Thus we see how these great _Masters_ qualify Diversion, and tie it up to _Provisoes,_ and Conditions. Indeed to make _Delight_ the main business of _Comedy_ is an unreasonable and dangerous Principle. It opens the way to all Licentiousness, and Confounds the distinction between Mirth, and Madness. For if Diversion is the _Chief End_, it must be had at any Price, No serviceable Expedient must be refused, tho' never so scandalous. And thus the worst Things are said, and best abus'd; Religion is insulted, and the most serious Matters turn'd into Ridicule! As if the Blindside of an Audience ought to be caress'd, and their Folly and Atheism entertain'd in the first Place. Yes, if the Palate is pleas'd, no matter tho' the Body is Poyson'd! For can one die of an easier Disease than Diversion? But Raillery apart, certainly Mirth and Laughing, without respect to the Cause, are not such supreme Satisfactions! A man has sometimes Pleasure in losing his Wits. Frensy, and _Possession_, will shake the Lungs, and brighten the Face; and yet I suppose they are not much to be coveted. However, now we know the Reason of the Profaness, and Obscenity of the _Stage_, of their Hellish Cursing, and Swearing, and in short of their great Industry to make God, and Goodness Contemptible: 'Tis all to Satisfie the Company, and make People Laugh! A most admirable justification! What can be more engaging to an _Audience_, then to see a _Poet_ thus Atheistically brave? To see him charge up to the Canons Mouth, and defy the Vengeance of Heaven to serve them? Besides, there may be somewhat of Convenience in the Case. To fetch Diversion out of Innocence is no such easy matter. There's no succeeding it may be in this method, without Sweat, and Drudging. Clean Wit, inoffensive Humour, and handsom Contrivance, require Time, and Thought. And who would be at this Expence, when the Purchase is so cheap another way? 'Tis possible a _Poet_ may not alwaies have Sense enough by him for such an Occasion. And since we are upon supposals, it may be the _Audience_ is not to be gain'd without straining a Point, and giving a Loose to Conscience: And when People are sick, are they not to be Humour'd? In sine, We must make them Laugh, right or wrong, for _Delight_ is the _Cheif End of Comedy_. _Delight!_ He should have said _Debauchery_: That's the English of the Word, and the Consequence of the Practise. But the Original Design of _Comedy_ was otherwise: And granting 'twas not so, what then? If the _Ends_ of Thing are naught, they must be mended. Mischief is the Chief end of Malice, would it be then a Blemish in Ill Nature to change Temper, and relent into Goodness? The Chief _End_ of a Madman it may be is to Fire a House, must we not therefore bind him in his Bed? To conclude. If _Delight_ without Restraint, or Distinction without Conscience or Shame, is the Supream Law of _Comedy_, 'twere well if we had less on't. Arbitrary Pleasure, is more dangerous than Arbitrary Power.