_Pudet dicere hac præsente verbum turpe._[33]
The Slaves in this Comedian are kept in order and civilly bred. They Guard and Fence when occasion requires, and step handsomly over a dirty place.[34] The Poet did not think Littleness and low Education a good Excuse for Ribaldry. He knew Infection at the weakest, might seize on some Constitutions: Besides, the Audience was a Superior Presence, and ought to be considered. For how Negligent soever People may be at Home, yet when they come before their Betters 'tis Manners to look wholsom.
Now tho' _Plautus_ might have the richer Invention; _Terence_ was always thought the more judicious Comedian. His Raillery is not only finer, and his stile better polish'd; but his _Characters_ are more just, and he seems to have reach'd farther into Life than the other. To take Leave of this Author, even his Strumpets are better behaved than our honest Women, than our Women of Quality of the English _Stage_. _Bacchis_ in _Heautontimoroumenos_ and _Bacchis_ in _Hecyra_, may serve for example. They are both modest, and converse not unbecoming their Sex. _Thais_ the most accomplish'd in her way,[35] has a great deal of Spirit and wheadling in her Character, but talks no Smut.
Thus we see with what Caution and Sobriety of Language _Terence_ manages. 'Tis possible this Conduct might be his own Modesty, and result from judgment and Inclination. But however his Fancy stood, he was sensible the Coarse way would not do. The _Stage_ was then under Discipline, the publick _Censors_ formidable, and the Office of the _Choragus_ was originally to prevent the Excesses of Liberty.
To this we may add the _Nobless_ had no Relish for Obscenity; 'twas the ready way to Disoblige them.[36] And therefore 'tis _Horaces_ Rule.
_Nec immunda crepent ignominiosaque dicta. Offenduntur enim quibus est Equus & Pater, & res._[37]
The Old _Romans_ were particularly carefull their Women might not be affronted in Conversation: For this reason the Unmarried kept off from Entertainments for fear of learning new Language.[38] And in _Greece_ no Woman above the degree of a _Slave_ was treated abroad by any but Relations.[39] 'Tis probable the old Comedy was silenced at _Athens_ upon this Score, as well as for Defamation. For as _Aristotle_[40] observes the new Set of Comedians were much more modest than the former. In this celebrated Republick, if the _Poets_ wrote any thing against Religion or Good Manners, They were tryed for their Misbehaviour, and lyable to the highest Forfeitures.[41]