CHAPTER 1
The fragrance
of your perfume
is pleasing;
your name
is like perfume
poured out.
No wonder
the maidens
adore you.
Take me
away with you—
let us hurry!
May the king
bring me
to his chambers.
We will rejoice
and delight
in you;
we will praise
your love
above wine.
It is only right
that they adore you.
I
am dark
yet lovely,
O daughters
of Jerusalem,
like the tents
of Kedar,
like the curtains
of Solomon.
Do not
stare
because I
am dark,
for the sun
has looked upon me.
My mother’s
sons
were angry
with me;
they made
me a keeper
of the vineyards,
but my own vineyard
I have neglected.
Tell me,
O one
I
love,
where
do you pasture your sheep?
Where
do you rest them
at midday?
Why
should I be
like a veiled woman
beside
the flocks
of your companions?
If
you do not
know,
O fairest
of women,
follow
the tracks
of the flock,
and graze
your young goats
near
the tents
of the shepherds.