How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine, your anointing oils are fragrant, your name is perfume poured out; therefore the maidens love you. Draw me after you, let us make haste. The king has brought me into his chambers. (NRSV 1:2-4)
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers. (KJV 1:2-4)
"Your love" can also be translated as "your lovemaking" (which means hopping in this guy's bed is better than drinking wine). Hubba, hubba.
Quote #2
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the wild does: do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready! (NRSV 2:7)
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please. (KJV 2:7)
The bride repeats this statement a few times throughout the poem. One interpretation is that she means no one should disturb her and the groom until they're done sexing it up. Hey, if this garden is a rockin', don't come a knockin'.
Quote #3
My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance." (NRSV 2:10-13)
My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. (KJV 2:10-13)
Well, the groom seems pretty happy about the change of seasons. All this springtime imagery may represent the bride's awakening sexuality.