The Works of Our Ancient, Learned, and Excellent English Poet, Jeffrey Chaucer As they have lately been Compar'd with the best Manuscripts; and several things added, never before in Print. To which is adjoyn'd, The Story of the Seige of Thebes, By John Lidgate, Monk of Bury. Together with The Life of Chaucer, shewing his Countrey, Parentage, Education, Marriage, Children, Revenues, Service, Rewards, Friends, Books, Death. Also a Table, wherein the Old and Obscure Words in Chaucer are explained, and such Words (which are many) that either are, by Nature or Derivation, Arabick, Greek, Latine, Italian, French, Dutch, or Saxon, mark'd with particular Notes for the better understanding their Original.

London: s.n. 1687. Folio in fours (12.5" x 8"). [36], 660, [24] pp. Black-letter text in two columns. Engraved frontis ("The Progenie of Geoffrey Chaucer," after the frontis engraved by John Speed for the 1598 ed.), woodcut of Chaucer's arms dated 1569 at divisional title for the Works, small armorial woodcut in Speght's "Life". 7-line cancel slip correcting final stanza of second column, p. 42. Bound in contemporary paneled calf with leather repairs to spine and joints. Binding shows significant wear: spine and covers rubbed/scuffed, some loss to boards and leather at corners/edges, spine chipped at head and foot, joints and hinges cracked. Occasional soiling and browning to text margins. Bookplate of Edgar F. Leo to front pastedown. Still a Good, complete, and thoroughly legible copy of the 8th collected edition and last printed in black letter. This edition includes the first publications of conclusions to both the Cook's and Squire's tales, printed on the final page, but is otherwise a reprint of Speght's revised edition of 1602. Pforzheimer 179; Wing C3736 (Inventory #: 39661)