_2ly._ The _Men_ who talk intemperately are generally _Slaves_; I believe _Dordalus_[20] the Pandar, and _Lusiteles_[21] will be found the only exception: And this latter young Gentleman; drops but one over airy expression: And for this Freedom, the Poet seems to make him give Satisfaction in the rest of his Character. He disputes very handsomly by himself against irregular Love; The Discourse between him and _Philto_ is instructive and well managed.[22] And afterwards he gives _Lesbonicus_ a great deal of sober advice,[23] and declaims heartily against Luxury and Lewdness! Now by confining his Rudeness to little People, the Fault is much extenuated. For First, the representation is more Naturally this way; And which is still better, 'tis not so likely to pass into Imitation: Slaves and Clowns are not big enough to spread Infection; and set up an ill Fashion. 'Tis possible the _Poet_ might contrive these _Pesants Offensive_ to discountenance the Practise. Thus the _Heilots_ in _Sparta_ were made drunk to keep Intemperance out of Credit. I don't mention this as if I approv'd the Expedient, but only to show it a circumstance of Mitigation and Excuse.
Farther, These _Slaves_ and Pandars, Seldom run over, and play their Gambols before Women. There are but Four Instances of this Kind as I remember, _Olympio_,[24] _Palæstrio_,[25] _Dordalus_,[26] and _Stratilax_[27] are the Persons. And the Women they discourse with, are two of them Slaves, and the third a Wench. But with our _Dramatists_, the case is otherwise. With us _Smuttiness_ is absolute and unconfin'd. 'Tis under no restraint, of Company, nor has any regard to Quality or Sex. Gentlemen talk it to Ladies, and Ladies to Gentlemen with all the Freedom, and Frequency imaginable. This is in earnest to be very hearty in the cause! To give Title and Figure to Ill Manners is the utmost that can be done. If Lewdness will not thrive under such encouragement it must e'en Miscarry!
_4ly._ _Plautus_ his _Prologues_ and _Epilogues_ are inoffensive. 'Tis true, _Lambinus_ pretends to fetch a double _entendre_ out of that to _Poenulus_, but I think there is a Strain in the Construction. His _Prologue_ to the _Captivi_ is worth the observing.