Poem by Maria Jane Jewsbury

The Pearl of Price

                                      Book of Job.

I LOOKED upon a monarch's pledge of power,
His golden crown, itself a regal dower;
Pearls 'mid the garniture gleamed rich and rare,
But one, the ONE I sought, I found not there.
I saw within a maiden's bride-bower gay,
A wily trafficker his wares display,
Till with Aladdin's cave it might compare
Gorgeous with gems yet, was the pearl not there.
I traversed ocean, pierced each precious mine,
Earth's every treasure-house where bright things shine;
Saw, from the Persian wave the diver bear
Pearls goodly pearls still one was absent there.
Then from my bosom breathed a voice, "How vain
This weary search through cavern, mount, and main;
A shrine of dust, man's heart of sin and care,
Is the pearl's casket, when Christ dwelleth there!"

1. Dreams of Heaven
2. The Oceanides. No. 5. Address to the Deep
3. The Oceanides. No. 6. The Voyager's Regret
4. Now Mine Eyes Seeth Thee
5. Earth and Heaven

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