The Bridegroom Praises the Bride

The Beloved

Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, Going down from Mount Gilead.

Your teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep Which have come up from the washing, Every one of which bears twins, And none is barren among them.

Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, With me from Lebanon. Look from the top of Amana, From the top of Senir and Hermon, From the lions’ dens, From the mountains of the leopards.

A fountain of gardens, A well of living waters, And streams from Lebanon.

The watchmen who went about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls Took my veil away from me.

Turn your eyes away from me, For they have overcome me. Your hair is like a flock of goats Going down from Gilead.

Your teeth are like a flock of sheep Which have come up from the washing; Every one bears twins, And none is barren among them.

Love Renewed in Lebanon

A Relative

Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Leaning upon her beloved? I awakened you under the apple tree. There your mother brought you forth; There she who bore you brought you forth.