Il Ballarino
By M. Fabritio Caroso
Of
the speeches.
Discoursed
in 2 parts;
The
first of which is to demonstrate the diversity of the names which are
given to
the acts and movements, which happen in the Balli: and with many rules
declaring how they owe to be done. In
the second are taught diverse sorts of Balli and Balletti that are used
in
Italy, as those of France and Spain.
Embellished
with many figures.
And
with the lute tablature in the sonata of each Ballo, and the voice of
the music
to the major part of this.
Work
newly mandate in the light.
To
the Most Serene Lady Bianca Cappello de Medici, Grand Duchess of
Tuscany,
With
privilege.
In
Venice
To
the Most Serene Lady Bianca Cappello De Medici, Grand Duchess of
Tuscany.
It will seem
perhaps to some person little
practiced in the honorable study of civil life, that I am dedicating to
Your
Highness the King this book, in which are taught diverse sorts of
Balletti, would
be totally a thing unworthy of merit, and of the greatness of such a
supreme
Lord. And happening that it is made to
seem powerful to impress in the common opinion my little advertisement,
putting
nonetheless in consideration the many helpful things, for to say
nothing of the
endless delights of the dance, it would be able not only to help the
opposite, but
to give it yet again to me, which those to whom I dedicate,
particularly
praise. Because of such virtuous
occupation, not only go the person well born and noble, drawing the
health and
firmness of the body, but that moreover diverse manners of honor either
towards
the majority for devotion of mind, or towards the equals for education
of
birth: and who does not know, that of the dances, as of a witty Master,
for to
learn the noble movements of the body, drawing from this as most
solemnly he
ought to be inclining himself, how gracefully turning himself, and as
with many
other gallant ways being nimble, that he may attract silently to him
the minds
of others. Those who do not value
anything to be of little worth, forsomuch as that being our soul is
made of
these measures, or of the secret harmonious numbers of which it is now
our
purpose to speak; they come to reveal themselves necessarily more, or
less
perfect, second to which more, or less measuredly moving them with
their body
as to show to the eyes of those beholding.
For so much, when today it is conceived of education not done
which is
most needy in the civil life, they would dare to day, not to have the
strength
to be other difference between the breeding in the City, and between
the clear
families, from those which in the city, and between the animals
dwelling,
except in the surfaces of the rough wool, or in the delicacy of the silk, and of the
gold.
And Your Most Serene Highness, as that one which
was born in one of the most famous and excellent Cities,
not only of <>Europe
but of all the inhabitable world, that is Venice, and as one descended
from the
most bright family Cappelli, and as raised from that proper merit to
that Crown
which is to be yours and earnestly wished and sometimes envied from the
daughters of Kings, and of the Emperors, will be able not only to
render
testimony of what I say, but to give it moreover definitive sentence:
Go beyond
those Dances which were done anciently to honor Mars, and were for this
end introduced by those priests of ancient Rome, the which dancing to
the sound
of pipers, singing some praises, and impressed of this God. Nor are done here before whatever
licentiousness, remembering someone unworthy of this other ancient
Roman Dance:
since that whereas they are accustomed of the good actions of this
World, is
not the virtue which may be in this place brightly shining. And if Diana stands, not without secret and
religious mystery, not having let them go to exercise themselves with
her
Nymphs, sometimes dancing with the Graces; by which cause, dancing
also, are we
not able to celebrate the many glories of Your Most Serene Highness,
and to
offer this as in sacrifice, this my first labor?
The which I offer then and dedicate, which they are, with which
most humble reverence, that her grandness and my lowness may come
together. May it be pleasing now to
Your Highness to accept this, if not for another, at least for the
grandness of
such a most serene and most illustrious lady, and lord, which in this
book are
named; in memory of the which, I name dances that are pledged from me,
and from
others with extreme labor of mind found again.
Which I with the wish of Our Lord God to her, and to the Most
Serene Lord
Grand Duke her consort for long life and eternal happiness, rest
kissing humbly
the hands.
From
Venice, 10/16/1581.
Of
Your Most Serene Highness
Your
Most Humble and Most Devoted Servant
Fabritio
Caroso da Sermoneta
To the Most Serene Lady
The Lady Bianca Cappello DeMedici,
Grand Duchess of Tuscany
O
Bianca, from whence all is made white, excellent, and gilded
Of
Adria and Florence, not merely the ample hemisphere;
And
of the one, and of the other the wealthy Empire:
But
that as much as the sun turns, shines and colors.
This
book to you is holy, and with yet again
This
rhyme, and my pure and sincere heart,
My
ardent wish, my steadfast thought,
And
this which is in me, to you inclines and adores.
Nymphs
and shrill swans, to your beautiful Dawn
Pray
to their god which at Arno, the clarity whence
The
sacred liquor of Hippocrene poetry;
Wherefore
with clear voices, high and profound,
Singing
ever always in rhyme excellent and polished
The
Dawn, which is of the Dawn the beautiful light in dawn.
Original rhyme scheme - ABBA/ABBA/CDEDEC
To The Same
Most
Serene Lady Grand Duchess.
If
of Apollo I do not have the high power
Of
placing your in the Sky, nor in the most worthy sphere,
Which
merits your illustrious, excellent and proud
Rare
beauty, which each other increases:
Taking
me from the desire to trust hope,
My
message sounds with worthy spirits to troop,
Under
such a clear and immortal Warrioress;
For
to illustrate each of my Ballo, and dance.
Of
white lilies and pure violets
Have
I gathered a border and I wish to consecrate them
Of
your beauty to the golden world.
Nor
of me do I overmuch dare to point my sorrow;
Which
I thus make little light, illuminating the sun:
Which
illustrates to you the work and the folio.
Original rhyme scheme - ABBA/ABBA/CDCDCD
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