[1] The Girl: "I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valley." King Solomon: [2] "Yes, a lily among thorns, so is my beloved as compared with any other girls." The Girl: [3] "My lover is an apple tree, the finest in the orchard as compared with any of the other youths. I am seated in his much-desired shade and his fruit is lovely to eat. [4] He brings me to the banquet hall, and everyone can see how much he loves me. [5] Oh, feed me with your love-your 'raisins' and your 'apples'-for I am utterly lovesick. [6] His left hand is under my head and with his right hand he embraces me. [7] O girls of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and deer in the park, that you do not awaken my lover. Let him sleep!" The Girl: [8] "Ah, I hear him-my beloved! Here he comes, leaping upon the mountains and bounding over the hills. [9] My beloved is like a gazelle or young deer. Look, there he is behind the wall, now looking in at the windows. [10] "My beloved said to me, 'Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. [11] For the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. [12] The flowers are springing up and the time of the singing of birds has come. Yes, spring is here. [13] The leaves are coming out, and the grapevines are in blossom. How delicious they smell! Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.' [14] "My dove is hiding behind some rocks, behind an outcrop of the cliff. Call to me and let me hear your lovely voice and see your handsome face. [15] "The little foxes are ruining the vineyards. Catch them, for the grapes are all in blossom. [16] "My beloved is mine and I am his. He is feeding among the lilies! [17] Before the dawn comes and the shadows flee away, come to me, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices."
