Miscellanies in prose and verse on several occasions, by Claudero [i.e. James Wilson], son of Nimrod the Mighty Hunter. The Fourth Edition with large Additions |
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Against low Dancing-Schools.
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 | Miscellanies in prose and verse |  |
Against low Dancing-Schools.
Train up a Child in the Way he should go, &c.
That dancing e'er should be a trade,
And vagrants thereby gain their bread;
Or that mere fops, by jigs and reels,
Should make estates by nimble heels;
While not one grain of wit or sense
They to their scholars can dispense;
Is matter of astonishment,
And view'd with utmost discontent:
So, reader, listen to my muse,
I mean to cure this gross abuse.
And vagrants thereby gain their bread;
Or that mere fops, by jigs and reels,
Should make estates by nimble heels;
While not one grain of wit or sense
They to their scholars can dispense;
Is matter of astonishment,
And view'd with utmost discontent:
So, reader, listen to my muse,
I mean to cure this gross abuse.
Good-breeding, early, I approve,
And that both sexes graceful move:
To drop a curt'sey, make a bow,
Is somewhat necessary too;
But let kind nature do her work,
With either Christian, Jew, or Turk,
I will be bound they far out-strip
Those who by science aukward skip.
Observe the native Highlandman,
By nature taught, how well he can,
With air genteel and breeding fine,
Beyond all school-bred dancers, shine;
His lively caper without school,
Beats all who move by art or rule;
And his address does better please,
Because it comes with grace and ease.
And that both sexes graceful move:
To drop a curt'sey, make a bow,
Is somewhat necessary too;
30
With either Christian, Jew, or Turk,
I will be bound they far out-strip
Those who by science aukward skip.
Observe the native Highlandman,
By nature taught, how well he can,
With air genteel and breeding fine,
Beyond all school-bred dancers, shine;
His lively caper without school,
Beats all who move by art or rule;
And his address does better please,
Because it comes with grace and ease.
Yet after all, if you persist
My honest counsel to resist;
I pray that youth of ev'ry station
May go to schools of reputation;
But as your childrens good you tender
(Either male or female gender)
My sentiments I do impart,
As you'd avoid a broken heart,
Beware of low professors art;
Or else your error you may see
When it cannot recover'd be.
My honest counsel to resist;
I pray that youth of ev'ry station
May go to schools of reputation;
But as your childrens good you tender
(Either male or female gender)
My sentiments I do impart,
As you'd avoid a broken heart,
Beware of low professors art;
Or else your error you may see
When it cannot recover'd be.
You here may ask the reason why
'Gainst dancing-schools I thus inveigh?
Allow me then, I'll plainly tell,
The low ones nurs'ries are for hell;
As by the following truths appear,
Which very lately happen'd here.
'Gainst dancing-schools I thus inveigh?
Allow me then, I'll plainly tell,
The low ones nurs'ries are for hell;
As by the following truths appear,
Which very lately happen'd here.
A lovely youth to virtue bred,
To Ed'nburgh sent to get a trade;
That, by industry, he might learn
In future life his bread to earn;
Fatal for him, was drawn away
(With latest breath he curs'd the day)
To one of these low dancing schools,
Amongst a pack of idle fools;
Where the professor of the art
With dress and capers charm'd his heart,
And, as the youth was proper tool,
He soon decoy'd him to his school.
Th'unthinking lad, thus made his prize,
All friendly counsel did despise;
He curs'd his master and his trade,
And day and night away was led
With company debauch'd and rude,
And danc'd with rogues and harlots lewd.
His money wasted in short space
Amongst the worthless female race.
And to support extravagance,
Dress, drink, and whore, and eke the dance,
He practis'd many a wicked trick,
And e'en at last began to pick;
'Till, in the end, it was his hap,
To catch a sad and mortal clap;
No medicine his life could save,
He lothsome dropt into his grave.
But oh! when near the gates of death,
He cry'd aloud, with parting breath,
This dancing-school had been the cause
Of his transgressing virtue's laws;
Begging both sexes to beware,
And to avoid this fatal snare.
His parents pardon he did crave,
And pray'd that God his soul might save;
Then, 'midst the tears of all around,
He dy'd a penitent profound.
Who can his parents sorrow paint,
Altho' 'tis hop'd he dy'd a saint;
Their aged hearts with grief did bleed,
They soon were number'd 'mongst the dead.
To Ed'nburgh sent to get a trade;
That, by industry, he might learn
In future life his bread to earn;
Fatal for him, was drawn away
(With latest breath he curs'd the day)
To one of these low dancing schools,
Amongst a pack of idle fools;
Where the professor of the art
With dress and capers charm'd his heart,
And, as the youth was proper tool,
He soon decoy'd him to his school.
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All friendly counsel did despise;
He curs'd his master and his trade,
And day and night away was led
With company debauch'd and rude,
And danc'd with rogues and harlots lewd.
His money wasted in short space
Amongst the worthless female race.
And to support extravagance,
Dress, drink, and whore, and eke the dance,
He practis'd many a wicked trick,
And e'en at last began to pick;
'Till, in the end, it was his hap,
To catch a sad and mortal clap;
No medicine his life could save,
He lothsome dropt into his grave.
But oh! when near the gates of death,
He cry'd aloud, with parting breath,
This dancing-school had been the cause
Of his transgressing virtue's laws;
Begging both sexes to beware,
And to avoid this fatal snare.
His parents pardon he did crave,
And pray'd that God his soul might save;
Then, 'midst the tears of all around,
He dy'd a penitent profound.
Who can his parents sorrow paint,
Altho' 'tis hop'd he dy'd a saint;
Their aged hearts with grief did bleed,
They soon were number'd 'mongst the dead.
Say, after this, am I to blame,
Thus to expose low dancers game?
Nay, surely, you'll be of opinion,
That magistrates, who have dominion,
Should use their pow'r to rid the town,
Of dancers void of good renown;
And as we are at odds with France,
Send them to learn the warlike dance.
Thus to expose low dancers game?
Nay, surely, you'll be of opinion,
That magistrates, who have dominion,
Should use their pow'r to rid the town,
Of dancers void of good renown;
And as we are at odds with France,
Send them to learn the warlike dance.
The manly doctrine of defence,
Is well worth young mens time and pence;
Ye British youths, to that repair,
And learn the warlike science there.
Be taught with skill the sword to wield,
And ornament you for the field:
But banish dancing from our arts,
To France, and other southern parts.
Let Britain's sons be heroes all,
And ev'ry dancer be a Gaul.
Is well worth young mens time and pence;
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And learn the warlike science there.
Be taught with skill the sword to wield,
And ornament you for the field:
But banish dancing from our arts,
To France, and other southern parts.
Let Britain's sons be heroes all,
And ev'ry dancer be a Gaul.
| Miscellanies in prose and verse | |