The deeper meaning of Lyly’s work, which lies beneath the surface of his similes and antitheses, has escaped almost all his critics.[60] It is suggested by the title, “Euphues, The Anatomy of Wit.”  In the “Schoolmaster,” Ascham explained how Socrates had described the anatomy 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 he can remember.  The faithless Lucilla, however, soon treats Euphues as she had before treated Philautus, and marries a third lover whom they both despise.  The friends are then once more united, and lament in each other’s arms the folly of Lucilla.  A second part of the work appeared in the following year, in which Euphues and Philautus are represented on a visit to England.  Philautus marries, and Euphues, after eulogizing the English government, Elizabeth, and all her court, retires forever “to the bottom of the mountain Silexedra.”