another set of Pearls

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, 

with shamefacedness and sobriety; 

not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;...

 neither cast ye your pearls before swine,

lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. 

(King James version of the Bible-the only readable one, and as always the delightfully contradictory)

Caravaggio's  Penitent Mary Magdalene, 1596-97

Whose adorning let it not be that outward of plaiting the hair, 

and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; KJ

(Tilda Swinton by Derek Jarman, 1986)

 "the infant was 'Pearl,' as being of great price- 

purchased with all she had- her mother's only pleasure."NH

 "& however white and clear originally, they had taken the deep stains of crimson and gold, 

the fiery lustre, the black shadow, and the untempered light of the intervening substance.

 Above all, the warfare of Hester's spirit, at that epoch, was perpetuated in Pearl." NH

 

 

 

 

pearls before swine, the inimitable Dorothy Parker

 Dorothy Parker tells me of the last time she encountered Playwright Clare Boothe. The two ladies were trying to get out of a doorway at the same time. Clare drew back and cracked, “Age before beauty, Miss Parker.” As Dotty swept out, she turned to the other guests and said. “Pearls before swine.” October 14, 1938 the Hartford Courant printed the celebrity gossip column of Sheilah Graham containing this tale. (from Quote Investigator)

 Dorothy with her Sealyham terrier & pearls, 1941.

friend and fellow blogger, Jane at Empress of the Eye is a lucky duck. amongst other divine pieces she owns-these- she is (how I don't know) ready to part with. The pearls once graced the neck of the one and only Dorothy Parker! 

I need these... 'cause I'm writing a book, and to sit, and ponder, and think, and maybe just feel a little of Dorothy's wit and wisdom-as I lovingly worked these pearls and toil over my keyboard.
A girl can dream can't she?
(snap out of it!)

anyway, here's Jane's story, she's telling, and selling on ebay...(linked throughout the text)

These pearls were given to Billy Hibbert just before Miss Parker moved from her West Hollywood, California home back to New York City.  I have enclosed a photo of her in her apartment with Mr. Hibbert and her dog. Miss Parker is sitting in front of her typewriter with cigarette in hand in her LA apartment.

These pearls are in the box that I received them in and is marked A.E. Bettering, Greenwich.  

They are lovely and measure 16" in length not including the 9 ct. gold barrel shape snap.   The clasp is in perfect working order and the stringing is tight and first rate.  

on Pearls...

"Age before beauty; and pearls before swine."- Dorothy Parker

& on Dogs...

Such glorious faith as fills your limpid eyes,
Dear little friend of mine, I never knew.
All-innocent are you, and yet all-wise.
(For Heaven's sake, stop worrying that shoe!)
You look about, and all you see is fair;
This mighty globe was made for you alone.
Of all the thunderous ages, you're the heir.
(Get off the pillow with that dirty bone!)

A skeptic world you face with steady gaze;
High in young pride you hold your noble head,
Gayly you meet the rush of roaring days.
(Must you eat puppy biscuit on the bed?)
Lancelike your courage, gleaming swift and strong,
Yours the white rapture of a winged soul,
Yours is a spirit like a Mayday song.
(God help you, if you break the goldfish bowl!)

"Whatever is, is good" - your gracious creed.
You wear your joy of living like a crown.
Love lights your simplest act, your every deed.
(Drop it, I tell you- put that kitten down!)
You are God's kindliest gift of all - a friend.
Your shining loyalty unflecked by doubt,
You ask but leave to follow to the end.
(Couldn't you wait until I took you out?)-DP