thought that English was not good enough for great writing. But Sidney strongly disagreed. He believed English was rich and full of beauty. He defended it with pride. He said that English, like Latin and Greek, could express great ideas and feelings. Sidney wanted poets to use English with love and care.

Sweet and Noble: Sidney says English is a “sweet and noble” language. This means it sounds pleasant and has great value. He believes English can express deep feelings and big ideas just like other famous languages. Some people in his time said Latin or Greek were better. But Sidney says that English can also create beautiful poetry. He gives the example of Chaucer. Chaucer’s poems show that English can be powerful and lovely. The following lines support this point strongly.

“So among the Romans were Livius Andronicus, and Ennius. So in the Italian language, the first that made it aspire to be a treasure-house of science were the poets Dante, Boccace, and Petrarch. So in our English were Gower and Chaucer.”

Blames Bad Writers, Not Language: Sidney admits that some English poems are not good. But he says this is not the fault of the English language. It is the fault of bad poets. Some poets mix funny and serious parts badly. Some use big and strange words without real meaning. These writers do not follow the right rules. Sidney says these mistakes make poetry look weak. But the problem is not with English. Good poets can write great poetry in English if they use it properly.

Following Classical Rules: In Sidney’s time, many people believed that only Latin or Greek could follow classical rules of poetry. But Sidney says English can also follow those rules. He talks about rhyme and meter. He says English can use both very well. It can have beauty, balance, and music. He believes that English poetry can match the style of ancient poems. Sidney wants English poets to study good rules and use them in their writing. Then they can show the true power of English.

Flexibility: Sidney notes that English can adapt to different styles: heroic, lyrical, or pastoral. Unlike some languages, it is not too rigid. Writers can play with word order and rhythm. This flexibility allows poets to create various effects, from grand epics to soft love poems. Sidney admires how English can be both strong and delicate. But he warns that this freedom should not lead to careless writing. Poets must still follow artistic discipline.

Natural Beauty: Sidney believes English is naturally musical and pleasant. He says it can be as sweet as Italian or Greek. Chaucer’s poetry shows this beauty. English words flow smoothly and can rhyme easily. Sidney thinks English has a natural charm that makes it perfect for poetry. However, many poets in his time failed to use this beauty properly. They focus on fancy words instead of simple, elegant expressions.

In the end, Sidney loved the English language deeply. He believed it had the power to create great poetry. He accepted that some writers made mistakes. However, he blamed the writers, not the language. Sidney showed that English could be just as rich and beautiful as Latin or Greek. He asked poets to respect and use their own language wisely. He believed English had a bright future if poets used it with care, love, and skill. English was, to him, a true gift.