
 controverfy (or rather conflid), which 
 arofe about 1573 and lafted for many 
 years, between the civic authorities and 
 the Blackfriars' and other theatrical 
 companies performing within the pre- 
 cinfls of the city, Mr. Collier (Annals 
 of the Stage, iii. 273 Note) fays : — 
 
 " Prior to May, 1580, and perhaps with 
 a view to the ultimate expulfion of 
 Players, the Lord Mayor had claimed a 
 jurifdiftion in ' the precindl of the late 
 diffolved Monaftery of the Blackfriars.' 
 This claim was referred to the two Chief 
 Juftices; buton the i5thof May, 1580, 
 an order was made by the Privy Council, 
 fetting forth that the Chief Juftices had 
 not yet been able duly to examine into 
 the merits of the cafe, and ordering, 
 therefore, that matters fhould ' remain 
 in Jlatu quo prius, and that the Lord 
 Mayor fliould not intermeddle in any 
 caufe within the faid Liberties, faving 
 for the punifliment of felons, as hereto- 
 fore he hath done.' See Lanfdown 
 MSS., No. 155." 
 
 Londoners, their fondnefi for the theatre. 
 P. 181.— This is illuftrated by the 
 homily I have printed among the Trea- 
 tifes in the prefent volume. In a 
 volume of Homilies, written in the 14th 
 century, the writer, among other charges 
 which he brings againft the " yonge 
 folk " of his day, fays : " thei taken noon 
 heede of goddis word, thei rennen to en- 
 terludes with gret delijt." See Popu- 
 lar Antiquities of Great Britain, 1869, 
 ii. 285. 
 
 Lowin, John, adlor. Pp. 51,(5^ 
 
 Lupercalia. P. 151. 
 
 Lyons. The accident at the dramatic 
 performance held there in 1607. A 
 contemporary account of this was pub- 
 liflied in Englifh. See Handb. of E. E. 
 Lit., art. Jesuits. P. 252. 
 
 Manuary. " Manuary craftes," i. e. han- 
 dicrafts. P. 172. 
 
Index and Notes. 
 
 287 
 
 Marfeilles. P. 110. 
 
 Mary, Queen (of England). Proclama- 
 tion againft the Stage. Pp. 15-18. 
 
 Mayence (Magontia for Moguntia ?) P. 
 no. 
 
 May-games. Pp. 42, 172. 
 
 Mayor's Court, Guildhall. P. 30. 
 
 Medufa (mifprinted Mardu/a). P. 200. 
 
 Men (and boys) appointed to play women's 
 parts. P. 197. 
 
 Merchants. P. 260. 
 
 Merchant's finger. P. 166. 
 
 Middle/ex. P. 45. 
 
 Miracle-plays, Sermon of the 14th cen- 
 tury againft. Pp. 73, etfeqq. 
 
 performed on the Feaft of Corpus 
 
 Chrijli. P. 197. 
 
 Minfirels, muficians not privately retained 
 by fome nobleman. P. 22. 
 
 Montague, The Honourable Walter. His 
 Paftoral (The Shepheards Paradi/e, 
 1659) quoted. P. 269. 
 
 Mout-hall, more correftly, ^ofe-halls, or 
 town-halls for purpofes of affemblies. 
 A. S. mot. Pp.45, 51. 
 
 Nazianzen, Gregory, his play of Chrift 
 
 mentioned. P. 197. 
 Northumberland, John Dudley, Duke of. 
 
 P. 17. 
 Oaths, -prohne, ftatute of James I. againft. 
 
 P. 42. 
 Orchejlra at the theatres. Their fervices 
 
 fecured occafionally at taverns on hand- 
 
 fome terms. P. 263. 
 Ordinances of Parliament (1642-8). Pp. 
 
 63, etfeqq. 
 
 Palace of Pleafure, the colleftion of ftories" 
 fo called, quoted. P. 189. 
 
 Palmijiry. P. 22. 
 
 Papift or Heretick. " Newe founde 
 deuelilhe termes." P. 15. 
 
 Paris Garden, accident there in 1583. 
 Sir W, Cornwallis refers to the clafs 
 of entertainment there in his time in 
 no very eulogiftic language : " There is 
 another fort worfe then thefe, that neuer 
 vtter any thing of their owne, but get 
 lefts by heart, and robb bookes, and 
 men of prettie tales, and yet hope for 
 this to haue a roome aboue the Salt. I 
 am tyred with thefe fellowes, my eares 
 fufFer at this time, more then at Parris 
 Garden." Effayes by Sir William Corne- 
 wallys the yonger, 1606, fign. H 3. 
 Perhaps he had the fame place of amufe- 
 ment in view, when he wrote a paffage 
 found elfewhere : "Let ape-keepers anrf 
 players catch the eares of their Auditory 
 and Speftators with faire bumbafte 
 words, & fet fpeeches : It Ihalbe my 
 courfe when I muft difcourfe (but I had 
 rather heare) not to loofe my felf in my 
 tale." Sign. F 5 verfo. P. 252. 
 
 Parker, Martin. P. 264. 
 
 Parliament, The Long, its proceedings 
 againft the drama and ftage, 1642-8. 
 P. 63, etfeqq. 
 
 Paftorals. Pp. 39, 45, 51. 
 
 Paul's-Crofl, Sermons direfted thence 
 againft the Stage. P. 168. 
 
 Paul's, children of, plays performed by 
 at Whitefriars. P. 276. 
 
 Pedlars. P. 22. 
 
 Penny-pamphlets. P. 264. 
 
 pipes. P. 264. 
 
 -Perkyn, John, aftor. P.@>. 
 -Phillips, Auguftine, aftor. Pp.0)^^ 
 
288 
 
 Index and Notes. 
 
 ^M,1^S3 
 
 Plague, great, referred to. P. 26. 
 Players. Pp. 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 19-20, 21, 
 
 22, 25, 39, 61, 228-30. 
 
 born under the fign Taurus. Pref. ix. 
 
 licenfes to. Pp. 14, 23, 25, 50. 
 
 ordered to be imprefled for fervice 
 
 on the king's war-galleys. P. 7. 
 Plays. Pp. 4, 8, 15, 25, 27, 40-1, 45, 
 
 49. 51- 
 
 Times for performing plays. P. 19. 
 
 -^'Pope, Thomas, a£lor. P. 135. 
 Porter's- Hall. P. 48. 
 Pride, Colonel, referred to. P. 267. 
 Printers. Pp.9, 13,' 15, 17. 
 Prodors (or Procurators). P. 22. 
 Prynne, W. His (pretended) Retraftation 
 
 of the Hijlriomajlix and difavowal of 
 
 the forgery. Pp. 266, etfeqq. 
 Pf alter, The. P.' 83. 
 Puddle-wharf. P. 48. 
 Puny \_puifn.e'] gallants, "cheap fwells," 
 
 as we fhould now fay. P. 261. 
 Puppet-plays at Holborn- Bridge. P. 262.- 
 Puritans, their meafures againft the drama, 
 
 1642-7. Pp. 63, etfeqq. 
 Pym, John. Ridiculed as " King Pym."* 
 
 Pp. 272-3. 
 
 Rainoldes (or Reynolds), J6hn. His Over- 
 throw of Stage-Playes, I599, quoted. 
 P. 270. 
 , Ravenna. P. 113. 
 
 Regraters. P. 10. 
 
 Revels, Children of the. Pp. 33-4,47, 49. 
 
 Matter of the. Pp. 26, 45, 62. 
 
 Rhubarb ufed medicinally. P. 205. 
 — 'Robinfon, Richard, aftor. Pp./jj), (£§). 
 
 Romans, dramatic performances among 
 the. P. 103, etfeqq. 
 
 ■Rowley, Samuel, aftor and dramatift. P. 
 
 44. 
 
 William. P. 58. 
 
 Rujhes, the old ftage flrewed with them 
 
 by way of carpet. P. 280. 
 fuperfeded in Flecknoe's time. Ibid. 
 
 Salifbury Court, the theatre in. P. 260. 
 Salvianus, Bilhop of Marleilles, his Second 
 
 Blajl of Retrait from plaies and thea- 
 ters. Pp. 103, etfeqq. 
 Sanders, Lady, her houfe in Blackfriars. 
 
 P. 48. 
 Saturnalia. P. 151. 
 Service, Divine, plays prohibited during 
 
 it, 1574, &c. Pp. 26, 29, 50, 59. 
 Shakefpeare, William. Pp. 35, 39, 277- 
 
 80. 
 State of the drama & Stage in the 
 
 year of his death. Pp. 228-30. 
 compared with Jonfon and Fletcher. 
 
 P. 278. 
 'Shancks, John, aftor. Pp. ^^j^. 
 Shrewfbury, Earl of. Lord Prefident of the 
 
 North. P. 20, note. 
 -Sly, William, aftor. P..-^. 
 Somerfet, the Prote6ior. P. 8. 
 Songs. P. 4. 
 — • — "a baudie fongof a maide of Kent." 
 
 See Chappell's Popular Mulic, i. 348. 
 
 The prefent allufion does not feem to 
 
 have been noticed. P. 189. 
 Stage, the, decorations, &c. of. P. 280. 
 Stages, temporary, fcafFolds, &c. not to 
 
 be iet up in yards of inns. Pp. 129, 
 
 142. 
 Strange, Lord, his company of players. 
 
 P. 34- 
 Stubbes, Philip. Pp. 22, note, 218-25. 
 
Index and Notes. 
 
 289 
 
 Suckling, Sir John. This is a fatirical 
 allufion (one among many) to Sir John's 
 "Hundred Horfe." P. 257. 
 
 his Aglaura. P. 277. 
 
 Pp. 10, 13. 
 
 Tale-bearers (or tellers) 
 Tafk-work. P. 54. 
 
 Taverns frequented by harlots. P. 261. 
 ■Baylor, Jofeph, aftor. ?p.(s^^ 
 Te^ment, Old and New. Pp^s, 81. Jr^nderw ood, ]ohn, zaov. 
 
 Theatres. Injurious to public morals. Pp. 
 
 27, 1,25, 161, 221-4.- 
 • referred to. Pp. 36, 39, &c. com- 
 
 pare Blachfriars, Globe, Sec. 
 clafs of perfons who frequented them. 
 
 P. 184. 
 Thomas of India, St. (the Apoftle). P. 
 
 84. 
 Three Lords and Three Ladies of London, 
 
 a play, referred to. P. 185. 
 Tinkers. P. 22. 
 Tippling-houfes. P. 264. 
 Tiremen (or drejlers) at theatres. Pp.' 
 
 263-4. 
 Tiring-hou/e. P. 279. 
 
 Tobacco, high price charged for it at thea- 
 tres in 1643. P. 264. 
 
 Adulteration of. P. 265. 
 
 Tobacco-men at theatres. P. 264. 
 
 -Tooley, Nicholas, aftor. 
 Tylney. P. 34. 
 Tyndale,W. P. 5. 
 
 Pp-'3^./i>- 
 
 P-s3 
 
 Vagabonds. Enadtments againft vagabonds^ 
 ruffians, &c. Pp. 6,9, 12,21-22. 
 
 fent back to thfeir parifhes under 
 
 certain regulations. Pp. 12-13. 
 
 Vega, Lope de Vega Carpio, mentioned. 
 P. 275. 
 
 Walfingham, Sir F. Goflbn dedicates to 
 
 him his Plaies Confuted. P. 159. 
 Wardrobe, The, at theatres. P. 263. 
 Whitefriars theatre. P. 47. 
 -Wilfon, Robert, aftor. P/2^- 
 
 Yonge, Mr. referred to. P. 34. 
 
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