THE COMPANION'S WORDS .

If thy Belov'd, O fairest fair,
Be such a matchless one,
With thee we'd seek him, wist we where;
O tell us where he's gone?

THE CHURCH'S WORDS .

My Lord's down to his garden dress'd,
The place of his repair,
'Mong spicy beds to feed and feast,
And gather lilies there.

I'm my Belovd's, and he is mine;
Sweet are his sacred courts;
Among the lilies there that shine
He feeds, and there resorts.

CHRIST'S WORDS .

My love, like Tirzah, fair array'd,
Like Salem gay indeed;
Thou like an host, with flags display'd,
Dost strike thy foes with dread.

Thy catching eyes (of faith and love)
That make myself their prize,
Have overcome me: pray remove
And turn away thine eyes.

Gay like a peasant flock of goats
On Gilead's stately height,
Is thine adorning hair, (that notes
Thy known deportment bright.)

Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep,
Even shorn, from washing come:
Each grace with twins their order keep,
And bring full product home.

Like to a piece of pomegranate,
Thy temples ruddy clear,
Within thy locks affectionate
And graceful blushes bear.

Queens, concubines, and virgins are
Unnumber'd whom they call
The earth's great beauties, charming fair;
But thou excell'st them all.

My spotless dove as one I view,
She's all in one to me;
Her mother churches darling too,
And choicest progeny.

The daughters saw her, and around
They bless'd her comely face;
Yea, queens and damsels more renown'd,
Extoll'd her shining grace.

" Who's this (said they) so brightly springs,
Like to the morning ray;
That cleaves night's shades with silver wings
To haste the golden day!

" With sun and moon her beauties vie:
Yea, terrible to see!
An host appears, and banners fly;
O what an One is she! "

Down to the garden of sweet nuts
I went, when I withdrew,
To see the budding valley fruits
If grapes and 'granates grew.

And unawares thy soul at ebb,
Quick flowing, set me high
On chariots of Aminadab,
And wings of love to fly.

Return, return, O Shulamite;
Return, return apace;
That we may look with great delight
Upon thy beauteous face.

What in the Shulamite so damp'd
Have heav'nly hosts to see?
As 'twere two hosts on earth encamp'd,
So choice a sight is she.