The Lovers Speak
1 “Oh that you were like a brother to me Who nursed at my mother’s breasts. If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you; No one would despise me, either.
2 “I would lead you and bring you Into the house of my mother, who used to instruct me; I would give you spiced wine to drink from the juice of my pomegranates.
3 “Let his left hand be under my head, And his right hand embrace me.”
4 “Swear to me, you daughters of Jerusalem: Do not disturb or awaken my love Until she pleases.”
5 “Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Leaning on her beloved?” “Beneath the apple tree I awakened you; There your mother went into labor with you, There she was in labor and gave birth to you.
6 “Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flames are flames of fire, The flame of the Lord.
7 “Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers flood over it; If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly despised.”
8 “We have a little sister, And she has no breasts; What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for?
9 “If she is a wall, We will build on her a battlement of silver; But if she is a door, We will barricade her with planks of cedar.”
10 “I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; Then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace.
11 “Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He entrusted the vineyard to caretakers. Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.
12 “My very own vineyard is at my disposal; The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit.”
13 “You who sit in the gardens: My companions are listening for your voice— Let me hear it!”
14 “Hurry, my beloved, And be like a gazelle or a young stag On the mountains of balsam trees!”