Edward Young: ‘The Complaint or Night Thoughts: on life, dea...

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Edward Young: ‘The Complaint or Night Thoughts: on life, death, and immortality. To which is added, a paraphrase on part of the Book of Job.’, London, A. Milar & R. and J. Dodsley, 1765, new edition, (iii, [1], 315, [5]pp, contemporary calf worn. Owner’s signature James Evans. The Complaint: or, Night-Thoughts on Life, Death, & Immortality, better known simply as Night-Thoughts, is a long poem by the English poet Edward Young, published in nine parts (or "nights") between 1742 and 1745. It was illustrated with notable engravings by William Blake.The poem records Young's musings on death as he ponders the loss of his wife and friends, and as he laments human frailties. A famous line points out how quickly life and opportunities can slip away. The individual poems in the series are dedicated to several contemporaries of Young, including Arthur Onslow, Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington, Margaret Bentinck, Duchess of Portland, Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke, George Lee, 2nd Earl of Lichfield, Henry Pelham, and Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle. This is the 1765 edition. ESTC N16235 lists 14 copies of this edition