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Pyght was poyned and uche a hemme
At honde, at sydes, at overture,
With whyte perle and non other gem,
And bornyste quyte was her vesture.
Bot a wonder perle wythouten wemme
Inmyddes her breste was sette so sure;
A mannes dom moght dryyly demme,
Er mynde moght malte in hit mesure.
I hope no tong moght endure
No saverly saghe say of that syght,
So hit was clene and cler and pure,
That precios perle ther hit was pyght.

Pyght in perle, that precios pyse
On wyther half water com doun the schore.
No gladder gome heten into Grece
Then I, quen ho on brymme wore.
Ho was me nerre than aunt or nece;
My joy forthy was much the more,
Ho profered me speche, that special spyce,
Enclynande lowe in wommon lore,
Caghte of her coroun of grete tresore
And haylsed me wyth a lothe lyghte.
Wel was me that ever I was bore
To sware that swete in perles pyghte.


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Bedight with pearls at every hem
Of wrists, hands, sides and throat I saw;
With whitest pearl, no other gem,
And gleaming white the dress she wore;
Richer than any diadem
A pearl upon her breast she bore;
No man might praise it or condemn,
Its worth would surely overawe.
I judge no tongue e'er found before
Words to describe that glorious sight,
So clean it was, so clear, so pure.
That precious pearl there so bedight.

Bedight in pearls, that precious piece
From that far bank came to the shore.
No happier man from here to Greece
To see her stand the brink before.
She was more close than aunt or niece;
And therefore was my joy the more.
The fairest words she did release,
Bowed low as e'er she did of yore,
Removed her crown of richest store
And hailed me with a sweet delight,
Well for the man my mother bore
To greet that maid in pearls bedight !



Her wrist-band and each hem at hands, at sides, at neck was adorned with white pearls, and her garment was shining white. But a wondrous pearl without a flaw was set firmly in her breast. A man's judgement might be utterly baffled ere his mind could grasp its magnitude. I believe no tongue could find adequate words to describe that vision, so bright it was, and fine and pure, that precious pearl where it was set.

Adorned in pearls, that precious maid from the other bank came down to the shore. No happier man [was there] from here to Greece than I was then [I saw her] on the bank. She was nearer to me than aunt or niece; my joy was therefore much the greater. She began to speak to me, that special maid, bowing low in womanly fashion, took off her priceless crown and greeted me with joyful voice. How fortunate was I that I was ever born, to answer that maiden adorned with precious pearls.

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