SCA Dance Cheat Sheets

Heart's Ease

Source: Playford (1651), TPB, LoD v2.

Setting: A set of 2 couples (facing each other).

Version: 1.1

 1- 4  Double towards the other couple, double away,
 5- 8   repeat 1-4.

 9-10  Face your partner and double backwards, away from them,
11-12   double towards partner, 
13-16   turn your contrary by the right.
17-18  Face your contrary and double backwards, away from them,
19-20   double towards contrary, 
21-24   turn your partner by the left.

 1- 4  Side right with your partner,
 5- 8   side left with your contrary.

 9-24  Repeat 9-24.

 1- 4  Arm right with your partner,
 5- 8   arm left with your contrary.

 9-24  Repeat 9-24.

Note: Playford's ``contrary'' is generally called a corner or opposite in modern folkdance.

Transcription:

Meet all a D. fall back a D. ?u?.? That againe ?u?:?
	Men fall back from your We. meet again and turne Co. once round with
	the right hand ?u?.? All fall back from the Co. they turne, meet againe
	and turn your owne with the left hand.

Sides all with your owne, then with the Co. ?u?.? That againe ?u?.?
	As before ?u?:?

Armes all with your owne ?u?.? That again with the Co. and fall backe from your
owne first, as before ?u?:?
	As before ?u?:?

Discussion:

This dance is often played at a quite leisurely pace in the SCA, while modern English Country Dancers seem to dance it fast. Playford, of course, gives no hints as to tempo.