Medall Satyre Against Sedition Authour by Dryden John (5 results)

Marbled Wrappers. Condition: Near Fine+. First Edition. Presumed second issue (two lines of Latin verse on final page) of this satirical poem lampooning the Earl of Shaftesbury. Small 4to: [12],20pp. There are at least two issues: the first (Macdonald 13.a.i) lacks the Latin lines at the end. Recent hand-marbled stiff paper wrappers, paper title label printed in black to front cover. An excellent example, beautifully rebound and generally clean throughout. Macdonald 13.a.ii. Wing D2311. ESTC R17608. Pforzheimer 331.Ashley Library II, pp. 84-85. Dryden's unsparing invective against the Whigs, prefaced by a vigorous and plainspoken prose "Epistle to the Whigs." In 1681, the Whigs had a medal struck in Poland (the Earl of Shaftesbury's head in profile on the obverse, the sun rising over the Tower of London on the reverse) to commemorate the release of one of their most prominent leaders, who had been held in the Tower on charges of treason for opposing the succession of the Catholic James to the throne. It was the perfect prompt for Dryden's mock-heroic satire: "Of all our Antick Sights, and Pageantry / Which English Ideots run in crowds to see / The Polish Medall bears the prize alone: " In fact, most of "Dryden's masterpieces were written in the 1680s after the Titus Oates Plot had driven the nation into hysteria against the Catholic minority, with the result that thousands were imprisoned and a number, including Dryden's cousin Lord Howard, were executed. From the start Dryden ridiculed the Plot (fomented by the radical Whigs) with all the civilized disdain he was capable of in The Spanish Fryar (1680), Absalom and Achitophel (1681) and The Medall (1682)." (Literary Encyclopedia) As a result, he became the butt of personal attacks, in word and deed: an ambush in Rose Alley nearly killed him. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

[xii]; 20 pp. 1 vols. 4to. Condition: Later vellum. First Edition, Second Issue, with 2 lines of Latin verse on last page. [xii]; 20 pp. 1 vols. 4to. Dryden's satirical poem directed, as was his Absalom and Achitophel, against the Earl of Shaftesbury, who had recently been exonerated of a charge of high treason; his Whig followers had had a medal cast to commemorate the event. Wing D 2311; Macdonald 13 aii; ESTC R17608 First Edition, Second Issue, with 2 lines of Latin verse on last page.

[xii]; 20 pp. 1 vols. 4to. Condition: Removed. First Edition, Second Issue, with 2 lines of Latin verse on last page. [xii]; 20 pp. 1 vols. 4to. Dryden's satirical poem directed, as was his Absalom and Achitophel, against the Earl of Shaftesbury, who had recently been exonerated of a charge of high treason; his Whig followers had had a medal cast to commemorate the event. Wing D 2311; Macdonald 13 aii; ESTC R17608 First Edition, Second Issue, with 2 lines of Latin verse on last page.

Small quarto, 32pp.; protected in modern wrapper. First edition, second issue: 'the second of Dryden's political satires'. The acquittal of the Earl of Shaftesbury on charges of treason for opposing the succession of the Catholic James was regarded as a great Whig victory. Flushed with success, they issued a medal, Shaftesbury's head on the obverse, the sun rising over the Tower of London on the reverse. It was the perfect prompt for Dryden's mock-heroic satire: 'Of all our Antick Sights, and Pageantry, Which English Ideots run in crowds to see, The Polish Medall bears the prize alone'. .

First Edition. 4to, pp.[12], 20; a fine copy in modern half morocco.First edition, second issue, adding two Latin lines at the end. The subject of Dryden's satire was the medal struck to celebrate Shaftesbury's acquittal from charges of high treason. According to Spence, Charles II gave Dryden 'the hint for writing his poem', and rewarded him for it. In reply, Shadwell wrote The Medall of John Bays, which Dryden answered with MacFlecknoe. Macdonald 13a ii; Pforzheimer 331; Wing D 2311 (not distinguishing the issues with and without the Latin lines). Language: English.