Poems by John Donne; with Elegies on the Author’s Death

Overview

"Poems by John Donne; with Elegies on the Author’s Death" is a comprehensive 1669 edition encompassing the entire catalog of John Donne's poetry, categorized into thematic sections such as "Songs and Sonets", "Elegies," "Divine Poems," and several others. Printed in the growing literary hub of “The Early Line”, London, by the printer T.N. and distributed by the prominent bookseller Henry Herringham, this edition compiles all of Donne's work, including additional features. Notably, the book includes ownership by significant historical figures such as The Right Honourable William Lord Craven, who first acquired the book, followed by Catherine Poulett, as indicated by an ownership mark in the first leaflet. In 1865, R.H. Thornton acquired the book, filling it with extensive marginalia and additional pages that provide insight into the growth in global engagement with Donne’s texts. Thornton's contributions include handwritten notes, carefully glued repairs, and inserted newspaper clippings that highlight his obsession with this poetry. This annotated edition serves as a bridge across centuries, connecting the voices of past readers and owners with contemporary scholars and enthusiasts of Donne's work.

Historical Context

John Donne

John Donne, a prominent figure of ‘metaphysical’ poetry, lived during the transition from the Elizabethan era into the Jacobean era. He was born in 1572 to Roman Catholic parents. At the time, practicing religion was not allowed in England, however, Donne was able to continue his work into later years and write many religious poems. According to the Poetry Foundation, Donne’s work “is distinguished by its emotional and sonic intensity and its capacity to plumb the paradoxes of faith, human and divine love, and the possibility of salvation”. By the time of this 1669 publication, England was under the rule of Charles II, marking a period of restoration not only for the monarchy but also for the arts and literature following the strict Commonwealth regime.

Henry Herringman

The publisher, Henry Herringman, was a prominent bookseller and publisher during the second half of the 17th century. He published the works of not only John Donne but also other important authors of the time. Herringman’s publications catered to an elite yet growing audience of readers who valued best-selling books, particularly plays such as those by Shakespeare. No other catalog of published literary pieces matched Herringman’s at the time.

19th Century

The annotations and modifications by R.H. Thornton in the late 19th century further highlighted the enduring relevance of Donne’s poetry. For years after his death, Donne was only appreciated as a preacher by small admirers, and going into the 18th and 19th centuries, Donne was even more unknown. However, by the second half of the 1800s, Donne’s poetry was eagerly and obsessively studied by “avant-garde” readers and writers. Thornton’s detailed notes and the preservation efforts within the book illustrate a personal commitment to maintaining the legacy and accessibility of Donne’s works for future generations. His annotations not only serve as a testament to his own engagement with the text but also enrich the historical narrative by providing insights into the interpretative practices of the period.

This edition of John Donne’s poems, therefore, not only encapsulates the poetic genius of one of English literature's most profound voices but also embodies the dynamic interplay of historical, cultural, and personal influences that have perpetuated its study and appreciation through the ages.

Physical Description and Production

This particular copy of John Donne’s poems is a codex, in octavo format, made primarily from paper and bound in simple leather. The book's spine is partially covered with paper that features part of a design, suggesting that this volume may have been part of a series displayed on a bookshelf. This particular edition measures approximately 4 inches in width and 6 inches in height. The octavo structure is evident from the signature markings on the pages, which typically indicate 8 leaves or 16 pages per bundle. This is shown in the sequence of page labels. On the recto page labeled ‘1’ in the book, the label at the bottom is ‘B’. The following recto pages show B2, then B3, then B4. On the verso of the leaf labeled ‘B4’, there is the label that says ‘C anonization’. The next 4 pages have no labels. After the 8th page, the recto says ‘C’, and continues the pattern, which is consistent with an octavo codex. Additionally, the octavo format is observable by the visual breaks in the book– the book naturally opens to pages with a plain letter (A, B, C).

The leather binding and the design on the spine are both original and conform to the standards of 17th-century book production. Additionally, both covers are detached, showing significant wear but also careful preservation, indicating the book was highly valued by its owners. The book does not appear to have been rebound, which is notable for its age; however, it includes several additional pages at the beginning of the volume. These were inserted by the later owner R.H. Thornton and serve as further testament to the book's continued use and significance.

Navigation through the book is facilitated only by chapter titles that delineate the various types of poems by John Donne, such as "Songs and Sonets," "Elegies," "Epithalamiums or Marriage Songs," and several others up to "Divine Poems" and "Elegies upon the Author." These titles are crucial navigational aids in a book that lacks other content guides like tables of contents or indexes, suggesting it was intended for readers already familiar with Donne’s work or adept at navigating less-structured texts. The titles also appear to be slightly disorganized and scattered among the pages. The following table of chapter titles is as follows:

1. Songs and Sonets (pages 1-63)
2. Elegies (pages 64-100)
3. Epithalamiums or Marriage Songs (pages 101-117)
4. Satyres (pages 118 - 143)
5. Letters (pages 144 - 200)
6. Funeral Elegies
   1. Anatomie of the World (pages 201 - 220)
   2. Of the Progress of the Soul (pages 290 - 238) note: pages skip from 220-290
   3. Epicedes and Obsequies (pages 239 - 263)
7. Letters (pages 264-287)
8. The Progress of the Soul (pages 288-310)
9. Divine Poems (pages 311 - 363)
10. Elegies upon the author (pages 365-394)

The original dedication in the book is to William Lord Craven, signed by John Donne as ‘your most humble servant.’ Additionally, the book includes various passages such as a mini-essay addressed to Ben Jonson, which is titled "Into the Fox" in its Latin translation, and a ‘Catalog of Books,’ also in Latin. There include dedicatory poems and essays as well, written in Latin. These are ‘bonus’ items not found among Donne’s usual works.