The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1910-09-23
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
ney recalls to a London writer the
world-famed episode of the dying sol
der with which his death Is insep-
arably connected. 1t occurred when
that Paladin, on September 22, 1885,
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 glan-
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 Elfr1da.
Upon his entrance she greeted him
with kiss, and then, as he resisted
her invitation to dismount, brought
from the castle a goblet of wine. Even
as the king raised his goblet 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 nag, ne
babe his page fetch him cup OF beer.
This was brought to him in silver
goblet. out of which he drank to MS
crew, willing the gunners stand oy
their ordinance like men" Scarce hao
he finished the draught and held the
CID aside when it was struck by ball
from 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 q
former town councillor who, In 1851,
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
ouished town, where at the town hall
he gave orders for the execution OF
the civic magistrates. Before, now
ever, the doomed men were led fortn
to the scaffold, the Burgomasters
daughter presented herself, bearing an
immense flagon of wine, out OF Whlcn
the conqueror drank and passed IL
round to his officers.
All quenched their thirst, and yet
the f1agon was only but half empty.
Seeing this the fair Hebe remarked
that one of the councillors present
was able to empty the stoup at q
draught. eff such be the case," cried
Tilly. turning to the condemned mag
istrates, 81 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 1t to his lips
and neither drew breath nor set 1t
down until he had quaffed its contents
to the last drop Then only did he
reverse the flagon in proof that the
feat had been accomplished. lilly
kept his word, and every year, In COM
memoration of their deliverance, do
the citizens of Rothenburg enact over
again this famous event in their towns
history.