Note 9 — PREFACE.
Reading edition
English antiquaries have been much puzzled to determine the identity of this “more than celestial Geraldine.” “Who she was,” says Walpole, “we are not directly told.” Surrey himself mentions some particulars of her, but not her name. The editor of the last edition of Surrey’s Poems, in some short notes on his life, says, “that she was the greatest beauty of her time, and maid of honour to Queen Catharine; but I think I have very nearly discovered who this fair person was, &c. &c. &c. I am inclined to think her poetical appellation was her real name, as every one of the circumstances tally.” The elegant antiquary then devotes three pages to prove the probability that Lady Elizabeth, daughter of the Earl of Kildare, was the Geraldine of Lord Surrey. Warton adopts this supposition, and compliments the biographer on having, with the most happy segacity, solved the difficulties of “this little enigmatical ode.”—History of English Poets. There was, however, a much shorter way of solving the difficulties, namely, the consultation of Irish authors for an historical incident respecting one of the most illustrious Irish families. Campion, who had probably many a time and oft seen the “fair Geraldine,” with his usual quaint simplicity says, “The Fitzgerald family is touched in the Sonnet of Surrey made upon Kildare’s sister, now Lady Clinton;”
From Tuscane came my ladyes worthy race,
Faire Florence was sometime her ancient seate;
The western isle, whose plaisant shore doth face
Wilde Cambre’s cliffes, did give her lively heate.”
The ode goes on as follows;—
Fostered she was with milk of Irish breast,
Her sire an earle, her dame of prince’s blood;
From tender years in Britain she doth rest
With kinges childe, while she tasteth costly food.
Honsdon did first present her to mine yeen,
Bright is her hue, and Geraldine her hight,
&c. &c. &c.
This fair and celebrated Irish absentee, after having sent her illustrious lover to Italy “to defend her beautie by an open challenge,” in which he was victorious, married the Earl of Clinton:—a most unsentimental conclusion to a most romantic story.