Thy neck I call, as it appears to view,
A pillar of ivory in shape and hue;

And the fair feature on thy beauteous face,
Too exquisite for mortal hand to trace,
Resembles Lebanon's tower, which commands
The distant plain where famed Damascus stands.
To Carmel I compare thy stately head,
And to the purple on its sea-shore spread,
I liken the rich tresses of thy hair,
Which captivate thy king, O maiden fair.
Unrivall'd in thy loveliness thou art,
Thy fascinations steal away the heart,
Like the young palm-tree in its ripening years.
In all thy charms thy graceful form appears,
Oh, would that I possess'd this beauteous tree,
And fondly grasp'd the boughs that bloom'd for me;
Oh, could I hope to gain this tender vine,
And were its branches and its clusters mine;
Oh, breathe for me thy sweetness like the air,
That wafts the scent of fruit from gardens fair;
Oh, mingle the dear accents of thy voice,
Like mellow wine that makes the heart rejoice;
Wine that for favour'd guests abundant flows,
And gives loquacity e'en in repose.

THE SHULAMITE.

My own beloved's I am, his very own,

And 'tis for me to love but him alone.

Come, my beloved, let us no longer stay,
To rural scenes, oh let us haste away!
In quiet villages we'll pass the night,

And seek the vineyards by the morning light;
Watchful we'll mark each spreading vine, to see
If any there in tender bud may be;

And look if any blossoms may be found,
On the pomegranate-trees that grow around;
There, with my heart to thee for ever true,
Will I my vows of constancy renew.

Our mandrakes all their fragrant odours shed,
And at our doors delicious fruits are spread;
Fruits late and early gather'd all by me,
And kept with care, O my beloved, for thee.
Oh wert thou as my brother, we could greet
With sweet affection's kiss whene'er we meet ;
No more reproachful glances should be thrown,
When I would lead thee thence with me alone;
Then to my parent's dwelling without fear,
I'd bring thee as mine own instructor dear ;
To cheer thee with refreshing wine I'd haste,
And thou of sweet pomegranate juice shouldst taste.

Would his right arm my sinking frame entwined,
And on his left my drooping head reclined.

I charge you, maids of Zion, not to part,
From my beloved my true and constant heart.

E

VII.

THE BROTHERS OF THE SHULAMITE.

[Near their residence in the country.]

Oh who is she that hither seems to bend
Her gentle steps, and from the plain ascend ;
Lo! she approaches nearer and is seen,

Upon her own beloved one now to lean.

THE SHULAMITE, ADDRESSING THE SHEPHERD.
Beneath this tree which quinces ripe adorn,
And in this favour'd spot where thou wast born,
Here first I view our union as begun,

For it was here thy faithful heart I won;
Oh place me as a seal upon that heart,

Or ring upon thy hand no more to part ;
For constant love is powerful as death,

And as resistless as the shades beneath;

Love's flames are as the lightning from on high, Jehovah's fires that cleave the darken'd sky.

7 Note 16.