The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia (The Old Arcadia)

Description

Basilus, a foolish old duke, consults an oracle as he imperiously wishes to know the future, but he is less than pleased with what he learns. To escape the oracle's horrific prophecies about his family and kingdom he withdraws into pastoral retreat with his wife and two daughters. When a pair of wandering princes fall in love with the princesses and adopt disguises to gain access to them, all manner of complications, both comic and serious, ensue. Part-pastoral romance, part-heroic epic, Sidney's long narrative work was hugely popular for centuries after its first publication in 1593, inspiring two sequels and countless imitations, and contributing greatly to the development of the novel.

Subjects

Series Statement

• The World's classics

Other Editions

• The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia (The Old Arcadia)Oxford University Press1994-01-01
• The Countess of Pembroke's ArcadiaSampson Low Marston1898-01-01
• The Countess of Pembroke's ArcadiaG. Routledge and Sons, ltd.1907-01-01
• The last part of the Countesse of Pembrokes ArcadiaCambridge University Press1912-01-01
• The Countess of Pembroke's ArcadiaMicroformCambridge University Press1912-01-01
• Arcadia.Cambridge University Press1912-01-01