This volume investigates the complete poetic and prose output of the 17th-century metaphysical poet Henry Vaughan to establish a definitive, annotated record of his literary contributions. Editor Martin provides a rigorous scholarly framework, situating Vaughan’s work within the religious and political climate of the English Civil War era. The text utilizes primary source manuscripts and early printed editions to offer a corrected, authoritative version of the poet's canon. By integrating extensive commentary and historical apparatus, the volume serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the linguistic and theological nuances of Vaughan’s writing.

Scholars and literary historians frequently cite this edition as the standard reference for academic research into Vaughan’s metaphysical style. The dense scholarly apparatus is noted for its precision, making it a foundational text for students and experts of seventeenth-century English poetry.