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.

MUSICMOVEMENTS
First Part.
A1–2The two couples move forward a double and meet (r.s.).
3–4All turn single, men clockwise, women counter-clockwise.
5–6Couples fall back a double to places (r.s.).
7–8All turn single, women clockwise, men counter-clockwise.
B11–4Each 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.
5–8Each man arms the contrary woman with the right.
B21–4Each 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.
5–8Each man arms the contrary woman with the left.
Second Part.
A1–4Each 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.).
5–8Each man taking the contrary woman by the left hand, changes places with her, and then turns his partner once round with the right hand.
B11–8First 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.).
B21–8Second woman faces her partner and does the same.
Third Part.
A1–4Each man back-to-back (Fig 7, p.22) with the contrary woman (r.s.).
5–8Each man back-to-back with his partner (r.s.).
B11–4Each 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.).
5–8Partners Set-and honour.
A31–4Each woman turns out to her left and, followed by her partner, moves round to her own place (sk.s.).
5–8Each man Set-and honour with the contrary woman.

Note: This text is from a later edition. In the first edition the second figure A 1-4 had (r.s.) instead of skipping.

Page transcribed by Hugh Stewart