A10335:39
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…
Th'overthrow of stage-plays, by the way of controversy betwixt D. Gager and D. Rainoldes wherein all the reasons that can be made for them are notably refuted; th'objections answered, and the case so cleared and resolved, as that the judgement of any man, that is not froward and perverse, may easily be satisfied. Wherein is manifestly proved, that it is not only unlawful to be an actor, but a beholder of those vanities. Whereunto are added also and annexed in th'end certain latin letters betwixt the said Master Rainoldes, and D. Gentiles, reader of the civill law in Oxford, concerning the same matter.Th'overthrow of stage-playes, by the way of controversie betwixt D. Gager and D. Rainoldes wherein all the reasons that can be made for them are notably refuted; th'objections aunswered, and the case so cleared and resolved, as that the iudgement of any man, that is not froward and perverse, may easelie be satisfied. Wherein is manifestly proved, that it is not onely vnlawfull to bee an actor, but a beholder of those vanities. Wherevnto are added also and annexed in th'end certeine latine letters betwixt the sayed Maister Rainoldes, and D. Gentiles, reader of the civill law in Oxford, concerning the same matter.
Middelburg: printed by Richard Schilders, 1599
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now, these things standing thus, what need I spend words in proving of the fourth reason, namely, that the charge of setting forth such plays is money cast away, and addeth wastefulness to wantonness, when your own answer doeth strengthen it sufficiently? For in that you say, 7there is a time of sparing, a time of honest spending, you grant that unhonest expense is still unlawful: as you have cause to do, seeing it is of briot condemned by our Saviour in the prodigal son. Wherefore, unless that unthrift might have answered Christ or any other reprover, Thou blamest me for wasting, but I wast none of thine; thou mayest drink with me scot-free, if thou be a good fellow, and welcome: I see not how 8your answer to Momus can be justified, Thou sayest the charge is great; but thou mayest come, and look on, Momus, and pay nothing, no man doeth ask thee a penny. And that which 9he objecteth, that it had been better bestowed on the poor, is as weakly met with; in that you reply, 1The charge, great to him, is mean & moderate to you; none will give the less to the poor for that▪ none ⟨p. 25⟩would have given the more without it. For cNero, being tickled with desire of praise, and loving to hear men approve his playing on the stage with clapping of their hands, and crying out, Excellent, excellent, did choose a lusty band of valiant youths to do it, whose Captains he gave 2three hundred pound a piece, or better. This, if we consider dthe millions that he wasted in prodigal gifts, was less charge to him, supposing it amounted to three thousand pound, or four, or five, or more, then three or four, or five, or a few more shillings is to some of yours. Yet the story noteth it as part of his wastefulness: and Nero peradventure was either less able or less willing to help the poor, by reason of that money given for a Plaudit. But you tell Momus, that