In Five Parts, 1815.
Above three years have elapsed since the present edition was projected. It was then intended to form one of a series of reprints of poetical works of the Elizabethan æra that had ceased to be attainable, though entitled by merit to be rescued from undeserved obscurity, and was to have been attached to a periodical work, which has now ceased its circulation.
To select so voluminous a performance as the Mirror for Magistrates might appear extraordinary, had not a more complete edition than has hitherto appeared, been long wanted. A want, which, as the work combined the desultory productions of many writers, and was interspersed with incidental narrative in prose, could not, although a national poem, be supplied by any collection of the English poets. It is true that Sackville’s Induction and the Legend of Buckingham may be found in Dr. Anderson’s collection: but this was a partial appropriation rather fitting the Elegant Extracts, than a Complete Edition of the English poets, from which such a fragment was of course displaced. There was also wanted a certain list of the many editions, with their various additions: what laboured research had not hitherto supplied, for even the critical and valuable examination of the work by Warton, was known, from the references, to have several errors.
The hallowed voice of 'elden’ critics[32] was uniform in its favour; and to that might be joined the opinion of several literary friends, who, on the subject being first agitated, by their assistance made the difficulties that appeared unsurmountable, vanish. It is now comprised in two volumes and five parts, as follows:
Part I.—Sixth Edition:
by John Higgins,[33] is reprinted from the standard edition of 1587 collated with those of 1575, and 1610; and contains
In prose.—The Epistle Dedicatory.—*I. Higgins to the Reader.—*A Preface to the Reader.—In verse:—Thomas Newton to the Reader.—The Author’s Induction.—Legends:
| 1. | Albanact. | 21. | Emerianus. |
| 2. | Humber. | 22. | Chirinnus. |
| 3. | Locrinus. | 23. | Varianus. |
| 4. | Elstride. | 24. | Nennius. |
| 5. | Sabrine. | 25. | Irenglass. |
| 6. | Madan. | 26. | Cæsar. |
| 7. | Malin. | 27. | Nero. |
| 8. | Mempricius. | 28. | Caligula. |
| 9. | Bladud. | 29. | Guiderius. |
| 10. | Cordila. | 30. | Homo. |
| 11. | Morgan. | 31. | Drusus. |
| 12. | Jago. | 32. | Domitius. |
| 13. | Forrex. | 33. | Galba. |
| 14. | Porrex. | 34. | Otho. |
| 15. | Pinnar. | 35. | Vitellius. |
| 16. | Stater. | 36. | Londricus. |
| 17. | Rudacke. | 37. | Severus. |
| 18. | Brennus. | 38. | Fulgentius. |
| 19. | Kimarus. | 39. | Geta. |
| 20. | Morindus. | 40. | Caracalla. |
Niccols rejected the matter distinguished above with an asterisk, and also the intermediate verses as “L’envoy” that connected the legends, which are now restored; and in the notes are given the variations, as originally printed, under the title of “the authour.” Of the legends No. 9, 13, and 14, the notes contain those as printed in the first edition.
Part II. Third Edition: