Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-09-22
DRINKS In HISTORY
IMPORTANT PARTS PLAYED BY
eOBLETS OF LIQUOR.
Sir Philip Sidney and the Dying SOL
dier-Tragic Part of Cup of Wine
in Murder Of Edward the
Martyr.

The proposal of the Dutch to erect
at Zutphen a statue to Sir Philip Sid
ney recalls to a London writer the
worId-famed episode of the dying sol
der, with which his death is insep-
arably connected. II occurred when
that Paladin, on September %, 1886,
received his death wound before the
walls of Zutphen. Parched Win
thirst. he called for drink. Ae ne
was putting the bottle to his mouth
his eyes fell upon desperately
wounded soldier, who, as he was belng
carried past, threw him longing CLAN
ces, which Sir Philip perceived, TOOK
the bottle from his lips before he
drank. and delivered to the poor man
with these words: Thy necessity is
yet greater than mine.
In the murder of Edward the Mar
tyr, in 979, a cup OF wine played
tragic part. Wearied with his hunt
ing the young monarch was persuaded
to seek refreshment at Corfe castle.
in Dorsetshire, the abode of his step
mother. the widowed Queen Elfrida.
Upon his entrance she greeted him
with a kiss, and then, as he resisted
her invitation to dismount, brought
from the castle a goblet Of wine. Even
as the king raised his goble. one OF
her retainers drew his dagger and,
with fatal effect, plunged it into his
neck.
During the naval engagement at san
Juan the Jesus, which was under the
command of Sir John Hawkins, was
attacked by almost overwhelming
odds. Both by word and deed did the
admiral encourage his men, and once
when their spirits seemed to flag, ne
babe his page fetch him cup OF beer
This was brought to him in silver
goblet, out of which he drank to his
! crew, willing the gunners stand by
their ordinance like men," Scarce had
he finished the draught and held the
| cup aside when it was struck by ball
| from one of the SpaniaTds' ships and
carried away.
i Every June the quaint old town OF
| Rothenburg celebrates by costume
! festival. which goes by the name OF
| ''Meister-Drank," the mighty feat of
! former town councillor who, in 1881,
saved the town from destruction. In
| that year Rothenburg fell before the
arms of the savage lilly, who at the
| head of his forces entered the van
| pushed town, where at the town nall
| he gave orders for the execution OF
| the civic magistrates. Before, now
| ever. the doomed men were led forth
| to the scaffold, the Burgomaster'
| daughter presented herself, bearing an
! immense fagon Of wine, out OF which
! the conuueror drank and passed 1t
round to his officers.
All quenched their thirst, and yet
| the fagon was only but half empty.
! Seeing this the fair Hebe remarked
that one of the councillors present
was able to empty the stoup at
draught IF such be the case" cried
Tilly, turning to the condemned mag
istrates, Il will pardon you all for the
drinkers sake Fill the flagon to the
brim."
This was done, and then one of the
| city's magistrates, stepping forward,
seized the vessel, raised it to his lips,
| and neither drew breath nor set it
down until he had quaffed its contents
to the last drop. Then only did he
reverse the f1agon in proof that the
feat had been accomplished. lilly
kept his word, and every year, in COM
memoration of their deiverance, do
the citizens of Rothenburg enact over
again this famous event in their towns
| history.