Walter Scott — Rokeby: A Poem

Edinburgh, John Ballantyne, 1813. First edition. Leather. A first edition of Scott's epic poem Rokeby. The poem is set just after the Parliamentarian victory at Marston Moor (1644). Prior to the outbreak of war, the Royalist Lord Rokeby has favoured the marriage of his daughter Matilda (in whom some have seen a portrait of Williamina Belsches) with Wilfrid Wycliffe. When Wilfrid's father Oswald, however, joins the rebels, he withdraws his consent. At Marston Moor, Rokeby is consigned as a prisoner to Oswald. Oswald, meanwhile, plans to murder a fellow Parliamentarian Philip, of Mortham, whose vengeance he fears. Critical opinion was broadly favourable, with particularly positive reviews appearing in the Antijacobin Review, British Critic, and Monthly Review. The British Critic's reviewer called it 'pure poetry' and predicted that 'the name of Scott will descend to the latest posterity with those of the most established poets&apos. There was particular praise for the vigour and variety of Scott's characterizations, though reservations were expressed regarding the coherence of the plot. (WS) With notes on each canto placed after the main poem. Also with six plates (collated complete) and a vignette title page. With half-title.There is a three-page list of Scott's works to the rear, but eight-page publisher's catalogue to the front is not bound in as usual. Watermark of '1810 J. Whatman&apos. Page 39 is correctly numbered. Page 81 has capital 'L' as signature, with press figure '7&apos. Page 329 shows the signature mark '2T&apos. In a quarter-calf binding with marbled boards. Externally sound, with some wear to the extremities and marks to the boards. Internally, firmly bound. Small clipping detailing the book tipped in to front pastedown. Pages have some foxing (particularly to the endpapers), with some offsetting from the vignette title illustration and plates, and some scattered spotting throughout. Overall: VERY GOOD with a good interior. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .