The fragrance of your perfume is intoxicating;
your name is perfume poured out.
No wonder young women adore you.

M If you do not know,
most beautiful of women,
follow the tracks of the flock,
and pasture your young goats
near the shepherds’ tents.

For now the winter is past;
the rain has ended and gone away.

I will arise now and go about the city,
through the streets and the plazas.
I will seek the one I love.
I sought him, but did not find him.

You are absolutely beautiful, my darling,
with no imperfection in you.

Before I knew it,
my desire put me
among the chariots of my noble people.

The mandrakes give off a fragrance,
and at our doors is every delicacy—
new as well as old.
I have treasured them up for you, my love.

>

If only I could treat you like my brother,
one who nursed at my mother’s breasts,
I would find you in public and kiss you,
and no one would scorn me.

B Our sister is young;
she has no breasts.
What will we do for our sister
on the day she is spoken for?