and the ditty[1] fitted to the device. Acting in song, especially in dialogues, hath an extreme good grace; I say acting, not dancing (for that is a mean and vulgar thing); and the voices of the dialogue would[2] be strong and manly, (a base and a tenor; no treble;) and the ditty high and tragical; not nice[3] or dainty.[4] Several quires, placed one over against another, and taking the voice by catches,[5] anthem-wise, give great pleasure. Turning dances into figure is a childish curiosity. And generally let it be
- ↑ Ditty. A. song; now, a short, simple song.
"And near, and nearer as they row'd,
Distinct the martial ditty flow'd."
Scott. The Lady of the Lake. II. xviii.
- ↑ Would. Should.
- ↑ Nice. Fine, delicate, finicky.
"Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?"
Shakspere. III. King Henry VI. iv. 7.
- ↑ Dainty. Choice; excellent.
"Ay? indeed? a scheme o' yours? that must be a denty ane!"
Scott. Old Mortality. VI.
- ↑ Catch. Originally, a short musical composition in which each succeeding singer takes up or 'catches' his part in turn; a round. Subsequently, especially applied to rounds, in which the words are so arranged as to produce ludicrous effects, one singer 'catching' at the words of another.
"Sir Toby. Shall we rouse the night-owl in a catch that will draw three souls out of one weaver? shall we do that?
Sir Andrew. An you love me, let 's do 't: I am a dog at a catch.
Clown. By 'r Lady, sir, and some dogs will catch well.
Sir Andrew. Most certain. Let our catch be, Thou knave.
Clown. Hold thy peace, thou knave, knight? I shall be constrained in 't to call thee knave, knight.
Sir Andrew. 'T is not the first time I have constrained one to call me knave. Begin, Fool: it begins, Hold thy peace.
Clown. I shall never begin, if I hold my peace.
Sir Andrew. Good, i' faith. Come, begin.[They sing the catch.]"
Shakspere. Twelfth Night. ii. 3.
agree well; organs and the voice agree well, &c; but the virginals and the lute, or the Welsh harp and Irish harp, or the voice and pipes alone, agree not so well." Bacon. Sylva Sylvarum. Century III. 278.
