The Irish playwright, novelist, essayist an d poet, Oscar Wilde, is considered a spokesman for the late 19th century Aesthetic movement in England. His best known work, The Picture of Dorian Gray, reflects the Aesthetic rallying call: art for art’s sake. Many of his works are designed around the exposure of a secret sin on curiosity and consequent disgrace and decadence.
High above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince. He was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold, for eyes he had two bright sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed on ... [+]
"She said that she would dance with me if I brought her red roses," cried the young Student; "but in all my garden there is no red rose." From her nest in the holm-oak tree the Nightingale heard him ... [+]
Every afternoon, as they were coming from school, the children used to go and play in the Giant's garden. It was a large lovely garden, with soft green grass. Here and there over the grass stood ... [+]
Seven stars in the still water,
And seven in the sky;
Seven sins on the King's daughter,
Deep in her soul to lie.
Red roses at her feet,
(Roses are red in her red-gold hair)
And O where he
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