The Complaint: Or, Night=Thoughts on Life, Death, & Immortality

[YOUNG, Edward]

Published by R. Dodsley; G. Hawkins 1743-1745, London, 1743

About this Item

Multiple paginations. 26 cm. Engraved frontispiece and title page vignette. Decorations throughout. Red and black print on title page. Full leather. Red text block edge. Respined with repaired corners. Hinges repaired internally. Chipped top corner on front free endpaper. Bottom corner torn off last page with no loss of text. Repair to title page for second part of "Infidel reclaimed." Tiny ink notation bottom of "The Consolation" title page. Pages 120-146 missing in last section. The poem contains nine parts: The complaint; On time, death, friendship; Narcissa; The Christian triumph; The relapse; The infidel reclaim'd (in two parts); Virtue's apology; The consolation. Publication of the first "Night" began in 1742 and was followed by other "Nights," the eighth and ninth appearing in 1745. Its success was enormous, being translated into French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Welsh and Magyar. In France it became a classic of the romantic school. In more recent times this masterpiece fell into obscurity but was restored to fame when mentioned in Edmund Blunden's World War One memoir, Undertones of War (1928); the author refers to the poem as a source of comfort during his time in the trenches. Second part is stated Third edition, Third part is stated Fourth edtion, otherwise no editions stated. Seller Inventory # 115181

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Complaint: Or, Night=Thoughts on Life, ...

Publisher: R. Dodsley; G. Hawkins 1743-1745, London

Publication Date: 1743

Binding: Leatherbound

Condition: Very good