Building on the strength of Keith Walker’s acclaimed ThePoems of John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester (1984), leading scholarNicholas Fisher presents a thoroughly revised and updated editionof the work of one the greatest Restoration wits. Includes the text of Lucina’s Rape, Rochester’sadaptation of Fletcher’s revenge tragedy Valentinian,in a text that readily identifies Rochester’s revisions Presents the poems in versions that were current duringRochester’s lifetime, allowing the reader to experience thepoems as Rochester’s contemporaries did Incorporates insights and discoveries made over the lasttwenty-five years and texts of manuscripts that previously wereunavailable for study

Written by a renowned scholar and broadcaster, this account of Wilmot's work strives to place it in its socio-political context and describe the way the poet and his work were co-opted after his premature death to serve contrasting political agendas.

John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, was a poet and courtier of King Charles II's Restoration court, whose rakish lifestyle, biting satires and obscene verses established his name as one of the greatest wits of his time. The Delphi Poets Series offers readers the works of literature's finest poets, with superior formatting. This volume presents the complete works of Rochester, with beautiful illustrations and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Rochester's life and works * Concise introduction to the poet and his works * Excellent formatting of the poems * Special chronological and alphabetical contents tables for the poetry * Rare poems often missed out of collections * Easily locate the poems you want to read * Includes Rochester's rare play LUCINA’S RAPE * Features two bonus biographies, including Gilbert Burnet’s seminal study – immerse yourself in Rochester's literary life * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles CONTENTS: The Poetry Collections BRIEF INTRODUCTION: EARL OF ROCHESTER The Poems LIST OF POEMS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER LIST OF POEMS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER The Play LUCINA’S RAPE The Biographies THE LIFE OF THE EARL OF ROCHESTER by Dr. Johnson SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JOHN WILMOT, EARL OF ROCHESTER by Gilbert Burnet Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles

Moehlmann provides evidence that the neglected Rochester was in fact a first-rate poet of the Restoration period.