I shall now go on to enquire what the Greek _Tragedians_ will afford us upon the present Subject. There are but two _Plays_ in _Æschylus_ where the _Ministers_ of the Gods are represented. The one is in his _Eumenides_, and here _Apollo_'s _Priestess_ only opens the _Play_ and appears no more. The other is in his _Seige_ of _Thebes_. In this Tragedy the _Prophet Amphiaraus_ is one of the Seven Commanders against the _Town_. He has the Character of a Modest, Brave Officer, and of one who rather affected to be great in Action, than Noise.
In _Sophocle_'s _Oedipus Tyrannus_, _Jupiter's Priest_ has a short part. He appears at the Head of an _Address_, and delivers the Harangue by the King's Order. _Oedipus_ in his Passion treats _Tiresias_ ruggedly;[250] _Tiresias_ replies with Spirit and Freedom; and plainly tell him he was none of his _Servant_ but _Apollo_'s.
[Greek: Ou gar ti soi zô doulos alla loxia][251]
And here we may observe that all _Oedipus_ his reproaches relate to _Tiresias_'s person, there is no such Thing as a general Imputation upon his Function: But the _English Oedipus_ makes the _Priesthood_ an Imposturous Profession;[252] and rails at the whole _Order_. In the next Tragedy, _Creon_ charges _Tiresias_ with subornation; and that he intended to make a Penny of his Prince. The _Priest_ holds up his Character, speaks to the ill Usage with an Air of Gravity, calls the King _Son_, and foretells him his Misfortune.[253]
To go on to _Euripides_, for _Sophocles_ has nothing more. This Poet in his _Phænissæ_ brings in _Tiresias_ with a very unacceptable report from the _Oracle_. He tells _Creon_ that either his Son must die, or the City be lost. _Creon_ keeps himself within Temper, and gives no ill Language. And even when _Moenecius_ had kill'd himself, he neither complains of the Gods, nor reproaches the _Prophet_.[254]
In his _Bacchæ_, _Tiresias_ is honourably used by _Cadmus_; And _Pentheus_ who threatned him, is afterwards punish'd for his Impiety.[255] In another _Play_ _Apollo_'s _Priestess_ comes in upon a creditable account, and is respectfully treated.[256] _Iphigenia_ _Agamemnon_'s Daughter is made _Priestess_ to _Diana_; and her Father thought himself happy in her Employment.[257] These are all the _Priests_ I remember represented in _Euripides_. To conclude the antient _Tragedians_ together: _Seneca_ seems to follow the Conduct of _Euripides_, and secures _Tiresias_ from being outraged. _Oedipus_ carries it smoothly with him and only desires him to out with the Oracle, and declare the Guilty Person. This _Tiresias_ excuses, and afterwards the Heat of the expostulation falls upon _Creon_.[258] _Calchas_ if not strictly a _Priest_, was an _Augur_, and had a Religious Relation. Upon this account _Agamemnon_ calls him _interpres Deorum_; The Reporter of Fate, and the God's _Nuntio_; And gives him an honourable Character.[259]
