2.2 KiB
Chapter 5
- I have entered my garden, my treasure, my bride!
I gather myrrh with my spices and eat honeycomb with my honey.
I drink wine with my milk.
Oh, lover and beloved, eat and drink!
Yes, drink deeply of your love!
- I slept, but my heart was awake,
when I heard my lover knocking and calling: "Open to me, my treasure, my darling,
my dove, my perfect one.
My head is drenched with dew,
my hair with the dampness of the night."
- But I responded, "I have taken off my robe.
Should I get dressed again? I have washed my feet.
Should I get them soiled?"
- My lover tried to unlatch the door,
and my heart thrilled within me.
- I jumped up to open the door for my love,
and my hands dripped with perfume.
My fingers dripped with lovely myrrh
as I pulled back the bolt.
- I opened to my lover,
but he was gone!
My heart sank.
I searched for him
but could not find him anywhere.
I called to him,
but there was no reply.
- The night watchmen found me
as they made their rounds.
They beat and bruised me
and stripped off my veil,
those watchmen on the walls.
- Make this promise, O women of Jerusalem--
If you find my lover,
tell him I am weak with love.
- Why is your lover better than all others,
O woman of rare beauty? What makes your lover so special
that we must promise this?
- My lover is dark and dazzling,
better than ten thousand others!
- His head is finest gold,
his wavy hair is black as a raven.
- His eyes sparkle like doves
beside springs of water; they are set like jewels
washed in milk.
- His cheeks are like gardens of spices
giving off fragrance.
His lips are like lilies,
perfumed with myrrh.
- His arms are like rounded bars of gold,
set with beryl.
His body is like bright ivory,
glowing with lapis lazuli.
- His legs are like marble pillars
set in sockets of finest gold.
His posture is stately,
like the noble cedars of Lebanon.
- His mouth is sweetness itself;
he is desirable in every way.
Such, O women of Jerusalem,
is my lover, my friend.