“Ask not of me, love, what is love? Ask what is good of God above; Ask of the great sun what is light; Ask what is darkness of the night; Ask sin of what may be forgiven; Ask what is happiness of heaven; Ask what is folly of the crowd; Ask what is fashion of the shroud; Ask what is sweetness of thy kiss; Ask of thyself what beauty is.”
Festus: a poem is a literary composition that employs the art of poetry to delve into the character or concept of Festus, offering readers a reflective and expressive narrative. more
Philip James Bailey (April 22, 1816 – September 6, 1902) was an English poet of the Victorian era, best known for his epic poem 'Festus'. Born in Nottingham, he studied law at the University of Glasgow but chose poetry over a legal career. 'Festus', published in 1839, is a philosophical and religious epic exploring themes of faith, love, and redemption, which gained considerable popularity and went through multiple editions. Influenced by Byron and Shelley, Bailey's work reflects Romantic idealism and Victorian moral concerns. Despite later works like 'The Angel World' and 'The Mystic', he never replicated the success of 'Festus'. He spent most of his life in Nottingham and Jersey, and died in relative obscurity. Today, he is remembered as a minor but notable figure in Victorian poetry. more
“Could I love less, I should be happier now.”
“Love spends his all, and still hath store.”
“Nature expresses a design of love and truth.”