[1] She Speaks: If you were my brother, I could kiss you whenever we happen to meet, and no one would say I did wrong. [2] I could take you to the home of my mother, who taught me all I know. I would give you delicious wine and fruit juice as well. [3] Put your left hand under my head and embrace me with your right arm. [4] Young women of Jerusalem, promise me by the power of deer and gazelles never to awaken love before it is ready. [5] Their Friends Speak: Who is this young woman coming in from the desert and leaning on the shoulder of the one she loves? She Speaks: I stirred up your passions under the apple tree where you were born. [6] Always keep me in your heart and wear this bracelet to remember me by. The passion of love bursting into flame is more powerful than death, stronger than the grave. [7] Love cannot be drowned by oceans or floods; it cannot be bought, no matter what is offered. Their Friends Speak: [8] We have a little sister whose breasts are not yet formed. If someone asks to marry her, what should we do? [9] She isn't a wall that we can defend behind a silver shield. Neither is she a room that we can protect behind a wooden door. [10] She Speaks: I am a wall around a city, my breasts are towers, and just looking at me brings him great pleasure. [11] Solomon has a vineyard at Baal-Hamon, which he rents to others for a thousand pieces of silver each. [12] My vineyard is mine alone! Solomon can keep his silver and the others can keep their share of the profits. [13] He Speaks: You are in the garden with friends all around. Let me hear your voice! [14] She Speaks: Hurry to me, my darling! Run faster than a deer to mountains of spices.
