much new ſatten is there dambd by being ſmothered to death in darkneſſe. But on the very ruſhes where the commedy is to daunce, yea and under the ſtate of Cambiſes himſelfe muſt our feather’d eſtridge, like a piece of ordnance be planted valiantly (becauſe impudently) beating downe the mewes and hiſſes of the oppoſed raſcality.
For do but caſt up a reckoning, what large cummings in are purs’d up by fitting on the ſtage. Firſt a conſpicuous eminence is gotten, by which meanes the beſt and moſt eſſenciall parts of a gallant (good cloathes, a proportionable legge, white hand, the Perſian locke, and a tollerable beard,) are perfectly revealed.
By ſitting on the ſtage you have a ſign’d pattent to engroſſe the whole commodity of cenſure; may lawfully preſume to be a girder; and ſtand at the helme to ſteere the paſſage of ſcænes, yet no man ſhall once offer to hinder you from obtaining the title of an inſolent over-weening coxcombe.
By ſitting on the ſtage, you may (without trauelling for it) at the very next doore, aſke whoſe play it is; and by that queſt of inquiry, the law warrants you to avoid much miſtaking: if you know not the author, you may raile againſt him; and peradventure ſo behave yourſelfe, that you may enforce the author to know vou.
By ſitting on the ſtage, if you be a knight, you may happily get you a miſtreſſe: if a meere Fleet-ſtreet gentleman, a wife: but aſſure yourſelfe by continuall reſidence, you are the firſt and principall man in election to begin the number of We three.
By ſpreading your body on the ſtage, and by being a juſtice in examining of plaies, you ſhall put yourſelfe into ſuch a true ſcænical authority, that ſome poet ſhall not dare to preſent his muſe rudely before your eyes, without having firſt unmaſkt her, rifled her, and diſcovered all her bare and moſt myſtical parts before you at a taverne, when you moſt knightly, ſhal for his paines, pay for both their ſuppers.
By ſitting on the ſtage, you may (with ſmall coſt) purchaſe the deere acquaintance of the boyes: have a good ſtoole for ſixpence: at any time know what particular part any of the infants preſent: get your match lighted, examine the play-ſuits’ lace, and perhaps win wagers upon laying ’tis copper, &c. And to conclude, whether you be a foole or a juſtice of peace, a cuckold or a capten, a lord maior’s ſonne
