The Greek Tragedians are more staunch, and write nearer the Scheme of Natural Religion. 'Tis true, they have some bold expressions: But then they generally reprove the Liberty, and punish the Men. _Prometheus_ in _Æschylus_ blusters with a great deal of Noise, and Stubborness.[177] He is not for changing Conditions with _Mercury_: And chuses rather to be miserable, than to submit even to _Jupiter_ himself. The _Chorus_ rebuke him for his Pride, and threaten him with greater Punishment. And the _Poet_ to make all sure brings him to Execution before the end of the _Play_. He discharges Thunder and Lightning at his Head; shakes his Rock with an Earthquake, turns the Air into Whirl-wind, and draws up all the Terrors of Nature to make him an example. In his _Expedition against Thebes_, _Eteocles_ expects _Capaneus_ would be destroy'd for his Blasphemies.[178] Which happen'd accordingly. On the other hand; _Amphiaraus_ being a person of Virtue, and Piety, they are afraid least he should succeed. _For a Religious Enemy is almost invincible._[179] _Darius_'s Ghost lays _Xerxes_'s ruin upon the excess of his Ambition, _'Twas, because he made a Bridge over the_ Hellespont, _used_ Neptune _contumeliously, and, thought himself Superiour to Heaven._[180] This Ghost tells the _Chorus that the Persian Army miscarried for the out-rages they did to Religion, for breaking down the Altars, and plundering the Gods_.[181] _Ajax_'s Distraction is represented as judicial in _Sophocles_. 'Twas inflicted for his _Pride_ and _Atheism_.[182] 'When his Father bid him be brave but Religious withall, he haughtily replyed that 'twas, for Cowards to beg the Assistance of the Gods; as for his part, he hoped to Conquer without them. And when _Minerva_ encouraged him to charge the Enemy, [Greek: To t' antiphônei deinon arrêton t' epos,] 'He made her this Lewd and insufferable Answer. Pray withdraw, and give your Countenance elswhere, I want no Goddesses to help me do my Business. This Insolence made _Minerva_ hate him; and was the cause of his Madness and self Murther.' To proceed. The _Chorus_ condemns the Liberty of _Jocasta_, who obliquely charged a Practise upon the _Oracle_:[183] Tho' after all, she did not tax _Apollo_, but his Ministers.