The Pearl: Under Bad Guise
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Pearl: Under Bad Guise
Scripture Reference:
- Matthew 13 (further images / scripture text)
Description: A man walks along the beach and point to the shells that landed on the beach with the tide. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649–1712) was responsible for drawing this emblem and composed the poem that accompanies it. The etching was executed by Jan Luiken or his son Casper Luiken (1672-1708), who had used this image in an earlier work, which may be found in the Digital Image Archive under the call number 1699Weig. The attendant scripture text is Matthew 13:45-46.
Motto: Open wide and contain, A great treasure.
Poem:
The Dew contained in the Oyster-shell,
Becomes a Royal treasure:
A more splendid dew, than this,
Born from the highest power,
Hovers over the human race,
He who grasps that, receives the heavenly being.
Yet for many it is not worth so much,
To open up for that heavenly nature,
To be rich in high value,
Instead they fix their desire firmly,
On shells of the earthly husk,
Filled with sand and mud of the earth.
But alas! alas, human, as thou art;
Now it is a gratifying time;
To gather seed for Eternal salvation:
While the Dew given by Jesus.
Floats so lovingly over humankind,
Now should the Soul’s desire open wide.
O Dew, that at Dawn,
Arises from the Eternal light of love,
Until water of a spiritual hovering;
Pleases the thirsty soul,
That to be blessed opens itself,
Around the little Pearl of Eternal life.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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Rights Status: No Copyright - United States
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