Sir Philip Sydney (1554-1586).
[1035]Sir[1036] Philip Sydney, natus 29 November, 1554, 19h 50´ P.M., Cantiae, polo 51° 52´; ex MSS. Eliae Ashmole[1037], armigeri.
[1038]Sir Philip Sydney[BX], knight, was the most accomplished cavalier of his time. He was the eldest son of the right honourable Sir Henry Sydney, knight of the noble order of the Garter, Lord President of Wales, and Lord Deputie of Ireland, 1570. I suppose he was borne at Penshurst in Kent (neer Tunbridge); vide.
He had the best tutors provided for him by his father that could then be had, as ... Vide my Grammar[BY] notes.
He travelled France, Italie, Germany; he was in the Poland warres, and at that time he had to his page[LXXXVIII.] (and as an excellent accomplishment) Henry Danvers (afterwards earle of Danby), then second son of Sir John Danvers of Dantesey in Wilts, who accounted himselfe happy that his son was so bestowed. He makes mention, in his Art of Poesie, of his being in Hungarie (I remember).
[LXXXVIII.] This my cosen Elizabeth Danvers, now viscountesse Purbec, his niece, has told.
He was not only of an excellent witt, but extremely beautifull; he much resembled his sister, but his haire was not red, but a little inclining, viz. a darke amber colour. If I were to find a fault in it, methinkes 'tis not masculine enough; yett he was a person of great courage. He was much at Wilton with his sister, and at Ivy-church[1039] (which adjoyns to the parke pale of Clarindon Parke), situated on a hill that overlookes all the country westwards, and north over Sarum and the plaines, and into that delicious parke (which was accounted the best of England) eastwards. It was heretofore a monastery (the cloysters remayne still); 'twas called coenobium Edrosium. My great uncle, Mr. Thomas Browne, remembred him; and sayd that he was often wont, as he was hunting on our pleasant plaines, to take his table booke out of his pocket, and write downe his notions as they came into his head, when he was writing his Arcadia, (which was never finished by him).
He was the reviver of poetry in those darke times, which was then at a very low ebbe,—e.g. 'The Pleasant Comoedie of Jacob and Esau,' acted before King Henry VIII's grace (where, I remember, is this expression, that the pottage was so good, that God Almighty might have putt his finger in't); 'Grammar Gurton's Needle'; and in these playes there is not 3 lines but there is 'by God,' or 'by God's wounds.'
He was of a very munificent spirit, and liberall to all lovers of learning, and to those that pretended to any acquaintance with Parnassus; in so much that he was cloyd and surfeited with the poetasters of those dayes. Among others[1040] Mr. Edmund Spencer[1041] made his addresse to him, and brought his Faery Queen. Sir Philip was busy at his study, and his servant delivered[1042] Mr. Spencer's booke to his master, who layd it by, thinking it might be such kind of stuffe as he was frequently troubled with. Mr. Spencer stayd so long that his patience was wearied, and went his way discontented, and never intended to come again. When Sir Philip perused it, he was so exceedingly delighted with it, that he was extremely sorry he was gonne, and where to send for him he knew not. After much enquiry he learned his lodgeing, and sent for him, mightily caressed <him>, and ordered his servant to give him ... pounds in gold. His servant sayd that that was too much; 'No,' said Sir Philip, 'he is ...,' and ordered an addition.