A10335:95
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.
It may be that your conscience felt some prick hereof; or at least your knowledge informed you that this would not hold water. Else, why adjoin you a new point of defence, that the actors of your plays are no stage-players? Whereas gbefore your only answer to this point was, that you played freely: nor needed there more in your desire to be short (which you pretend often) if you thought it certain the law comprised not free players. But what soever you thought, when you resolved of having two strings unto your bow: this new string is worse a great deal then the old was; the hemp is naught whereof you made it. For whereas you deny; that you, who come on the stage once in a year, or two, in seven, or in ten, or sometime twenty years, are to be termed 3stage-players; as he is not a wrestler that sometime to prove his strength, trieth for a fall or two; nor he a fencer, that sometime taketh up the cudgels to play a venny: First make these similitudes perfect with adding 4that which answereth to 5the stage, that they be not similia dissimilia, (as hTully calleth them,) and then he is a 6wrestler who to prove his strength on that stage, as it were, doeth try for a fall or two; and a 7Fencer likewise, who cometh once thither, though he never come again; and so are they stage-players, who play upon the stage once in a year or two. Next, the law doeth cut off all strife about the name, by noting him with infamy, 8who cometh on the stage to play, or pronounce. So that when you acknowledge that yours come on the stage to this intent and end, you show that both you wrangle and trifle in denying they are to be termed stage-players. As for that you add, that you do differ from them, whom I mentioned, in the manner of your playing, in the end, effects, & other circumstances, as in the examination of mine examples shall appear; the which as I have alleged to illustrate mine authorities, as being the men whom they properly speak against; so if you show that you are not to be likened to them, neither mine authorities, nor mine examples shall touch you: the drift