Poeta de Tristibus; Or, The Poet's Complaint

In this brisk Restoration satire, a beleaguered poet writes from exile, railing against the shallow vanity of his fellow writers and the fickle market that drives him to poverty. Framed as a series of cantos, the poem mixes biting humor with earnest self‑reflection, all rendered in a lively Hudibrastic meter that keeps the rhythm humming. The narrator’s voice swings between lament and levity, inviting listeners to hear the timeless grievance of an artist feeling misunderstood.

The work also carries a fascinating after‑life; scholars have traced competing printings released within weeks of each other, each claiming authenticity and accusing the other of corruption. The accompanying editorial notes unpack these publication battles, offering vivid anecdotes about 17th‑century booksellers, secretive patronage, and the hurried revisions that shaped the text. Together they provide a rich backdrop that deepens the listening experience without spoiling the poem’s unfolding satire.