Canticum (Song of Songs) (Redaction G)

Canticle of Canticles, Redaction G A = (Ost-4) Canticle of Canticles, interpretation of the holy Mother of God, by the wise Solomon. O King, bless us! 1 Give me the turning away of the face, for your breasts are better than wine, and the fragrance of your myrrhs is greater than that of all fragrances. Anointed is your name, set forth in appearance; therefore the virgins have loved you and drawn you to themselves. After you we pursue your fragrances. The king brought me into the treasury. Let us rejoice and be glad for your sake. Let us love your breasts more than wine, which loves purity. Black and beautiful, daughters of Jerusalem, I am like the dwelling of cedar and the tents of Solomon. And do not look upon me, blackened by the disregard of the sun. The sons of my mother slandered me; they appointed me as a guard of the vineyard. And my vineyard I did not protect. Tell me what my soul has said to you: where do you pasture, where do you lay down at noon? Let me not become like the encircling of another's fold. Do you not know yourself, O good one among other mothers? You hasten after your flocks and pasture the kids at the dwelling of the shepherds. You have likened me to my mare among the chariots of Pharaoh, O my neighbor. Let your cheeks rather be reddened like a pomegranate; your neck resembles a strung pearl.

I liken you to the work of gold and to the bright, pressed, and refined silver. Until the king laid his hands upon her, my nard brought forth its own myrrh. The bound branch—my nephew is mine; between your breasts he rested. My nephew is mine; he blossoms forth, a shoot among the vineyards of Gad. Behold, you are beautiful, my neighbor. Behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are dark. Behold, you are good and beautiful, O nephew. The strong bolt is upon our body. The beams of our houses are of cedar, and our cloisters are fragrant with the perfumes of Sharon.