Parson Upon Dorothy #2

There are three different dances called "Parson upon Dorothy" in the Dancing Master. The last two are different variations of the same figure (though the second one has an introduction which is omitted in the third).

Both start proper. The dance is only done with the person you are facing. In the first iteration of the dance the top couple (and only them) are active and are facing one another. They dance the figure which ends with them becoming improper and facing the next couple. Then they dance the same figure with the 2s (M1 facing W2, W1 facing M2) and end progressed and facing the third couple. The original top couple now dance with the third couple, while the 2s (at the top) dance with each other to become improper. When a couple reaches the bottom (and would normally be out) they face each other and dance the figure to become proper.

For an example of how this style of dance might be adapted to the modern ballroom where everyone starts at once, see Joan's Placket.

Playford writes:

Honour to the Presence, then to your own. Lead up forward and back, that again.

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The 1. man sides with his own wo. then on the outside, 1. man and wo. turn S. half round and back again, turn half round as before, and back again, then take your own wo. by the right-hand and turn her once round, then by the left-hand and turn her once round again; then the 1. man goes to the 2. wo. and the 1. wo. to the 2. man, and so go on till you come to your own places again. Do this to the end.

John Young writes:

Note: Each Strain is to be play'd twice over.

The first Man side with his Partner on one side Then on the other Then both clap once, and turn their Backs to one another and clap again Then their Faces and clap, and their Backs and clap once Then they turn their Faces and clap three or four times and turn his Partner and clap three or four times again; then turn and leave his Partner to go to the 2. Man, and he goes to the 2. Wo. and do the same, till they get to the bottom, and leave off on their own sides

I can't help but wonder if turn S. half round and back again, turn half round as before, and back again might be a description of the old figure "backs and faces".