Love Makes Everything Beautiful

¹I am merely a rose[#2.1 The traditional translation. The exact variety of the flower is not known, though it may have been a crocus.]

from the land of Sharon,

a lily from the valley.

²My darling, when compared

with other young women,

you are a lily among thorns.

³And you, my love,

are an apple tree

among trees of the forest.

Your shade brought me pleasure;

your fruit was sweet.

⁴You led me to your banquet room

and showered me with love.

⁵Refresh and strengthen me

with raisins and apples.

I am hungry for love!

⁶Put your left hand under my head

and embrace me

with your right arm.

⁷Young women of Jerusalem,

promise me by the power

of deer and gazelles

never to awaken love

before it is ready.

Winter Is Past

⁸I hear the voice

of the one I love,

as he comes leaping

over mountains and hills

⁹like a deer or a gazelle.

Now he stands outside our wall,

looking through the window

¹⁰and speaking to me.

My darling, I love you!

Let's go away together.

¹¹Winter is past,

the rain has stopped;

¹²flowers cover the earth,

it's time to sing.

The cooing of doves

is heard in our land.

¹³Fig trees are bearing fruit,

while blossoms on grapevines

fill the air with perfume.

My darling, I love you!

Let's go away together.

¹⁴You are my dove

hiding among the rocks

on the side of a cliff.

Let me see how lovely you are!

Let me hear the sound

of your melodious voice.

¹⁵Our vineyards are in blossom;

we must catch the little foxes

that destroy the vineyards.

¹⁶My darling, I am yours,

and you are mine,

as you feed your sheep

among the lilies.

¹⁷Pretend to be a young deer

dancing on mountain slopes

until daylight comes

and shadows fade away.