Chap. I

LEt him with kisses of his mouth, be pleased me to kiss: Because much better than the wine, thy loving kindness is. Thy Name as pour'd forth ointment is, because of that sweet smell Of thy good ointments, therefore do the virgins love thee well.

O draw thou me, and readily we will run after thee; Into his secret chambers hath the King conducted me: We will be glad, and we likewise in thee will much delight. We will remember more than wine thy love; thee love th' upright.

O daughters of Jerusalem I am a comely one, Though black as Kedars tent, and as curtains of Solomon. Because I blackish am therefore upon me look not ye; Because that with his beams the Sun hath looked down on me.

My mothers sons were wroth with me, they vineyards me assign To keep: whereas I have not kept the vineyard that was mine. Tell me thou whom my soul doth love, where thou thy feed dost take; And also where at noon time thou thy flock to rest dost make.

Because O wherefore should I be like to such vailed ones, That turn aside unto the flocks of thy companions? Most fair of women, know'st thou not then by the flock-steps go: Forth on thy way by shepherds tents feed thou thy kids also.

To troops of horse in Pharaohs coach my love I thee compare. Thy neck with chains, with jewels rows thy cheeks full comely are. Borders of gold with silver studs for thee make up we will. Whilst that the King at's table sits my spikenard yields her smell.

Like as of myrrh a bundle is my well-belov'd to me; Through all the night betwixt my breasts, his lodging place shall be. My love as in Engidi's vines, like camphires bunch to me. Lo fair my love, lo fair thou art, thine eyes as doves eyes be.

Lo thou art fair my love, and sweet, our bed is green likewise Our houses beams of cedars are of firr our galleries.