_Terence_ appear'd when Breeding was more exact, and the _Town_ better polish'd; And he manages accordingly: He has[30] but one faulty bordering Expression, which is that of _Chremes_ to _Clitipho_. This single Sentence apart, the rest of his Book is (I think) unsullied and fit for the nicest Conversation. I mean only in referrence to the Argument in Hand, for there are things in Him, which I have no intention to warrant. He is Extreamly careful in the Behaviour of his Women. Neither _Glycerium_ in _Andria_, _Pamphila_ in _Eunuchus_, or _Pamphila_ in _Adelphi_, _Phanium_ in _Phormio_, or _Philumena_ in _Hecyra_, have any share of Conversation upon the _Stage_. such Freedom was then thought too much for the Reservedness of a Maiden-Character. 'Tis true in _Heautontimoroumenos_ the _Poets_ Plot obliged _Antiphila_, to go under the Disguise of _Bacchis_ her Maid. Upon this Occasion they hold a little Discourse together. But then _Bacchis_ tho' she was a Woman of the _Town_, behaves her self with all the Decency imaginable. She does not talk in the Language of her Profession. But commends _Antiphila_ for her Virtue: _Antiphila_ only says how constant she has been to _Chinia_, seems surprised at his Arrival, and salutes him civilly upon't, and we hear no more from her. Mr. _Dryden_ seems to refer to this Conduct in his Dramatick _Poesie_. He censures the _Romans_ for making _Mutes_ of their single Women. This He calls the _Breeding of the Old_ Elizabeth _way, which was for Maids to be seen and not to be heard_. Under Favour the old Discipline would be very serviceable upon the _Stage_. As matters go, the _Mutes_ are much to few. For certainly 'tis better to say nothing, than talk out of Character, and to ill purpose.
To return. The Virgin injured by _Chærea_ does nothing but weep, and won't so much as speak her misfortune to the Women.[31] But Comedy is strangly improved since that time; For _Dalinda_[32] has a great deal more Courage, tho' the loss of her Virtue was her own Fault.
But _Terence_ has that regard for Women, that he won't so much as touch upon an ill Subject before them. Thus _Chremes_ was ashamed to mention any thing about his Sons Lewdness when his Wife was present.