Philip James Bailey Quotes
1816–1902 England
Philip James Bailey (22 April 1816 – 6 September 1902) was an English poet, most famous as the author of Festus.
Also known as: Bailey, Philip James, P.J. Bailey
Random Philip James Bailey quote
71 quotes
See the sun!
God's crest upon His azure shield, the Heavens.
Festus (1813)
What are ye orbs?
The words of God? the Scriptures of the skies?
Festus (1813)
I love night more than day—she is so lovely;
But I love night the most because she brings
My love to me in dreams which scarcely lie.
Festus (1813)
Poetry is itself a thing of God;
He made his prophets poets; and the more
We feel of poesie do we become
Like God in love and power,—under-makers.
Festus (1813)
Respect is what we owe; love what we give.
Festus (1839)
Leave the poor
Some time for self-improvement. Let them not
Be forced to grind the bones out of their arms
For bread, but have some space to think and feel
Like moral and immortal creatures.
Festus (1813)
Any heart turned Godward feels more joy
In one short hour of prayer, than e'er was raised
By all the feasts of earth since its foundation.
Festus (1839)
Burn to be great,
Pay not thy praise to lofty things alone.
The plains are everlasting as the hills,
The bard cannot have two pursuits; aught else
Comes on the mind with the like shock as though
Two worlds had gone to war, and met in air.
Festus (1813)
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 (1813)
Night comes, world-jewelled, * * *
The stars rush forth in myriads as to wage
War with the lines of Darkness; and the moon,
Pale ghost of Night, comes haunting the cold earth
After the sun's red sea-death—quietless.
Festus (1813)
I cannot be content with less than heaven;
Living, and comprehensive of all life.
Thee, universal heaven, celestial all;
Thee, sacred seat of intellective time;
Field of the soul's best wisdom: home of truth,
Star-throned.
Festus (1839)