ht
of whose Death was the Noon of his Age, and the exceeding Loss of
Christendom.

His Body was conveyed into _England_, and most honourably interred in
the Church of St. _Paul_ in _London_; over which was fixed this
Epitaph:

_England_, _Netherland_, the Heavens, and the Arts,
All Souldiers, and the World have made fix parts
Of the Noble _Sidney_; for none will suppose
That a small heap of Stones can _Sidney_ enclose:
_England_ hath his Body, for she it bred;
_Netherland_ his Blood, in her defence shed;
The Heavens his Soul, the Arts his Fame;
All Soldiers the Grief, the World his good Name.

To recite the Commendations given him by several Authors, would of it
self require a Volume; to rehearse some few not unpleasing to the
Reader. The reverend _Cambden_ writes thus; This is that _Sidney_,
whom, as God's will was, he should be therefore born into the world
even to shew unto our Age a Sample of ancient Virtues. Doctor _Heylin_
in his _Cosmography_ calleth him, That gallant Gentleman of whom he
cannot but make honourable mention. Mr. _Fuller_ in his _Worthies_ thus
writes of him, His homebred Abilities perfected by Travel with foreign
accomplishments, and a sweet Nature, set a gloss upon both. _Stow_ in
his _Annals_, calleth him, a most valiant and towardly Gentleman.
_Speed_ in his Chronicle, That worthy Gentleman in whom were compleat
all Virtues and Valours that could be expected to reside in man: And
Sir _Richard Baker_ gives him this Character, A man of so many
excellent parts of Art and Nature, of Valour and Learning, of Wit and
Magnanimity, that as he had equalled all those of former Ages, so the
future will hardly be able to equal him.

Nor was this Poet forgotten by the Poets; who offered whole Hecatombs
of Verses in his praise. Hear first that Kingly Poet, or Poetical King,
King _James_ the first, late Monarch of Great _Britain_, who thus
writes,

_Armipotens cui jus in fortia pectora_ Mayors,
_Tu Dea quae cerebrum perrumpere digna totantis,
Tuque adeo bijugae proles_ Latonia _rupis
Gloria, decidua cingunt quam collibus artes,
Duc tecum, & querelis_ Sidnaei _funera voce
Plangite; nam vester fuerat_ Sidnaeus _alumnus,
Quid genus, & proavos, & spem, floremque juventae,
Immaturo obituraptum sine retexo?
Heu frustra queror? heu rapuit Mors omnia secum?
Et nihil ex tanto nunc est Heroe superstes,
Praeterquam Decus & Nomen virtute paratum,
Doctaque_ Sidneas _test