The Original, Nature, And Immortality Of The Soul. A Poem. With An Introduction Concerning Humane Knowledge. Davies, John.

First Tate edition of this philosophical poem by James I's Attorney General for Ireland. This edition includes a six-page epistle from Nahun Tate (1653-1715), a collaborator of Dryden and Purcell, and the poet laureate from 1692. Tate commends the poem as "a Manual for People to carry about them. the Portraicture of a Humane Soul in the Perfection of its Faculties and Operations" (pp. [iv-v]). Sir John Davies (1569-1626) wrote the poem as Nosce Teipsum around 1594. The work soon attracted the attention of the future James I. Davies primarily argues for the immortality of the soul against the rising tide of Epicureanism, but the work also considers Renaissance conceptions of cognitive psychology. Davies rose rapidly under the Stuarts: he was appointed Lord Chief Justice in 1626 but died of apoplexy the night before he was to be installed. He was also a founder of the Society of Antiquaries. ESTC R14959. Octavo (186 x 114 mm). Contemporary panelled calf, rebacked to style, spine ruled and decorated in gilt, with raised bands and red morocco label, edges sprinkled red. Bound without half-title and final advertisement leaf. With 19th-century engraved bookplate of "Alexander Hamilton" and later printed ticket of "Oliver Ludlow" to front pastedown. Loss to lower outer corner of front free endpaper and leaves E2 and H4, not affecting text. Light bumping and wear, minor browning and foxing to contents: a very good copy.