B00830:21
A brief treatise, concerning the use and abuse of dancing. Collected out of the…A briefe treatise, concerning the vse and abuse of dauncing. Collected oute of the…
A brief treatise, concerning the use and abuse of dancing. Collected out of the learned works of the most excellent dean doctor, Peter Martyr, by paister Rob Massonius: and translated into English by I.K.A briefe treatise, concerning the vse and abuse of dauncing. Collected oute of the learned workes of the most excellent deaine doctour, Peter Martyr, by paister Rob Massonius: and translated into English by I.K.
London: printed by John Jugge, 1580London: printed by Iohn Iugge, 1580
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The cause again of the dancing and melody made in the Fathers house, was for joy his Prodigal child was returned, and the sinner repented: and I pray you, which of you ever danceth for joy the wasteful youth becometh thrifty, or wicked forsaketh his naughty ways? daily experience teacheth us the contrary, that many young men somewhat thrifty, after they give them selves to dancing fall to prodigality? and somewhat virtuous, become altogether vicious: or being before but up to the shoe latchets, now are they sunk up to the chin, and without ⟨image 10⟩great heed, over head and ears. The end of theirs tended to the glory and honour of almighty God, they sang the praises & mighty works of the almighty, in their sober dances: and at what time I beseech you, at these meetings sing you the praises, and wondrous works of God? Nay, at what time is not he or she laughed to scorn, that should so behave them selves? so far are you from their godly pastimes. Wherefore for shame cease to city this that makes so much against you, and as pure white setteth forth your foul and stained black: and if you have any other & better, bring them forth. Better we have not, neither can we (for where so good may be found, as in holy Scripture) but other we have, whereby we will no more contend, that this lascivious leaping of ours is sufferable at all times, but only at Whitsuntide, and that for three causes: that we may use rejoicing in remembrance the holy Ghost descended to illuminate the hearts & minds of men: that the Church might be the better by this means maintained: and that the youth might eschew idle thoughts, which by sitting still and ⟨image 11⟩doing nothing would soon possess their heads, and thereout would quickly flame evil deeds.
The cause againe of the dauncing and melodye made in the Fathers house, was for ioye his Prodigall chylde was returned, and the sinner repented: and I pray you, which of you euer daunceth for ioye the wastfull youth becommeth thryftye, or wicked forsaketh his naughtie wayes? dayly experience teacheth vs ye contrary, that many yong men somewhat thriftye, after they geue them selues to daunceing fall to prodigallity? and somwhat vertuous, become altogeather vicious: or being before but vp to the shoe latchets, nowe are they sunke vp to the chinne, and without ⟨image 10⟩