And has our _Stage_ a particular Privilege? Is their _Charter_ inlarg'd, and are they on the same Foot of Freedom with the _Slaves_ in the _Saturnalia_? Must all Men be handled alike? Must their Roughness be needs play'd upon Title? And can't they lash the Vice without pointing upon the _Quality_? If as Mr. _Dryden_ rightly defines it, a _Play ought to be a just Image of Humane Nature_;[352] Why are not the Decencies of Life, and, the Respects of Conversation observ'd? Why must the Customes of Countries be Cross'd upon, and the Regards of Honour overlook'd? What necessity is there to kick the _Coronets_ about the _Stage_, and to make a Man a Lord, only in order to make him a Coxcomb. I hope the _Poets_ don't intend to revive the old Project of Levelling and _Vote_ down the House of _Peers_. In earnest, the _Play-house_ is an admirable School of Behaviour! This is their way of managing Ceremony, distinguishing Degree, and Entertaining the _Boxes_! But I shall leave them at present to the Enjoyment of their Talent, and proceed to another Argument. CHAP. V. _Remarks upon_ Amphytrion, King Arthur, Don Quixote, _and the_ Relapse. SECTION I. The following _Plays_, excepting the Last, will fall under the same Heads of Commendation with the Former. However, since the _Poets_ have here been prodigal in their Expence, and dress'd themselves with more Curiosity then ordinary, they deserve a proportionable Regard. So much Finery must not be Crowded. I shall therefore make Elbow-Room for their Figure, and allow them the Compass of a distinct Chapter. To begin with _Amphytrion_. In this _Play_ Mr. _Dryden_ represents _Jupiter_ with the Attributes of the supream Being: He furnishes him with Omnipotence, makes him the Creator of Nature, and the Arbiter of Fate, puts all the Functions of Providence in his Hand, and describes him with the Majesty of the true God.[353] And when he has put Him in this glorious Equipage, he brings him out for Diversion. He makes him express himself in the most intemperate Raptures:[354] He is willing to _Renounce_ his _Heaven_ for his Brutality, and employ a whole _Eternity_ in Lewdness. He draws his Debauch at its full Length, with all the Art, and Heightings, and Foulness of Idea immaginable. This _Jupiter_ is not contented with his success against _Amphitrion_, unless he brings _Alcmena_ into the Confederacy, and makes her a Party _ex post Facto_. He would not have her think of her _Husband_, but her _Lover_, that is, her _Whoremaster_. 'Tis not the success, but the manner of gaining it which is all in all. 'Tis the Vice which is the charming Circumstance. Innocence and Regularity, are dangerous Companions; They spoil Satisfaction, and make every Thing insipid! Unless People take care to discharge their Virtue, and clear off their Conscience, their Senses will vanish immediately! For _Jupiter_, says he,[355] would _owe nothing to a Name so dull as Husband_. And in the next Page.