Search Results: barclay his argenis or the loves by barclay john

London: Henry Seile. Good+. 1636. Second Edition. Hardcover. Contemporary calf, gilt decor. First illustrated edition. The covers are moderately worn. Engraved title, engraved plates in the text. Lacks portrait of Barclay. Occasional damping and spots. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 619 pages .

John Barclay, Barclay His Argenis Or, the Loves of Poliarchus and Argenis faithfully translated out of Latine into English, by Kingsmill Long, Gent. 1625 - London, G. Purslowe for Henry Seile. This is the First Edition in English of the controversial historical and religious allegory where Barclay has his characters discuss contemporary political and religious issues. It was commisssioned by King James I and was originally thought to be being translated by Ben Jonson but Kinsmill Long completed this first English translation.
Nottingham Public Library stamp on the front cover and on the title page. In hand presumably previous owner 'John Wilomar his booke 1672' By hand a note in the prefatory pages. "It is interesting in a high degree; richer in incident than can be imagined full of surprises, which the reader never forstalls, and yet free from all entanglement and confusion. The style too tome appears to be such as would not dishonour Tacitus himself" - "Cowper"
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