Th'overthrow of stage-plays, by the way of controversy betwixt D. Gager and D. Rainoldes…Th'overthrow of stage-playes, by the way of controversie betwixt D. Gager and D. Rainoldes…

The more, because you used it not only in your verse, where your excuse might serve, that it stood better then agere would in that place; as Gryllus might say likewise for versifying animal rather, then bestiam: but in your prose also, the ⁶title of your tragedy; as if Gryllus, setting down the point controversed between him and Sempronius, should make it, utrum animal sit rationis expers; where the word ⁷bestia, would serve as fitly in prose; nay, (if plain dealing were meant) a great deal more fitly. And if you intended not to make that reason which I supposed you did, it is no loss to recite Seneca, Ergo no loss to play him: but meant to use the general word for the special, and to ask Momus only, Think you it a loss to play Seneca? then you begged at Momus hand, or took as granted, the point you should have proved; sith the playing of Seneca was condemned by him, and you undertook to confute his arguments. Again, as Horace, Persius, the law, alleged ⟨p. 142⟩by Gryllus, do show that certain men want the use of reason, but neither prove that beasts have it, nor that mankind wanteth it; and his presumed testimony of the Areopagus, brought in with a particle of similitude, So, as hitting jump with Horace, Persius, and the law, is too too absurd: in like sort the same authors, alleged by your self, do show that some reciters are misliked by them, but neither prove that players are liked, nor all reciters misliked; and the Universities testimony which you bring in with the same particle, as hitting jump with those authors, I can not say you bring it altogether as Gryllus, but you bring it strangely. For ^dHorace scoffeth at them, who ⁸recite their writings out of due place or time, and are ⁹importunately displeasant: ^ePersius, at ¹