Mary Astell

Affliction ('I know not what Affliction means')

Unpublished.

*AsM 1 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 87v-90r)

Ambition ('What's that with such vigour fills my breast?')

Unpublished.

*AsM 2 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph, the poem dated 30 March 1684.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 54v-5r)

'Awake my lute, daughters of Musick come'

Unpublished.

*AsM 3 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 91r-3r)

The Complaint ('What dost thou mean my God (said I')

Unpublished.

*AsM 4 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 86r-7r)

Death ('It was a glorious and a cheerful day')

Unpublished.

*AsM 5 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 56v-61r)

Enemies ('I love you whom the World calls Enemies')

Unpublished.

AsM 6 c.1689

Autograph, the poem dated 18 March 1683.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 53v-4r)

Heaven ('In a poor simple Girl 'tis a bold flight')

Unpublished.

*AsM 7 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 75r-9v)

*AsM 8 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph of a shorter version of the poem.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 96r-7r)

Hell ('With a short line, and scanty wit')

Unpublished.

*AsM 9 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 80r-4v)

In emulation of Mr Cowley's Poem called the Motto page 1 ('What shall i do? not to be Rich or great')

Unpublished.

*AsM 10 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph, the poem dated 7 January 1687/8.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 52v-3r)

The Invitation ('Come Muse, and leave those wings that soar')

Unpublished.

*AsM 11 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph, the poem made June 28 1683.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 f. 52r-v)

Judgement ('Tis said: the sacred word is past')

Unpublished.

*AsM 12 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 61v-74v)

'Since Praise is nauteous to a modest ear'

Unpublished.

*AsM 13 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 f. 95r-v)

Solitude ('Now I with generous Cowley see')

Unpublished.

*AsM 14 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph, the poem dated 8 April 1684.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 55v-6r)

The Thanksgiving ('Hence you complaining thoughts away')

Unpublished.

*AsM 15 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 90v-1r)

Virtue ('Go despicable Virtue go')

Unpublished.

*AsM 16 c.1689

Autograph

Autograph.

A quarto composite volume of verse and prose, in various hands, v + 159 leaves, in half-calf.

An autograph manuscript of sixteen poems by Mary Astell, in her semi-calligraphic script, occupies ff. 50r-97v. It is a presentation copy with (f. 50v) a title-page, A Collection of Poems humbly presented and Dedicated To the most Reverend Father in God William [Sancroft] By Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury &c 1689 (f. 51r-v), a prose dedicatory epistle to Archbishop Sancroft, and (f. 94r) an address leaf To the most Reverend his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury These humbly present, 49 quarto leaves, bearing traces of a red wax seal.

The Astell MS discussed in Ruth Perry, A seventeenth-century feminist poet, TLS, 20 August 1982, p. 911. It is described also in the online Perdita project.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 154 ff. 84v-6r)

Introduction

Verse

Prose

Contents