SIR PHILIP SIDNEY 1554-1587-8
Reading edition
Aubrey’s Lives of Eminent Persons. *
“He was 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 were to 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 his Arcadia (which was never finished by him) as he was hunting on our pleasant plaines.”
The Worthie Sir Phillip Sidney, Knight, his Epitaph.
“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 Edinburgh Review, 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 slightly pensive expression of which was relieved by the decision of the jaw and chin.”