Part of Lucian made English from the originall, in the yeare 1638 by Jasper Mayne ..., to which are adjoyned those other dialogues of Lucian as they were formerly translated by Mr. Francis Hicks.

A defence of dancing.

The Speakers. Lycinus, and Crato.

Lycinus.

Since, Crato, by the bitternesse of your inve∣ctive, I guesse you have long studyed to di∣sparage both dances, and the Art of dancing, and us who delight in such showes, as if we misbusied our selves in a vain, womanish exercise, know the great∣nesse of your errour, and how much you have decei∣ved your self, to blame one of the most excellent recre∣ations of life. Though you are to be pardon'd, if having originally been bred to a sowre life, and taught to hold nothing commendable, which is not severe, your want of experience have cast you upon such Detractions.

Crato.

For you, most delicate Lycinus, being such a man as you are, well bred, and indifferently instructed in Philosophy, to forsake the best studies, and the conversa∣tion of the Ancients, to sit listning to fidlers, and to see an effeminate fellow loosly clad, charm you with bawdy songes, and act the loves of such ancient strumpets as the lustfull Phaedra, Parthenope, and Rhodope, and all this per∣form'd with Knick-Knacks, obscene gestures, and sounds of the feet, are, doubtlesse, most ridiculous pastimes, and little beseeming one of your free education. Wherefore hearing how you imployed your time in such spectacles, I not only blusht for you, but was much grieved, that having studyed Plato, Chrysippus, and Aristotle, you should sit and suffer, like them whose eares are ••ickled with a fea∣ther. There being otherwise numberlesse entertainments,

As vertuous Sights, rare Musitians, and artificiall Singers to the Harp, in grave Tragedyes, and merry Comedyes, which deserve to be stiled exercises. You had need, therefore, gentle Sir, frame a large Apology to the lear∣ned, if you mean not to be utterly expell'd, and banisht from the flock of the vertuous. Your best course, there∣fore, in my opinion, will be to cure all by a deniall, and not at all to confesse your self guilty of such a crime. And for the future take heed least, unknown to us, of the man you were, you be transformed into some Lyde, or Bacche. And so not only raise an imputation on your self, but on us also, if like Ulysses, wee draw you not from the inchanted cup, and reduce you to your former studyes, before you be insensibly ensnared by the Syrens of the Theater. For they laid Siege only to the ear, and might be sayl'd by by the help of wax: but you seem wholly ca∣ptived by your eyes.

Lycinus.

Trust me, Crato, you have let loose your fierce dogge upon me. But your example of the Lote-eaters, and instance of the Syrens, carry no resemblance to my case: since they, who tasted the Lote, and heard the Syrens, perisht; as the reward of their Luxury, and Attention. Whereas I, besides the wonderfull pleasure I have con∣ceived, have hence raised excellent advantage. For I am neither fallen into the oblivion of my household affaires, or into an ignorance of the things concerning my self, but to speake without dissimulation, have returned from the Theater much wiser, and sharper sighted in the businesse of life. More fitly, therefore, might you have alleadged out of Homer, that he who saw the charming spe∣ctacle sayled away delighted, and the more amply in∣structed.

Crato.

Good Hercules! What a loft man are you, Ly∣cinus, Who in stead of being ashamed, can boast of your follyes? So desperate is your case, that you afford us not any hope of a cure, thus to praise exercises so

fowle, and detestable▪

Lycinus.

Pray tell me, Crato, have you frequently seen dancing, and the passages of the Theater, which you thus accuse•• O•• unac••ustomed to such spectacles, do you hold them thus detestable, and unworthy? If you have been a Spectatour, you are as faulty as I: if you have not, take heed your reprehension show not unreasonable, and overbold, thus to blame what you know not.

Crato.

'Twould fairly have become, indeed, my long beard, and white head to sit among a crowd of women, and frantick Spectatours, and there to clappe, and hurle absurd praises, to a wretched fellow, who weepes with∣out cause.

Lycinus.

You are to be excused, Crato. Yet if you will for once obey my perswasion, and for meer triall sake afford your presence, and submit your eyes, I am certain you will not afterwards refrain to take up the first, & most commodious place in the Theater, from whence you may both exactly see, and hear all.

Crato.

May cleanlinesse forsake me, when I do so; And may my limbes be for ever rough, and my chinne unsmooth, as I pitty you perfectly gone in a distracti∣on.

Lycinus.

Sparing your blasphemies, then, wil't please you to hear me say something of dancing, and of the commodityes which attend it? How it not only delights, but profits the beholders? how greatly it teacheth, and in∣structs, & fashions the mind of the Spectatours, entertain∣ing them with excellent presentments, & exercising them with the best lectures, and at once expressing a common amiablenesse of the soule, and body? Now that all this is performed with Musick, and number, is not the dispa∣ragement but praise of dancing.

Crato.

I have not much leisure to heare a mad man speake in praise of his distemper: yet if you will needes vent your toyes, I am prepared to yeeld you friendly atten∣tion,

and to lend my eares, and shall be able without wax to endure your triflings. Here, then, I become silent, speake your pleasure, as if no man heard you.

Lycinus.

'Twas the thing I should have craved of you, Crato. For you shall shortly perceive whether what I shall say appear to you trifling. First, then, you plainly seem to mee not to know, that dancing is no new inven∣tion, or of yesterdayes, or the other dayes growth, or born among our fore-fathers, or their Ancestours. But they who most truely derive dancing, say it sprung with the first beginning of the universe; and had a birth equally as ancient as love. Since the regular motion of the starres, and the combination of the fixt with the planets, their musicall consort, and well order'd harmony, are but so many examples of the originall of dancing. Which increasing by degrees, and alwaies gain∣ing new accesses for the best, hath at length arrived to its perfection, and is become a various, harmonious, and musicall vertue. The Goddesse Cybele, as they report, first delighted with the Art, enjoyned the Coribantes in Phry∣gia, and the Curetes in Creet, to use dancing. From whose practice of it she received no small benefit. For they, dancing round him, saved her sonne Iupiter; who cannot but ascribe his preservation to them, by whose measures he escapt his fathers teeth. The manner of their dancing was in Armour, with Swords clasht against Bucklers; at once expressing a divinely inspired, & warlike measure. In time, the noblest Cretans studiously addi∣cting themselves to this exercise, became most excellent dancers, as well private men, as Princes, and such as bore sway. Homer, therefore, intending not to disparage but to commend Meriones, called him Dancer: Who was so famous and generally renowned for this quality, that he was thereby not only known to the Greekes, but to the Trojans his enimies too. Who observed, I suppose, a kind of beauty in his fights, and musicall Gesture, which he

tooke in from dancing. The verses speake thus of him;

Soon had my Spear peirc't thee, Meriones, Although a Dancer—

Though he were not, in truth▪ vanquisht, but by his Skill in dancing, I suppose, easily avoided the darts hurl'd at him. Though I might make instance in diverse other Hero's who busied themselves in this quality, & made their exercise an Art; Yet I will content my self with Ne∣optolemus, Achilles sonne: Who so excell'd in this Science, that he added thereto the noblest kind, from him called the Pyrrhichian Dance. Achilles, also, himself, hearing thus much of his sonne, was more joy'd, I beleive, then with his excellent shape, or strength of bodye. Nay the Citty of Troy remain'd unconquer'd, till by his skill in dancing 'twas ruined, and laid levell with the ground. The Lacedemonians, also, who were alwaies held the stoutest Grecians, having learnt from Castor, and Pollux to Caryatize (which is a kind of Dance, taught at first by the Caryans, a people of Laconia,) per∣formed all their Atchievements afterwards in musick; and made war by the sound of the pipe, and the orderly treadings and measures of the foot, so that the fife still gave the signall to the battle; which made them so univer∣sally victorious, musick and numbers still directing their Marches. You may observe their young men no lesse addi∣cted to dancing, then to bear Armes. For having at Armes end a while strugled, and mutually given, and received blowes, after a short respite, their encounters end in a dance. Where a minstrell set in the middest, playes, and keepes time with his foot; whilest they regularly fol∣lowing one another, and ordering their motions by his tunes, cast themselves into figures of all sorts; sometimes war-like; sometimes amorous; most suitable to Bacchus, and Venus. Nay the Song which they sing in dancing

weares the name of Venus, and Cupid; As if they joyned with them in their sporting and dancing. And another song they have (for they sing too) which comprehendes how to dance; and runs thus.

Farre, Boyes, be hence unskillfull feet: Let every step in numbers meet.

That is, dance better. The like custome have they who danc't the Bracelet. A kind of dance common to young men, and virgins. In which one so succeeded another, as to resemble a Bracelet. For a young man led, and exprest all the youthfull motions which he was to practice afterwards in the war; A Virgin blushingly followed, and so exprest the motions of a woman, that from both sprung a Bracelet, compounded of modesty, and valour. Like to these is the dance call'd the Bare feet. As for the dance, which Homer, in his shield, makes for Ariadne, and that other dance contrived by Daedalus for her, I passe over as well known to you. As, also, the two leaders of the dance, which the Poet there calls dancers on their heads; besides what he there sayes;

The Youthes in Dancing rowl'd

As if dancing were the greatest ornament, Vulcan had inserted into the shield. Nor is it strange that the Corcyrans should so much delight in dancing, being a people so delicate, and so abounding with all plenty. That, therefore, which Homer makes Ulysses most admire a∣mongst them was the nimblenesse of their feet. In Thes∣saly the exercise of dancing hath so prevailed, that they stile their Princes, and Generalls the Leaders of the dance. As appears by the Inscription of their Statues, which they erect to the best deservers. The Citty, sayes one, prefer'd him as the fore-dancer. The people, sayes, another, dedi∣cate these Statues to Ilation for dancing the battle well. I spare to tell you, that you shall scarce find any ancient,

religious solemnity without dancing. A custom, doubt∣lesse, instituted by Orpheus, Musaeus, and other excellent Dancers of that time: who, as a thing most becomming, decreed; that none should be initiated to such rites but with measure, and dancing. And to prove this true, they, who were initiated, were bound not to reveale their rites to those that were not. From whence they who divulge mysteryes, as all know, are proverbially said to undance them. At Delos no sacrifices were offer'd without dancing, and musick. Where a Quire of boyes, entring with a flute and harp, danced, and they, who among them were judged the most skillfull, followed. From whence the tunes which were composed for such Quires were call'd dance-tunes, and were set for the Violl. But why insist I upon the Graecians; since the Indians, every morning when they rise, pray to the Sunne, not as we do, who hold the killing of our hand to be a com∣pleat devotion, but turning themselves towards the East, salute the Sunne with a Dance; silently ordering their postures, and motions, in imitation of his. And this among the Indians is prayer, devotion, and sacrifice, with which twice a day, mornings, and evenings, they keep the Sun propitious. Then, the Aethiopians alwaies go to war dancing. Nor will a Moore offer to pluck an arrow from his head (which serves them in stead of quivers stuck round with shafts like so many rayes) till he have first danced, and by such agitation threatned, and terrified his enemy. Nor were it amisse, having past through India and Aethiopia, to draw our discourse down to their neighbouring Aegypt. Where the ancient fiction which goes of Proteus, methinkes, signifyes him to be only a certain Dancer, and Mimick; who could trans∣form, and change himself into all shapes, sometimes act∣ing the fluidnesse of water, sometimes the sharpnesse of fire, occasioned by the quicknesse of its aspiring moti∣on; sometimes the fiercenesse of a Lyon, and fury of a

Libbard, and waving of an Oake; and what ever he li∣sted. From whence the fable, wresting his naturall parts something pardoxically, sain'd him to be really changed into the things he acted. The like abilities are found in the Dancers of our time: whom you may in an instant see suddainly metamorphosed, and turn'd into a Proteus▪ we may, also, conjecture that Empusa, who turn'd her self into a thousand shapes, was such another woman, derived to us in a fiction. After these examples 'twere Injustice to forget the dance practiced by the Salii (the name of a certain Priesthood taken from dancing) in ho∣nour of Mars, the most war-like God; in which they mingled gravity with religion. Nor is the Bithynian fa∣ble altogether unsuitable to the Italian custome, which re∣portes that Priapus, a military God, one of the Titans, I believe, or Idaean Dactyls, learnt this exercise with his Armes. For Mars receiving him from Iuno yet a boy, boysterous, and beyond measure manly, taught him not to bear Armes before he had made him a perfect Dancer. For which the reward assigned by Iuno, was, that he should ever after have the tithe of his spoyles taken in war. I presume you expect not I should tell you of the Bacchanalls, or feasts of Bacchus; whose celebration was nothing but dancing. Now of the noblest sort of Dances, there are three kindes, the Cordacke or Comi∣call, Sicinnidde or Satyricall, & Harmonious or Tragicall, which were invented by the Satyres, the followers of Bacchus, from whom they take their names. And Bac∣chus himself using this Art subdued the Tuscanes, Indians, and Lydians, and danced down war like Nations with Javelines wrapt in Ivye. Wherefore take heed, admired Sir, least you prove impious thus to accuse so Divine, and Mysterious an exercise, practiced by such illustrious Gods, and performed in their honour and which carryes with it so much pleasure joyn'd with so much usefull discipline. I cannot but wonder, that being so great a

lover of Homer, and Hesiod, as you are (for I once more betake my self to the Poets) you dare controule them, who above all things praise dancing. For Homer having muster'd together the things most delightfull, and de∣sireable, sleep, love, singing, and dancing, stiles this last onely praise worthy; ascribing, indeed, sweetnesse to singing, both which are found in dancing; namely Harmony of voice, and commendable measure, which you thus study to carpe at. Again in another place of his poem he sayes;

To some Iove gives of war-like actions choice, Dancing to some, to some a charming voice.

For, certainly, a good voice, joyn'd with dancing, is very charming, and the most excellent gift of the Gods. Again Homer, having divided all things into war, and peace, opposeth this as the more commendable to the passages of warre. And as for Hesiod, who went not by hear-say, but early in the morning saw the Muses dance, in the beginning of his Poem sets this as their greatest praise, that in soft measures they danced round about a flowrye fountain, and encircled their fathers Al∣tar. Yet you, Gentle Sir, almost making war with the Gods, calumniate dancing. Though Socrates, of all men the wisest, (if we may beleeve Apollo, who sti∣led him so) not only praised dancing, but vouchsaft to learn it, ascribing much to the Elegancy, and Grace, and Musicall Treadings, and amiable behaviour of such a mover. Nor blusht he, though old, to reck on dancing among his serious imployments. In which, you may guesse, he spent no small studye, who refused not to learn Arts yet meaner, nor disdayned to frequent the scooles of the Minstrells, and to attend the Lectures of Alpasia, a known Whore. Yet he beheld this Art one∣ly in its first rising, before 'twas grown up to such height of perfection. Did he see those who in our time have

advanc'd it to this great pitch, I assure my self, forsa∣king all other studyes he would wholly apply his minde to this spectacle, and would teach his Schollers nothing else. In praising Comedy, and Tragedy, you seem to me to forget that in either a peculiar kind of dancing is observed; the grave in Tragedy, in Comedy the Cor∣dack, and sometimes also the Sicinnidd. But because at first you prefer'd Tragedy, and Comedy, and vagrant fidlers, and singing to the harpe, before dancing; calling them truely exercises, and therefore commendable: let us, I pray, compare them severally with Dancing. Where, if please you, we will passs over the Pipe, and Harpe, as parts and instruments of Dancing, and consider Trage∣dy as it is, first, according to its propertyes, and dresse. What a deformed, and frightfull fight is it to see a man raised to a prodigious length, stalking upon exalted bus∣kins, his face disguised with a grimme vizard, widely gaping, as if he meant to devoure the Spectatours? I forbear to speake of his stuft Brests, and fore-Bellyes, which make an adventitious, and artificiall corpulency, least his unnaturall length should carry disproportion to his slendernesse. As, also, his clamour from within, when he breakes open, and unlockes himself, and when he howles lambicks, and most ridiculously singes his own sufferings, and renders himself by his very tone odious. For as for the rest, they are inventions of ancient Poets. Yet as long as he personates only some Andromache, & Hecuba, his singing is tolerable. But for a Hercules to enter dole∣fully singing, and to forget himself, and neither to regard his Lyons skinne, nor clubbe, must needs, to any judging man, appear a Solcecisme. And whereas you dislike that in dancing men should act women, is a reprehension which holds for Tragedyes, and Comedyes too; in which are more womens parts, then mens. Besides, as part of the delight, Comedy challengeth to it self the most ridiculous parts; as Parasites, Fidlers, and Cookes. But the propertyes

of a Dancer are so comely, and decent, that I need not describe them, being visible to all but the blind. The per∣son gracefully adorn'd, and agreeable to his part; not ga∣ping like the others, but decently closed, under which many sing their own Tunes. For anciently the Dancers sung too, till 'twas found, that Motion, and shortnesse of Breath troubled the Voice; whereupon 'twas better con∣trived, that they should be sung to. The Argument of both are alike. Nor do Dances differ from Tragedies, but that These have more variety, and are more variously studied, and admit more severall Changes. The reason why there are no Dancing-matches I take to be, because the Judges held it to be a thing too reverend, and solemn to be brought into Decision. Though there be a famous City in Italy, descended of the Negroponts, where Hono∣rary Prizes are assigned to this Exercise. And here I desire to be excused for my omissions of many things not toucht, and that you will not impute them to my ignorance, or want of Learning. For 'tis not unknown to me, that ma∣ny have heretofore written of Dancing, and have spent most of their industry, and Style, in decyphering the seve∣rall kinds of Dances; their Names, Distinctions, and who were their Inventors: wherein they thought they made shew of various learning. But I, holding such ostentations superfluous, and unseasonable, and unsuita∣ble to my person, shall passe them over in silence. Withall, I shall desire you to remember, and think, that I intend not to derive the Pedigree of Dances of all sorts, nor make it the aime of my discourse to reckon up the names of all Dances, but of those few of the Nobler sort, before men∣tioned. For the present then, the Summe of my defence is to praise the manner of dancing now in fashion; and to shew what pleasure, and profit it comprehends, and from what an ancient beginning it hath aspired to its pre∣sent Elegancy, or Veneration rather. For those Dancings of the first Ages were, as it were, the roots, and foundati∣ons

of Dancing, whose Flower, and grown Fruit now ripened into a perfection, is the Argument of my Defence: omitting to speak of Capring, or Crane-dancings, or the like, as impertinent to this discourse. Nor have I, out of oversight, past by the Phrygian manner of Dancing, which was a drunken, and feastly kind of Revelling, performed in Wine, by a Rowt of Clowns, who danced like Wo∣men to a Pipe, using violent and boisterous Leapings, yet in use among Country people: but because it hath no agreement with the dancing I now treat of. Though Plato in his Laws commends some of these kinds, but rejects others; distinguishing them by their pleasure, and profit, and banishing the more uncomely, prefers, and ad∣mires the rest. And thus much be spoken of Dancing it self. For to extend my discourse, to all that might be said, were troublesome. I will now unfold to you how a Dancer ought to be qualified, how practised, what to learn, and by what waies to attain his Art, that you may perceive this not to be one of the facile, and easily learn'd Arts, but to be attained in perfection by the help of all the other Sciences; not Musick only, but Arithmetick, and Geometry, and especially your Philosophy, both naturall, and morall. As for Logick, it hath been held vain and uselesse to it: but Rhetorick it requires, and partakes, as far as 'tis demonstrative of manners, and affections, which are the subjects of Oratours too. Nor is it a stranger to Pain∣ting, and Sculpture; but imitates their Graces so exactly, as not to come short of Phidias, of Apelles himself. But above all it aims to have the two Muses, Mnemosyne, and her daughter Polyhymnia propitious, and exactly to re∣member all things: for, as Calchas in Homer, it behoves a Dancer to know

Things present, past, and future.—

and not to be ignorant of any thing, but to have a memo∣ry open, and at command. In a word, 'tis an imitating

and demonstrating Science; an Interpreter of conceiptes, and clearer of Ambiguityes. And what Thucydides said in praise of Pericles, is the thing most praise worthy in a Dancer; which is, to know what is fit, and to expresse it. By expression I here mean a clearnesse of behaviour. So that the whole businesse of a Dancer consists in the knowledge of ancient history, the ready remembrance of it, and expressing of it with decency. Taking, there∣fore, his beginning from the Chaos, and birth of the world, he must carry his knowledge as farre as the age of the Aegyptian Cleopatra: within which space of times we circumscribe the various learning of a Dancer. Espe∣cially, let him learn by the way the division of Heaven, the originall of Venus, the Titans war, Iupiters birth, Cybel's plot, and substitution of a stone, Saturnes Impri∣sonment, the lottery of the three Brothers, as also the Gy∣ants invasion, the stealth of fire, the formation of man, Prometbeus punishment, the power of love, of each sort; Then the floating of Delos, the travelling of La∣tona, Pythons Slaughter, Tityu's Treason, and the mid∣dle of the Earth found out by the flight of Eagles. Adde to this Deucalion and the Universall wrack of that Age, and the lone Arke which received and preser∣ved all mankind, & how Men were repayr'd from stones. Next the dismembring of Iachus, Iuno's cheate, Semele's conflagration and Bacchus double birth; & whatsoever is reported of Minerva, Vulcan, and Ericbthonius; The strife a∣bout Attica, and first sentence in Areopagus; In a word, the whole Attick fable. Let him also exactly know the Erran∣try of Ceres and finding of her daughter, and hospitality of Celeus, & husbandry of Triptolemus, & plantation of vines by I••••rus, and the disaster of Erigone; and whatsoever goes in story of Boreas, and Orithyia, and Theseus, and Aege∣us. Adde to this Medea's Entertainment, and Flight afterwards to the Persians; as also Erechtheus, and Pandion's Daughters, and what they both suffer'd, and did in

Thrace. Then let him know Acamas, and Phyllis, and Hellens first Rape, and the expedition of the Twinnes against the City; Hippolytus mischance, and the return of the Herculeans; all which he may read in the Attick Records, which being Athenian passages, I have briefly, for examples sake, run over. Next, let him learn the story of Megara, Nisus, and Scylla, and the purple Hair, and Mino's departure, and his ingratitude towards his Assister. To which let him adde the Atchievements wrought at Cytheron, and Thebes; the calamities of the people, Cad∣mus Banishment, and sign taken from the lying down of a Cow; the Serpents teeth sown, and springing up again; as also Cadmus transformation into a Serpent; the erection of Walls by Musick, the Builders madnesse, his wife Niobes insolent pride, and stupefaction through Griefe. As, also, the story of Pentheus, Actaeon, Oedipus, and Her∣cules, together with his Labours, and slaughter of his Children. Nor is Corinth lesse fraught with stories of Glauce, and Creon; and before these Bellerophon, and Sthe∣neboea; and the Combate between Neptune and the Sun; as also the Madnesse of Athamas, and aëry flight of Nephe∣les children upon a Ramme; and the Receipt of Ino, and Melicerta. To which may be added the Reports which go of the Pelopidae, and Mycenae, and more ancient then these of Inachus and Io, and her keeper Argus; of Atreus also, and Thyestes, and Aerope, and the Golden Fleece, and Pelops Wedding, and Agamemnon's slaughter, and Clytem∣nestra's punishment: and more ancient yet then these; the expedition of the Seven Generals, and the receipt of Adra∣stus fugitive Sons in Law, and the Oracle which was de∣liver'd of them; besides, the deniall of Buriall to the slain, and the destruction of Antigone, and Menoeceus thereupon; the stories also which are recorded in Neméa of Hypsipyle, and Archemorus, are monuments most necessarily to be known of a Dancer. Who before that is also to know what is said of Danae's Virginity, the birth of Perseus, and

his enterprize against the Gorgons; to which he is to joyn the Aethiopick Reports which go of Cassiopea, and An∣dromeda and Cepheus, whom the Superstition of Antiqui∣ty have placed among the Stars. Nor ought he to be ig∣norant in the ancient passages of Aegyptus, and Danaus, and the Treasons of that Wedding. Nor will Lacedaemon afford a few such examples, of Hyacinthus, and Zephyrus Rivall to Apollo; and the slaughter of the Boy by a Quoit, and the Flower which sprung from his bloud, and the mournfull Inscription written in it; as, also, the restoring of Tyndarus from the dead, and Iupiter's displeasure therefore against Aesculapius. Besides, the entertainment of Paris, and trans∣portation of Helen, after the decision of the Apple. And to this Spartan History he is to annex the Trojan, no lesse copious, and full of parts; from whence, according as every one fell, may be drawn Arguments for the Stage. All which he is upon occasion to remember; especially what hapned after Helens Transportation, 'till the return of the Grecian Captains. Aenea's wandrings, also, and Dido's Love. Nor will the reports which passe of Orestes be impertinent, and of his adventures in Scythia. And be∣fore that, the stories which go of Achilles, answerable to his Trojan; his disguise of a Girle in Scyrus; Ulysses distra∣ction, and desertion of Philoctetes; In a word, all Ulysses Travels, the stories of Circe, and Telegonus, and Aeolus Empire over the Winds, and other passages along to the revenge taken of the Suitors: And before that his circum∣vention of Palamedes, Nauplius Rage, Ajax Phrenzy, and the shipwrack of the other Ajax against Rocks. Elis also hath many patterns for Dancers; as Oenomaus, Myrtil••s, Saturn, Iupiter, and the chiefe Wrestlers in the Olympick Games. Nor is Arcadia lesse replenisht with stories, of Daphne's flight, Callisto's conversion into a Bear, the Cen∣taures drunkennesse, Pan's Parents, Alpheus Love, and Hyphalus Peregrination. And if we will send our dis∣course into Creet, dancing may from thence fetch nume∣rous

examples, taken from Europa, Pasiphae, and both their Buls; the Labyrinth, also, Ariadne, Phaedra, Minotaure, Daedalus, Icarus, Glaucus, the Prophecy of Polyides; Talo, also, and the Brazen wall of the City. If you look into Aetolia, many Instances may from thence, also, be taken for dancing; from Althaea, Meleager, Atalanta, Dalus, the Combate between the River and Hercules, the Birth of the Sirens, the Retribution of the Echinades, and habitation of Alcmaeon after his Madnesse; Nessus, also, and Deïanei∣ra's Jealousie; to which is to be added the Funerall pile in Oeta. Thrace, also, hath many examples requisite to a dancer; as Orpheus, and his dismembring; his vocall Head swimming along with his Harp: Haemus, also, and Rho∣dope, and the punishment of Lycurgus. But Thessalia is yet more copious in instances, of Pelias, Iason, Alcestis, the Fleet of fifty Ships, the Argo, and its speaking Keel; the passages of Lemnos, also concerning Aeta, Medea's dream, and dilaniation of Absyrtus, and what befell her in say∣ling: To which are to be added Protesilaus, and Laoda∣meia. If you will once more passe into Asia, you shall meet with as plentifull arguments, where Samus will pre∣sently accost you, and the calamity of Polycrates, and his daughters voyage into Persia; besides the more ancient passages of Tantalus Babling, and his Feasting of the Gods. The eating of Pelops flesh, supplyed with an Ivory shoul∣der. In Italy you meet with Eridanus, and Phaeton, and his sisters bewailing themselves into Poplars, and wee∣ping Amber. A Dancer is to know all the story of the Hesperides, and the Dragon-keeper of the Golden fruit; of Geryon, also, and his conveyance of the Oxen from Erythia. Nor is he to be ignorant of all the Fabulous Transmutations which have been made of things into Trees, or Beasts, or Fowls, or Women turn'd into Men; I mean Caeneus, and the Prophet Tiresias, and the like: and in Phoenicia Myrrha, and the divided sorrow of the Assyrians. Nor shall he only know these, but the more

modern passages, attempted by Antipater, and Seleucus, after the Macedonian Empire, for the love of Stratonice. He shall, also, know the most secret Mysteryes of the Aegyptians; That he may the more Symbollically act them; I mean Epaphus, and Osiris, and the transforma∣tion of the Gods into beasts; especially what ever is re∣ported of their loves, and of Iupiter himself, and his various shift of disguises. He shall, also, be skill'd in all the passages of Hell; in their tortures, and their se∣verall causes, and in the undivided friendshippe of Theseus, and Perithous, even in that infernall place. And to comprize all in a word, he shall be ignorant of nothing deliver'd either by Homer, or Hesiod, or the most excellent Poets, especially the Tragick. And thus have I recounted a few examples of many, or rather infinite, and rudely hudled them up in a Masse. The rest I leave to be sung by Poets, and to acted by Dan∣cers, and to be pursued by you according to these patterns and instances. All which a Dancer must have in rea∣dinesse, and prepared to be brought forth, and represen∣ted upon occasion. Now because he is to be a Mimick, and to expresse by motions what is sung in verse, 'tis ne∣cessary, like Oratours, he should practice perspicuity, that every part of which he acts, may carry its own light, and not require an Interpreter. And as the Pythian Oracle said, he that sees a Dance, must understand the Dan∣cer though dumbe, and hear him though silent. As it befell Demetrius, the Cynick Philosopher; who, like you, spoke much in disparagement of Dancing; sti∣ling a Dancer, the idle imployment of a pipe, and fiddle, and noyse; who added nothing to a Maske, but an absurd, vain, and senselesse motion; and that it was the part of a Jugler, not of a Dancer, to be drest in silke clothes, guilt vizards, and to move to a pipe, and la∣scivious tune, and wanton voice. A skillfull dancer, there∣fore, as the story goes, in Nero's time, and not un∣learn'd,

but well verst in history, and the Art of gesture, desired Demetrius, with the most becomming intrea∣tyes he could, I suppose, to see him dance, and then to reprehend him. He promised also to act before him without either Pipe, or Tune, and did so: For having imposed silence to the Minstrels, and Fidlers, and Con∣sort, he by himself danced the Adultery of Mars and Venus, the Sun betraying them, and Vulcan plotting and catching them in a wire Net. Then every God, who was seve∣rally spectator; then Venus blushing, and Mars beseeching; In a word, he acted the whole Fable so well, that Deme∣trius, much pleased with the spectacle, as the greatest praise could be bestow'd upon him, cryed out, and in a loud voice said, I hear, my Friend, what you act; Nor do I only see them, but methinks you speak with your Hands. And because my Discourse is fallen upon Nero's times, I will report to you a passage of a Stranger concer∣ning the same Dancer, who gave the greatest praise of his dancing that could be. This Barbarian Prince, being come from Pontus to Rome, about some business with Nero, among other entertainments saw this Dancer personate so lively, that though he knew nothing of what was sung (being half a Grecian) yet he understood all. Being to return to his Country after this entertainment of Nero's, and bid ask what he would, and it should be granted, Give me the Dancer, said he, and you shall much please me. Nero asking him of what use he could be to him, My neighbour Barbarians, said he, are of a different lan∣guage, nor is it easie for me to find interpreters for them. This Fellow, therefore, as often as I have need, shall ex∣pound to me by Gestures; such praise gain'd his Imitati∣ons, and Dancing, being significant and clear. The chiefe businesse, and aime of Dancing, then, is, as I said, Personation; which is to be perform'd by the rules of Rhetoricians, especially of those who busie themselves in Declamations. In which, the thing most praiseworthy is

to resemble their subjects, and not to let the things said disagree from the Princes, or Tyrant-slayers, or Beggers, or Husbandmen spoken of, but to give every one his propriety, and distinction. I will report to you the say∣ing of another Barbarian to this purpose: who seeing five Arguments provided, (for the Presentment consisted of so many parts) and seeing but one Dancer, askt who should act, and personate the rest; and being told that one would undergoe the whole performance, I was de∣ceived in you, my Friend, said he, who have but one Body, and many Soules. Thus the Barbarian. Nor do the Italians, without reason built upon his performan∣ces, call a Dancer a Pantomime, or generall Actor. The Poets excellent exhortation therefore, which sayes,

When thou in Cities Stay dost make, The mind of a pourcontrell take,

is very necessary for a Dancer, who must vary with his Argument, and transforme himself into every part he re∣presents. Especially Dancing undertakes to act, and per∣sonate behaviours, and passions of all sorts; sometimes bringing a Lover on the Stage, sometimes a cholerick man, sometimes a man distracted, sometimes one lost in sorrow, and all this gracefully. And what is most strange, upon one and the same day, it presents at one time Atha∣mas frantick, at another, Ino trembling; at another Atreus, presently after Thyestes, then Aegysthus, or Aerope, and all this by one man. In other showes, and sights, severall things are severally represented; as the Pipe, or Harp, or melody of the voice, or action of a Tragedy, or merry performance of a Comedy. But a Dancer doth expresse all these; in whose presentations you may behold vari∣ously compounded, and mixt, the Wayte, and Flute, crea∣kings of the Feet, shrilnesse of the Cymball, tunable voice of an Actor, and consort of a Quire. Besides, in other performances, one part of the man is only imploy'd:

where some parts concern only the Soul, others the Body. But in Dancing both are mixt, where what is done exhi∣bits the mind with the exercise, and activity of the Body. But the thing most regardfull is the discretion, and deco∣rum there observed. Lesbonax, therefore, the Mitylenian, an honest and vertuous man, used to call Dancers, Handy-wisemen; and went frequently to see them, as if he return'd better from the Theater: whose Tutor Timo∣crates, seeing once by chance, not of set purpose, a Dancer performe his parts, cryed out, What rare sights have I lost through a Philosophicall modesty? Now if it be true, what Plato delivers of the Soul; A Dancer most excel∣lently represents the 3 parts of it: The irascible, when he acts an angry man; the Concupiscible, when he presents a Lover; and the Rationall, when he puts a bridle to every affection. For Reason is mingled, and scatter'd with all parts of Dancing, as Feeling is with the other Senses. Now what doth this wisdome of the mind, made visible by the gracefulnesse of Dancing, but verifie Aristotle's saying, who praising Beauty, cals it the third part of Ver∣tue. And as for the silence sometimes used by dancers, I have heard some in a youthfull Hyperbole praise it as a piece of the Pythagorean discipline. And whereas other Studies carry with them either pleasure only, or profit, dancing only hath both, and renders profit the more pro∣fitable coming drest in pleasure. For how much a more delightfull Spectacle is this, then to see Young men cuff, and flow with Bloud, and wrestle in the dust, when they might much safelier, and comelier, and with more plea∣sure be seen in a dance. The decent motions, therefore, of dancing, gracefull postures, turnings, treadings, and ca∣prings, are both delightfull to the spectators, and health∣full to the Actors. For I must think that the best and most proportionable exercise, which both supples the body, and renders it flexible, and pliant, and bending to all postures, and strengthens it too. How can dancing

then, choose, but be the most accomplisht exercise, which thus whets the soul, exerciseth the body, delights the beholders, and instructs them in much antiquity, and equally by Flutes, and Cymballs, and the gracefull∣nesse of the limbes, diffuseth its charmes to the eyes, and eares? If, therefore, you affect the harmony of the voice where can you meet a fuller, or more me∣lodious consort? If you delight in ayres of the Cornet, or Flute, Dancing will abundantly supply you. I spare to tell you, that by such spectacles, and by fre∣quen••ing the Theater, you will be better'd in your manners, by learning to hate fowle deedes presented, and to bewayle those who are innocently unfortunate; And seeing the whole behaviour of the Spectators di∣sciplined. But that which I most extoll in Dancers is their Art, both to show strength, and softnesse; Nor is it to me lesse then a Paradox, for the same person, in the same performance, to expresse the boystrousnesse of Hercules, and the delicacy of Venus. But I will now pro∣ceed to show how a good Dancer must be qualifyed both in his minde and body. Though I have already reckon'd most of the endowments of his soul, who must have a fast memory, piercing wit, sharpe understanding, able to distinguish times well; he must also be a Critick of Poems, and songes, able to discern Dittyes well com∣posed, and to reject the ill. A draught of his body, I will give you by Polycletus rules. Which must not be over tall, nor too low, or dwarfish, but of a moderate size; neither over fleshy, which is prodigious, nor over lean, like a Sceleton, or a Anatomy. To this purpose, I will report to you some showtes of dislike utter'd by a people, who are no dull observers. The Cityzens of Antioch are most ingenious, and much addicted to dancing; and so given to marke what is said, or done, that no pas∣sage escapes them. Seeing, upon a time, a little, short Dan∣cer enter, and act Hector, they cryed out with one

voice, This is Astyanax, but where's Hector? Another time a fellow of an overgrown length preparing to dance Ca∣paneus, and to scale the walls of Thebes, they told him he might mount the wall without a ladder. Another time, a very big, and corpulent dancer, endeavouring to vault high, We had need, said they, to underprop the Stage. To a very lean Dancer, they cryed out, God strengthen you; as if he had been in a Consumpti∣on. I have alleadged these Examples, not to stir your laughter, but that you may know, that whole nations have so applyed their studies to dancing, as to be able to distinguish the right performance from the absurd. A Dancer, then, must be of an active, pliant, and compacted body; able upon occasion to make quick Turnes, and, if need be, to stop strongly. And that Dancing is no stranger to the warlick gestures of the hands, but partakes the vertues in combating of Mercury, Pollux, and Hercu∣les, you may perceive by severall presentments. Herodotus holds, that the Representations which are taken in by the Sight, are much more authentick then those which are taken in by the Ear. Dancing satisfies both sences, and conveies such strong impressions, that a certain Lover passing through the Theater was cured, by seeing the ill successes of Love; and though he came possess'd with a deep melancholly, departed cheerfull, as if he had drunck some potion of Oblivion; or, according to the Poet, Some draught of Nepenthe against Sadness. Now the sign of proper Action, and that the Presentment is universally understood, are the tears shed by the Spectators, as often as any calamitous, or tragicall passage is brought upon the Stage. The Bacchanall manner of dancing, exercised especially in Ionia, and Pontus, being also Satyrick, doth so inchant the people, that at certain times appointed, they neglect all other businesse, and sit whole daies to see the Titans, Corybantes, Satyrs, and Clowns acted, which are danced by the most noble, and greatest personages of

every City, who think it no dishonour, but rather value themselves more for such performances, then for their Births, Attendances, and Dignities of their Ancestours. And thus having deciphered the vertues of Dancers, give me leave to decipher the vices too. Those of the Body I have shown already. Those of the Mind you may thus observe. There are many, who out of ignorance (for 'tis not possible that all should be wise) commit great So∣loecismes in Dancing: such, I mean, whose actions are irregular, and not to the Tune, as they say; when the Foot sayes one thing, and the Instrument another. Others keep proportion to the Musick, but their Presentments, as I have often seen, are disproportioned to the right time. For you shall have one, who endeavouring to act Iupi∣ter's Birth, and Saturn eating his Children, danceth Thy∣estes sufferings, for the affinity of the Fables. Again, ano∣ther being to act Semele burnt with Lightning, likens Glauce to her, born long after. Yet is not Dancing to be scorn'd, because there are such Dancers; nor is the exer∣cise to be hated, but such Actors to be held unskilfull; and they to be praised, who, according to the right rules of their Art regularly make their performances. In a word, a Dancer must be every way exact, do all things with or∣der, decency, measure, like himself, beyond detraction, blame, and imperfections; have thoughts of the best com∣position, an Education quick, a deep Apprehension, and especially humane: whose applause must necessarily follow his performances, when every Spectator be∣holds himself acted; and sees in the Dancer, as in a Glass, whatever he useth to do, or suffer. For then men cannot containe for pleasure, but poure themselves forth in tumultuous praises, when every one sees the Images of his mind presented, and owns them. For the Delphick Coun∣sell, Know thy self, is by such spectacles so artificially instill'd into them, that they depart from the Theater taught what to choose, and what to shunne, and in∣structed

in those things which before they knew not. For as in speech so in Dancing, over-affectation is the fault of many, who strive to exceed the bounds of imitation, and strain beyond Decorum. As when some great passage is to be presented, to show it over great; or if some soft passage, to present it too womanish; or to stretch some manly Atchievement to savagenesse, and bestiality. As I once saw a Dancer, formerly much approved, and in his other performances discreet, and worthy to be admired, I know not by what mischance disgrace himself by over action. For being to dance Ajax after his vanquishment distracted, he failed so grossely, that some thought he acted not a madnesse, but was himself distemper'd. For he rent the garment of one of those who stampt in Iron shooes; and snatch∣ing a Cornet from one of the Fidlers, struck Ulysses, who stood by, insulting for his victory, such a blow on the head, that if his Helmet had not saved him, and borne off the violence of the stroke, the wretched party had perisht, and fallen prostrate at his feet. Though the whole Theater of Spectators, as mad as Ajax, stampt, showted, and shooke their cloathes. For the Rout, and Idiots, who knew not Decorum, nor were able to distinguish false action from right, took this as a great expression of fury. And the better bred, and more understanding, though they blusht at what was done, yet show'd not any dislike as much as by their silence; but colour'd the Dancers folly with their commendations. Though they plainly saw not the madnesse of Ajax, but of the representer acted. Not herewith content the Gentleman plaid a prank much more ridiculous. For descending into the pit he sate down between two who had been Consulls; much affraid least he should have mistaken, and beaten one of them for a sheep: which passage some extolled, others derided; others suspected his over Imitati∣on

had cast him into a true Madnesse. Others report, that after he came to himselfe, he was so ashamed of his action, that upon the true apprehension of his distemper, he fell sick for grief, and plainly profest it. For those of his Faction reque∣sting him to act Ajax over again to them, When I come next upon the Stage, said he; In the mean time 'tis enough for me to have once play'd the Madman. But his chiefe discontent sprung from an Antagonist, or Anti-Actor, who represented Ajax Raging, so gracefully, and discreet∣ly, that he was much extolled, keeping himself within the limits of dancing, and not breaking forth into any un∣proper action. These few examples, and exercises of dancing, of many, have I, my Friend, recounted to you, that you should not too much resent my thirst, and desire to frequent them. If, therefore, you will vouchsafe to partake of the Spectacle, I assure my self you will be in∣veigled, and become in love with Dancing. Nor shall I need to apply that saying of Circe to you,

I wonder by my Cup you'r not encharm'd;

for you will be enchanted; not to have the head of an Asse, or heart of a Swine, but your understanding will be much more confirm'd, and you for pleasure will leave little of the Potion undrunk. For what Homer sayes of Mercury's Golden Rod, that he thereby charmes up the Eyes of whom he lists, and rewakens them from sleep, is truly verified of Dancing, which wakes, and unlocks the eyes of the Beholders, and rouzes up their minds to all the passages of Life.

Crato.

You have perswaded me, Lycinus, and have at once open'd my eares, and eyes. And, therefore, remem∣ber when hereafter you go to the Theater, to take me along with you, that you only may not return from thence the wiser.