Song of Solomon 5

1I have come to my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, friends! Drink and drink your fill, beloved ones.

2I was asleep, but my heart was awake. The voice of my beloved knocks: "Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my flawless one—for dew fills my head, night's drops my locks."

3I have stripped off my robe; how shall I wear it? I have washed my feet; how shall I soil them?

4My beloved extended his hand through the hole, and my heart throbbed for him.

5I rose to open for my beloved, and my hands dripped myrrh, my fingers flowing myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

6I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had withdrawn and passed on. My soul went out when he spoke. I sought him, but did not find him; I called him, but he did not answer me.

7The watchmen patrolling the city found me; they struck me and wounded me; the guardians of the walls took my veil from me.

8I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, tell him that I am lovesick.

9How is your beloved superior to any beloved, beautiful one among women? How is your beloved superior to any beloved, that you adjure us so?

10My beloved is bright and ruddy, outstanding among myriads.

11His head is like pure fine gold; his locks are bushy, black as a raven.

12His eyes are like doves beside the watercourses, bathed in milk, perched upon full jewels.

13His cheeks are like a bed of spices, like towers of perfumes; his lips like lilies dropping flowing myrrh.

14His hands are rings of gold filled with beryl; his belly is bright ivory covered with sapphires.

15His legs are pillars of marble founded on bases of fine gold; his appearance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.

16His mouth is sweetness; he is completely desirable. This is my beloved, and this is my companion, daughters of Jerusalem.