ORCHESTRA, or, A Poem of Dancing.
Reading edition
Judicially proving the true observation of Time and Measure, in the authentical and laudable use of Dancing.
Ovid, Art. Aman. lib. I. Si vox est, canta: si mollia brachia, salta: Et quacunque potes dote placere, place.
At London, Printed by J. Robarts for N. Ling. 1596.
[The following entries at Stationers' Hall prove that this Poem, composed in fifteen days, was written not later than June, 1594; though it did not come to the press till November, 1596.
25 Junif [1594].
Master Harrison. Entred for his copie in Court holden this day/ a
Senior. booke entituled, Orchestra, or a poeme of Daunsing.
vjd.
Transcript &c. ii. 655. Ed. 1875.
xxj° Die Novembris [1596].
Nicholas Lyng/ Entered for his copie under th[e h]andes of Master Jackson and master Warden Dawson, a booke called Orchestra, or a poeme of Dauncinge. vjd.
Transcript &c. iii. 74. Ed. 1876.]
To his very friend, Master Richard Martin.
O whom, shall I, this Dancing Poem send; This sudden, rash, half-capreol of my wit? To you, first mover and sole cause of it, Mine own-self's better half, my dearest friend! Oh would you, yet, my Muse some honey lend From your mellifluous tongue (whereon doth sit Suada in majesty) that I may fit These harsh beginnings with a sweeter end! You know the modest sun, full fifteen times, Blushing did rise, and blushing did descend, While I, in making of these ill made rhymes, My golden hours unthriftily did spend: Yet if, in friendship, you these Numbers praise, I will mispend another fifteen days.
[The following Dedication was substituted in the edition of 1622.
To the Prince.
[i.e., Charles, Prince of Wales.]
Ir, whatsoever You are pleased to do, It is your special praise, that you are bent, And sadly set your Princely mind thereto: Which makes You in each thing so excellent. Hence is it, that You came so soon to be A Man-at-arms in every point aright, The fairest flower of noble Chivalry, And of Saint George his Band the bravest Knight. And hence it is, that all your youthful train In activeness and grace You do excel, When You do Courtly dancings entertain: Then Dancing's praise may be presented well To You, whose action adds more praise thereto Than all the Muses, with their pens can do.]
