“All shall be well and all manner of things shall be well” was the motto of Julian of Norwich, a 14th century woman who survived the Black Death and later became an anchoress, walling herself up in the tower of St Julian’s church after a series of religious visions. She described her views of a benevolent loving deity to those visiting her cell and also in a book, the earliest surviving work by a woman writing in English. This was suppressed by the church, but copies were preserved by an order of nuns until its popular rediscovery in the 20th century. In these times of mass self-isolation even atheist dance devisers may take comfort from her optimism.
As a woman known by a male name, she is represented here by both members of 1st couple who are isolated in the centre for bars 17-24. The last 8 bars depict the ringing of church bells. Although hands would normally be taken here, this phrase may also be danced hands free. The dancers should align in geometric cross shapes at the end of bars 13, 15 and 19.