The life of the renowned Sr Philip Sidney. with the true interest of England as it then stood in relation to all forrain princes: and particularly for suppressing the power of Spain stated by him. His principall actions, counsels, designes, and death. Together with a short account of the maximes and policies used by Queen Elizabeth in her government. Written by Sir Fulke Grevil Knight, Lord Brook, a servant to Queen Elizabeth, and his companion & friend.

CHAP. I. (Book 1)

THe difference which I have found between times, and consequently the changes of life into which their naturall vicissitudes doe violently carry men, as they have made deep furrowes of impressions into my heart, so the same heavy wheeles cause me to retire my thoughts from free traffique with the world, and ra∣ther seek comfortable ease or im∣ployment in the safe memory of

dead men, than disquiet in a doubt∣full conversation amongst the living. Which I ingenuously confesse, to be one chief motive of dedicating these exercises of my youth to that Worthy Sir Philip Sidney, so long since departed. For had I grounded my ends upon active Wisedomes of the present, or sought Patronage out of hope, or fear in the future; Who knowes not, that there are some No∣ble friends of mine, and many Ho∣nourable Magistrates yet living, un∣to whom both my Fortune, and Re∣putation were, and are far more sub∣ject? But besides this self-respect of Dedication, the debt I acknowledge to that Gentleman is farre greater, as with whom I shall ever account it honour to have been brought up: and in whom the life it self of true worth, did (by way of example) far exceed the pictures of it in any moral Precepts. So that (if my creation had been equal) it would have proved as

easie for me, to have followed his patern, in the practice of reall vertue, as to engage my self into this Characteristicall kind of Poesie: in defence whereof he hath written so much, as I shall not need to say a∣ny thing. For that this representing of vertues, vices, humours, coun∣sells, and actions of men unfeigned, and unscandalous Images, is an in∣abling of free-born spirits to the greatest affaires of States: he himself hath left such an instance in the too short scene of his life, as I fear ma∣ny Ages will not draw a line out of any other mans sphere to parallel with it.

For my own part, I observed, ho∣noured, and loved him so much; as with what caution soever I have pas∣sed through my dayes hitherto a∣among the living, yet in him I chal∣lenge a kind of freedome even a∣mong the dead. So that although with Socrates, I professe to know no∣thing

for the present; yet with Ne∣stor I am delighted in repeating old newes of the ages past; and will therefore stir up my drooping me∣mory touching this mans worth, powers, wayes, and designes: to the end that in the tribute I owe him, our nation may see a Sea-mark, rais'd upon their native coast, above the le∣vell of any private Pharos abroad: and so by a right Meridian line of their own, learn to sayl through the straits of true vertue, into a calm, and spacious Ocean of humane ho∣nour.

It is ordinary among men to ob∣serve the races of horses, and breeds of other cattle. But few consider, that as divers humors mixt in mens bo∣dies make different complexions; so every Family hath, as it were, divers predominant qualities in it: which, as they are tempered together in Marriage, give a certain tincture to all the descent. In my time, I have

observed it in many houses, especial∣ly in this. Sir Henry Sidney his Father was a man of excellent naturall wit, large heart, sweet conversation: and such a Governour, as sought not to make an end of the State in himself, but to plant his own ends in the pro∣sperity of his Countrey. Witnes his sound establishments both in Wales, and Ireland, where his Memory is worthily grateful unto this day: how unequall, & bitter soever the censure of Provincialls is usually, against sin∣cere Monarchall Governours, espe∣cially such, as though in worth and place superior, are yet in their own degrees of heraldry, inferior to them.

On the other side, his Mother, as she was a woman by descent of great Nobility, so was she by nature of a large ingenuous spirit. Whence, as it were even racked with native strengths, shee chose rather to hide her self from the curious eyes of a de∣licate time, than come up on the stage

of the world with any manner of disparagement, the mischance of sicknesse having cast such a kind of veile over her excellent beauty, as the modesty of that sex doth many times upon their native, and heroi∣call spirits.

So that it may probably be gathe∣therd, that this clearnesse of his Fa∣thers judgement, and ingenious sen∣siblenesse of his Mothers, brought forth so happy a temper in this well∣mixt Ofspring of theirs, as (with∣out envy be it spoken) Sir Philip de∣serves to be accompted amongst those eminent Plants of our soyl, which blast, or bite not, but rather st••tuminate, and refresh the Vines, Corn, Fruits, or whatsoever groweth under their shaddows. And as he was their First-born, so was he not the contraction, but the extension of their strength, and the very aim, and perfect type of it.

Of whose Youth I will report no

other wonder, but this; That though I lived with him, and knew him from a child, yet I never knew him other than a man: with such staiednesse of mind, lovely, and fa∣miliar gravity, as carried grace, and reverence above greater years. His talk ever of knowledge, and his very play tending to enrich his mind: So as even his teachers found some∣thing in him to observe, and learn, above that which they had usually read, or taught. Which eminence, by nature, and industry, made his worthy Father stile Sir Philip in my hearing (though I unseen) Lumen fa∣miliae suae. But why doe I mention this relative harmony of worth be∣tween Father and Son? Did not his Country soon after take knowledge of him as a Light, or leading Star to every degree within her? Are not the Arts and Languages, which ena∣bled him to Travail at fourteen years old, and in his Travail to win

reverence amongst the chief Learned men abroad, Witnesses beyond ex∣ception that there was great inequa∣lity of worth and goodnesse in him?

Instance that reverend Languet, mentioned for honours sake in Sir Philip's Arcadia, learned usque ad mi∣raculum; wise by the conjunction of practice in the world, with that well∣grounded Theory of Books, & much valued at home; till this great Worth (even in a Gentlemans for∣tune) being discovered for a dange∣rous instrument against Rome and Spain, by some sparkles got light e∣nough, rather to seek employment elswhere, than to tarry, and be dri∣ven out of his own Country with disparagement. In Franckford he settles, is entertained Agent for the Duke of Saxony, and an under-hand Minister for his own King. Lodged he was in Wechels house, the Printer of Franckford, where Sir Philip in tra∣vail chancing likewise to become a

guest, this ingenious old mans ful∣nesse of knowledge, travailing as much to be delivered from abun∣dance by teaching, as Sir Philip's rich nature, and industry thirsted to be taught, and manured; this harmony of an humble Hearer to an excel∣lent Teacher, so equally fitted them both, as out of a naturall de∣scent both in love, and plenty, the elder grew taken with a net of his own thread, and the younger taught to lift up himself by a thread of the same spinning; so as this reverend Languet, orderly sequestred from his severall Functions under a mighty King, and Saxonie the greatest Prince of Germany, became a Nurse of knowledge to this hopefull young Gentleman, and without any other hire, or motive than this sympathy of affections, accompanyed him in the whole course of his three years travail. By which example the ju∣dicious Reader may see, that Worth

in every Nation finds her Country, Parents, Neighbours, and Friends, yea, and often, with more honour, dearnesse, and advancement in knowledges, than any pedigree of fleshly kindred, will, or can at home raise, or enlarge them unto. Nay to goe yet farther in this private in∣stance; It may please the Reader to observe, how the same parallel of worth, in what age, or estate soever, as it hath power to win, so hath it likewise absolute power to keep. Far unlike those creations of chance, which hath other birds egges; and by advancing men out of chance or complement, lose them again as fast by neglect. Contrary to which, even when diversity of years, courses of life, and fortunes, enforced these dear Friends to di∣vide, there yet passed such a conti∣nuall course of intelligence by Let∣ters from one of them to another, as in their losse (if they be lost) there be

buried many delicate images, and differences, between the reall, and large complexions of those active times, and the narrow salves of this effeminate age: Because in this ex∣cellent mould of their friendship, the greatest businesses of Estate were so mixed with the sweet remissions of ingenuous good will, as men might easily discern in them (as unflatte∣ring glasses) that wisdome, and love, in good spirits have great affinity to∣gether. For a farther demonstration, behold even the same Languet (after he was sixty six years of age) fashio∣ning himself a journey into England, with the Duke Casimire, onely to see that excellent Plant of his own poli∣shing. In which loving, and unex∣pected meeting, I dare confidently affirm, neither side became loser. At the sea they parted, and made many mutuall tears omnious propheciers of their never meeting again.

These little sparks of two large

natures I make bold the longer to insist upon, because the youth, life and fortune of this Gentleman were indeed but sparkes of extraordina∣ry greatnesse in him: which for want of clear vent lay concealed, and in a maner smothered up. And again to bring the children of favor, and change, into an equall ballance of comparison with birth, worth, and education: and therein abruptly to conclude, that God creates those in his certain, and eternall mouldes, out of which he elects for himself; where Kings choose creatures out of Pandoras Tun, and so raise up worth, and no worth; friends or enemies at adventure. Therefore what mar∣vail can it be, if these Iacobs, and Esaus strive ambitiously one with another, as well before as after they come out of such erring, and unper∣fect wombes?

Now from these particular testi∣monies to goe on with Sir Philips

life: though he purposed no monu∣ments of books to the world, out of this great harvest of knowledge; yet doe not his Arcadian Romanties live after him, admired by our foure∣eyd Criticks? who, howsoever their common end upon common arts be to affect reputation by depraving censure; yet where nature placeth excellencie above envy, there (it seemeth) she subjecteth these car∣ping eyes to wander, and shewes the judicious reader, how he may be nourished in the delicacy of his own judgement.

For instance; may not the most refined spirits, in the scope of these dead images (even as they are now) finde, that when Soveraign Prin∣ces, to play with their own visions, will put off publique action, which is the splendor of Majestie, and un∣actively charge the managing of their greatest affaires upon the se∣cond-hand faith, and diligence of

Deputies, may they not (I say) un∣derstand, that even then they bury themselves, and their Estates in a cloud of contempt, and under it both encourage, and shaddow the the conspiracies of ambitious sub∣alternes to their false endes. I mean the ruine of States and Princes?

Again, where Kingly Parents will suffer, or rather force their wives and daughters, to descend from the inequality and reservednesse of Princely education, into the con∣temptible familiarity, and popular freedome of Shepherds; may we not discern that even therein they give those Royall birthes warrant, or opportunity, to break over all cir∣cles of honor, safe-guards to the modesty of that sex; and withall make them fraily, apt to change the commanding manners of Prince∣ly Birth, into the degrading images of servile basenesse? Lastly, where humor takes away this pomp, and

apparatus from King, Crown, and Scepter, to make fear a Counsellor, and obscurity a wisdom; be that King at home what the current, or credit of his former Government, for a a while, may keep him: yet he is sure among forrain Princes to be justly censured as a Princely Shepherd, or Shepherdish King: which creatures of scorn seldome fail to become fit sacrifices for home-born discontent∣ments, or ambitious forrain spirits to undertake, and offer up.

Againe, who sees not the chance∣able arrivall of Euarchus into Arca∣dia; his unexpected election to the temporary Soveraignty of that State; his sitting in a cloudy seat of judge∣ment, to give sentence (under a mask of Shepherds) against his Son, Nephew, Neeces, the immediate suc∣cessors to that Scepter; and all accu∣sed and condemned of rape, pari∣cide, adulteries, or treasons, by their own Lawes: I say who sees not, that

these dark webs of effeminate Prin∣ces be dangerous forerunners of in∣novation, even in a quiet, and e∣qually tempered people? So that if Sir Philips had not made the integri∣ty of this forrain King an image of more constant, pure, and higher strain, than nature makes those or∣dinary mouldes, wherein she fashion∣eth earthly Princes, even this op∣portunity, and map of desolation prepared for Euarchus, wherein he saw all the successors of this Pro∣vince justly condemned under his own sentence, would have raised up specious rights, or pretences for new ambition in him; and upon the ne∣ver-failing pillars of occasion, ama∣sednes of people, and sad offer of glorious novelties, have tempted him to establish this Election for a time, successively, to him and his for ever?

To be short, the like, and finer mo∣ralities offer themselves throughout

that various, and dainty work of his, for sounder judgements to exercise their Spirits in; so that if the infancie of these Ideas, determining in the first generation, yield the ingenuous Reader such pleasant & profitable di∣versity, both of flowers, and fruits, let him conceive, if this excellent Image-maker had liv'd to finish, and bring to perfection this extraordinary frame of his own Common-wealth: I meane, the return of Basilius, from his dreames of humor, to the honor of his former Estate; the marriage of the two sisters with the two excel∣lent Princes; their issue; the warres stirred up by Amphialus; his marriage with Helena; their successions; toge∣ther with the incident Magnificen∣ces, pompes of state, providences of councells in treaties of peace, or ali∣ance, summons of warres, and or∣derly execution of their disorders; I say, what a large field an active able spirit should have had to walk in, let

the advised Reader conceive with grief. Especially if he please to take knowledge, that in all these creatures of his making, his intent, and scope was, to turn the barren Philosphy precepts into pregnant Images of life; and in them, first on the Mo∣narch's part, lively to represent the growth, state, and declination of Princes, change of Government, and lawes: vicissitudes of sedition, facti∣on, succession, confederacies, plan∣tations, with all other errors, or al∣terations in publique affaires. Then again in the subjects case; the state of favor, disfavor, prosperitie, ad∣versity, emulation, quarrell, under∣taking, retiring, hospitality, travail, and all other moodes of private for∣tunes, or misfortunes. ••n which tra∣verses (I know) his purpose was to limn out such exact pictures, of every posture in the minde, that any man being forced, in the straines of this life, to pass through any straights, or

latitudes of good, or ill fortune, might (as in a glasse) see how to set a good countenance upon all the dis∣countenances of adversitie, and a stay upon the exorbitant smiling of chance.

Now, as I know this was the first project of these workes, rich (like his youth) in the freedome of affecti∣ons, wit, learning, stile, form, and facilitie, to please others: so must I again (as ingenuously) confess, that when his body declined, and his piercing inward powers were lifted up to a purer Horizon, he then dis∣covered, not onely the imperfecti∣on, but vanitie of these shadowes, how daintily soever limned: as see∣ing that even beauty it self, in all earthly complexions, was more apt to allure men to evill, than to fashion any goodness in them. And from this ground, in that memorable te∣stament of his, he bequeathed no o∣ther legacie, but the fire, to this un∣polished

Embrio. From which fate it is onely reserved, untill the world hath purged away all her more gross corruptions.

Again, they that knew him well, will truly confess, this Arcadia of his to be, both in form, and matter, as much inferior to that unbounded spirit of his, as the industry and Ima∣ges of other mens works, are many times raised above the writers capa∣cities: and besides acknowledge, that howsoever he could not choose but give them many aspersions of spirit, and learning from the Father; yet that they were scribled rather as pamphlets, for entertainment of time, and friends, than any ac∣compt of himself to the world. Be∣cause if his pupose had been to leave his memory in books, I am confident, in the right use of Logick, Philosophy, History, and Poësie, nay even in the most ingenuous of Me∣chanicall Arts, he would have shew∣ed

such tracts of a searching, and ju∣dicious spirit; as the professors of every faculty would have striven no less for him, than the seaven Cities did to have Homer of their Sept. But the truth is: his end was not wri∣ting, even while he wrote; nor his knowledge moulded for tables, or schooles; but both his wit, and un∣derstanding bent upon his heart, to make himself, and others, not in words or opinion, but in life, and action, good and great.

In which Architectonical art he was such a Master, with so commending, and yet equall waies amongst men, that whersoever he went, he was be∣loved, and obeyed: yea into what Action soever he came last at the first, he became first at the last: the whole managing of the business, not by usurpation, or violence, but (as it were) by right, and acknowledg∣ment, falling into his hands, as into a naturall Center.

By which onely commendable monopolie of alluring, and impro∣ving men, how the same drawes all windes after it in fair weather: so did the influence of this spirit draw mens affections and undertakings to depend upon him.