Song of Solomon, 2

1. I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valley.

2. As a lily among thorns, so is my love among women.

3. As an apple tree in a forest, so is my lover among men. I sought his shade, there I sat; his fruit is sweet to my taste.

4. He has taken me to the winestore; his banner over me reads: "Love."

5. Oh, strengthen me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, for love makes me sick!

6. His left hand is under my head; his right arm embraces me.

7. I beg you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and hinds of the field, not to arouse or stir up love before her time has come.

8. The voice of my lover! Behold he comes, springing across the mountains, jumping over the hills,

9. like a gazelle or a young stag. Now he stands behind our wall, looking through the windows, peering through the lattice.

10. My lover speaks to me, "Arise, my love, my beautiful one!

11. Come, the winter is gone, the rains are over.

12. Flowers have appeared on earth; the season of singing has come; the cooing of doves is heard.

13. The fig tree forms its early fruit, the vines in blossom are fragrant. Arise, my beautiful one, come with me, my love, come.

14. O my dove in the rocky cleft, in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice. Your face - how lovely! Your voice - how sweet!"

15. Capture the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, our vineyards in flower.

16. My lover is mine and I am his; he shepherds his flock among the lilies.

17. Before the dusk blows and shadows flee, return, my lover, be like a gazelle or a young stag on the rugged hills.