Of
the manner of wearing the cloak, and the sword.
The
man dancing the Balletti gravi will wear the cloak, and the sword in
the manner
which is demonstrated in the design of the Balletto of the Bellezze
d'
Olimpia: and dancing Cascarde, or
Gagliarda, they will carry that as is demonstrated in the design of the
Cascarda Alta
Regina: keeping it as most it will please him either under the
right arm or under the left; which one does not matter much: neither
dance
without this ever, because it makes a most brutish sight.
Dancing gagliarda, and finding the sword, he
shall hold that with the left hand, such that he would not let it go
wandering:
and finding it again in the Ballo to have little field, keeping it with
the
hand, it will return some with the point towards the forward part, such
that it
not offend the bystanders.
Warning
to the Ladies.
The
woman dancing, in the withdrawing, she will not
ever raise her hands to the train, or either drag the gown, because
this makes
a most brutish sight, except if she were not finding it in place as
much
straight, which would not have be able to do of less: but giving it
grace in
the dancing with the first step which is withdrawn, and wantonizing
with the
body, gliding it some with the gathers which will carry under the
stated gown, will do the same effect enough most gracefully, than in
the other
manner stated. When then it shall come
to permit, it behooves that she is reduced with the back to the
straight of her seat
about half an arm’s length distant, whether doing the Riverenza to the
man with
whom she will have danced, before which she is put to sit; will salute
with the head the lady which will stand to the right hand: and in the
settling she will
not raise with the hands the train of the gown, but with the body would
do a glide to the left part, which with such effect shall come to put
it under
the seat: then approaching it, she will
settle in the middle of the seat; therefore if it were pulled back, the
folds
would raise the gown as much forward, that the body which would
stand facing,
showing until the middle of the legs: but standing her, as was stated,
seated
in the middle of the seat, the gown shall come to remain even with the
ground,
nor will it show yet moreover in this manner the slippers: the which
manner of
standing will make a most graceful sight: after, which she will be
seated,
turning to the left with her head, will salute the other lady which
will stand
to the near part. With the which
conclusion, I do not wish to rest of warning, that all the importance
of
dancing well consists (besides the grace, and agility which is owed to
possess) in the standing attending with the ears to the sound, as that
which is
the instrument of the dance; and to dance in the time, and measure of
that.
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