THE MERRY CONCEIT

For Four; in three parts (3rd Ed., 1665). Couple facing couple across the room, the couple on the men’s side being the first.

	MUSIC	MOVEMENTS
		First Part.
A	1–2	The two couples move forward a double and meet (r.s.).
	3–4	All turn single, men clockwise, women counter-clockwise.
	5–6	Couples fall back a double to places (r.s.).
	7–8	All turn single, women clockwise, men counter-clockwise.
B1	1–4	Each man slips four slips to his right in front of his partner, and four slips back to his place behind his partner, keeping his back to her.
	5–8	Each man arms the contrary woman with the right.
B2	1–4	Each man slips four slips to his right behind his partner, and four slips back to his place in front of his partner, keeping his face to her.
	5–8	Each man arms the contrary woman with the left.
		Second Part.
A	1–4	Each man turns his partner round once with the left hand, and then, taking the contrary woman by the right hand, changes places with her (sk.s.).
	5–8	Each man taking the contrary woman by the left hand, changes places with her, and then turns his partner once round with the right hand.
B1	1–8	First woman faces her partner, passes him by the right, turns to her right and, followed by her partner, walks between second man and second woman, turns to her left round second woman and returns to her place (w.s.).
B2	1–8	Second woman faces her partner and does the same.
		Third Part.
A	1–4	Each man back-to-back (Fig 7, p.22) with the contrary woman (r.s.).
	5–8	Each man back-to-back with his partner (r.s.).
B1	1–4	Each man turns out to his left and, followed by his partner, moves round three-quarters of a circle into the contrary woman’s place (sk.s.).
	5–8	Partners Set-and honour.
A3	1–4	Each woman turns out to her left and, followed by her partner, moves round to her own place (sk.s.).
	5–8	Each man Set-and honour with the contrary woman.

Page transcribed by Hugh Stewart