BRANT, Sebastian (1458-1520)

Stultifera navis....... The Ship of Fooles, wherin is shewed the folly of all States, with divers other workes adjoyned unto the same... Translated out of Latin into Englishe by Alexander Barclay, Priest.

      Second Edition in EnglishSmall folio, ¦, ¦¦, A-Z, Aa-Uu6, Xx4, A-G, A-D6, 340 leaves, Latin text in roman letter, English text in black letter, illustrated with 116 woodcuts in the text, title-page and last leaf lightly soiled, v. small hole in Fol.1 repaired not affecting text, blank corner of Fol.57 renewed, 19c. brown morocco decorated in blind and gilt by Riviere, edges rough gilt over earlier marbling. A very fine clean copy. The Latin text is Jacob Locher's version of Sebastian Brant's celebrated Narrenschiff, and is merely the starting point for the English translator. Barclay adds considerably to the work, taking every opportunity to satirize the particular follies of English people, especially the clergy. Added at the end are other works by Barclay ("The Mirrour of good Maners" and "Certayne Eglogues") which did not appear in the first edition (Pynson, 1509)."The English Ship of Fools exercised an important direct influence upon our literature, pre-eminently by helping to bury medi¾val allegory in the grave which had long yawned before it, and to direct English authorship into the drama, essay and novel of character". - Prof. A.W.Ward