1 Oh, that you were like my brother,Who nursed at my mother’s breasts!If I should find you outside,I would kiss you;I would not be despised.
2 I would lead you and bring youInto the house of my mother,She who used to instruct me.I would cause you to drink of spiced wine,Of the juice of my pomegranate.
3 His left hand is under my head,And his right hand embraces me.
4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,Do not stir up nor awaken loveUntil it pleases.
5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness,Leaning upon her beloved?I awakened you under the apple tree.There your mother brought you forth;There she who bore you brought you forth.
6 Set me as a seal upon your heart,As a seal upon your arm;For love is as strong as death,Jealousy as cruel as the grave;Its flames are flames of fire,A most vehement flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,Nor can the floods drown it.If a man would give for loveAll the wealth of his house,It would be utterly despised.