To the Most Serene Lady
The Lady Leonora d'Austria Gonzaga
Duchess of Mantoua

To you has given, o great Leonora, God great gift,
As much as Fortune ever you overcome,
Although Goddess of rich jewels and dear
Is contained among men base and uncouth,
And which your goodness among the wise is not noted;
But You which our world gilds,
Thou art of clear praised and honored
Raising over the Heavenly Wheels.
From thence you turn the axle to the fair labors
Of study, and over the shining stars
Raised those which You wish: and thence
Showing to the world Your eternal honors
With gems, and pearls enough more rich and beautiful,
Which not lady Luck, and have the Indies.

Original rhyme scheme - ABBA/ABBA/CDECDE

Austria Gonzaga (Southern Gonzaga)
Balletto;

In Praise of the Most Serene Lady
Duchess of Mantoua

The man in this Balletto has to take the lady by the ordinary hand, that is by the left, as is had in the picture, doing together the Riverenza minima, with 2 Continenze, then walking, they have to do 4 Seguiti ordinarii; with bending the knees some in the end of the final Seguito, in the manner of meza Riverenza; and letting go the hand in that instant, they have to do 2 Seguiti turned to the left hand; with another Seguito forward with 3 Trabuchetti facing, and 2 Puntate, the one forward, and the other back, and the Riverenza grave together.

In the second time the man alone has then to do 2 Seguiti flanked back with 2 Passi gravi flanked, and other 2 presti forward similarly flanked, and 1 Trabuchetto with the left flank inward to feet even on point of feet gracefully, starting it with the left foot.  The same he has to do another turn starting it with the right foot.  After together are turned 2 Seguiti to the left, scurrying another, with touching the right hand, and doing Riverenza minima with the right foot.  The same is done turning to the right hand, starting the 2 Seguiti with the right foot, but then doing the Riverenza minima with the left foot, and touching the left hand.

In the third time, the lady has to do the same which the mand has done, and together are done the 2 Seguiti with the other things said.

To the sciolta of the Sonata

The right hand is taken, doing 2 Spezzati, with 2 Passi presti, and the Cadenza.  Taking then the left hand, the same is done, starting with the right foot.  To the left are done 2 Riprese, 2 Trabuchetti, 1 Spezzato to the left flank with the left foot, and the Riverenza with the right foot:  the same is done to the right flank, starting it with the right foot, and doing the Spezzato with the same foot, and the Riverenza with the left foot; back are done 2 Passi flanked trangati,and 2 other presti forward, and the Cadenza, starting it with the left foot.  The same is done starting it with the right foot; after together they will turn 2 Seguiti spezzati to the left, and other 2 thence are done facing, with 2 Passi presti forward and the Cadenza, starting it with the left foot.

To the same tune of said Sonata, is done that of the Canario.

The man alone does one change of the said Ballo called the Canario, that is 2 times, with 4 Passi schisciati back; and together are done 2 Spezzati turned to the left, and taking the right hand, thence are scurried 4 other changing place; facing are done 2 Passi presti, and the Cadenza, starting it with the left foot.  The lady does the same change which the man has done, with the same retreats; after they are returned to do 2 other Seguiti spezzati turned to the right, scurrying them other 4 taking the left hand, returning each one to their place: facing are done 2 Seguiti spezzati flanked together,with 2 Passi presti, and the Cadenza, the lady giving a beat with both the hands over the hands of the man; he does the same; after are given 3 other beats, starting to the left hand, to the which they have to finish, and to each beat they have to do a Trabuchetto, starting it with the left foot: the man takes then the ordinary hand of the lady, doing them together the Riverenza, and pause them whether most hey turn commodiously: and the Ballo is finished.

Lute tablature, with the music of the Sonata of the Balletto Austria Gonzaga, done in 4 Times.


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