The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-09-22
DRINKS In HISTORY
IMPORTANT PARTS PLAYED BY
GOBLETS 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
1ey recalls to a London writer the
episode of the dying sol;
1ier, with which his death is insep'
arably connected. 1t occurred when
hat Paladin, on September %, 1856,
received his death wound before the
walls of Zutphen. Parched with
thirst, he called for a drink. Ae he
was putting the bottle to his mouth
his eyes fell upon desperately
wounded soldier, who, as he was being
carried past, threw him longing CLAN
:es, 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
vet greater than mine.
In the murder of Edward the Mar
Ut, in 979, a cup of wine played a
tragic part. Wearied with his hunt
ing the young monarch was persuaded
20. seek refreshment at Corfe castle,
IN Dorsetshire, the abode of his STEP
mother, the widowed Queen Elfrida.
Upon his entrance she greeted him
with kiss, and then, as he resisted
ner invitation to dismount, brought
from the castle goblet of wine. Even
rs the king raised his gobse- one OF
her retainers drew his dagger and,
with fatal effect. plunged 1t 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 a silver
goblet, out of which he drank to ms
crew, willing the gunners stand by
heir ordinance like men," Scarce had
ne finished the draught and held the
up aside when it was struck by Dail
rom one of the Spaniards' ships and
carried away.
Every June the quaint old town OF
Rothenburg celebrates by a 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
hat year Rothenburg fell before the
arms of the savage Tilly, who at the
head of his forces entered the van
luished town, where at the town hall
ne gave orders for the execution OF
he civic magistrates. Before, how
ever. the doomed men were led forth
10 the scaffold, the Burgomaster'
laughter presented herself, bearing an
immense flagon of wine. out OF which
he conqueror drank and passed II
'ound to his officers.
All quenched their thirst. and yet
The fagon was only but half empty
Seeing this the fair Hebe remarked
hat one of the councillors present
was able to empty the stoup at
iraught. If such be the case" cried
lilly, turning to the condemned mag
strates, Il will pardon you all for the
thinkers sake. Fill the fagon to the
orim-"
This was done, and then one OF the
.ity's magistrates, stepping forward
seized the vessel, raised it to his lips
and neither drew breath nor set II
Down until he had quaffed its contents
% the last drop. Then only did ne
reverse the fiagon in proof that the
,eat had been accomplished. Tilly
Kept his word, and every year, In com
nemoration of their deliverance, dc
he citizens of Rothenburg enact ovel
,gain this famous event in their towns
history.