Longing for Her Beloved

Oh that you were like a brother to me
    who nursed at my mother's breasts!
If I found you outside, I would kiss you,
    and none would despise me.
I would lead you and (A)bring you
    into the house of my mother—
    she who used to teach me.
I would give you (B)spiced wine to drink,
    the juice of my pomegranate.

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Young Woman

Oh, I wish you were my brother,
    who nursed at my mother’s breasts.
Then I could kiss you no matter who was watching,
    and no one would criticize me.
I would bring you to my childhood home,
    and there you would teach me.[a]
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
    my sweet pomegranate wine.

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Footnotes

  1. 8:2 Or there she will teach me.