Aletheia’s Pearl | Elemental Edition

Fair Aletheia1
 (when I was a girl)
One Sunday offered me an orient2
 pearl,
But for it I must part with all I had;
I, of the bargain, was extremely glad.
Then being so directed from above,
She, smiling, asked me if I could her love.
I, seeing her so far transcend all other,
And more resplendent than her radiant mother3
,
Said I with her would gladly live and die.
Celestial Love the true love’s knot did tie;
Reciprocally promising ne’er to depart,
She4
 took possession of my virgin5
 heart.
In earnest of her love she gave a kiss,
Saying she would lead me to eternal bliss;
So should I shun the paths of endless error6
,
And have an innocent soul still free from terror.
She bid me fear no trouble in my story7
,
For love would crown me with immortal glory.
Thus innocently I passed my youthful days,
Seeing more and more of her refulgent8
 rays.
Thus, being puffed up with prosperity,
The world in every star I thought to buy9
,
And oft I did my virgin guide entreat,
To make my happiness on earth complete,
That Peace (that stately dame) she would invite
To dwell with us, to consummate10
 delight.
For then, I said, that Joy would follow after:
Get but the mother, and you have the daughter.
That blest triumviri11
 might I once enjoy12
,
I should esteem this world a trifling toy13
.
My fair directress, smiling, then did say,
That those two jolly ladies would not stay
Long in a place, nor were they as they seemed:
As all that glisters14
 is not gold esteemed,
There’s no true peace, nor joy, below the sun;
Nor can we know it till this life is done.
Nay more, being at the Parcae’s15
 house of late,
Turning the volumes of the book of fate
To see what might advance th’Eternal’s glory,
She16
hap’d17
 to cast an eye on my sad story,
And by my destiny she saw my life,
At which she sighed: both infant, maid18
, and wife
Would be involved and filled with inward trouble,
But yet as brittle19
 as the tenderest bubble,
And looking further on from page to page,
She found I would live a tedious pilgrimage20
;
But yet to comfort me in my sad story,
My troubles all would end in endless glory.
Therefore she did advise, for my relief,
A modest matron to allay my grief,
One not so brave21
 but of as ample fame22
And noble birth (the daughter of the dame23
Who doth defend the faithful with her shield
And makes them still victorious in the field);
Patience her name, who said she would invite
Her sister Hope to further my delight.
I said of those two damsels I had been told,
But yet I thought till I grew sick or old
Their sad and tedious stories would deject
My sprightly24
 soul; them I did not affect25
.
Truth, sighing said, not many days would go,
Ere26
 I would wish for those I slighted so,
But all her counsel was to me in vain,
For I invited home that gallant train:
Peace in a purple mantle27
wrought28
 with gold,
Where groves, fanes29
, cities, you might there behold;
Which cast a luster to my wondering eye;
Joy, in an azure30
vesture31
 like the sky,
Studded with gems, which dazzled so my sight,
That now (methought) my pearl was not so bright
As it was wont32
, but looked both dim and sad.
Thus of my guests I was extremely glad.
Peace sweetly smiled; Joy, giggling, laughed outright,
And thus in mirth we passed the time till night.
Then tired with laughing, we went all to bed,
But by the morn my cheerful guests were fled;
And none but Sorrow left, tearing her hair,
And Fear who, trembling, askéd for Despair.
My blesséd guide, seeing me in tears dissolved33
,
And with such woeful company involved,
Asked me if Patience I did yet desire.
I said without her I should soon expire.
At last she came, with slow and modest pace;
Wiping the the tears from my pale, blubbered34
 face,
She told me many a sad and dismal story,
Which ever ended in the sufferer’s glory.
These tears sure35
 washed the films from off my sight,
For now I found my pearl was far more bright,
Than all the gems I ever yet did view;
Behold the power of penitential dew36
!
I laid my pearl close to my trembling breast,
And on an anchor37
 laid my head to rest,
That Hope (in love to me) before had laid38
Me to sustain; that fair and blessed maid,
Whom fair Aletheia brought to take my part,
To sway the factions39
 in my troubled heart;
And gave them40
 charge, ever to hold in awe
Sorrow and Fear, and never to withdraw
Their best assistance, to keep out Despair,
Who with her cursed associates would repair41
Me to afflict, which would me much affright,
’Cause the black brood of Acheron and Night42
Would also come, who only were addicted
To add43
 afflictions to the most afflicted.
Just as she spake, in came that horrid train44
,
Which caused a trembling throughout every vein
Of my sad heart; down fell I in a sound45
,
Till that brave damsel46
 raised me from the ground,
Who just then came triumphant from the field;
Then, with her bright impenetrable shield,
She all those hellish monsters did oppose
(Thus was I safe delivered from my foes);
Then, leaving Hope and Patience by my side,
Commanding them both with me to abide,
Counselling me to follow my fair guide,
Who would, through all the trouble of my story,
Lead me at last to everlasting glory.
Thus have I lived a sad and weary life,
Thirteen a maid, and thirty three a wife.
All I found true my Alethie did speak,
But yet (ay me!) the bubble47
 will not break.
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