Delphi Complete Poetical Works of John Gay (Illustrated)

Book excerpt: An eighteenth century poet and dramatist, John Gay is best remembered for ‘The Beggar's Opera’ (1728), a ballad opera featuring the characters Captain Macheath and Polly Peachum, who swiftly became household names. Gay’s refined and satirical poetry was much influenced by his close friend Alexander Pope. His first important poem, ‘Rural Sports’, is a descriptive and didactic work in two short books dealing with hunting and fishing, as well as meditations on the Horatian theme of retirement. Gay’s finest poem, ‘Trivia: or, The Art of Walking the Streets of London’ (1716), displays an assured craftsmanship in which rhythm and diction portrays the many experiences he describes. Other notable poems include ‘The Shepherd’s Week’ (1714), a series of mock classical poems in a pastoral setting and the ‘Fables’ (1727), structured as octosyllabic illustrations of moral themes, often satirical in tone. The Delphi Poets Series offers readers the works of literature’s finest poets, with superior formatting. This volume presents Gay’s complete poetical works, with related illustrations and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Gay’s life and works * Concise introduction to Gay’s life and poetry * Complete poetical works of John Gay, based on the Lawrence and Bullen Edition, 1893 * Includes Gay’s famous plays, including all of the ballad operas * Images of how the poetry books were first printed, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts * Excellent formatting of the poems * Special alphabetical contents tables for the poetry * Easily locate the poems you want to read * Includes Gay’s letters — spend hours exploring the poet’s personal correspondence * Gay’s important prose pamphlet ‘The Present State of Wit’ * Features two biographies, including Samuel Johnson’s famous account of Gay’s life — discover the poet’s intriguing past * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to see our wide range of poet titles CONTENTS: The Life and Poetry of John Gay Brief Introduction: John Gay Complete Poetical Works of John Gay List of Poems in Alphabetical Order The Dramatic Works The Mohocks Three Hours after Marriage The Beggar’s Opera Polly Acis and Galatea Achilles The Letters List of Letters The Pamphlet The Present State of Wit The Biographies Gay by Samuel Johnson John Gay by Henry Austin Dobson Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of poetry titles or buy the entire Delphi Poets Series as a Super Set