A10335:91
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 your text of kUlpian with Pegasus and Nerva, sayeth that all who play for gain, are infamous; as you confessed before; adding that you saw no cause to mislike it, less durst dispute against it. Wherefore in saying that Aesopus and Roscius were not reputed as infamous persons, your own mouth and heart condemn you of gain saying an undoubted trueth. Much more when you infer the same of other stage-players, even of the rascals, the most vile among them, in the reason following. For although the fame, the favour, the wealth of Roscius and Aesopus, should no more have moved you to wash away all stain from their credit, then from lFlora and mPhryne, who were whores of great fame, favour, wealth: yet their familiarity with the best and wisest might probably persuade you, that they were not reputed as infamous persons. Howbeit, had you weighed, how 1the best and wisest so well acquainted with them, had showed in 2one of them, that nother things brought him to such estimation, his ostage-playing was some stain unto him: you should have perceived that in this respect their credit might be tainted, notwithstanding the acquaintance, whereto, by means of other parts approved in them, they grew in process of time with the best and wisest. But your next ⟨p. 70⟩reason saith as much for the vilest and most beastly stageplayers, as for Aesopus and Roscius. For in certain plays, called 3the plays of Flora, the 4players were not men, but women, and those lewd ones, professed whores and strumpets: which, besides all wanton filthiness of words, did show them selves naked also to the people, and used most shameful motions and gestures. These plays were instituted (to use your own words) ad placandos Deos,