Henry James Pye — Alfred, an Epic Poem

London, Suttaby, Evance and Fox, 1815. Leather. A sound copy of this epic poem in six books from English poet Henry James Pye. With a frontispiece and engraved title page. An epic, long narrative poem focusing on the life and heroic deeds of King Alfred the Great, divided into six books. Written by Henry James Pye, an English poet, and Poet Laureate from 1790 until his death, although his appointment owed little to poetic achievement and was likely a reward for political favours. Pye was a competent prose writer who fancied himself as a poet, earning the derisive label of poetaster. In the original full calf. Externally, sound with rubbing to the extremities and marks to the boards. Cracks to the joints with minor loss to the head of the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright with the odd spot or handling mark. Age toning to the first and last few pages with a contemporary ink inscription to the front endpaper. Good . Ill.: None. Good .