London : Printed for Jacob Tonson, at the Judge’s Head near the Inner Temple Gate in Fleetstreet, 1695. First Edition, folio, [A] - D2, text in French and English on facing pages, the French beginning on the verso of the title-page, title a little foxed in the lower margin, disbound.
Prior, as well as being a poet, was a well respected diplomat in the service of King William III. His knowledge of French was recognised by his being sent to Paris in 1698 in attendance on the English Ambassador. He was undoubtedly well equipped to satirise Boileau’s poem.
Wing P3509