_Ben. Johnson_ is much more reserv'd in his _Plays_, and declares plainly for Modesty in his _Discoveries_, some of his Words are these. A just Writer whom he calls a _True Artificer_, will avoid _Obscene_ and _Effeminate Phrase. Where Manners and Fashions are Corrupted, Language is so too.[95] The excess of Feasts and Apparel, are the Notes of A Sick State, and the Wantonness of Language of a sick Mind_.[96] A little after he returns to the Argument, and applies his Reasoning more particularly to the Stage. _Poetry_, (says he) _and Picture, both behold Pleasure, and profit, as their common Object, but should abstain from all base Pleasures, least they should wholly Err from their End; And while they seek to better Men's Minds, Destroy their Manners, Insolent and obscene Speeches, and Jests upon the best Men, are most likely to excite Laughter. But this is truly leaping from the Stage to the Tumbrill again, reducing all Wit to the Original Dung-Cart_.[97] More might be cited to this purpose, but that may serve for an other Occasion: In the mean time I shall go on to _Beaumont_ and _Fletcher_. _Fletchers Faithfull Shepheardess_ is remarkably Moral, and a sort of Exhortation to Chastity. This _Play_ met with ill Judges, 'twas Hiss'd before half _Acted_, and seems to have suffer'd on the account of its Innocence.[98] Soon after _Ben. Johnson_ and _Beaumont_ appear and justifie the Author in a Copy of Verses. And as _Beaumont_ commends Modesty in _Fletcher_, so he is commended himself by Mr. _Earl_ for the same Quality.[99] _Such Passions, Such Expressions meet my Eye, Such Wit untainted with Obscenity._ And as I remember _Jasper Main_ has some stroaks to the same purpose.[100] _Fletcher_ is still more full for the Cause. Indeed nothing can be more express. He delivers himself by way of _Prologue_; where the _Poet_ speaks in his own Person. The _Prologue_ to the _Woman-Hater_, very frankly lets the Audience know what they are to expect. _If there be any amongst you, (says he) that come to hear Lascivious Scenes, let them depart; For I do pronounce this, to the utter discomfort of all two-penny Gallery Men, you shall no Bawdry in it._ We find in those days Smut was the expectation of a Coarse Palate, and relish'd by none but two-penny Customers. In the _Knight_ of the _Burning Pestle_, part of the _Prologue_ runs thus. _They were banish'd the Theatre at_ Athens, _and from_ Rome _hiss'd, that brought Parasites on the Stage with Apish Actions, or Fools with uncivil Habits, or Courtezans with immodest words_. Afterwards _Prologue_, who represents a Person, gives us more to the same purpose. ----_Fly far from hence. All private taxes, immodest phrases, Whatever way but look like Vitious. For wicked mirth, never true Pleasure brings; For honest Minds, are pleas'd with honest things._ I have quoted nothing but Comedy in this Author. The _Coronation_ is another. And the _Prologue_ tells you there is