The Shulamite to Her Beloved

Tell me, O you whom I love,
Where you feed your flock,
Where you make it rest at noon.
For why should I be as one who veils herself
By the flocks of your companions?

Until the day breaks
And the shadows flee away,
Turn, my beloved,
And be like a gazelle
Or a young stag
Upon the mountains of Bether.

  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.

 Many waters cannot quench love,
Nor can the floods drown it.

If a man would give for love
All the wealth of his house,
It would be utterly despised.

 I am a wall,
And my breasts like towers;
Then I became in his eyes
As one who found peace.

 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon;
He leased the vineyard to keepers;
Everyone was to bring for its fruit
A thousand silver coins.

 Make haste, my beloved,
And be like a gazelle
Or a young stag
On the mountains of spices.