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Hi,

I am working on a poetry book titled My Master. I am looking for a sensual font that conveys ideas of submission and devotion. I'm looking for a font that doesn't stand out too much, that works well with large bodies of text, somehow reminiscent of a Bible. I'm looking at some Caslons and New Caledonias (I like their weight), but would like to have other recommendations, comments.

I'm pasting an excerpt from a William Blake poem I'm interested in.

Thank you in advance

This seems a rather tall order, since your stated desires appear to be working at cross purposes—unless by Bible, you mean a blackletter Bible.

I had just the font* for you until you said "doesn't stand
out too much, that works well with large bodies of text"...
I don't see how you envision something that does all that.

* It's called Domination Available, a name I
got from a travel brochure while in Bangkok.
http://www.themicrofoundry.com/f_dominava.html

hhp

Hrant,

I think you nailed it: all of a sudden, I'm watching my back nervously.

Script fonts can be very expressive. Normally you wouldn't set a book in script, but if it's a series of poems, perhaps it might work if you pick an easy-to-read script and set it large enough.

Or maybe just start each poem with a large initial cap in script, and the rest in a more conventional font.

You can also use illustrations and decorative elements to set the mood.

Bell Century has always looked a bit tortured to me.

What about something like Lapture?
http://justanotherfoundry.com/lapture
IMHO, a nice combination of blackletter (which may be reminiscent of the Bible) and roman styles (which doesn’t stand too much).

Submission and devotion—not quite the same thing as mortification and love, but along the same lines.
Book of war, mortification and love

That was a killer book.

hhp

I'm looking for a font that doesn't stand out too much, that works well with large bodies of text, somehow reminiscent of a Bible.

ITC Weidemann: Originally called Biblica, it was commissioned in the 15th century by the German Biblical Society for a new German translation of the bible.

The Cambridge Bible uses Lexicon nr. 1.

I remember in my younger times, that many catholic leaflets in Austria in the 1960/1970 years were full of Post Antiqua

And there is always Bible Script …

You may find inspiration in Judith Schalansky's beautiful book, Fraktur mon Amour

Restraint

(Obviously not for text use, but a nicely punning titling face.)

I think you might like Williams Caslon. Take a look at the italic for the sensual/devotion/bible vibe.

Didot Elder (http://www.optimo.ch/typefaces_Didot-Elder.html) look at those spikes/Devil’s tails on S, C, etc.!