priceless pearl

''One day I was walking along the street when I noticed this woman sitting in her doorway behind a bamboo curtain. Although I saw her only through the curtain and did not get a clear view, I was struck by the pink and white glow of her complexion, like some priceless pearl radiating light.''

'Li Yu (1610'1680), from The Carnal Prayer Mat, translated by Patrick Hanan, 1990.