Love

Amid the Trees of Eden

by Judah Halevi c. 1075–1141

Translated by Nina Salaman (1924) · From Selected Poems of Jehudah Halevi (Jewish Publication Society, 1924)

Love

Thou who, amid the trees of Eden, art a flowering myrtle tree,
And amid the stars of heaven, art the bright
God hath sent to thee a cluster of pure myrrh
Of His own work, not the perfumer’s skill.
The dove from whom, that day she nested in the myrtle tree,
The myrtle stole her fragrance and gave forth perfume—
Ask not, while with her, for the sun to rise;
She asketh not, with thee, for the rising of the moon.

✦ ✦ ✦

Salaman no. 34. Love and Bridal Songs.

MLA

Halevi, Judah. “Amid the Trees of Eden.” Translated by Nina Salaman. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/judah-halevi/40/.

Chicago

Halevi, Judah. “Amid the Trees of Eden.” Translated by Nina Salaman. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/judah-halevi/40/.

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