Forms: 4–6 spryng(e, 6– spring. [Prob. related to OF. espring(u)er, -ier, etc., to dance: see SPRING v.1 Cf. MHG. sprung dance.]
† 1. Some kind of dance. Obs.–1
c. 1384. Chaucer, H. Fame, III. 145. Pipers of alle Duche tonge To lerne loue Daunces, sprynges, Reus, and these straunge thynges.
c. 1460. Wisdom, 750, in Macro Plays, 60. Ye xall se a sprynge of Lechery, þat to me attende. [Cf. l. 688.]
2. A tune upon the bagpipes or other musical instrument, esp. a quick or lively tune; a dance-tune. Chiefly, and now only, Sc.
c. 1475. Henryson, Poems (S.T.S.), III. 37. Him to reios ȝit playit he a spryng.
1508. Dunbar, Poems, vi. 109. A bag pipe to play a spryng.
a. 1536. Songs, Carols, etc. (1907), 125. I dide no-thyng to hym this day, But piped hym a sprynge.
1622. Fletcher, Prophetess, V. iii. We will meet him, And strike him such new springs, and such free welcoms, Shall make him scorn an Empire [etc.].
1725. Ramsay, Gentle Sheph., I. i. Gie’s a bonny spring, For I’m in tift to hear you play and sing.
1757. Smollett, Reprisal, I. ii. The commander has sent for her to play a spring to the sasenach damsel.
a. 1835. Hogg, Tales & Sk. (1837), II. 351. Let me strengthen my heart with ae spring on my pipes before I venture.
1886. Stevenson, Kidnapped, xxv. Robin took the pipes, and played a little spring in a very ranting manner.
transf. 1788. Picken, Poems, 17. Frae the sprigs, the sylvan quire War liltan up their early spring.
prov. 1721. Kelly, Sc. Prov., 20. Another would play a Spring, e’re you tune your Pipes.
1737. Ramsay, Sc. Prov. (1750), 16. Auld springs gi’e nae price.
b. fig. or in fig. context. Sc.
1572. Satir. Poems Reform., xxxviii. 21. Bot now Prouest Marschell in playing this spring;… Beleuis thow this trumprie sall stablische thy style?
a. 1585. Montgomerie, Cherrie & Slae, 919. Bot sen ȝe think it easy thing To mount aboif the mune, Of ȝour awin fidle tak a spring, And daunce quhen ȝe haif done.
1637. Rutherford, Lett. (1891), 350. Christ … will give you leave to sing as you please, but He will not dance to your daft spring.
1686. G. Stuart, Joco-Ser. Disc., ii. 27. Experience will this unriddle; Sae take a Spring of thine awn Fiddle.
1784. Burns, Ep. J. Rankine, vi. I’ve play’d mysel a bonie spring, An’ danc’d my fill!
1815. Scott, Guy M., xxxvi. Ou, sir, if the gentleman likes he may play his ain spring first; it’s a’ ane to Dandie.
1887. Jamieson’s Sc. Dict., Suppl. 226. ‘Tak a spring o’ your ain fiddle,’ i. e., Follow your own plan and take the consequences.
