Marrin's Bookshop

Synopsis

In three parts written in the time of the late wars. corrected and amended: with additions. to which is added annotations to the third part, with an exact index to the whole; never before printed. adorn'd with cuts.

Item Description

12mo. 5 x 3 inches. xiv + [18[ pp. index + 107 pp. Separate title page for The Second Part. Third Part not included. Bound in contemporary calf, boards with gilt borders and ornaments in corners; spine in compartments with raised bands. Hinges cracked but still attached, folding plated repaired with Japanese tissue. Age related wear includes browning of page edges and margins; otherwise a very good copy. Early signature on title page and later on front pastedown. Illustrated by 14 wood engravings (2 folding), including portrait frontispiece. Decorated by head and tailpiece vignettes and by initial. Samuel Butler (1612-1680) is best known for his satirical poem Hudibras written in more than ten thousand verses and comprising three parts published separately in 1662, 1664, and 1678. Hudibras (the name taken from Spencer's Faerie Queen) is a Presbyterian knight errant, who is accompanied by his Independent squire Ralpho as they set out on their quest which ridicules the folly and unpleasantness of the anti-royalist party. An illustrated edition of the author's rumbustious verse account 'of that stubborn crew of errant saints' who 'prove their doctrine orthodox By apostolic blows and knocks; Call fire, and sword, and desolation, A godly thorough reformation.' This 1710 edition includes the first and second parts only in this copy (ESTC T1919).