THE Epitaph of Sir Philip Sidney Knight, lately Lord Governor of Floshing.  
¶ Imprinted at London by George Robinson for Thomas Cadman, and are to be sold at his Shop at the great North-door of S. Paul's Church, at the sign of the Bible.   

  

To the right Worshipful and virtuous Lady the Lady Sidney, that was wife of Sir Philip Sidney now deceased.  
GOod Madam as my boldness may be rebuked for this wilful presumption, (in setting forth Verses of so virtuous a Knight whose value my knowledge cannot utter) So the forwardness of my goodwill (if any offence happen) may be pardonable & make a free passage to the woeful Epitaph of your ladyship's worthy Husband. But so excellent a parsonage, (beautified with such nobleness and learning) ought not to be described and handled with the ignorant pen of so simple a writer. For who should speak of Achilles' praise but Homer: yet good Lady, in the bare & plain phrase, of a mean writer, true things may be couched, and from weak and base words, some stately and high matter may be gathered. For as out of Chaff good Corn is sifted, and fine gold is drawn from the grossest Dross: so out of little Flint stones men strike out great sparks of Fire, and from many a small trifle great wealth & treasure doth arise. What needeth this Flourish to bring in good liking and credit my silly knowledge? or to what end serves these dry discourses in so flowing a world? where the sweet Fountain and moisture of the Muses in this most fruitful time, finds Tides and seasons so replenished with water springs, that no soil nor piece of ground in our land, but hath tasted & felt the gracious dew of the Heavens: I mean the bounty of this age (touching the quickness of sharp sperites) is so beneficial to thousands who have reaped the chiefest Corn, that there is left no Seed nor Grain to no such an infortunate Gleaner as myself: Their works, their Books, & their learned arguments in sundry manners, doth show they have happily gotten and gathered the first crop of knowledge into their Barn: so that they which shall come after must either lose their labour, or be driven to walk peaking about the field to pick up such forgotten ears of Corn, as the Reapers have unwillingly left, or the oversight of the world did carelessly look unto. The consait of these causes hath almost astonied my muse. For the matter I treat on hath been before both learnedly and sententiously spoken of. What course then can I hold, or compass can I keep? for both our speeches attends but to one purpose: which is but to show the life and death of one only Paragon and renowned Knight of England. When the substance of a true tale is at the first thoroughly conceived, I can find no invention to persuade a belief of a second truth to be understood. And when an other man hath told as much as I can imagine, my silence were as seemly as my further dispute of the matter. But yet by the way (under favour be it spoken) though at one present instant, two several Mothers have brought into the world two sundry Children yet neither in nature, shape nor condition the one proveth like the other: it may so fall out of these two Epitaphs (written on Sir Philip Sidney) whose variety, and inventions, by strangeness of style may move many Readers to consider the better of the matter penned. This my work presented to your good Ladyship craveth that credit, that as it may be looked on, So it may pass as a memorial, of such a worthy man, as it maketh mention of. I writ not to renew any sorrow (where there is to much sadness already) but to revive the heart with hope and gladness, when it shall call to remembrance, the general love and affection of the people towards this rare Gentleman: whose noble inclination and form of life, is as well seen & heard by the common report of the world, as though we saw him alive again amongst us. What greater joy can a good wife have then the hearing of the honourable report of so worthy an Husband? What Picture or Image can set forth any such presentation (to please either the mind or eye) as true penned Verses both void of flattery or any vain respect? Or what can touch so near the worthiness of man, as the Pen that searcheth the secrets of nature, gropes the inward motions of the mind, and sets forth the hidden gifts of grace. If Appelles were alive, he could but with his Pencil paint out the favour and proportion of your ladyships most well beloved: but an honest true Writer with his Pen, explaineth and setteth open all the virtues belonging to a noble parsonage. So as far as my poor knowledge and cunning may reach, I have stretched my judgement and opinion, of one in deed of the worthiest that ever I knew borne in our tyme. Trusting that your Ladyship will give good countenance to my labour, and doubting no whit but the world embraceth my travail. For the general consent of many multitudes procured my Pen to set forth this work, as knoweth God, who possess your Ladishipp with peace rest and blessedness.  
At humble commandment, Thomas Churchyard.   

The worthy Sir Philip Sidney Knight his Epitaph, that was of late Lord Governor of Floshnig  

A Greater loss than world well ways ‖ or may be touched with pen,  
No lack so much (in these our days) as want of worthy men:  
When wealth is gone, yet wit or hap ‖ may quickly get more good:  
But when the Tree hath lost his Sap ‖ farewell both branch and bud.  
What sighs or sobs shall now suffice ‖ to counterpoise the pain?  
What floods of tears, or weeping eyes ‖ may bring our loss again:  
No sorrow serves, we wail to late ‖ our Jewel gay is gone,  
A special member of our state ‖ had Nature's course held on.  
For kind did lay a lively plot ‖ that far surpass our skill,  
To long at large to tell God wots ‖ her cunning work at will.  
But I may show, how from a Child ‖ she fostered up this man,  
And fraught him full of manners mild ‖ when he this world began,  
First knowledge ripe, in School he caught ‖ to whet his noble spirit,  
As he had been by Tully taught ‖ to flow in sentence sweet.  
Both pen and tongue did answer mind ‖ as water-streames had r●n  
From Fountain head by course of kind ‖ from whence great floods be gone.  
A wit that could conceive as fast ‖ as went quick view of eye:  
A sense that swift as Swallow passed ‖ through matters rare and high.  
His ear no sooner heard the sound ‖ of voice or deep foresight,  
But strait way judgement passage found ‖ to bring dark words to light.  
His bounty blazed like Torch by night ‖ and dimmed their Candles all,  
And ●●aynd both Lamp and Lantern light ‖ where sparks from flame did fall.  
His life with chaste desires was decked ‖ where ever he became,  
As he had been the Lords eleckt ‖ and made a chosen Lam.  
His countenance gave a gladsome grace ‖ with manly pleasant show,  
To all that did behold his face ‖ or would his favour know.  
His learned speech had force to break ‖ the thick and hardest ice,  
And look what tongue and mouth did speak ‖ the mind held most in price.  
In prime of youth Embastor sent ‖ to Emperor far from hence,  
And won such credit where he went ‖ that made him honoured sense.  
Ran fair at Tilt, like Mars his Son ‖ with couched Lance on breast,  
And good report of people won ‖ that passed all the rest.  
A man made out of goodliest mould ‖ as shape in wax were wrought,  
Or Picture stood in stamp of gold ‖ to please each gazer's thought.  
An Heir in deed of great account ‖ whose hope great hap might have,  
Yet muck made never mind to mount ‖ for aught that Fortune gave.  
His silent looks said wisdom great ‖ did lodge in lofty brow:  
His patiented heart (in choler's heat) suppressed all passions throw.  
His inward gifts could closely shroud ‖ in humble courties cheer,  
As Phoebus hide his head in Cloud ‖ to shine at length more clear.  
A portly presence passing fine ‖ with beauty furnished well,  
Where virtues buds and grace divine ‖ and dainty gifts did dwell.  
Well seen and read in divers Arts ‖ his works they show the same:  
Well travailed to, in sundry parts ‖ to purchase péerelsse Fame,  
Brought home both language laud and lore ‖ & might the Laurel wear,  
And crowned with Garland be therefore ‖ and style of Honour bear.  
In Conscience cause and Countries care ‖ to bloody wars he went,  
Where lo on murdering Shot unware ‖ alas his life he spent.  
To far he ventured for renown ‖ to short he made his scope:  
To soon that stately stalk fell down ‖ in whom was such great hope.  
To late this world will warned be ‖ to quick comes our dispatch:  
To blind is dazzled eyes to see ‖ where Death for life doth watch.  
Though manhood runs in Armour gay ‖ where great exploits have been,  
Yet courage casts more men away ‖ then all the world can win.  
For Sidney's sake (O wicked Shot) our native Country cries:  
Yea though his death great glory got ‖ and Fame thereby doth rise,  
In wretched earth and Tomb God wots ‖ his worthy body lies:  
Who left behind by heavy lot ‖ a world of weeping eyes.  
But chief Prince and public weal ‖ who ways his worth a right,  
A secret sigh or two they steal ‖ in thinking on this Knight.  
He feared no death, when one did crave ‖ if he would die or no,  
Yet wished some longer life to have ‖ if God were pleased so.  
First to amend his life he sought ‖ a respite for a space,  
To purge his Soul that Christ had bought ‖ and thereby purchase grace.  
Next only for Religion's sake ‖ he craved a year or two,  
Before from world he leave did take ‖ that he some good might do.  
And last of all for Common weal ‖ he wished a while to live,  
That to the honour of our state ‖ he might some council give.  
Oh what desire was this of his ‖ from whence came that great mind:  
Was ever heavenlier thing than this ‖ brought forth of humane kind:  
No no, the Pearl of precious price ‖ is lost or stolen away,  
The head where dwelled each deep device ‖ will here no longer stay,  
His trends and kindred wring their hands ‖ and heavy hearted go:  
His wailing wife like Image stands ‖ and cannot speak for woe.  
His Servants shake their heads and say ‖ (as men o'ercome with rage)  
Where is our Master and our stay ‖ in this hard hapless age.  
His Sister's life consumes away ‖ like Snow against the Sun,  
His Brethren ban that dismal day ‖ when his short race was run.  
His Soldoiurs doleful Drum doth sound ‖ & march in mourning sort,  
And trails the Ensign on the ground ‖ in sign of sad La mort.  
But with exchange all changes go ‖ for life comes death in place:  
For joy comes pain, for wealth comes woe ‖ for woe & grief comes grace.  
So leave his Soul, where saeftie is ‖ embraest in Abraham's breast,  
There let him sleep with endless bliss ‖ that here could take no rest.   
FINIS.