Jonson, Ben · published 1631 · first performed or written 1614 [Oct 31] (Annals) comedy · Lady Elizabeth's Men T9 Theatre talk: prologues, poets and playe typicality 0.81 · 392 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T9: play, stage, poet, prologue, author, wit, plays, muse, scene, players.
It is also agreed, that every man here, exercise his own judgement, and not censure by Contagion, or upon trust, from another's voice, or face, that sits by him, be he never so first, in the Commission of Wit: As also, that he be fixed and settled in his censure, that what he approves, or not approves to day, he will do the same to morrow, and if to morrow, the next day, and so the next week (if need be:) and not to be brought about by any that sits on the Bench with him, though they indite, and arraign Plays daily. He that will swear, Ieronimo, or Andronicus are the best plays, yet, shall pass unexcepted at, here, as a man whose judgement shows it is constant, and hath stood still, these five and twenty, or thirty years. Though it be an Ignorance, it is a virtuous and stayed ignorance; and next to truth, a confirmed error does well; such a one the Author knows where to find him. It is further covenanted, concluded and agreed, that how great soever the expectation be, no person here, is to expect more than he knows, or better ware than a Fair will afford: neither to look back to the sword and buckler-age of Smithfield, but content himself with the present. In stead of a little Davy, to take toll o'the Bawds, the Author doth promise' a strutting Horse-courser, with a leerc-Drunkard, two or three to attend him, in as good Equipage as you would wish. And than for Kind-heart, the Tooth-drawer, a fine oily Pig-woman with her Tapster, to bid you welcome, and a consort of Roarers for music. A wise justice of Peace meditant, in stead of a juggler, with an Ape. A civil Cutpurse searchant. A sweet Singer of new Ballads allurant: and as fresh an Hypocrite, as ever was broached rampant. If there be never a Servant-monster i'the Fair; who can help it? he sayes; nor a nest of Antiques? He is loath to make Nature afraid in his Plays, like those that be get Tales, Tempests, and such like Drolleries, to mix his head with other men's heels; let the concupiscence of jigs and Dances, reign as strong as it will amongst you: yet if the Puppets will please any body, they shall be entreated to come in.
seed 43: T16 · seed 44: T15 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
It is alſo agreed, that euery man heere, exerciſe his owne Iudgement, and not cenſure by Contagion, or vpon trust, from anothers voice, or face, that ſits by him, be he neuer ſo firſt, in the Commiſsion of Wit: As alſo, that hee bee fixt and ſettled in his cenſure, that what hee approues, or not approues to day, hee will doe the ſame to morrow, and if to morrow, the next day, and ſo the next weeke (if neede be:) and not to be brought about by any that ſits on the Bench with him, though they indite, and arraigne Playes daily. Hee that will ſweare, Ieronimo, or Andronicus are the beſt playes, yet, ſhall paſſe vnexcepted at, heere, as a man whoſe Iudgement ſhewes it is conſtant, and hath ſtood ſtill, theſe fiue and twentie, or thirtie yeeres. Though it be an Ignorance, it is a vertuous and ſtay'd ignorance; and next to truth, a confirm'd errour does well; ſuch a one the Author knowes where to finde him. It is further couenanted, concluded and agreed, that how great ſoeuer the expectation bee, no perſon here, is to expect more then hee knowes, or better ware then a Fayre will affoord: neyther to looke backe to the ſword and buckler-age of Smithfield, but content himſelfe with the preſent. In ſtead of a little Dauy, to take toll o'the Bawds, the Author doth promiſe a ſtrutting Horſe-courſer, with a leerc-Drunkard, two or three to attend him, in as good Equipage as you would wiſh. And then for Kinde-heart, the Tooth-drawer, a fine oyly Pig-woman with her Tapſter, to bid you welcome, and a conſort of Roarers for muſique. A wiſe Iuſtice of Peace meditant, in ſtead of a Iugler, with an Ape. A ciuill Cutpurſe ſearchant. A ſweete Singer of new Ballads allurant: and as freſh an Hypocrite, as euer was broach'd rampant. If there bee neuer a Seruant-monſter i'the Fayre; who can helpe it? he fayes; nor a neſt of Antiques? Hee is loth to make Nature afraid in his Playes, like thoſe that be get Tales, Tempeſts, and ſuch like Drolleries, to mixe his head with other mens heeles; let the concupiſence of Iigges and Dances, raigne as ſtrong as it will amongſt you: yet if the Puppets will pleaſe any body, they ſhall be entreated to come in.