Song of Songs
(She:)
O for your kiss! For your love
More enticing than wine,
For you scent and sweet name—
For all this they love you.
Take me away to our room,
Like a king to his rooms—
We’ll rejoice there with wine.
No wonder they love you!
Until the King returns
I lie in fragrance
Sweet anticipation
Of his entrance.
Between my breasts he’ll lie—
Sacher of spices,
Spray of blossoms plucked
From the oasis.
(He:)
Of all pleasures, how sweet
Is the taste of love!
There you stand like a palm,
Our breasts clusters of dates.
Shall I climb that palm
And take hold of the boughs?
Our breasts will be tender
As clusters of grapes,
Your breath will be sweet
AS the fragrance of quince,
And your mouth will awaken
All sleeping desire
Like wine that entices
The lips of new lovers.