SIR PHILIP SIDNEY1554-1587-8
Aubrey’sLivesof EminentPersons.*
“Hewas not only an excellent witt, but extremely beautiful; he much resembled his sister but his haire was not red, but a little inclining; viz., a darke amber colour. If I wereto find a fault in it, methinkes ’tis not masculine enough; yett he is a person of great courage.... My great-uncle Mr. T. Browne, remembered him, and sayd that he was wont to take his table-booke out of his pocket and write downe his notions as they came into his head, when he was writing hisArcadia(which was never finished by him) as he was hunting on our pleasant plaines.”
The Worthie SirPhillip Sidney,Knight, hisEpitaph.
“A man made out of goodliest mouldAs shape in ware were wrought,Or Picture stoode in stampe of goldTo please each gazer’s thought....... His silent lookes sayd wisdome greatDid lodge in loftie brow:His patient heart (in chollers heate)Supprest all passion’s throw.... A portly presence passing fineWith beautie furnisht well,Where vertues buds and grace divineAnd daintie gifts did dwell.”
“A man made out of goodliest mouldAs shape in ware were wrought,Or Picture stoode in stampe of goldTo please each gazer’s thought....... His silent lookes sayd wisdome greatDid lodge in loftie brow:His patient heart (in chollers heate)Supprest all passion’s throw.... A portly presence passing fineWith beautie furnisht well,Where vertues buds and grace divineAnd daintie gifts did dwell.”
“A man made out of goodliest mould
As shape in ware were wrought,
Or Picture stoode in stampe of gold
To please each gazer’s thought....
... His silent lookes sayd wisdome great
Did lodge in loftie brow:
His patient heart (in chollers heate)
Supprest all passion’s throw.
... A portly presence passing fine
With beautie furnisht well,
Where vertues buds and grace divine
And daintie gifts did dwell.”
The EdinburghReview, 1876.*
“He was tall, shapely, and muscular, with large blue-gray eyes, a long aquiline nose, hair of a dark auburn tint, and full sensitive lips, the slightlypensive expression of which was relieved by the decision of the jaw and chin.”