Poems. by TENNYSON, Alfred, Lord - 1842

London: Edward Moxon,, 1842. 2 volumes, octavo (165 x 103 mm). Contemporary tan calf, spines in compartments with raised bands gilt and two morocco title labels to each. Sides bordered with triple blind rule, brown coated endpapers, speckled edges. Near-contemporary gift inscription to first blank of vol. 1, and accompanying pencil ownership inscription to first blank of both volumes. Covers fairly worn at spine and extremities with discreet repair, internally clean, very good condition overall. First edition of Tennyson's important early collection, quite scarce, and containing the first appearance of "Ulysses". This work was Tennyson's second publication with Edward Moxon, following Poems (1833), and contains original unpublished poetry that was written in the intervening decade. This was one of Tennyson's saddest yet most creative periods, following the death of his friend Arthur Henry Hallam, in whose memory In Memoriam (1850) was written. "Ulysses" and "Morte d'Arthur", both appearing for the first time here, are "great poems prompted by the death of his Arthur... finding extraordinarily compelling correlatives, in ancient worlds, for his feelings personal and universal, ancient and modern" (ODNB). The first volume includes a selection of poems, such as "The Lotos-Eaters", that were first published in Poems, Chiefly Lyrical (1830) and Poems (1833) and now appear revised in this edition.