Solomon’s Love for a Shulamite Girl

The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.

The Banquet

The Shulamite

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— For your love is better than wine.

Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you.

Draw me away!

The Daughters of Jerusalem

We will run after you.

The Shulamite

The king has brought me into his chambers.

The Daughters of Jerusalem

We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine.

The Shulamite

Rightly do they love you.

I am dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, Like the tents of Kedar, Like the curtains of Solomon.

(To Her Beloved)

Tell me, O you whom I love, Where you feed your flock, Where you make it rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself By the flocks of your companions?

I have compared you, my love, To my filly among Pharaoh’s chariots.

Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, Your neck with chains of gold.

The Beloved

Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes.

The Beloved

Like a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters.

The Shulamite to the Daughters of Jerusalem

He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love.

Sustain me with cakes of raisins, Refresh me with apples, For I am lovesick.

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the does of the field, Do not stir up nor awaken love Until it pleases.

My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away.

The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away!

“O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your face is lovely.”

A Troubled Night

The Shulamite

By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him.

“I will rise now,” I said, “And go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I will seek the one I love.” I sought him, but I did not find him.

The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said, “Have you seen the one I love?”

Scarcely had I passed by them, When I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go, Until I had brought him to the house of my mother, And into the chamber of her who conceived me.

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the does of the field, Do not stir up nor awaken love Until it pleases.

He made its pillars of silver, Its support of gold, Its seat of purple, Its interior paved with love By the daughters of Jerusalem.

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 lips are like a strand of scarlet, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil Are like a piece of pomegranate.

You are all fair, my love, And there is no spot in you.