[1] I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. [2] As a lily among
brambles, so is my love among maidens. [3] As an apple tree among the trees
of the wood, so is my beloved among young men. With great delight I sat in
his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. [4] He brought me to the
banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. [5] Sustain me with
raisins, refresh me with apples; for I am sick with love. [6] O that his
left hand were under my head, and that his right hand embraced me! [7] I
adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the hinds of the
field, that you stir not up nor awaken love until it please. [8] The voice
of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over
the hills. [9] My beloved is like a gazelle, or a young stag. Behold, there
he stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the
lattice. [10] My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my fair
one, and come away; [11] for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and
gone. [12] The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. [13] The fig tree
puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth
fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. [14] O my dove, in
the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the cliff, let me see your face,
let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is comely.
[15] Catch us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards, for
our vineyards are in blossom." [16] My beloved is mine and I am his, he
pastures his flock among the lilies. [17] Until the day breathes and the
shadows flee, turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle, or a young stag upon
rugged mountains.
