A10335:52
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.
This I say not only of my general speeches set upon the rack to make me odious to your Students: but of the particular too, that may be thought to concern them specially. As namely that I mentioned Eurymachus kissing of Melantho: a thing which I gathered to have bin done by her own words: 1sith they were both intended to be alone secretly, when he had ⟨p. 36⟩6foul unmodest lascivious talk with her; and the music & dancing, 7whereof she speaks withal, was represented on the stage. But I named them only for example sake; my drift being general against such plays as express such actions: whether set forth presently by you; as your Rivals, in which some of the wooers perhaps kissed Phaedra; or heretofore, as athat of Plautus, in which *Phaedromus kissed Planesium without perhaps. Wherefore sith you defend your former plays as well as these, and in that respect commend by name Plautus, as you have great reason, comparing any Comedy of his with your Rivals: what aimed you at in saying, that, for the danger of kissing beautiful boys you know not how the suspicion should reach unto you, because it is untrue that Eurymachus kissed Melantho; unless your meaning were to practise that malice (so blearned men do justly term it) of rhetoric, I mean, by restraining my general intent unto your present players, to draw me into their hatred? Else, when you enquired of the parties them selves, whether any such action were used by them, and they (you say) denied it constantly: why did you not enquire also of Plautus, whether it were used by Phaedromus, & Planesiū, and of the ancients of your house, whether Phoedromus and Planesium came ever on your stage? Sure you should have taken this course by the equity of that which seemeth reasonable to you in your own cause. For, spying by mine answer, that your example of Achilles wearing woman's raiment, did not serve your turn: you reply, that we may imagine such a one as will serve it, with change of a circumstance. And this in your defence must go for sufficient. But the case is altered, when it toucheth me: yea, although my purpose may be proved by true, not by imagined, examples. So indulgent commonly are men unto them selves: so rigorous unto others.