1 Daughters of Jerusalem,
If you find my well-belov'd,
Strongly represent my Flame;
Tell him how my Heart is vom';
Sick of Love, I, panting, lie:
O! bid him haste, or else I die.
2 What is this Belov'd of thine,
O thou fairest among Women?
What Perfections in him shine?
Say why thou conclud'st there's no Man
Beautiful and true as he?
O! why this solemn Charge from thee.
3 My Belov'd is white as Snow,
Ruddy as the new-blown Roses;
Th; White his Deity doth show,
Th' Red his human Form supposes;
From each Spot and Blemish free,
O chief among ten Thousand he!
4 His Head is as the finest Gold,
His bushy Locks black as a Raven;
His Worth and Wisdom still untold
In our Songs, here, or in Heav'n:
Once with Thorns, crown'd now with Pow'r;
O he's the Man whom I adore!
5 His Eyes are as the Eyes of Doves,
Innocent, chaste, strong, and piercing,
Darting on me richest Loves;
His Heart's Language still rehearsing;
Their Omniscience guards my Ways;
O how attracting are his Eyes!
6 His Cheeks are as the spicy Bed,
Sweeter than the sweetest Flowers,
Of a lovely crimson Red;
Perfect Beauties, strongest Powers,
Clust'ring in his Face are seen:
O fairest of the Sons of Men!
7 His Lips, like Lilies, kindly give
Words as Myrrh, most sweetly smelling;
words, whereon his Children live,
Angel's Harmony excelling;
When Love's Silence first he brake,
O Heav'n was in the Word he spake!
8 His Legs, as Marble Pillars, stand
On find Gold, of long Duration,
Shews his Strength and high Command:
Man in God, the sure Foundation;
Bears eternal Government;
O in his Love is true Content!
9 His Count'nance more glorious is
Than Lebanon's tallest Cedar;
Majestic more than all its Trees,
'Mongst all Beauties he's the Leader;
The Creation is too low,
O my Belov'd, thy worth to show!
10 O how beauteous is his Mouth!
Sweetest Heav'n is in his Kisses;
Always speaking Words of Truth,
Promising ten thousand Blisses;
I, his gracious Words believe:
O he ne'er will nor can deceive!
11 He's beyond Description fair,
Sweet, and lovely all together;
All Relations in him are,
Bridegroom, Brother, Husband, Father,
Wonderful this Man divine!
O all Perfections in him shine!
12 O! ye Daughters, this is he,
This my Friend, and well-belov'd;
Could you but his Glory see,
Soon my choice would be approv'd;
Won, like me, by conq'ring Love,
O ye my Flame would quickly prove.
Source: Christian Hymns, Poems, and Spiritual Songs: sacred to the praise of God our Saviour #I.LXXI