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And in one Scene no more than three should speak.
A Chorus should supply what Action wants,
And hath a generous and manly part;
Bridles wild rage, loves Rigid honesty,
And strict Observance of impartial Laws,
Sobriety, security and peace,
And begs the Gods to turn blind fortunes Wheel,
To raise the Wretched, and pull down the Proud.
(But nothing must be Sung between the Acts
But what some way conduces to the Plot.)
First the shrill sound of a small rural Pipe,
(Not loud like Trumpets, nor adorn'd as now)
Was entertainment for the Infant Stage.
And pleas'd the thin and bashfull Audience,
Of our well meaning frugal Ancestors.
But when our Walls and limits were enlarg'd,
And Men (grown wanton by prosperity)
A Chorus should supply what Action wants,
And hath a generous and manly part;
Bridles wild rage, loves Rigid honesty,
And strict Observance of impartial Laws,
Sobriety, security and peace,
And begs the Gods to turn blind fortunes Wheel,
To raise the Wretched, and pull down the Proud.
(But nothing must be Sung between the Acts
But what some way conduces to the Plot.)
First the shrill sound of a small rural Pipe,
(Not loud like Trumpets, nor adorn'd as now)
Was entertainment for the Infant Stage.
And pleas'd the thin and bashfull Audience,
Of our well meaning frugal Ancestors.
But when our Walls and limits were enlarg'd,
And Men (grown wanton by prosperity)
Studied
