Hudibras. In Three Parts.

A delightfully illustrated edition of Samuel Butler's satirical poem, with plates from William Hogarth. Illustrated with a portrait frontispiece and sixteen further plates by English painter, printmaker and editorial cartoonist William Hogarth. Collated, complete.The poem tells the story of Sir Hudibras, a knight who is a fanatic for the Cromwellian cause, and his squire, Ralpho. The narrative follows their adventures as they try to impose their strict moral and religious values on the people around them, often with disastrous and comical results.Faint pencil inscriptions to rear blanks, with former owner's inscriptions to the front free endpaper and title page.Written in a mock-heroic style, Butler's poem is a critique of the Puritanism that was prevalent in England during the mid-seventeenth century. In a full calf binding, with gilt detailing to spine. Small loss of leather to tail of back strip. Front joint starting to head and tail, and rear joint to tail, with boards holding firm. Inscription to front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Inscription to title page. Pages lightly age toned, but otherwise generally clean and bright. Very Good.