The Workes of our Ancient and Learned English Poet, Geffrey Chaucer, Newly Printed

London: Adam Islip, 1602. Second Edition. Very good. Folio, 13 x 8 3/4 inches (328 x 223 mm); pp. xxvi (dedications and Chaucer's Life), title with armorial + xvi (Dedication to Henry VIII and Prologues) + ff. 376 + [14] glossary ('The hard words of Chaucer, explaned', + Latin + French + Authors cited + Errata sheet). Double column, black letter, title within woodcut architectural border, divisional title with woodcut coat-of-arms, woodcut head- & tail-pieces and initials, errata, wanting portrait of Chaucer and his family tree, title with contemporary pen trials recto and verso, those recto all marginal, a few contemporary ink inscriptions elsewhere, one the name "Elizabeth Browne" to foot of errata f., a very little scattered spotting, some soiling and browning to fore edges, a few ff. with short closed tears, hinges strengthened, contemporary calf, recased. Front pastedown with the engraved armorial bookplate G. W. Wentworth.
TITLE PAGE The I Workes Of Ovr | Ancient and learned Englifh | Poet, Geffrey Chavcer, | newly Printed. | To that which was done in the former Impreffion, | thus much is now added. | i In the life of Chaucer many things inferted. | 2 The whole worke by old Copies reformed. | 3 Sentences and Prouerbes noted. | 4 The Signification of the old and obfcure | words prooued : also Caracters fhewing | from what Tongue or Dialect they be de- | riued. | 5 The Latine and French, not Englished by | Chaucer, tranflated. | 6 The Treatife called lacke Vpland, againfl Fri- | ers:and Chaucers A. B.C. called La Priere de noflre Dame, at this Imprefsion added. | London, | Printed by Adam Iflip. | An. Dom. 1602

[STC. (2nd ed) 5080; Pforzheimer 178; Griller, Longhand to Wither, 44; ESTC S107210]. This second Speght edition (the first was 1598, Griller, 43) was considerably revised mainly with the aid of Francis Thynne (son of William who had edited Chaucer's collected works in 1532). It includes Lydgate's "The Storie of Thebes" which were erroneously attributed to Chaucer. According to Pforzheimer "It is the earliest in which a thorough punctuation was attempted, and in many other ways it is a distinct improvement upon Speght's first edition." The inclusion of an extensive glossary proves that even by 1600 the language of Chaucer was becoming difficult even for erudite readers. This tome is in an OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION, A BEAUTIFUL and IMPORTANT BOOK FROM THE LATE ELIZABETHAN ERA.
Provenance: G.W. Wentworth (bookplate): Godfrey Wentworth Wentworth (1773-1834) came from a noble family, was educated at Cambridge and became a wealthy landowner. He held many political positions, including a seat in the House of Commons 1806-1808. He made his home at Wooley Hall near Leeds.