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Edmund Waller

1606–1687
Portrait of Edmund Waller

Elected to Parliament at age 16, Edmund Waller quickly gained a reputation as a masterful orator. He was also a celebrated lyric poet long before the publication of his Poems in 1645. Despite his eloquent efforts to placate both Oliver Cromwell and Charles II, Waller was forced into exile for nearly a decade. His highly refined work, particularly his heroic couplets, were much admired by Alexander Pope and John Dryden.

Poems by Edmund Waller
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Bibliography

BOOKS

  • An Honorable and Learned Speech made by Mr. Waller in Parliament, against the Prelates innovations, false doctrine, and discipline (London: Printed for Richard Smithers, 1641).
  • Mr. Waller's speech in Parliament, at a conference of both Houses in the Painted Chamber. 6. July 1641 (London: Printed by J. N. for Abel Roper, 1641).
  • A Speech made by Master Waller Esquire in the honorable House of Commons, concerning Episcopacie, whether it should be committed or rejected (London, 1641).
  • A Worthy Speech Made in the House of Commons This Present Parliament, 1641. 1. That Parliaments are the onely way for advancing the King's Affaires. 2. That the restoring of the property of goods and the freedome of the subject is a chiefe meanes to maintaine religion and obedience to His Majestie. By Mr. Waller (London: Printed for John Nicholson, 1641).
  • A vindication of the King, with some observations upon the two Houses, possibly by Waller (Oxford: Printed for William Webb, 1642).
  • Mr. Waller's speech in the House of Commons, on Tuesday the fourth of July, 1643. Being brought to the Barre, and having leave given him to say what he could for himselfe, before they proceeded to expell him the House (London: Printed by G. Dexter, 1643).
  • The Workes of Edmond Waller Esquire, Lately a Member of the Honourable House of Commons, In this present Parliament (London: Printed for Thomas Walkley, 1645); republished as Poems, &c. (London: Printed by Thomas Walkley for Humphrey Moseley, 1645; authorized edition, London: Printed for Henry Herringman, 1664; eighth edition, enlarged, London: Printed for Jacob Tonson, 1711).
  • A Panegyrick to My Lord Protector, of the present greatness and joynt interest of His Highness, and this nation (London: Printed for Richard Lowndes, 1655); also published as A Panegyrick to My Lord Protector, by a gentleman that loves the peace, union, and prosperity of the English nation (London: Printed by Thomas Newcomb, 1655).
  • A Lamentable Narration of the sad Disaster of a great part of the Spanish Plate-Fleet that perished neare St. Lucas, where the Marquiss, his Lady, and Children and many hundreth of Spanyards were Burnt and sunke in the bottom of the Sea, by the Valour and Prowess of the two brave Generals Montague and Blake in the yeare, 1657. being their first Victory obtained against the Spanyard in that Voyage (London: Printed by T. F. for N. B., 1658); republished in Samuel Carrington, The History of the Life and Death of his most Serene Highness, Oliver, late Lord Protector (London: Printed for N. Brook, 1659).
  • The Passion of Dido for Æneas. As it is Incomparably exprest in the Fourth Book of Virgil. Translated by Edmund Waller & Sidney Godolphin, Esqrs (London: Printed for Humphrey Moseley, 1658).
  • Upon the Late Storme and of the death of His Highnesse ensuing the same, by Mr. Waller (London: Printed for H. H., 1658); republished in Three poems Upon the Death of his late Highnesse Oliver Lord Protector of England, Scotland, & Ireland (London: William Wilson, 1659).
  • To the King, upon His Majesties happy return (London: Printed for Richard Marriot, 1660).
  • On the Park at St. Jamese's (London: Printed for Tho. Dring, 1660); republished as A Poem on St. James's Park as lately improved by His Majesty (London: Printed for Gabriel Bedel & Thomas Collins, 1661).
  • To My Lady Morton on New-Years-Day, 1650 (London: Printed for Henry Herringman, 1661).
  • To the Queen, upon Her Majesties birth-day (London: Printed for Henry Herringman, 1663).
  • Pompey the Great, a Tragedy. Translated out of French, by Certain Persons of Honour, Pierre Corneille's Mort de Pompée translated by Waller, Charles Sackville, Charles Sedley, Edward Filmër, and Sidney Godolphin (London: Printed by Henry Herringman, 1664).
  • Vpon Her Majesties new buildings at Somerset-House (London: Printed for Henry Herringman, 1665).
  • Instructions to a painter, for the drawing of a picture of the state and posture of the English forces at sea, under the command of His Royal Highness in the conclusion of the year 1664 (London, 1665); enlarged as Instructions to a painter, for the drawing of the posture & progress of His Maties forces at sea, under the command of His Highness Royal. Together with the battel & victory obtained over the Dutch, June 3, 1665 (London: Printed for Henry Herringman, 1666).
  • Of the Lady Mary, &c. (London: Printed by T. N. for Henry Herringman, 1677).
  • A Poem on the Present Assembling of the Parliament. March the 6th. 1678 (London, 1679).
  • Divine Poems (London: Printed for Henry Herringman and sold by Jos. Knight and Fran. Saunders, 1685).
  • A Poem on the Present Assembly of Parliament, November 9th. 1685 (London: Printed for George Powell, 1686).
  • The Maid's Tragedy Altered (London: Printed for Jacob Tonson, 1690).
  • The second part of Mr. Waller's poems. Containing His Alteration of the Maids Tragedy, and Whatever of His Is Yet Unprinted (London: Printed for Tho. Bennet, 1690).

Editions

  • The Works of Edmund Waller, Esqr. in Verse and Prose, edited by Elijah Fenton (London: Jacob Tonson, 1729).
  • The Works of Edmund Waller, Esq. in Verse and Prose. To which is prefixed, the Life of the Author, by Percival Stockdale (London: Printed for T. Davies, 1772).
  • The Poetical Works of Edmund Waller and Sir John Denham, edited by George Gilfillan (Edinburgh: James Nichol, 1857).
  • The Poems of Edmund Waller, edited by George Thorn-Drury (London: Lawrence & Bullen / New York: Scribners, 1893).

OTHER

  • "To the King, On His Return From Scotland," in Rex Redux, sive musa Cantabrigiensis voti damnas de felici reditu regis Caroli (Cambridge: ex. acad. Cantab. typog., 1633).