1 I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my balsam and spice. I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly of love, O precious one.

2 I went to sleep, but my heart stayed awake. the voice of my beloved as he knocked. Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my spotless one, for I am wet with the night dew; my hair is covered with it.

3 I had put off my garment— how could I put it on? I had washed my feet—how could I soil them?

4 M y beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my heart was moved for him.

5 I rose up to open for my beloved, and my hands dripped with myrrh, and my fingers with liquid myrrh, upon the handles of the bolt.

6 I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had turned away and withdrawn himself, and was gone! My soul went forth when he spoke, but it failed me! I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

7 T he watchmen who go about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took my veil and my mantle from me.

8 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am sick from love.

9 W hat is your beloved more than another beloved, O you fairest among women ? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you should give us such a charge?

10 M y beloved is fair and ruddy, the chief among ten thousand!

11 H is head is the finest gold; his locks are curly and bushy and black as a raven.

12 H is eyes are like doves beside the water brooks, bathed in milk and fitly set.

13 H is cheeks are like a bed of spices or balsam, like banks of sweet herbs yielding fragrance. His lips are like bloodred anemones or lilies distilling liquid myrrh.

14 H is hands are like rods of gold set with beryl or topaz. His body is a figure of bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

15 H is legs are like strong and steady pillars of marble set upon bases of fine gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, excellent, stately, and majestic as the cedars.

16 H is voice and speech are exceedingly sweet; yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!