The Poems

Rochester's poems have been on the one hand neglected, derided or viewed with disgust. They have also been acclaimed as works of genius. They can be considered shocking and obscene, or masterpieces, or both at once, according to one's point of view. However, they have generally received less attention than they deserve. Recently, though, interest in the poet has revived and this edition (the first for fifteen years) provides scholarly texts of all the poems. The editor has examined the entirety of extant manuscripts and printed editions, and presents collated versions in tactfully regularized "old spelling". All substantive variants are recorded, including in some cases complete alternative versions of poems. The poems are arranged by genre, and where possible chronologically within each genre. There are notes on dating and contemporary allusions, and the introduction includes an outline of Rochester's life.