Robert Chester's 'Love's Martyr; Or, Rosalins Complaint': With its Supplement, 'Diverse Poeticall Essaies on the Turtle and Phoenix

Robert Chester

Robert Chester's 'Love's Martyr; Or, Rosalins Complaint': With its Supplement, 'Diverse Poeticall Essaies on the Turtle and Phoenix
Format
Paperback
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Country
United Kingdom
Published
31 July 2014
Pages
358
ISBN
9781108067959

Robert Chester’s ‘Love’s Martyr; Or, Rosalins Complaint’: With its Supplement, ‘Diverse Poeticall Essaies on the Turtle and Phoenix

Robert Chester

The literary scholar Alexander Balloch Grosart (1827-99) reprinted this allegorical poem by Robert Chester (fl.c.1586-1604) with an introduction and notes in 1878. Grosart incorrectly identified the poem’s author as a certain Sir Robert Chester of Royston. Later research suggests Chester served as a chaplain or secretary in the household of the work’s dedicatee, Sir John Salusbury. Originally printed in 1601, the grandiloquent, meandering poem is chiefly remembered for the works appended to it. These include original poems by Chester’s contemporaries, Shakespeare, Jonson, Chapman and Marston, as well as the anonymous ‘Ignoto’ and ‘Vatum Chorus’. All the poems treat Chester’s theme, an invented myth describing the chaste, sacrificial love between a phoenix and a turtledove. Scholars continue to debate the identity of the historical figures signified by these birds, especially in Shakespeare’s cryptic contribution.

This item is not currently in-stock. It can be ordered online and is expected to ship in approx 2 weeks

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.