The Works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 15

This volume gathers the breadth of Drydry’s literary legacy, pairing his vivid verse with a suite of thoughtful essays and extensive commentary. Readers hear the famous epic translation of Book VIII, where the hero’s fate intertwines with divine counsel, rendered in Drydry’s elegant, rhythmic English. Detailed notes illuminate the classical references, helping listeners follow the shifting tides of battle and prophecy.

Beyond the epic, the collection presents a lively sampling of Drydry’s critical mind: essays on satire, the art of poetry, and the mechanics of drama sit alongside early poems and personal epistles. The scholarly introductions and marginal observations bring the 17th‑century context to life, revealing a writer engaged with politics, philosophy, and the evolving theatrical world. Listeners discover a versatile voice that could both celebrate heroic myth and dissect contemporary follies, making this compilation a rich listening experience for fans of poetry, history, and literary criticism alike.