Study

Expressions of Praise

 7

How graceful are your feet in sandals,

O queenly maiden!

Your rounded thighs are like jewels,

the work of a master hand.

2

Your navel is a rounded bowl

that never lacks mixed wine.

Your belly is a heap of wheat,

encircled with lilies.

3

Your two breasts are like two fawns,

twins of a gazelle.

4

Your neck is like an ivory tower.

Your eyes are pools in Heshbon,

by the gate of Bath-rabbim.

Your nose is like a tower of Lebanon,

overlooking Damascus.

5

Your head crowns you like Carmel,

and your flowing locks are like purple;

a king is held captive in the tresses.

 

6

How fair and pleasant you are,

O loved one, delectable maiden!

7

You are stately as a palm tree,

and your breasts are like its clusters.

8

I say I will climb the palm tree

and lay hold of its branches.

O may your breasts be like clusters of the vine,

and the scent of your breath like apples,

9

and your kisses like the best wine

that goes down smoothly,

gliding over lips and teeth.

 

10

I am my beloved’s,

and his desire is for me.

11

Come, my beloved,

let us go forth into the fields,

and lodge in the villages;

12

let us go out early to the vineyards,

and see whether the vines have budded,

whether the grape blossoms have opened

and the pomegranates are in bloom.

There I will give you my love.

13

The mandrakes give forth fragrance,

and over our doors are all choice fruits,

new as well as old,

which I have laid up for you, O my beloved.