Pavan
French Pavan
Thoinot Arbeau, Orchesography, 1589
Processsion of couples
Easy

 
I A1 1-4 2 Singles forward on left, right
5-8 Double forward on left
9-12 2 Singles forward on right, left
13-16 Double forward on right
 
II Repeat as desired
 

Arbeau: La pauane est facile à dancer, car il n’y a que deux simples & vn double en merchant & sauanceant. Et deux simples & vn double en reculant & desmarchant : Et se ioue par mesure binaire. Et notterez qu’en la danceant, lesdits deux simples & le dit double de l’aduance, se commencent par le pied gauche : et lesdits deux simples & le double de la demarche, se commencent par le pied droit.   Arbeau: The pavane is easy to dance, because it is only two singles and a double advancing. And two singles and a double retreating. And it is played in duple time. And you will note that when they dance it, the two singles and the double of the advance, begin on the left foot. And the two singles and the double of the retreat, begin on the right foot.
Capriol: Le tabourin donc & aultres instruments y sont huict battements & mesures en merchant, & huict mesures en desmarchant.   Capriol: The tabor and the other instruments play eight beats and measures as they advance, and eight measures as they retreat.
Arbeau: Il est ainsi : Et si on veut on ne recule point, & marche lon tousiours auant.   Arbeau: This is so, and if one wants one does not move back, and dances always forwards.

Reconstruction by Peter Durham. Original text is transcribed from the Fonta edition. Translation by Peter Durham.