_1st._ Monsieur _Rapin_ affirms 'That Delight is the End that Poetry aims at, but not the Principal one. For Poetry being an Art, ought to be profitable by the quality of it's own nature, and by the Essential Subordination that all Arts should have to Polity, whose End in General is the publick Good. This is the Judgment of _Aristotle_ and of _Horace_ his chief Interpreter.[324] _Ben Johnson_ in his Dedicatory Epistle of his _Fox_ has somewhat considerable upon this Argument; And declaims with a great deal of zeal, spirit, and good Sense, against the Licentiousness of the _Stage_. He lays it down for a Principle, 'That 'tis impossible to be a good _Poet_ without being a good _Man_. That he (a good Poet) is said to be able to inform Young Men to all good Discipline, and enflame grown Men to all great Virtues &c.--That the general complaint was that the _Writers_ of those days had nothing remaining in them of the Dignity of a _Poet_, but the abused Name. That now, especially in Stage Poetry, nothing but Ribaldry, Profanation, _Blasphemy_, all Licence of Offence to God and Man, is practised. He confesses a great part of this Charge is over-true, and is sorry he dares not deny it. But then he hopes all are not embark'd in this bold Adventure for Hell. For my part (says he) I can, and from a most clear Conscience affirm; That I have ever trembled to think towards the least Profaness, and loath'd the Use of such foul, and unwash'd Bawdry, as is now made the Food of the _Scene_.--The encrease of which Lust in Liberty, what Learned or Liberal Soul does not abhor? In whole _Enterludes_ nothing but the Filth of the Time is utter'd--with Brothelry able to violate the Ear of a _Pagan_, and Blasphemy, to turn the Blood of a Christian to Water. He continues, that the Insolence of these Men had brought the _Muses_ into Disgrace, and made _Poetry_ the lowest scorn of the Age. He appeals to his Patrons the _Universities_, that his Labour has been heretofore, and mostly in this his latest Work, to reduce not only the antient Forms, but Manners of the _Scene_, the Innocence and the Doctrine, which is the Principal End of Poesy, to inform Men in the best Reason of Living.' Lastly he adds, that 'he has imitated the Conduct of the Antients in this _Play_, The goings out (or Conclusions) of whose _Comedies_, were not always joyful but oft-times the Bawds, the Slaves, the Rivals, ye and the Masters are multed, and fitly, it being the Office of a _Comick Poet_ (mark that!) to imitate Justice, and Instruct to Life _&c._' Say you so! Why then if _Ben Johnson_ knew any thing of the Matter, Divertisment and Laughing is not as Mr. _Dryden_ affirms, the _Chief End_ of _Comedy_. This Testimony is so very full and clear, that it needs no explaining, nor any enforcement from Reasoning, and Consequence.