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De Cultu Feminarum

VI.

[1] Sed et lapillos istos qui cum auro superbiam iungunt, quid aliud interpreter quam lapillos et calculos eiusdem terrae minutalia? Nec tamen aut fundamentis demandandis aut parietibus moliendis aut fastigiis sustinendis aut tectis densandis necessaria; solum hunc mulierum stuporem aedificare nouerunt, quia tarde teruntur ut niteant, et subdole substruuntur ut floreant, et anxie forantur ut pendeant, et auro lenocinium mutuum praestant.

[2] Sed si quid de mari Britannico aut Indico ambitio piscatur, conchae genus est, non dico conchylio aut ostreo, sed nec peloride gratius de sapore. Ad hoc enim conchas nouerim maris poma. Quodsi concha illa aliquid intrinsecus pustulat, uitium magis eius debet esse quam gloria. Et licet margaritum uocetur, non aliud tamen intellegendum quam conchae illius aliqua dura et rotunda uerruca.

Aiunt et de frontibus draconum gemmas erui, sicut et in piscium cerebris lapidositas quaedam est. [3] Hoc quoque deerat christianae ut de serpente cultior fiat. Sic calcabit diaboli caput, dum de capite eius ceruicibus suis aut ipsi capiti ornamentum struit!

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On the Apparel of Women

Chapter VI.--Of Precious Stones and Pearls.

But, in the next place, what am I to interpret those jewels to be which vie with gold in haughtiness, except little pebbles and stones and paltry particles of the self-same earth; but yet not necessary either for laying down foundations, or rearing party-walls, or supporting pediments, or giving density to roofs? The only edifice which they know how to rear is this silly pride of women: because they require slow rubbing that they may shine, and artful underlaying that they may show to advantage, and careful piercing that they may hang; and (because they) render to gold a mutual assistance in meretricious allurement. But whatever it is that ambition fishes up from the British or the Indian sea, it is a kind of conch not more pleasing in savour than--I do not say the oyster and the sea-snail, but--even the giant muscle. ¹ For let me add that I know conchs (which are) sweet fruits of the sea. But if that (foreign) conch suffers from some internal pustule, that ought to be regarded rather as its defect than as its glory; and although it be called "pearl," still something else must be understood than some hard, round excrescence of the fish. Some say, too, that gems are culled from the foreheads of dragons, just as in the brains of fishes there is a certain stony substance. This also was wanting to the Christian woman, that she may add a grace to herself from the serpent! Is it thus that she will set her heel on the devil's head," ² while she heaps ornaments (taken) from his head on her own neck, or on her very head?