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Expressions of Praise

How graceful are your feet in sandals,
    O queenly maiden!
Your rounded thighs are like jewels,
    the work of a master hand.(A)
Your navel is a rounded bowl;
    may it never lack mixed wine.
Your belly is a heap of wheat,
    encircled with lilies.
Your two breasts are like two fawns,
    twins of a gazelle.(B)
Your neck is like an ivory tower.
Your eyes are pools in Heshbon,
    by the gate of Bath-rabbim.
Your nose is like a tower of Lebanon,
    overlooking Damascus.(C)
Your head crowns you like Carmel,
    and your flowing locks are like purple;
    a king is held captive in the tresses.(D)

How fair and pleasant you are,
    O loved one, delectable maiden![a](E)
You are stately[b] as a palm tree,
    and your breasts are like its clusters.
I said, “I will climb the palm tree
    and lay hold of its branches.”
O may your breasts be like clusters of the vine,
    and the scent of your breath like apples,(F)
and your kisses[c] like the best wine
    that goes down[d] smoothly,
    gliding over lips and teeth.[e]

10 I am my beloved’s,
    and his desire is for me.(G)
11 Come, my beloved,
    let us go forth into the fields
    and lodge in the villages;
12 let us go out early to the vineyards;
    let us see whether the vines have budded,
whether the grape blossoms have opened
    and the pomegranates are in bloom.
There I will give you my love.(H)
13 The mandrakes give forth fragrance,
    and over our doors are all choice fruits,
new as well as old,
    which I have laid up for you, O my beloved.(I)

Footnotes

  1. 7.6 Syr: Heb in delights
  2. 7.7 Heb This your stature is
  3. 7.9 Heb palate
  4. 7.9 Heb to my lover
  5. 7.9 Gk Syr Vg: Heb lips of sleepers