1 “ I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my perfume with my spice. I have eaten my honey and the comb. I have drunk my wine and my milk. Eat and drink, friends. Drink much, O lovers.” The Fourth Song The Woman

I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Friends Eat, friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly, beloved. Beloved

2 “ I was asleep, but my heart was awake. A voice! My love was knocking: ‘Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one! For my head is wet from the water on the grass in the early morning. My hair is wet from the night.’

I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.”

3 I have taken off my dress. How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet. Should I get them dirty again?

I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them?

4 M y love put his hand through the opening, and joy filled my heart.

My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him.

5 I got up to let my love in, and perfume fell from my hands. Wet perfume fell from my fingers onto the lock.

I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

6 I opened the door to my love, but he had already gone! My heart went out to him as he spoke. I looked for him, but did not find him. I called him, but he did not answer me.

I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left; and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer.

7 T he watchmen of the city found me. They beat me and hurt me. The watchmen of the walls took my coat from me.

The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me.

8 I tell you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my loved one, you must tell him that I am weak with love.” Women of Jerusalem

I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am faint with love. Friends

9 “ What is your loved one more than another loved one, O most beautiful among women? What is your loved one more than another loved one, that you tell us to do this?” The Woman

How is your beloved better than another beloved, you fairest among women? How is your beloved better than another beloved, that you do so adjure us? Beloved

10 “ My loved one is bright and red, the best among 10, 000.

My beloved is white and ruddy. The best among ten thousand.

11 H is head is like gold, pure gold. His hair has waves and is black as a raven.

His head is like the purest gold. His hair is bushy, black as a raven.

12 H is eyes are like doves beside rivers of water, washed in milk, and resting in their places.

His eyes are like doves beside the water brooks, washed with milk, mounted like jewels.

13 H is cheeks are like beds of spices, with sweet-smelling plants. His lips are like lily flowers giving off drops of perfume.

His cheeks are like a bed of spices with towers of perfumes. His lips are like lilies, dropping liquid myrrh.

14 H is hands are strong pieces of gold set with stones of much worth. His body is made of ivory set with stones of much worth.

His hands are like rings of gold set with beryl. His body is like ivory work overlaid with sapphires.

15 H is legs are pillars of clay put on bases of pure gold. He looks like Lebanon, as beautiful as the cedar trees.

His legs are like pillars of marble set on sockets of fine gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.

16 H is mouth is very sweet, everything about him is pleasing. This is my loved one and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.”

His mouth is sweetness; yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem.