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. III. (Book 3)

TO continue this passage a little further: I must lift him above the censure of Subjects, and give you an account what respect, and honour his worth wanne him a∣mongst the most eminent Monarchs of that time. As first with that chief, and best of Princes, his most excel∣lent Majesty, then King of Scotland, to whom his service was affectio∣nately devoted, and from whom he received many pledges of love, and favour.

In like manner, with the late re∣nowned Henry of France, then of Na∣varre, who having measured, and mastered all the spirits in his own Nation, found out this Master-spirit among us, and used him like an e∣quall in nature, and so fit for friend∣ship with a King.

Again, that gallant Prince Don John de Austria, Vice-Roy in the Low Countries for Spain, when this Gentleman in his Embassage to the Emperor came to kiss his hand, though at the first, in his Spanish haughture, he gave him access as by descent to a youth, of grace as to a stranger, and in particular competi∣tion (as he conceived) to an enemy; yet after a while that he had taken his just altitude, he found himself so stricken with this extraordinary Planet, that the beholders wondered to see what ingenuous tribute that brave, and high minded Prince paid to his worth; giving more honour and respect to this hopefull young Gentleman, than to the Embassa∣dors of mighty Priuces.

But to climb yet a degree higher: In what due estimation his extraor∣dinary Worth was, even amongst e∣nemies, will appear by his death. When Mendoza, a Secretary of many

Treasons against us, acknowledged openly; That howsoever he was glad King Philip his Master had lost, in a private Gentleman, a dangerous Enemy to his Estate; yet he could not but lament to see Christendome depriv'd of so rare a Light in these cloudy times; and bewail poor Widdow England (so he term'd her) that having been many years in bree∣ding one eminent spirit, was in a mo∣ment bereaved of him, by the hands of a villain.

Indeed he was a true modell of Worth; A man fit for Conquest, Plantation, Reformation, or what Action soever is greatest, and har∣dest amongst men: Withall, such a lover of Mankind, and Goodnesse, that whosoever had any reall parts, in him found comfort, participation, and protection to the uttermost of his power; like Zephyrus he giving life where he blew. The Universi∣ties abroad, and at home, accompted

him a generall Mecaenas of Learning; Dedicated their Books to him; and communicated every Invention, or Improvement of Knowledge with him. Souldiers honoured him, and were so honoured by him, as no man thought he marched under the true Banner of Mars, that had not obtai∣ned Sir Philip Sidney's approbation. Men of Affairs in most parts of Chri∣stendome, entertained correspon∣dency with him. But what speak I of these, with whom his own waies, and ends did concur? since (to de∣scend) his heart, and capacity were so large, that there was not a cun∣ning Painter, a skilfull Engenier, an excellent Musician, or any other Ar∣tificer of extraordinary fame, that made not himself known to this fa∣mous Spirit, and found him his true friend without hire; and the com∣mon Reude-vous of Worth in his time.

Now let Princes vouchsafe to con∣sider,

of what importance it is to the honour of themselves, and their E∣states, to have one man of such emi∣nence; not onely as a nourisher of vertue in their Courts, or service; but besides for a reformed Standard, by which even the most humorous per∣sons could not but have a reverend ambition to be tried, and approved currant. This I doe the more con∣fidently affirm, because it will be confessed by all men, that this one mans example, and personall respect, did not onely encourage Learning, and Honour in the Schooles, but brought the affection, and true use thereof both into the Court, and Camp. Nay more, even many Gen∣tlemen excellently learned amongst us will not deny, but that they af∣fected to row, and steer their course in his wake. Besides which honour of unequall nature, and education, his very waies in the world, did generally adde reputation to his

Prince, and Country, by restoring amongst us the ancient Majestie of noble, and true dealing: As a manly wisdome, that can no more be weighed down, by any effeminate craft, than Hercules could be over∣come by that contemptible Army of Dwarfs. This was it which, I pro∣fess, I loved dearly in him, and still shall be glad to honour in the great men of this time: I mean, that his heart and tongue went both one way, and so with every one that went with the Truth; as knowing no other kindred, partie, or end.

Above all, he made the Religion he professed, the firm Basis of his life: For thls was his judgement (as he often told me) that our true-heart∣ednesse to the Reformed Religion in the beginning, brought Peace, Safetie, and Freedome to us; con∣cluding, that the wisest, and best way, was that of the famous William Prince of Orange, who never divided

the consideration of Estate from the cause of Religion, nor gave that sound party occasion to be jealous, or distracted, upon any apparance of safety whatsoever; prudently resol∣ving, that to temporize with the E∣nemies of our Faith, was but (as a∣mong Sea-guls) a strife, not to keep upright, but aloft upon the top of every billow: Which false-hearted∣nesse to God and man, would in the end find it self forsaken of both; as Sir Philip conceived. For to this active spirit of his, all depths of the Devill proved but shallow fords; he piercing into mens counsels, and ends, not by their words, oathes, or complements, all barren in that age, but by fathoming their hearts, and powers, by their deeds, and found no wisdome where he found no courage, nor courage without wisdome nor either without hone∣sty and truth. With which solid, and active reaches of his, I am per∣swaded,

he would have found, or made a way through all the traver∣ses, even of the most weak and irre∣gular times. But it pleased God in this decrepit age of the world, not to restore the image of her ancient vigour in him, otherwise than as in a lightning before death.

Neither am I (for my part) so much in love with this life, nor be∣lieve so little in a better to come, as to complain of God for taking him, and such like exorbitant worthyness from us: fit (as it were by an Ostra∣cisme) to be divided, and not incor∣porated with our corruptions: yet for the sincere affection I bear to my Prince, and Country, my prayer to God is, that this Worth, and Way may not fatally be buried with him; in respect, that both before his time, and since, experience hath published the usuall discipline of greatnes to have been tender of it self onely; making honour a triumph, or rather

trophy of desire, set up in the eyes of Mankind, either to be worshiped as Idols, or else as Rebels to perish under her glorious oppressions. Notwithstanding, when the pride of flesh, and power of favour shall cease in these by death, or disgrace; what then hath time to register, or fame to publish in these great mens names, that will not be offensive, or infecti∣ous to others? What Pen without blotting can write the story of their deeds? Or what Herald blaze their Arms without a blemish? And as for their counsels and projects, when they come once to light, shall they not live as noysome, and loathsome∣ly above ground, as their Authors carkasses lie in the grave? So as the return of such greatnes to the world, and themselves, can be but private reproach, publique ill example, and a fatall scorn to the Government they live in. Sir Philip Sidney is none of this number; for the greatness

which he affected was built upon true Worth; esteeming Fame more than Riches, and Noble actions far above Nobility it self.