Author: D'ISRAELI (Isaac):
Title: Narrative Poems.
Description: London: Printed for John Murray..., 1803. FIRST AND ONLY EDITION. 4to, 245 x 190 mms., pp. [vi], 55 [56 colophon], uncut, original boards with title printed on front cover, contained in a linen box; covers soiled,edges a bit soiled, front cover holding by one cord, extremities worn, bookplate of Oliver Brett on front paste-down end-paper. The volume consists of three narrative poems, which constitute, as James Ogden says in his ODNB article, "his most ambitious work...; [but] his neo-classical manner was by then hopelessly outmoded, but being a poet of sorts himself he had a sympathetic understanding of the poetical temperament." Contemporary notices were not enthusiastic, and even the most favourably-disposed reviewers struggled to compliment D'Israelie, e. g., the notice in James Cobb's The Monthly Mirror for 1803: "As it would be difficult for a labour of considerable magnitude to add to Mr. D'I.'s reputation as an author of taste and ingenuity, we cannot promise him much increase, from this little work, to that which he has so deservedly acquired; but if it cannot be said to enter into and augment the great bulk of his merit, we may safely venture to foretell, that it will hang on the more solid body of his fame, like one of those jewels, those eximia, which Nature so powerfully recommends by their excessive rarity."

Keywords: poetry narrative literature


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