The Lovers Speak

“Oh that you were like a brother to me
Who nursed at my mother’s breasts.
If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you;
No one would despise me, either.
I would lead you and (A)bring you
Into the house of my mother, who used to instruct me;
I would give you spiced wine to drink from the juice of my pomegranates.

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Wishing

[Woman]

If only you were as my brother—
        the one who nursed at my mother’s breast.
I would find you in the street and kiss you,
        and no one would shame me for it.
I would lead you, I would bring you
        to my mother’s house;
        she would teach me what to do.[a]
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
        some of my fresh pomegranate juice.

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Footnotes

  1. Song of Solomon 8:2 Or you would teach me; LXX, Syr to my mother's house, and to the chamber of the one who conceived me (cf 3:4)