To The Most Serene Lady
The Lady Margarita Gonzaga da Este
Duchess of Ferrara
This Gonzaga, whose great Divine palm
The black bird guides with the white to Heaven,
And never ceases with merciful zeal,
Of its commenced divine path:
Oh pleased, that now you go more near
The immortal veil shakes us of joy;
To move the swift feet of the gold stalk,
Which shines a sweet look, a solemn reverence;
And would see that I move myself to honor you
Idol of my manner, which rough and vile
Shall be of thy deeds also most bright and clear,
Which if your fair desire conformed to the art
Shall be, with greater labor and more courteous,
You shall be more prized, and I more dear.
Original rhyme scheme - ABBA/ABBA/CDECDE
Este Gonzaga (This Gonzaga)
Balletto
In Praise of the Most Serene Lady
Duchess of Ferrara
Standing the people facing, as the figure shows, they have to
take both the hands; and with the left foot do together the Riverenza,
and 2 Continenze the one with the left foot, and the other with the
right; then letting it go, they have also together to do 2 Seguiti
ordinarii flanked, and 2 Trabuchetti gravi facing, with 2 Riprese to
the left side, starting them with the left foot, and the same is done
forward, starting it with the right foot; after are done 2 Seguiti
spezzati forward, taking the ordinary hand, that is the man with his
right hand takes the left hand of the lady, doing together the
Riverenza grave.
In the second time, walking, are done 4 Seguiti ordinarii, starting
with the left foot, with 2 Puntate, and 2 Passi gravi, and 1 Seguito;
the same is done starting it with the right foot, 2 Trabuchetti gravi,
and the Riverenza, as of above.
In the third time, the right hand is taken, doing 2 Passi gravi, and 2
Seguiti spezzati, and letting it go, they are both turned to the left
hand, and will do the same changing place, therefore finding them again
facing: after to the left flank is done 1 Spezzato with the left foot,
and the Riverenza minima with the right foot: as in Barriera, then with the same footthey have to
turn to the right flank with the body, doing another Seguito spezzato
with the same foot, and the Riverenza minima with the left foot, with
doing 4 Passi gravi flanked back, as in said ballo of Barriera, with 2 Seguiti ordinarii turned to
the left, and other 2 flanked facing, with 2 Trabuchetti gravi, and the
Riverenza grave, as of above.
In the fourth time, taking the left hand, is done the same which yet is
done with the right, but they have to turn to the right, returning each
one to their place, and finding them again facing.
To the sciolta of the Sonata
In the wheel are done 4 Seguiti spezzati with 4 Trabuchetti
presti facing, starting it with the left foot, turning also 2 Seguiti
spezati to the left, and forward is done another Seguito spezzato with
the left foot, and the Riverenza minima with the right foot, as of
above, taking in that instant the right hand; after with the same foot
which yet is done the Riverenza, is done another Seguito forward to the
right flank, with the right foot, and taking the left hand, is done the
Riverenza minima with the left foot, and facing are done 2 Riprese,
with 2 Trabuchetti, and 1 Seguito spezzato turned to the left, and the
Cadenza with the right foot: finding them again facing, 2 Passi are
done flanked back, as in Barriera, and 1
Seguito ordinario forward: after the man takes the ordinary hand of the
lady, that is the left hand, pausing them where best they turn
commodiously, as much in the head as in the foot of the hall: then
doing together the Riverenza, the Balletto is finished.
Lute tablature, with the music of the Sonata of the Balletto Este
Gonzaga, done in 4 Times
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