_4ly._ And which is still more extraordinary: the _Prologues_, and _Epilogues_ are sometimes Scandalous to the last degree.[9] I shall discover them for once, and let them stand like Rocks in the Margin. Now here properly speaking the _Actors_ quit the _Stage_, and remove from Fiction, into Life. Here they converse with the _Boxes_, and _Pit_, and address directly to the Audience. These Preliminarie and concluding Parts, are design'd to justify the Conduct of the _Play_, and bespeak the Favour of the Company. Upon such Occasions one would imagine if ever, the Ladys should be used with Respect, and the Measures of Decency observ'd, But here we have Lewdness without Shame or Example: Here the _Poet_ exceeds himself. Here are such Strains as would turn the Stomach, of an ordinary Debauchee, and be almost nauseous in the _Stews_. And to make it the more agreeable, Women are Commonly pick'd out for this Service. Thus the _Poet_ Courts the good opinion of the Audience. This is the Desert he regales the Ladys with at the Close of the Entertainment: It seems He thinks They have admirable Palats! Nothing can be a greater Breach of Manners then such Liberties as these. If a Man would study to outrage _Quality_ and Vertue, he could not do it more Effectually. But _5thly._ Smut is still more insufferable with respect to Religion. The Heathen Religion was in a great Measure a _Mystery_ of _Iniquity_. Lewdness was Consecrated in the Temples, as well as practised in the _Stews_. Their Deitys were great Examples of Vice, and worship'd with their own Inclination. 'Tis no wonder therefore their Poetry should be tinctured with their Belief, and that the _Stage_ should borrow some of the Liberties of their Theology. This made _Mercurys_ Procuring, and _Jupiters_ Adultery the more passable in _Amphitrion_[10]: Upon this Score _Gymnasium_[11] is less Monstrous in Praying the Gods to send her store of Gallants. And thus _Chæræa_[12] defends his Adventure by the Precedent of _Jupiter_ and _Danæ_. But the Christian Religion is quite of an other Complexion. Both its Precepts, and Authorities, are the highest discouragement to Licentiousness. It forbids the remotest Tendencies to Evil, Banishes the Follies of Conversation, and Obliges up to Sobriety of Thought. That which might pass for Raillery, and Entertainment in Heathenism, is detestable in Christianity. The Restraint of the Precept, and the Quality of the Deity, and the Expectations of Futurity quite alter the Case. But notwithstanding the Latitudes of Paganism, the Roman and Greek _Theatres_ were much more inoffensive than ours. To begin with _Plautus_. This Comedian, tho' the most exceptionable, is modest upon the Comparison. For _1st._ He rarely gives any of the above mention'd Liberties to Women; And when there are any Instances of the contrary, 'tis only in prostituted and Vulgar People; And even these, don't come up to the Grossness of the _Modern Stage_.