died in 1586, at the age of 32, from a wound he had received in the thigh, in a battle near Zutphen, in Gelderland.

After he had received his death-wound, being overcome with thirst from excessive bleeding, he called for drink, which was immediately brought him. At the moment he was lifting it to his mouth, a poor soldier was carried by, desperately wounded, who fixed his eyes eagerly upon the bottle. Sidney observing this, instantly delivered it to him, with these words "Thy necessity is yet greater than mine."

Sir Philip Sidney was regarded by his cotemporaries with enthusiastic admiration. His valour, his generosity and nobleness of soul, his warm humanity, which prompted him to relieve the distressed, not to mention his intellectual polish and superiority, interested and attached all hearts. So deep was the sorrow for his untimely fate, that many months after his death, it was thought unbecoming for any gentleman of quality to appear at court or in the city, in any light or gaudy apparel.

As an author, he is remembered chiefly by his Arcadia, a pastoral Romance, which was written about the year 1580; and may be said

to have owed its birth to a quarrel with EdIward Vere, earl of Oxford, at a tennis-court,

་

in consequence of which he retired for a while from court, during which recess it was composed. It appears, that he wrote it simply for the amusement of his sister Mary, the wife of Henry, earl of Pembroke; that it was never designed for publication, as he desired upon his death-bed that it might be sup-. pressed. Notwithstanding this, it was published, and so universally read and admired, as to come to an eighth impression, as early as 1633.

The description of Arcadia presents an interesting picture of the simplicity and innocence of the pastoral life.-Musidorus is shipwrecked on the coast of Laconia, where he is found by two Arcadian shepherds, Strephon and Claius, who conduct him to their own country, &c.

Now sir, thus for ourselves it is, we are in profession but shepherds, and in this country of Laconia, little better than strangers; and therefore neither in skill, nor ability of power, greatly to stead you. But what we can present unto you is this. Arcadia, of which country we are, is but a little

way hence, and even upon the next confines, there dwelleth a gentleman, by name Kallander, who vouchsafeth much favour unto us-a man who for his hospitality is so much haunted, that no news stirs, but comes to his ears; for his upright dealing so beloved of his neighbours, that he hath many ever ready to do him their uttermost service; and by the great good will our prince bears him, may soon obtain the use of his name and credit, which hath a principal sway, not only in his own Arcadia, but in all these countries of Peloponnesus. And (which is worth all) all these things give him not so much power, as his nature gives him will to benefit; so that it seems, no music is so sweet to his ear as deserved thanks. To him we will bring you; and there you may recover again your health, without which you cannot be able to make any diligent search for your friend [Pirocles, who had been taken by pirates]: and therefore you must labour for it. Besides, we are sure, the comfort of courtesy, and ease of wise council, shall not be wanting..

Musidorus (who besides he was merely unacquainted in the country, had his wits astonished with sorrow) gave easy consent to that, from which he saw no reason to disagree; and therefore, they took their journey together through Laconia; Claius and Strephon by course carrying his chest for him, Musidorus only bearing in his countenance evident

marks of a sorrowful mind, supported with a weak body; which they perceiving, and knowing that the violence of sorrow is not at the first to be striven withal (being like a mighty beast, sooner tamed with following, than overthrown by withstanding) they gave way to it for that day and the next, never troubling him either with asking questions, or finding fault with his melancholy, but rather fitting to his dolor dolorous discourses of their own and other folks misfortune. Which speeches, though they had not a lively entrance to his senses shut up in sorrow, like one half asleep, he took hold of much of the matters spoken unto him, so as a man may say, ere sorrow was aware, they made his thoughts bear away something else beside his own sorrow, which wrought so in him, that at length he grew content to mark their speeches, then to marvel at such wit in shepherds, after to like their company, and lastly, to vouchsafe conference. So that the third day after, in the time that the morning did strew roses and violets in the heavenly floor against the coming of the sun, the nightingales (striving one with the other, which could in most dainty variety recount their wrong-caused sorrow,) made them put off their sleep, and rising from under a tree (which that night had been their pavilion) they went on their journey, which by and by welcomed Musidorus' eyes (wearied with the wasted soil of Laconia) with de

lightful prospects. There were hills which garnished their proud heights with stately trees; humble vallies, whose base1 estate seemed comforted with the refreshing of silver rivers; meadows enamelled with all sorts of eye-pleasing flowers; thickets, which being lined with most pleasant shade were witnessed so too, by the cheerful disposition of many well-tuned birds; each pasture stored with sheep feeding with sober security, while the pretty lambs, with bleating oratory, craved the dams comfort. Here a shepherd's boy piping, as though he should never be old; there a young shepherdess knitting, and withal singing, and it seemed that her voice comforted her hands to work, and her hands kept time to her voice-music. As for the houses of the country (for many houses came under their eye) they were all scattered, no two being one by the other, and yet not so far off, as that it barred mutual succour: a shew as it were, of an accompaniable solitariness; and of a civil wildness. I pray you, said Musidorus, (then first unsealing his long silent lips) what countries be these we pass through, which are so divers in shew, the one wanting no store, the other having no store, but of want.

The country (answered Claius) where you were cast ashore, and now are past through, is Laconia,

1 bas, low.