5. Dark am I, and lovely, daughters of Jerusalem—like the black tents of the Kedar nomads,like the curtains of Solomon’s palace.
6. Don’t stare at me because I’m darkenedby the sun’s gaze.My own brothers were angry with me.They made me a caretaker of the vineyards—but I couldn’t care for my own vineyard.
7. Tell me, you whom I love with all my heart—where do you pasture your flock,where do you rest them at noon?—so I don’t wander around with the flocks of your companions.[Man]
8. If you don’t know your way,most beautiful of women,then follow the tracks of the herdsand graze your little goatsby the tents of the shepherds.
9. I picture you, my dearest,as a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots!
10. Lovely are your cheeks, adorned with ear hoops;your neck, with beads.
11. Let’s make hoops of gold beaded with silver for you!
12. With my king close by,my perfume filled the air.
13. A sachet of myrrh is my love to me,lying all night between my breasts.
14. A cluster of henna flowers is my love to mein the desert gardens of En-gedi.[Man]
15. Look at you—so beautiful, my dearest!Look at you—so beautiful! Your eyes are doves![Woman]
16. Look at you—so beautiful, my love!Yes, delightful! Yes, our bed is lush and green!
17. The ceilings of our chambers are cedars;our rafters, cypresses.