NONESUCH, or A LA MODE DE FRANCE

Longways for eight; in five parts (1st Ed., 1650).

MUSICMOVEMENTS



First Part
A11–4All lead up a double and fall back a double to places (r.s.).
5–8That again.
B11–4Partners set and turn single.
5–8That again.



Second Part
(Duple minor-set.)
A11–4First man and first woman face and move forward two steps; joining hands, they slip down between second man and second woman; releasing hands, first man turns clockwise to face second man, while first woman turns counter-clockwise to face second woman.
5–8First man takes second man by both hands and pushes him obliquely upward and outward four steps, and then draws backward four steps, leaving second man in the top place, he himself falling into the second place (r.s.); simultaneously, first and second women do the same (progressive).
B11–4All four, facing front, fall back a double and move forward a double (r.s.).
5–8First and second men turn their partners.



Third Part
A11–2Partners side to the right (r.s.).
3–4All turn single.
5–6Partners side to the left (r.s.).
7–8All turn single.
B11First man springs on to his left foot diagonally up and toward the right wall, and stands midway between the two lines, facing down.
2First woman springs on to her left foot in front of her partner and stands facing him.
3–4Second man and second woman do the same.
5–8Third couple does the same; and then the fourth couple.



Fourth Part
A11–4Partners arm with the right.
5–8Partners arm with the left.
B11–4Men dance four slips towards the right wall and four slips back again; while women dance four slips towards the left wall, and four slips back again.
5–8Men dance four slips towards the left wall and four slips back again; while women dance four slips towards the right wall, and four slips back again.



Fifth Part
A1First man springs on to his right foot down and towards the left wall in his original place, and faces front.
2First woman springs on to her right foot in like manner, into her own place.
3–4Second man does the same; then second woman.
5–8Third couple the same; then the fourth.
B1 and B2The progressive circular hey, all handing as they pass (r.s.). First man and first woman begin the movement by passing each other by the right, and, upon completing one circuit, stay in their places while the rest finish the figure (Fig. 11, p.51).

[There are many variations on this dance. The Round generally dances the Second Part as hitch back, come forward and slip down etc.; with live music the Round traditionally repeats this figure until the first couple is back to the top place, but EFDSS practice and recorded music repeats it until the 4th couple is at the top (so the 4s never get a chance to lead the figure).
Just in case the Third Part is unclear; the A music is “partners cross left shoulders, turn single, cross home right shoulders, turn single.”]

Page transcribed by Hugh Stewart