Song of Songs 2

1I am a crocus of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. 2Like a lily among thorns, so is my darling among the young women. 3As an apple tree stands among the trees of the woods, so my beloved stands among the young men. With delight I sat down in his shade, and his fruit was sweet in my mouth. 4He has taken me into the banquet hall, and the banner he raises over me is love. 5Strengthen me with raisin cakes; revive me with apples, for I am faint with love. 6His left arm is under my head, and his right arm holds me close. 7Swear to me, women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does in the fields: do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready.

8Listen! My beloved! Look, here he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. 9My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. There he stands behind our wall, looking in through the windows, peering through the lattice. 10My beloved spoke to me and said, “Get up, my darling, my beautiful one, and come away. 11For see, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. 12Flowers are appearing in the land; the season of singing has come, and the cooing of the turtledove is heard in our land. 13The fig tree is ripening its early figs, and the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Get up, my darling, my beautiful one, and come away.”

14My dove, hidden in the clefts of the rock, in the shelter of the cliff, show me your face, let me hear you speak, for your voice is sweet and your face is lovely.

15Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil vineyards, for our vineyards are blossoming. 16My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies. 17Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle or a young stag on Bether’s mountains.