The Old Romans were particularly carefull their Women might not be affronted in Conversation: For this reason the Unmarried kept off from Entertainments for fear of learning new Language.Var. apud. Nonium.
Corn. Nep.
Arist. Lib. 4. de Mor. cap. 14.
Vit. Eurip. ed Cantab. 1694.[38] And in Greece no Woman above the degree of a Slave was treated abroad by any but Relations.[39] 'Tis probable the old Comedy was silenced at Athens upon this Score, as well as for Defamation. For as Aristotle[40] observes the new Set of Comedians were much more modest than the former. In this celebrated Republick, if the Poets wrote any thing against Religion or Good Manners, They were tryed for their Misbehaviour, and lyable to the highest Forfeitures.[41]

It may not be amiss to observe that there are no Instances of debauching Married Women, in Plautus, nor Terence, no nor yet in Aristophanes. But on our Stage how common is it to make a Lord, a Knight, or an Alderman a Cuckold? The Schemes of Success are beaten out with great Variety, and almost drawn up into a Science. How many Snares are laid for the undermining of Virtue, and with what Triumph is the Victory proclaim'd? The Finess of the Plot, and the Life of the Entertainment often lies in these Contrivances. But the Romans had a different sence of these Matters, and saw thro' the consequences of them. The Government was awake upon the Theatre, and would not suffer the Abuses of Honour, and Family, to pass into Diversion. And before we part with these Comedians we may take notice that there are no Smutty Songs in their Plays; in which the English are extreamly Scandalous.Love for Love.
Love Triump. &c.[42] Now to work up their Lewdness with Verse, and Musick, doubles the Force of the Mischief. It makes it more portable and at Hand, and drives it Stronger upon Fancy and Practice.

To dispatch the Latins all together. Seneca is clean throughout the Piece, and stands generally off from the point of Love. He has no Courting unless in his Hercules Furens;p. 14. Ed. Scriv.[43] And here the Tyrant Lycus addresses Megara very briefly, and in Modest and remote Language. In his Thebais, Oedipus's Incest is reported at large, but without any choaking Description. 'Tis granted Phædra speaks her Passion plainly out, and owns the strength of the Impression, and is far less prudent than in Euripides.Hippol.[44] But tho' her Thoughts appear too freely, her Language is under Discipline.

Let us now Travel from Italy into Greece, and take a view of the Theatre at Athens. In this City the Stage had both its beginning and highest Improvement. Æschylus was the first who appear'd with any Reputation. His Genius seems noble, and his Mind generous, willing to transfuse it self into the Audience, and inspire them with a Spirit of Bravery. To this purpose his Stile is Pompous, Martial, and Enterprizing. There is Drum and Trumpet in his Verse. 'Tis apt to excite an Heroick Ardour, to awaken, warm, and push forward to Action. But his Mettal is not always under Management. His Inclination for the Sublime; carrys him too far: He is sometimes Embarrass'd with Epithites. His Metaphors are too stiff, and far fetch'd; and he rises rather in Sound, than in Sence. However generally speaking, his Materials are both shining and solid, and his Thoughts lofty, and uncommon. This Tragedian had always a nice regard to Good Manners. He knew corrupting the People was the greatest disservice to the Commonwealth; And that Publick Ruine was the effect of general Debauchery. For this reason he declines the Business of Amours, and declares expresly against it.Aristoph. Ran.[45] Now here we can't expect any length of Testimony. His aversion to the subject makes him touch very sparingly upon it. But in this case there is no need of much citation. His very Omissions are Arguments, and his Evidence is the stronger for being short. That little I meet with shall be produced.

1st. Orestes was obliged by the Oracle to revenge his Fathers Death in the Murther of his Mother.Χοηφορ. 253, Ed. Steph.
Orest. 48. Ed. Cantab.
Ευμεν. 305.[46] When he was going to kill her, he Mentions her Cruelty, but waves her Adultery. Euripides approv'd this Reservedness and makes his Electra practise it upon the same occasion.[47] Æschylus in his next Play complements his Country with a great deal of Address in the Persons of the Eumenides.[48] They are very Gentile and Poetical in their Civilities: Among other things They wish the Virgins may all Marry and make the Country Populous: Here the Poet do's but just glance upon the Subject of Love; and yet he governs the Expression with such care, that the wishes contain a Hint to Sobriety, and carry a Face of Virtue along with them.

The Double Dealer runs Riot upon such an Occasion as this; and gives Lord Touchwood a mixture of Smut and Pedantry to conclude with,p. 79.[49] and yet this Lord was one of his best Characters: But Poets are now grown Absolute within themselves, and may put Sence and Quality upon what Drudgeries they please. To return. Danaus cautions his Daughters very handsomly in point of Behaviour. They were in a strange Country, and had Poverty and Dependance to struggle with: These were circumstances of Danger, and might make him the more pressing. He leaves therefore a solemn Charge with them for their Security, bids them never to subsist upon Infamy, but to prefer their Virtue to their Life.

Μόνον φύλαξαι τάς δ' ἐπιστολὰς πατρὸςἹκέτ. 340.[50]

Τὸ σωφρονεῖν τιμῶσα του βίου πλέον.

Our Poets I suppose would call this Preaching, and think it a dull Business. However I can't forbear saying an honest Heathen is none of the worst Men: A very indifferent Religion well Believed, will go a great way.

To proceed. Sophocles appear'd next upon the Stage, and was in earnest an Extraordinary Person. His Conduct is more Artificial, and his Stile more just, than that of Æschylus. His Characters are well drawn, and Uniform with themselves: His Incidents, are often surprising, and his Plots unprecipitated. There is nothing but what is Great, and Solemn Throughout. The Reasoning is well Coloured. The Figures are sometimes Bold, but not Extravagant. There are no Flights of Bombast, no Towring above Nature and Possibility: In short, Nothing like Don Sebastians Reigning in his Atomes.Don Sebast. p. 12.[51]