Rare edition. 
 
Published by George Routledge and Sons, London, 1875. Gold-and blind stamped brown cloth and spine, with gilt page edges. While the spine and corners are bumped and worn, this is expected with the book age. There is also some sporadic foxing to a few pages, but this does not affecting text or plates.
 
This book covers Milton's 'twin' poems, L'Allegro and Il Penseroso, which are related to the tradition of classical literature. In this synkriseis concept, the merits of values of two opposing ideas or things are debated. Milton uses the contrasting settings of day and night to present readers with two men: the cheerful, amiable man of L'Allegro and the contemplative, melancholy man of Il Penseroso. While L'Allegro is light and melodic, creating a happy pastoral world, Il Penseroso paints a darker picture, with a slower pace and shadowry images to evoke a melancholy mood.
 
The book is beautifully illustrated with etchings on steel by Birket Foster.