Classic Poem

CHAP. II.

PART I .

The Bridegroom .

I am the rose of Sharon's field,
The lilly that the vallies yield;
Which paint the fields with white and red,
And far and near their odors spread.
Just as the lilly, which adorns
The vale beset around with thorns;
So bright my love appears among
The brightest of the virgin-throng.

The B RIDE .

Just as a tree with apples crown'd,
Amidst wild shrubs encompass'd round;
So fair my dear appears among
The fairest of the youthful throng.
To his cool shade I did retire,
There sat me down with great desire
To pluck his fruit, which gave delight
Both to my taste, and to my sight.
He led me to the joyful place,
Which splendid banquets us'd to grace:
To entertain me there, he spread
Love's conqu'ring banner o'er my head.
O chear this fainting heart of mine
With goblets crown'd with gen'rous wine!
Treat me with apples; these will prove
A cordial, now I'm sick of love.
May his left hand my head uphold,
May his right arm me round enfold.

The Bridegroom .

O Daughters of Jerusalem,
(Fair offspring of a noble stem)
Since here my love now rests secure,
I with a solemn charge adjure
You, by the nimble roes and fawns,
That run and skip along the lawns;
Permit her soft repose to take,
And no indecent clamour make;
Nor jog her as she slumb'ring lies,
Till she herself is pleas'd to rise.