Majestical_. It seems then their Behaviour should be agreeable to their Greatness. Why then are not these Rules observ'd, in the _Machines_ of _Amphitrion_? As I take it, Obscenity has not the Air of Majesty, nor any Alliance with the _Sublime_. And as for the _Figurative_ Part, 'tis generally of the same Cut with the _Lofty_: The Smut shines clear, and strong, through the Metaphor, and is no better screen'd than the Sun by a Glass Window. To use _Mercury_ thus ill, and make the God of Eloquence speak so unlike himself is somewhat strange! But tho' the _Antients_ knew nothing of it, there are Considerations above those of _Decency_. And when this happens, _A Rule must rather be trespass'd on, than a Beauty left out_. 'Tis Mr. _Dryden's_ opinion in his _Cleomenes_, where he breaks the _Unity of Time_, to describe the _Beauty_ of a Famine.[363] Now Beauty is an arbitrary Advantage, and depends upon Custom and Fancy. With some People the Blackest Complexions are the handsomest. 'Tis to these _African_ Criticks that Mr. _Dryden_ seems to make his Appeal. And without doubt he bespeaks their Favour, and strikes their Imagination luckily enough. For to lodge Divinity and Scandal together; To make the Gods throw _Stars_, like _Snow-balls_ at one another, but especially to Court in Smut, and rally in Blasphemy, is most admirably entertaining! This is much better than all the Niceties of _Decorum_. 'Tis handsomly contriv'd to slur the Notion of a Superiour Nature, to disarm the Terrors of Religion, and make the Court Above as Romantick as that of the _Fairies_. A Libertine when his Conscience is thus reliev'd, and Atheism sits easie upon his Spirits, can't help being grateful upon the Occasion. Meer Interest will oblige him to cry up the Performance, and solicit for the _Poets_ Reputation! Before I take leave of these _Machines_, it may not be amiss to enquire why the Gods are brought into the _Spiritual Court_.[364] Now I suppose the Creditableness of the Business, and the _Poets_ Kindness to those _Places_, are the principal Reasons of their coming. However. He might have a farther Design in his Head, and that is, to bring _Thebes_ to _London_, and to show the Antiquity of _Doctors Commons_. For if you will believe _Mercury_, this Conference between him and _Phoebus_ was held three thousand years ago.[365] Thus _Shakespear_ makes _Hector_ talk about _Aristotles_ Philosophy,[366] and calls Sr. _John Old Castle_, _Protestant_.[367] I had not mention'd this Discovery in Chronology, but that Mr. _Dryden_ falls upon _Ben Johnson_, for making _Cataline give Fire at the Face of a Cloud_, before Guns were invented. By the Pattern of these pretended _Deities_, we may guess what sort of _Mortals_ we are likely to meet with. Neither are we mistaken. For _Phædra_, is bad enough in all Conscience, but _Bromia_ is a meer Original. Indeed when Mr. _Dryden_ makes _Jupiter_, and _Jupiter_ makes the Women, little less can be expected. So much for _Amphitrion_.