ey set
out to travel in Germany and Italy. He was glad to leave Paris, its
vile court and viler king; he was sorry to leave nobody but little
Fanny Walsingham.

Soon after returning to England, and when only twenty-one, Sidney was
sent as ambassador to Vienna, by Queen Elizabeth, who knew how to
perceive talent and worth, though she did not always reward them
generously. He faithfully discharged the duties of his office, and was
most honorably received by the queen on his return. But he was not of
the stuff out of which courtiers are made. He was too honest,
independent, and disinterested to gain wealth or power by intrigue or
flattery; so, though the queen respected him, and often advised with
him, he received neither gifts nor offices, but lived for several years
in retirement, devoting himself to study and writing.

In 1583, he married Frances, only daughter of Sir Francis Walsingham,
his well remembered little friend, now grown into a beautiful woman,
well worthy of his noble love. During that same year he was knighted
by the queen at Windsor, and became Sir Philip Sidney.

By the time that he reached the age of thirty, the fame of his many
splendid qualities--his learning and literary talent, his bravery, and,
above all, his noble honesty--had spread over Europe, while in England,
he was the glory of the court and the idol of the people.

There are a kind of little great men who seek to impose on you by
pompous ways, proud looks, and high-sounding words; but there was no
such poor pride and pretension about Sir Philip Sidney. He was gay and
free-hearted, frank in his words, simple and gentle in his manner, and
always earnest in the endeavor to be and do good. His writings were
full of noble thought and pure, sweet feeling, worthy his true heart
and his great soul.

In 1585, a wonderful tribute was paid to the talent and exalted worth
of Sir Philip Sidney.

The throne of Poland having become vacant by the death of Stephen
Bathori, he was invited to enroll himself among the candidates. He
does not seem to have been tempted by this splendid opportunity of
obtaining sovereign power and honors, but cheerfully acquiesced in the
queen's will that he should remain her loyal subject. She said, rather
selfishly, I think, that she "could not consent to lose the jewel of
her times."

Soon after this, she appointed him to a military command in the Low
Countries. Here he soon distinguished himself by skilful g