Songs from the Song of Songs: Chapter V

I am come into My garden,
My Sister, and My Spouse!
I have gathered myrrh with spices,
And wait thy soul to rouse.

My honeycomb I've eaten
With thymy honey sweet,
My wine with milk have drunken,
friends, I bid you eat!

Drink, drink abundantly. Beloved!
For lo! the morn doth break;
I am come into My garden.
My Spouse, My Sister, wake!

I sleep, my heart awaketh,
'Tis my Beloved's voice.
He knocketh at the casement.
And bids my soul rejoice.

Open to Me, My Sister!
My Love! My Dove! My Light!
My head with dew is filled.
My locks with drops of night.

I have put off My raiment,
How shall I put it on?
For Thee My feet I've washed,
O, bid Me not be gone I

His hand is on the latchet,
His foot is at the door;
My bowels move to meet him
As in the days of yore.

I rose up, and I open'd
To my Beloved One,
My hands the lock with myrrh dropt.
But my Beloved was gone.

I sought, in vain I sought Him,
My voice went down the wind;
I call'd Him, but no answer, —
I sought, but could not find.

The watchmen of the city
They smote me rude and free.
The keepers of the walls took
My veil away from me.

O Daughters of Jerusalem!
I charge you, where ye rove.
If ye my Best-belov'd find,
Say, I am sick of love.

What more is thy Beloved
Than others' loves have proved?
Thou fairest among women.
Say, what is thy Beloved?

Is He more fair than loved ones
Oft met on earth below?
Say, what is thy Beloved
That thou dost charge us so?

Chiefest among ten thousand.
The fairest of the fair.
His head like gold is glorious,
Like clouds His raven hair;

His eyes like doves are gentle.
His cheeks are as sweet flow'rs.
His lips drop myrrh like lilies,
His hands like golden horns;

His body like bright iv'ry
With sapphires overlaid.
His limbs like marble pillars
In golden sockets stayed;

His countenance as Lebanon,
His mouth as cedars moved.
Yea! altogether lovely!
This, this is my Beloved!

This is my Friend, if Him ye find,
Where'er your footsteps rove.
Say, Daughters of Jerusalem,
That I am sick of love.