8 Oh, that you were like my brother,

Who nursed at my mother’s breasts!

If I should find you outside,

I would kiss you;

I would not be despised.

2 I would lead you and bring you

Into the ahouse of my mother,

She who used to instruct me.

I would cause you to drink of bspiced wine,

Of the juice of my pomegranate.

(To the Daughters of Jerusalem)

3 cHis left hand is under my head,

And his right hand embraces me.

4 dI charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

Do not stir up nor awaken love

Until it pleases.

Love Renewed in Lebanon

A Relative

5 eWho is this coming up from the wilderness,

Leaning upon her beloved?

I awakened you under the apple tree.

There your mother brought you forth;

There she who bore you brought you forth.

The Shulamite To Her Beloved

6 fSet me as a seal upon your heart,

As a seal upon your arm;

For love is as strong as death,

gJealousy as 1cruel as 2the grave;

Its flames are flames of fire,

3A most vehement flame.

7 Many waters cannot quench love,

Nor can the floods drown it.

hIf a man would give for love

All the wealth of his house,

It would be utterly despised.