Festus Endorsements
“Here is a poem which will startle the critics throughout the kingdom, and give them pause before they venture to utter their opinions, so much there is of daring both in the conception and execution.”
“English literature has no example of daring equal to Festus.”
“There is matter enough in it to float a hundred volumes of the usual prosy poetry. It contains some of the most wonderful things I ever read.”
“In inspiration, in prophecy, in those flashes of the sacred fire which reveal the secret places where time is elaborating the marvels of nature, [Festus] stands alone. This book is a precious, even a sacred book….England has now only two poets that can be named near him.”
“There are passages of this work, figures of speech, images of tenderness and sublimity, thoughts of grandeur, expressions of fervor and reverence, alive with the very soul of poetry, instinct with celestial fire, strong, deep, intense—worthy of the masters of song.”
“There is no more enthusiastic admirer of Festus than myself.”
“What power! What fire of imagination, worth the stealing of Prometheus! A true poet indeed.”
“A most remarkable and magnificent production.”
“His place will be among the first, if not the first, of our native poets.”
