The Bride

The bride says the beloved is dazzling, outstanding among many, with gold-like head, raven-black hair, dove-like eyes, and cheeks like beds of spice. Her words combine royalty, vitality, tenderness, and fragrance into a portrait of singular beauty.

M¹⁰y beloved is dazzling and ruddy, ¹¹His head is purest gold; ¹²His eyes are like doves ¹³His cheeks are like beds of spice,

She continues by describing his arms, body, legs, and overall bearing with images of gold, ivory, marble, Lebanon, and cedars. The portrait culminates in her declaration that his mouth is most sweet and that he is altogether desirable, closing not only with desire but with the confession that he is her beloved and her friend.

¹⁴His arms are rods of gold ¹⁵His legs are pillars of marble ¹⁶His mouth is most sweet;