Note 17 — Chapter VI
Reading edition
The paven (from pavo, a peacock) is a grave, majestic dance. The method of dancing it was anciently by gentlemen dressed with a cap and sword; by those of the long robe in their gowns; by the princes in their mantles; and by ladies in gowns with long trains, the motion whereof in the dance resembled that of a peacock's tail. This dance is supposed to have been invented by the Spaniards, and its figure is given, with the characters for the steps, in the Orchesographia of Thoinet Arbeau.—See Note to "The Mad Lover." Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, vol. IV. p. 186.