During his abode at the Court, at his spare hours he composed that incomparable Romance, entituled, _The Arcadia_, which he dedicated to his Sister the Countess of _Pembroke_. A Book (saith Dr. _Heylin_) which, besides its excellent Language, rare Contrivances, and delectable Stories, hath in it all the strains of Poesie, comprehendeth the whole art of speaking, and to them who can discern and will observe, affordeth notable Rules of Demeanour, both private and publick; and though some men, sharp-witted only in speaking evil, have depraved the Book, as the occasion that many precious hours are spent no better, they consider not that the ready way to make the minds of Youth grow awry, is to lace them too hard, by denying them just and due liberty. Surely (saith one) the Soul deprived of lawful delights, will, in way of revenge, (to enlarge its self out of prison) invade and attempt unlawful pleasures. Let such be condemned always to eat their meat with no other sawce, but their own appetite, who deprive themselves and others of those sallies into lawful Recreations, whereof no less plenty than variety is afforded in this _Arcadia_. One writes, that Sir _Philip Sidney_ in the extream agony of his wounds, so terrible the sence of death is, requested the dearest friend he had, to burn his _Arcadia_; what promise his friend returned herein is uncertain; but if he brake his word to be faithful to the publick good, posterity herein hath less cause to censure him for being guilty of such a meritorious offence, wherewith he hath obliged so many ages. Hereupon thus writeth the _British_ Epigramatist. _Ipse tuam morient sede conjuge teste jubebas, Arcadium saevis ignibus esse cibum; Si meruit mortem, quia flammam accendit amoris Mergi, non uri debuit iste liber. In Librum quaecunque cadat sententia nulla, Debuit ingenium morte perire tuum._ In serious thoughts of Death 'twas thy desire This sportful Book should be condemn'd with Fire: If so, because it doth intend Love-matters, It rather should be quench'd or drown'd i' th waters. However doom'd the Book, the memory Of thy immortal Wit will never die. He wrote also besides his _Arcadia_, several other Works; namely, _A Defence of Poesie_, a Book entituled _Astrophel_ and _Stella_, with divers Songs and Sonnets in praise of his Lady, whom he celebrated under that bright Name; whom afterwards he married, that Paragon of Nature, Sir _Francis Walsingham_'s Daughter, who impoverished himself to enrich the State; from whom he expected no more than what was above all Portions, a beautiful Wife, and a virtuous Daughter. He also translated part of that excellent Treatise of _Philip Morney du Plessis_, of the Truth of Religion; and no doubt had written many other excellent Works, had not the Lamp of his Life been extinguish'd too soon; the manner whereof take as followeth: