Author: [GLOVER (Richard)]:
Title: The Athenaid, A Poem, by the Author of Leonidas.
Description: London: Printed for T. Cadell, 1788. FIRST EDITION. 3 volumes. 12mo, 167 x 101 mms., pp. [iv], 275 [276 blank]; [ii], 370 [271 Errata, 272 blank]; [ii], 294 [295 Errata, 296 blank], engraved portrait of author as frontispiece in volume 1, contemporary half calf, gilt spines, black leather labels; corners slightly worn, some other slight wear to extremities but a very good set. This posthumous work was edited and published by Glover's daughter, Mary, (by then Mrs. Halsey), to whom he left £8000. The work had to wait 32 years for a critical notice, which appeared in The Retrospective Review in 1820, which devoted over 30 pages to thw work: "The Athenaid was intended as a sequel to Leonidas , and embraces the remainder of the Persian war, from the death of Leonidas to the battle of Plateea. It was the work of the author's old age, and its defects are, in part, attributable to the circumstance of its not having received his finishing hand. In this latter performance, accordingly, the abilities of the author shew themselves more matured, and his peculiar propensities more fully developed. Glover was, undoubtedly, not a first-rate poet; yet his powers were very far from contemptible, and he employed his peculium of talent to about as much advantage as it was capable of. His choice of subjects was singular; and although they want the subordinate grace of novelty, they possess the advantage of addressing themselves strongly to our youthful associations..... It has, indeed, been our endeavour to select from this very long poem such specimens of the author's powers as might produce the most favorable impression. We are, however, free to confess, that as a whole it does not exhibit any surpassing excellence : but, with all its faults, it will not, we think, be deemed unworthy of the notice and space we have allotted to it. It is, moreover, one of the objects of our work to point out the sources of innocent plea¬ sure hitherto neglected; and those who are capable of receiving gratification from Leonidas , are likely to experience as much or more in the perusal of the Athenaid."

Keywords: poetry epic literature


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