born, Serenades of voices and instruments were common, and in general practice by all classes of young men, and not only laymen, but also yonge fooles of the spiritualtie.
The instruments mentioned are such as were still in use in Shakespeare's time—viz., harp, lute, 'foolish' pipe, bagpipe, and 'foolish' flute, besides the several varieties of song, which evidently included both solo and part singing—'feigned' ballads for a single voice [ballads, that is, in the more refined 'keys' of 'Musica Ficta'], and 'Countering,' which implies that two voices at least took part.
The following passage is an example of this nocturnal serenading by a company of gentlemen.
Two Gent. 32, 82.
| Proteus | (advises Thurio) 'Visit by night your lady's chamber window With some sweet concert: to their instruments Tune a deploring dump:' |
| Thu. | And thy advice this night I'll put in practice. Therefore, sweet Proteus, my direction-giver, Let us into the city presently, To sort some gentlemen well skilled in music. |
Proteus advises Thurio to get a 'consort' (probably of viols) to play a 'dump' under Silvia's window.
