not so unperfect, as their working indiscreete: not waying, so the people laugh, though they laugh them (for theyr folleys) to scorne: Manye tymes (to make mirthe) they make a Clowne companion with a Kinge: in theyr grave Counsels, they allow the advise of fooles: yea they use one order of speach for all persones: a grose Indecorum, for a Crowe wyll yll counterfet the Nightingales sweete voice: even so, affected Speeche doth misbecome a Clowne. For to work a Commedie kindly, grave olde men should instruct: yonge men should showe the imperfections of youth: Strumpets should be lascivious: Boyes unhappy: and Clownes should be disorderly: entermingling all these actions, in suche sorte, as the grave matter may instruct, and the pleasant delight: for without this chaunge, the attention would be small, and the likinge, lesse. But leave I this rehearsall, of the use, and abuse of Commedies: least that I check that in others, which I cannot amend in my selfe. But this I am assured, what actions so ever passeth in this History, either merry, or morneful: grave or lascivious; the conclusion showes the confusion of Vice, and cherishing of Vertue. . . .
xx. 1579. T. F.
[From Newes from the North. Otherwise called a Conference between
Simon Certen and Pierce Plowman. Faithfully collected and gathered by
T. F. Student (1579, 1585), F_{4}, quoted from 1585 ed. in Stubbes, 299.
There seems to be no justification for Collier's identification of T. F. with
Francis Thynne.]
I call to witnesse the Theaters, Curtines, Heauing houses, Rifling
boothes, Bowling alleyes, and such places, where the time is so shamefully
mispent, namely the Sabaoth daies, vnto the great dishonor of
God, and the corruption and vtter distruction of youth.
xxi. 1579. Thomas Twyne.
[From Physic against Fortune (1579), i. 30. This is a translation from
Petrarch's De remediis utriusque Fortunae; but Twyne has adapted the
wording to bring in the names of the London theatres.]
Joy. I am delighted with sundrie Shewes.
Reason. Perhaps with the Curteine or Theater: which two places are well knowen to be enimies to good manners: for looke who goeth thyther evyl, returneth worse. For that iourney is unknowen to the good, whiche yf any undertake uppon ignoraunce, he cannot choose but be defyled.
