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About Google Book Search Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web at |http: //books .google .com/I [% l ^^^H «^^^^l 1 h 1 1 I* fj * a'- 11 i! I 5 W f I Is M » i 1 { !1P II i I fQf' ♦'^> iV A \ \ \ \ - > THE ' ' p o E M, In Three Cant o's. fatmt Tiea. \ — — '■^ ; X jv D jv Printed by W. p. and Sold by J. Roierts, at the Oxford- Jrms'inWarwkk-Urte, 1729. •L % / • ♦r [• 3 M.UQ n. K U U M li 14 T> f%e Propcfitiob. An lovocation of feverat Deittts eoMem*d ii this An. 7%e Rife and Prtgrefs of Dancing. An £»- cbmiMR upnu the Aadti^Sy v)he admr'd thu Art. IMits proper for Men in Daaani, •with federal ufefitl Rules and ICautioHS. Haiits proper far the LadieSy vsitb aCtaaiom a' ' g4inftPaiittiiigi m alfoifgainfi B)ops; Lappetfy Rjifflesi PringfiSy &c A ti/bmoraudum to the Fair, to tye their Gar* tnsfafi, which itttrodutes the &orj of the Iiifiitutiott $f the Star and Gaiter hy K. Edw. ///. 7%e Defcription and Praife of the Fann, with an Epifodt on the invemiou of that bfhttnunti tobich concludes thU Canto. jBfjWfiN the fmobtii T)ance to move with grace- t^SwiKi £afy,with Care, and Tpritely, tho' ferene ; To mark th'Inftruftions ccclioing Strains convey^ And with Juft Steps each tuneful Note obey ; B Wxtb 2 The Art of Thtncing, Cant. I With AVceJI cArt to tread the circling Round \ Where ufc the lowly Sinh, or nimble ^Beumd^ I fing. — — — Be prefent all ye (acred Choir, Blow the {ok Flute y and ftrike the founding Z^rr» When bids, your kind AMance brings And at her Feet the humble Tribute fling : Oh 1 may her Eyes (to her this Verfe is due) What firft themfelves infpirM, vouchfafo to view ! And You, Ccleftial Venusj Power divine ! Around whofe Throne, and evcr^facred Shrine^ XJnnumberM Loves, and Smiles, and Graces fly. Fanning with painted Wings the Cryftal Sky j ^ If ever you with Pleafure have furveyM The facred Dance beneaich the Cretan Shade, * Hither with all your little fportive Throng Defcend, fair Queen, and aid your Toet^ So{^«. C bove, Nor Thou, that rul'ft the fgacipus Heav'ns a- Difdain this humble Theme, Almighty JO VE ! ^m^mtttmmmmmimmmim»iim ^ Hgm. Iliad, lib. z8, v* 5^0f Caat. L The Art of Dancing. } ^ For Thee this Art from prudent Rhea Vofe, Invented firft to cheat thy favage Foes ; For Thee flie bade thMnftruded Tribe advance, 1^ And lead throVarious Rings thctMyfiick Dance. i&gf For Thee fhe bade fhrill Trumpets fhake the Skies, (Ingenious Thought ! ) to drown thy infant Cries ; ') Whitft thy pale Nurfe, all trembling and afraid, w Safe thro^ the Crowd her Heavenly Charge con- [vey'd^ [flew. Hence to Mankind the HeavVborn Science And one great Part of their Religion grew : The gracious PowVs above, they wifely thought, Muft fure approve what firft themfelves had [taught: Then did the Priefts, on each great folemn Day,^ ( Nor yet too lazy for to dance or pray ) With myftick Steps and fpritely Bounds advancej^ And round the fweet-perfuming Altars dance : Whilft the wide Fanes, and vaulted Roofs around With fwelling Notes and ccchoing Strains refounAi ^ ' ' ' I ' mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm t B % Hea&M 4 Th Art of Dancit^g. Cant, f , Plea$M with the holy Pomp, all Heav'n attends^ And wingM witl^ Mufick ev'rv PrayV afcoids. Hail happier Age ! hail illuftrious Days ! Then Arts receivM their juft Rewards of Praife. Then Mufickj Sculfturej Painting did abound. And Fame and Profit evVy Artift crownM. Then L/aa/rd'/'s Wreaths adornM the Viftor^s Head^ Whilft humbler IBays poetick Brows o^erfpread*^ Npr did the Dancer's generous Science claim Inferiour Gains, or a lefs Share of Fame i To him the Great did all their Stores difclofe ; To him erefted Marble Statues rofe : Heroes and Kings the pleaiing Art ^pprovM^ And glory'd tp excel in what they lov*d. To curb the Steed, and hurl the pointed Dart* Was then eftecm'd but half the Warriour'sPart; Each perfeft Hero equally was s^ilPd T9 grace the Ball, and gh*tter in the Field : Not all his Triumphs gain'd, and Battels won, Nations fubdu'd, and flaming Towns overthrown, E'er % Cant. I. Thi Art ofDanchigl j E'er purchasM Pyrrhus half that Share of Fam^ I As thgt Qne *Da»ce^ that yet records his Name. Nor did ThilofopherSy more leamM than wife^ In thofe blefsM Times this ufeful Art defpife : They taught, the fkafing Exercife was goo4 v To clear the Brain, and purifie the Blood, To make the languid Spirits briskly flow. And ruddy Cheeks with healthful Blufhes glow. ^ T\!^ Athenian Sage, for Learning ever known. Whom facred Phtehm from the Delphick Throne The wifefl: of Mankind did once declare. Thought not the Dance unworthy of his Care^ Ev'n when Old-age and withering Years had Ihed Their hpary Honours on bis fiiovy Headi^ The wife Philofpphf r this Art pwrfuM To ftringhis Nerves, ai;id warnji his freezing Bloody Then Poetry was too the Dancer's Friend, And all the Mufes did his Steps attend : II The Pjrrbick Dance. Vith 6 The Art of Daucing^ Cant. I. With equal Grace, in JFtfJlotPs facred Lines^ £v*n vet the Hero and the T)ancer ihines \ " Valour to fohie, he fays, the Gods impart ; * To fome a Genius for the Dancing Art^ Ev'n yet, in Hamerh lofty Verfc, is feen Merionh engaging Step, and graceful Mein : Still in the Dance he charms our wondVing Eyes^^ And Greeks and Trojans yield to him the Prize^ But (Vc^, my roving Mufe, no &rther ftray^, But haften f o purfue thy deftinM Way : Say fii*ft what DrefTes moft the Ball adorn^ And in the a^ikive Dance are eafieil wonin The rofy MiJk-maiJy that each Morning treads, On the foft Carpet of the dewy Meads, With Petticoats tuckM up on Pattens goes. And fcorns the Summer's Showers, or WintVy £5oowsi W^hile the proud City Dames, luxuriant pair \ iThat ever loll within a Velvet Chair^ Still have their Feet that fear to touch the Ground In richeft Silks and ftiiiwig Silver bound*. tant. I. The JrtQf pAwvtg y The SolMer\ nodding Plumes, and Scarlet red, Shew that his Life in Blood and ^ughtef s led : Whilft the Lawn Band, beneath a double Chin, As plainly fpeaks Divinity within : Thus each Man*s Habit with his Bus*nefs fuits ; Nor mufl we ride in f umps, or dance in Boots. » But you, that oft in circling Dances wheel, Thin be your yielding Sole, and low your Heel : Let no unweildy Pride your Shoulders prels, But airy, light, and eafie be your Drefs ; Let not the Sword, in filken Bondage ty'd. An ufelefs Weight, hang lugging at your Side ; No fuch rough Weapons here will gain the Prize^ No Wounds we fear, but from the Fair-one's Eyes. The woolly Drab, and Englifh Broad-cloth warm, Guard well the Horfeman from the beating Stormj But load tlie Dancer with too great a Weighty Apd.call from ev'ry Pore a dewy Sweat ; Rather let him his adive Limbs difpla/ In Camblct thin, or gloffy Puddifway* B(K S The An of Dancing, 6m^\l But let not vulgar Rules delay my Song, ^: Nor Precepts known to All my Verfe prolong i # VThy ihouM I now the gallant Spark command . With clean white Gloves to fit his ready Hand} Or in his Fobb enlivening Spirits wear. And quickening Salts, to raife the hunting Fair ? Why IhouM my Lays the youthful Tribe advife, Left fnowy Clouds from out their Wiggs arife ? So (ball their Partners mourn their Laces fpoilM, And fhining Silks with greafy Powder foilM. Nor need I fure bid prudent Youths beware Left with ereded Tongues their Buckles ftare ; The pointed Steel fball oft their Stockins rend, And oft th' approaching Petticoat offend* And no\*r, ye youthful Fair^ Ifing to you ; With pleafmg Smiles my ufeful Labours view ; For you tlie Silkworms fine-wrought Webs difplay^ And laboring fpin their little Lives away : For you bright Gems with radiant Colours glow j Fair as the Dyes that paint the Heavenly Bow : ■ 1 'si i^SCttt, f * 'the Art of trancing, 9 . • - « ^or yoii the Sea refigns its pearljr Store, And Earth unlocks her Mines of treafur'4 Oaf j In vain yet Nature thus her Gifts beftows, Uniefe thofe Gifts your felves with Art difpofe. IBaV feut think not, Nynl^hs, that in the glittVing dne FcStm of Drefs prefcrib'd can fuit with all : [binC One brighteftfliineswhen^^tf/ifA and oArt con\- To make the lovely Piece compleatly fine* In DiJhdbiUe aflother fteals our Hearts, And, rich in Native Beauties, wants not AitV In fome are fuch refiillefs Beauties found^ ^ That in all Drefles they are fure to wound : Their Heavenly Forms all foreign Aids defpife, And Gems but borrow Lullre from their Eyes* Such oft^ ^ritannia^ in thy Court appear, FiamM ev'^n In Beauty^s Seat, where all are faif^ And blaze like Planets in a Starry Night, 'Midft vulgar Beauties, with diftinguifh'd Light* 80 Q^eensbuY^^ Manchefier^ and Bedford fhine ; Such Chaiins are CoofesfiKli lovely Feilding thine* Let 10 The Art oj yancing. Cant. !• [is ieen Let the fair Nymph, in whofe plump Cheeks A conftant Blufb, be clad in verdant Green ; In fuch a Drefs the fportive Sea-Nymphs go ; So in their grafTy Beds freih Rofes blow : The Lafe whofe Skin is like the Hazle brown. With brighter Yellow fliouM oVcome her own. But the fair Maid, in whofe pale Cheeks of Snow No Blulhes rife, nor blooming Rofes glow, Far above all ihould potent Scarlet fly, And fooneft chufe the Sable's mournful Dye : So the pale Moon ftill fliines with purefl: Light CIoathM in the dusky Mantle of the Night. But far from You be all thofe treachVous Arts,. That wound with painted Charms unwary Hearts^ T)ancin^s a Touchftone that true Beauty trys. Nor fuffers Charms that Nature^s Hand denies* Tho' for a while we may with Wonder view The f ofy Blulh, and Skin of lovely hue. Yet foon the Dance will caufe theCh«eks to glow. And melt the Coral Lips, and Neck of Snow* So ■ Cant. I. The Art of D^cin^. 1 1 -So fliine the Fields in Icy Fetters bound, Whilft frozen Gems befpangle all the Ground :. Thro' the clear Cryftal of the glittVing Snow, With fcarlet Red the blufhing Hawthorns glow j O'er all the Plain unnumberM Glories rife, And a new bright Creation charms the Eyes; Till Spring at length, with Zs:^hyr\ gentle Winds And warming Gales, the frozen Glebe unbinds ; Then ftrait at once the glittVing Scenes decay, And all the tranfient Glories fade away \ The Fields reiign the Beauties not their own. And all their Snowy Charms run trickling down« ^ymph.that feacs to be di^iac^if ^^ Ever be fure to tie her Gaiters fki):. Left the loosM String, amidft the publick Ball, A wifhM-for Prize tq fqinc proud Eop ihouM feJl, Who the rich Trgafure fliall triumphwitiljowi And make her ChodbwiUi buroingBlufb^ ^Qw« ^Tis hence the Roy^l George and Garter Wue^ ^itanniah Nobles grace (if Fame fays true) Once Valiant Edward^ of illuftrious Fame, Tf ht Third of EngJan^s King& th^t bore the Name, c- :with t Caaji;. h The Jrt of Dmch^. i j With fiiQvM ?/!«k£m[«««^, diviaely bk, V. i Once '^ritahth^ory^ and Jier Monarch's Care, h I < Jjtdw the R(^al Ball ^idi cQurteous Air : j XxxDsM with the pleafing Toil (as Stories teH) Pown on the Floor her loofenM Garter fell ; Th&^ltfit King catch^d up tlie lovely Frize^ Whilft ciiinlba ]9ui}ifis o'«r her Cheeks ^rifej. And bearing it sAck^ with joyful Pride, ** iMoum no^ my Fair, fo fmaU a Lofs, he cry'd ; Cdecay'd, <* When all thpfe blooming Charms, ^by Time ^* And flowing TrciTps fhall in Duft lie laid ; [Breath, ♦• "When thofc allies to confent, yet rears to own her Flame j Its Shake triumphant, its viftorious Clapj^ Its iin^ry Flutter, and its wanton Tap^ forbear, my Mufe, th* extenfiye Theme to (bg,, Nor truft in fych a Flight yqur (;ender Wing \ Rathw Cant. L The Art of Dancing i y Kather do you in humble Lines proclaim From whence this Engine took its Form and [ Name : Say from what Caufe it firft derivM its birth, How formM in Heav'n, how thence deducM to [Earth. Once in ^rcaJiay that &mM Seat of Love, There liv'd a Nymph, the Pride of all the Grove, A lovely Nymph, adornM with ev^ry Grace, An eafie Shape, and fwcetly-blooming Face ; Fanny the DamfePs Name, as chafl:e as fair, Each Virgin's Envy, and each Swain's Defpair: To charm her Ear the rival Shepherds fihg, Blow the foft Flute, and wake the trembling String* For her they leave their wandVing Flocks to [ rove, Whilft Fannfs Name rcfbunds thro'cv'iy Grove, ^ And fpreads on ev'ry Tree enclosed with Knots [of Love. As Feildin^s now, her Eyes all Hearts enflame. Like her in Beauty, as alike in Name. 'Twaa 1 6 The Art tf tyanth^: Cant, f, *Tmas when the Summed Siui) now mounted With fiercer Beams had wamiM thefultftySkjf, Beneath the Covert df a cooling Shade, To Ihun the Heat) this lovely Nymph was laid : The fultry Weather o'er her Cheeks had fpread " A Bluih) that added to their native red : And her fair Breaft, as polilh'd Marble white, Was half conceaPd, and half exposMtoS%ht« Whilft thus flie lay, the potent Crod pafs'd by Who rules the Winds, and calms the troubled Sky, jEoIuSf whofe Nod provokes the fleepingMaini And bids the raging Waves be ftill again : He ftopM a while, and gazM with fond Dehght, And fuckM in Poyfon at the dangVous Sight 2 He lov'd, and venturM to declare his Pain. But ftill he lov'd, and ftill he woo'd iii vain ; The cruel Nymph, regardlefs of his Moan^ Minds not his Flame ; uneafie with her own, Still fhe complains, that he who rulM the Air WquM not command one Z^phjr to repair A round Cant. r. The Art »/ Pancmg. i / A round Face, nor gentle Breeze to ptay Thro' the dark Glade, and cool the fultry Day: By Love incited, and the Hopes of Joy, Th' ingenious God contriv'd this pretty Toy, [Flame," Which blight, with Zst^yr% cool her glowing And called f««» from lovely Fata^i Name. THE C'9] THE Art of Dancing, ire. Canto U. The Argument. Of French Dancing. The Affemhly'Room and Company defcriVd. Tf>e Ball to he hegkn with French Dances^ An En- comium upon the Genius of the Nation. The *Defcription ^ a Mafquerade, Of the writing Dances in CharaBers,firfl found by Monf. Fuit- let. Each Dancer ought to confult his own Gf- , »ius and oAhiJities ; compared to a Poft. Of Stage-dancing and Rope-dancing. Several Ufe- ful Rules, An Encomium ufon this aArt, OW fee prepar'd to lead the fpritely Dance The lovely Nymphs and well-drefs*d Youths advance : The fpacious Room receives its jovial Gueft, And theFloor Oiakes, with pleafing weight oppreft ; D a ThiclK N 20 The Art tf 'Dancing. Cant* It. Thick rangM on every fide with variaus Dyes The Fair in fhining Silks our Sight furprize : So, on a graffy Bed profufe of Flowers, With warming Gales refrefti^d, and genial Showrs, The lovely Lillies, deck'd in Silver Snow, And Tulips that with painted Beauties gbw^ The blufhing Rofe, and Pinks of various hue. The crimfon Hyacinth, and Violet blue, CloathM in their richcft Robes, together Vife And in a gay Confufion charm our Eyes. [briffht High o'er their Heads, with numVous Candles Large Branches Ihed their golden Beams of Light; Their golden Beams, that ftill more brightly glow, Refle£led back from Gems and Eyes below* UnnumberM Fanns, to cool the crowded Fair, With breathing Zephyrs move the circling Air. The fpritely Fiddle, and the ecchoing Lyre, Each youthful Breaft with gen'rous Warmth in- [ fpirc : Fraught with all Joys, the blifsful Moments fly, Whilft Mufich melts the Ear, and "Beauty charms the Eye. Now Cant. U. TU^Arti>ftkncin£. 21 Now let the Youth, to whofe fuperior Place It iirft belongs the glitt'ring Ball to grace, With humble Bow and ready Hand prepare Forth from the Groud to lead his chofen Fair : The Fair Ihall not his kind Requeft deny. But ix> the pleating Toil with equal Ardour fly. But ftay, rafli Pair, nor yet untaught advance, Firft hear the Mufe e're you attempt to dance. By Art direfted, o'er the foaming Tide, Secure from Rocks the painted Veffels glide. By Art the Chariot fcours the dufty Plain, Springs at the Whip, and hears the ftreight^ning [Reinr To Art our Bodies muft obedient prove. If e'er we hope with graceful Eafe to move : Nor think, ye Fair^ that any native Charm Can e'er our Eyes attrad, or Bofoms warm, XJidefs you learn the Rules thefe Lines impart, The Ufcful Precepts of the Trancing o/lrt, FirlV, 2 2 Tl)e Art of Dancing. Cant. IF. Firft,with FrenclhDancing be each B^i7 begun, Nor Conntry-Dance intrude till thefe are done : . With thefe the Mufe fhall her firft Labours grace. And thofe come after, in their proper Place. The French (if right all ancient Legends tell) In Dances formM by Rule did firft excell : They firft this Art to fiill Perfeftion brought, And certain Steps by certain Precepts taught : Hence all thofe pleafing artful Dances came That, from their Authors, we French ^Dances name. Wife Nature, ever with a prudent Hand^ Difpenfes various Gifts to evVy Land j To ev'ry Nation frugally imparts A Genius fit for fome peculiar Arts. The Germans m Mechanicks beft fucceed j The Dutch in Traffick, and in War the Swe^ : Britannia juftly glories to have found The fartheft Ifles, and fail'd the Globe around : Soft CiiJt* If. Tf^e Art of Dancing. 2 5 Soft Arts of Peace adorn Italians Plains ; There Paintings Poetry^ and Mu/ick reigns ; There fweet CoreVi firft his Viol ftrung ; There Raphael painted, and there Fida fung. But GaVia all fuperiour mufl: confefs , To ev^ry Clime in Dancings and in Drefs : Let great ItaUa boaft her Sons of Fame, And England Jhew her Drahh and Candijh\ [ Name ; Germania glory to have firft begun The Printing Art,andformM the murd'ringGun, France for one Worthy will produce them ten. Alike illuftrious both for Arts and Men. [Toupee, From her the Sword-knot fprung, and fmart From her Legar arofe, and famM VoWee. From her, ye Beaux, ye learn to charm the Fair With pouderM Shoulders and a janty Air. From her, ye Fair, you learn a thoufand Arts To conquer and fecure your Lovers Hearts ;. To frown, an^i fmile, and lean the Head afide, Lifp> fcrcam, and wliifper, with a deal befide. To 24 The Art of Daucing: Cant. IV To her we all our NoUefk dances owe, The fpritely Kigadoon^ and Louvfe flow. The Borie^ and Cwranty unpradis^d tong, Th^ immortal Mmet^ and the fweet Britan^. But moft her happy Genius is difplay'd In forming firft the fplendid Mafquerade \, Where all the Pow'rs of Art united joyn To make the Ball with perfeft Luftre fhine : There, as in Mahomefs well-fancyM Heav'n, Rapture at once to ev'ry Senfe is giv'n : Ten thoufand Habits pleafe the wandering Sight, With blazing Gold, and glitt'ring Jewels bright 5 In lofty piles Jmhrqfial Sweetmeats ftand. And ripenM Fruits in clufters court the Hand ; Nedareous Wines in fparkling currents flow,. V. Whatever Champaign\ afpiring HiHs hcfl:ow, ^ Or on Burgundia\ Plains delicious grow* j ^ Trancing the happy Night withPleafure abwns. And Mufick thro' the vaulted Roofe refounds j UnnumbcrM yielding Nymphs compleat our Joy, >For here fevereft'Prudes no more are coy ; No Czni. t. ' The Art of 'Dancing, . i j No more they fear their careful Parentis fiye^ The jealous Cuckold, or the watchful Spy ; Here coldeft Maids are without Bluflbes kind, The Mask that hides the Face reveals the Mind J Or, fhouM the Tyrants ftiive to give us Pain, Pretend to blufli, or frown, 'twere all in vain ; How fhou'd the Lover fear ? The kind Difguife Hides threatening Frowns, but fhews confenting [Eyes* Long was the "DanchgoArt unfixM and free J Hence loft in Error and Uncertainty : No Precepts did it mind, or Rules pbey, But evVy M-after taught a diff'rent Way : [ tvy% Hence, eVe each new -born Dance was fully The lovely Produft, ev'n in blooming, dy'd : Thro' various Hands in wild Confufion tofs'd* Its Steps were alter'd^ and its Beauties loft : * Till ^ F^iJfet at length, Great Name ! . atofe^ > And did the Dance in Chara^ers compofe 5 "^ tie fir ft pjblilh'd the Art of Ddncing hj CharaSiers ixi JFrOisb, fiiisef trauflated into Englilh by Mr. Weavtr. £ Each 2^ The Art 6f Doming, Cant JL Each lovely Grace by ceitaia Marks he taught^ And ev'ry Seep In lafling Volumes wrote. C fpreadj Hence o^er the World this pleafing Art (hall And cv'ry Dance in evVy Clime be read ; By diftant Meters fliaU each Step be fem^ Tho* Mountains rife, and Oceans roar between. Hence with her Sifter-Arts (hall *Dandng chui An equal R^ht to Uiuverfid Fame, And Ifaach Rigadoon fhall laft as long As RafhaePs Taiitting^ or as FirgiPs Song. Each cautious Ban^ eVe he srttempts to fing, Firft gently ftuttVing, trys his tender Wing, And if he finds that with uncommon Fire A daring Genius does his Soul in^e, Ac once to Heav'n he foslrs in Ic^ Ode^ And fings alone of Heroics, and of Gods.; Or makes his Mu^ in fokmn Tn^ick Verfd The A&s of princes, aad of Kings rehearfe ; But OuK. n. *ihe Art of Dancing, t^ Bu( if fbe tremblii^ fearis to (bar Co h%h. He then deicends to ibfter Elegy ; And if depairing (till he finds his Wil^ For am'rous Tales and El^y unfit, Tet ftiH he may in Faftoral fucceed. And deftly tune It on an Oaten Reed. i move, So IhouM each Dancer^ e*re he trys to With Care his Strength, his Weight, and prove, And if he finds kind Nature's Gifts impart Endowments proper for the Dancing ^4rft If in himfelf he feels t(^ether joynM An adive Body, and a fpritely Mind ; In nimble BJgadoons let him advance Or in the Louvreh flow majeftick Dance : But if, fixr want of Genius, Warmth, and Fire^ He d^res not to fuch Noble A£b afpire, I>t him, contented with an eafie pace. The gentle ISmieth circling Mazes trace ; Eft U 1 5 77?^ Jrt of Danciri^. C^nt, Hy ■ , If this too hard fhall feem, let him forbear^ And to the Cou7ftry^1>ance confine his Caret ^ \ * True Dancing, like true Wit, is beft ej;pn?(| ,. Py Nature, only to Advantage dreft ;y , ;. •• 'Tis not a nimble Bound, or Caper high, That can pretend to pleafe a curious Eye j Good Judges no fuch Tumblers Tricks regardj^ Or think them beautiful becaufe they're hard : Yet in Stage-duncingy if performed with Skill^^ , guch a£tive Feats our Eyes with V/onder fill ; ^nd fome there arc, that of uncommon Frame Have thro' thefe arduous Paths fought out for [Fame: That Pindar Rich defpifcs Vulgar Roads, And foars an Eaglet's height among the Clouds, Whilft humbler Dancers, fearful how they cliihh. But buzz below amidft the flowVy Thyme; Now foft and flow he bends the ciix:ling Round^ I^^QW rifes high upon the fpritely Boundj, 1 ^ , Cant. IF, The Art of Dancing: ip Now fprings aloft, too fwift for Mortal fight, Now fells unhurt from fome ftupendous Height j X-ike Proteus, in a thoufand Forms is feen. Son^etirpes a G^4 fometiroes an fJarJe^uin^ Noc here, my Mufe, muft we forget to nime Thofe bold AdventVers on the Rofe for Fame. See how the nimble Youth, now mounted high> Appears without the Aid of Wings to fly ! Like Mai ah Son, the Mcffenger oi Jove^ He feems to bring fome Orders. from above ; And unconcernM looks down on Crowds below, . • • • • That gaze, and tremble, but to fee him ga So Thoufands on the Shore admiring flood, "When DadaJm flew o'er the Cretan Flood, [ Fame ? What win hot Man attempt when led by What TqUs qr Dangers can Ambition tame ? In jd *the Artdf Pmichtg. Qint. E In vak has pradeoe >iteureSinrHeCdtiHnaa& With foaming Seas divided diftant Lands ; Proud oi^ th* inriokble Bounds to leap^ With Sails and Cyars they travel o^ the Deep : In vain high-tow*ring Pinions ihe denies. Art by a fleivier Cord die Waot ifopfdics ; Secure on dus t^ nimbte Artift fwiogs, Nor fears the Sun (houMfodt his waxen WfflgE^ In vaift we katn to tm^Q a certain Round, And know exai^iy where to fink and bound ; In ev'ry Movement there muft itiU be feen A nan)ele& Whilft lovely Eyes, that flafh unufual Rays, And fnowy Bubbies puUM above the Stays ; Whilft bufie Hands and bridling Heads declare The eager Nymphs, and the impatient Fair ; Far hence removM be ev'ry Stander-by, That views our Pleafures with a censVing Eye : Far hence be all on whofe feverer Brow Old-age has left the Furrows of his Plow ; Thofe furly Criticks ever Mirth deftroy. And fpoil all Pleafures which they can^t enjoy^ G % Let 44 TZtf Art of Dancing. Cant. IIL Let no difcreet Mamma call Mils afide, And her unguarded pretty Freedoms chide^ With angry Frowns compel her to be coy, And all her Partner^s pleafing Hopes deftroy ; ^is fuch that fill each harmlefs Virgin's Braia With AfFedation, and with ccAd Difdain, And ftrive their native Innocence to hide With all their Sex's Artifice and Pride j That gravely preach to the good^naturM Fair, A Squeeze is more than Virtue ought to bear ; A Kifs fo much a Lady's Honour ftains, Marriage, or Death alone, her Fame regains : And of Lucretia talk, that foolifh Prude, Who ftabb'd her felf becaufe her Spalrk was rude: ^Tis fi'om fuch Notions that old Folks inftill That frequent Quarrels our AfTemblies fill, And BaVsy d?fignM for Mirth, too oft conclude By fad Mifbap in Marriage, or in Blo6d^ Thus, Ca nt. III. ■ V^e Art of Damn^. 45 Thus, when Heradia (that fair fatal Name, At once the Dancers Gloiy, and their Shame ) In the fmooth Dance her beauteous Form dif- play'd, All Herod's Court admir'd the lovely Maid : A thoufand Hearts her beauteous Form ador'd, But Herod's mofl-, 'Judea's Tyrant- Lord : With Joy he viewM her trace the winding Round, And felt at evVy Step a pleafing Wound. Now on her flowing Hair he fix'd his Eyes ; Now on her Breaits, that gently fall and rife ; Now views her Cheeks, with pure Vermilion red, And balmy Lips, with blooming Rofes fpread : Where -e'er fhe mov'd, his Heart and flyes purfu'd, \ Till Love^ the greater Tyrant, had the lefs fubdu'd. Scarce had fhe done, when to the lovely Maid, (Jrafping her Hand, the royal Captive faid, " By I 41^ The Art of Dancing. Cant. IIF. " By Heaven, and all ite gracious Pow'rS;^ I " fwear^ ^^ May Heaven th' irrevocable Promifc hear; I ^ By thoTe alU conquering Eyes^ and this fair " Hand, ^^ Which can the Hearts of captive Kings com-^ " mand, ** If in the powV of HeroiPs awful Throne, " Name but your Wilh, and 'tis already done. Her watchful Mother heard the facred Vow, Whilfl: fierce Revenge fate heavy on her Brow ; ( For long had Joh»\ reforming Voice decryM Her impious Life, her Inceft, and her Pride, ) Clofe to her Side Ihe call'd the lovely Maid* And forc'd her to demand the Baptift's Head. The lovely Miiid with Tears and Sighs comply'd, And for her Willi the holy Martyr dy'd : Oh, cruel Mother I too obedient Fair ! How cou'd you thus a tender Heart cnfhare ? You. Cant. III. 7%e Art of Dancti^. 47 You, pretty Mifs, had not her Coimieb fwiiy''d, For a fine Watch, or (parkling Rif^^ had pcay'd ; A gilded Chariot you perhaps had chofe, * • • • A Diamond NecktUc'e^ or a Suit of Clothes ; Or liad you your moft favVitc Wifti purfu^d, For a fine Monkey ^ or a Hmhand fu'd ; But fure your tender Heart, unus'd to iD, CouM ne'er have plotted facred Blood to Ipin, Had not your Tongue Mamma's Comtnands obeyed, Led by her Counfels, of her Thi-cats afraid When mortal Breafts Revenge and Malice fill, What won't they render Inftruments of 111 ? Religion long has been profanely made By Hypocrites and Priefts a gainfijl Trade j And Lot*;, which by its Founders was defignM To be the careful Guardian of Mankind, Is 48 The Art of Dmcing. Ont. IIL ISj long fince^ grown but a Pretence to cheat, T opprefs the Poor, and fhield th' opprcffing Great. Thus Dancing too, we find, was forcM to be Bawd to a Woman's Lull and Cruel ly* But fee ! the fpritely T)ance is now begun j Now here, now there the giddy M^ze they run ; Now with fwift Steps they pace the circling Ring; Now all confus'd too fwift for Sight they Ipring : So, in a Wheel with rapid Fury tofs'd, The . undiftinguifhM Spokes are in the motion • loft. . • - The Dancer here ho more requires a Guide, To no ftrift Steps' his nimble Feetarfe tyM : The Mufe's Precepts here wouM \ifelefs be, Where all is fancy'd, iinconfin'd, and free : ' Let \ , Cant^nL 7k Art of Vanclng* 49 Let him but to the MuficVs Voice attend^ ^ By this inftru£ted, he can ne'er ofFend. If to his Ihare it falls the Dance to lead, In well-known Paths he may be fure to tread; If others lead, let him their Motions view, And in their Steps the winding Masze puifue* A thoughtful Head, and a feflcfling Mind, Can in each I>ance an ufeful Moral find : . In HunMheSqiurrtl thus, tlie Nymph we vje w, Seeks when we fly, but flies when we purfue j Thus. in Round" Dance s ^ where our Paitnefs change. And unconfinM from Fair to Fair wc range r As foon as one from his own Cpnfort fires, Anocher feixes on the lovely Prize j A while the favVite Youth enjoys her Chai'ms^ .^Till the • next-comer ftcals her from his Arms} H The 5© The Art Qf Dancing, Cant. III. The former then no more is worth her Care : How true an Emblem of th' inconftant Fair I . Where can Philofophers and Sages wife, That read the curious Volumes of the Skies, A Model more exa£t than T)a»cing name Of the Creation^s univerfal Frame ? Where Worlds unnumberM oVr th' ^herial Way In a bright regular Confufion ftray : . Now here, now there they whirl along the Sky, Now near approach, and now &r diftant fiy ; Now meet in the fame Order they begun. And then the great celeftial Dance is done. "Where can the Moralift find a \v&tx Ban Qf ^he vaVi Errors apd the Life oi Man, ? A wliUc thro' juftling Crowds we toil, aod fweat, And eagerly purfue we know not what ; Thea * Cant. III. The Art of Dancingr 5 1 Then, when our little trifling Race is run, Quite tir'd, fit down juft where we 6rft begun. Tho' to your Arms kmd Fate's indulgent Care -. / • • Has giv^n a Partner exquilitely fair. Let not her Charms fo much engage your Heart That you neglect the skflful T>ancer\ Part : Be * not^ when you the tuneful Notes ihouM hear, • Still whifp'ring idle Prattle in her Ear : "Whilft you {houM be erhplby'd, be not at play. Nor for your Joys all others Steps delay v But wteii the finifh'd trance you once have done. And with Applaufe thro' ev'ry Couple ruii, There reft a while : ^ — — There (natch the' fleeting Bli&y The tetfder WWffer, ^ ^ bakiiy Kife; Esteh ieibret Wifb^ each io&xit Hope coofefs,. And with your Hand her panting Bubbies prefi ; H i With 5 * , The Art of Dancing, Cant. IIL With Smiles the Fair fliall hear your warm De* (ires, Whilft Mujick fpftens, and while *Dancing fires. * r Thus, mixM with Lovc, the pleafing ToU purfue Till the unwelcome Morn appears to view, Then when approaching Day its Beams difplays, And the dull Candles Ihine with feinter Rays; Then when the Sun juft rifes o'er the Deep, Aq4 each briglit pye is almqft fett in Sleep, With ready Hands, pbfecjuious Youths, prepare"! ' I Saf^ to their Homes to lead, each chofen Fair, > And guard her from the Morn's inclement Ain] ■»• » * L?t a warp Hb04 enwrap her lovely Head, And o^er her Neck a Handke^cheif be fpcead ; Around her Shoulders tetthiis Armoe caft, - Whiles that dfffends ^cm Cpld her Sknder With Cant. III.' The Art of TXmchig, '55 I With Kiffes warm her balmy Ups Ihall glow, UnchillM by nightly Damps, or wint'ry Snow; Whilft gen'rous Whitewine, nraird with Ginger warm, Shall fafely guard her inward Frame from Harm. But ever let my lovely Pupils fear To chill their mantling Blood with cold Small- Beer : Ah, thoughtlefe Fair ! the tempting Draught re- .. fine, When thus Yore warn'd by my experiencM Mufe* » Let the ill Confequence your Thoughts employ. Nor hazard future Pains for prefent Joy ; Deftruftjon lurks within the poys^nous Dofe^ A fat^l Fever^ or a fimfUd Nofe. / Thus thro' e^ch Precept of the Trancing a4fi The Mufe has playM the kind InftruBorh Part ; Thro^ / ^^ % \