Alexander's Feast

Alexander's Feast: Macflecknoe And St. Cecilia's Day: Maynard's English Classic Series is a compilation of three major works by John Dryden, a prominent English poet of the 17th century. The book includes Alexander's Feast, a poem that celebrates the life and accomplishments of Alexander the Great, Macflecknoe, a satirical poem that mocks a fellow poet, and St. Cecilia's Day, a poem that honors St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music. The first poem, Alexander's Feast, is a grand ode that recounts the story of Alexander the Great's victory over Persia and his subsequent feast, where he was entertained by music and poetry. The poem is known for its vivid descriptions of music and its use of imagery to evoke the grandeur of the event.Macflecknoe, the second poem in the book, is a satirical work that lampoons a fellow poet, Thomas Shadwell. The poem portrays Shadwell as a mediocre writer who is unworthy of the title of poet laureate. The poem is notable for its use of irony and sarcasm, as well as its scathing critique of Shadwell's work.The final poem in the book, St. Cecilia's Day, is a tribute to St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music. The poem celebrates the power of music to inspire and uplift the human spirit, and it includes vivid descriptions of musical instruments and the emotions they evoke. The poem is known for its elegant language and its use of classical allusions.Overall, Alexander's Feast: Macflecknoe And St. Cecilia's Day: Maynard's English Classic Series is a valuable collection of works by one of England's greatest poets. The book showcases Dryden's versatility as a writer and his ability to master different genres and styles of poetry.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.