Burlesque upon Burlesque – Lucian; Charles Cotton – 1686 | English Satirical Dialogues

Lucian’s classical dialogues, famously reimagined through the lens of late 17th-century English satire in this scarce 1686 edition of Burlesque upon Burlesque. Translated into a parodic and playful idiom by Charles Cotton, the text showcases Restoration burlesque at its peak. The original subtitle, “being some of Lucian’s Dialogues, newly put into English fustian,” sets the tone for Cotton’s purposefully exaggerated and ironic interpretations. With humorous prologue and mythological scenarios presented in a tone both irreverent and exaggerated, this work embodies the literary eccentricity of the period. Cotton’s satirical renditions of mythological exchanges, including conversations among Prometheus, Mercury, and Vulcan, and the Olympian quarrels between Jupiter and Juno, introduce a colloquial and comic flair to classical figures.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Burlesque upon Burlesque: or, The Scoffer Scoft. Being Some of Lucian’s Dialogues, Newly put into English Fustian, for the Consolation of those who had rather Laugh and be Merry, than be Merry and Wise.
• Author(s): Lucian of Samosata
• Contributor(s): Charles Cotton (Translator)
• Publisher: London, Printed for Charles Brome, at the West-end of St. Pauls Church-Yard.
• Edition: Second Edition, Corrected. 1686.
• Format: Octavo, single volume
• Binding: Full contemporary calf
• Size: ~ 7.25 in x 4.5 in (18.4 cm x 11.4 cm)
• Collation: [6], 200, [2] pp
• Illustrations: Portrait frontispiece of
• Contents Include:
  • Loose English versions of Lucian’s dialogues
  • Preface by Cotton
  • Comic parodies of classical and philosophical themes
• Provenance: Armorial bookplate “De Scoville” on front pastedown
• Reference(s): Wing L3448

Condition:

Near Fine. Bound in full contemporary calf. Hinges remain secure. Pages generally clean with mild toning, complete and well-preserved. Overall, structurally sound.

Why Collect This?

• Rare early printing from 1686, among limited surviving copies of Charles Cotton’s Restoration-era satirical works.
• Features Cotton’s original humorous renditions of Lucian’s classical dialogues, combining ancient Greek satire with playful English reinterpretation.
• Printed for Charles Brome, a prominent London bookseller closely associated with significant literary works during the late 17th century.
• Valued particularly by collectors and scholars of Restoration literature, classical adaptations, and English satire.