Song of Solomon 2

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

I am the radiant beauty of the meadow, the pure blossom in the valley's heart.

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

Just as a lily stands out beautifully amidst prickly thorns, so does my love shine brightly among all women.

As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

Just as an apple tree stands out in a forest, so does my beloved among others. I found immense joy in his comforting presence, and his love was as sweet as the ripest fruit to me.

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

He led me to a feast, and his flag of love waved above me.

Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.

Support me with sweet wine, soothe me with apples: for I am overwhelmed by love.

His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.

He cradles my head gently with his left hand, while his right arm lovingly wraps around me.

I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

I urge you, dear women of Jerusalem, with the gentleness of deer and fawns in the field, please don't disturb or awaken my love until he's ready.

The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.

My love's voice! Look, he's joyfully bounding over the mountains, playfully hopping over the hills.

My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.

My love is as graceful as a deer, ever present yet elusive. He stands just beyond our walls, peering through the windows, revealing himself in the shadows of the lattice.

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

My cherished one spoke, gently urging me, "Awaken, my love, my beauty, and join me."

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

At last, the harsh winter has faded, and the relentless rain has ceased.

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

Blossoms bloom across the land; it's time for birds to serenade us with their songs, and the cooing of the turtledove is heard in our land.

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

The fig tree is blossoming with fresh, green figs, and the vines are fragrant with budding grapes. Wake up, my dear, my beautiful one, and join me.

O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

My dear, hidden in the rocky crevices and secret stairways, show me your face, let me hear your voice. Your voice is soothing, and your face, beautiful.

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

Help us catch those sneaky little foxes that ruin our vineyards, for our vines are just starting to bear precious grapes.

My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.

My cherished one belongs to me, and I to him; he finds nourishment amidst the pure and beautiful.

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

Until dawn breaks and darkness fades, please return, my love. Be as swift and graceful as a young deer on the hills of Bether.