To the Most Illustrious and Most Excellent Lady
The Lady Princess of Selmona

If in the Forest Idea [proper name?], where the Shepherd
To 1000 bulls gave overcoming the boast,
There were found again, you, whom so much
Fills in going of beauty, and valor:
Were lost the pride, conquered of paleness,
Perhaps the Goddess, in darksome weeping
Would cover the shores to Simoneta, and Xanto, [proper names?]
In long burning others made the hours brief;
Which seeing the divine conjoined in you,
Of whom made our lights worthy of the Heavens,
The golden prize you gave, and the soul together.
Royal Lady then, not you annoy,
If I who yet am base, your virtues
Search to exalt with dances, and songs together.

Original rhyme scheme - ABBA/ABBA/CDECDE

Villanella (Milkmaid)
Balletto d'Incerto (of Uncertain)

In Praise of the Most Illustrious and Most Excellent Lady
Princess of Selmona

The man has to take the ordinary hand of the lady, as is shown in the picture, doing together the Riverenza grave, and 2 Continenze, then walking they will do 2 Seguiti ordinarii, with 1 Continenza grave to the left, starting each thing with the left foot, and 2 Riprese to the right.   Said walk is followed then, doing 2 Passi gravi, and 1 Seguito ordinario, starting it with the left foot: the same is done by opposite, with 1 Continenza grave to the left, and 2 Riprese to the right, and the Riverenza with the left foot.

The man alone has to do 2 Passi gravi and 1 Seguito ordinario, starting it with the left foot: the same he will do by opposite: then passing forward to the lady, he has to be put to her right hand, taking the right hand, and doing together the Continenza, as of above, to the left, and 2 Riprese to the right, and the Riverenza with the left.

The lady alone has to do the same change which the man has done, returning to her ordinary place; and taking the ordinary hand of the man, they will do together 1 Continenza to the left, and 2 Riprese to the right, and the Riverenza with the left foot. 

After that they are walked doing 2 Passi gravi and 1 Seguito ordinario turned to the left, that is, the man has to turn to the left, and the lady to the right, starting it with the left foot, and turning the face where the dance is started: after he has to take the right hand of the lady, being him then to her right hand, and walking are done another 2 Passi, and 1 Seguito as of above, turned by opposite: that is the lady has to turn to the left, and the man to the right, starting it with the right foot: they are turned then to take the ordinary hand, doing 1 Continenza to the left, and 2 Riprese to the right, and the Riverenza with the left.

The right hand is taken then, doing 2 Seguiti spezzati, and letting go said hand, they thence do another 2 turned to the left, changing place, starting it with the left foot; and taking the left hand, the same is done, following said Seguiti spezzati similarly with the left foot, but having to turn to the right hand, returning each one to their place: the ordinary hand is retaken then, and doing 1 Continenza to the left, with 2 Riprese, and the Riverenza, as of above, said Villanella is finished.

Lute tablature, with the music of the Sonata of the Villanella Balletto.


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