In the Epilogue you have the History of Balaam's Ass exposed, and the Beast brought upon the Stage to laugh at the Miracle the better;

And as 'tis said a parlous Ass once spoke,

When Crab-tree Cudgel did his rage provoke.

So if you are not civil,——I fear

He'el speak again.——

In the second Part the Devil is brought upon the Stage.p. 13.[378] He cries as he hopes to be Saved. And Sancho warrants him a good Christian. Truly I think he may have more of Christianity in him than the Poet. For he trembles at that God, with whom the other makes Diversion.

I shall omit the mention of several outrages of this Kind, besides his deep mouth'd swearing, which is frequent, and pass on to the Second Head, which is His Abuse of the Clergy. And since Reveal'd Religion has been thus horribly treated, 'tis no Wonder if the Ministers of it have the same Usage.

And here we are likely to meet with some passages extraordinary enough. For to give Mr. Durfey his due, when he meddles with Church men he lays about him like a Knight Errant: Here his Wit and his Malice, are generally in extreams, tho' not of the same Kind. To begin. He makes the Curate Perez assist at the ridiculous Ceremony of Don Quixots Knighting.Part. 1. p. 13.[379] Afterwards Squire Sancho confessing his mistake to Quixote, tells him, Ah consider dear Sir no man is born wise. And what if he was born wise? He may be Bred a Fool, if he has not a care. But how does he prove this Memorable Sentence? Because a Bishop is no more than another man without Grace and Good Breeding. I must needs say if the Poet had any share of either of these Qualities, he would be less bold with his Superiors; and not give his Clowns the Liberty to droll thus heavily upon a solemn Character. This Sancho Mr. Durfey takes care to inform us is a dry shrewd Country Fellow, The reason of this Character is for the strength of it somewhat surprising.Person. Dram.[380] 'Tis because he blunders out Proverbs upon all Occasions, tho' never so far from the purpose. Now if blundring and talking nothing to the purpose, is an argument of Shrewdness; some Peoples Plays are very shrewd Performances. To proceed. Sancho complains of his being married, because it hindred him from better offers. Perez the Curate is sorry for this Misfortune. For as I remember says he 'twas my luck to give Teresa and you the Blessing. To this Sancho replies. A Plague on your Blessing! I perceive I shall have reason to wish you hang'd for your Blessing——Good finisher of Fornication, good Conjunction Copulative.p. 51.[381] For this irreverence and Profaness Perez threatens him with Excommunication. Sancho tells him, I care not, I shall lose nothing by it but a nap in the Afternoon. In his Second Part, Jodolet a Priest is call'd a Holy Cormorant, and made to dispatch half a Turkey, and a Bottle of Malaga for his Breakfast.p. 3.[382] Here one Country Girl chides another for her sawcyness. D'ee (says she) make a Pimp of a Priest? Sancho interposes with his usual shrewdness: A Pimp of a Priest, why is that such a Miracle? In the Second Scene the Poet Provides himself another Priest to abuse.p. 7.[383] Mannel the Steward calls Bernardo the Chaplain Mr. Cuff-Cushion, and tells him a Whore is a Pulpit he loves.——In settling the Characters Mannel is given out for a witty pleasant Fellow. And now you see he comes up to Expectation. To the Blind all Colours are alike, and Rudeness, and Raillery are the same thing!p. 10.[384] Afterwards, Bernardo says Grace upon the Stage; and I suppose Prays to God to bless the Entertainment of the Devil. Before they rise from Table, the Poet contrives a Quarrel between Don Quixot and Bernardo. The Priest railes on the Knight, and calls him Don Coxcomb &c. By this time you may imagine the Knight heartily Provok'd, ready to buckle on his Bason, and draw out for the Combat, Let us hear his Resentment.

Don Quix. Oh thou old black Fox with a Fire brand in thy Tail, thou very Priest: Thou Kindler of all Mischeifs in all Nations. De'e hear Homily: Did not the Reverence I bear these Nobles——I would so thrum your Cassock you Church Vermin.p. 41.[385]

At last he bids Bernardo adieu in Language too Profane and Scandalous to relate.p. 47.[386] In the Fourth Act His Song calls the Clergy Black Cattle, and says no Body now minds what they say. I could alledge more of his Courtship to the Order, but the Reader might possibly be tired, and therefore I shall proceed in the