1 The song of songs, which is Solomon`s.

2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; For thy love is better than wine.

3 Thine ointments savour sweetly; Thy name is an ointment poured forth: Therefore do the virgins love thee.

4 Draw me, we will run after thee! -- The king hath brought me into his chambers -- We will be glad and rejoice in thee, We will remember thy love more than wine. They love thee uprightly.

5 I am black, but comely, daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar, As the curtains of Solomon.

6 Look not upon me, because I am black; Because the sun hath looked upon me. My mother`s children were angry with me: They made me keeper of the vineyards; Mine own vineyard have I not kept.

7 Tell me, thou whom my soul loveth, Where thou feedest [thy flock], Where thou makest it to rest at noon; For why should I be as one veiled Beside the flocks of thy companions?

8 If thou know not, thou fairest among women, Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, And feed thy kids beside the shepherds` booths.

9 I compare thee, my love, To a steed in Pharaoh`s chariots.

10 Thy cheeks are comely with bead-rows, Thy neck with ornamental chains.

11 We will make thee bead-rows of gold With studs of silver.

12 While the king is at his table, My spikenard sendeth forth its fragrance.

13 A bundle of myrrh is my beloved unto me; He shall pass the night between my breasts.

14 My beloved is unto me a cluster of henna-flowers In the vineyards of Engedi.

15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; Behold, thou art fair: thine eyes are doves.

16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant; Also our bed is green.

17 The beams of our houses are cedars, Our rafters are cypresses.