,,the ,,pearl ,a ,,middle ,,english ,,poem ,a ,,modern ,,version ,,in ,,the ,,metre ,,of ,,the ,,original ,,by ,,sophie ,,jewett ,,associate ,,professor ,,of ,,english ,,literature ,,in ,,wellesley ,,college #aijh ,to ,,katharine ,,lee ,,bates ,,the ,,translator ,,to ,,the ,,author ,poet of beauty1 pardon me ,if touch of mine have tarnishd ,thy ,pearl's pure luster1 loved by thee2 ,or dimmed thy vision of the dead ,alive in light and gaiety4 ,thy life is like a shadow fled2 ,thy place we know not nor degree1 ,the stock that bore thee1 school that bred2 ,yet shall thy fame be sung and said4 ,poet of wonder1 pain1 and peace1 ,hold high thy nameless1 laurelled head ,where ,dante dwells with ,beatrice4 ,,preface ,among the treasures of the ,british ,museum is a manuscript which contains four anonymous poems1 apparently of common authorship3 ,the ,pearl1 ,cleanness1 ,patience1 ,sir ,gawayne and the ,green ,knight4 ,from the language of the writer1 it seems clear that he was a native of some ,northwestern district of ,england1 and that he lived in the second half of the ,fourteenth ,century4 ,he is quite unknown1 save as his work reveals him1 a man of aristocratic breeding1 of religious and secular education1 of a deeply emotional and spiritual nature1 gifted with imagination and perception of beauty4 ,he shows a liking for technique that leads him to adopt elaborate devices of rhyme1 while retaining the alliteration characteristic of ,northern ,middle ,english verse4 ,he wrote as was the fashion of his time1 allegory1 homily1 lament1 chivalric romance1 but the distinction of his poetry is that of a finely accentuated individuality4 ,the poems called ,cleanness and ,patience1 retell incidents of biblical history for a definitely didactic purpose1 but even these are frequently lifted into the region of imaginative literature by the author's power of graphic description4 ,sir ,gawayne and the ,green ,knight is a priceless contribution to ,arthurian story4 ,the ,pearl1 though it takes the form of symbolic narrative1 is essentially lyric and elegiac1 the lament1 it would seem1 of a father for a little1 long-lost daughter4 ,the present translation of ,the ,pearl was begun with no larger design than that of turning a few passages into modern ,english1 by way of illustrating to a group of students engaged in reading the original1 the possibility of preserving intricate stanzaic form1 and something of alliteration1 without an entire sacrifice of poetic beauty4 ,the experiment was persisted in because its problems are such as baffle and fascinate a translator1 and the finished version is offered not merely to students of ,middle ,english but to college classes in the history of ,english literature1 and to non-academic readers4 ,if ,the ,pearl presented no greater obstacle to a modern reader than is offered by ,chaucer's ,english1 a translation might be a gratuitous task1 but the ,northwest-,midland dialect of the poem is1 in fact1 incomparably more difficult than the diction of ,chaucer1 more difficult even than that of ,langland4 ,the meaning of many passages remains obscure1 and a translator is often forced to choose what seems the least dubious among doubtful readings4 ,the poem in the original passes frequently from imaginative beauty to conversational commonplace1 from deep feeling to didactic aphorism or theological dogma1 and it has been my endeavor faithfully to interpret these variations of matter and of style1 sometimes substituting modern colloquialisms for such as are obsolete1 or in other ways paraphrasing a stubborn passage1 but striving never to polish the dullest lines nor to strengthen the weakest4 ,a reader who will observe the difficult rhyming scheme1 a scheme that calls for six words of one rhyme and four of another1 will understand the presence of forced lines1 an intrusion that one must needs suffer in even ,the ,faerie ,queene4 ,these padded lines are a serious blemish to the poem1 but the introduction of nave and familiar expressions is one of its charms1 as when the ,pearl1 protesting like ,piccarda in ,paradise#a that among beatified spirits there can be no rivalry1 exclaims3 ,the more the merrier4#b ,the translation may1 at many points1 need apology1 but the original needs only explanation4 ,readers familiar with medival poetry expect to encounter moral platitudes and theological subtlety4 ,dogma takes large and vital place in the sublimest cantos of ,dante's ,paradise1 and the ,english poet is consciously following his noblest master when he puts a sermon into the lips of his little queen4 ,to modern ears such exposition is at harsh discord with the simple human grief and longing of the poet1 but to the mediaevalist symbolic theology was a passion4 ,precisely in the moment when she begins a discourse concerning the doctrine of redemption1 ,beatrice turns upon ,dante eyes that might make a man happy in the fire1 and at its close he looks upon her and beholds her grow more beautiful4#c ,if even ,beatrice has been considered mere personification1 it is natural that the ,pearl should be so regarded1 but the plain reader finds in the symbolic maiden of the ,english poem1 as in the transfigured lady of the ,italian1 some record of a human being whose loss was anguish1 and whose presence rapture1 to a poet long ago4 ,the lover of things medival will find in this little book not only the familiar garden of ,guillaume de ,lorris1 of ,boccaccio and of ,chaucer1 but an unexpected and enchanting vision of great forest and rushing water1 of hillside and plain1 of crystal cliffs and flame-winged birds2 of the ,pearl among her white peers2 of the ,apocalyptic ,jerusalem1 discovered to the poet1 it may be1 as a goodly ,gothic city1 though its walls are built of precious stone1 and its towers rise from neither church nor minster4 ,if even a few readers turn from the modern to the original version1 the translation will have had fair fortune1 for the author of ,the ,pearl is1 though unknown and unnamed1 a poet second only to ,chaucer in ,chaucer's generation4 ,it is a pleasure to record my many debts of gratitude3 to ,professor ,frank ,h4 ,chase of ,beloit1 ,professor ,john ,l4 ,lowes of ,swarthmore1 and ,dr4 ,charles ,g4 ,osgood of ,princeton1 for their careful reading of the translation in manuscript1 with invaluable assistance and suggestion2 to ,professor ,martha ,hale ,shackford1 and ,miss ,laura ,a4 ,hibbard1 for constant aid while the work was in making1 and1 above all1 to ,professor ,katharine ,lee ,bates for a critical1 line by line1 comparison of this version with the original4 ,footnote #a3 ,par4 ,,iii4 ,footnote #b3 ,pearl1 stanza #ga4 ,footnote #c3 ,par4 ,,vii1 ,,ii4 #ag-ah2 ,par4 ,,viii1 ,i4 #ae4 ,s4,j4 ,,wellesley ,,college1 ,june1 #aijh4 ,,editions3 ,r4 ,morris1 ,early ,english text ,sc4 #ahfd2 ,i4 ,gollancz1 ,london1 #ahia2 ,c4,g4 ,osgood1 ,boston1 #aijf 7with admirable introduction1 etc474 ,,translations3 ,gollancz 7above72 ,s4 ,weir ,mitchell1 ,new ,york1 #aijf 7poetic1 but incomplete72 ,g4,g4 ,coulton1 ,london1 #aijf 7metre of the original72 ,c4,g4 ,osgood1 ,princeton1 #aijg 7prose74 ,,the ,,pearl ,i ,pearl that the ,prince full well might prize1 ,so surely set in shining gold6 ,no pearl of ,orient with her vies2 ,to prove her peerless ,i make bold3 ,so round1 so radiant to mine eyes1 smooth she seemed1 so small to hold1 ,among all jewels judges wise ,would count her best an hundred fold4 ,alas6 ,i lost my pearl of old6 ,i pine with heart-pain unforgot2 ,down through my arbour grass it rolled1 ,my own pearl1 precious1 without spot4 ,since in that spot it slipped from me ,i wait1 and wish1 and oft complain2 ,once it would bid my sorrow flee1 ,and my fair fortune turn again2 ,it wounds my heart now ceaselessly1 ,and burns my breast with bitter pain4 ,yet never so sweet a song may be ,as1 this still hour1 steals through my brain1 ,while verity ,i muse in vain ,how clay should her bright beauty clot2 ,o ,earth6 a brave gem thou dost stain1 ,my own pearl1 precious1 without spot6 ,needs must that spot with spices spread1 ,where such wealth falleth to decay2 ,fair flowers1 golden and blue and red1 ,shine in the sunlight day by day2 ,nor flower nor fruit have witherd ,on turf wherein such treasure lay2 ,the blade grows where the grain lies dead1 ,else were no ripe wheat stored away2 ,of good come good things1 so we say1 ,then surely such seed faileth not1 ,but spices spring in sweet array ,from my pearl1 precious1 without spot4 ,once1 to that spot of which ,i rhyme1 ,i entered1 in the arbour green1 ,in ,august1 the high summer-time ,when corn is cut with sickles keen2 ,upon the mound where my pearl fell1 ,tall1 shadowing herbs grew bright and sheen1 ,gilliflower1 ginger and gromwell1 ,with peonies powdered all between4 ,as it was lovely to be seen1 ,so sweet the fragrance there1 ,i wot1 ,worthy her dwelling who hath been ,my own pearl1 precious1 without spot4 ,upon that spot my hands ,i crossed ,in prayer1 for cold at my heart caught1 ,and sudden sorrow surged and tossed1 ,though reason reconcilement sought4 ,i mourned my pearl1 dear beyond cost1 ,and strange fears with my fancy fought2 ,my will in wretchedness was lost1 ,and yet ,christ comforted my thought4 ,such odours to my sense were brought1 ,i fell upon that flowery plot1 ,sleeping1--a sleep with dreams inwrought ,of my pearl1 precious1 without spot4 ,,ii ,from the spot my spirit springs into space1 ,the while my body sleeping lies2 ,my ghost is gone in ,god's good grace1 ,adventuring mid mysteries2 ,i know not what might be the place1 ,but ,i looked where tall cliffs cleave the skies1 ,toward a forest ,i turned my face1 ,where ranks of radiant rocks arise4 ,a man might scarce believe his eyes1 ,such gleaming glory was from them sent2 ,no woven web may men devise ,of half such wondrous beauties blent4 ,in beauty shone each fair hillside ,with crystal cliffs in shining row1 ,while bright woods everywhere abide1 ,their boles as blue as indigo2 ,like silver clear the leaves spread wide1 ,that on each spray thick-quivering grow2 ,if a flash of light across them glide ,with shimmering sheen they gleam and glow2 ,the gravel on the ground below ,seemed precious pearls of ,orient2 ,the sunbeams did but darkling show ,so gloriously those beauties blent4 ,the beauty of the hills so fair ,made me forget my sufferings2 ,i breathed fruit fragrance fine and rare1 ,as if ,i fed on unseen things2 ,brave birds fly through the woodland there1 ,of flaming hues1 and each one sings2 ,with their mad mirth may not compare ,cithern nor gayest citole-strings2 ,for when those bright birds beat their wings1 ,they sing together1 all content2 ,keen joy to any man it brings ,to hear and see such beauties blent4 ,so beautiful was all the wood ,where1 guided forth by ,chance1 ,i strayed1 ,there is no tongue that fully could ,describe it1 though all men essayed4 ,onward ,i walked in merriest mood ,nor any highest hill delayed ,my feet4 ,far through the forest stood ,the plain with fairest trees arrayed1 ,hedges and slopes and rivers wide1 ,like gold thread their banks' garnishment2 ,and when ,i won the waterside1 ,dear ,lord6 what wondrous beauties blent6 ,the beauties of that stream were steep1 ,all-radiant banks of beryl bright2 ,sweet-sighing did the water sweep1 ,with murmuring music running light2 ,within its bed fair stones lay deep2 ,as if through glass they glowed1 as white ,as streaming stars when tired men sleep ,shine in the sky on a winter night4 ,pure emerald even the pebbles seemed1 ,sapphire1 or other gems that lent ,luster1 till all the water gleamed ,with the glory of such beauties blent4 ,,iii ,for the beauteousness of downs and dales1 ,of wood and water and proud plains1 ,my joy springs up and my grief quails1 ,my anguish ends1 and all my pains4 ,a swift stream down the valley hales ,my feet along4 ,bliss brims my brains2 ,the farther ,i follow those watery vales1 ,the stronger joy my heart constrains4 ,while ,fortune fares as her proud will deigns1 ,sending solace or sending sore1 ,when a man her fickle favour gains1 ,he looketh to have aye more and more4 ,there was more of marvel and of grace ,than ,i could tell1 howe'er ,i tried2 ,the human heart that could embrace ,a tenth part were well satisfied2 ,for ,paradise1 the very place1 ,must be upon that farther side2 ,the water by a narrow space ,pleasance from pleasance did divide4 ,beyond1 on some slope undescried ,the ,city stood1 ,i thought1 wherefore ,i strove to cross the river's tide1 ,and ever ,i longed1 yet more and more4 ,more1 and still more wistfully1 ,the banks beyond the brook ,i scanned2 ,if1 where ,i stood1 't was fair to see1 ,still lovelier lay that farther land4 ,i sought if any ford might be ,found1 up or down1 by rock or sand2 ,but perils plainer appeared to me1 ,the farther ,i strode along the strand2 ,i thought ,i ought not thus to stand ,timid1 with such bright bliss before2 ,then a new matter came to hand ,that moved my heart yet more and more4 ,marvels more and more amaze ,my mind beyond that water fair3 ,from a cliff of crystal1 splendid rays1 ,reflected1 quiver in the air4 ,at the cliff's foot a vision stays ,my glance1 a maiden debonaire1 ,all glimmering white before my gaze2 ,and ,i know her1--have seen her otherwhere4 ,like fine gold leaf one cuts with care1 ,shone the maiden on the farther shore4 ,long time ,i looked upon her there1 ,and ever ,i knew her more and more4 ,as more and more ,i scanned her face ,and form1 when ,i had found her so1 ,a glory of gladness filled the place ,beyond all it was wont to show4 ,my joy would call her and give chase1 ,but wonder struck my courage low2 ,i saw her in so strange a place1 ,the shock turned my heart dull and slow4 ,but now she lifts that brow aglow1 ,like ivory smooth1 even as of yore1 ,it made my senses straying go1 ,it stung my heart aye more and more4 ,,iv ,more than ,i liked did my fear rise4 ,stock still ,i stood and dared not call2 ,with lips close shut and watchful eyes1 ,i stood as quiet as hawk in hall4 ,i thought her a spirit from the skies2 ,i doubted what thing might befall2 ,if to escape me now she tries1 ,how shall my voice her flight forestall8 ,then graciously and gay withal1 ,in royal robes1 so sweet1 so slight1 ,she rose1 so modest and so small1 ,that precious one in pearls bedight4 ,pearl bedight full royally1 ,adown the bank with merry mien1 ,came the maiden1 fresh as fleur-de-lys4 ,her surcoat linen must have been ,shining in whitest purity1 ,slashed at the sides and caught between ,with the fairest pearls1 it seemed to me1 ,that ever yet mine eyes had seen2 ,with large folds falling loose1 ,i ween1 ,arrayed with double pearls1 her white ,kirtle1 of the same linen sheen1 ,with precious pearls all round was dight4 ,a crown with pearls bedight1 the girl ,was wearing1 and no other stone2 ,high pinnacled of clear white pearl1 ,wrought as if pearls to flowers were grown4 ,no band nor fillet else did furl ,the long locks all about her thrown4 ,her air demure as duke or earl1 ,her hue more white than walrus-bone2 ,like sheer gold thread the bright hair strown ,loose on her shoulders1 lying light4 ,her colour took a deeper tone ,with bordering pearls so fair bedight4 ,bedight was every hem1 and bound1 ,at wrists1 sides1 and each aperture1 ,with pearls the whitest ever found1-- ,white all her brave investiture2 ,but a wondrous pearl1 a flawless round1 ,upon her breast was set full sure2 ,a man's mind it might well astound1 ,and all his wits to madness lure4 ,i thought that no tongue might endure ,fully to tell of that sweet sight1 ,so was it perfect1 clear and pure1 ,that precious pearl with pearls bedight4 ,bedight in pearls1 lest my joy cease1 ,that lovely one came down the shore2 ,the gladdest man from here to ,greece1 ,the eagerest1 was ,i1 therefore2 ,she was nearer kin than aunt or niece1 ,and thus my joy was much the more4 ,she spoke to me for my soul's peace1 ,courtesied with her quaint woman's lore1 ,caught off the shining crown she wore1 ,and greeted me with glance alight4 ,i blessed my birth2 my bliss brimmed o'er ,to answer her in pearls bedight4 ,v ,o ,pearl1 ,i said1 in pearls bedight1 ,art thou my pearl for which ,i mourn1 ,lamenting all alone at night8 ,with hidden grief my heart is worn4 ,since thou through grass didst slip from sight1 ,pensive and pained1 ,i pass forlorn1 ,and thou livest in a life of light1 ,a world where enters sin nor scorn4 ,what fate has hither my jewel borne1 ,and left me in earth's strife and stir8 ,oh1 sweet1 since we in twain were torn1 ,i have been a joyless jeweler4 ,that ,jewel then with gems besprent ,glanced up at me with eyes of grey1 ,put on her pearl crown orient1 ,and soberly began to say3 ,you tell your tale with wrong intent1 ,thinking your pearl gone quite away4 ,like a jewel within a coffer pent1 ,in this gracious garden bright and gay1 ,your pearl may ever dwell at play1 ,where sin nor mourning come to her2 ,it were a joy to thee alway ,wert thou a gentle jeweler4 ,but1 ,jeweler1 if thou dost lose ,thy joy for a gem once dear to thee1 ,methinks thou dost thy mind abuse1 ,bewildered by a fantasy2 ,thou hast lost nothing save a rose ,that flowered and failed by life's decree3 ,because the coffer did round it close1 ,a precious pearl it came to be4 ,a thief thou hast dubbed thy destiny ,that something for nothing gives thee1 sir2 ,thou blamest thy sorrow's remedy1 ,thou art no grateful jeweler4 ,like jewels did her story fall1 ,a jewel1 every gentle clause2 ,truly1 ,i said1 thou best of all6 ,my great distress thy voice withdraws4 ,i thought my pearl lost past recall1 ,my jewel shut within earth's jaws2 ,but now ,i shall keep festival1 ,and dwell with it in bright wood-shaws2 ,and love my ,lord and all ,his laws1 ,who hath brought this bliss4 ,ah6 if ,i were ,beyond these waves1 ,i should have cause ,to be a joyful jeweler4 ,jeweler1 said that ,gem so dear1 ,why jest ye men1 so mad ye be8 ,three sayings thou hast spoken clear1 ,and unconsidered were all three2 ,their meaning thou canst not come near1 ,thy word before thy thought doth flee4 ,first1 thou believest me truly here1 ,because with eyes thou mayst me see2 ,second1 with me in this country ,thou wilt dwell1 whatever may deter2 ,third1 that to cross here thou art free3 ,that may no joyful jeweler4 ,,vi ,the jeweler merits little praise1 ,who loves but what he sees with eye1 ,and it were a discourteous phrase ,to say our ,lord would make a lie1 ,who surely pledged thy soul to raise1 ,though fate should cause thy flesh to die4 ,thou dost twist ,his words in crooked ways ,believing only what is nigh2 ,this is but pride and bigotry1 ,that a good man may ill assume1 ,to hold no matter trustworthy ,till like a judge he hear and doom4 ,whate'er thy doom1 dost thou complain ,as man should speak to ,god most high8 ,thou wouldst gladly dwell in this domain2 ',t were best1 methinks1 for leave to apply4 ,even so1 perchance1 thou pleadest in vain4 ,across this water thou wouldst fly1-- ,to other end thou must attain4 ,thy corpse to clay comes verily1-- ,in ,paradise 't was ruined by ,our forefather4 ,now in the womb ,of dreary death each man must lie1 ,ere ,god on this bank gives his doom4 ,doom me not1 sweet1 to my old fears ,and pain again wherein ,i pine4 ,my pearl that1 long1 long lost1 appears1 ,shall ,i again forego1 in fine8 ,meet it1 and miss it through more years8 ,thou hast hurt me with that threat of thine4 ,for what serves treasure but for tears1 ,one must so soon his bliss resign8 ,i reck not how my days decline1 ,though far from earth my soul seek room1 ,parted from that dear pearl of mine4 ,save endless dole what is man's doom8 ,no doom save pain and soul's distress8 ,she answered3 ,wherefore thinkst thou so8 ,for pain of parting with the less1 ,man often lets the greater go4 ',t were better thou thy fate shouldst bless1 ,and love thy ,god1 through weal and woe2 ,for anger wins not happiness2 ,who must1 shall bear2 bend thy pride low2 ,for though thou mayst dance to and fro1 ,struggle and shriek1 and fret and fume1 ,when thou canst stir not1 swift nor slow1 ,at last1 thou must endure ,his doom4 ,let ,god doom as ,he doth ordain2 ,he will not turn one foot aside2 ,thy good deeds mount up but in vain1 ,thou must in sorrow ever bide2 ,stint of thy strife1 cease to complain1 ,seek ,his compassion safe and wide1 ,thy prayer ,his pity may obtain1 ,till ,mercy all her might have tried4 ,thy anguish ,he will heal and hide1 ,and lightly lift away thy gloom2 ,for1 be thou sore or satisfied1 ,all is for ,him to deal and doom4 ,,vii ,doom me not1 dearest damosel2 ,it is not for wrath nor bitterness1 ,if rash and raving thoughts ,i tell4 ,for sin my heart seethed in distress1 ,like bubbling water in a well4 ,i cry ,god mercy1 and confess4 ,rebuke me not with words so fell2 ,i have lost all that my life did bless2 ,comfort my sorrow and redress1 ,piteously thinking upon this3 ,grief and my soul thou hast made express ,one music1--thou who wert my bliss4 ,my bliss and bale1 thou hast been both1 ,but joy by great grief was undone2 ,when thou didst vanish1 by my troth1 ,i knew not where my ,pearl was gone4 ,to lose thee now ,i were most loth4 ,dear1 when we parted we were one2 ,now ,god forbid that we be wroth1 ,we meet beneath the moon or sun ,so seldom4 ,gently thy words run1 ,but ,i am dust1 my deeds amiss2 ,the mercy of ,christ and ,mary and ,john ,is root and ground of all my bliss4 ,a blissful life ,i see thee lead1 ,the while that ,i am sorrow's mate2 ,haply thou givest little heed ,what might my burning hurt abate4 ,since ,i may in thy presence plead1 ,i do beseech thee thou narrate1 ,soberly1 surely1 word and deed1 ,what life is thine1 early and late8 ,i am fain of thy most fair estate2 ,the high road of my joy is this1 ,that thou hast happiness so great2 ,it is the ground of all my bliss4 ,she said1 ,may bliss to thee betide1 ,her face with beauty beaming clear1 ,welcome thou art here to abide1 ,for now thy speech is to me dear4 ,masterful mood and haughty pride1 ,i warn thee win but hatred here2 ,for my ,lord loveth not to chide ,and meek are all that to ,him come near4 ,when in ,his place thou shalt appear1 ,to kneel devout be not remiss1 ,my ,lord the ,lamb loveth such cheer1 ,who is the ground of all my bliss4 ,thou sayest a blissful life ,i know1 ,and thou wouldst learn of its degree4 ,thou rememberest when thy pearl fell low ,in earth1 ,i was but young to see2 ,but my ,lord the ,lamb1 as if to show ,his grace1 took me ,his bride to be1 ,crowned me a queen in bliss to go ,through length of days eternally2 ,and dowered with all ,his wealth is she ,who is ,his love1 and ,i am ,his2 ,his worthiness and royalty ,are root and ground of all my bliss4 ,,viii ,my blissful one1 may this be true4 ,pardon if ,i speak ill1 ,i prayed3 ,art thou the queen o' the heaven's blue1 ,to whom earth's honour shall be paid8 ,we believe in ,mary1 of grace who grew1 ,a mother1 yet a blameless maid2 ,to wear her crown were only due ,to one who purer worth displayed4 ,for perfectness by none gainsaid1 ,we call her the ,phoenix of ,araby1 ,that flies in faultless charm arrayed1 ,like to the ,queen of courtesy4 ,courteous ,queen1 that bright one said1 ,and1 kneeling1 lifted up her face3 ,matchless ,mother and merriest ,maid1 ,blessd ,beginner of every grace4 ,then she arose1 and softly stayed1 ,and spoke to me across that space3 ,sir1 many seek gain here1 and are paid1 ,but defrauders are none within this place2 ,that ,empress may all heaven embrace1 ,and earth and hell in her empery2 ,her from her heritage none will chase1 ,for she is ,queen of courtesy4 ,the court of the kingdom of ,god doth thrive ,only because of this wondrous thing3 ,each one who therein may arrive1 ,of the realm is either queen or king2 ,and no one the other doth deprive1 ,but is fain of his fellow's guerdoning1 ,and would wish each crown might be worth five1 ,if possible were their bettering4 ,but my ,lady1 from whom our ,lord did spring1 ,rules over all our company1 ,and for that we all rejoice and sing1 ,since she is ,queen of courtesy4 ,of courtesy1 as says ,st4 ,paul1 ,members of ,christ we may be seen4 ,as head and arm and leg1 and all1 ,bound to the body close have been1 ,each ,christian soul himself may call ,a living limb of his ,lord1 ,i ween4 ,and see how neither hate nor gall ',twixt limb and limb may intervene2 ,the head shows neither spite nor spleen1 ,though arm and finger jewelled be1 ,so fare we all in love serene1 ,as kings and queens by courtesy4 ,courtesy flowers thy folk among1 ,and charity1 ,i well believe4 ,if foolish words flow from my tongue1 ,let not my speech thy spirit grieve4 ,a queen in heaven while yet so young1 ,too high thou dost thyself upheave4 ,then what reward from strife were wrung8 ,what worship more might he achieve ,who lived in penance morn and eve1 ,through bodily pain in bliss to be8 ,honour more high might he receive1 ,than be crowned king by courtesy8 ,,ix ,that courtesy rewards no deed ,if all be true that thou dost say2 ,our life not two years didst thou lead ,nor learned to please ,god1 nor to pray1 ,no ,paternoster knew nor creed1 ,and made a queen on the first day6 ,i may not think1 so ,god me speed6 ,that ,god from right would swerve away2 ,as a countess1 damsel1 by my fay6 ,to live in heaven were a fair boon1 ,or like a lady of less array1 ,but a queen6 ,ah1 no6 it is too soon4 ,with ,him there is no soon nor late1 ,replied to me that worthy wight2 ,true always is ,his high mandate2 ,he doth no evil1 day nor night4 ,hear ,matthew in the mass narrate1 ,in the ,gospel of the ,god of might1 ,his parable portrays the state ,of the ,kingdom of ,heaven1 clear as light3 ',my servants1' saith ,he1 ',i requite ,as a lord who will his vineyard prune2 ,the season of the year is right1 ,and labourers must be hired soon4' ,right soon the hirelings all may see ,how the master with the dawn arose2 ,to hire his labourers forth went he1 ,and workmen stout and strong he chose4 ,for a penny a day they all agree1 ,even as the master doth propose1 ,they toil and travail lustily1 ,prune1 bind1 and with a ditch enclose4 ,then to the market-place he goes1 ,and finds men idle at high noon3 ',how can a man stand here who knows ,the vineyards should be tilled so soon8' ',soon as day dawned we hither won1 ,and no man hath our labour sought2 ,we have been standing since rose the sun ,and no one bids us to do aught4' ',enter my vineyard every one1' ,the master answered quick as thought3 ',the work that each by night has done ,i will truly pay1 withholding naught4' ,among the vines they went and wrought1 ,while morning1 noon and afternoon1 ,more labourers the master brought1 ,until the night must gather soon4 ,soon fell the time of evensong4 ,an hour before the sun was set1 ,he saw more idlers1 young and strong2 ,his voice was sober with regret3 ',why stand ye idle all day long8' ',no man1' they said1 'hath hired us yet4' ',go to my vineyard1 fear no wrong2 ,each man an honest wage shall get4' ,the day grew dark and darker yet1 ,before the rising of the moon2 ,the master who would pay his debt1 ,bade summon all the hirelings soon4 ,x ,the lord soon called his steward3 ',go ,bring in the men quick as ye may2 ,give them the wages that ,i owe1 ,and1 lest they aught against me say1 ,range them along here in a row1 ,to each alike his penny pay2 ,start with the last who standeth low1 ,and to the first proceed straightway1' ,and then the first began to pray1 ,complaining they had travailed sore3 ',these wrought but one hour of the day1 ,we think we should receive the more4' ',more have we served1' they muttered low1 ',who have endured the long day's heat1 ,than these who not two hours toiled so2 ,why should their claim with ours compete8' ,said the master3 ',i pay all ,i owe2 ,friend1 no injustice shalt thou meet2 ,take that which is thine own and go4 ,for a penny we settled in the street2 ,why dost thou now for more entreat8 ,thou wast well satisfied before4 ,once made1 a bargain is complete2 ,why shouldst thou1 threatening1 ask for more8 ',what can be more within my gift ,than what ,i will with mine to do8 ,let not thine eyes to evil shift1 ,because ,i trusty am1 and true4' ',thus ,i1' said ,christ1 'all men shall sift4 ,the last shall be the first of you2 ,and the first last1 however swift1 ,for many are called1 but chosen1 few4' ,and thus poor men may have their due1 ,that late and little burden bore2 ,their work may vanish like the dew1 ,the mercy of ,god is much the more4 ,more gladness have ,i1 herewithin1 ,of flower of life1 and noble name1 ,than all men in the world might win1 ,who thought their righteous deeds to name4 ,nathless even now did ,i begin2 ,to the vineyard as night fell ,i came1 ,but my ,lord would not account it sin2 ,he paid my wages without blame4 ,yet others did not fare the same1 ,who toiled and travailed there before1 ,and of their hire might nothing claim1 ,perchance shall not for a year more4 ,then more1 and openly1 ,i spake3 ,from thy tale no reason can ,i wring2 ,god's righteousness doth ever wake1 ,else ,holy ,writ is a fabled thing4 ,from the ,psalter one verse let us take1 ,that may to a point this teaching bring3 ',thou requitest each for his deed's sake1 ,thou high and all-foreknowing ,king4' ,if one man to his work did cling ,all day1 and thou wert paid before1 ,most wage falls to least labouring1 ,and ever the less receives the more4 ,,xi ,of more or less where ,god doth reign1 ,there is no chance1 she gently said1 ,for1 whether large or small his gain1 ,here every man alike is paid4 ,no niggard churl our ,high ,chieftain1 ,but lavishly ,his gifts are made1 ,like streams from a moat that flow amain1 ,or rushing waves that rise unstayed4 ,free were his pardon whoever prayed ,him who to save man's soul did vow1 ,unstinted his bliss1 and undelayed1 ,for the grace of ,god is great enow4 ,but now thou wouldst my wit checkmate1 ,making my wage as wrong appear2 ,thou say'st that ,i am come too late1 ,of so large hire to be worthy here2 ,yet sawest thou ever small or great1 ,living in prayer and holy fear1 ,who did not forfeit at some date ,the meed of heaven to merit clear8 ,nay much the rather1 year by year1 ,all bend from right and to evil bow2 ,mercy and grace their way must steer1 ,for the grace of ,god is great enow4 ,but enow of grace have the innocent ,new-born1 before the sacred shrine1 ,they are sealed with water in sacrament1 ,and thus are brought into the vine4 ,anon the day with darkness blent1 ,death by its might makes to decline2 ,who wrought no wrong ere hence they went1 ,the gentle ,lord receives1 in fine2 ,they obeyed ,his will1 they bore ,his sign1 ,why should ,he not their claim allow8 ,yea1 and reward them1 ,i opine1 ,for the grace of ,god is great enow4 ',t is known enow that all mankind ,at first were formed for perfect bliss2 ,our forefather that boon resigned1 ,all for an apple's sake1 ,i wis2 ,we fell condemned1 for folly blind1 ,to suffer sore in hell's abyss2 ,but ,one a remedy did find ,lest we our hope of heaven should miss4 ,he suffered on the cross for this1 ,red blood ran from ,his crownd brow2 ,he saved us by that pain of ,his1 ,for the grace of ,god is great enow4 ,enow there flowed from out that well1 ,blood and water from ,his broad wound3 ,the blood bought us from bale of hell1 ,and from second death deliverance found4 ,the water is baptism1 truth to tell1 ,that followed-the spear so sharply ground1 ,and washes away the guilt most fell ,of those that ,adam in death had drowned4 ,now is there nothing in earth's great round1 ,to bar from the bliss wherewith ,god did endow ,mankind1--restored to us safe and sound1 ,for the grace of ,god is great enow4 ,,xii ,grace enow a man may get ,by penitence1 though he sin again2 ,but with long sorrow and regret1 ,he must bear punishment and pain2 ,but righteous reason will not let ,the innocent be hurt in vain2 ,god never gave ,his judgment yet1 ,that they should suffer who show no stain4 ,the sinful soul of mercy fain ,finds pardon if he will repent1 ,but he who sinless doth remain ,is surely saved1 being innocent4 ,two men are saved of ,god's good grace1 ,who severally have done ,his will3 ,the righteous man shall see ,his face1 ,the innocent dwells with ,him still4 ,in the ,psalter thou may'st find a case3 ',lord1 who shall climb to ,thy high hill1 ,or rest within ,thy ,holy ,place8' ,the psalmist doth the sense fulfill3 ',who with his hands did never ill1 ,his heart to evil never lent1 ,there to ascend he shall have skill2' ,so surely saved is the innocent4 ,that the righteous is saved ,i hold certain2 ,before ,god's palace he shall stand ,who never took man's life in vain1 ,who never to flatter his fellow planned4 ,of the righteous1 the ,wise ,man writeth plain ,how kindly our ,king doth him command2 ,in ways full strait he doth restrain1 ,yet shows him the kingdom great and grand1 ,as who saith3 ',behold6 yon lovely land6 ,thou may'st win it1 if so thy will be bent4' ,but with never peril on either hand1 ,surely saved is the innocent4 ,of the righteous saved1 hear one man say-- ,david1 who in the ,psalter cried3 ',o ,lord1 call never ,thy servant to pay1 ,for no man living is justified4' ,so thou1 if thou shalt come one day ,to the court that each cause must decide1 ,for mercy with justice thou may'st pray ,through this same text that ,i espied4 ,but may ,he on the bloody cross that died1 ,his holy hands with hard nails rent1 ,give thee to pass when thou art tried1 ,saved1 not as righteous1 but innocent4 ,of the sinless saved the tale is told1-- ,read in the ,book where it is said3 ,when ,jesus walked1 among men of old1 ,the people a passage to ,him made2 ,bringing their bairns for ,him to hold1 ,for the blessing of ,his hand they prayed4 ,the twelve reproved them3 ',overbold ,to seek the ,master2' and sternly stayed4 ,but ,jesus said3 ',be ye not afraid2 ,suffer the children1 nor prevent2 ,god's kingdom is for such arrayed4' ,surely saved are the innocent4 ,,xiii ,christ called to ,him the innocents mild1 ,and said ,his kingdom no man might win1 ,unless he came thither as a child1--,not otherwise might he enter in1 ,harmless1 faithful1 undefiled1 ,with never a spot of soiling sin1--,for these whom the world has not beguiled ,gladly shall one the gate unpin4 ,there shall that endless bliss begin1 ,the merchant sought1 and straight was led ,to barter all stuffs men weave and spin1 ,to buy him a pearl unblemished4 ',this pearl unblemished1 bought so dear1 ,for which the merchant his riches gave1 ,is like the kingdom of heaven clear2' ,so said the ,father of world and wave4 ,it is a flawless1 perfect sphere1 ,polished and pure1 and bright and brave2 ,as on my heart it doth appear1 ,it is common to all who to virtue clave4 ,my ,lord1 the ,lamb ,who died to save1 ,here set it in token of ,his blood shed ,for peace4 ,then let the wild world rave1 ,but buy thee this pearl unblemishd4 ,o ,pearl unblemished1 in pure pearls dressed1 ,that beareth1 said ,i1 the pearl of price1 ,who formed thy figure-and thy vest8 ,truly he wrought with cunning nice2 ,for thy beauty1 above nature's best1 ,passeth ,pygmalion's artifice2 ,nor ,aristotle the lore possessed ,to depict in words so fair device4 ,than fleur-de-lys thou art fairer thrice1 ,angel-mannered and courtly bred1-- ,tell to me truly3 in ,paradise ,what meaneth the pearl unblemished8 ,my spotless ,lamb1 who all doth heal1 ,she answered1 my dear ,destiny1 ,chose me in marriage bond to seal2 ,unfit1 ,he graced me regally1 ,from your world's woe come into weal4 ,he called me of ,his courtesy3 ',come hither to me1 my lover leal1 ,for mote nor spot is none in thee4' ,he gave me my might and great beauty2 ,he washed my weeds in ,his blood so red1 ,and crowned me1 forever clean to be1 ,and clothed me in pearls unblemishd4 ,unblemished bride1 bright to behold1 ,that royalty hath so rich and rare1 ,what is this ,lamb1 that thou hast told ,how for wedded wife ,he called thee there8 ,above all others dost thou make bold1 ,as ,his chosen lady ,his life to share8 ,so many1 comely in combs of gold1 ,for ,christ have lived in strife and care1 ,must these to a lower place repair1 ,that never any with ,him may wed1 ,save only thyself1 so proud and fair1 ,peerless ,queen1 and unblemished8 ,,xiv ,unblemished1 answered she again1 ,without a spot of black or gray1 ,with honour may ,i this maintain2 ,but 'peerless ,queen' ,i did not say4 ,brides of the ,lamb in bliss we reign1 ,an hundred and forty thousand gay1 ,as in the ,apocalypse is made plain1 ,saint ,john beheld them on a day2 ,on the hill of ,zion he saw them stay1 ,in vision his spirit looked on them1 ,for the wedding clad in bright-array1 ,at the city of ,new ,jerusalem4 ,of ,jerusalem in speech ,i tell2 ,and what ,he is if thou wouldst see-- ,my ,lamb1 my ,lord1 my dear ,jewel1 ,my ,joy1 my ,love1 my ,bliss so free1-- ,the prophet ,isaiah writeth well ,of ,his most mild humility3 ',guiltless1 when men upon ,him fell ,for never a fault nor felony1 ,as a sheep to the slaughter led was ,he2 ,quiet1 the while the crowd contemn1 ,as a lamb in the shearer's hands might be1 ,he was judged by ,jews in ,jerusalem4' ,in ,jerusalem was my ,lover slain1 ,rent on the rood by ruffians bold2 ,to bear our ills ,he was full fain1 ,to suffer our sorrows manifold2 ,buffeted until blood did stain ,that face so lovely to behold2 ,he took upon ,him all sin and pain1 ,even ,he of ,whom not one sin is told2 ,on the rude cross stretched faint and cold1 ,he let men deride him and condemn2 ,meek as a lamb1 betrayed and sold1 ,he died for us in ,jerusalem4 ,at ,jerusalem1 ,jordan and ,galilee1 ,wherever ,saint ,john came to baptize1 ,his words with ,isaiah's words agree4 ,on ,jesus he lifted up his eyes1 ,speaking of ,him this prophecy3 ',behold the ,lamb of ,god6' he cries3 ',who bears the world's sins1 this is ,he6 ,the guilt of all upon ,him lies1 ,though ,he wrought evil in no wise4 ,the branches springing from that stem ,who can recount8 ',t is ,he who dies ,for our sake in ,jerusalem4' ,in ,jerusalem my ,lover sweet ,twice as a lamb did thus appear1 ,even as the prophets both repeat1 ,so meek the mien that ,he did wear2 ,the third time also1 as is meet1 ,in the ,revelation is written clear4 ,reading a book on ,his high seat ,midmost the throne that saints ensphere1 ,the ,apostle ,john beheld ,him near2 ,that book seven sacred seals begem2 ,and at that sight all folk felt fear ,in hell1 in earth and ,jerusalem4 ,,xv ,this ,jerusalem ,lamb had never stain ,of other hue than perfect white1 ,that showeth neither streak nor strain ,of soil1 but is like wool to sight2 ,and souls that free of sin remain ,the ,lamb receiveth with delight2 ,and1 though each day a group we gain1 ,there comes no strife for room nor right1 ,nor rivalry our bliss to blight4 ,the more the merrier1 ,i profess4 ,in company our love grows bright1 ,in honour more and never less4 ,lessening of bliss no comer brings ,to us who bear this pearl at breast2 ,nor show they flaws nor tarnishings ,who wear such pure pearls like a crest4 ,though round our corpses the clay clings1 ,and though ye mourn us without rest1 ,knowledge have we of goodly things4 ,through the first death our hope we test2 ,grief goes2 at each mass we are blest ,by the ,lamb ,who gives us happiness2 ,the bliss of each is bright and best1 ,and no one's honour is the less4 ,that thou my tale the less may doubt1 ,in the ,revelation 'tis told1 and more3 ',i saw1' says ,john1 'a goodly rout ,the hill of ,zion covering o'er1 ,the ,lamb1 with maidens round about1 ,an hundred thousand and forty and four1 ,and each brow1 fairly written out1 ,the ,lamb's name and ,his ,father's bore4 ,then a sound from heaven ,i heard outpour1 ,as streams1 full laden1 foam and press1 ,or as thunders among dark crags roar1 ,the tumult was1 and nothing less4 ',nathless1 though high that shout might ring1 ,and loud the voices sounding near1 ,a strain full new ,i heard them sing1 ,and sweet and strange it was to hear4 ,like harper's hands upon the string ,was that new song they sang so clear2 ,the noble notes went vibrating1 ,and gentle words came to my ear4 ,close by ,god's throne1 without one fear1 ,where the four beasts ,his power confess1 ,and the elders stand so grave of cheer1 ,they sang their new song1 none the less4 ',nathless is none with skill so fine1 ,for all the crafts that ever he knew1 ,that of that song might sing a line2 ,save these that hold the ,lamb in view2 ,from earth brought to that land divine1 ,as first fruits that to ,god are due1 ,they serve the ,lamb and bear ,his sign1 ,as like ,himself in face and hue2 ,for never lying nor tale untrue ,defiled their lips in life's distress2' ,whatever might move them1 they but drew ,nearer the ,master1 none the less4 ,nevertheless1 speak out ,i must1 ,my ,pearl1 though queries rude ,i pose4 ,to try thy fair wit were unjust ,whom ,christ to ,his own chamber chose4 ,behold1 ,i am but dung and dust1 ,and thou a rare and radiant rose1 ,abiding here in life1 and lust ,of loveliness that ever grows4 ,a hind that no least cunning knows1 ,i needs must my one doubt express2 ,though boisterous as the wind that blows1 ,let my prayer move thee none the less4 ,,xvi ,yet1 none the less1 on thee ,i call1 ,if thou wilt listen verily1 ,as thou art glorious over all1 ,hearken the while ,i question thee4 ,within some splendid castle wall1 ,have ye not dwellings fair to see8 ,of ,david's city1 rich1 royal1 ,jerusalem1 thou tellest me4 ,in ,palestine its place must be2 ,in wildwood such none ever saw4 ,since spotless is your purity1 ,your dwellings should be free from flaw4 ,now this most fair and flawless rout1 ,thronging thousands1 as thou dost tell1 ,they must possess1 beyond a doubt1 ,a sightly city wherein to dwell4 ',t were strange that they should live without2 ,for so bright a band it were not well2 ,yet ,i see no building hereabout4 ,dost thou linger as in a woodland cell1 ,alone and hidden1 for the spell ,of rushing stream and shining shaw8 ,if thou hast a dwelling beyond this dell1 ,now show me that city free from flaw4 ,not flawless the city in ,juda's land1 ,that gentle one gently to me spake1 ,but the ,lamb did bless it when ,he planned ,to suffer there sorely for man's sake4 ,that is the old city we understand1 ,and there the bonds of old guilt did break2 ,but the new1 alighted from ,god's hand1 ,the ,apostle ,john for his theme did take4 ,the ,lamb ,who is white with never a flake ,of black1 did thither ,his fair folk draw2 ,for ,his flock no fenced fold need ,he make1 ,nor moat for ,his city free from flaw4 ,to figure flawlessly what may mean ,jerusalems twain3 the first of those ,was 'the ,sight of ,peace' as it is seen ,in the word of ,god1 for the gospel shows ,how there our peace made sure hath been1 ,since to suffer therein the ,saviour chose2 ,in the other is always peace to glean1 ,peace that never an ending knows4 ,to that city bright the spirit goes ,when the flesh hath fallen beneath death's law2 ,there glorious gladness forever grows ,for ,his fair folk that are free from flaw4 ,flawless maid so mild and meek1 ,then said ,i to that lovely flower3 ,let me that stately city seek1 ,and let me see thy blissful bower4 ,that bright one said1 ,thou art too weak1 ,thou may'st not enter to its tower2 ,yet of the ,lamb ,i did bespeak ,this goodly gift1 that ,he would dower ,thine eyes with the sight for one short hour1-- ,from without1--within none ever saw2 ,to step in that street thou hast no power1 ,unless thy soul were free from flaw4 ,,xvii ,this flawless sight ,i will not hide2 ,up toward the brook's head thou must go1 ,while ,i will follow on this side1 ,till yonder hill the city show4 ,and then ,i would no longer bide1 ,but stole through branches1 bending low1 ,till from the summit ,i espied1 ,through green boughs swaying to and fro1 ,afar1 the city1 all aglow1 ,that brighter than bright sunbeams shone4 ,in writing it is pictured so1 ,in the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john4 ,as ,john the ,apostle saw the sight1 ,i saw that city1 standing near ,jerusalem1 so royal dight1 ,as if from ,heaven alighted here4 ,the city all of gold burned bright1 ,like gleaming glass that glistens clear4 ,with precious stones beneath set right3 ,foundations twelve of gems most dear1 ,wrought wondrous richly1 tier on tier4 ,each base was of a separate stone ,as1 perfectly1 it doth appear ,in the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john4 ,john named the stones that he had seen1 ,i knew the order that he made2 ,the first a jasper must have been1 ,that on the lowest base was laid1 ,beneath the rest it glinted green2 ,a sapphire in the second grade2 ,chalcedony1 from blemish clean1 ,in the third course was fair arrayed2 ,fourth1 emerald1 of greenest shade1 ,fifth1 sardonyx1 was raised thereon2 ,the sixth a ruby1 as is said ,in the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john4 ,john joined to these the chrysolite1 ,the seventh gem in that basement2 ,the eighth1 a beryl1 clear and white2 ,the topaz1 ninth1 its luster lent2 ,tenth1 chrysophrase1 both soft and bright2 ,eleventh1 the jacinth1 translucent2 ,and twelfth1 and noblest to recite1 ,amethyst1 blue with purple blent4 ,the wall above those basements went ,jasper1 like glass that glistening shone2 ,i saw1 as the story doth present1-- ,the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john4 ,i saw1 as ,john doth clear devise3 ,the great stones rose like a broad stair2 ,above1 the city1 to my eyes1 ,in height1 length1 breadth appeared four-square2 ,the jasper wall shone amber-wise1 ,the golden streets as glass gleamed fair2 ,the dwellings glowed in glorious guise ,with every stone most rich and rare4 ,each length of bright wall builded there ,for full twelve furlongs' space stretched on1 ,and height1 length1 breadth all equal were3 ,i saw one mete it1 writeth ,john4 ,,xviii ,as ,john doth write more met mine eye3 ,within each wall were set three gates2 ,twelve in succession ,i could spy1 ,portals adorned with bright gold plates2 ,each gate a single pearl saw ,i1 ,a perfect pearl1 as ,john relates4 ,on each a name was written high ,of ,israel's sons after their dates1 ,the oldest first1 as the story states4 ,within those streets by night or noon1 ,light beams that not one hour abates2 ,they needed neither sun nor moon4 ,of sun or moon they had no need2 ,for ,god ,himself was their lamp light1 ,the ,lamb their lantern was indeed2 ,from ,him the city shone all bright4 ,through wall and dwelling my looks might speed1 ,such clearness could not hinder sight4 ,of the high throne ye might take heed1 ,with draperies of radiant white1 ,as ,john the ,apostle doth endite2 ,high ,god ,himself did sit thereon4 ,from the throne a river welled outright ,was brighter than both sun and moon4 ,sun nor moon shone never so sweet ,as the full flood of that bright stream2 ,swiftly it swept through every street1 ,untainted did the water gleam4 ,chapel nor church mine eyes did meet2 ,therein is no temple as ,i deem2 ,the ,almighty is their minster meet1 ,the ,lamb their sacrifice supreme4 ,the gates with neither bolt nor beam1 ,wide open stand at night and noon2 ,to enter there let no man dream ,whom sin hath stained beneath the moon4 ,the moon may there win no least might1 ,she is too spotty1 grey and grim2 ,therein1 moreover1 is never night1 ,why should the moon fill full her rim ,to rival the all-glorious light ,that beams upon the river's brim8 ,the planets are in poorest plight2 ,the sun itself is far too dim4 ,beside the stream trees tall and trim ,bear living fruits that none doth prune2 ,twelve times a year bends low each limb1 ,renewed with fruitage every moon4 ,beneath the moon full well might fail ,the heart of mortal to endure ,the marvel that did mine eyes assail1 ,fashioned the fancy to allure4 ,i stood as still as a startled quail1 ,for wonder of its fair figure1 ,i felt no rest and no travail1 ,ravished before such radiance pure4 ,i say1 and with conviction sure1 ,had the eyes of man received that boon1 ,though wisest clerks sought for his cure1 ,his life were lost beneath the moon4 ,,xix ,now1 even as the full moon might rise ,ere daylight doth to darkness fall1 ,sudden ,i saw with still surprise ,within that shining city-wall1 ,the streets full-thronged in wondrous wise1 ,silent1 with never a herald's call1 ,with virgins in the selfsame guise ,as my beloved1 sweet and small4 ,each head was crowned with coronal1 ,pearl-wrought1 and every robe was white2 ,on each breast bound1 imperial1 ,the ,pearl of ,price with great delight4 ,with great delight together going ,on glassy golden streets they tread2 ,to a hundred thousand swiftly growing1 ,and all alike were they garmented3 ,the gladdest face who could be knowing8 ,the ,lamb did proudly pass ahead1 ,his seven horns of clear red gold glowing1 ,his robes like pearls high valud4 ,on toward the throne their way they thread1 ,none crowded in that band so bright1 ,but mild as maidens when mass is said1 ,so fared they forth with great delight4 ,the great delight ,his coming gave1 ,it were too much for me to tell4 ,when ,he approached the ,elders grave1 ,prone there before ,his feet they fell2 ,legions of summoned angels brave ,swayed censers of the sweetest smell2 ,with music like a mighty wave1 ,all sang in praise of that gay ,jewel4 ,the hymn might strike through earth to hell ,that with joy those hosts of heaven recite2 ,to praise the ,lamb ,i liked full well1 ,amid the group in great delight4 ,delighted1 ,i would fain devise ,his loveliness1 with mind intent3 ,first was ,he1 blithest1 best to prize1 ,of all on whom man's speech is spent2 ,so nobly white ,his draperies1 ,such grace ,his simple glances lent2 ,but a wide1 wet wound my gaze descries ,beneath ,his heart1 through ,his skin rent2 ,down ,his white side the blood was sent4 ,alas6 ,i thought1 what scorn or spite ,could any human heart have bent ,in such a deed to take delight8 ,the ,lamb's delight might no man doubt1 ,though that wide wound ,his hurt displayed1 ,from ,his fair face looked lovely out ,glad glances1 glorious1 unafraid1 ,i looked upon ,his shining rout1 ,with fullest life so bright arrayed1 ,my little queen there moved about1 ,i had thought beside me in the glade4 ,ah ,lord6 how much of mirth she made6 ,among her peers she was so white6 ,the stream ,i surely needs must wade1 ,for longing love1 in great delight4 ,,xx ,delight that flooded eye and ear ,my mortal mind beatified2 ,when ,i saw her1 ,i must reach my dear1 ,though she beyond the brook abide4 ,nothing1 ,i thought1 could keep me here1 ,no crippling blow hold my strength tied2 ,i would plunge1 whatever interfere1 ,and swim the stream1 though there ,i died4 ,but ere the water ,i had tried1 ,even as ,i would my vow fulfill1 ,from my purpose ,i was turned aside2 ,it was not to my ,prince's will4 ,my wilful purpose pleased not ,him1 ,that ,i with headlong zeal essayed2 ,though ,i was rash of thought and limb1 ,yet suddenly my deed was stayed4 ,as ,i sprang forward to the brim1 ,the action in my dreaming made ,me waken in my arbour trim4 ,my head upon the mound was laid ,where my pearl to the grass once strayed4 ,i stretched my body1 frightened1 chill1 ,and1 sighing1 to myself ,i said3 ,now all be to the ,prince's will4 ,against my will was ,i exiled ,from that bright region1 fair and fain1 ,from that life1 glad and undefiled1 ,and longing dulled my sense again2 ,i swooned in sorrow for the child1 ,needs must my heart cry and complain3 ,o ,pearl1 dear was thy counsel mild1 ,in this true vision of my brain6 ,if very truth divide us twain2 ,if thou goest crowned1 secure from ill1 ,well for me in my prison-pain ,that thou art to the ,prince's will4 ,to the ,prince's will had my heart bent1 ,and sought but what to me was given1 ,held fast to that1 with true intent1 ,as my ,pearl prayed me out of heaven2 ,did ,i to ,god my thoughts present1 ,more in ,his mysteries had ,i thriven4 ,but a man will seek more than is sent1 ,till from his hand his hope be riven4 ,thus from my joy was ,i forth driven1 ,from the life upon that holy hill4 ,oh1 fools1 that with the ,lord have striven1 ,or proffered gifts against his will6 ,the ,prince's will to serve aright ,the ,christian may full well divine2 ,for ,i have found ,him1 day and night1 ,a ,god1 a ,lord1 a ,friend in fine4 ,upon this mound my soul hath sight1 ,where ,i for piteous sorrow pine2 ,my ,pearl to ,god ,i pledge and plight1 ,with ,christ's dear blessing and with mine1-- ,his1 who1 in form of bread and wine1 ,the priest doth daily show us still4 ,his servants may we be1 or shine1 ,pure pearls1 according to his will4