A Short View of the Immorality, and Profaneness of the English Stage: Together with the Sense of Antiquity on this ArgumentCollier, Jeremy
General
A Short View of the Immorality, and Profaneness of the English Stage: Together with the Sense of Antiquity on this Argument
Collier, Jeremy
Theater -- England -- Early works to 1800; Theater -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Early works to 1800
_Wildblood_ Swears by _Mahomet_, rallies smuttily upon the other World, and
gives the preference to the Turkish Paradise[103]! This Gentleman to
incourage _Jacinta_ to a Complyance in Debauchery, tells her _Heaven is all
Eyes and no Tongue._[104] That is, it sees Wickedness but conceals it. He
Courts much at the same rate a little before. _When a Man comes to a great
Lady, he is fain to approach her with Fear, and Reverence, methinks there's
something of Godliness in't_.[105] Here you have the Scripture burlesqu'd,
and the Pulpit Admonition apply'd to Whoring.[106] Afterwards _Jacinta_ out
of her great Breeding and Christianity, swears by _Alla_, and _Mahomet_,
and makes a Jest upon Hell.[107] _Wildblood_ tells his Man that _such
undesigning Rogues as he, make a Drudge of poor Providence_. And _Maskall_
to show his proficiency under his Masters, replies to _Bellamy_, who would
have had him told a Lie.[108] _Sir upon the Faith of a Sinner you have had
my last Lie already. I have not one more to do me Credit, as I hope to be
saved Sir._
In the close of the _Play_, They make sport with Apparitions and Fiends.
One of the Devils sneezes, upon this they give him the Blessing of the
Occasion, and conclude _he has got cold by being too long out of the
Fire_.[109]
The _Orphan_ lays the Scene in Christendom, and takes the same care of
Religion. _Castalio_ Complements his Mistress to Adoration.
_No Tongue my Pleasure and my Pain can tell:
'Tis Heaven to have thee, and without thee Hell._ [110]
_Polydor_ when upon the attempt to debauch _Monimia_, puts up this
ejaculation.
_Blessed Heaven assist me but in this dear Hour_: [111]
Thus the _Stage_ worships the true God in Blasphemy, as the _Lindians_ did
_Hercules_ by Cursing and throwing stones.[112] This _Polydor_ has another
Flight of Profaness, but that has got a certain _Protection_, and therefore
must not be disturb'd.
In the _Old Batchelour_, _Vain-love_ asks _Belmour_, _could you be content
to go to Heaven_?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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