Absalom and Achitophel

For the Biblical Achitophel see Ahitophel

Absalom and Achitophel
by John Dryden
CountryEngland
LanguageEnglish
Genre(s)Satire
Rhyme schemeHeroic couplet
Publication date1681
Full text
Absalom and Achitophel at Wikisource
John Dryden by Sir Godfrey Kneller

Absalom and Achitophel is a celebrated satirical poem by John Dryden, written in heroic couplets and first published in 1681. The poem tells the Biblical tale of the rebellion of Absalom against King David; in this context it is an allegory used to represent a story contemporary to Dryden, concerning King Charles II and the Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681). The poem also references the Popish Plot (1678).[1]

Title page of Absalom and Achitophel, published in 1681. The motto "Si Propius Stes Te Capiet Magis" is from Horace's Ars Poetica; its meaning in English is, "Stand closer, it will charm you more".
  1. ^ Stapleton, Michael. "Absalom and Achitophel". The Cambridge Guide to English Literature. Cambridge University Press. (29 April 1983). ISBN 978-0521256476