Dryden, John. 1631-1700.
Absalom and Achitophel. A Poem [WITH:] The Second Part of Absalom and Achitophel. London: Jacob Tonson, 1681-82.
Folio (275 x 170 mm, 290 x 185 mm). Part 1 retaining initial blank. Both in matching 20th century green calf backed marbled boards. FIRST EDITION, 1st issue of Part 1; part 2 in the second state with Fleet St added to imprimatur, and 12 lines on the final leaf. Macdonald 12a/15a. Wind D-2212/D-2350.
WITH: SETTLE, ELKANAH. Absalom Senior: or, Achitophel transpos'd. A Poem. For S.E.: 1682. Folio. Paneled speckled calf to style.
Dryden wrote this political verse at the request of Charles II, using biblical allegory to describe the political situation regarding the arrest of the Earl of Shaftesbury for treason, his imprisonment in the Tower of London and his acquittal after his trial in 1681. Part 1 appeared anonymously describing the arrest and trial while part 2 was published a year later, although largely written by Nahum Tate, it was revised by Dryden, and included his satirical portraits of Thomas Shadwell and Elkanah Settle. The lot includes Settle's reply to Dryden. Dryden's political stance brought about a slew of anti-Dryden criticism, most couched in verse. Sold with a single leaf of Dryden. An Elegy on the Usurper O.C.
![Dryden, John. 1631-1700. Absalom and Achitophel. A Poem [WITH:] The Second Part of Absalom and Achitophel. London: Jacob Tonson, 1681-82.](https://images2.bonhams.com/image?src=Images/live/2019-04/30/24863946-9-1.jpg&width=640&height=480&autosizefit=1 "Dryden, John. 1631-1700. Absalom and Achitophel. A Poem [WITH:] The Second Part of Absalom and Achitophel. London: Jacob Tonson, 1681-82.")
