A  third  sort  of  instrumental  music  —  and  perhaps  the
most  highly  esteemed,  as  such  —  is  indicated  in  the  title  of
a  publication  by  John  Dowland,  one  of  the  most  cele-
brated musicians  of  this  period.  This  was  called  Lachri-
mae ;  or  Seaven  Teares  figured  in  seaven  passionate  Pavans  ;
with  divers  other  Pavans^  Galiards,  and  Almands^  set  forth
for  the  Lute,  Viols,  or  Violins,  in  five  parts.  These  dances,
the  Pavan,  the  Galliard,  etc.,  are  highly  characteristic  of
Shakspere's  time,  and  merit  some  description.
The  Pavan  was  a  slow  dance,  always  in  \  time,  or
at  any  rate  common  time,  and  was  so  called  from  pavo,  a
peacock ;  the  significance  of  the  name  being  that  the
Pavan  was  a  stately  measure,  and  the  spreading  of  the
long  trains  of  the  ladies,  or  of  the  long  gowns  in  which  it
was  danced  by  noblemen,  was  like  the  spreading  of  the
peacock's  tail.
