Pilgrim's Fancy

The progress recounted by Christopher the Prancing Puritan at The Cavaliers' Ball as presented by We Make History -- and recounted as John Bunyan might have witnessed it.

Pictorial Assistance By John Cabot (as portrayed by Michael C.)

(Click any photo for a closer view!)

I lighted in a certain desert place where was shade, and as I laid me down to sleep I dreamed a dream.

I dreamed, and behold, I saw a man clothed in brown and white, a flat-brimmed hat upon his head, and satin garters round his knees. I looked and saw him lead a lady clothed in modern stylish black by his right hand, his left hand stately at his hips. And right away I knew he drempt as well, warm with expectations of capering about.


And then I saw a Cavalier remove his sword before he took his lady's hand. And there I paused, recalling thoughts of civil war, of Cavaliers and Roundheads. But then I saw him begin to lead a long procession of the two disparate sides, and they were joined by allies far and wide in frivolity. He weaved them about into a labyrinth; but, behold, he doth led them out again into a circle.



And I saw him call the ladies and the gents in turn to step forward and back, and I saw Christopher -- for this was the name of this Pilgrim clothed in brown and white -- skip out and loose his happiness. The Cavalier called on the merry ones by the colour of their dress to present themselves, and I saw ladies dressed in hoopskirt gowns emerge with grace as if in the presence of the king.

As lay there dreaming, I saw the many arrange themselves in sets and walk back and forth in a double, as their Caller directed, and dance a tiny jig to their partners, turning themselves in place. Then I saw the Pilgrim cross back and forth across the set, changing places with his lady, whom I perceived a bit confused by some new figures. Yet she endeavoured to follow each step, and her partner was not dismayed as he encouraged her with smiles and words of thanksgiving after he honoured her with a regal bow.

"Each dance builds upon the next," I heard the Pilgrim explain to his lady, and lo, in my dream, I saw he told no falsehood as they proceeded into Sellinger's Round.

"Ah," I heard him say in mirth of familiarity upon the mention of the dance, and I saw couples step in and out of one great circle and then turn each other and repeating the tiny jig.

Then the gathered multitudes formed up in sets again, in groups of six, for "The Black Nag." The players broke into a jauntily wistful melody, and the couples sashayed back and forth in order, then siding and changing places along their line. I saw in my dream Christopher skipping for joy at every opportunity to slip to the other side, although he walked a hey for three with caution, a bit uncertain of the figure but determined to keep the elegant form, passing his neighbours by the left and right shoulders in a figure eight.

"May I escort you somewhere, my lady?" he asked his partner upon conclusion of the dance. And I saw he rarely left her side, watching o'er her and attending to her refreshment.

Tea and punch did much to reinvigorate the gathering, and they were eager to dance in spite of peculiar moments where the capering mysteriously suspended. I saw a circle dance progressing through two parts, with the ladies and the gentlemen took turns skipping and clapping; but mysteriously, the third did not emerge. The players began it once again, but still it halted prematurely; and the Pilgrim wondered if thievery was afoot.

But on they danced, and the Pilgrim and his lady found themselves immersed in a set of unfamiliar weaving figures neither one of them did understand. Now I saw that Christopher had walked through it, and he thought his steps were proper. Alas, he and his lady soon found they were mistaken when their fancy motions did not conform to those of their neighbours.

"What shall I do?" lamented the Pilgrim in silence as they stood in place during the parts they understood not. And I could see him struggle to obscure his countenance of disappointment, ashamed to be such a poor example to his lady.

But lo, I saw their neighbors step in to correct them and lead them on, helping them to salvage their merriment before the dance concluded. And his lady, although tempted by the thought of surrendering to defeat, danced on with him, and the Pilgrim bowed to her in gratitude in the end, thankful to His Creator that he was Blessed to dance with a lady of Great Patience.

Then I saw his joy return when the Caller doth announced a favourite dance of his: "Come, Let Us Be Merry!"

"This dance I do know," he reassured his lady and his neighbours as they formed a set of three couples. And true to his word, the Pilgrim took great pride in leading his lady through the elegant honours and casting off around the other couples before leading her between them before joining hands in a circle of six and progressing around into new places.

And then I saw some moments of invention. As others repaired to the room of refreshments, a number of ladies and gentlemen remained behind, and the Caller taught them a dance much waltz-like in its movements, even though the steps appeared more suitable to minuets from a time yet to arrive. The Pilgrim stood alone, his lady excusing herself for powder, but I saw he could not resist the urge to dance as the players filled the air with music. So he walked in graceful steps and dipped his knees in three-quarter rhythm, dancing with an unseen lady as he thought of that minuet to come.

And to his side, several ladies held hands, stepping in and out as they circled round, and Christopher joined eagerly joined them, no longer satisfied to dance alone. And the ladies varied their steps, circling in a different direction after a suitable number of beats, and then skipping about after several beats more. And then I saw a pair of ladies take the centre of the circle, dancing in the middle as the others circled round them, repeating the motions once again. Then the Pilgrim and two others took the centre when the dance repeated once more. And wherefore, they found they had created a new dance!

"We must name this dance!" a lady exclaimed upon the conclusion.

"How about The Cavaliers' Fancy?" I heard the Pilgrim suggest, whereas I gather he put his loyalties to Parliament aside to honour of the Host of the celebration.

Wherefore the gathered agreed upon the name with much delight, they were eager to teach the dance to anyone.

I saw the Pilgrim demonstrate his knowledge of a reel, as he linked arms with ladies in a dance called "Willow Tree."





And I saw the happy multitude link arms again to honor those born in April and May, along with a new professor of Oxford, having completed his studies and standing before us in his graduation gown.

And then I saw the Cavalier draw names for prizes: fine delicacies of Denmark and Flanders (and graciously, not Vanity Fair). He held the grand prize up, and I saw a tin of Flemish chocolates. Then he drew a name and announced the winner...

"Christopher!"

"Huzzah!" I heard the Pilgrim cry as he claimed his prize.

Do you have someone to share the chocolates with on the long carriage ride back, I heard the Cavalier ask.

"Ohhhh, yea..." the Pilgrim responded with mirth of confidence.

The call went out for The Pineapple Dance, and I saw Christopher explain it to his lady: "This is the easiest dance you will do all night!" He explained it briefly, but the dance taught itself.

Wherefore a dance loved by all is worth dancing again, I saw everyone joining in a reprise of "The Black Nag," and the Pilgrim reminding his neighbours of the figures.

And then I saw the couples dancing in a waltz, anticipating a style of the future; and the Pilgrim led his lady in a progression side by side around the room, stepping in and out before they drew together into a two-step. She recalled it had been a long time since she had waltzed in a box step. And once again, he bowed to her in deep gratitude.

Several times I heard him compliment his lady on her dancing, wherefore she said to him, "Oh, you are just being nice." But he refused to accept any other characterization, and he paid honour to her without hesitation.

Then in my dream I saw him standing in his white and brown attire, lamenting the end of the frivolities; and then I saw him lay to sleep with joy of dance abundant in his heart.

So I awoke, and behold it was a dream...

...but only for me.

See more memories for thyself here.

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