The Hesperides & Noble Numbers

London: Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. Striking nineteenth-century edition of Cavalier poet Robert Herrick, one of the inaugural titles in Lawrence & Bullen’s Muses’ Library series. One of the “tribe of Ben” who followed Ben Jonson’s lead in pubbing and poetry, Herrick celebrated the pleasures of the world in hundreds of sparkling neoclassical lyrics. Highlights include “Delight in Disorder,” “To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time,” and “Upon Julia’s Clothes”: “Whenas in silks my Julia goes, / Then, then, methinks, how sweetly flows / The liquefaction of her clothes. / Next, when I cast mine eyes and see / That brave vibration each way free; / O how that glittering taketh me!” This distinctive publisher’s binding, present only on the trade edition, features Calliope, muse of poetry, extending a crown of laurel leaves to a seated poet. A near-fine copy. Two volumes, measuring 6.5 x 3.75 inches: xxvi, [2], 318; [6], 356. Original blue pictorial cloth stamped in gilt, top edges gilt, other edges uncut. Frontispiece portrait and facsimile of 1648 title page in Volume I; title pages printed in black and red. Pencil presentation inscription to front free endpaper of Volume I. Light rubbing to corners and spine ends, faint splashmark to margin of frontispiece portrait. (Inventory #: 1003922)