I [am] black but beautiful, {O maidens of Jerusalem}, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.

Tell me, [you] whom my {heart} loves, where do you pasture your flock, where do your sheep lie down at the noon? {For why should I be like} one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions?

Like a lily among the thorns, so [is] my love among the maidens.

My beloved is like a gazelle or {a young stag}. Look! {He is} standing behind our wall, gazing {through} the window, looking {through} the lattice.

Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved! {Be like} a gazelle or {young stag} on the cleft mountains.

What [is] this coming up from the desert like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense from all the fragrant powders of the merchant?

{Oh my}! You [are] beautiful, my beloved! {Oh my}! You [are] beautiful! Your eyes [are] doves from behind your veil. Your hair [is] like a flock of goats that move down from the mountains of Gilead.

Your teeth [are] like a flock of shorn ewes that came up from the washing, all of them bearing twins, and there is none bereaved among them.

Your lips [are] like a thread of crimson, and your mouth [is] lovely. Your temple [is] like pomegranate from behind your veil.

Your neck [is] like the tower of David, built in courses; a thousand {ornaments} are hung on it, all the shields of the warriors.

Your two breasts [are] like two fawns, twins of a gazelle that feed among the lilies.

Your lips drip nectar, [my] bride; honey and milk [are] under your lips; the scent of your garments [is] like the scent of Lebanon.

His eyes [are] like doves beside springs of water, bathed in milk, {set like mounted jewels}.

His cheeks [are] like beds of spice, a tower of fragrances; his lips [are] lilies dripping liquid myrrh.

His legs [are] columns of alabaster, set on bases of gold; his appearance [is] like Lebanon, choice as {its cedars}.

Turn away your eyes from before me, for they overwhelm me. Your hair [is] like a flock of the goats that moves down from Gilead.

Your teeth [are] like a flock of the ewes that have come up from the washing, all of them bearing twins, and there is none bereaved among them.

Your cheeks {behind} your veil [are] like halves of a pomegranate.

"Who [is] this that looks down like the dawn, beautiful as the moon, {bright as the sun}, {overwhelming as an army with banners}?"

How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O royal princess! The curves of your {thighs} [are] like {jewels}, the work of the hands of a craftsman.

Your two breasts [are] like two fawns, twins of a gazelle.

Your neck [is] like a tower of ivory; your eyes [are] pools in Heshbon at the gate of Beth Rabbim. Your nose [is] like the tower of Lebanon {looking out over Damascus}.

{Your head crowns you like Carmel}; the flowing locks of your head [are] like {purple tapestry}; a king is held captive in the tresses!

{Your stature} [is] like the palm tree, and your breasts [are] like clusters.

I say, "I will climb up the palm tree; I will lay hold of its fruit clusters." Let your breasts [be pleasing] like clusters of the vine and the scent of your breath like the apples.

Your palate [is] like the best wine that goes down for my beloved, smoothly gliding over my lips and teeth.

I [was] a wall, and my breasts [were] like the towers, {so [my betrothed] viewed me with great delight}.

Flee, my beloved! {Be like a gazelle} or {a young stag} upon {the perfumed mountains}!