The works of Virgil: containing his pastorals, Georgics and Æneis. Translated into English verse; by Mr. Dryden. In three volumes. Adorn’d with above a hundred sculptures.

London: printed by Jacob Tonson, 1716. Fourth edition, 3 vols. 8vo. pp. [ii], 211, [i] + port. frontis. and 32 plates; [ii], 213-545, [i] + port. frontis. and 39 plates; [ii], 546-857, [i] + port. frontis. and 32 plates. Title-pages printed in red and black, occasional light spotting and browning. Many plates are unsigned, but those that are include the work of Michael Vandergucht, Jan de Leeuw and either Pieter or Philipp van Gunst. Contemporary panelled calf, some wear (especially to corners), neatly rebacked. Ownership inscriptions to each volume of Francis Blithe, of Allesley in Warwickshire, who matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford, in 1729 at the age of 17; the inscriptions are dated 1730. John Dryden’s Virgil was the first Poet Laureate’s major work of translation. It was originally published in a magnificent folio edition in 1697 - also by Tonson - and Dryden’s intuitive (rather than literal) verse rendering proved immensely popular.ESTC T64521 Book