The Works...Translated from the Greek by Mr. Cooke

London: Printed by N. Blandford for T. Green, 1728. First thus. Near Fine. The rare first collected edition in English. Two volumes in one, quarto. 260; [2], 203 pp. Collating complete, with separate title-pages and frontispieces for each volume. Full contemporary mottled calf ruled in gilt with gilt spine. Expertly rebacked with original spine laid down. Spine in five compartments with raised bands. Twentieth century armorial bookplate to upper pastedown and corresponding ink ownership inscription to upper flyleaf. Red speckled edges. Some dampstaining to last few leaves at fore-edge. Otherwise a fresh, bright copy throughout.

Thomas Cooke's translation of Hesiod, which includes the first English translation of Theogony and the second translation of Works and Days, remained the standard until Sir Charles A. Elton's 1815 edition. Cooke (1703 - 1756) was a prolific translator who is now best remembered for this translation (for which he earned the nickname "Hesiod Cooke") and for featuring in Pope's Dunciad. He also produced translations of Cicero, Virgil, Plautus, and Terence, as well as an edition of Andrew Marvell's poetry. Near Fine.