ls, or
their Wit, than hath the frequent Preaching, which this last age hath
been pester'd with, (indeed without all Controversie they have done less
harm) nor can I once imagine what temptation anyone can have to expect
it from them; for sure I am no Play was ever writ with that design. If
you consider Tragedy, you'll find their best of Characters unlikely
patterns for a wise man to pursue: For he that is the Knight of the
Play, no sublunary feats must serve his Dulcinea; for if he can't
bestrid the Moon, he'll ne'er make good his business to the end, and if
he chance to be offended, he must without considering right or wrong
confound all things he meets, and put you half-a-score likely tall
fellows into each pocket; and truly if he come not something near this
Pitch I think the Tragedy's not worth a farthing; for Playes were
certainly intended for the exercising of men's passions not their
understandings, and he is infinitely far from wise that will bestow one
moment's meditation on such things: And as for Comedie, the finest folks
you meet with there are still unfitter for your imitation, for though
within a leaf or two of the Prologue, you are told that they are people
of Wit, good Humour, good Manners, and all that: yet if the Authors did
not kindly add their proper names, you'd never know them by their
Characters; for whatsoe'er's the matter, it hath happen'd so spightfully
in several Playes, which have been prettie well received of late, that
even those persons that were meant to be the ingenious Censors of the
Play, have either prov'd the most debauch'd, or most unwittie people in
the Company: nor is this error very lamentable, since as I take it
Comedie was never meant, either for a converting or a conforming
Ordinance: In short, I think a Play the best divertisement that wise men
have: but I do also think them nothing so who do discourse as formallie
about the rules of it, as if 'twere the grand affair of humane life.
This being my opinion of Plays, I studied only to make this as
entertaining as I could, which whether I have been successful in, my
gentle Reader, you may for your shilling judge. To tell you my thoughts
of it, were to little purpose, for were they very ill, you may be sure I
would not have expos'd it; nor did I so till I had first consulted most
of those who have a reputation for judgement of this kind; who were at
least so civil (if not kind) to it as did encourage me to venture it
upon the Stag