First edition. In two parts, the first in Greek and Latin, the second, titled "Obsequies to the memorie of Mr Edward King", in English, containing "Lycidas". Small quarto, pp [viii], 36, [2], 25, [1]. Finely bound in full crimson morocco, bordered in black and gilt with gilt floral devices to the corners and lettered in gilt. All edges gilt. A very good copy indeed, with restoration to the gutter of the title page and leaves A2-B2, but internally fresh and well preserved.

The first appearance of one of the most celebrated elegies in the English language, variously described as "probably the most perfect piece of pure literature in existence" (Arthur Machen), "the greatest short poem of any author in English" (Paul Elmer More) and "the high-water mark of English Poesy and of Milton's own production" (Mark Pattison)
Milton's Lycidas, written in memory of Edward King, a friend of Milton's at Christ's College, Cambridge who drowned when his ship sank in the Irish Sea in August 1637, is his second published work, following the commendatory poem he contributed to the 1632 second folio edition of Shakespeare's works. It is the final poem of this work and is signed with the poet's initials.
Milton reprinted the poem in the 1645 Poems. There are a few textual differences between the two versions: most notably, the "humming tide" of 1638 is replaced by the "whelming tide" of 1645 and all subsequent versions.
Exceptionally rare: in 1968 W.R. Parker traced a mere 33 copies of Justa, all but two in institutional libraries, for his biography of Milton. Those two copies were probably the copy belonging to Mrs Prescott, which featured in an exhibition of Milton's work the following year and Holland-Houghton copy (later in the collection of The Garden Ltd and Robert Pirie). Subsequent to Parker's survey, only the Hogan-Insley Blair, Richard Adams and the present copy have been seen in commerce, attesting to the long held opinion that it is virtually unknown in private hands.

PROVENANCE: William Grant, Lord Prestongrange (1701-1764, Scottish politician) bookplate to front pastedown.

Stock ID: 45463