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Ch. 15: Pearls in Literature

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THE PEARL
If this ode was really written by Anacreon, that poet must have been more familiar with pearls than some later Grecian writers. A similar idea quite as beautifully expressed occurs in "The Loves of the Angels."
Then too the pearl from out its shell
Unsightly, in the sunless sea, (As 'twere a spirit, forced to dwell
In form unlovely) was set free, And round the neck of woman threw A light it lent and borrowed too.
Unlike most of the poets, Moore does not describe the sparkling dew-drop as pearly and his references to tears of pearls include the idea of metamorphosis, as in "The Light of the Haram."
And precious their tears as that rain from the sky, Which turns into pearls as it falls in the sea.
These lines embody the ancient Hindu super­stition which is also apparent in his ' 'Lines
Put off the fatal zone you wear,
The shining pearls around it Are tears, that fell from Virtue there,
The hour when Love unbound it.
In his adoration of female beauty, he often
holds the lustrous gem as a foil to the exceeding
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Ch. 15: Pearls in Literature Page of 358 Ch. 15: Pearls in Literature
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