In an earlier chapter of this work 1 was described the revival of English poetry under the influence of Italy and France, and the progress of the school of Wyatt and Surrey to its decay. The impulse was worn out; the chivalric ideal had ceased to be a genuine source of inspiration, and there was need of new ideals, new blood and new literary methods. We have now to consider the later and more national poetry which the labours of Sidney and Spenser called into being.