Let us now Travel from _Italy_ into _Greece_, and take a view of the Theatre at _Athens_. In this City the _Stage_ had both its beginning and highest Improvement. _Æschylus_ was the first who appear'd with any Reputation. His Genius seems noble, and his Mind generous, willing to transfuse it self into the Audience, and inspire them with a Spirit of Bravery. To this purpose his Stile is Pompous, Martial, and Enterprizing. There is Drum and Trumpet in his Verse. 'Tis apt to excite an Heroick Ardour, to awaken, warm, and push forward to Action. But his Mettal is not always under Management. His Inclination for the _Sublime_; carrys him too far: He is sometimes Embarrass'd with _Epithites_. His Metaphors are too stiff, and far fetch'd; and he rises rather in Sound, than in Sence. However generally speaking, his Materials are both shining and solid, and his Thoughts lofty, and uncommon. This Tragedian had always a nice regard to Good Manners. He knew corrupting the People was the greatest disservice to the Commonwealth; And that Publick Ruine was the effect of general Debauchery. For this reason he declines the Business of Amours, and declares expresly against it.[45] Now here we can't expect any length of Testimony. His aversion to the subject makes him touch very sparingly upon it. But in this case there is no need of much citation. His very Omissions are Arguments, and his Evidence is the stronger for being short. That little I meet with shall be produced. _1st._ Orestes was obliged by the Oracle to revenge his Fathers Death in the Murther of his Mother.[46] When he was going to kill her, he Mentions her Cruelty, but waves her Adultery. _Euripides_ approv'd this Reservedness and makes his _Electra_ practise it upon the same occasion.[47] _Æschylus_ in his next Play complements his Country with a great deal of Address in the Persons of the _Eumenides_.[48] They are very Gentile and Poetical in their Civilities: Among other things They wish the Virgins may all Marry and make the Country Populous: Here the _Poet_ do's but just glance upon the Subject of Love; and yet he governs the Expression with such care, that the wishes contain a Hint to Sobriety, and carry a Face of Virtue along with them. The _Double Dealer_ runs Riot upon such an Occasion as this; and gives Lord _Touchwood_ a mixture of Smut and Pedantry to conclude with,[49] and yet this Lord was one of his best Characters: But _Poets_ are now grown Absolute within themselves, and may put Sence and Quality upon what Drudgeries they please. To return. _Danaus_ cautions his Daughters very handsomly in point of Behaviour. They were in a strange Country, and had Poverty and Dependance to struggle with: These were circumstances of Danger, and might make him the more pressing. He leaves therefore a solemn Charge with them for their Security, bids them never to subsist upon Infamy, but to prefer their Virtue to their Life.