92. Anglia, iii. p. 266, and ix. p. 205.
93. At the end of the Calender Spenser placed as his motto 'Merce non mercede'--as merchandise, not for reward.
94. On all questions relating to the Shepherd's Calender see C. H. Herford's edition, to which I gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness. So far as I am aware, we possess no more admirable edition of any monument of English literature.
95. Cf. the titles of Drayton's Idea and Basse's MS. eclogues, infra.
96. Discoveries, 1640 (-41), p. 116 (Gifford, 1875; § cxxv). The 'ancients,' as appears from the context, are Chaucer and Gower.
97. Apology for Poetry, 1595; Arber's edition, p. 63.
98. Even Sidney's authorities break down to some extent. Theocritus certainly modified the literary dialect in his pastoral idyls, and we may recall that when Vergil began his third eclogue with the line--
Die mihi, Damoeta, cuium pecus? an Meliboei?
a wit of Rome retorted:
Die mihi, Damoeta, 'cuium pecus?' anne Latinum?