The Anatomy of Melancholy

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.