Edward Young — The Complaint; or, Night Thoughts. A Poem.

London, Suttaby, Evance and Fox, 1819. Leather. Two volumes of English poet Edward Young's acclaimed work on death and the passage of time, bound into one. Two volumes bound in one. With a frontispiece to volume two only. A blank verse poem ostensibly presented over a series of nine nights, corresponding to the nine parts of the poem. Inspired by the successive deaths of his stepdaughter, her husband, and then Young's own wife, the dramatic monologue laments human frailties and describes the Young's musings over death. The adage, 'procrastination is the thief of time' originates from Young's poem in a passage which discusses how quickly opportunities can slip away. Written by the Reverend Edward Young, an English poet, best remembered for this work. Bound in full straight grained morocco with gilt. Externally, sound with rubbing to the extremities and the odd mark to the boards. Light fading to the spine and board edges. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright with the odd small spot or pencil mark. Light spotting to the first and last few pages. Good . Ill.: None. Good .