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[DRYDEN, John]. ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL. A Poem. London: Printed for J. T. and are to be sold by W. Davis in Amen-Corner, 1681. First edition. Folio: [-]2(the first blank and genuine);[A]1;B2;C1;[=]1;D-I2; 19 leaves. [A]1 and C1 are conjoined; Sig. B is inserted between them. Contents: blank leaf; title-page, verso blank; To the Reader, in italic, Sig. [A]; text, pp. 1-32, numbered centrally in square brackets. A disbound copy, side sewn, with traces of backing at spine. 11 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches. The leaves are mostly clean, but with a few spots of soiling throughout. Slight horizontal crease at the center from folding. Housed in a fleece lined, blue cloth, clamshell box; title gilt-stamped at spine and upper board.

This copy appears to belong to what Mcdonald calls the first edition, first issue because Sig. C contains all of the misprints in an uncorrected state. On page 5, line 10 'And serv'd' for 'As serv'd,' and on page 6, 'cuold,' 'Kold,' 'Kody' and 'Patron's' in lines 4, 8, 12, and 34, respectively, for 'could,' 'Bold,' 'Body' and 'Patriott's;' the catchword is 'Not' instead of'Oh.' Mcdonald notes that in most copies the four misprints in the text on p. 6 have been corrected in ink; only the final misprint in this copy has an ink correction. Also, the address leaf is unsigned. Mcdonald indicates that the signature 'A' was added in what he identifies as the third issue.

This is the first of Dryden's great satires. It is an allegory based on 2 Sam. 13-9 and deals with certain aspects of the Exclusion crisis, notably the intrigues of the earl of Shaftesbury and the ambition of the duke of Monmouth to replace James Duke of York as Charles II's heir. The poetic attack, wherein various public figure are represented under biblical names, notably Monmouth as Absalom and Shaftesbury as Achitophel, was an unprecedented and immediate success. It has been called 'the first satire in the language for masculine insight and for vigour of expression.' (Macdonald 12 a.i; Pforzheimer 310; CBEL; DNB; OCEL.) $1250.00 #64843