[1] I am a meadow flower from Sharon, a lily from the valleys. [2] Like a lily among the thorns, so is my darling among the maidens. [3] Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. [4] He brought me into the banquet hall, and he looked at me lovingly. [5] Sustain me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love. [6] His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me. [7] I admonish you, O maidens of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and by the young does of the open fields: Do not awaken or arouse love until it pleases! [8] Listen! My lover is approaching! Look! Here he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills! [9] My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the window, peering through the lattice. [10] My lover spoke to me, saying: "Arise, my darling; My beautiful one, come away with me! [11] Look! The winter has passed, the winter rains are over and gone. [12] Blossoms have appeared in the land, the time for pruning and singing has come; the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. [13] The fig tree has ripened its figs, the vines have blossomed and give off their fragrance. Arise, come away my darling; my beautiful one, come away with me!" [14] O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places of the mountain crags, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. [15] Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes, that ruin the vineyards-for our vineyard is in bloom. [16] My lover is mine and I am his; he grazes among the lilies. [17] Until the dawn arrives and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved-be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountain gorges.
