An Epistle to Mr. Southerne, from Mr. El. Fenton. From Kent, Jan. 28. 1710/11

Book Description

London: Printed for Benj. Tooke. . . and Bernard Lintott, 1711 . [iv], 19, [1]pp., 8vo. With the half-title, two significant manuscript alterations in text; some browning throughout, but a sound copy, disbound. First edition of this fine literary poem, addressed to a playwright, and considering in some detail the drama of the preceding century. Shakespeare is praised, but condemned: he “stoop’d too low to please a barb’rous Age.”  Johnson, the Tribute of my Verse might claim, Had he not strove to blemish Shakespear’s Name. . . .There follows a significant discussion of Restoration playwrights, among whom Southerne’s  Scenes, immortal in their Worth, shall stand Among the chosen Classics of our Land.The manuscript alterations could conceivably be corrections for a revised edition: in the third line “Thou” is corrected to “Thee” and, more interestingly, in the twentieth line “little” is changed to “trifling.” Foxon, English Verse 1701-1750, F106.

Not sure what some of these terms mean? Look it up in our glossary.