Roderick Last of the Goths

RODERICK,

THE LAST OF THE GOTHS.

BY

ROBERT SOUTHEY, Esq.

POET LAUREATE

__________

IN TWO VOLUMES

FIFTH EDITION

LONDON :

LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN.

1818

DESCRIPTION

(iv) + 297pp + (iv)

(iv) + 292pp + (ii)

Books measure 170mm x 105mm approximately.

Handsomely bound in full tan calf. Spine with four dual gilt-ruled raised bands with intricate gilt decoration to compartments. Twin maroon title and volume labels. Deep gilt decorated fillet borders and further blind-tooled panel to both boards with gilt rose cornices, and small gilt chain dentelles to inner boards. Marbled paste-downs and end-papers. Illustration of author to title page verso. All page edges marbled.

CONDITION

The bindings are in good firm condition with intact hinges. There are a few very light surface marks, some nicks to board edges and a couple of small marks. Slight loss of leather to corner of spine top of vol II. Moderate bumping to board corners.

Internally, the pages are very clean, there is a little light foxing and a few spots throughout, more so to the end-papers. Small previous owner bookplate to front past-down of each volume. Feint neat ink inscription to front end-paper of each volume.

A very presentable set of volumes.

Please always refer to photo images for a clearer indication of condition.

We are always happy to provide further photo images if required.

INTERESTING

Robert Southey (1774 to 1843) was an English poet of the Romantic school, and Poet laureate from 1813 until his death. Like the other Lake Poets, William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Southey began as a radical but became steadily more conservative as he gained respect for Britain and its institutions. Other romantics such as Byron accused him of siding with the establishment for money and status. He is remembered especially for the poem "After Blenheim" and the original version of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears".

Roderick the Last of the Goths is an epic poem in 1814. The origins of the poem lie in Southey's wanting to write a poem describing Spain and the story of Rodrigo. Originally entitled "Pelayo, the Restorer of Spain," the poem was later retitled to reflect the change of emphasis within the story. It was completed after Southey witnessed Napoleon's actions in Europe, and Southey included his reactions against invading armies into the poem. The poem was successful, and multiple editions followed immediately after the first edition.