The _Lacedemonians_,[455] who were remarkable for the Wisdom of their _Laws_, the Sobriety of their _Manners_, and their Breeding of brave Men. This _Government_ would not endure the _Stage_ in any Form, nor under any Regulation. To pass on to the _Romans_. _Tully_[456] informs us that their _Predecessours_ 'counted all _Stage-Plays_ uncreditable and Scandalous. In so much that any _Roman_ who turn'd _Actor_ was not only to be Degraded, but likewise as it were disincorporated, and unnaturalized by the _Order_ of the _Censors_. St. _Augustine_ in the same Book,[457] commends the _Romans_ for refusing the _Jus Civitatis_ to _Players_, for seizing their Freedoms, and making them perfectly Foreign to their _Government_. We read in _Livy_[458] that the Young People in _Rome_ kept the _Fabulæ Attellanæ_ to themselves. 'They would not suffer this Diversion to be blemish'd by the _Stage_. For this reason, as the Historian observes,[459] the _Actors_ of the _Fabulæ Atellanæ_ were neither expell'd their _Tribe_, nor refused to serve in _Arms_; Both which Penalties it appears the _Common Players_ lay under.' In the Theodosian _Code_, _Players_ are call'd _Personæ inhonestæ_;[460] that is, to _Translate_ it softly, Persons Maim'd, and Blemish'd in their Reputation. Their _Pictures_ might be seen at the _Play-House_, but were not permitted to hang in any creditable Place[461] of the _Town_, Upon this _Text_ _Gothofred_ tells us the Function of Players was counted scandalous[462] by the _Civil Law_, L. 4. And that those who came upon the _Stage_ to divert the people, had a mark of Infamy set upon them. _Famosi sunt ex Edicto._ [463] I shall now come down to our own _Constitution_. And I find by 39 _Eliz. cap. 4. 1. Jac. cap. 7_. That all Bearwards, Common Players of Enterludes, Counterfeit Egyptians &c. shall be taken, adjudged and deem'd Rogues, Vagabonds, and sturdy beggars, and shall sustain all pain and Punishment, as by this Act is in that behalf appointed. The _Penalties_ are infamous to the last degree, and _Capital_ too, unless they give over. 'Tis true, the first _Act_ excepts those Players which belong to a Baron or other Personage of higher Degree, and are authorized to Play under the hand and Seal of Armes of such Baron, or Personage. But by the later _Statute_ this Privilege of _Licensing_ is taken away: And all of them are expresly brought under the Penalty without Distinction. About the Year 1580, there was a Petition made to Queen _Elizabeth_ for suppressing of _Play-Houses_. 'Tis somewhat remarkable, and therefore I shall transcribe some part of the Relation.