Expressions of Praise
1How graceful are your feet in sandals,
O queenly maiden!
Your rounded thighs are like jewels,
the work of a master hand.*
2Your navel is a rounded bowl;
may it never lack mixed wine.
Your belly is a heap of wheat,
encircled with lilies.
3Your two breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle.*
4Your 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.*
5Your head crowns you like Carmel,
and your flowing locks are like purple;
a king is held captive in the tresses.*
6How fair and pleasant you are,
O loved one, delectable maiden!o,*
7You are statelyp as a palm tree,
and your breasts are like its clusters.
8I said, “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,*
9and your kissesq like the best wine
that goes downr smoothly,
gliding over lips and teeth.s
10I am my beloved’s,
and his desire is for me.*
11Come, my beloved,
let us go forth into the fields
and lodge in the villages;
12let us go out early to the vineyards;
let us 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.*
13The 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.*