| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | A Pearl | | By Clinton Scollard (1860–1932) |
| | | ROUND as the roe’s egg of the Arab tale, | |
| And flawless white as was that fabled sphere, | |
| I see it shine below my lady’s ear, | |
| This prize-plucked bauble from an ocean vale. | |
| Was it where round Ceylon the swift ships sail, | 5 |
| A daring diver clove, without a fear, | |
| Palm-shaded waves through fathoms emerald clear, | |
| And brought it forth ’mid strenuous shout and hail? | |
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| Methinks from some far Eastern isle it came, | |
| Because it giveth to her tranquil face | 10 |
| An Orient languor and a slumberous grace; | |
| But where, O where, in lands without a name, | |
| Near what soft cheek’s pure-glowing altar flame | |
| Could it have found so fair a resting place? | | | | |
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