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Friends of the Woman

Who is that coming up from the wilderness,
    leaning upon her beloved?

The Woman

Under the apple tree I awakened you.
    There your mother was in labor with you;
    there she who bore you was in labor.
Set me as a seal upon your heart,
    as a seal upon your arm;
for love is strong as death,
    passion fierce as the grave.
Its fires of desire are as ardent flames,
    a most intense flame.
Many waters cannot quench love,
    neither can floods drown it.
If a man offered for love
    all the wealth of his house,
    it would be utterly condemned.

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