A Short View of the Immorality, and Profaneness of the English Stage / Together with the Sense of Antiquity on this Argument

by Jeremy Collier

And afterwards relating the imperfect beginning of Plays at the Rape of the Sabine Virgins, he adds,

Silicit exillo solennia more Theatra

Nunc quoque formosis insidiosa manent.

This Author some time after wrote the Remedy of Love. Here he pretends to Prescribe for Prudence, if not for Sobriety. And to this purpose, He forbids the seeing of Plays, and the reading of Poets, especially some of them. Such Recreations being apt to feed the Distemper, and make the Patient relapse.

At tanti tibi sit non indulgere Theatris

Dum bene de cacuo Pectore cedat amor.

Enervant animos Citharæ, Cantusque, lyraque

Et vox, & numeris brachia mota suis.

Illic assidue ficti saltantur amantes,

Quid, caveas, actor, quid juvet, arte docet.Remed. Amor.^[451]