This story I do therefore repeat, that you may see of what force these enticements are, if they be opportunely used, and how hard it is even for the most averse and sanctified souls to resist such allurements. John Maior in the life of John the Monk, that lived in the dayes of Theodosius, commends the Hermite to have been a man of singular continency, and of a most austere life; but one night by chance the Devil came to his Cell in the habit of a young market wench that had lost her way, and desired for Gods sake some lodging with him.

The old man let her in, and after some common conference of her mishap, she began to inveagle him with lascivious talk and jests, to play with his beard, to kiss him, and do worse, till at last she overcame him. As he went to address himself to that business, she vanished on a sudden, all the Devils in the ayr laughed him to scorn. Whether this be a true story, or a tale, I will not much contend, it serves to illustrate this which I have said.

Yet were it so, that these of which I have hitherto spoken, and such like inticing baits be not sufficient, there be many others, which will of themselves intend this passion of burning lust, amongst which, Dancing is none of the least; and it is an engine of such force, I may not omit it. Incitamentum libidinis, Petrach calls it, the spur of lust, A circle of which the Devil himself is the Center. Many women that use it, have come dishonest home, most indifferent, none better.

Another terms it the companion of all filthy delights and enticements, and ’tis not easily told what inconveniences come by it, what scurrile talk, obscene actions, and many times such monstrous gestures, such lascivious motions, such wanton tunes, meretricious kisses, homely embracings,

—— (ut Gaditana canoro Incipiat prurire choro, plausuque probatæ Ad terram tremulâ descendant clune puellæ, Irritamentum Veneris languentis) ——

That it will make the spectators mad. When that Epitomizer of Trogus had to the full described and set out King Ptolomies riot, as a chief engine and instrument of his overthrow, he adds tympanum & tripudium, fidling and dancing; the King was not a spectator onely, but a principall Actor himself.

A thing nevertheless frequently used, and part of a Gentlewomans bringing up, to sing, dance, and play on the Lute, or some such instrument, before she can say her Pater Noster, or ten Commandements. ’Tis the next way their Parents think, to get them husbands, they are compelled to learn, and by that means, Incestos amores de tenero meditantur ungue;

’Tis a great allurement as it is often used, and many are undone by it. Thais in Lucian, inveagled Lamprias in a dance. Herodias so far pleased Herod, that she made him swear to give her what she would ask, John Baptists head in a platter.

Robert Duke of Normandy, riding by Falais, spied Arlette a fair maid, as she danced on a green, and was so much enamoured with the object, that he must needs lye with her that night. Owen Tudor won Queen Catharines affection in a dance, falling by chance with his head in her lap. Who cannot parallel these stories out of his experience?

Speusippus a noble gallant in that greek Aristenætus, seeing Panareta a fair yong Gentlewoman dancing by accident, was so far in love with her, that for a long time after he could think of nothing but Panareta: he came raving home full of Panareta: Who would not admire her, who would not love her, that should but see her dance as I did? O admirable, O divine Panareta! I have seen old and new Rome, many fair Cities, many proper women, but never any like to Panareta, they are dross, dowdies all to Panareta! O how she danced, how she tript, how she turn’d, with what a grace! happy is that man that shall injoy her. O most incomparable, only, Panareta!

When Xenophon in Symposio or Banquet, had discoursed of love, and used all the engines that might be devised, to move Socrates, amongst the rest, to stir him the more, he shuts up all with a pleasant Enterlude or dance of Dionysius and Ariadne.

First Ariadne dressed like a Bride came in and took her place; by and by Dionysius entred, dancing to the Musick. The spectators did all admire the yong mans carriage; and Ariadne her self was so much affected with the sight, that she could scarce sit. After a while Dionysius beholding Ariadne, and incensed with love, bowing to her knees, embraced her first, and kissed her with a grace; she embraced him again, and kissed him with like affection, &c. as the dance required: but they that stood by and saw this, did much applaud and commend them both for it.

And when Dionysius rose up, he raised her up with him, and many pretty gestures, embraces, kisses, and love complements passed between them; which when they saw fair Bacchus and beautiful Ariadne so sweetly and so unfeignedly kissing each other, so really embracing, they swore they loved indeed, and were so enflamed with the object, that they began to rouse up themselves, as if they would have flown.

At the last when they saw them still, so willingly embracing, and now ready to go to the Bride-chamber, they were so ravished with it, that they that were unmarried, swore they would forthwith marry, and those that were married, called instantly for their horses, and gallopped home to their wives.

What greater motive can there be then this burning lust? What so violent an oppugner? Not without good cause therefore so many general Councels condemn it, so many Fathers abhor it, so many grave men speak against it: Use not the company of a woman, saith Syracides, 8. 4. that is a singer, or a dancer; neither hear, least thou be taken in her craftiness. In circo non tam cernitur quam discitur libido. Hædus holds, lust in Theaters is not seen, but learned.