1762 La Henriade Par Monsieur De Voltaire Antiquarian French Poetry Book

1762 La Henriade Par Monsieur De Voltaire Antiquarian French Poetry BookLa Henriade - Avec les Variantes & un Essai fur la Poesie EpiqueBy Monsieur De VoltairePublished by Chez Francoise l'Honore: Amsterdam 1762English Translation: "The Henriad - With Variants & an Essay on Epic Poetry""La Henriade is an epic poem of 1723 written by the French Enlightenment writer and philosopher Voltaire. According to Voltaire himself, the poem concerns and was written in honour of the life of Henry IV of France, and is a celebration of his life. The ostensible subject is the siege of Paris in 1589 by Henry III in concert with Henry of Navarre, soon to be Henry IV, but its themes are the twin evils of religious fanaticism and civil discord. It also concerns the political state of France. Voltaire aimed to be the French Virgil, outdoing the master by preserving Aristotelian unity of place—a property of classical tragedy rather than epic—by keeping the human action confined between Paris and Ivry. It was first printed (under the title La Ligue) in 1723, and reprinted dozens of times within Voltaire's lifetime."Heavy wear and fading to cover and spine as shown. Likely original bindings in well worn condition with no loose pages. Pages with a pleasant age toning and the odd age mark. Browning to some of the engravings. Includes all 10 engravings (one per chapter) + Frontis. Please study photos to understand condition. Happy to provide more photos on request.Size 17.5cm x 10.5cm x 3.5cm - 1st Section 108 Pages - Essay Section 96 Pages

1762 La Henriade Par Monsieur De Voltaire Antique French Poetry Book The Henriad

La Henriade - Avec les Variantes & un Essai fur la Poesie Epique

By Monsieur De Voltaire

Published by Chez Francoise l'Honore: Amsterdam 1762

English Translation: " The Henriad - With Variants & an Essay on Epic Poetry"

"La Henriade (1762), by Monsieur de Voltaire, published Chez Françoise l'Honore, Amsterdam, is a celebrated epic poem that glorifies Henri IV of France as a champion of religious tolerance, civil peace, and enlightened monarchy. Composed in ten cantos, the poem recounts Henri's struggles during the French Wars of Religion, culminating in his victory over fanaticism and his reconciliation of a divided nation. Written in the elevated style of classical epic yet infused with Enlightenment ideals, Voltaire uses Henri's heroism as a vehicle to critique intolerance, superstition, and clerical abuse. This 1762 edition includes textual variantes—reflecting Voltaire's continual revisions—and an appended "Essai sur la Poésie Épique," in which he analyses the principles of epic art through comparisons with Homer, Virgil, Tasso, and Milton.

The Amsterdam printing reflects both Voltaire's literary ambition and his political audacity, as the work was frequently published outside France to evade censorship. His essay situates La Henriade as a modern, rational alternative to traditional religious epics, replacing divine intervention with human virtue and reason as the true engines of greatness. The combination of poem and critical essay reveals Voltaire's dual genius—as poet and philosopher—showcasing his mastery of form, clarity of expression, and commitment to Enlightenment humanism. The 1762 edition remains one of the most complete and finely printed eighteenth-century versions of this influential work, marking a high point in French neoclassical literature."

Heavy wear and fading to cover and spine as shown. Likely original bindings in well worn condition with no loose pages. Pages with a pleasant age toning and the odd age mark. Browning to some of the engravings. Includes all 10 engravings (one per chapter) + Frontis. Please study photos to understand condition. Happy to provide more photos on request.