Chapter 1 Scene 1 – The main hall of the House of the Forest of Lebanon – King Sh'lomó's palace – Day King Sh'lomó, while traveling in the country, is smitten by "the Shulamít," a dark, beautiful girl. He has her taken back to his palace where, in the company of the Daughters of Jerusalem, she awaits the King at a sort of cocktail party in the main hall ... All: (introduction) א שִׁ֥יר הַשִּׁירִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִשְׁלֹמֹֽה 1. The Song of Songs which is Sh'lomó's. The Shulamít: (excited and nervous, to the Daughters of Jerusalem) ב יִשָּׁקֵ֨נִי֙ מִנְּשִׁיק֣וֹת פִּ֔יהוּ... 2. He's going to kiss me with the kisses of his mouth...! King Sh'lomó enters with his men The Daughters of Jerusalem: (addressing Sh'lomó, helping the Shulamít out of her faux pas) ... כִּֽי־טוֹבִ֥ים דֹּדֶ֖יךָ מִיָּֽיִן ...for better is your loving than wine. ג לְרֵ֨יחַ֙ שְׁמָנֶ֣יךָ טוֹבִ֔ים 3. Your oils are good to smell, Daughters of Jerusalem and King's Men: שֶׁ֖מֶן תּוּרַ֣ק שְׁמֶ֑ךָ – your name is oil poured out – The King's Men: עַל־כֵּ֖ן עֲלָמ֥וֹת אֲהֵבֽוּךָ that's why young women have loved you. the Shulamít spies her lover the Shepherd peering through the lattice, runs over to him and whispers: The Shulamít: ד מָשְׁכֵ֖נִי אַֽחֲרֶ֣יךָ נָּר֑וּצָה הֱבִיאַ֨נִי הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ חֲדָרָ֗יו...! 4. Pull me after you, let's run! The King has brought me to his chambers... The Daughters of Jerusalem: (to their amusing new playmate the Shulamít – they don't want her to go) נָגִ֤ילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה֙ בָּ֔ךְ! We'll play and have fun with you! Daughters of Jerusalem and King's Men: (to Sh'lomó) נַזְכִּ֤ירָה דֹדֶ֨יךָ֙ מִיַּ֔יִן – We'll speak of how your loving is better than wine – King's Men: מֵֽישָׁרִ֖ים אֲהֵבֽוּךָ! {פ} they were right to love you! ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 2 – The girls' chambers in the palace – Day The Shulamít: (to the Daughters of Jerusalem) ה שְׁחוֹרָ֤ה אֲנִי֙ וְֽנָאוָ֔ה בְּנ֖וֹת יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם כְּאָֽהֳלֵ֣י קֵדָ֔ר כִּֽירִיע֖וֹת שְׁלֹמֹֽה 5. Black am I, and lovely, Daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedár, like Sh'lomó's tapestries. ו אַל־תִּרְא֨וּנִי֙ שֶֽׁאֲנִ֣י שְׁחַרְחֹ֔רֶת שֶׁשְּׁזָפַ֖תְנִי הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ... 6. Don't see me as a merely dark-skinned girl, as if the sun has tanned me... (reconsidering) בְּנֵ֧י אִמִּ֣י נִֽחֲרוּ־בִ֗י שָׂמֻ֨נִי֙ נֹֽטֵרָ֣ה אֶת־הַכְּרָמִ֔ים כַּרְמִ֥י שֶׁלִּ֖י לֹ֥א נָטָֽרְתִּי My mother's sons turned their noses up at me, they made me tend their plantations – my own plantation I did not tend. (aside, to the Shepherd) ז הַגִּ֣ידָה לִּ֗י שֶׁ֤אָֽהֲבָה֙ נַפְשִׁ֔י אֵיכָ֣ה תִרְעֶ֔ה אֵיכָ֖ה תַּרְבִּ֣יץ בַּֽצָּהֳרָ֑יִם שַׁלָּמָ֤ה אֶֽהְיֶה֙ כְּעֹ֣טְיָ֔ה עַ֖ל עֶדְרֵ֥י חֲבֵרֶֽיךָ? 7. Tell me, you whom my soul loved, how can you wander? How can you rest at midday? For why should I have to hover over your friends' flocks? Shepherd: (sarcastically, perturbed at his girlfriend's new-found haughtiness) ח אִם־לֹ֤א תֵֽדְעִי֙ לָ֔ךְ הַיָּפָ֖ה בַּנָּשִׁ֑ים צְֽאִי־לָ֞ךְ בְּעִקְבֵ֣י הַצֹּ֗אן וּרְעִי֙ אֶת־גְּדִיֹּתַ֔יִךְ עַ֖ל מִשְׁכְּנ֥וֹת הָֽרֹעִֽים {פ} 8. If you don't know, "O most beautiful of women," go out yourself, follow the tracks of the flocks, and herd your kids by the shepherds' dwellings. ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 3 – The girls' chambers in the palace – Evening ( Sh'lomó visits the Shulamít in the girls' chambers) Sh'lomó: ט לְסֻֽסָתִי֙ בְּרִכְבֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔ה דִּמִּיתִ֖יךְ רַעְיָתִֽי 9. To my mare among Pharaoh's chariots I compared you, my companion; י נָאו֤וּ לְחָיַ֨יִךְ֙ בַּתֹּרִ֔ים צַוָּארֵ֖ךְ בַּֽחֲרוּזִֽים... 10. your cheeks looked lovely with their baubles, your neck with its beads... Sh'lomó and Daughters of Jerusalem: יא ... תּוֹרֵ֤י זָהָב֙ נַֽעֲשֶׂה־לָּ֔ךְ עִ֖ם נְקֻדּ֥וֹת הַכָּֽסֶף 11. ...we will make necklaces of gold for you, with silver studs! The Shulamít: יב עַד־שֶׁ֤הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ בִּמְסִבּ֔וֹ נִרְדִּ֖י נָתַ֥ן רֵיחֽוֹ 12. By the time the King reclines my spikenard will have given forth its fragrance. יג צְר֨וֹר הַמֹּ֤ר ׀ דּוֹדִי֙ לִ֔י בֵּ֥ין שָׁדַ֖י יָלִֽין 13. The sachet of myrrh is my lover to me, he will sleep between my breasts. יד אֶשְׁכֹּ֨ל הַכֹּ֤פֶר ׀ דּוֹדִי֙ לִ֔י בְּכַרְמֵ֖י עֵ֥ין גֶּֽדִי {ס} 14. The cluster of henna blossoms is my lover to me, in the plantations of Ęin Gédi. ♦ ♥ ♦ Sh'lomó, surprised by her candor, finds himself at a loss for words - perhaps for the first time in his life – and resorts to a cliché. He pays for it with the Shulamít's interruption Sh'lomó: טו הִנָּ֤ךְ יָפָה֙ רַעְיָתִ֔י הִנָּ֥ךְ יָפָ֖ה עֵינַ֥יִךְ יוֹנִֽים... 15. How beautiful you are, my companion, how beautiful you are, your eyes are doves... The Shulamít: (interrupting, overeager; ostensibly to Sh'lomó but really to both men) טז הִנְּךָ֨ יָפֶ֤ה דוֹדִי֙ אַ֣ף נָעִ֔ים אַף־עַרְשֵׂ֖נוּ רַֽעֲנָנָֽה 16. How handsome you are, my lover, yes, and so nice to be with, yes, and our bed is fresh and green. Sh'lomó, the Shepherd and the Shulamít: יז קֹר֤וֹת בָּתֵּ֨ינוּ֙ אֲרָזִ֔ים רַֽהִיטֵ֖נוּ בְּרוֹתִֽים 17. The pillars of our houses are cedars, our rafters are cypresses. English translation and dramatic adaptation: Aryeh Naftaly, all rights reserved

Chapter 2 Scene 1 –The girls' chambers in the palace – Morning The Shulamít is still in the women's quarters in the palace. The Shepherd has come to look in on her but must soon leave to tend his flocks The Shulamít: א אֲנִי֙ חֲבַצֶּ֣לֶת הַשָּׁר֔וֹן שֽׁוֹשַׁנַּ֖ת הָֽעֲמָקִֽים 1. I am the crocus of the plains, the lily of the valleys. Shepherd: ב כְּשֽׁוֹשַׁנָּה֙ בֵּ֣ין הַֽחוֹחִ֔ים כֵּ֥ן רַעְיָתִ֖י בֵּ֥ין הַבָּנֽוֹת 2. Like a lily among the thistles, so is my companion among the girls. The Shepherd leaves The Shulamít: (to the Daughters of Jerusalem) ג ג כְּתַפּ֨וּחַ֙ בַּֽעֲצֵ֣י הַיַּ֔עַר כֵּ֥ן דּוֹדִ֖י בֵּ֣ין הַבָּנִ֑ים בְּצִלּוֹ֙ חִמַּ֣דְתִּי וְיָשַׁ֔בְתִּי וּפִרְי֖וֹ מָת֥וֹק לְחִכִּֽי 3. Like an apple tree among the forest trees, so is my lover among the boys, in his shadow I basked and I sat and his fruit was sweet to my palate. ד הֱבִיאַ֨נִי֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית הַיָּ֔יִן וְדִגְל֥וֹ עָלַ֖י אַֽהֲבָֽה 4. He brought me to the tavern and his banner over me was love. ה סַמְּכ֨וּנִי֙ בָּֽאֲשִׁישׁ֔וֹת רַפְּד֖וּנִי בַּתַּפּוּחִ֑ים כִּֽי־חוֹלַ֥ת אַֽהֲבָ֖ה אָֽנִי 5. Hold me up with flagons of wine! lay me on a bed of apples! for I am lovesick! ו ו שְׂמֹאלוֹ֙ תַּ֣חַת לְרֹאשִׁ֔י וִֽימִינ֖וֹ תְּחַבְּקֵֽנִי 6. With his left hand under my head, his right hand will caress me. ז ז הִשְׁבַּ֨עְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֜ם בְּנ֤וֹת יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ בִּצְבָא֔וֹת א֖וֹ בְּאַיְל֣וֹת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה אִם־תָּעִ֧ירוּ ׀ וְֽאִם־תְּע֥וֹרְר֛וּ אֶת־הָאַֽהֲבָ֖ה עַ֥ד שֶׁתֶּחְפָּֽץ {ס} 7. Swear to me, Daughters of Jerusalem, by gazelles or by does of the field, that you will not awaken nor arouse love until it so desires. ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 2 – The girls' chambers in the palace – Evening Evening falls. The Shepherd returns The Shulamít: ח ק֣וֹל דּוֹדִ֔י הִנֵּה־זֶ֖ה בָּ֑א מְדַלֵּג֙ עַל־הֶ֣הָרִ֔ים מְקַפֵּ֖ץ עַל־הַגְּבָעֽוֹת 8. The voice of my lover... Here he comes! skipping over the mountains, leaping over the hills. ט דּוֹמֶ֤ה דוֹדִי֙ לִצְבִ֔י א֖וֹ לְעֹ֣פֶר הָֽאַיָּלִ֑ים הִנֵּה־זֶ֤ה עוֹמֵד֙ אַחַ֣ר כָּתְלֵ֔נוּ מַשְׁגִּ֨יחַ֙ מִן־הַֽחַלֹּנ֔וֹת מֵצִ֖יץ מִן־הַֽחֲרַכִּֽים 9. My lover is like a gazelle or a doe's fawn; there he is, standing behind our walls, observing from the windows, peering through the lattices. י עָנָ֥ה דוֹדִ֖י וְאָ֣מַר לִ֑י: 10. My lover answered and said to me: she quotes: The Shepherd: ק֥וּמִי לָ֛ךְ רַעְיָתִ֥י יָֽפָתִ֖י וּלְכִי־לָֽךְ "Arise, my companion, my beauty, and leave this place. יא כִּֽי־הִנֵּ֥ה הַסְּתָ֖ו עָבָ֑ר הַגֶּ֕שֶׁם חָלַ֖ף הָלַ֥ךְ לֽוֹ 11. For look, the winter has passed, the rain has passed and gone. יב הַנִּצָּנִים֙ נִרְא֣וּ בָאָ֔רֶץ עֵ֥ת הַזָּמִ֖יר הִגִּ֑יעַ וְק֥וֹל הַתּ֖וֹר נִשְׁמַ֥ע בְּאַרְצֵֽנוּ 12. The first shoots have appeared in the land, the season of the songbird has come and the cooing of the turtle-dove is heard in our land. יג הַתְּאֵנָה֙ חָֽנְטָ֣ה פַגֶּ֔יהָ וְהַגְּפָנִ֥ים ׀ סְמָדַ֖ר נָ֣תְנוּ רֵ֑יחַ ק֥וּמִי לָ֛ךְ רַעְיָתִ֥י יָֽפָתִ֖י וּלְכִי־לָֽךְ {ס} 13. The fig tree has set its young fruits and the grapevines are in bloom, their fragrant blossoms have opened; arise, my companion, my beauty, and leave this place." ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 3 – Outside the palace, in the King's Garden – Night The Shulamít sneaks out of the palace to meet the Shepherd The Shepherd: (searching for the Shulamít) יד יֽוֹנָתִ֞י בְּחַגְוֵ֣י הַסֶּ֗לַע בְּסֵ֨תֶר֙ הַמַּדְרֵגָ֔ה הַרְאִ֨ינִי֙ אֶת־מַרְאַ֔יִךְ הַשְׁמִיעִ֖נִי אֶת־קוֹלֵ֑ךְ כִּֽי־קוֹלֵ֥ךְ עָרֵ֖ב וּמַרְאֵ֥יךְ נָאוֶֽה {ס} 14. My dove, in the crevice of the rock, hiding behind the stair, show me your faces, let me hear your voice, for your voice is pleasant and your visage is lovely. ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 4 – Outside the palace, in the King's Garden – Night The Shulamít comes out of hiding The Shepherd and The Shulamít: (calling up to the daughters of Jerusalem in the palace) טו אֶֽחֱזוּ־לָ֨נוּ֙ שֻֽׁעָלִ֔ים! שֻֽׁעָלִ֥ים קְטַנִּ֖ים מְחַבְּלִ֣ים כְּרָמִ֑ים וּכְרָמֵ֖ינוּ סְמָדַֽר 15. Catch us foxes! Little foxes destroy vineyards, and our vineyard is in fragrant bloom! The Shulamít: (to the daughters of Jerusalem) טז דּוֹדִ֥י לִי֙ וַֽאֲנִ֣י ל֔וֹ הָֽרֹעֶ֖ה בַּשּֽׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים 16. My lover is mine and I am his – the wanderer among the lilies. (to the Shepherd) יז עַ֤ד שֶׁיָּפ֨וּחַ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם וְנָ֖סוּ הַצְּלָלִ֑ים סֹב֩ דְּמֵֽה־לְךָ֨ דוֹדִ֜י לִצְבִ֗י א֛וֹ לְעֹ֥פֶר הָֽאַיָּלִ֖ים עַל־הָ֥רֵי בָֽתֶר {ס} 17. By the time the day wind blows and the shadows retreat, turn and make yourself, my lover, like a gazelle or a fawn on cleft mountains. English translation and dramatic adaptation: Aryeh Naftaly, all rights reserved

Chapter 3 Scene 1 – The women's quarters in the palace - Night The Shulamít, who has been living in the palace for a while now, tells the Daughters of Jerusalem of her recurring dream The Shulamít: א עַל־מִשְׁכָּבִי֙ בַּלֵּיל֔וֹת בִּקַּ֕שְׁתִּי אֵ֥ת שֶֽׁאָהֲבָ֖ה נַפְשִׁ֑י בִּקַּשְׁתִּ֖יו וְלֹ֥א מְצָאתִֽיו 1. On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loved, I sought him but I couldn't find him. ב אָק֨וּמָה נָּ֜א וַאֲסֽוֹבְבָ֣ה בָעִ֗יר בַּשְּׁוָקִים֙ וּבָ֣רְחֹב֔וֹת אֲבַקְשָׁ֕ה אֵ֥ת שֶֽׁאָהֲבָ֖ה נַפְשִׁ֑י בִּקַּשְׁתִּ֖יו וְלֹ֥א מְצָאתִֽיו 2. "I must get up and go around the city, through the marketplaces and streets, I will seek him whom my soul loved..." I sought him but I did not find him. ג מְצָא֨וּנִי֙ הַשֹּׁ֣מְרִ֔ים הַסֹּֽבְבִ֖ים בָּעִ֑יר אֵ֛ת שֶֽׁאָהֲבָ֥ה נַפְשִׁ֖י רְאִיתֶֽם 3. They found me, the watchmen who patrol the city. "Have you seen him whom my soul loved?" ד כִּמְעַט֙ שֶֽׁעָבַ֣רְתִּי מֵהֶ֔ם עַ֣ד שֶׁמָּצָ֔אתִי אֵ֥ת שֶֽׁאָהֲבָ֖ה נַפְשִׁ֑י אֲחַזְתִּיו֙ וְלֹ֣א אַרְפֶּ֔נּוּ עַד־שֶׁ֤הֲבֵיאתִיו֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית אִמִּ֔י וְאֶל־חֶ֖דֶר הֽוֹרָתִֽי 4. I had almost passed them by when I found him whom my soul loved, I held him and I won't let him go until I've brought him to my mother's house and to the room of she who bore me. ה הִשְׁבַּ֨עְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֜ם בְּנ֤וֹת יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ בִּצְבָא֔וֹת א֖וֹ בְּאַיְל֣וֹת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה אִם־תָּעִ֧ירוּ ׀ וְֽאִם־תְּע֥וֹרְר֛וּ אֶת־הָאַֽהֲבָ֖ה עַ֥ד שֶׁתֶּחְפָּֽץ {ס} 5. Swear to me, Daughters of Jerusalem, by gazelles or by does of the field, that you will not awaken nor arouse love until it so desires. ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 2 – The palace, looking out the window from a main hall – Day The Shulamít returns, glowing, from a rendezvous with the Shepherd and is spotted by the men and women of the palace, who wonder how she managed to escape – they blame one another The King's Men and the Daughters of Jerusalem: ו מִ֣י זֹ֗את עֹלָה֙ מִן־הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר כְּתִֽימְר֖וֹת עָשָׁ֑ן מְקֻטֶּ֤רֶת מֹר֙ וּלְבוֹנָ֔ה מִכֹּ֖ל אַבְקַ֥ת רוֹכֵֽל? 6. Who is she, coming up from the desert like pillars of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense and all the merchants' powders? The Daughters of Jerusalem: (teasing the King's Men) ז הִנֵּ֗ה מִטָּתוֹ֙ שֶׁלִּשְׁלֹמֹ֔ה שִׁשִּׁ֥ים גִּבֹּרִ֖ים סָבִ֣יב לָ֑הּ מִגִּבֹּרֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל 7. Behold Sh'lomó's bed! Sixty valiant men surround it, heroes of Israel! ח כֻּלָּם֙ אֲחֻ֣זֵי חֶ֔רֶב מְלֻמְּדֵ֖י מִלְחָמָ֑ה אִ֤ישׁ חַרְבּוֹ֙ עַל־יְרֵכ֔וֹ מִפַּ֖חַד בַּלֵּילֽוֹת {ס} 8. All are armed with swords, versed in war! Each man has his sword at his thigh for fear of the night! ♦ ♥ ♦ The King's Men: (teasing back) ט אַפִּרְי֗וֹן עָ֤שָׂה לוֹ֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה מֵֽעֲצֵ֖י הַלְּבָנֽוֹן 9. King Sh'lomó has made himself a palanquin from the trees of Lebanon; י עַמּוּדָיו֙ עָ֣שָׂה כֶ֔סֶף רְפִֽידָת֣וֹ זָהָ֔ב מֶרְכָּב֖וֹ אַרְגָּמָ֑ן תּוֹכוֹ֙ רָצ֣וּף אַֽהֲבָ֔ה מִבְּנ֖וֹת יְרֽוּשָׁלִָֽם 10. its pillars he made of silver, its chassis of gold, its couches of purple, its interior inlaid with the love of the daughters of Jerusalem. יא צְאֶ֧נָה ׀ וּֽרְאֶ֛ינָה בְּנ֥וֹת צִיּ֖וֹן בַּמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה בָּֽעֲטָרָ֗ה שֶֽׁעִטְּרָה־לּ֤וֹ אִמּוֹ֙ בְּי֣וֹם חֲתֻנָּת֔וֹ וּבְי֖וֹם שִׂמְחַ֥ת לִבּֽוֹ {ס} 11. Go out and see, daughters of Zion, King Sh'lomó in the crown with which his mother crowned him on his wedding day and on the day of his heart's rejoicing. ♦ ♥ ♦

Chapter 4 Scene 1 - The Shulamít's chamber in the palace - Night The King, who knows of the Shulamít's exploits with the Shepherd, comes to flatter her, to reassure himself that she is still his, and to announce his intentions. He is supposed to marry her. But then things get out of hand... Sh'lomó: א הִנָּ֨ךְ יָפָ֤ה רַעְיָתִי֙ הִנָּ֣ךְ יָפָ֔ה עֵינַ֣יִךְ יוֹנִ֔ים מִבַּ֖עַד לְצַמָּתֵ֑ךְ שַׂעְרֵךְ֙ כְּעֵ֣דֶר הָֽעִזִּ֔ים שֶׁגָּֽלְשׁ֖וּ מֵהַ֥ר גִּלְעָֽד 1. How beautiful you are, my companion, how beautiful you are, your eyes are doves peeking through your braid; your hair is like the flock of goats that slid down Mt. Gilead; ב שִׁנַּ֨יִךְ֙ כְּעֵ֣דֶר הַקְּצוּב֔וֹת שֶֽׁעָל֖וּ מִן־הָֽרַחְצָ֑ה שֶׁכֻּלָּם֙ מַתְאִימ֔וֹת וְשַׁכֻּלָ֖ה אֵ֥ין בָּהֶֽם 2. your teeth, like the flock of choice ewes that came up from bathing, all of which bear twins and none are barren. ג כְּח֤וּט הַשָּׁנִי֙ שִׂפְתוֹתַ֔יִךְ וּמִדְבָּרֵ֖ךְ נָאוֶ֑ה כְּפֶ֤לַח הָֽרִמּוֹן֙ רַקָּתֵ֔ךְ מִבַּ֖עַד לְצַמָּתֵֽךְ 3. Like the ribbon of scarlet are your lips and the way you speak is lovely, like the slice of pomegranate is your temple peeking through your braid. ד כְּמִגְדַּ֤ל דָּוִיד֙ צַוָּארֵ֔ךְ בָּנ֖וּי לְתַלְפִּיּ֑וֹת אֶ֤לֶף הַמָּגֵן֙ תָּל֣וּי עָלָ֔יו כֹּ֖ל שִׁלְטֵ֥י הַגִּבֹּרִֽים 4. Like David's Citadel is your neck, a landmark for travelers; a thousand are the shields that hang from it – all the valiant warriors' bucklers. ה שְׁנֵ֥י שָׁדַ֛יִךְ כִּשְׁנֵ֥י עֳפָרִ֖ים תְּאוֹמֵ֣י צְבִיָּ֑ה הָֽרוֹעִ֖ים בַּשּֽׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים 5. Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, grazing among the lilies. ו עַ֤ד שֶׁיָּפ֨וּחַ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם וְנָ֖סוּ הַצְּלָלִ֑ים אֵ֤לֶךְ לִי֙ אֶל־הַ֣ר הַמּ֔וֹר וְאֶל־גִּבְעַ֖ת הַלְּבוֹנָֽה 6. By the time the day wind blows and the shadows retreat I will go to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense. ז כֻּלָּ֤ךְ יָפָה֙ רַעְיָתִ֔י וּמ֖וּם אֵ֥ין בָּֽךְ {ס} 7. Everything about you is beautiful, my companion, and you are flawless. ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 2 – The Shulamít's chamber – Night (continuation of Scene 1) The Shepherd can't bear this any more - he comes out of hiding and reveals himself to the King for the first time The Shepherd: ח אִתִּ֤י מִלְּבָנוֹן֙ כַּלָּ֔ה אִתִּ֖י מִלְּבָנ֣וֹן תָּב֑וֹאִי תָּשׁ֣וּרִי ׀ מֵרֹ֣אשׁ אֲמָנָ֗ה מֵרֹ֤אשׁ שְׂנִיר֙ וְחֶרְמ֔וֹן מִמְּעֹנ֣וֹת אֲרָי֔וֹת מֵֽהַרְרֵ֖י נְמֵרִֽים 8. Come with me from Lebanon, O bride, come with me from Lebanon! Gaze out from the peak of Mt. Amana, from the peak of Mt. Senir and Mt. Hermon, from lions' dens, from leopards' hills! Sh'lomó: (unperturbed) ט לִבַּבְתִּ֖נִי אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּ֑ה לִבַּבְתִּ֨נִי֙ בְּאַחַ֣ת מֵֽעֵינַ֔יִךְ בְּאַחַ֥ד עֲנָ֖ק מִצַּוְּרֹנָֽיִךְ 9. You've made my heart pound, my sister-bride, you've made my heart pound with one of your eyes, with one bead of your necklaces. The Shepherd: (letting Sh'lomó know that he has tasted the Shulamít's love) י מַה־יָּפ֥וּ דֹדַ֖יִךְ אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּ֑ה מַה־טֹּ֤בוּ דֹדַ֨יִךְ֙ מִיַּ֔יִן וְרֵ֥יחַ שְׁמָנַ֖יִךְ מִכָּל־בְּשָׂמִֽים 10. How beautiful was your loving, my sister-bride, how much better was your loving than wine and the scent of your oils than any perfumes. Sh'lomó: (undaunted, promises better) יא נֹ֛פֶת תִּטֹּ֥פְנָה שִׂפְתוֹתַ֖יִךְ כַּלָּ֑ה דְּבַ֤שׁ וְחָלָב֙ תַּ֣חַת לְשׁוֹנֵ֔ךְ וְרֵ֥יחַ שַׂלְמֹתַ֖יִךְ כְּרֵ֥יחַ לְבָנֽוֹן {ס} 11. Your lips will drip with ambrosia, my bride, milk and honey under your tongue, and the scent of your garments like the scent of Lebanon. ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 3 – The Shulamít's chamber – Night (continuation of previous scene) The Shepherd (tries a different, defensive strategem) יב גַּ֥ן ׀ נָע֖וּל אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּ֑ה גַּ֥ל נָע֖וּל מַעְיָ֥ן חָתֽוּם 12. A locked garden is my sister-bride; a locked well, a sealed spring. Sh'lomó: (pulls out all the stops) יג שְׁלָחַ֨יִךְ֙ פַּרְדֵּ֣ס רִמּוֹנִ֔ים עִ֖ם פְּרִ֣י מְגָדִ֑ים כְּפָרִ֖ים עִם־נְרָדִֽים 13. Your fields are an orchard of pomegranates with the choicest fruit; henna blossoms with varieties of spikenard, יד יד נֵ֣רְדְּ ׀ וְכַרְכֹּ֗ם קָנֶה֙ וְקִנָּמ֔וֹן עִ֖ם כָּל־עֲצֵ֣י לְבוֹנָ֑ה מֹ֚ר וַֽאֲהָל֔וֹת עִ֖ם כָּל־רָאשֵׁ֥י בְשָׂמִֽים 14. nard and saffron, balsam and cinnamon, with all frankincense trees, myrrh and aloes with all the choicest perfumes; טו מַעְיַ֣ן גַּנִּ֔ים בְּאֵ֖ר מַ֣יִם חַיִּ֑ים וְנֹֽזְלִ֖ים מִן־לְבָנֽוֹן 15. a garden spring, a well of living waters flowing from Lebanon... The Shulamít: (convinced and enraptured) טז ע֤וּרִי צָפוֹן֙ וּב֣וֹאִי תֵימָ֔ן הָפִ֥יחִי גַנִּ֖י יִזְּל֣וּ בְשָׂמָ֑יו יָבֹ֤א דוֹדִי֙ לְגַנּ֔וֹ וְיֹאכַ֖ל פְּרִ֥י מְגָדָֽיו 16. Awake, North Wind, and come, South Wind! Blow through my garden, let its perfumes flow; let my lover come to his garden and eat its luscious fruit!

Chapter 5 Scene 1 – The palace, outside the Shulamít's chamber – Night King Sh'lomó has had his way with the Shulamít – or so it seems – without wedding her. He comes out of the bedroom to where the King's Men and the Daughters of Jerusalem are gathered. Sh'lomó boasts of his conquest... Sh'lomó: א בָּ֣אתִי לְגַנִּי֮ אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּה֒ אָרִ֤יתִי מוֹרִי֙ עִם־בְּשָׂמִ֔י אָכַ֤לְתִּי יַעְרִי֙ עִם־דִּבְשִׁ֔י שָׁתִ֥יתִי יֵינִ֖י עִם־חֲלָבִ֑י אִכְל֣וּ רֵעִ֔ים שְׁת֥וּ וְשִׁכְר֖וּ דּוֹדִֽים {ס} 1. I came to my garden – my sister-bride – I gathered my myrrh with my balsam, I ate my honeycomb with my honey, I drank my wine with my milk; eat, friends! Drink and get drunk, lovers! ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 2 – In the Shulamít's chamber – Night The Shulamít tells the Daughters of Jerusalem how the Shepherd came to find her and her recurring dream came true and turned into a nightmare... The Shulamít: ב אֲנִ֥י יְשֵׁנָ֖ה וְלִבִּ֣י עֵ֑ר ק֣וֹל ׀ דּוֹדִ֣י דוֹפֵ֗ק... 2. I'm asleep and my heart is awake... The sound of my lover knocking! she quotes: The Shepherd: (unaware – perhaps – that the Shulamít has just been with the King) "פִּתְחִי־לִ֞י אֲחֹתִ֤י רַעְיָתִי֙ יֽוֹנָתִ֣י תַמָּתִ֔י שֶׁרֹּאשִׁי֙ נִמְלָא־טָ֔ל קְוֻצּוֹתַ֖י רְסִ֥יסֵי לָֽיְלָה" "Open up for me, my sister, my companion, my dove, my undefiled one, for my head is drenched with dew, my locks – the sprinklings of night." The Shulamít: (dissimulating) ג "פָּשַׁ֨טְתִּי֙ אֶת־כֻּתָּנְתִּ֔י אֵיכָ֖כָה אֶלְבָּשֶׁ֑נָּה רָחַ֥צְתִּי אֶת־רַגְלַ֖י אֵיכָ֥כָה אֲטַנְּפֵֽם?" 3. "I've taken off my robe; how can I put it back on? I've washed my feet; how can I get them dirty?" ד דּוֹדִ֗י שָׁלַ֤ח יָדוֹ֙ מִן־הַחֹ֔ר וּמֵעַ֖י הָמ֥וּ עָלָֽיו 4. My lover pulled his hand away from the opening and my loins thrilled over him. ה קַ֥מְתִּֽי אֲנִ֖י לִפְתֹּ֣חַ לְדוֹדִ֑י וְיָדַ֣י נָֽטְפוּ־מ֗וֹר וְאֶצְבְּעֹתַי֙ מ֣וֹר עֹבֵ֔ר עַ֖ל כַּפּ֥וֹת הַמַּנְעֽוּל 5. I myself got up to open for my lover and my hands dripped myrrh, and my fingers – liquid myrrh on the door handles. ו פָּתַ֤חְתִּֽי אֲנִי֙ לְדוֹדִ֔י וְדוֹדִ֖י חָמַ֣ק עָבָ֑ר נַפְשִׁי֙ יָֽצְאָ֣ה בְדַבְּר֔וֹ בִּקַּשְׁתִּ֨יהוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א מְצָאתִ֔יהוּ קְרָאתִ֖יו וְלֹ֥א עָנָֽנִי 6. I myself opened up for my lover and my lover had left, he was gone! My soul left me when he spoke... I sought him and I couldn't find him, I called for him and he didn't answer me. ז מְצָאֻ֧נִי הַשֹּֽׁמְרִ֛ים הַסֹּֽבְבִ֥ים בָּעִ֖יר הִכּ֣וּנִי פְצָע֑וּנִי נָֽשְׂא֤וּ אֶת־רְדִידִי֙ מֵֽעָלַ֔י שֹֽׁמְרֵ֖י הַֽחֹמֽוֹת 7. They found me, the watchmen who patrol the city, they beat me, they wounded me; they stripped off my veil, the watchmen at the walls! ח הִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּנ֣וֹת יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם אִֽם־תִּמְצְאוּ֙ אֶת־דּוֹדִ֔י מַה־תַּגִּ֣ידוּ ל֔וֹ? שֶֽׁחוֹלַ֥ת אַֽהֲבָ֖ה אָֽנִי 8. Swear to me, Daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my lover, what will you say to him? That I am lovesick. The Daughters of Jerusalem: ט מַה־דּוֹדֵ֣ךְ מִדּ֔וֹד הַיָּפָ֖ה בַּנָּשִׁ֑ים? מַה־דּוֹדֵ֣ךְ מִדּ֔וֹד שֶׁכָּ֖כָה הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽנוּ? 9. What makes your lover different from any other lover, O most beautiful of women? What makes your lover different from any other lover that you made us swear this to you? The Shulamít: י דּוֹדִ֥י צַח֙ וְאָד֔וֹם דָּג֖וּל מֵֽרְבָבָֽה 10. My lover is radiant and manly, distinguished among ten-thousand. יא רֹאשׁ֖וֹ כֶּ֣תֶם פָּ֑ז קְוֻצּוֹתָיו֙ תַּלְתַּלִּ֔ים שְׁחֹר֖וֹת כָּֽעוֹרֵֽב 11. His head is radiant gold, his locks are ringlets, black as the raven. יב עֵינָ֕יו כְּיוֹנִ֖ים עַל־אֲפִ֣יקֵי מָ֑יִם רֹֽחֲצוֹת֙ בֶּֽחָלָ֔ב יֹֽשְׁב֖וֹת עַל־מִלֵּֽאת 12. His eyes are like doves by rushing waters, bathing in milk, perfectly set. יג לְחָיָו֙ כַּֽעֲרוּגַ֣ת הַבֹּ֔שֶׂם מִגְדְּל֖וֹת מֶרְקָחִ֑ים שִׂפְתוֹתָיו֙ שֽׁוֹשַׁנִּ֔ים נֹֽטְפ֖וֹת מ֥וֹר עֹבֵֽר 13. His cheeks are like the Flowerbed of Perfume, nurseries of apothecary plants; his lips are lilies, dripping with liquid myrrh. יד יָדָיו֙ גְּלִילֵ֣י זָהָ֔ב מְמֻלָּאִ֖ים בַּתַּרְשִׁ֑ישׁ מֵעָיו֙ עֶ֣שֶׁת שֵׁ֔ן מְעֻלֶּ֖פֶת סַפִּירִֽים 14. His arms are rods of gold encrusted with aquamarine; his loins – polished ivory inlaid with sapphires. טו שׁוֹקָיו֙ עַמּ֣וּדֵי שֵׁ֔שׁ מְיֻסָּדִ֖ים עַל־אַדְנֵי־פָ֑ז מַרְאֵ֨הוּ֙ כַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן בָּח֖וּר כָּֽאֲרָזִֽים 15. His thighs are marble pillars set on golden plinths, his appearance is like the Lebanon, as choice as the cedars. טז חִכּוֹ֙ מַֽמְתַקִּ֔ים וְכֻלּ֖וֹ מַֽחֲמַדִּ֑ים זֶ֤ה דוֹדִי֙ וְזֶ֣ה רֵעִ֔י בְּנ֖וֹת יְרֽוּשָׁלִָֽם 16. His mouth is sweetness and everything about him is desirable; that is my lover and that is my companion, O Daughters of Jerusalem!

Chapter 6 Scene 1 – The Shulamít's chamber – Night (continuation of previous scene) The Shulamít now fully realizes her folly in sending the Shepherd away. She worries that she has lost him forever – or will lose him to some other "lily" Daughters of Jerusalem: (sympathetic after her glowing description of the Shepherd) א אָ֚נָה הָלַ֣ךְ דּוֹדֵ֔ךְ הַיָּפָ֖ה בַּנָּשִׁ֑ים? אָ֚נָה פָּנָ֣ה דוֹדֵ֔ךְ וּנְבַקְשֶׁ֖נּוּ עִמָּֽךְ? 1. Where has your lover gone, O most beautiful of women? Which way did your lover go, that we may seek him with you? The Shulamít: ב דּוֹדִי֙ יָרַ֣ד לְגַנּ֔וֹ לַֽעֲרֻג֖וֹת הַבֹּ֑שֶׂם לִרְעוֹת֙ בַּגַּנִּ֔ים וְלִלְקֹ֖ט שֽׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים 2. My lover went down to his garden, to the Flowerbeds of Perfume, to graze in the gardens and to gather lilies. (determinedly) ג אֲנִ֤י לְדוֹדִי֙ וְדוֹדִ֣י לִ֔י הָֽרֹעֶ֖ה בַּשּֽׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים {ס} 3. I am my lover's and my lover is mine – the wanderer among the lilies. ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 2 – The Garden of Balsam in Ęin Gédi – Day The Shulamít finds the Shepherd in his garden... alone The Shepherd: ד יָפָ֨ה אַ֤תְּ רַעְיָתִי֙ כְּתִרְצָ֔ה נָאוָ֖ה כִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם אֲיֻמָּ֖ה כַּנִּדְגָּלֽוֹת 4. You are as beautiful, my companion, as Tirtzah, as lovely as Jerusalem, as daunting as the stars above. ה הָסֵ֤בִּי עֵינַ֨יִךְ֙ מִנֶּגְדִּ֔י שֶׁ֥הֵ֖ם הִרְהִיבֻ֑נִי שַׂעְרֵךְ֙ כְּעֵ֣דֶר הָֽעִזִּ֔ים שֶׁגָּֽלְשׁ֖וּ מִן־הַגִּלְעָֽד 5. Turn your eyes away from me, for they've aroused me; your hair is like the flock of sheep that slid down Mt. Gilead. ו שִׁנַּ֨יִךְ֙ כְּעֵ֣דֶר הָֽרְחֵלִ֔ים שֶֽׁעָל֖וּ מִן־הָֽרַחְצָ֑ה שֶׁכֻּלָּם֙ מַתְאִימ֔וֹת וְשַׁכֻּלָ֖ה אֵ֥ין בָּהֶֽם 6. Your teeth – like the flock of goats that came up from bathing, all of which bear twins and none are barren. ז כְּפֶ֤לַח הָֽרִמּוֹן֙ רַקָּתֵ֔ךְ מִבַּ֖עַד לְצַמָּתֵֽךְ 7. Like the slice of pomegranate is your temple peeking through your braid. Simultaneously, Sh'lomó, in his palace, thinks the same thing The Shulamít and The Shepherd (and Sh'lomó offstage): ח שִׁשִּׁ֥ים הֵ֨מָּה֙ מְלָכ֔וֹת וּשְׁמֹנִ֖ים פִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים וַֽעֲלָמ֖וֹת אֵ֥ין מִסְפָּֽר 8. Sixty are the queens, and eighty the concubines, and young ladies are without number. ט אַחַ֥ת הִיא֙ יֽוֹנָתִ֣י תַמָּתִ֔י אַחַ֥ת הִיא֙ לְאִמָּ֔הּ בָּרָ֥ה הִ֖יא לְיֽוֹלַדְתָּ֑הּ רָא֤וּהָ בָנוֹת֙ וַֽיְאַשְּׁר֔וּהָ מְלָכ֥וֹת וּפִֽילַגְשִׁ֖ים וַֽיְהַלְלֽוּהָ {ס} ♦ ♥ ♦ The Shepherd (and Sh'lomó offstage): ט אַחַ֥ת הִיא֙ יֽוֹנָתִ֣י תַמָּתִ֔י אַחַ֥ת הִיא֙ לְאִמָּ֔הּ בָּרָ֥ה הִ֖יא לְיֽוֹלַדְתָּ֑הּ רָא֤וּהָ בָנוֹת֙ וַֽיְאַשְּׁר֔וּהָ מְלָכ֥וֹת וּפִֽילַגְשִׁ֖ים וַֽיְהַלְלֽוּהָ {ס} 9. One is my dove, my innocent girl, she is her mother's only one, the light of her birth-mother's life. Maidens saw her and approved of her; queens and concubines, and they praised her. ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 3 – The palace, looking out the window from a main hall – Day The Daughters of Jerusalem and the King's Men: (seeing the Shulamít returning to the palace, aglow after her reunion with the Shepherd) י מִי־זֹ֥את הַנִּשְׁקָפָ֖ה כְּמוֹ־שָׁ֑חַר יָפָ֣ה כַלְּבָנָ֗ה בָּרָה֙ כַּֽחַמָּ֔ה אֲיֻמָּ֖ה כַּנִּדְגָּלֽוֹת? {ס} 10. Who is she, who appears like the dawn, as beautiful as the moon, as bright as the sun, as daunting as the stars above? ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 4 – The girls' chambers of the palace – Day The Shulamít: יא אֶל־גִּנַּ֤ת אֱגוֹז֙ יָרַ֔דְתִּי לִרְא֖וֹת בְּאִבֵּ֣י הַנָּ֑חַל לִרְאוֹת֙ הֲפָֽרְחָ֣ה הַגֶּ֔פֶן הֵנֵ֖צוּ הָֽרִמֹּנִֽים 11. I went down to Nut Garden to see the first sprouts by the creek, to see whether the grapevine had blossomed, whether the pomegranate had budded. יב לֹ֣א יָדַ֔עְתִּי נַפְשִׁ֣י שָׂמַ֔תְנִי מַרְכְּב֖וֹת עַמִּ֥י נָדִֽיב 12. I don't know what happened... my soul bore me back to my noble people.

Chapter 7 The Shulamít has made up her mind to leave the palace (and the King) and go back to her village and her lover the Shepherd. The King and his entourage are partying as usual in the palace. The King, somewhat drunk, is sorry to see her go and still thinks he has a chance of convincing her to stay The King's Men: א שׁ֤וּבִי שׁ֨וּבִי֙ הַשּׁ֣וּלַמִּ֔ית שׁ֥וּבִי שׁ֖וּבִי וְנֶֽחֱזֶה־בָּ֑ךְ! 1. Come back, come back, O Shulamít! Come back, and let us watch you! The Shulamít and the Daughters of Jerusalem: (indignantly) מַֽה־תֶּחֱזוּ֙ בַּשּׁ֣וּלַמִּ֔ית כִּמְחֹלַ֖ת הַֽמַּחֲנָֽיִם? What do you mean, "watch the Shulamít"? Like one who dances The Dance of the Two Camps? Sh'lomó: ב מַה־יָּפ֧וּ פְעָמַ֛יִךְ בַּנְּעָלִ֖ים בַּת־נָדִ֑יב חַמּוּקֵ֣י יְרֵכַ֔יִךְ כְּמ֣וֹ חֲלָאִ֔ים מַֽעֲשֵׂ֖ה יְדֵ֥י אָמָּֽן 2. How lovely your steps were in your shoes, noble maiden, the curves of your hips like jeweled circlets made by the hands of a craftsman; ג שָׁרְרֵךְ֙ אַגַּ֣ן הַסַּ֔הַר אַל־יֶחְסַ֖ר הַמָּ֑זֶג בִּטְנֵךְ֙ עֲרֵמַ֣ת חִטִּ֔ים סוּגָ֖ה בַּשּֽׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים 3. your navel – a cruse of the crescent moon – may the blended wine never lack! Your belly – a haystack bordered with lilies; ד שְׁנֵ֥י שָׁדַ֛יִךְ כִּשְׁנֵ֥י עֳפָרִ֖ים תָּֽאֳמֵ֥י צְבִיָּֽה 4. your two breasts like two fawns, twins of a gazelle; ה צַוָּארֵ֖ךְ כְּמִגְדַּ֣ל הַשֵּׁ֑ן עֵינַ֜יִךְ בְּרֵכ֣וֹת בְּחֶשְׁבּ֗וֹן עַל־שַׁ֨עַר֙ בַּת־רַבִּ֔ים אַפֵּךְ֙ כְּמִגְדַּ֣ל הַלְּבָנ֔וֹן צוֹפֶ֖ה פְּנֵ֥י דַמָּֽשֶׂק 5. your neck like the Ivory Tower; your eyes – pools in Ħeshbon by the gate of Bat-Rabbím; your nose like the Tower of Lebanon looking out over Damascus; ו רֹאשֵׁ֤ךְ עָלַ֨יִךְ֙ כַּכַּרְמֶ֔ל וְדַלַּ֥ת רֹאשֵׁ֖ךְ כָּֽאַרְגָּמָ֑ן מֶ֖לֶךְ אָס֥וּר בָּֽרְהָטִֽים 6. your head upon you like the Carmel and your tresses like purple wool – a king is captive in the rafters. ז מַה־יָּפִית֙ וּמַה־נָּעַ֔מְתְּ אַֽהֲבָ֖ה בַּתַּֽעֲנוּגִֽים... 7. How much more beautiful and pleasing you were, love, than any other delight... ח זֹ֤את קֽוֹמָתֵךְ֙ דָּֽמְתָ֣ה לְתָמָ֔ר וְשָׁדַ֖יִךְ לְאַשְׁכֹּלֽוֹת 8. Thus you stood tall, like a palm tree, and your breasts like clusters; ט אָמַ֨רְתִּי֙ אֶֽעֱלֶ֣ה בְתָמָ֔ר אֹֽחֲזָ֖ה בְּסַנְסִנָּ֑יו וְיִֽהְיוּ־נָ֤א שָׁדַ֨יִךְ֙ כְּאֶשְׁכְּל֣וֹת הַגֶּ֔פֶן וְרֵ֥יחַ אַפֵּ֖ךְ כַּתַּפּוּחִֽים 9. I said: I'll climb a palm, I'll hold onto its panicles, and may your breasts be like the bunches on the grapevine and the smell of your breath like the apples י וְחִכֵּ֕ךְ כְּיֵ֥ין הַטּ֛וֹב... 10. and your mouth like the wine of goodness... The Shulamít: (interrupting his rather immodest drunken reverie before he tells the whole story of their night together) ... הוֹלֵ֥ךְ לְדוֹדִ֖י לְמֵֽישָׁרִ֑ים דּוֹבֵ֖ב שִׂפְתֵ֥י יְשֵׁנִֽים ...which goes straight to my lover's head, making him speak like a sleep-talker. (decisively) יא אֲנִ֣י לְדוֹדִ֔י וְעָלַ֖י תְּשֽׁוּקָתֽוֹ {ס} 11. I am my lover's and his desire is for me. ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 2 – The Shulamít's chamber in the palace – Day The Shulamit is in her room, packing her things. The Shepherd comes in (to the Shepherd) יב לְכָ֤ה דוֹדִי֙ נֵצֵ֣א הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה נָלִ֖ינָה בַּכְּפָרִֽים 12. Come, my lover, we'll go out to the field, we'll sleep among the henna blossoms, יג נַשְׁכִּ֨ימָה֙ לַכְּרָמִ֔ים נִרְאֶ֞ה אִם־פָּֽרְחָ֤ה הַגֶּ֨פֶן֙ פִּתַּ֣ח הַסְּמָדַ֔ר הֵנֵ֖צוּ הָֽרִמּוֹנִ֑ים שָׁ֛ם אֶתֵּ֥ן אֶת־דֹּדַ֖י לָֽךְ 13. we'll wake up to the plantations, we'll see whether the vine has blossomed, releasing its sweet fragrance, whether the pomegranates have budded – there I will give you my loving. יד הַֽדּוּדָאִ֣ים נָֽתְנוּ־רֵ֗יחַ וְעַל־פְּתָחֵ֨ינוּ֙ כָּל־מְגָדִ֔ים חֲדָשִׁ֖ים גַּם־יְשָׁנִ֑ים דּוֹדִ֖י צָפַ֥נְתִּי לָֽךְ 14. The mandrakes have given forth their fragrance and every delicacy assails our senses, new and old alike – my lover, I hid them away for you.

Chapter 8 Scene 1 – On the way to the village of Ęin Gédi – Day The Shulamít and the Shepherd walk back to their village accompanied by the Daughters of Jerusalem The Shulamít: א מִ֤י יִתֶּנְךָ֙ כְּאָ֣ח לִ֔י יוֹנֵ֖ק שְׁדֵ֣י אִמִּ֑י אֶֽמְצָאֲךָ֤ בַחוּץ֙ אֶשָּׁ֣קְךָ֔ גַּ֖ם לֹֽא־יָבֻ֥זוּ לִֽי 1. If only you were like my brother, nursing at my mother's breasts... I'd find you in the marketplace - I'd kiss you – and no one would mock me! ב אֶנְהָֽגְךָ֗ אֲבִֽיאֲךָ֛ אֶל־בֵּ֥ית אִמִּ֖י תְּלַמְּדֵ֑נִי אַשְׁקְךָ֙ מִיַּ֣יִן הָרֶ֔קַח מֵֽעֲסִ֖יס רִמֹּנִֽי 2. I'll lead the way, I'll bring you to my mother's house, she'll teach me; I'll pour for you from my wine-potion, from the juice of my pomegranate. (to the Daughters of Jerusalem) ג שְׂמֹאלוֹ֙ תַּ֣חַת רֹאשִׁ֔י וִֽימִינ֖וֹ תְּחַבְּקֵֽנִי 3. With his left hand under my head, his right hand will caress me. ד הִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּנ֣וֹת יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם... 4. You swore to me, Daughters of Jerusalem... (Daughters of Jerusalem chime in): " מַה־תָּעִ֧ירוּ ׀ וּֽמַה־תְּעֹ֥רְר֛וּ אֶת־הָאַֽהֲבָ֖ה עַ֥ד שֶׁתֶּחְפָּֽץ?" {ס} "...what good would it have done to awaken or arouse love before the time was ripe?!" ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 2 – At the entrance to the village – Day they approach the village and are seen from afar by the Shulamít's step-brothers The Shulamít's Step-brothers: ה מִ֣י זֹ֗את עֹלָה֙ מִן־הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר מִתְרַפֶּ֖קֶת עַל־דּוֹדָ֑הּ? 5. Who is she, coming up from the desert, leaning on her lover? The Shulamít: תַּ֤חַת הַתַּפּ֨וּחַ֙ עֽוֹרַרְתִּ֔יךָ שָׁ֚מָּה חִבְּלַ֣תְךָ אִמֶּ֔ךָ שָׁ֖מָּה חִבְּלָ֥ה יְלָדַֽתְךָ Under the apple tree I wakened you, there your mother labored at your birth, there labored the woman who bore you. (emphatically, afraid that her forwardness, past and present, will drive him off) ו שִׂימֵ֨נִי כַֽחוֹתָ֜ם עַל־לִבֶּ֗ךָ כַּֽחוֹתָם֙ עַל־זְרוֹעֶ֔ךָ כִּֽי־עַזָּ֤ה כַמָּ֨וֶת֙ אַֽהֲבָ֔ה קָשָׁ֥ה כִשְׁא֖וֹל קִנְאָ֑ה 6. Place me like the seal upon your heart, like the seal upon your arm! For as fierce as death is love, as harsh as the grave is jealousy – (Daughters of Jerusalem chime in): רְשָׁפֶ֕יהָ רִשְׁפֵּ֕י אֵ֖שׁ שַׁלְהֶ֥בֶתְיָֽה its tongues are tongues of fire, the Divine flame. The Shepherd: (reassures her) ז מַ֣יִם רַבִּ֗ים לֹ֤א יֽוּכְלוּ֙ לְכַבּ֣וֹת אֶת־הָֽאַהֲבָ֔ה וּנְהָר֖וֹת לֹ֣א יִשְׁטְפ֑וּהָ 7. Many waters will never quench my love, nor will rivers wash it away... The Shepherd and the Shulamít אִם־יִתֵּ֨ן אִ֜ישׁ אֶת־כָּל־ה֤וֹן בֵּיתוֹ֙ בָּאַֽהֲבָ֔ה בּ֖וֹז יָב֥וּזוּ לֽוֹ {ס} ...if a man give all the wealth of his house for love, surely he will be mocked! ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 3 – In the village – Day The step-brothers try to deal with the latest developments... The Shulamít's Step-brothers: ח אָח֥וֹת לָ֨נוּ֙ קְטַנָּ֔ה וְשָׁדַ֖יִם אֵ֣ין לָ֑הּ מַֽה־נַּעֲשֶׂה֙ לַֽאֲחֹתֵ֔נוּ בַּיּ֖וֹם שֶׁיְּדֻבַּר־בָּֽהּ? 8. We have a little sister and she has no breasts; what will we do to our sister on the day she is spoken for? ט אִם־חוֹמָ֣ה הִ֔יא נִבְנֶ֥ה עָלֶ֖יהָ טִ֣ירַת כָּ֑סֶף וְאִם־דֶּ֣לֶת הִ֔יא נָצ֥וּר עָלֶ֖יהָ ל֥וּחַ אָֽרֶז 9. If she be a wall, we'll build upon her a silver turret; if she be a door, we'll board her up with a cedar panel. The Shulamít: י אֲנִ֣י חוֹמָ֔ה וְשָׁדַ֖י כַּמִּגְדָּל֑וֹת אָ֛ז הָיִ֥יתִי בְעֵינָ֖יו כְּמֽוֹצְאֵ֥ת שָׁלֽוֹם {פ} 10. I am a wall and my breasts are like its towers; that was when he saw that I had found peace. ♦ ♥ ♦ Scene 3 – In the plantations of Ęin Gédi – Evening The Shulamít and the Shepherd: יא כֶּ֣רֶם הָיָ֤ה לִשְׁלֹמֹה֙ בְּבַ֣עַל הָמ֔וֹן נָתַ֥ן אֶת־הַכֶּ֖רֶם לַנֹּֽטְרִ֑ים אִ֛ישׁ יָבִ֥א בְּפִרְי֖וֹ אֶ֥לֶף כָּֽסֶף 11. Sh'lomó had a plantation in Ba'al Hamon – he gave the plantation to others to tend; a man would give a thousand silver pieces for its fruit. יב כַּרְמִ֥י שֶׁלִּ֖י לְפָנָ֑י הָאֶ֤לֶף לְךָ֙ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וּמָאתַ֖יִם לְנֹֽטְרִ֥ים אֶת־פִּרְיֽוֹ 12. My own plantation is here before me – you can have your thousand, Sh'lomó, and two hundred for those who tend its fruit. The Shepherd: יג הַיּוֹשֶׁ֣בֶת בַּגַּנִּ֗ים חֲבֵרִ֛ים מַקְשִׁיבִ֥ים לְקוֹלֵ֖ךְ הַשְׁמִיעִֽנִי 13. You who dwell in the gardens, our friends hear your voice – sing only for me! The Shulamít: יד בְּרַ֣ח ׀ דּוֹדִ֗י וּֽדְמֵה־לְךָ֤ לִצְבִי֙ א֚וֹ לְעֹ֣פֶר הָֽאַיָּלִ֔ים עַ֖ל הָרֵ֥י בְשָׂמִֽים {ש} 14. Run away, my lover, and be like a gazelle or a fawn on mountains of perfume...