[349] Sidney to the Privy Council, March 17, 1576, and Hooker in Holinshed. The two accounts seem drawn from a common source.
[350] Sidney’s Relation, 1583, in Carew. Sidney to the Privy Council, Nov. 26, 1577; Hooker’s Annals of Lough Cé, 1577.
[351] Sidney to the Privy Council, Feb. 20. 1578, in the Sidney Papers.
[352] Sidney to the Privy Council, July 1, 1578, with whom Hooker closely agrees; Fitton to Burghley, July 1; Maltby to same, July 26; Lord Upper Ossory to same, Feb. 24, 1579; Council in Ireland to the Queen, Sept. 12, 1578; Annals of Lough Cé, 1578. The Four Masters, writing in the next reign, are much more guarded. In the curious poem by John Derrick, called the ‘Image of Ireland,’ which is in the Somers Tracts, and has been lately reprinted, there is a good deal about Rory Oge. The work is strictly contemporary; but it does not add much to our knowledge. The following stanzas are about the most interesting. Rory Oge loquitur:—
Much like a champion addicted to war,
Time serving fitly to anger my foes,
I summoned a number of neighbours from far,
Twice eighty persons, the best I could choose
For manhood and sleights, in whom to repose
I might in safety my life and my land:
No dastards nor shrinklings, but those that would stand.
With these I marched from place unto place,
With these I troubled both village and town,
With these in one night I fired the Naas,
With these my resisters I spoiled of renown,
With these I made many a castle come down,
With these I yielded, augmenting my fame,
The people to sword and houses to flame.
[353] Drury to the Privy Council, March 24, 1578.
[354] Waterhouse to Sidney, Aug. 21, Sept. 5, 15, 16 and 30, 1577; Walsingham to Sidney, Sept. 15, 1577, Jan. 20, 1578, all in the Sidney Papers.
[355] Walsingham to Sidney, Jan. 20, in the Sidney Papers. Queen to Sidney, March 22; Sir Philip Sidney to his father, April 25, in the Sidney Papers.
[356] Sidney to the Queen, April 30, 1578. Instructions for Waterhouse in the Sidney Papers. The Queen to Sidney, May 29, in Carew. Maltby to Walsingham, May 3; Sidney’s Summary Relation, 1583, in Carew; Four Masters; Lodge’s Peerage. Instructions for Snagg, A. G., June 11.