10 I belong to my beloved,
    and his desire(A) is for me.(B)
11 Come, my beloved, let us go to the countryside,
    let us spend the night in the villages.[a]
12 Let us go early to the vineyards(C)
    to see if the vines have budded,(D)
if their blossoms(E) have opened,
    and if the pomegranates(F) are in bloom(G)
    there I will give you my love.
13 The mandrakes(H) send out their fragrance,
    and at our door is every delicacy,
both new and old,
    that I have stored up for you, my beloved.(I)

If only you were to me like a brother,
    who was nursed at my mother’s breasts!
Then, if I found you outside,
    I would kiss you,
    and no one would despise me.
I would lead you
    and bring you to my mother’s house(J)
    she who has taught me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
    the nectar of my pomegranates.
His left arm is under my head
    and his right arm embraces me.(K)
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:
    Do not arouse or awaken love
    until it so desires.(L)

Footnotes

  1. Song of Songs 7:11 Or the henna bushes

10 I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.

11 Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.

12 Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.

13 The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.

O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised.

I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.

His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.