OVERBURY, Sir Thomas.
A Wife, now a Widowe. London, Imprinted for Laurence L'isle dwelling at the Tygres head in Pauls Church-yard. 1614.
8o. (53⁄4 × 35⁄8) Z. 3. 2.
Collation: A-D8, unpaged. Ornament at head and foot of each page. Commendatory verses signed: I. F., D. T., C. R., W: Stra:, I. C., X. Z. 'The Authors Epitaph on the finishing of this his wife.' This is the first edition, and is anonymous.
A Wife. Now the Widdow of Sir Tho: Overburye. Being A most exquisite and singular Poem of the choise of a Wife. Whereunto are added many witty Characters, and conceited Newes, written by himselfe and other learned Gentlemen his friends:
Dignum laude virum musa vetat mori,
Cœlo musa beat. Hor: car: lib. 3.
The fourth Impression, enlarged with more Characters, than any of the former Editions. London Printed by G. Eld, for Lawrence Lisle, and are to be sold in Paules Church-yard, at the Tygers head. 1614.
4o. (7 × 5). S. 36. 6.
Collation: A-H4, unpaged. Printer's address to the reader, dated May 16, 1614. Commendatory verses signed: I. S. Lincolniensis, G. R., T. B., X. Z. 'Of the choise of a Wife', verses, unsigned. 'A Wife' with 'The Authors Epitaph' at the end. 'Characters' in prose, with 'The Character of a happie life' in verse by H. W. (i.e. Sir Henry Wotton). 'Newes, from any whence' in prose, most of the items signed with initials: Sr. T. O., Sr. T. R., I. D., A. S., W. S., R. B., Mris. B., I. C., R. S. No less than five editions of the work were published in 1614, the present, as stated on the titlepage, being the fourth. It is doubtful whether the 'Characters', which first appeared in the second edition, are by Overbury.