rare 1682 John Dryden poem, ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL

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John Dryden (1631-1700). ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL. A POEM. London: Printed for J(acob) T(onson), 1682. 2 parts in one volume, 4to (205 x 154mm). [vii], 27pp. Modern paper boards with leather backstrip, (browned, light foxing, margins trimmed close, front free endpaper loose but present; joints starting, spine chipped). Fourth Edition, as stated. "Absalom and Achitophel" is a landmark poetic political satire by John Dryden. Written at the request of Charles II, the poem is an allegory that uses the story of the rebellion of Absalom against King David as the basis for discussion of the background to the Monmouth Rebellion (1685), the Popish Plot (1678) and the Exclusion Crisis. The Earl of Shaftesbury (Achitophel) had been arrested for treason and committed to the Tower in July, 1681, and part one appeared anonymously in November, coinciding with Shaftesbury's trial and acquittal before a grand jury. Its topicality led to an extrordinary sale, and a fifth edition was reached the year following. Part two, published in November, 1682, continues the history of the times down to the election of the Tory sheriffs that September. Whilst largely written by Nahum Tate (1652-1715), part two was revised by Dryden who added 200 lines containing the savagely satirical portraits of Og (Thomas Shadwell) and Doeg (Elkanah Settle). Macdonald 12a and read more

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