[1] I’m a rose of the Sharon plain, a lily of the valleys. [2] Like a lily among thornbushes, so is my dearest among the young women. [3] Like an apple tree among the wild trees, so is my lover among the young men. In his shade I take pleasure in sitting, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. [4] He has brought me to the house of wine; his banner raised over me is love. [5] Sustain me with raisin cakes, strengthen me with apples, for I’m weak with love! [6] His left arm is beneath my head, his right embraces me. [7] Make a solemn pledge, daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the wild deer: Don’t rouse, don’t arouse love until it desires. [8] Listen! It’s my lover: here he comes now, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. [9] My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Here he stands now, outside our wall, peering through the windows, peeking through the lattices. [10] My lover spoke and said to me, “Rise up, my dearest, my fairest, and go. [11] Here, the winter is past; the rains have come and gone. [12] Blossoms have appeared in the land; the season of singing has arrived, and the sound of the turtledove is heard in our land. [13] The green fruit is on the fig tree, and the grapevines in bloom are fragrant. Rise up, my dearest, my fairest, and go. [14] My dove—in the rock crevices, hidden in the cliff face—let me catch sight of you; let me hear your voice! The sound of your voice is sweet, and the sight of you is lovely.” [15] Catch foxes for us—those little foxes that spoil vineyards, now that our vineyards are in bloom! [16] I belong to my lover and he belongs to me—the one grazing among the lilies. [17] Before the day breeze blows and the shadows flee, turn about, my love; be like a gazelle or a young stag upon the jagged mountains.
