[1] I have entered my garden, my treasure, my bride! I gather myrrh with my spices and eat honeycomb with my honey. I drink wine with my milk. Oh, lover and beloved, eat and drink! Yes, drink deeply of your love! [2] I slept, but my heart was awake, when I heard my lover knocking and calling: "Open to me, my treasure, my darling, my dove, my perfect one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night." [3] But I responded, "I have taken off my robe. Should I get dressed again? I have washed my feet. Should I get them soiled?" [4] My lover tried to unlatch the door, and my heart thrilled within me. [5] I jumped up to open the door for my love, and my hands dripped with perfume. My fingers dripped with lovely myrrh as I pulled back the bolt. [6] I opened to my lover, but he was gone! My heart sank. I searched for him but could not find him anywhere. I called to him, but there was no reply. [7] The night watchmen found me as they made their rounds. They beat and bruised me and stripped off my veil, those watchmen on the walls. [8] Make this promise, O women of Jerusalem- If you find my lover, tell him I am weak with love. [9] Why is your lover better than all others, O woman of rare beauty? What makes your lover so special that we must promise this? [10] My lover is dark and dazzling, better than ten thousand others! [11] His head is finest gold, his wavy hair is black as a raven. [12] His eyes sparkle like doves beside springs of water; they are set like jewels washed in milk. [13] His cheeks are like gardens of spices giving off fragrance. His lips are like lilies, perfumed with myrrh. [14] His arms are like rounded bars of gold, set with beryl. His body is like bright ivory, glowing with lapis lazuli. [15] His legs are like marble pillars set in sockets of finest gold. His posture is stately, like the noble cedars of Lebanon. [16] His mouth is sweetness itself; he is desirable in every way. Such, O women of Jerusalem, is my lover, my friend.
