8vo. [28], 637pp, [19]. With an engraved title page. Contemporary gilt-tooled calf, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece, marbled edges. Rubbed, joints starting, slight loss to head and foot of spine. Early ownership inscriptions to FEP, scattered spotting.

John Barclay (1582-1621), French author of Scottish descent. Currying favour amongst the Jacobean court with several laudatory pieces, Regi Jacobo Primo, carmen gratulatorium (Paris, 1603) and Sylvae (1606), Barclay also turned his hand to satire and explicitly political works such as Series patefacti divinitus (1605), a work concerning the Gunpowder plot. Argenis is undoubtedly Barclay's greatest work. A romance composed in Latin, the plot is based around the ideal princess Argenis and her three suitors - the meanings are allegorical and the work entirely political, based upon the religious conflict in France during the Wars of Religion under Kings Henry III and IV (under the guise of Poliarchus); touching also on English political issues, with Hyanisbe representing Queen Elizabeth I.