of wit in a child, and the first essential quality mentioned by
Socrates, and that most fully discussed by Ascham was Euphues which
may be translated of good natural parts, as well of the body as the
mind. Euphues, then, as well in the story in which he figures, as
afterward in the essays or which he is the supposed author, is the
model of a young man at once attractive in appearance, and possessing
the mental qualities most calculated to please. While the story is
meant to attract readers, the essays and digressions introduced into
the work are intended to inculcate the methods of education which Lyly
taught in common with Ascham. It was, however, the manner rather than
the matter which gave to "Euphues" its prominence and popularity. The
story is but a slender thread. Euphues and Philautus are two young
gentlemen of Naples, bound together by the closest ties of friendship.
Philautus is deeply enamored of a lady named Lucilla, to whom in an
unfortunate moment he presents Euphues. The meeting is at supper, and
the conversation turns on the question "often disputed, but never
determined, whether the qualities of the minde, or the composition of
the man, cause women most to lyke, or whether beautie or wit move men
most to love." Euphues shows so much ingenuity in the discussion of
this interesting subject that Lucilla transfers her affections to him.
Upon this the two friends quarrel and exchange letters of mutual
recrimination couched in the most elaborate language. Philautus writes:

Although hereto Euphues, I have shrined thee in my heart for
a trustie friende, I will shunne thee hereafter as a trothless
foe. * * * Dost thou not know yat a perfect friend should be lyke
the Glazeworme, which shineth most bright in the darke? or lyke the
pure Frankencense which smelleth most sweet when it is in the fire?
or at the leaste not unlike to the damaske Rose which is sweeter in
the still than on the stalke? But thou, Euphues, dost rather
resemble the Swallow, which in the summer creepeth under the eues
of euery house, and in the winter leaveth nothing but durt behinde
hir; or the humble Bee, which hauing sucked hunny out of the fayre
flower, doth leaue it and loath it; or the Spider which in the
finest web doth hang the fayrest Fly.

To these bitter reproaches Euphues replies that "Love knoweth no
Lawes," and in support of the proposition cites as many cases from
mythology as h