At last it drew so hard that the Blood follow'd.

And that Red Milk I found upon its Lips,

Which made me swoon for Fear.p. 54.[191]

There's a Description of Sucking for you! And truly one would think the Muse on't were scarsely wean'd. This Lady's fancy is just Slip-Stocking-high; and she seems to want Sense, more than her Breakfast. If this Passage would not shine, the Poet should have let it alone. 'Tis Horace's advice.

——et quæ

Desperes tractata nitescere posse relinquas.De Art. Poet.[192]

The greatest part of the Life of this Scene is spent in impious Rants, and Atheistical Disputes. To do the Author right, his Characters never want Spirits for such Service, either full or Fasting. Some people love to say the worst Things in the best manner; To perfume their Poysons, and give an Air to Deformity.

There is one ill Sentence in Sophocles behind. Philoctetes calls the Gods Κακὸι, and Libells their Administration.Philoct. 402.[193] This Officer we must understand was left upon a Solitary Island, ill used by his Friends, and harrass'd with Poverty and Ulcers, for Ten years together. These, under the Ignorance of Paganism, were trying Circumstances, and take off somewhat of the Malignity of the Complaint. Afterwards He seems to repent,419.[194] and declares his Assurance that the Gods will do Justice, and prays frequently to them. The Conclusion of this Play is remarkably Moral. Here Hercules appears in Machine; aquaints Philoctetes with his own glorious Condition; That his Happiness was the Reward of Virtue, and the Purchase of Merit. He charges him to pay a due regard to Religion; For Piety would recommend him to Jupiter more than any other Qualification. It went into the other World with People and they found their Account in't both Living and Dead.p. 431.[195]

Upon the whole; The Plays of Æschylus and Sophocles are formed upon Models of Virtue: They joyn Innocence with Pleasure, and design the Improvement, of the Audience.

In Euripides's Bacchæ, Pentheus is pull'd in pieces for using Bacchus with Disrespect. And the Chorus observes that God never fails to punish Impiety, and Contempt of Religion.Act. 2.
p. 295.[196] Polyphemus blusters Atheistically, and pretends to be as great as Jupiter: But then his Eye is burnt out in the fifth Act.[197] And the Chorus in Heraclidæ affirm it next to Madness not to worship the Gods. I grant he has some profane Passages stand uncorrected, and what wonder is it to see a Pagan Miscarry? Seneca, as he was inferiour in Judgment to the Greeks, so he is more frequent, and uncautious, in his Flights of extravagance. His Hero's and Heroines, are excessively bold with the Superior Beings. They rave to Distraction, and he does not often call them to an account for't. 'Tis true Ajax Oileus is made an Example for Blaspheming in a Storm. He is first struck with Thunder, and then carried to the Bottom.Agam. Act. 3.[198] The Modern Poets, proceed upon the Liberties of Seneca, Their Madmen are very seldom reckon'd with. They are profane without Censure, and defie the Living God with success. Nay, in some respect they exceed even Seneca himself. He flies out only under Impatience; And never falls into these Fits without Torture, and hard Usage. But the English Stage are unprovok'd in their Irreligion, and Blaspheme for their Pleasure. But supposing the Theatres of Rome, and Athens as bad as possible, what Defence is all This? Can we argue from Heathenism to Christianity? How can the practise be the same, where the Rule is so very different? Have we not a clearer Light to direct us, and greater Punishments to make us afraid. Is there no Distinction between Truth and Fiction, between Majesty and a Pageant? Must God be treated like an Idol, and the Scriptures banter'd like Homers Elysium, and Hesiods Theogonia? Are these the Returns we make Him for his Supernatural Assistance? For the more perfect Discovery of Himself, the stooping of his Greatness, and the Wonders of his Love. Can't we refuse the Happiness without affronting the Offer? Must we add Contempt to Disobedience, and Out-rage to Ingratitude? Is there no Diversion without Insulting the God that made us, the Goodness that would save us, and the Power that can damn us? Let us not flatter our selves, Words won't go for Nothing. Profaness is a most Provoking Contempt, and a Crime of the deepest dye. To break through the Laws of a Kingdom is bad enough; But to make Ballads upon the Statute-Book, and a Jest of Authority, is much worse. Atheists may fancy what they please, but God will Arise and Maintain his own Cause, and Vindicate his Honour in due time.