The Pearl Wearer

The Pearl Wearer

by Barry Cornwall

[ It is recorded of a pearl diver, that he died (from over-exertion or some other cause) immediately after he had reached the land or boat from which he had plunged; and that, amongst the shells which he brought up, was one that contained a pearl of surpassing size and beauty.]

Within the midnight of her hair, Half-hidden in its deepest deeps, A single peerless, priceless pearl, (All filmy-eyed,) for ever sleeps. Without the diamond's sparkling eyes, The ruby's blushes - there it lies, Modest as the tender dawn, When her purple veil's withdrawn, The flower of gems, a lily cold and pale! Yet, - what doth all avail? All its beauty, all its grace? All the honours of its place? He who plucked it from its bed, In the far blue Indian Ocean, Lieth, without life or motion, In his earthy dwelling, - dead! And his children, one by one, When they look upon the sun, Curse the toil, by which he drew, The treasure from its bed of blue.

Gentle bride, no longer wear, In thy night-black odorous hair, Such a spoil. It is not fit, That a tender soul should sit, Under such accursed gem! What need'st thou a diadem?-- Thou, within whose Eastern eyes, Thought (a starry genius!) lies?-- Thou, whom beauty has arrayed?-- Thou, whom Love and Truth have made, Beautiful,-- in whom we trace, Woman's softness -- angel's grace -- Upon us, in out haunted dreams?

O sweet lady! cast aside, With a gentle, noble pride, All to sin or pain allied! Let the wild-eyed conqueror wear, The bloody laurel in his hair! Let the black and snaky vine, 'Round the drinker's temple twine! Let the slave-begotten gold, Weigh on bosoms hard and cold! But be THOU for ever known, By thy natural light alone! - - - o - - -

Source: NZCPNA 2/8/1842