The maiden rises, and, proceeding along the bank of the stream, approaches him. He tells her that he has done nothing but mourn for the loss of his Pearl, and has been indeed a “joyless jeweller” ([p. 8]). However, now that he has found his Pearl, he declares that he is no longer sorrowful, but would be a “joyful jeweller”
were he allowed to cross the stream ([p. 8]). The maiden blames her father for his rash speech, tells him that his Pearl is not lost, and that he cannot pass the stream till after death ([p. 10]). The dreamer is in great grief; he does not, he says, care what may happen if he is again to lose his Pearl. The maiden advises him to bear his loss patiently, and to abide God’s doom ([p. 11]). She describes to him her blissful state in heaven, where she reigns as a queen ([p. 12]). She explains to him that Mary is the Empress of Heaven, and all others kings and queens ([p. 13]). The parable of the labourers in the vineyard[15] ([pp. 15-18]) is then rehearsed at length, to prove that “innocents” are admitted to the same privileges as are enjoyed by those who have lived longer upon the earth ([p. 18]). The maiden then speaks to her father of Christ and his one hundred and forty thousand brides ([p. 24]), and describes their blissful state ([p. 26]). She points out to him the heavenly Jerusalem, which was “all of bright burnished gold, gleaming like glass” ([p. 29]). Then the dreamer beholds a procession of virgins going to salute the Lamb, among whom he perceives his “little queen” ([p. 33]). On attempting to cross the stream to follow her, he is aroused from his dream ([p. 35]), laments his rash curiosity in seeking to know so much of God’s mysteries, and declares that man ever desires more happiness than he has any right to expect ([p. 35]).
The [second poem], entitled “Cleanness,” is a collection of Biblical stories, in which the writer endeavours to enforce Purity of Life, by showing how greatly God is displeased at every kind of impurity, and how sudden and severe is the punishment which falls upon the sinner for every violation of the Divine law.
After commending cleanness and its “fair forms,” the author relates (I.) The Parable of the Marriage Feast ([p. 39]); (II.) the Fall of the Angels ([p. 43]); (III.) The wickedness of the antediluvian world ([p. 44]),
He watȝ famed for fre þat feȝt loued best
He was famous as free that fight loved best,
& ay þe bigest in bale þe best watȝ halden
And ever the biggest in sin the best was held; ([p. 45].)
(IV.) The destruction of mankind by the Flood. When all were safely stowed in the ark,
Thenne sone com þe seuenþe day, when samned wern alle