A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Tractus

by William Smyth Rockstro

TRACTUS (Deriv. traho, traxi, to bear; Eng. Tract). A form of Versicle sung, in the Roman Church, after the Gradual, between the Epistle and Gospel. The Graduale and Tractus owe their names to the primitive custom of singing the Epistle and Gospel from two Pulpits, or Ambones, placed on opposite sides of the Choir; the Epistle being sung on the south, and the Gospel on the north side—when the orientation of the Church was correct. The Graduale was so called, because it was sung while the Deacon was ascending the steps, on the Gospel-side. The Tractus owed its name to the ceremony of carrying the book from one side to the other. The Plain-Chaunt Melodies to both are of the highest antiquity.

[ W. S. R. ]