IN PRAISE OF GARDENS 



A garden shut up is my sister, my bride, 



A spring shut up, 



A fountain sealed. 

 Thy shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, 



With precious fruits; 

 Henna with spikenard plants, 



Spikenard and saffron, 



Calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frank- 

 incense, 



Myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices. 

 Thou art a fountain of gardens, 



A well of living waters, 



And flowing streams from Lebanon. 



Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; 



Blow upon my garden, 



That the spices thereof may flow out. 

 Let my beloved come into his garden, 



And eat his precious fruits. 



I am come into my garden, my sister, my bride ; 

 I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; 

 I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; 

 I have drunk my wine with my milk. 







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