MILTON, John (1608-1674). Paradise Regain'd. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is added Samson Agonistes. London: Printed J. M[acock] for John Starkey, 1671.

First edition of Milton’s "brief epic." The subject, Christ’s temptation in the desert as told by Luke, brings to completion the vision set out by Milton in his earlier work, although in a simpler and more austere poetic style. This edition also includes the first printing of his closet drama Samson Agonistes, which explores the story from the Hebrew Bible through the genre of Greek Tragedy, incorporating many influences from Milton's experiences in the English Civil War and the Restoration, as well as a meditation on his own blindness. The preface to this second work includes an interesting discussion of Aristotle and Greek dramatic poetry. This is the second issue, with "loah" corrected to "loth" on p. 67. Wing M-2152; Grolier Wither to Prior 613.

Octavo (177 x 112mm). License leaf preceding title, section title for Samson Agonistes, errata leaf. (Gatherings I and K sprung, one leaf with loss at corner affecting catchword.) Contemporary sheep (a bit rubbed at extremities, without pastedowns, front endpaper loosening). Custom quarto morocco slipcase. Provenance: Ann Carpender (ownership inscription dated 1685).