Book description
Basilus, a foolish old duke, consults an oracle as he imperiously
wishes to know the future, but he is less than pleased with what he
learns. To escape the oracle's horrific prophecies about his family and
kingdom he withdraws into pastoral retreat with his wife and two
daughters. When a pair of wandering princes fall in love with the
princesses and adopt disguises to gain access to them, all manner of
complications, both comic and serious, ensue. Part-pastoral romance,
part-heroic epic, Sidney's long narrative work was hugely popular for
centuries after its first publication in 1593, inspiring two sequels and
countless imitations, and contributing greatly to the development of the
novel.
Sir Philip Sidney (1554 - 1586) became one of the Elizabethan
Age'smost prominent figures. Famous in his day in England as a poet,
courtier and soldier, he remains known as a writer of sonnets.
