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 pavin, from pavo a pea-cock, is a grave and majestic dance. The method of dancing it was anciently by gentlemen dressed with a cap and sword, by those of the long robe in their gowns, by princes in their mantles, and by ladies with gowns with long trains, the motion whereof in the dance resembled that of a pea-cock's tail. This dance is supposed to have been invented by the Spaniards." "The pavin," adds Drake, "was rendered still more grave by the introduction of the passamezzo air, which obliged the dancers after making several steps round the room, to cross it in the middle in a slow step, or cinque pace."

There is an interesting passage in Middleton's Women Beware Women (iii. 2) concerning certain dances as danced by certain people.

Dancing was the usual amusement to follow a