To The Readers

To the Readers:

To the keeping of this our life are as much necessary the honest pleasures, and the recreations of the mind, as much as these the displeasures and working are mischievous. Whereby for to remove from us such opposites, are stood to minister to the harmonies, the games, and the other delightful and merry deeds, between the which are the placed the uses of the dance, a part of not less pleasure, honor, and esteem of others; now that in the conversations, and humane society provoking the mind to mirth: And when those are found oppressed from some disturbance, the sustenance and comfort, and the having far from each noisome and displeasing thought. Not such quality and of little ornament; since that is combined with the Poetry, and with the music, it has power between many other worthy things: and is part of that imitation, which represents the effects of the mind with movement of the body; beyond which is necessary in such manner to noble persons, which when she lacks, is attributed to an imperfection, and notable blame. It is done also in the dancing to acquire many things laudable and honored, which do not come in consequence: because it is practicing the force of the body, and it renders the man agile, and nimble, and they learn an acceptable manner in receiving, and rendering courtesy and honor, and all the bearings, which occur in the education, and compliments; and in the whole adjoined grace, beauty, and decorum learned in the regarding. And if the excellence and dignity of the things that are judged of the esteem in which they are, or would be stood, there is no doubt, that not moreover today begins this exercise to be in account, because it was esteemed, and used after of the ancients, the which not only were not serving nor in entertainments comic and tragic, or public festivals, but also in the deeds of their Religion, and in giving honor to their God; whence were decreeing the Roman priests in representing the effects of the mind. And to these our times each one is in as much worth be it beside of the lords, and Knights. Now I have already consummated 27 years in this profession, and considering, which the reducing the dance under determined rules, and to assign the variety of dances, might be said a great thing to any one person, which of this were desirable, I am working to put in light the present volume most quickly for the pleasure, and service of those, which for desire I had me of following us some glory. Enjoying this now, and not wishing those spirits most noble, to which shall be most to desire, which I from them will not be able to receive greater contentment, which will listen this of my labor having some good instruction, and delightful recreation retiring: Therefore with to desire which each noble and illustrious mind is not made owner, the remainder entreating of Our Lord God each content.

Sonnet In Praise of the Author
By Sir Quintilio Romoli.

You who guides with steps now quick, now slow
In noble dance gracious lady, and beautiful,
Whilst the turns in this part, and in that,
Done which the man now hopes, and now dreads;
Now the steady courtesy, and now contents,
Which way would not put there the one, and the other star
Almost in flight, bringing collected in her
Acts of scorn and a thousand ardent arrows.
Love here suddenly runs, and in the newly affected
Between hope and fear the soul of man secures,
It is which each motion observes, and are not part.
Here devises deceits, and of here the time steals,
Whilst which the dance you render perfect,
And done, which yields it to Nature to the Art.

Original rhyme scheme - ABBA/ABBA/CDEDCE

To the same.
From Sir Marco Sofronio.

First Fabritio would behold the ocean dry,
Without grass the meadows, and the fields; First
It will bathe of this each high top of the hills
Wasted with your waters most sweet, and Clear;
Whose gifts we ever prize, and rare
Of your beautiful spirit envy suppress;
Oh with your strong and venomous mire
It would render to the world less graceful, and precious.
Buried was education, and the true art
Of honoring with courteous reverence
In the Dance, whether each one goes in a troupe.
Of greeting, of requesting then license
The labor well demonstrates the manner, and how it changes
Lady bows, and stands as she ought in the presence.

Original rhyme scheme - ABBA/ABBA/CDCDCD

To the same.
From Sir Francesco Guglia.

Between so many Masters of dance prized
Such to you we demonstrate of sublime virtue,
Which to you is given the first high praises
Of spirits advancing to everlasting fame.
Blessed, which with new, rare, and courteous
Beautiful dances, and amorous rhymes
You gather hold to you the most high peaks,
Scorning the Times, the Fortunes, and the Fates.
Well is able your country Speech,
Of the mortal brightness the song were listening,
Raising them to the pair of each mortal strength:
As much raising them as each now is due, and most fortunate
Showing them by Fabritio high, and worthy
The harmony down from the highest spheres.

Original rhyme scheme - ABBA/ABBA/CDECDE

To the Same.
From Sir Vincenzo Mucci.

New Orpheus, who with sweet accents
Does to move the height of your wit you gave,
Whilst you guide them in those parts, and in these
Of love, of grace you fill the Italian people.
Love wounds each hour the earnest men
To the rare dances, to them you feast:
Talia, Frosina, and Egle [proper names – muses?], and nimble, and quick
Jumping turning those fair ardent shining.
From you they learn a beautiful walk, a turn
Charged with love, a solemn step, a look
To render gentle each most rough fierce beast,
By you the most illustrious dances issue to the World,
And all the deeds, whence each base man strong
Makes himself, and your virtue so much raises.

Original rhyme scheme - ABBA/ABBA/CDECDE

To the Same.

If your proud fashion, which learns the wings
Sheds from the West to the elite East
Your great prayers, and the valor which is between us
Already not ever mortals scatter deceits.
Were luring; It is flown to the high thrones,
Although your art of sweet speech
Nor spirits most gentle discern it then,
As jewels in a ring, or gold in cloth.
Behold to jump the most beautiful Nymphs
Behold them, mercy moreover of your art,
Nor royal palaces, and illustrious houses.
Made by you joyous each hour the sacred silver streaming springs
Of the noble Tebro in this, and in that part,
The nights, the days, the months, and the years, and the 5-years?

Original rhyme scheme - ABBA/ABBA/CDECDE

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