Playford 1651
Cecil Sharp 1912
Square for eight

First Figure
   A1    4  Lead partner out a double, change, and back
         2  Turn corner both hands half-way, ending in lines along the side
         2  Turn opposite both hands half-way, into square
   A2    4  Lead new partner out a double, change and back
         2  Turn corner both hands half-way, ending in lines along the side
         2  Turn opposite both hands half-way, ending in original places
   B1    4  Head couples meet a double, fall back, side couples separate and 
            join in lines across the hall
         4  Head couples arm right with opposite and fall into side places 
            (improper), as side couples arm right with opposite on end of same 
            line and fall into head places (improper)
   B2    8  Repeat all that with new head and side couples, ending in 
            original places
Second Figure
   A1    8   Partners side, then all change places as in first figure
   A2    8   Side with new partner, then change as in first figure
   B1    4   Head couples cast off and back to place, as sides separate and 
             follow neighboring head
         4   Head couples turn in to circle with the two who followed them
   B2    8   Repeat all that with sides leading and heads following
Third Figure
   A1    8   Partners arm right, then change places as in other figures
   A2    8   Arm left with new partner, then change as in other figures
   B1    2   Head couples meet, and form back ring
         6   Head couples circle right once;
             Head men fall out with opposite lady into side places (improper);
             As side couples circle right and fall into nearest head place 
             (improper)
   B2    8   Repeat this with new head couples meeting, new sides circle 
             around them, ending all in original places.

Recording: fain_i_would-bnah5-07.mp3.zip
faine_i_would_if_i_could_or_parthenia-bsbnd06.mp3.zip
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRhPNwet3SY (rather frantic version)

?? notes to edit in from CDSS:

Part I
A1   1-4   Slipping circle six left.
     5-8   Partners set and turn single.
A2   1-8   Repeat Al, slipping right.
B    1-4   Partners slow set and honor right, then left.
     5-8   Corners the same.
C    1-4   Partners two-hand turn, skipping.
     5-8   Corners two-hand turn, skipping.

Part II
A1,2 1-16  Partners side (Cecil Sharp style), set and turn
           single. That again.
B,C  1-16  As in Part I.

Part III
A1,2 1-16  Partners arm right;
           set and turn single. That again, arm- ing left.
B,C  1-16  As in Part I.

NOTES Part I-III C There is plenty of time to complete the full skipping turn with your partner and turn gracefully to begin the turn with corner. The energetic movements in the slipping circles and skipping turns alternate with easy figures. If the dance is repeated, there is a challenging moment in going from the skipping turns at the end of Part III into the slipping circle of Part I.

Copyright Notice: 2009 The Country Dance and Song Society, Inc

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Source: <a href=“http://www.cdss.org/” target=“_blank”>CDSS</a>, At Home, The English Dance collection Vol 5 Sticker Number: OECDC 2016 - 4 (CD: -3)

FAIN I WOULD

In the dance facsimile opposite note the last sentence in the first part, and the unusual placement of the symbols of the men and women. Having lost London to Cromwell, Charles I convened a royalist parliament in Oxford in 1644. A supporter of Charles I, John Playford continued a royalist at heart and again served as printer to the king at the restoration of Charles II.

From 1670-1690, the title of the dance was “Parthenia, or: Fain I would,” and it should be distinguished from *Parthenia. A Dance“ which later came to be called “The Jovial Beggars”

The King's Complaint
Fain 1 would, if I could,
By any meanes obteine,
Leave of my best Masters,
To sit with them againe.
But my blest Parliment
Will never give consent,
They say tis such a thinge,
For the worst of them's a Kinge.
Wee will rule still,
In spight of Cavalieres.
O brave house of Comons,
O brave House of Peeres.
Religion you have pulld downe,
And soe you have the crowne,
My laws & Kingdome too.
I thinke the Devil's in you.
Else you'll not endure,
Such a constant flood,
All of childrens teares,
And theire dead Fathers blood…