4 

“Ah, you are fair, my dear, A so fair,

with dove-like eye

behind your veil!

Dark stream the tresses of your hair

like goats a-down the slopes of Gilead;

2 

your teeth are like shorn ewe

fresh from the dipping,

paired together in rows,

not one a-wanting;

3 

your lips like a scarlet thread,

your mouth so delicious

your cheeks like slices of pomegranate

behind your veil;

4 

your neck like David’s tower

adorned with trophies

hung round with a thousand targes,

all armour of heroes;

5 

your breasts like a pair of fawns,

twins of a roe-deer!

6 

Yes, till the cool of the dawn,

till the shadows depart,

I 

will hie me to your scented slopes,

your fragrant charms.

7 

You are all fair, my dear,

you are spotless.

8 

Come from Lebanon, bride of mine,

come with me from Lebanon

from the peak of Amana

the lair of the lions

from the peaks of Shenir and Hermon,

the hill-haunt of panthers.

9 

My bride, my own,

you have ravished my heart

you have ravished my hear

with a glance from your eye

with a turn of your neck

10 

How sweet your caresses

my bride, my own

far sweeter than wine!

11 

Your lips drop honey, my bride,

your whispers are honey and milk;

the scent of your robes is as scent of Lebanon,

10 

no spice so sweet as your fragrance.

12 

My own, my bride, a garden enclosed,

a spring of water sealed secure!

13 

Your charms are a pomegranate paradise--

with henna and roses

14 

and spikenard and saffron,

with cassia and cinnamon

all sorts of frankincense,

with myrrh and with eaglewood, all the best spices!

15 

You are the fountain of my garden,

a well of fresh water

like streams from Lebanon.

16 

O north wind, waken,

O south wind, blow

and breathe on my garden

to waft out the perfume!”

Let my darling come into his garden,

let him taste the choice fruits that are his!