Friends:

Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her Beloved?

She:

Under the apple tree I roused you; there your mother conceived you,

there she who was in labor gave you birth. Place me like a seal over your heart,

like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death,

its jealousy unyielding as the grave.

It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.

Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.

If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love,

it would be utterly scorned.