SUBJECTS OF THE TWELVE CANTICLES. I. THE BRIDE IN THE KING'S CHAMBERS. II. THE BRIDEGROOM AND THE BRIDE TOGETHER IN THEIR GARDEN RETREAT. III. THE BRIDEGROOM'S CALL TO THE BRIDE, AND HER RESPONSE TO THE CALL. IV.. THE BRIDE'S MIDNIGHT SEARCH AFTER HER BELOVED. V. THE BRIDEGROOM'S STATE-VISIT TO THE BRIDE, AND HIS DESCRIPTION OF HER BEAUTIES, VI. THE BRIDE COMPARED TO A LOVELY GARDEN, OR PARAdise. VII. THE BRIDE'S PORTRAIT OF THE Bridegroom, aND HIS DESCRIPTION OF HER IN REPLY. VIII. THE BRIDE OVERTAKEN BY A SUDDEN IMPULSE OF FEAR. IX. DESCRIPTION OF THE BRIDE'S PERSON BY THE ATTENDANT VIRGINS. FIRST CANTICLE. THE BRIDE IN THE KING'S CHAMBERS. PLAN OF THE CANTICLE. THIS Canticle may very properly be considered as introductory to the series. It supposes the Bride to have been already brought into the house of the Bridegroom, who is no less than a royal personage, the King himself; whilst the Bride is represented as one of an inferior condition in life, or at least as one, who by the ill-treatment of her relatives had been employed in servile labours. Bishop Percy's description of the plan of this canticle is as follows: "The Bride had on the preceding evening been brought home to Solomon's palace and lodged in his hadarim, or inner apartments. In the morning she finds herself alone with the Bridemaids, the Bridegroom having withdrawn to his rural amusements. And here the poem commences. "The Bride full of his charming idea, breaks out into the most rapturous expressions of love and tenderness, and addresses herself to the object of her affection as if he were present, wishing for his caresses (v. 1.), declaring her regard (v. 2.), and bearing testimony to the amiableness of his character, which, by a common Eastern metaphor, she compares to the diffusive fragrance of fine ointments or perfumes (v. 3). She then expresses her satisfaction on being brought into his family (v. 4.), and receives the congratulations of the Bridemaids, who compliment her on her affection and beauty. This produces some modest abatements on her part (v. 5.), and a short sketch of the early part of her history (v. 6.) But immediately renewing her enquiries after her Beloved by that fine apostrophe, 'Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon,' &c.; she receives some general directions from her virgin attendants, in consequence of which she sets out in search of him." FIRST CANTICLE. Ch. I., v. 2-8. Authorised version and arrangement. 2. (a) Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; (b) for thy love is better than wine. 3. (c) Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 4. Draw me, we will run after thee: (d) the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. 5. (e) I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, (ƒ) as the tents of Kedar, (g) as the curtains of Solomon. 6. Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me : (h) my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of their vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. 7. (i) Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, (k) where thou feedest, (1) where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: (m) for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? 8. If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, (n) go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents. Revised Version arranged in the form of Dialogue, chiefly after Bp. Percy and Dr. Mason Good. BRIDE. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For O! thy love is more delicious than wine. Like the fragrance of thine own sweet perfumes is thy name—a liquid perfume poured forth-for this do the virgins love thee. O draw me unto thee! VIRGINS. We will run after thee-we will follow the fragrance of thy perfumes. BRIDE. The King hath brought me into his apartments, his inner chambers. VIRGINS. We will exult and rejoice in thee; we will celebrate thy love above wine; thou art every way lovely. BRIDE. I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem; as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains (or hangings) of Solomon. Yet look not down upon me (despise me not) because I am black for the sun hath discoloured me. My mother's children were severe with me; they made me keeper of their vineyards; mine own vineyard have I not kept. Tell me, O thou! whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest thy flock, where thou restest it at noon: for why should I be as a wanderer among the flocks of thy companions? VIRGINS. If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth, follow the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the tents of the shepherds. PARAPHRASE. BRIDE. Oh let him kiss me with his mouth's own kisses! VIRGINS. Whitherso'er thou goest, We will run after thee; thy winning sweetness BRIDE. What honour this! What happiness! for lo! into his palace The King hath brought me ! yea, hath open'd to me |