These Poets I observe when They grow lazy, and are inclined to Nonsence, they commonly get a Clergy-man to speak it. Thus they pass their own Dulness for Humour, and gratifie their Ease, and their Malice at once. Coupler instructs Young Fashion which way Bull was to be managed. He tells him as Chaplains go now, he must be brib'd high, he wants Money, Preferment, Wine, and a Whore. Let this be procured for him, and I'll warrant thee he speaks Truth like an Oracle.89.[225]

A few Lines forward, the Rudeness is still more gross, and dash'd with Smut, the common Play-house Ingredient. 'Tis not long before Coupler falls into his old Civilities. He tells Young Fashion, Last Night the Devil run away with the Parson of Fatgoose Living.p. 94.[226] Afterwards Bull is plentifully rail'd on in down right Billings-gate: made to appear Silly, Servile, and Profane; and treated both in Posture and Language, with the utmost Contempt.p. 95, 97, 105.[227]

I could cite more Plays to this purpose; But these are sufficient to show the Temper of the Stage.

Thus we see how hearty these People are in their Ill Will! How they attack Religion under every Form, and pursue the Priesthood through all the Subdivisions of Opinion. Neither Jews nor Heathens, Turks nor Christians, Rome nor Geneva, Church nor Conventicle, can escape them. They are afraid least Virtue should have any Quarters undisturbed, Conscience any Corner to retire to, or God be Worship'd in any Place. 'Tis true their Force seldom carries up to their Malice: They are too eager in the Combat to be happy in the the Execution. The Abuse is often both gross and clumsey, and the Wit as wretched as the Manners. Nay Talking won't always satisfy them. They must ridicule the Habit as well as the Function, of the Clergy. 'Tis not enough for them to play the Fool unless they do it in Pontificalibus. The Farce must be play'd in a Religious Figure, and under the Distinctions of their Office! Thus the Abuse strikes stronger upon the sense; The contempt is better spread, and the little Idea is apt to return upon the same Appearance.

And now does this Rudeness go upon any Authorities? Was the Priesthood alwaies thought thus insignificant, and do the Antient Poets palt it in this Manner? This Point shall be tried, I shall run through the most considerable Authors that the Reader may see how they treat the Argument. Homer stands highest upon the Roll, and is the first Poet both in Time, and Quality; I shall therefore begin with him. Tis true he wrote no Plays; but for Decency, Practise, and general Opinion, his Judgment may well be taken, Let us see then how the Priests are treated in his Poem, and what sort of Rank they hold.

Chryses Apollo's Priest appears at a Council of War with his Crown and guilt Scepter. He offers a valuable Ransom for his Daughter; and presses his Relation to Apollo. All the Army excepting Agamemnon are willing to consider his Character, and comply with his Proposals. But this General refuses to part with the Lady, and sends away her Father with disrespect. Apollo thought himself affronted with this Usage, and revenges the Indignity in a Plague.

οὕνεκα τὸν Χρύσην ἠτίμησ' ἀρητῆραHom. Il. α. p. 3. & dein.
Ed. Screvel.[228]

Ἀτρείδης.

Adrastus and Amphius the Sons of Merops a Prophet, commanded a considerable extent of Country in Troas,Il. B. p. 91.
Ibid. p. 92.[229] and brought a Body of Men to King Priam's Assistance.[230] And Ennomus the Augur commanded the Troops of Mysia for the Besieged.

Phegeus and Idæus were the Sons of Dares the Priest of Vulcan.Il. E. p. 154, 155.[231] They appear in an Equipage of Quality, and charge Diomedes the third Hero in the Grecian Army. Idæus after the Misfortune of the Combat, is brought off by Vulcan. Dolopion was Priest to Scamander,Il. E. p. 154, 155.[232] and regarded like the God he Belong'd to,