Song of Songs 1:1-17

The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.  Oh, that he would kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your caresses  are more delightful than wine.  The fragrance of your perfume is intoxicating;  your name is perfume poured out.  No wonder young women  adore you. Take me with you   #— #let’s hurry. Oh, that the king would bring  me to his chambers. We will rejoice and be glad in you; we will celebrate your caresses more than wine. It is only right that they adore you. Daughters of Jerusalem,  I am dark like the tents of Kedar,  yet lovely  like the curtains of Solomon. Do not stare at me because I am dark, for the sun has gazed on me. My mother’s sons were angry with me;  they made me take care of the vineyards.  I have not taken care of my own vineyard. Tell me, you whom I love:  Where do you pasture your sheep?  Where do you let them rest at noon?  Why should I be like one who veils herself  beside the flocks of your companions?  If you do not know, most beautiful of women,  follow  the tracks of the flock, and pasture your young goats near the shepherds’ tents. I compare you, my darling,  to a  mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.  Your cheeks are beautiful with jewelry,  your neck with its necklace. We will make gold jewelry for you, accented with silver. While the king is on his couch,  my perfume  releases its fragrance.  The one I love is a sachet of myrrh to me,  spending the night between my breasts. The one I love is a cluster of henna blossoms to me,  in the vineyards of En-gedi.  How beautiful you are, my darling. How very beautiful! Your eyes are doves.  How handsome you are, my love.  How delightful! Our bed is verdant; the beams of our house are cedars, and our rafters are cypresses.