1 Oh, that you were like my brother,
Who nursed at my mother’s breasts!
If I should find you outside,
I would kiss you;
I would not be despised.

2 I would lead you and bring you
Into the ^ahouse of my mother,
She who used to instruct me.
I would cause you to drink of ^bspiced wine,
Of the juice of my pomegranate. ‡

4 ^aI charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
Do not stir up nor awaken love
Until it pleases. ‡

5 ^aWho is this coming up from the wilderness,
Leaning upon her beloved?
I awakened you under the apple tree.
There your mother brought you forth;
There she who bore you brought you forth. ‡