A lively dance
A “puffe” was a vigorous dance that put you out of breath, which indicates how this piece should be played. It is arranged for ukulele from: Poulton D, Lam B, Eds. 1995. The collected lute music of John Dowland, Edn 3. Faber Music, London.
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| Lady Hundson painted by Nicholas Hilliard |
Elizabeth Spencer, Baroness Hundson (1552 – 1618) married George Carey, 2nd Baron Hundson (a grandson of Anne Boleyn’s sister) in 1574. She was a scholar and a patron of the arts, including John Dowland. She survived her husband, a diplomat and soldier, who died of VD and mercury poisoning in 1603. She was painted by Nicholas Hilliard (c. 1547 – 1619)
The different Mss that P&L examined vary in the barring and in the dispositions of the four strains. The version they chose is barred in 4/4 time, but another has it in 2/4 time, and this is what I have done here as I find it easier to read. In P&L we have strains A, A’ (8 bars each), B (6 bars), C (8 bars), D (10 bars), but another MS ends with a reprise of C. So, it’s up to you.
Strain B begins with a version of the first bars of A, but built on F (on the ukulele) rather than G. It seems to be 2 bars short, but I have checked with facsimiles and it seems to be thus.
The use of the chord of F, VII in the key of G, occurs in bars 6, 14, 18, 20 and 36. It is reminiscent of the beginning of the passamezzo antico sequence, and adds to the charm of the piece. Indeed, Diana Poulton mentions “most attractive”, “charmingly fresh melody”, and “shapely and elegant”. I would add that it’s also good fun to play. I have tried to get a good movement in the lower voice, although it has been raised an octave, and in places if feels like a duet.
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