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A Spanish poet of high rank; born in Toledo in 1503; died at Nice, Oct. 14, 1536. He appeared very early at the court of Charles V., where his progress was rapid, not alone in letters but in arms. He became ambassador to France and subsequently traveled in Alva's suite, only to lose the Emperor's favor and languish long in prison. He it was who naturalized the smoother of the Italian metres in Spain, and softened the stern outlines of his country's models into a delicate elegance. Theocritus, Virgil, and Petrarch, he copied gracefully but unblushingly, as in his famed "First Eclogue". Sonnets, lyrics, pastorals, and canzone were written by him in great profusion, often on the eve of battle. He was mortally wounded while charging an enemy at the head of his troops.