Epistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry (1700) and the Essay on Heroic Poetry (second edition, 1697): Poetry Guide and Free Edition
Epistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry (1700) and the Essay on Heroic Poetry (second edition, 1697): author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Epistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry (1700) and the Essay on Heroic Poetry (second edition, 1697) is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Wesley, Samuel (1662–1735).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Epistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry" by Samuel Wesley is an early 18th-century poetic treatise. The work serves as an earnest exploration of the principles of poetry, particularly focusing on the relationship between creativity, virtue, and the expectations of society. It represents Wesley's commitment to the intersection of art and morality, addressing themes of religious faith and the role of the poet in society. The opening of this work presents a preface that outlines Wesley's intentions and motivations for writing. He expresses a desire to engage with the current literary trends while emphasizing the importance of religion and virtue in poetry. Wesley addresses the reader directly, revealing a style that balances poetic expression with philosophical inquiry. He begins to unpack the concept of "Genius," describing it as the divine inspiration necessary for true poetic creation. Through this exploration, Wesley lays the groundwork for a discussion on the qualities that define effective poetry, the role of judgment, and the expectations of poets, inviting readers into a contemplative dialogue about the nature of poetic practice and its impact on society.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Epistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry (1700) and the Essay on Heroic Poetry (second edition, 1697)
- Author credits: Wesley, Samuel (1662–1735)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Epic poetry
- Poetry
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches
- Category: Poetry
Read this edition
View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.



