THE WHOLE XII BOOKES OF THE AENEIDOS OF VIRGILL. Whereof the First IX and Part of the Tenth, Were Converted into English Meeter by Thomas Phaer, Esquire, and the Residue Supplied, and the Whole Worke Together Newly Set Forth by Thomas Twyne Gentleman. There is Added Moreover to This Edition, Virgil's Life Out of Donatus, and the Arguments Before Every Booke

SCARCE AND VERY EARLY EDITION IN ENGLISH. THE FIRST COMPLETE EDITION IN 'COMMON' or 'MODERN' ENGLISH, THE FIRST PRINTING OF Phaer's translation to include books 10-12, the "Life" of Virgil and The Arguments. Woodcut border to the titlepage, woodcut initials and head-or-tail pieces throughout. Small 4to (7 by 5.5 inches), very handsomely bound in antique full speckled calf by Riviere and Sons, gilt lettered on two morocco labels on the spine, blind ruled raised bands, blind ruled borders on the boards, t.e.g. Housed in calf-covered clamshell box gilt lettered on a rounded back between raised bands. A very handsome copy, the binding in excellent condition and the text very solid, some expert restoration to the title-page, trimmed a bit close at top and bottom, very occasional evidence of old stains or use.

Edizione: an outstanding copy of this very early english virgil, the text complete with errata page and colophon. this is the first printing of phaer's translation to contain all 12 books, as the first issue of the translation contained only the first nine books. this is the first complete edition in 'modern' or 'common' english. douglas' 1553 translation was in the scot's dialect, thus making phaer's the first translation into british english. this would remain the primary english virgil till dryden, over a century later.