Know, be it known to the limits of the World;
This is scarce Sence, be it known.
Yet farther, let it pass yon dazling roof
The Mansion of the Gods, and strike them deaf
With Everlasting peals of Thundring joy.
This Fustian puts me in mind of a Couplet of Taylors the Water Poet, which for the Beauty of the Thought are not very unlike.
What if A Humble Bee should chance to strike,
With the But-End of an Antartick Pole.
I grant Mr. Dryden clears himself of this Act in his Vindication of the Duke of Guise. But then why did he let these crude Fancies pass uncorrected in his Friend? Such fluttering ungovern'd Transports, are fitter for a Boys Declamation then a Tragedy. But I shall trouble my self no farther with this Play. To return therefore to the Argument in Hand. In the Provok'd Wife Sir John Brute puts on the Habit of a Clergyman, counterfeits himself drunk; quarrels with the Constable, and is knock'd down and seiz'd. He rails, swears, curses, is lewd and profane, to all the Heights of Madness and Debauchery: The Officers and Justice break jests upon him, and make him a sort of Representative of his Order.Provok'd Wife. p. 45, 46, 52, 52.[220]
This is rare Protestant Diversion, and very much for the Credit of the Reformation! The Church of England, I mean the Men of Her, is the only Communion in the World, that will endure such Insolences as these: The Relapse is if possible more singularly abusive. Bull the Chaplain wishes the Married couple joy, in Language horribly Smutty and Profane.Relapse. p. 74.[221] To transcribe it would blot the Paper to much. In the next Page Young Fashion desires Bull to make hast to Sr. Tun-belly. He answers very decently, I fly my good Lord.p. 75.[222] At the end of this Act Bull speaks to the Case of Bigamy, and determines it thus. I do confess to take two Husbands for the Satisfaction of —— is to commit the Sin of Exorbitancy, but to do it for the peace of the Spirit, is no more then to be Drunk by way of Physick; besides to prevent a Parents wrath is to avoid the Sin of Disobedience, for when the Parent is Angry, the Child is froward: The Conclusion is insolently Profane, and let it lie: The spirit of this Thought is borrow'd from Ben Johnsons Bartholomew-Fair, only the Profaness is mightily improved, and the Abuse thrown off the Meeting House, upon the Church. The Wit of the Parents being angry, and the Child froward, is all his own.p. 86.[223] Bull has more of this Heavy stuff upon his Hands. He tells Young Fashion Your Worships goodness is unspeakable, yet there is one thing seems a point of Conscience; And Conscience is a tender Babe. &c.p. 97.[224]