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That spot of spyse mot nedes sprede,
Ther such ryches to rot is runne;
Blomes blyke nad blwe and rede
Ther schynes ful schyr agayn the sunne.
Flor and fryte may not fede
Ther hit doun drof in moldes dunne;
For uch gresse mot grow of graynes dede -
No whete were elles to wones wonne.
Of goud uche goude is ay bygonne;
So semly a sede moght fayly not,
That spryngande spyces up ne sponne
Of that precios perle wythouten spoke.

To that spot that I in speche expoun
I entred in that erber grene,
In Augoste in a hygh seysoun,
Quen corne is covern wyth crokes kene.
On huyle ther perle hit trendeled doun
Schadowed this wortes ful schyre and schene -
Gilofre, gyngure and gromylyoun,
And pyonys powdered ay bytwene.
Yif hit was semly on to sene,
A fayr reflayr yet fro hit flot.
Ther wonys that worthly, I wot and wene,
My precious perle wythouten spot.

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That spot of spices needs must spread
Where such rich bounty doth decay,
With yellow flowers and blue and red
That shine so bright in sun's clear ray.
Flower and fruit can ne'er be dead
Where that pearl slipped into the clay,
For grass will grow from seed once shed
Or grain could not be stored away,
And good will always good repay.
This comely seed shall perish not,
And spices will their fruit display
From that dear pearl without a spot.

From that spot I in speech expound
I entered in that garden green,
As August's season came around
When corn is cut with sickles keen,
There that pearl rolled into the ground,
Shadowed with plants both bright and clean,
Wallflower, ginger, gromwell abound
Bright paeonies scattered in between;
Though they were seemly to be seen
No less in their scent my sense caught;
And there that jewel long has been,
My precious pearl without a spot.


That spot of spice-plants neds must increase where such wealth has fallen into decay; blooms yeloow and blus and red that glow most brightly in the sun. There it (i.e. the pearl) sank into the brown mould, for every plant must grow from grain which has died, or no wheat could ever be brought to barns. So every good thing comes from what is good; such a fair seed cannot fail to bring forth flourishing spices from that precious pearl without a spot.

I came to that spot I am speaking of in that garden green in August at the height of the season when corned is reaped with sharp sickles. On the slope where that pearl had run down these lovely and bright plants cast a shadow - gillyflower, ginger and gromwell, with paeonies scattered between. Not only was it fair to look upon [but also] a lovely fragrance floated from it. I was sure that there lay my treasure, that precious pearl without a spot.

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