The Lily Among Thorns: A Study of the Biblical ... - Forgotten Books

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there is revealed a superb carving, who does not prefer the originalto its copy ? If underneath some monkish or popish le-gnd written on parchment there.
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f ruits o f a century o f critical study o f He brew a r e now wit h i n reac h o f all T h re e ge ner a ti o n s o f r e v e r e nt stud e nts o f t e xt rath e r th a n of trad ition ha v e r e v e al e d the Bibl e as lit e rature Th e r e m ar k a ble agr e e m e n t in t h e ory a n d r e s u lt reach e d a n d th e total we a lt h o f o ld trut h s r e —dis co v e re d a r e e q ually causes o f gratitud e The a n al o gy i n th e natur a l world h as b e e n th e collat e ral prog re ss i n g e olo g y a n d t h e loc a tion o f e art h s u m T HE

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us e d tre asure s i n old a n d n e w la n ds A s the m i n er is fi r s t to pr o fi t b y the stud i e s o f th e g e ologist so t h e fi r s t to utiliz e t h e r e s e arc h e s o f ori e ntalists should b e m i n ist e rs w h o a r e pastors a n d t e achers o f th e W ord o f G o d N o boo k o f th e B ibl e h as b e e n so inacc e ssibl e to t h e ordi n a ry re ad e r non e 5 0 w all e d about matt e d o v e r a n d h i d d e n b y tra d itio n as the S o n g o f S ongs T h is Th o r n r o s e castl e o f th e He bre w w orld h as stood f or c e nturi e s li k e so m e battle m e n te d to w er m antl e d w it h ra n k g ro w t h s o f ivy a n d a ll w i ld v i n e s I ts e xt e r n al f o r m h as pro m pt e d to in n u m e rabl e co n j ecture s as to w h at was w ithin T h e g r e a t H e braists o f our c e n tury li k e t h e prince i n Te uto n ic story h a v e not cont e n ted t h e m sel v e s with b e hol d i n g the outsid e P e n e trati n g .

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wit h i n they hav e b e e n c h arm e d with a beauty b e f ore u n suspect e d I nst e ad o f th e g a ris h pr i s m a ti c s s h e d by a ll e gori e s t h e y ha v e en j oy e d in w h it e l ight a loveliness t h at is a n ci e nt intrinsic and real T h e y r e ad i n t h e S o n g o f S o n gs a stai n l e ssly chast e love poe m the epic o f a wo m an s purity a sati r e on polyga m y lo f ty e t h ical teac h i n gs a n d a spiritual doctri n e taug h t i n dra m atic f or m They fi n d the comple m e n t to th e ot h e r writings o f the J e h ovah r e ligio n w h ic h n e e ds no a r ti fi c i a l a n d f ar f e tched system o f interpretatio n f or good doctrine ne e d s n o all e gory I n th e co m pany of such e xplo r e r s o f I srael s his tory and Bibl e trut h as H e rd e r Eic h horn U m b r e i t E w ald Gi n sburg God e t Ch e y n e F arrar S m ith B rig g s and D aland and i nd e e d th e m a j ori ty o f m od e r n scholars n o pastor o f a C h ristian c h urch n e e d b e as h a m e d to sta n d Y e t until the app e ar anc e o f th e R e v is e d V e rsion o f 1 8 8 4 wh i ch de capitat e d th e c h apt e rs i n th e E nglis h ve rsion o f t h e ir i m p e rtin e n t h e a d i n g s and sho w e d th e po e tic a n d dra m atic structur e o f th e S o n g o f S o n g s the pre ach e r who discard e d all e gory se e m e d audacious i f n o t h eretical Th e v e rsio n o f 1 88 4 re m o v e s dange r and dir e ful no v e lty a n d h e lps g randly t h e stu d e n t e x positor a n d ord i n ary r e ad e r T h e stu d y o f t h is boo k h a v i n g b e e n v e ry h e lp ful to m y o w n soul I h e re in e n d e a v or t o i m part f re e ly t h e bl e ssing e n j oyed I have re pre ss e d most o f th e h o m iletical m att e r us e d in the two cour s e s o f s e rm o n s pre ach e d in S c h e n e ctady ( 1 8 8 4 ) a n d B0 5 ,

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and h av e b e e n content to f urnish what a lit e rary stu d y o f this probably th e m ai n The th e m ost p e r f e ct po e m in a n y language thro n g i n g il lustratio n s w h ic h h a v e co m e to m e f rom biblic al f ar ori e n tal a n d ot h e r lit e rature h a v e b e e n but spari n gly us e d in ord e r t h at th e work m ight b e as m odest i n siz e as it is sl e nd e r i n sc h olars h ip I t is no wor k o f l e arni n g or res e arch w h ich is here sub m itt e d to cold typ e but o n ly t h e studi e s o f o n e w h o e n j oys th e B i b le as lit e ratur e as w e ll as r e v e l a ti o n The k e y to t h is particular tre asure c h a m b e r o f Holy S cri pture h a s b e e n f ur n is h e d m e by t he gr e at He b raists A n e arn e st stu d y o f D e li tz s c h co m pl e t e d m y e m a ncipation f ro m the a lle g o r i c a l t h e ory F a sci n at e d by t h e ric h e s b e f ore m e I cast aw ay th e co m m e ntari e s and ga v e th e spar e h ours o f m y days a n d ni g h ts to th e ori g i n al t e xt a n d th e anci e nt v e rsio n s T h e s e to th e sym pa t h e tic stud e n t outwe i g h in v alue t h e m ou n tai n s of co m m e nt a ry built upo n t h e m I t re m ains to spe a k g rat e f ully of all t h os e t e ach ers f ri e nds a n d associat e s w h o h a v e h e lp e d m e to en j oy a n d appre ciat e t h e ric h e s o f th e O ld Te sta m e n t F irst i n h o n or I n a m e m y i n structors at N e w B runswic k N J th e v e n e rabl e e x Pr e sid e n t o f R utge rs Coll e g e R e v W i lliam H Ca m pb e ll D D LL D f ro m w h o m I l e ar n e d th e rudi m e n ts o f critical biblical study ; a n d th e R e v J o h n D e W itt D D pro f e ssor o f H e bre w at N e w B r u n s wic k N J w h o s e Prai s e S o n gs o f I sra e l is i n ,

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my v i e w th e b e st rend e ring into t h e English lan guage o f th e Psal m s T o m y f or m e r paris h ion e r th e lat e Tayl e r L e w is L L D whos e writi n gs are e v e r sti m ulati n g a n d h e lp f ul 5 to Pro fessor C h arles A Briggs D D o f U n ion T h eological S e m inary w h os e l e ctur e s on H e br e w L it e rature so e nrich e d my m i nd a n d h e art ; to R e v W i l lia m C D ala n d a f e l lo w a lu m n us o f U n ion S e m i n ary w hose v alu a b l e m o n ogra ph o n the S o n g o f S o n gs ( L e o n ards ville N Y 1 8 8 8 ) is so f ull o f fi n e sc h olars h ip and ric h sugge stion ; to R e v S M J ac k son editor of t h e Concise D ictionary o f R e ligious Kno w ledge who k e pt m e i n f or m e d as to th e lat e st bibliograp h y o f the sub j e ct ; a n d to M es s rs M F D ic k i n son J r C h arl e s H A ll e n and S T S n o w o f Boston f or sp e cial i n t e r e st i n t h e publication o f t h is little In b o o k I r e tur n m y si n c e re and h earty t h an k s th e t w o con g r e gations I h a v e had th e honor to s e r v e h a ve b e en m a n y m e n a n d women who have be e n h e artily appre ciati v e o f e ve ry e nd e a v or o f th e ir pastor to u n f ol d to t h e m t he ric h e s o f t h e Bi b le ; t h e ir k i n d w ords I gra t e f ully r e m e m b e r A bo v e all t h a n k s to th e Hea v e n ly F at h e r f or th e h e a lt h a n d stre n g t h e n j oy e d duri n g th e d e l ig h t f ul study o f t he f air pag e o f inspiration o f which t h is littl e bo o k is an u n wort h y exposition I n His N a m e it is sent f orth ,

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m an al s o h avin g d ru n k o l d w i n e s trai gh tway d es i ret h n e w fo r h e s aith Th e o l d i s be tter I n t h e s t udy o f th e m as t e r pi eces of art i n pai n ti n g po et ry a n d a r c hi te c t u re t h e ol d wo rk of m as ter h a n d s seem s t o th e purged eye of t h e s t u d e n t m ore a ugus t an d lovely th an t he m ore rece n t pro du ct io n s wh i ch i m itat e o r c ove r u p th e ol d Th e wo rks o f t h e gol de n age are bet t e r th a n th e weake r or m o re gari s h fabrics of d ebas ed tast e E ven when th e earl ier poem p ic ture s tatu e o r fa cad e seem s s i m pl e n ay plai n i t m ay h ave t o th e eye of t h e cri t i c a rich e r beauty th a n t h e m ore fl o r i d wo rk of l ate r day s w h e n t as t e wa s l es s severe o r o rigi nali ty h ad ru n o u t Wh e n No

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u n d er a c h eap o i l pai n t in g of a l o cal arti s t of u n t rai n ed powers o n e d i s cove rs o n t h e scraped can vas a h ead of th e virgi n by R a ph ael o r C orreggio o r back of th e d il u t ed l i n e s of a pl agiari s t o n e re call s th e s i m pl er gra n der vers e of M il ton o r H erri ck or fro m a wh i t e wash ed ren ovat i o n t h e re i s rev eal ed a s u perb carv i n g w h o d oe s no t p refe r th e o rigi n al t o i t s copy ? I f u n d ern eath s om e m o n ki sh o r p op i sh le g e n d w ri tte n o n parch m e n t th e re b e brough t to re s u rrect i o n a C ode x of S t M atth ew o r a fo r go t te n fragm e n t of th e N ew Tes tam e n t wh o wo ul d n o t h av e ra th e r t h e s i m pl e S c rip t ure th an al l t h e ly i n g l ives o f th e sai n t s o r th e p ri es ts rubbi s h ab o u t w i nk i n g vi rgi n s o r d ri ed bl oo d t u rn i n g t o l iqu id agai n ? I n ar t i n ar c h i te c t u r e i n rel igio n give u s th e o rig in al th e s t ron g th e b es t t h e t ru e I f yo u w i s h a ph ot ograph t o fla t ter you r van ity t o c o n ceal you r age t o c om pe t e wi t h act re s s e s an d p rofe s s i o nal b eau t i e s t h e n bi d th e a rt i s t s oft en th e l i n e s e rase al l th e w r i n k le s t o u ch u p an d ton e d ow n th e n egat i ve u n t il th e pri n ted pic tu re s h al l be a fan cy por t rai t of n ob ody i n part ic ul ar and of yo u rs elf o n ly i n a s h ad o wy s e n se B u t d o yo u wan t t ruth ch arac te r l i fe m an l i nes s a face o n wh i ch h i s to ry an d experi e n c e are gra ve n ? The n l e t t h e ,

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ph oto graph be b u t sl igh tly to uc h ed A s Ol ive r C rom wel l d id pu t th e wa r t i n an d l et th e ru gged l i n es rem ai n Fl ee t in g tast e o r tem u re fi fas h io n ch an ge s th e face t h e ra r o g p y th e d res s S o le t i t b e i n d ry good s groce ries d ru gs an d sh ow cas e pict ure s b u t from t ru th esp ec i al ly trut h i n t h e W o rd of God keep off t h e i m prove r s to u ch es fro m t h e n egat i ve A w ay w i th dye an d wi gs an d c ri m p s fro m th e h ai r pai n t fro m t h e c h eek pat ch e s fro m t h e face pad s an d s h am s fro m t h e l im bs an d le t u s see G od s dau gh t er Tru t h as s h e i s b ea u “ t ifu l i n h er si m plic i ty a n d w h e n u n adorn ed adorn ed th e m o st Th e p erfe ct ly b eaut ifu l n eed s n o ad orn i ng I n such a spiri t l et u s s t udy t hat po r tio n of o ur H eave n ly F at h er s boo k wh ic h treat s of “ h um an love S ol om o n s S o n g s o cal led o r as i t s ow n t i tl e i s Th e S on g of S o n gs We bel ieve i n t h e an cien t a n d n o t th e m od ern i n t e rpretatio n of i t a n d s h al l s t udy i t as an u n to uch ed p ict u re as a n an cie n t work Peo pl e h ave m ad e o u t of i t a s t u m bl in g block h ave bee n s can dal ize d eve n a t i t s bei n g i n th e H ol y B ible S o m e read i t a s bare p ros e a s th ough i t were a n ews paper col um n O th ers tak e i t i n fragm en t s wi t h ou t begin n in g d evel O pm e n t or en d an d al l as l i terally as if i t w ere a groc er s b il l o r a lan dlo rd s receipt O th ers .

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HI S TOR y

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AN D

C R I TI C I S M

gai n m ak e i t e ve n t o e very wo rd a n d d e ta il al l ego ry of C h ri s t an d t h e ch u rch ; an d an fol l owi n g t h e ch apt e r h ead i n gs o f t h e u n r e read i n t o i t a th ou san d i deas vi se d ve rs io n an d c o n c ei t s fo re i gn t o t h e m i nd of th e w ri ter ; w h i le s om e ki n d le t h e fl am es of l u st w i t h fi r e s en t d o wn fro m h eave n C h ri s t ia n peopl e l o o k askan ce at t h is book b ec au se as t h e co m m e n t at or M at th ew H e n ry i n t i m ates w it h m o re o r l e s s t ru th i t i s s o u n l ike t h e o th e r bo ok s i n th e O l d o r N ew Tes tam e n t ; th e n am e of G o d i s n o t fo u n d i n i t ; i t i s n ever qu o te d by C h ri s t or th e apo st les ; w e d o n o t fi n d i n i t any e xpres s io n s of n a tu ral rel igi o n o r pi o u s d evo t io n ; n o r i s t h e re i n i t any v i s io n m i rac le o r m ark of i m m ed iate i n s p irat i o n ; a n d fi n a lly i t i s a fl o w e r fro m w h i ch t h o se wi t h c arn al m i n d s a n d c o rrup t affe c t io n s are l i kely t o e x tr a c t po i s o n S om e of th e s tatem en ts wh i c h we h av e c o n de n sed are t rue som e n o t Th e S on g of S on gs i s n o t i n d eed sp oke n of n o r q uo ted i n t h e N ew Te st a m e n t bu t i t i s ful l o f rel igi o n e xal ted se n ti m e n t ch as te a nd p ure i de as Th e po e m i s s u ffu s ed w i t h e th i cal teac h i n g o f th e be s t ki n d e n fo rc i n g a n ex am pl e for u s to fo l lo w To c row n al l t h e n am e of G od i s i n i t a n d l i n ked t o th e m ast e r pas s i o n w h i ch i s th e burde n of th e so n g W e propose t o e x t rac t a

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1

5

h on ey an d no t poi so n fro m th i s S h e m i t i c Th i s b oo k s h o uld b e expo u n d e d by fl ow e r C h ris tia n m i n i s ter s i n o rde r t o vi nd icat e i t s pu re ch aract e r an d i n exp os i t o ry d is c ou rs e t o un fol d t h e w h ol e coun sel of God as co m pri sed i n th e B ibl e w hi c h en sh ri n e s th e W ord of God t o m an a n d wh i c h i s n o t t o b e n eg le c te d i n any par t W h e n th e s ci e n c e of bibl i cal c rit i ci sm was i n i t s i n fan cy a n d t h e large m as s of u nch al l e n ged tradit i o n i n h e ri ted fro m th e rabbi s s t il l b urd en ed t h e C h ri s t ia n c h urc h s u ch statem e n t s as th os e of M at th ew H e nry could b e wri tt en a n d accepted ; an d t h i s n o t w i t h s tan d i n g su ch assert io n s brin g as m u ch od i u m u po n th e Bi bl e as t h e s neers of i n fi d e ls an d t h e d es truct ive cri tici s m s of Ren an w h o wi t h al l h is l earn i n g i s t h e c h i ef v ulgarize r of h oly th i n gs A s m at ter of fac t Th e S o n g of S on gs i s t h e com pl et i on th e c ro wn in g wo rk of i n sp ire d H ebrew w i sd o m W e fi n d i n th e cen t re of th e E n gl ish O l d Te s tam e n t t h e part u s u ally cal led t h e Poet i cal w h ic h i s th e th i rd of th e fo ur grea t d i vi s io n s of Law H i s tory Po e t ry a n d Proph ecy a co l lect i o n of fi ve bo ok s wh ic h m ay be cal le d th e C ode of W i sd o m Th es e fi ve book s J ob Psal m s Pro verb s E ccle s ias tes a n d th e S o n g of S on gs d o n o t t reat of e ve n t s .

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Y

16

AN D

C R I TI C I S M

l aws c h ro n icl es an d regul at i on s of c o n cret e h i s to ry o r of p ro ph e cy b u t of t h e co n d u c t of l i fe Th e i r p u rpo s e i s d idac ti c an d s t i m ul at i ng “ t o al l wh o wo ul d s e t righ teou s n es s i n th e e arth Th ey are c haracterized by t h e wo rd c /zole m a m ean i n g w i sdo m Th ey h ave t h e fo r m of d ial ogu e d ram a ly ric s apo th egm s s oli l oq uy a nd c a n tata o r dram a Th ey ar e n e ares t to o u r id e a o f p ure l i t eratu re th e l i t er a ture of p ower rath e r th an t h e l iterat ure o f k n owl edge W ith t h i s gro up of poe t i cal book s w e n at u rally as so ciate R u th a n d Lam e n tat io n s fo r t h e s e al s o t reat o f t h e righ t way to li ve as wel l as t o b el i eve a n d wo rsh i p Th e au th ors of t h e b ook of J ob wo uld teac h “ u s h ow t o s u ffe r an d be s t ro n g ; t h e Psal m i s ts h o w t o p ray a nd p rai s e ; t h e Pr o ve r b i s ts i n cul cati ng w i sd o m and d i s cipl i n e h ow u n de r al l ci rcu m sta n ce s t o d o th e s quare t h i n g a o c ord in g to t h e pl um b l i n e o f t h e e te rn i t ies ; t h e Preac h er h o w t o e nj oy ari gh t th e goo d th i n gs of G od ; wh i le t h e poe t of th e C an t icl e s h ows u s h o w t o l ove S u rely t h i s d ivi n e ar t i s a m o s t vi tal m atte r S i nc e G od i s l ove w e are n o t t o l ove apar t fro m H im n o r all o w o ur affec tio n s t o t wi n e h o lae le s s ly arou n d wh at wi l l s eparate u s from H i m W e are e ve n i n o u r earthly l ove s t o re mai n u n s hakably loyal to o ur God S u rely ,

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1

HI S TOR Y

8

CRITICISM

AND

Peopl e are n o t t o bl am e if t h ey read th e b oo k w rongly wh e n i t h as n eve r bee n ex p l ai n ed t o th e m O n c e u n d ers to od p roperly al l obj ec ti on s agai n s t i t fal l t o t h e gro u n d I f i n te rpre te d ac co rd i n g t o t h e pop ular i de a th at t h e C an t i cl e was w ri t t e n by S ol o m on an d t h at i n i t h e re presen ts h i m self as a l ove r an d b ri degroom th e n th e bo ok i s an i n do rsem e n t of polygam y o r at l eas t d o es n o t rebu ke i t W h ereas w e h ol d t h at t h e C an t i cl e i s an i m li i co n d em nat io n of th e polygam ou s ol d c t p k i n g an d a p aean i n prai s e of v i rt ue and t h e l ove of o n e m a n t o on e w om an W e bel i eve of t h i s b oo k w h at is s ai d of al l “ t h e B ibl e : E very s cri pt ure i n sp i red of G o d i s al s o pr o fi ta b le fo r t eac h in g fo r rep ro of fo r c orrecti on for i n s tru c ti o n w h i c h i s i n ri gh t e o u s n e s s : th at th e m a n of G o d m ay b e co m ple t e fur n i s h ed c om pl e t ely u n t o every goo d work Perh ap s w e m ay fi n d th at th i s ex qui si t e l o ve poe m fu r n i sh e s u s t o o n e partic ul ar go od w or k s u c h as n o ot h er b ook i n t h e B i bl e d o e s Th e righ t u nde rs t and i n g of i t m ak e s th e Ol d Tes tam en t c o m pl et e Th e b ook of Prove rb s “ gi ves u s i n pre cep t th e i m age o f a perfect w o m a n n obly pl an n ed th e S on g of S o n gs gi ve s h e r i n ex am pl e Th i s i s th e B i bl e m et h od t o u n i te h i s t o ry a n d ph ilo so phy ,

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19

Th e t h e ory of i n terpretat io n u po n wh i ch w e proceed an d wh ich w e h ol d i s th e an ci en t o n e i s t h at th e Ca n ti cl e i s a can t a ta o r seri e s of so n gs m aki n g a d ra mat i c u n ity cel ebrati n g th e tri u m p h of vir tu e o ver t em pt at io n an d i ll u st rati n g th e c ont ras t be twee n Vi rt uo u s an d s en su al l ove prai si n g t h e form e r a n d sti gm a W it h th e al m o s t ove rwh el m t i z i n g t h e l att er i ng m aj or i ty of m ode rn c ri t i cal s c h ol ars w e th i n k that S ol om o n i s n o t t h e au th o r of i t b u t th at i t w as comp os ed after h i s death probably by an E ph rai m i t e o r n orthern p oet w h o de s cribe s i n ch aracte r sketch e s th e l adie s of th e royal h arem i n Jeru sal em an d a beaut ifu l m aide n fro m th e N orth a s i m pl e ru s t i c gi rl fro m th e v i neyard s a S h ul am i t e Th e poe m c on trasts th e pu re si m pl i city of G al il ean c o u n t ry l i fe wi t h t h e corru pt spl end or of th e c o ur t of S ol om o n Th e ki n g t ries to w i n t h e m aide n s l o ve an d t o place h er i n h i s h are m w i t h t h e o t h e r co u rt lad ie s o r as th ey ar e call ed daugh ter s of J eru salem The ch ief speake rs i n t h i s can tata are 5 0 1 “ o m on th e S h ulam it e h e r bel oved (d a d ) w h o i s a sh eph erd an d th e c ou rt ladi es Th e S h ulam i t e i s betro th ed t o a yo u n g m ou n tai n e er of h er cou n t ry an d rem a i n s fai t h fu l t o h i m wh il e away from h er h o m e N o tw i th s t an di n g ,

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HI S TOR Y

20

CRITICISM

AN D

al l t h e b l an d i s h m e n t s o f K i ng S ol o m o n th e gl i t teri ng al l u re m en t s o f palace c ity and c o u r t l ife a n d o f weal th fam e a nd d azzl i n g glo ry even t h e o ffe r o f quee n s h ip s h e r e m ai n s u n fl i n c h i n g ly l oyal t o h er bel o ved Tw e n ty fi ve t i m e s i s h e ad d re s s ed o r refe rred t o i n t h e poem Th e co urt l ad ies seco n d S olo m o n s effort s e i t h e r by ban te r o r j e ers ; b u t t h is co u n try las s t h i s w i l d fl o w e r of S h aro n th i s l i ly am o n g t h orn s eve r rem em bers h e r l ove r S h e fall s i n t o r em i n i s cen c e l o n gi n g a n d h om e s i c k n ess an d t h o u gh p ol ite an d o bed ie n t t o royal beh es t s c li n gs to h e r b etro th ed fai th ful ly r em ai n in g c has t e pu re u n dazzl e d an d u n “ b o u gh t c ryi n g o u t i n e ve ry t em ptati o n my b el o ved is m i n e an d I a m h i s a n d i n e ve ry “ vi c to ry I adj u re y o u 0 dau gh te rs of J eru sal em by t h e roe s an d by t h e h i nd s of t h e fi e ld th at ye s t i r n o t u p n or awake n lo ve u n t il i t pl eas e Tha t l o ve m u s t r i se s pon tan eou sly a n d b e t rue i s t h e su pre m e l es s o n of t h i s d i vi n ely i n spi red d ram a F i n all y a t th e e n d o f t h e l o n g t rial h avi n g wo n t h e vic t ory s h e cri e s o u t i n ex ul tan t so n g Love (a k a lza /z) i s a s s t ron g as d eath i t s i n te n se s t pass io n u ny iel d i n g as S h eol th e c o al s th ereof are as o u t fl a s hi n g fi r e a l igh t n i ng of t h e E t e rn al M an y wat e rs ca n n o t ,

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quen ch l ove n o r t h e fl o o d s d row n i t an d if a m an [S ol om o n ]were t o give al l th e s ub stan ce of h i s h o u s e fo r m y l ove i t wou l d u t terly b e co ntem n ed W i t h t h i s rad ia n t apex of vi ct o ry to vi rtu e an d a c row n t o c on s tan cy t h e n at ur e of t he e tern al rom an ce of tru e l ove i s s e t for th i ts s eat an d b ir thplac e i n t h e bo s o m of G od w h o o rd ai n s on e m an t o love o ne wo m an i n h o ly wedlo ck an d ab h ors l u s t p olygamy a n d a ll u nfaith ful n es s Th i s i n t erpre tat i o n fou nd e d n o t o n n u oer tai n tradi t ion a nd o n far fe t ch ed all ego ry wh i ch th e B i ble gi ve s n o h i n t o f i s b ased o n th e re ad i ng an d s c r ut i n y of t h e lan guage of t h e bo ok i tself th e bac k gro u n d of h i s tory as give n i n t h e B ibl e an d t h e s t udy of th e great H ebrai s t s of th i s th e greates t ce nt ury of S he m i ti c learn i n g A s th e an cie n t pai n ti n g of t h e m aster art i s t fou n d o n t h e w all u n de r t h e wh i tewash o r th e t ru e script ure tex t be neath a pa li m p ses t o r a gen ui n e an t iqu e fragm e n t rat h er th an a t in ke red cl as s i c st atu e or a n u n tou ch ed ph otograph i n s tead o f a s m oo th ed off n egat ive from wh i c h al l i n d ivid uality h as been eli m i nated are p r e fe rred t o th e i r copi es s o we p refer th e s i m pl e narrat ive of t h i s a n ci en t poem wit h ou t t h e al l ego ries d i s covere d ,

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HI S TO R Y

22

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AN D

i n i t i n l at e r t i m e s W e b eli eve th e l i te ral i n t e rpret at i o n s i m pl er t ru er m o re b ibl ical a n d m ore h el pfu l for t h i s l ife of o urs Th e re i s n o t a m or e ch ast ely m oral book i n t h e w h ol e B ibl e t h an th is S o n g o f S o n gs n o r o n e wh o s e t o n e an d ex am pl e are m ore b e fi t t i n g o u r d ay an d c ou n t ry n or o n e t h at sweep s w i t h m ore b rac i n g at m os ph ere o r se arc he s w i th m ore p urify in g gal e s th e pl agu e spot s a n d m al ari a i n o u r ow n s o cial l ife Th e p ures t m a ide n m ay read i t w i th o u t d an ger to m i n d o r h ear t for i t i s as p u re as gu ilel es s m ai den h o od i t sel f To th e h eave n ly s im pl i ci ty of i ts t eac h i n gs an d to it s d e tail ed pi ct ure s i t s m u s i c a n d s c e n e ry a n d po et ry le t u s h i e i n c om pan y t h an kful to G od for s o beaut i ful an d i n spi red a p oem W e b el i eve i t sp eak s to u s w i t h th e san c t io n of i n sp irat io n S o m e m ay n o t ac cep t th e i n t e rp retati o n h ere i n s e t fort h by m od ern s ch olars b ecau se th ey d eem i t to o c o m m o n place for H oly S cri p t u re O th e rs w il l prefer t h e m ed i aeval vi e w becau s e i t i s s om e wh at old alb ei t th e re i s n o t a s c i n til l a o f B ibl e p roo f o r e ve n evid en ce i n i t s beh al f O t h e rs wil l j u dge t h at we h ave d egrad ed S ol om o n and spoke n t o o l i gh tly of o n e wh o i n c e rtai n po i n t s was a type o f C h ri s t a n i n sp i red wri te r w h o acc ord in g to l at e J e w i s h t rad it i o n was t h e au th or o f certai n book s .

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23

of th e B ibl e an d wh o was a wi s e d i g n i fi e d an d l ear n e d j udge l aw give r an d k in g T o s ave h i s r ep u tatio n m an y w il l prefe r t o read i n to C an t i cle s t h e fa n c iful no ti o n s of t he Tal Oth m u d i s ts an d wri ters o f th e A po cryph a e rs prefer to s h u n o r p roh ib i t t h e book as s o m e th i n g d an gero u s fo r yo un g pe o pl e an d at th e b est a s ca n dalo u s an d s u s pi c iou s book th at i s fou n d am ong t h e H oly S cript u re s very m u ch as S aul was d is covere d am on g th e proph ets or S at a n am o n g th e so n s of God S om e orth odo x C h ri s t ian s w h o h o l d t h e th e ory of i n terp ret at io n no t t au gh t i n t h e B ibl e b u t th ough t n ecess ary a n d Go d h o n ori n g wo uld if th ey co uld keep S ol om o n s S o n g u nd er l ock an d k ey o r s urro u n d i t wi th t he barbed w i re of proh ib i tio n u n t i l ad ul t age he reach ed Th i s was th e c ou rse advi s ed by t h e rabbi s wh o advi sed youn g m e n n o t t o read i t u n til t h irty years of age Yet eve n t h e goo d peopl e wh o d epre cat e i t s pe ru sal by th e youn g m u s t rem e mb er th at t h e rab bi s forbade i t to i m m at u re reade rs n o t becau s e of an y s u ppos abl e h ar m t o th ei r m o rals b u t rat he r le s t th ey sh o ul d n o t u n de rstan d i t co rre c tly ; z a accord i n g to t hei r par t i c ul ar an d tem p o rary or th odoxy I t i s re markabl e also t h at th e Turks a t Co n s tan ti nopl e w h os e c u s to m h o us e i s u nd e r ,

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H/ S TOR Y ’

24

AND

CRITICISM ’

th e s h ado w of t h e s u l ta n s h are m refu s ed t o ad m i t certai n book s i m po r ted by t h e A m er i can Trac t S o c ie ty W hy ? B ecau s e t h es e book s fro m C h ri st ia n A m e ri ca — C h ri st ian ex cep t i n U tah c o n tai n e d c r i ti c i s m s up o n S olo m o n w h o s e poly gam o u s e xam pl e th e M o h a m m e d a n s as w el l a s o u r M o rm o n s foll o w t o t h i s d ay Th i s th e Turks d id n ot wi th s tan din g th ere i s n o t race of j u s t i fi c a ti o n i n t h e Ol d T estam e n t o f t h e M oh am m ed an t reat m e n t of w om an I t m igh t b e w el l fo r C h ris ti an s too a n x iou s to save S ol o m o n s repu tat i on n o t t o fol l o w t h e exam pl e o f t h e T urk s W e app eal fro m S olo m on t h e sen s u al i s t to S ol om o n th e p u re ; fro m t h e ki n g w i th h i s h arem o f a th o u sa n d w om e n to t h e yo u n g pri n c e a t S h e ch em prayi n g fo r d ivi n e wi sd om o r as th e l eade r of I s rael i n rap t co m m u n io n wi t h G o d at t h e d ed icatio n o f t h e t em pl e ; fro m th e gray h ead ed s i n n er wh o fo rgo t J eh ovah to th e wi s e m a n wh o i n co n s ec rated a n d i ns pi red m an h ood co i n e d proverb s an d p os sibly pe n n ed oth er s m al l po rtio n s of H ol y W r i t I t i s n o t th e S o lom o n of early l ife a n d m i d dl e age bu t on ly t h e b la c k s li d e r a n d t h e rec rea n t vol u p tuary th at we h ol d u p t o d e s e rved exec ratio n Th e ac t i on of S ol o m on i n i n t rod uc i n g p rof li g a cy an d id olatry i n I s rael was a s th e ope n ,

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HI S TO R

26

Y

AN D

CRITICISM

t h e great m o der n H eb rai s t s m ay b e m ade a p pare n t l e t u s l o ok a t S ol om o n t h ro ugh t h e perspec t ive o f h i st o ry W e sh al l gl an ce a t th e d evel o p m en t of th e n at i o n as s ket c h ed i n th e wri t i n gs of t h e H ebrew h i s to ri an s an d from th e m l e arn wh at m ark t h e t h i rd an d las t s o ve re ign of th e u n i t ed k in gd o m m ad e By a s t udy o f t h e l ife an d t i m e s of t h e gra n d m o n arch a n d of th e ch arac ters t h e art i s t i c fo r m “ a n d l i te rary feat ure s of th i s gre at lay of th e H ebre w t ro ub ad ou r we m ay a ll th e m or e a pprec i at e i t s e xq u is i te b eau ty Le t u s th e n g iv e at te n t io n to a few i n t ro d uc tory c h ap te rs ,

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C H A PT E R I I AN D

L I FE

T I ME S

OF

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KI N G

S O L O MO N

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years are bu t as ye s te rd ay i n t h e si gh t of God A m i lle n n i u m an d a m om en t: are alik e t o H i m He m akes a cove n ant w i t h m an an d th o ugh it t akes t en c en t u ri e s t o f u lfi ll i t ye t G od i s n o t sl ack n o r fo rg etful c on c ern i n g h i s prom i se s F o r wh il e He k eep s m an wai tin g He ed uc ate s h i m a n d a d van ce s t h e race He cal l ed A brah am o u t o f th e C h al d e e s b idd in g h i m t o l eav e h o m e an d set h i s fac e w es tward Th e fath e r of t h e fai th fu l n eve r own ed t h e lan d pro m i s ed h i m b u t l ive d i n t e n ts an h ei r n ot a poss es s or Fai th i n s tead of fee si m pl e was h i s reward Yet w he n h e d ie d h e bequeat h ed n o t an es tat e of broad acr es wi th th e e m p ty n am e o f a nobody an d an e xam pl e of s e lfi s h n e s s b u t a d eathl es s n am e an d a pattern of fai th wh i ch e ven t o—day a r c beaco n l igh t s of progre s s an d a spi rat i o n A b ra h am i s t h e m odel of c h aract er t o th ree c i vil i A

T HO U S A N D

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N ei t h e r I saac n or J aco b eve r po s s es sed t h e

HI S TOR

28

Y

AND

C ) ? 1 7 1 01 5 111

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p ro m i s ed l a n d and w i t h fo u r h u nd red y ea rs of c apt ivi ty i n E gyp t i t s ee m e d as t ho ugh J e h o va h h ad fo rgott e n h i s c ove n an t E ve n aft er M os e s d el iveran c e an d Jos h ua s co n qu e s t t h e d i vi n e m eas ure o f p ro m i s e wa s n o t f u lfi lle d for al l a ro u n d I s rael were power fu l e n em ie s I t was n o t u n t il n e arly a th o u s a n d y ears h ad fl o w n an d D avid s vi c to ri e s h ad b ee n wo n th at t h e word o f t h e Lord t o A b ra h a m s ee m ed to be a cco m pl i shed i n t h e re ig n of h i s ( D avi d s ) s o n S ol o m o n t h e n t h e sc ep t re of t h e h e i rs of A brah a m e xt end ed fro m Phoe n i ci a t o E gypt a nd fro m Pal my ra t o th e M e d i t e r r a n ean D urin g al l th es e ce n tu rie s t h e A l m i gh ty w as ed ucat in g h i s el ec t pe opl e t rai n i n g t h e fam ily i n t o a tri b e th e t ri be i n t o a peopl e a n d t h e p eopl e i n to a n atio n wi t h a l an d an d a p u rpo s e N o l o n ger fro m D av id s t i m e o n was G od s c oven an t wi th o n e ol d m an n o r wi th a fam ily o r cl an n o r w i th a bo dy o f sl aves n o r a rabbl e of fre ed m en n or e ve n w i t h gro up s of pe t ty p ri n c i pal i t ies o r t urb ul e n t c la n l ik e repu bl i cs ; b u t t h e flowe r of h i s fu lfi lle d p ro m i se w as gi ve n t o a u n i t ed i n tel l i ge n t c o m m o n we al t h a u n i o n one o f h ea rts an d h o m e s w i t h o n e la n guage bl ood o n e experi en c e a nd o n e h op e S l owly p ai n ful l y b u t at l ast gl ori o u sly t h e s eed s o w n i n A b ra h a m ripe n ed i n S ol o m o n ,

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I t was u nd er t h is th i rd ki n g th at th e H ebrew m on archy ros e t o th e zen i th of nat i o n al spl e n W eal t h an d po wer i n all d epart m en t s of d or h u m a n ach ievem e nt were greate r than a t a ny epoch i n H ebre w h i s t ory before s cien ce l i terat u re i n ve n t i on s co m A rt m erce an d l uxu ry fl o u r i s h e d J eru sal em o n c e m erely th e Ph i li s ti n e fo rtre s s of J eb u s c o n t ain i n g a c oll ec t io n of m ud h u t s o r w ood e n d wel l i ng s was m ade a spl en d id cap i tal i n b ri c k and m arb l e ful l of palace s an d pu bl i c e d i fi c e s am i d wh ich th e t em pl e gl i st en ed i n lordly m a j es ty C i ties were bu il t i n favored places an d tow n s al on g th e caravan ro u te s over t h e d eser t S e a port s were est abl i sh ed fro m wh i ch wh i te w inged sh ip s fl e w to foreig n coast s wes t ward e spec ial ly t o I tal y an d S pain and eas tward t o I n d ia an d t o th e Go ld e n C h e rson es e Th e pecu l iar ph ras e th e e n d s of t h e ear th was c oi n ed i n th e S o l om on i c e ra Th e s h i ps of th e d ese rt an d th e n avy o n th e de ep brou gh t back t h e wo n ders of th e trop i cs an d t h e treas u re s of th e e nd s of th e earth t o e nl iven t h e m o n ot o ny of Pal es ti n i an l ife I vory for t h e palace s an d th ron e apes an d peacocks for th e garde n wi t h al l ki n d s of o rien tal st u ffs perfum e s an d spices we re i m ported — t h ei r n am e s st an d i n g i n T a m i l a n d C h i nes e o n th e .

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HI S TOR Y

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H ebre w pa ge of t h e B ibl e A s tri ki n g ad di t i o n t o th e fau na of th e c o u n t ry h avi n g m an i fold an d far reach i n g i n fl u e n c e was th e i n t ro d u cti o n of t h e h ors e from E gyp t G reat work s of e n gi n eeri n g an d fo r ti fi c a t i o n we re pl an n ed t h e rocks we re tu n n el ed an d aqu edu ct s b uil t ab ove a n d b el ow gro u n d S o m e of t h e s t o n e s wi t h t h e Ph oen i c ian m a s o n s m ark s i n r ed pai n t as fre sh as if l ai d o n ye st erd ay an d t abl e ts e recte d by S ol o m o n s c o n t ract ors an d e n gi n ee rs o r carved o n th e r oc k by h i s wo rkm e n h ave been d u g u p of lat e J u s t as o n e o f th e fi r s t u s e s of l i gh tn i n g h ar me ssed t o th e t e l egraph wi re w as t o catc h th i eves s o th e t abl e t s of th i s age or l at er h ave ser ved am o n g o t h e r u s es t o s ta m p t h e bo gu s D eu t e r o n o m y m a n u s crip t s of t h e an tiq u ari an p ed dler S h ap i ra an d h i s il k as fo rgerie s V ery few r el i cs o f H e bre w an t i q u i ty befo re t h e t i m e of D avid e xcep t s ep ul c h res an d wel l s h ave c om e d ow n i n tac t t o u s ; b u t th e a c t ual w ork an d m aterial of S ol o m o n s re servo irs t h e bevel e d s t on e s o f th e t em pl e fou n dat i o n frag m e n t s o f p iers and arch e s i n J e ru sal e m an d t h e ru in s o f B a a lb e c st i l l rem ai n as m ute w i t n es se s o f h i s gl o ry I t i s fi r s t a lso i n S olo m o n s t i m e th at w e s e e cl early th e b e au t i fu l t h in gs o f earth j o i n e d t o th e s ervi c e of rel igi o n an d w orsh i p e n .

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s h ri n ed i n fi t ti n g arc hi tec ture Th e pi llars of Jach i n an d B oaz probably n am e d after you n g so n s of S ol om o n pos s ibly i m i ta ti n g t h e p ill ars of H erc ules wi t h t h e i r s t rength of bro n ze an d th eir b eau ty of carved l i ly work typi fy th e u n i o n of grac e a n d s im pli ci ty an d t each u s th a t i t b ecom es u s to b e W i n s om e i n o u r way s as wel l as st ri c t i n o u r c h arac te r t h at i t i s righ t t o u n it e t h e m an n ers of a ge n tl em an t o t h e s t urdi n es s of a Pu ritan an d th a t i t i s a good t h i n g t o b e c ivi l ized as wel l as t o b e saved Th e develop m e n t of pol i t i cal abil i ty d efe u s ive sc ie n ce a n d n at io n al pros perity al so kep t pac e w it h p rogres s alo n g o th er l i n e s G ov e r n m e n t was s i m pli fi e d by d i vid in g fun ct i on s a n d c en tral izi n g powe r Th e m il i tary art was i m proved C avalry wa s add ed to th e o th er arm s of t he s ervic e Twe l ve th o usand h ors e s a nd ride rs fu rn i s hed n ew si gh t s to t h e I srael i te s ; for i n D avid s ti m e a n d befo re t h e n a t i o n a l dign i tari es rod e o n m ul e s N ow th e st reet s of J eru sal e m w e re n oi sy w ith th e ceasel es s cl atte r of h oofs an d th e rol l of th ree h ors ed ch ariot s A p ro cess io n of t h e royal l ife guard s com po sed of th e fl owe r o f D a v i d s vet eran s a s i t m oved th ro ugh th e cou n try accom panyi n g t h e stat e carriage was everywh ere a s igh t for th e peopl e a nd d re w .

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o u t c ro wd s to w i t n e s s th e s u pe rb s pectacl e A s wh e n t h e P ri n ce of W ale s e n te red Be i ru t i n S y ria a few ye ars ago th e m u n ici pal o i h o ers b u r n t h eaps o f cos tly i n ce n s e t o m ak e c l ou d s o f p e rf um e s o S ol o m o n s t rai n m oved fro m h i s c o u n try s e at at E h ged i u p to J e ru s al e m t h e capi tal am i d a n at m o sph e re m urky b u t d el i cio u s w i t h m yrrh an d fran ki n ce n s e R id i n g i n h i s pal anqu i n h e was s u rro u n d ed by h i s m o u n t ed li fe gu ard s w i t h th ei r d raw n s wo rd s fl a s h i n g h il t s a t t h e t h igh s blade s at ea r a n d s h o ul de r G orgeo u s beyo n d d e s c r i p t io n was h i s t ravel i n g l it te r or palan qu i n W h o we re t h es e b o dy guard s o f th e H eb rew e m pero r ? T h ey are o ver an d o ver agai n “ S pok e n o f as o r he D avid s m i gh ty m e n ro e s I n t h e o rigi n al record s th ey are cal led A gla n c e at th ei r h i s tory m ay be G i b b or i m i n t ere s t i n g K i n g D avi d a m a n o f war h ad o rgan i zed d i s c i pl i n ed arm y wh ic h i n t i m e o f peac e a h ad m el ted away agai n t h e s old iers re tu rn ing t o th e p u rs u i t s o f peace Th e n u cle u s o f t h e s tan d i n g army h owe ve r th at re m ai n e d wa s a body o f fo rei gn m e rce n arie s l ike t h e S wi s s guard o f th e k i n gs of F ra n ce o r th e C h ri s tian Th es e fai th n i z a r i c s of th e T u rki sh s u l t an a j ful veteran s h ad s to od b y h i m i n th a t awfu l W h e n th e d a y o f t h e rebe ll io n of A bsalo m .

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I n a w ord t h e o rgan i zat io n of th e H ebrew E m pi re was m i l i t ary w i t h a n u cle u s of fo re i gn m e rcen ari e s w h o w ere p rofe s s i o n al s ol d ie rs of fort u n e Th e s e w e re o nl y t o o re ady t o p e r for m t h e k in g s b eh e s t s an d u n l e s s S am ue l p roph e s ie d fal sel y a n d all h is to ry i s a m i s tak e t h e G i b b o r i m d esp it e t h e i r u seful n es s were a m e n ace to th e l i ber t ies of I s rael A s fo r th e s ubj ect s o f K i n g S ol o m o n w e fi n d th at th ey we re far fro m bei n g a h o m o T h e free b o rn I s rael i t es d e g e n e o u s p eopl e s ce n d a n t s of th e co n qu ero rs wh o ca m e i n at t h e c o n qu e st u nd e r J o sh u a s t ood fi r s t i n c i vil r a n k a n d p ri v il ege s aft e r th e i m peri al fam i ly N e x t b el ow t h e se were th e nat i ve C anaa ni tes m ore o r l es s l oyal t o th e gover n m e n t of I s rael Th ey co n s ti t u ted a n u m e rou s an d i m po rtan t b ody of tri bu tary vas sal s w h o n eed ed to b e wi s ely d eal t wit h Th e s t ran gers fro m E gypt an d su rro u n d in g co u n tri e s b u t m os t e spec ial ly fro m Ph oe n ic ia wh o s e peo pl e spok e n early th e sam e l an guage a s H eb rew we re m erc h an t s art i s ts d eco rato rs an d ot h e r sk ill ed m ech ani c s e m pl oyed o n t h e p ubl i c work s sail o rs an d cara Th ey fo rm ed a s p ecial cl ass u n d e r va n m e n th e k in g s prot ect i o n w h il e t h ey we re te m po at s oj o ur n i n g at th e p o rt s an d ci ti es raril y t ract ed by t rade an d n e w e n te rp ri se s req ui ri ng ,

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t ec h n ical kn owled ge Th ey for m ed i n Jeru s al em a l i ttl e co m m u n i t y by t h e m sel ve s k n ow n a s Maktes h or t h e Phoen ic ian quarte r wh ic h m a y have bee n i n th e deep ravi n e be twee n Z io n a n d M o ri ah ( Zeph i Be neath t h es e th re e cl as s es of th e peopl e we re n um be rs of s l ave s o n w h o m fel l th e bu r d e n of co ns tan t a n d u n requ ite d t oil W h e t h er pri s on ers capt ure d i n war o r t h os e b orn i n se rvit ud e or s ol d fo r pove rty o r deb t th e s lave s l ot was b u t l it tl e if an y eas i e r u nde r H eb rew t h a n u nder R o ma n o r A m eri ca n o p pres s i o n I n ad d iti o n t o t h i s c ivi c am b i t ion S olo m o n was sm i t te n w i t h th e fever of arch i tec t u re wh ic h i s ever o n e of th e m o s t e xpe nsi ve of a k i n g s amb i t i o n s as t h e peop l e wh o m u s t p ay th e b ill s s o o n d i s co ver Th i s pas s i o n fo r bu ild in g was i n addit io n t o t h a t for t h e sh i p s w h ich b uil t a n d m an n e d by Ph oe n i c ia n s ai l o rs h e sen t to t h e e nd s of t h e s eas eas t ward t o th e A s ia n p e n i n s ul as an d w es tward t o Tar sh i sh i n S pa i n Fo r th e sp o i l th ey bro ugh t h e erec ted fi tt i n g e d i fi c e s He h ad b otan i c garde n s a n d m en age ri es fu ll of rare an i m al s plan t s an d t h e su bs tan ce s fo r d eco ratio n s o n um ero u sly m en ti on ed i n th e S o n g of S o n gs I n ord er t o buil d an d fu rn i s h h i s palace s h arem s an d p ubl i c b u ild i ngs t h e ki n g mad e .

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re qu i si t io n s of fo rced l abor from I s rael a n d s en t t h e gan gs t o c u t d ow n fo re sts t o fl oat t h e t i m ber by sea fro m Ph oe n ic ia t o J op pa a nd t o m ake o verl an d t ran sp o rt of t h e l ogs t o J er u s ale m He b las t ed an d c ut s t o n e i n q uarri es an d d u g c o n d u i t s an d wate rco u rs es S ol o m o n h ad th e rep u tat io n o f b u ild i n g th e fi r s t t em pl e t o J eh ovah a n d of o rgan izin g el abo rat e s ervi ce s a n d s a c r i fi c e s Ye t t h e t e m pl e of S o l om o n a s an y o n e ca n s e e wh o s t ud i es t h e d i m e n si o n s was a co mparat i vely s m al l e d i fi c e T h ere are m any b u il d i n gs i n E u rop e a n d A m e ri ca m u c h large r th an t h e m arbl e ten t w hi ch h e p itc h ed t o t h e gl ory of J eh o vah i n J er us al e m R igh t ly d id J u s ti n i a n “ c ry o ut w h e n S t S oph i a wa s fi n i s h e d I h ave s u rpass ed t h ee 0 S ol o m o n T h e J eru sal e m t e m pl e was i n t h e m ai n a n oble sp ec i m e n of Ph oe n i c ian a r t W h i le s e ve n years were o c c u pi ed i n co m pl eti n g t h e te m pl e th e ki n g wa s W h at fi ft e e n years i n b u i ld i n g h i s o w n h o u se h e d id fo r t h e Lord was o nly a frac t io n as c o m p a red wi th wh a t h e d id fo r h i m s elf N early all th e m aso n ry an d d eco rat ive art wo rk d o w n t o th i s epo ch was d o n e by Ph oe n i ci a n art i s t s wh i l e S ol o m o n l ived W h e n C ap tai n W a rre n t h e e xcavato r i n th e J e ru s al e m wh i c h b el o ngs t o T u rkey s u n k h i s shaft ben eath t h e lay e rs a n d r u bbi s h of t we n ty ei gh t cen t u ries t o get ,

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at th e rock fou n dati o n of S olo m o n s t em pl e h e fo u n d th e q uarry m ark s of th e Ph oen i c ian s t o n e cu t ters Th e l ow es t s ton es of all b ear i n s c r i p t ion s of t h e m e n wh os e an ce s tors are rep ute d t o h ave gi ve n t h e w e st er n wo rld al ph abe t s Th e o th er fam o u s b u i ld i ngs i n th e capi tal ci ty were th e H o us e o f t h e F ores t of Leban o n s o called becaus e of it s h al l of m any col u m n s o n wh ich were h u n g t h e golde n sh i eld s a n d targets an d b att l e t roph i es cap t ured i n D avi d s wars T h e H al l of J ud gm en t wa s an o th e r ren ow n ed s truct u re w ai n s cot ed wit h ced ar wood a n d i n popular ph ras e c all ed t h e K i n g s Gate o r S ubl i me Port e t h e t i tl e so m et i m e s bes towed o n th e sove rei gn ; j u s t as i n E gypt Japan and Turkey of to day Ph araoh M ikad o o r th e S ubl i m e Port e i n eac h cas e m ean s th e G ran d G ate th at i s t h e plac e wh ere j u d i cial d ec i s i o n s were gi ve n O f t h e m a n v bu ild i n gs d evot ed t o th e h arem o r zenana th e fi n e s t was d oubt l es s fo r th e prin ci pal o r E gypti an wife I n add i tio n t o th e e d i fi ce s i n t h e capital c i ty th ere we re i n d i ffe r en t parts of t h e co u n t ry s u m m er palac e s vi l las h u n ti n g lod ges garden s fi sh po n d s to we rs caval ry quart e rs s tabl e s an d ch ari o t h o u s es Th ere were al so caravan sarie s o n th e m ai n road t radi n g s tat io n s fo rt res se s an d v i n e yard s al l u nd e r t h e d i rect i m pe rial s u pe r vi s ion -

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C R ] TI C / S M

AN D

I t m u st h oweve r n eve r b e fo rgo t te n t h at all t h i s wa s ex t ravagan ce a n d u n j u s t i fi a b le ex t ravagan ce I t was t h e s am e ol d st ory of a h ard wo rk i n g fath er wh o to il s d uri n g h i s l ife t i m e t o h eap up ri ch es n o t kn o w i n g w h o sh all gat h er t h em s u c ce eded by a s pe nd th rift s o n wh o e nj oys a n d squan d ers T h e s e were th e fl us h t i m es of exp an s i o n aft er lo n g a n d s uc c e s s fu l wars w h e n th i n gs w e re s o to sp eak o n a pape r m o n ey basi s S pe c ul at i o n wa s rife an d t h e i n evi tabl e s h ri n kage h ad t o c o m e Th ough s o m e of S ol o m o n s s ch em e s w ere s u cce s sful e n t erp ris es yi el di n g reve n u e m o s t o f th e m w e re m at te rs of d aily ex pe n s e a n d t h e bu r d e n o f s u s tain i n g th e s e th i n gs fel l o n th e peo pl e w h o were t axed an d bl ed beyo nd t h e li m i t o f h u m a n pat ie n c e S o i n acc ordan c e w i th al l h i s t ory o r d ivi n e Prov id e n c e a s w e wil l — as s oo n as th e i ro n h an d of S ol o m o n w as re m oved b v d eath t h e pe ople pe t i t i on ed R eh o boa m t o ease t h e c ru s h i n g b u rd e n of taxes i n m on ey an d l evi es of fo rce d labo r Th e n e w k i n g t ook t h e ad vi c e of t he you t h ab o u t h i s c o u r t i n s t ead of th e w arn i n gs of th e ol d m e n T h e n th e peopl e we re go ade d i n t o rebell io n a n d t en t ribe s we n t i n to s ece ss i o n s e t u p a n o rth e rn c o n fed e racy a nd D a vid s ki n g d o m wa s spl i t i n twai n Th e res ul t s we re grad u al al ie n ati o n i n bo th pol i tic s a n d rel igio n ,

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L IFE

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39

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a nd i n l an guage th e swam p i n g of H ebrew by th e A ram ai c Th ere was n o bl oods h ed e xce pt i n o n e n o t abl e i n st an ce J u s t as after th e A m erica n c ivi l war al l were fo rgive n e xcep t t h e keepe r of t h e A n derso n vil l e pri so n wh o was h an g e d fo r h i s pers o nal cru elt ies s o n o m a n i n I s rae l h ad t o d i e excep t o n e Th e n am e of t h i s e s s u pe r i n culpr i t was do n i ram th e h ead i A a l e c p ten de n t of t h e fo rce d labo r He alo n e w a s m urdered t h u s pay i n g for h i s cru el tie s by h i s l ife I n add i t io n t o t he h i s tori cal books o f I s rael “ th e poe m o f so call ed S olo m o n s S o n g O pen s wi d e w i n dow s of l igh t u po n th e d ay s of H ebre w i m peri al i s m an d sh ow s h o w th e l uxury a nd s en s ual i s m of S ol om o n an d h i s favori te s i n t h e palace s of th e cap i tal m ean t pove rty an d d is t res s am o n g th e peopl e F o r th e few who e nj oy ed th ere were u n pai d l ab o r an d c ru el ty fo r th e m an y O ppres s ed D avid s s u cce s so r as th e B i bl e represe n t s h im wa s so m ewh at d ifferen t fro m t h e S ol o m o n of u n proved an d basel ess trad i tio n He “ i s th e typical w i s e m an of Je wi s h trad it i o n an d ori en tal exagge rat i o n wh e n c e ou r n u rse ry and S u n d ay sch oo l l i teratu re h as l iberal ly bo r rowed He i s bel ieved by m any t o h ave b ee n t h e a uth o r of a co n side rabl e po rtio n of t h e .

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HI S TOR Y

40

AN D

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H oly S cri p tu re s Th e evide nce fo r t h i s i m pres s io n i s s u m m e d u p i n th e t hree t i t le s o f t he b ooks of Pro ve rbs E ccle s ias t e s a nd S o ng of S on gs t h ese t i tl e s o r po rt i on s of t h e m bei n g fro m au t ho rs ot h e r t h an S o l o m o n o r added l o n g afte rward s Th e vo i ce o f m o d er n s ch ol a r s h i p i s al m o s t u n a ni m o u sly agai n s t la t e t ra d i ti o n a s i n deed t h e text o f th e B ibl e i t s elf s e em s to b e Th e c o m m o n ph ras e th e u n b roke n t est i m on y of al l a n t iqu i ty m ean s th e i n h erit ed an d u s ually u n exam i n e d t rad i t io n s of J ews w h o l i ved l o n g afte r th e ep o ch of S ol om o n T h e bibli cal basi s of th e pop ul ar n o t io n of S ol o m o n s l i terary caree r l i es i n th e s i n gl e v e rs e of 1 Ki n gs i v 3 2 w h i c h says n o t o n e word abou t wri ti n g o r l i t erary co m p os i t i o n “ h e s pak e th re e t h ou sa nd p ro verb s : an d h is " s on gs were a t h o u san d an d fi ve T h ere i s n o h i n t h e re o r el s ewh ere i n t h e S cri ptu re s th at th es e s o n gs we re o f a s acred m u ch les s o f a n i n sp i red n at u re o r th a t t h ey we re co m m i t te d to w ri ti n g He S poke prov e rbs o r w is e s ay i n gs wh i c h i n n u m ber e x c e e d s ev eral t i m e s o ve r th e e n ti re col l ec t io n of th e a ut h ors wh o a r e re pre se n t ed i n t h e b o ok of Proverbs N o n e of t h e Psal m s th o u gh th os e n um be red lx xi i a nd cxx vi i b ear h i s n am e i n th e t it l es added by ed i to rs i n l at er .

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HI S TO R Y

42

AN D

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o r part s of b ooks i n t h e ca no n u po n apo c r ph a l w ri t i n gs an d up o n be lated t rad i t io n y Th e B ibl e t e x t s eem s to b e s ile n t u p o n th e s ubj ec t o n wh i ch l ege n d a nd po p ul ar n ot i o n are s o v ol u m i n o u s A m o n g th e H e brew s h e stoo d as t h e rep re s en tat ive of gn o m ic w i sd om a n d h ad a h igh rep u t at i o n as a j ud ge b u t h i s p r o fl i g a c y ty ran n y a n d idol a t ry i m pres se d th e proph e ts an d i n spi red wri t e rs m o re tha n h i s w i sd o m l i t e rary power o r s up p os ed i n sp i ra t i o n N ei t h er J e s u s n o r apo s tl e proph et p o e t o r r efo rm e r qu o t es word o r wr i t i n g wh ich h e at t ri butes t o S ol o m o n E xc ep t i n t h e bo ok s of Ki n gs wh i c h r eveal h i s h i story ; th e po st e xi l i c C h ro n i cl e s wh i ch s h o w wh at h e d id fo r th e p rie s th ood o r t h e boo k of Proverb s w h ich gives s o m e po rt i o n of h i s w i sd om h e i s n ever m e n ti o n ed i n th e t ex t of t h e O ld o r N e w Te s tam e n t apart from th e t e m pl e or e xc e pt as a m o n arc h w i t h a m igh ty re pu tat ion fo r s ple n d o r w i sd o m o r w i cked n es s I n th e a n t i t h e s i s wh ic h J e s u s m ak es b e twee n t h i s pe rso nage an d th e l i ly S olom o n s tan d s i n th e sh adow ; a n d th e sam e m ay b e s ai d o f t h e ske tch wh i c h S t e ph e n d raw s o f th e l i fe o f th i s great bu il de r b u t S ol o m o n b u i l t H i m a h ou s e Th ro ugh o u t t h e B ibl e S ol o m o n i s i m pl i c i tly h el d u p a s a wa rn i n g a n d i n th e o n e plac e i n t h e H eb re w w rit i n gs apart fro m C h ro n i cl es i n ,

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43

w hi c h d uri n g lat e r c e n tu ries h i s ch aract e r i s al l ud ed t o h i s rep u tatio n i s bl ack e n ou gh H ear N e h e m iah th e reform e r wh o c lea n se d th e n atio n s o th at t h e fol ly w ro ugh t by s em i h eat h en ki n gs h as never bee n n at i on ally r e pe a t e d sin ce ( N eh x i i i “ D i d n o t S olo m o n k i n g of I s rael s i n by th es e t h i n gs ? ye t a m on g m an y n at i o n s wa s t h ere n o ki n g like h i m wh o was bel o ved of h i s G od a n d Go d m ad e h i m ki n g o ve r a ll I s rael n e vert h el e s s eve n h i m d i d o ut la n d is h wo m e n cau s e t o s in “ Th e book of th e A c t s of S o l o m o n r e ferred t o i n I Ki n gs x i 4 1 h as n o t s u rvi ved and bel ongs wit h t h at score o r sco re s of los t b ook s of H ebrew l it e rat u re to wh i c h th e B ib l e “ refers Th e s o cal led Psal te r of S olo m o n saw th e ligh t probab ly a m illen n i u m afte r th e fi r s t tem pl e h ad bee n b u i l t Th e b ook s of K i n gs wh i ch give th e ful l es t acc o u n t s of t h e m an a n d h i s c h arac t er wer e com po sed l o n g afte r h i s death an d th e C h ro n icle s n o t u n t i l after th e Baby l o n ian capt i v i ty I n a word de s pi t e t rad it io n an d ru m or wh i ch al w ay s sp eaks m o s t a n d lo ude s t j u s t wh ere th e d ivi n e wo rd i s m os t s il e n t S ol o m o n s r e pu tati o n as a h oly m an a n exam pl e i s i n th e B ibl e n ex t to n oth i n g I t i s wel l i n pu rely l i terary q ues ti o n s c o n ,

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44

AN D

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ce rn in g t h e Bi bl e t o tak e t h e ad vi c e of Paul an d n o t gi ve h e ed to J ewi s h fabl e s b ut t o reac h c on c l u s i o n s fou n de d o n t h e ev id e nc e o f t h e sacr e d wr it i n g s t he m s e lves I n th u s ha s i n g o u r j u dgm en ts u po n wh at th e S crip t ure s t each a n d i n form i n g o ur op in i o n s up o n th e t ext i t s el f rat h e r t h an upo n l egen d we d o b u t fol l ow t h e e xam pl e of o u r Lo rd j es u s wh o per si s te n tly c hall e n ge s th e t rad it i o n s o f th e s cr ibe s el ders a n d Phari s ees S ol om o n as a g ro w n m an an d as a k i ng i s rat h er a charac ter to be h el d u p as an awfu l ex am pl e t h an as a m od el Taken i n al l h e wa s p robably o n e o f th e wo rs t s i n ne rs d e W i th i ts u s u al s c ribed i n t h e O l d Tes ta m en t tru t h an d fearl es s n e ss t h e S c ri p tu res expos e h i s r eal ch arac t er an d by t h e l ate r p roph et s a n d by J es u s h e i s i gno red o r refe rre d to o n ly i n reb uk e Th e pec ul i ar s i n s o f S ol o m o n a re th os e agai n s t w h ic h th e spec ial ge n iu s of C h ri s ti an i ty a n d th e d i rec t t each i n g of t h e C h ri s t are m o s t rad ically oppo s ed I n ou r ex po s i t i o n of th e S o n g of S on gs w e s h al l s ee th at h e i s s et b efore u s by th e a u t h o r of t h at b oo k as a te m pte r ; b u t we sh al l al s o se e th a t i n an ag e o f d e s po t i s m wh e n i t was al m o s t i m po s si ble fo r a s ubj e ct e spe c i a lly a wo m an t o resi s t a k i n g h e was re s i s ted i n th e n am e of Go d a n d pu re l ove He was

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t ri um phed over by o n e of h i s pl ai n b u t vi rt u ou s su b j e ct s th e S h u lam i te a cou n try gi rl wh o ev e n i n a great ci ty ke pt h e r li fe pu r e an d h er i n s t i nc ts t rue t o ri gh t H er l oyal ty to J eh ovah was grea te r t h a n h e r l oyal ty to S olo m o n S h e wa s a t ru e k i n g s daught er bu t h er S ove reign wa s J eh ovah an d n o t Baal or t h e patro n of B aal S ol o m o n I n a word w e s hal l hn d th at for th e t h o u san d s of you n g m e n a n d you n g wo m e n of o u r day away from th ei r C h i l dh oo d s h o m e fath e r an d m oth er frie n d s ol d as s o ciati on s an d s o i n th e grea t c i t ies as wa s t h e c i a l force s m aide n of S h u ne m i n J e ru sal em th ere ar e fe w m o re pract ical m o re m od ern m ore h elpfu l book s i n the B ibl e t han th i s S o n g of S on gs W h at i n t erpretat ion sh al l w e fol l o w ? Th e fatal ob j ect io n t o t h e al l egori cal th eo ry i s t h at i t tears th e b ook o u t of al l co n n e ct i o n wi th J ew i sh h is tory an d th e Old Te s tam e n t ec on o m y ; wh il e th e v i ew of th e great m o dern m ast er s of H ebre w wh i ch w e ad opt keeps i t i n Vi tal r e lat io n t o Ol d Te s tam e n t t i m e s c i rcu m st an c es and peopl e W h ic h i s th e trues t l e t eve n th e read e r of t h e E n gl is h B ibl e j ud ge for h i m s elf ,

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C H A PT E R I I I HI S T O R I C

C

HA R A C

TE R S

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T HE

IN

PO E M

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glan c in g at H eb rew h i s t o ry w e fi n d t h at wh e n i t be ca me th e fash io n i n I s rael to h ave k i ngs a n d m o n arc h i cal go ve rn m e n t t h e J ew i s h n atio n was a lo o s e co n fed eratio n of t ribes eac h i n depe n de n t of t h e o th e r h avi n g n o ce n t ral c ity th e peo ple w or s h ipi n g a t a n u m b e r o f lo cal s h ri n es i n d i ffe re n t part s of t h e c o u n t ry Th e go ve r n m e n t w as a lo o se aggl o m erati o n o f cl an li k e re pu bl ic s N o t on ly was t h e po li t i c a l sy s te m ve ry s i m ple b u t t here were n o m i l itary res o urce s for d efen se O nly h e re an d th ere w e r e t h e m e n wel l arm ed o r abl e t o re s i s t t h e Ph i l i s t i n e s a n d o t he r warl ike t ri be s s u rro u nd i n g t h e m Th e n eed s of co n cen t ra t io n and a m ore vigo ro u s pol it i cal l i fe were k e e n ly fel t b u t S am uel warn ed th e peopl e n o t easily o r l i gh tl y to exc h an ge th ei r re publ ica n s i m pl i c i ty for a k i n g an d co u rt He pr o phe s ied ev il s u n h eard o f N eve rth ele s s th e peo pl e d e m an d ed a m on arc h S a ul th e fi r s t k i n g wa s a fai l u re bo th as a IN

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47

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m a n a n d as a rul er He ad m i n i s t ere d go v d is e r n m e n t as i f i t were h i s privat e es tate t ribu t i n g th e o ffi c e s an d pro pe rty u n der h i m as spo il s of a vic to rio u s p arty l i ke s o m e of t h e p re s iden t s w ho h ave d i sgrace d th e A m erica n rep ubli c Nearly all th e m e n to wh o m h e gave “ fi e ld s an d v i neyard s an d m ade capt ai n s of th o u sand s an d cap tai n s of h u n d red s ( 1 S a m xxi i 7 ) were h i s fel low trib es m e n of B e nj a m i n I n ch aract e r h e w as weak vaci llat i n g m oody an d c owardly D avi d was a m an b uil t o n a n oble r m o ral scal e A s a m a n an d a ki n g h e was a m ag n i fi c e n t s ucce s s He pl an n ed fo r t h e wh ol e n ati on w i th o u t regard to h i s part i c ul ar t r ibe He co n quered th e s tro n gh old of J ebu s a n d organ ized h i s go vern m e n t o n th e i d ea of equal fa v o r t o al l t h e t ri bes He w e n t s o far as t o h ave a body guard co m p o s ed o f forei g ne rs i n s tead of m e n of J u dah w i th th e id ea o f at tac h i n g th ese m erce nari es l oyal ly t o h i s ow n p erson an d detach i n g t h e m fro m t ribal o r local i n t e r e s ts He gave t h e wh ol e peopl e a se n s e of n atio n al ity an d l eft to th em th e t rad it io n s of vi c tory He an n ih ilat ed h i s en em i es o r tu rned th e m i n t o tri butary vassal s He al s o pr e pared t h e weal th an d m ate rial for a tem pl e t o J eh ovah a n d t o wh i ch th e people l eavi n g th e s cattered s h rine s an d m i scel lan eo us a n d .

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CRITICISM

11 1 5 7 01? y A N D

m o re o r l es s h oly place s sh ou l d a s se m bl e fo r n ati o n al wo rs h ip D avid h a d h i s s h o r tc o m i n gs and th ey were m any an d ye t th e s t ory of h i s l ife i s p ere n n ial ly fres h h elpful a n d i n He was a m a n of gre at faul ts an d t e r e s ti n g great virt ue s He s i n n e d grievo u sly b ut h e repen ted n obly G o d fre ely forgave h i m a ll h i s fa ul t s ex ce pt o n e h i s s h am eful t reat m e n t w h o al th ough a o f t h e c ap tai n i n h i s a rmy fo rei gn e r was so loyal t o h i m T h i s H it ti t e was a S pl e n d i d e xa m pl e of t h e c h i val ry of th e C a naan i te s w h o s erved w i th th e H ebrew s ol d i ery A fte r U riah h ad bee n d i s po s e d of i n battl e D avi d s u ffe red l i fe lo n g m is e ries a t th e h and s of J oab th e m an wh o k n e w t h e s e c re t of h is s i n Th e w ido w of t h e d ead ma n wh o h ad s o eas i ly an d d isgracefully y ielded t o t h e k i n g a n d was equal ly g uilty w it h he r c o n sort i n c ri m e becam e t h e h ead o f t h e royal h arem I n st ead of t urn i ng w it h h o rror fro m th e m an wh o se h and s we re red w i t h th e bl o od of h er h usband s h e co n se n t ed t o be h i s qu een an d o n e of h i s m any w i vc s Fo r D a vid h ad s e t t h e bad exam pl e of h av i n g t wo w i ve s d u ri n g h i s wan d eri n g l i fe as an ad ven t u re r fi ve wh e n re ign i ng a s ki n g at c ro n an d a n u nk n ow n n u m ber at J er usal e m The st at e of m o ral s wi th t h e k i n gs of I s rae l at t h i s e p oc h was ,

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B ath S h eba s fi ve s on s b o r n t o D avid th e fi r s t d i ed youn g S ol om o n wa s th e seco n d o f Bat h S h eb a a n d th e t e n th of D av i d Th e n am e S ol om o n i n H eb r e w i s S h el o m oh wh ic h t h e ori e n tal s s uch as th e T u rk s a n d o t h er M o W e s te r n people h a m m e d a n s c al l S u l ei m an foll owi n g J os eph u s an d t h e J ews a t th e t i m e of C h ri s t u s e t h e s pel l i n g an d p ro n u n c iat i o n o f S ol om o n Th e n am e i s eq u ival e n t t o o u r “ Frederi ck wh ich m ean s ri ch i n peace It wa s g iven i m m ed iately at t h e b irth of th e boy a n d very p robably by th e m o th e r h e rs elf I n t h i s n am e s h e m ay h ave i n ten de d t o rear a m o n u m e n t of grati t ud e t o J eh ovah fo r peace afte r l o n g wars b u t m ore probabl y becau s e sh e h ai l ed th e bi r th of a b eau t i ful l i vi n g c h i ld a n d th i s ch il d a s o n as a s u re t ok e n of t h e d i vi n e fo rgi ven es s of h e r s in I t h a s b ee n w el l said o f o u r revi sed E n gl i s h ve rs i o n o f th e H ol y S cri pt u re s th a t th e tex t re presen t s i n t h e m ai n t rad i t i on w h il e th e sch ol ars h i p i s fo un d i n t h e m argi n T urn i n g t o 2 S am u el x i i 24 we read i n th e m ar “ s /w cal l ed i n I n th e sam e vers ion i n th e g th e Lo rd l o ved h i m n ext ve rs e i t i s s aid t h at ( th e babe ) an d h e ( D avid ) s e n t by t h e h an d of N ath a n th e pr o ph c t an d h e ( N ath an ) c al led h i s n am e J ed id iah fo r th e Lo rd s s ake ed id iah w as a n am e n eve r u s ed publ i cl y j Of

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b u t excl u si vely i n t h e h o m e I t m ean s he “ loved o r d arl i ng of J a h — t h i s n am e of G od be i n g a n abbre viat io n for J eh ovah Th i s word J ah t ho u gh fo u nd o n ly o n c e i n t h e E n g l is h Bibl e i n t h e 6 8 th Psal m o cc u rs i n h u n d red s of word s i n th e H ebrew o rigi n al b ei n g es pecially co mm o n i n prope r n am e s l i ke t h o s e of E li j ah I saiah j ere m iah A do n i j ah an d i n s u perlati ve ex pres s i on s a s i n t h e o n e p as sage i n t h e C an ti cl e wh i ch th e revi si o n exp res ses as a very fl am e of th e Lo rd ( ch ap vi i i A s th e m argi n s h ows th e n am e of th e D i vi n e B ein g h ere i s J ah t h i s s /za /e b e lfi ya /z be i n g th e G od k i ndled fi r e of love Th i s l i tt l e b y pl ay upo n word s as i l l u s tr a t e d i n t h e n am i n g o f D avid s so n a n d w h ic h O pen s s uch a wi ndow i n t o h i s h o m e l ife i s apt t o be “ l os t u po n u s u n l es s we rem e m ber t h a t Jedi d an d D avi d b oth h ave t h e sam e m ean i n g of d arl i n g o r bel o ved an d th at D avi d s id ea wa s th at t h ough h e was t h e d arl i n g o f h i s pare n ts an d h is people th i s s on of h ope bo rn of B at h S h eba was e ve n m ore He was t h e darl i n g of j eh ovah I n t h e 1 27 t h Psal m t h i s wo rd “ h i s bel ove d occ u rs an d th e t i tle m a k ers w h o s uppl ied th e c olle c t io n wi th ed i t o ria l h ead “ l i n es h ave adde d A S o n g of A scen ts : of S ol o m o n I n heri t i n g m u ch o f h i s fath er s i n tell ec tual .





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HI S TO R Y

2 5

AN D

CRITICISM

ab il i ty t h o u gh a po o r s ol d ie r an d m i l i tary gu ard ian e mp l oyi n g h i s tal en t s fo r t h e m os t par t i n vas tly d i ffe re n t l i n es of ac h ieve m en t S o lo m o n gre w u p fi r s t u n d e r t h e c are o f h i s m o t her an d of N at h an th e s c ri be a nd proph e t D avi d s e t asi d e t h e c lai m s of al l h i s o t h er o ff s p ri n g a n d by oat h m ad e Bath S h eba s h i s s u c c e s s o r s t o t h e t h ron e W i th h i s fat he r to o aged t o act i vely co u n sel h i m h i s m o t h er becam e h i s ch ief guard ian a nd ad vi s e r S ol o m o n i s i n o n e s en s e a typ e an d e m bod i m e n t o f h i s age I n h i m we s e e a m i n i atu re of th e H eb re w em pire i ts stre n gth an d i ts weakn e ss i t s spl en d or a n d i ts decay Pu re i n sp i ri t Vi rgi n i n m i n d an d bo dy d e v on t m ee k a s pi ri n g h u m bl e was S ol om o n s yo u th ; fi r m wi se p u re G od feari n g was h i s A s t h e p ri m i tive C h in es e e arli er m a n h ood n am ed th ei r so ve reign s o was S olo m o n th e “ s elf rul ed rul e r H ad h e i n m iddl e l i fe r e m ai n ed s i m pl e m i n ded am id l ux u ry s el f m as t e r e d and s i n gl e eyed t o ward s G o d h e m i gh t h ave s tayed th e i n evi tabl e e nd i n t o l u xury a nd s en s ual is m a n d h i s reco rd h ave bee n vastly d i ffe re n t B u t G od s l aws c hange n o t to s ui t i nd ivid ual s A fter op press ion d ivi sio n a n d ex t ravagan ce c o m e s po vert y ; afte r s e n s ual i ty d i seas e an d p rem at ure old age ; after i dolat ry G od s w rath ,

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I n th e t i m e of D avi d s ol d age w h e n th e natural h eat an d vigo r of h i s body fail ed m ean s were take n to p rol on g h i s l ife by te n A ccord i n g to t h e d e r care ( 1 K i n gs i 1 m ed ical i d eas of t h e age an d a s re co m m en d e d by th e phys i cian s of H ebrew an t i qu i ty a n d e ve n b y Gal en an d acco rd i n g t o a cu s to m t h a t was com m o n eve n i nto th e M iddl e A ge s a y o un g pers o n was s ough t fo r t o be t h e ki n g s n u rse Th e n am e o f t h e yo un g m aiden s e le c t e d was A bi sh ag fam ed as th e m os t l ovely gi rl of h er d ay a n ati ve of S h u n a m S h u n e m o r S h ul am n am es i n d i al ecti c var iati o n of th e sam e pl ace T h i s Vi ll age i n th e no rt h of t h e co untry wa s fam o u s i n early h i s tory as a Ph i l i s t i n e cam p an d l ater as th e h om e o f th e wi do w vi s ited by E li sh a I t l ay o n t h e frui tful sl ope o f M ou n t ( L i ttle ) H erm on ove rlooki n g th e plai n o f J ezreel i n t h e ol d d om ai n of t h e tri b e of I s sach ar ; Nai n E n d or a nd E sd rael o n bei n g wel l k no w n places n ear b y an d M ou n t G i lbo a be i n g b u t a few m il es s o u th S h u n e m m ean s “ do uble res t o r t wo res t i n g pl aces H er ch ild h ood was sp e n t am i d th e s am e s cen es fam il iar t o th e yo u th of o u r L ord J e su s S o m e readers o f th e S o n g of S o n gs s ee i n th e i n eide n t n arrated i n ch ap ter vi 1 1 — 1 3 th e e x pla n at io n of h ow th i s fai r gi rl was fi r s t m e t an d at th e royal beh es t wa s b rough t fro m h e r ’

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Y A J VO

n ort h ern h o m e i n G al il ee t o t h e abod e of royal ty i n t h e s ou t h Fro m h er h um bl e s u rro u n din gs i n th e c ou n t ry t o t h e po st o f resp o n s ibil i t y a n d h o no r i n th e palac e th e ch ange i n A bi s hag s c ircu m s tan ce s was great i n deed S he served as D a v id s at t en dan t d uri n g t h e p res u m ably s h ort t i m e of h i s d otage an d w eakn es s an d th e n at h i s d eath s eem s t o h av e re m ai n ed i n t h e pal ace th o ugh fo r h o w lo n g we d o n o t k n ow I t i s m o re th a n po ss i bl e i t i s qu i t e prob abl e t h at A bi s h ag becam e th e obj ec t of th e ad d res s e s o f S ol o m o n C ovet o u s of b eau ty an d am bi ti ou s t o h ll h i s h are m w i t h th e fai res t face s an d l o vel i e s t fi g u r e s wh i ch th e wo m a n h ood n ot o nly of I s rael b u t of ad j o i n i n g cou n t rie s co ul d furn i sh h i s i n o rd in ate d e s i re t o pos ses s th i s i n n o ce n t J e wes s wh o w a s al so at th e tim e o f h i s fath er s d eath on e of th e m os t i m portan t pe rs on age s i n t h e k i n gd o m wa s probably o n e o f th e cau ses of S ol om o n s m u r d e r o f h i s b r o th c r A d o nij ah as re lated i n 1 Ki n gs i i 1 2— 26 Tru e i t i s al s o t h at th e po s s e s s io n o f o n e wh o h ad be e n s o n ear th e pe r s o n of great D avid as A bish ag woul d h ave gi ve n A d on i j ah o r any m an wh o S ol o m on wa s plea sed to beli eve a n as pi ran t t o t h e th ro n e a t re m e n d o u s p rest i ge i n t h e eye s o f t h e peopl e .



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I n our days an d i n W e s tern c ivi l izati o n s i n ce J e s u s wh o fo un ded th e m i gh t ies t d em o cracy w h ich i s ye t t o b ecom e world wid e taugh t u s t o h on or a m an becau s e h e i s a m an an d a ki n g b e cau se h e i s n o t h in g m ore i t i s h ard to u nder s tan d t h e pop ular revere n ce fo r th e pe rs o n of a k i n g A reli c of th e a n ci e n t i dea w a s s ee n i n J apan eve n as lat e as 1 8 6 8 w h e n t h e n ail par i n gs and co mb i n gs of th e hai r ri n s in gs of th e m o uth a n d o th er ex a m ? of th e M i kad o we re wi th sol em n for m a n d ce re m o n y d epo si ted an d preserved i n th e o n e cas e fo r th e fi r e at t he em peror s d eath o r poure d i nto a c o n s ecrated place n ear L ake B iwa th e p eopl e alo n g th e pu b l i c h i gh way be in g e xpec ted t o pro st rat e t h e m s elve s before th e ves sel s as t h e y were b orn e a lo n g S ol om o n s m ot i ve m ay h ave been a doubl e o n e t o obtai n fo r h i s h are m a wom a n beautiful an d lovely i n h e rs el f an d al s o by at tac h in g h e r to h i s ow n p erso n t o gain t h e e n orm o u s pol i t ical ad van tage wh i c h h e v e ry n at urall y an d e ve n h o ne stly m ay h ave s us t d c e e h is bro th e r A don i j ah of c ove ti n g I t i s p probabl e al s o that t he au th or o f t h e h ist ori cal book o f I Ki n gs treat s o n ly of t h e p ubl i c a n d pol i ti cal p h ase of th e tran sac t io n s w h i le th e po eti cal bo o k of t h e Can t i cl e d eal s artist ical ly “ w i t h t h e anecd o t e or pri vat e a n d pe rs o n al ph as e of th e i n cid en t as i t t ran spi red fro m t hose near S olom on t o th e pe opl e ,

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AND

Th e k i n g o f I srael m ay h ave b ee n dou bly an gere d a t b eh old i n g i n A d o n i j ah e ve n afte r h e h ad w i t h m o s t u n ori en tal an d alm o s t C h ri s tia n c l em e n cy pard o n ed h i m a n a tt em p t t o repeat treaso n an d fo r t h i s reaso n ord ered h i s d eat h I t is m o re p robabl e h oweve r e spec ially s i n c e Bat h S h eba s aw n o s u c h p l o t t h at 5 010 m o n was s ufferin g th e pan gs of j ealo u sy an d rej ec tio n becau s e A b ish ag w o ul d n o t recei ve h i s at te n t io n s A t any rat e th e d espo t d i s pat ch ed h i s ch i ef assas si n afte r th e m an w h o h ad i n t e rced ed th ro ugh th e quee n m ot h e r fo r t h e beau t iful S h u n a m i te an d A d o n ij ah was m u rd ered i n exac t ac c ord w ith th a t c u s to m of o ri en tal m o n arch s w h i c h s t il l sh o ws t rac es o f s u rvival am on g Tu rk s a n d A s ia ti c s It is qu it e po s sibl e t oo th at t h e n am e A bi sh ag “ sou rc e o f e rro r o r fath e r of wayward t h at i s th e h eed l es s o r i n c o n s i d e r n es s at e o n e was o ne be s to wed i n j e ru sal e m A d O IHJ a h wa s o n ly o n e of m any wh om t h e ki n g rem oved by t h e dagger fo r th i s was t h e c u s t o m o f th e ti m e a n d c o u n t ry ; a nd i t wo ul d b e abs urd t o j u d ge a H ebre w k i n g by t h e s tan dard s of C h ri s tian i ty a nd o f o u r age Th e h i s tory o f I s rael o n i t s h u m a n s i d e eve n i n d e tails i s m o s t wo nde rful ly l i ke th e h i s to ry o f J apan of C o rea of I n d ia of Tu rkey ; bu t i t ,

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d red s o f b eau t i e s w i t h t h e i r fem al e relat ive s an d servan t s t h at fi lle d h i s es tabl i s h m e n t H i s o bj ec t i n h avi n g so m a ny o rn ame n tal wo m e n was t h e s am e as h avi n g s o m an y h ors e s i n a c o u n t ry t h at was p rac t ical ly u s el e s s fo r c av a lr H i s p urp ose was w h olly p ol i t i c al a n d y s pec tac ul ar He m arr ied a ch ild o f th e Ph a r a o h s and i n vi ted t h e daugh t ers of t h e c h i efs o f th e vas s al t ri be s t o beco m e m e m b ers o f h i s c o u rt o r h o u seh o ld an d t h u s fo r m ed p ol it i cal a ll ia n ce s wi th th e var io u s c o u n t ries an d p eopl e com preh e nd ed wi t h i n h i s e m p ire Th e great s e ragl io at C o n st an t i n opl e — t h e s u rv ival of barbari s m i n E u rop e wh o s e ch i ef s u ppo rte r t h e s ul tan gets h i s exam pl e j u s t i fi cati o n a n d o rt h odo xy fro m S ol om o n spe n d s twen ty m ill i o n s of d ol lars yearly i n s uppo rt i n g h i s h e rd of wom e n w i t h th ei r acc o m panyi n g h orde s of servan t s an d e u n uch s of who m t h e re are h u nd red s wh o s e n am e s a re u n kn ow n t o h i m O u t o f h i s h arem h e m arrie s abo u t o n e h u n d red gi rl s an n u ally t o favori te o th cers fo r t h i s i n s ti tu t i o n i s a s or t of t rai ni n g sc h ool th rough w h i c h pas h as o f n o t e pas s th ei r d augh t ers with t h e vi ew o f s ecu ri n g fo r t h e m el i gi bl e m arriage s wi th d ow ry a n d t i tle S o l i ttl e can th e s ul ta n ac tu al l y k n o w of th e h a rem wh i c h h e i s s u ppo s ed t o co n t rol th at th e pl ot s o f m u rd e r a n d as sas s i na tio n s wh i c h .

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are s o frequ e n tly hat c he d i n t h i s ove n o f i n i q u i ty ar e oft e n u nk n o w n t o h i m u nt i l acc id en t cau se s l eakage of in form at io n wh ic h e n abl e s h i m to s ave h is o wn l ife A v ir tuo u s s ul ta n m ay h at e th e h are m sys t e m a n d w i s h t o d e s troy th e in s ti tu t i o n b ut h oary ves ted i n te r e s t s are opposed t o reform an d th e trad it io nal gl ory of th e dynas ty forb id s i t L i ke so m e e x c ept i on al A s iati c r ul e rs S o lo m o n m ay h ave bee n practi cally a m on ogam i s t th o ugh th e S crip t ures d o no t e n co u rage u s i n t h is c h ar i t a bl e s ur m is e ; ye t t h e face s of t h e po o r m u s t b e gro u n d an d th e bloo d of t he p easa n t ry m u s t b e wru n g ou t o f th e m t o s up po rt th i s abo m i n abl e i n s ti t ut io n A s are t h e effec t s of a royal h are m n o w s o were th ey t h e n i n t h e days of th i s H ebrew k i n g wh o wi t h al l h i s w i s do m wro ugh t s uch fo lly i n I s ra e l W e are qu i te ready to bel ieve t h at i t wa s a m at te r of pol itic s a nd of decorat ive e ffec t rath e r that s o gran d a zen an a was m ai n tai n ed i n J eru sal em S t ill i t s ugge st s M orm on i s m rat h er th an Ch ri s tian i ty Th e p ro ph e t s were al l m e n o f o n e w ife M o n ogam y was t h e l aw o f Go d an d of I s rael Th ou gh A b raham an d J acob we re s i n n ers an d i n th i s res pec t b e u e a t h e d a bad exam pl e bes id e s s ufferi n g t h e q pe n al tie s of d om es t ic u n h app i n e s s ye t t h e m o del m arriage and h oly exam pl e i s t hat of .

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I saac a n d R ebecca o n e m a n t o on e wom a n Tr ue it i s th e i dea of m o n oga my rat h er th an of a ty p ical h appy m arriage i n every re sp ec t th a t t h i s an ci e n t e xam pl e h a s b ee n c h os e n fo r th e m arr ia g e s ervi ce o f th e B o ok of C o m m o n W h a t d om e s t i c m iseri es A brah am Prayer an d j ac o b s u ffe r e d S o l o m o n ex pe ri e n c ed o n an exaggerat ed scal e A c co rd i n g t o th e o ri e n t al p ro verb I f yo u ke e p a t i ge r yo u w il l h ave n oth i n g bu t t ro u ble S ol o m o n h ad n o w a fam ily of t igres s es t o m an age O n ce i n s t al l ed i n th e p al ace an d o n i n ti m at e t e r m s w i t h royal ty t h e h eath e n p ri n ces s u n ch an ged i n h ear t wan ted n ear h e r n o t o n ly relati ve s m aid s s er van t s b u t h er rel i gio u s as so c iat i o n s an d facil i ties To pl ease h i s wi ve s t o co nc i liate th e vari o us t ri be s a n d n at i on al i ti e s i n h is h e terog e n eo u s e mpi re S o l o m o n h ad sh ri n es erec te d to t h e god s of m any c o u n t ries E ven i n a rep ubl i c a n d un d e r C h ri s t ian i ty wh at w il l n ot a p ol it i cal a spi ra n t “ d o t o capt u re th i s o r t h at vo t e and wh at c ryi n g i n j u s tic e w ill re m ai n u n red re s s ed w h e n i t h as pot e n cy of ball o t s beh i nd i t ? S ol o m o n fo r pol i t ical e ffec t was wi l l i n g t o pat ro ni ze i d ol s Th e i n ve n t o ry o f pagan i s m wh ich fl o uri sh ed u n d er th e very s h ad o w of J eh o vah s te m pl e as give n by t h e i n s pi re d h i s tori an i s a fo rm i .

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6

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o n e W h at a c o n fu si o n of t on gue s a n d d ial ec ts i n t he ze n an a Th e re were l adi e s fro m E gyp t fro m th e cou n t ri e s we s t a n d so uth of t h e D ead S e a M oab A m m o n a n d E d om n o rth er n ers fro m Z ido n a nd Ph oen icia wom e n fro m t h e o n c e p owerful n at i on of th e H i tt i tes b e si de s ro sy ru s t ics a n d c i ty bred beau t ie s fro m al l o ver t h e e m pi re W hat a s u ccess io n o f se nsati o n s m u s t h ave fu r n is h ed gos s i p t o th e i mperial ci ty as i t tu rn ed fro m b rick t o s to n e an d fro m pl a i n sycam ore t o Phoe n i cia n ced ar ' Th e frequen t caval cad es of cam el s an d h orse s b ri ngi n g n e w pers o n ages wi t h t h ei r dowry and pre se n t s an d t h e o u t fl o w i n g royal e mbas si es an d gift l aden cara v an s t o vas sal s an d prin ces fi lle d th e s tre e t s wi th spec t ac ular brill ian cy and gazi n g c rowd s Ye t h ow m us t th e wi s e h a v e grieved as t hey s aw r i s i n g o n th e h ill s n ear th e c ity t h e pai n t ed poles u n de r wh i ch th e l as ci vi ou s d an ces were d an ced an d t h e sh ri n es bu il t before wh i c h th e o rgies of A sh toreth — godd es s o f beau ty an d vo lu pt u ou s n e s s were cel eb rat ed ; an d w o rse t h an al l th e id ols before wh i c h i n c e n se s m oked an d s a cr i fi c e s were o ffered ! Th e s pad e o f t h e arch aeol ogis t w h i ch to day cas t s o u t t h e d ead rel ic s of th e pas t sh ows th at t h e t h i n gs wh ich “ accom pa ni ed th e god s of t hes e vari ou s i tes o n ce i n h abi ti n g S yria were as m oral ly fi lthy a s

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t h e extan t rel ic s of A s iat ic h eat h en i s m see n by travel ers w i th i n a ge n erat io n pas t i n J apan a n d t wo ge n e ra ti o n s ago i n I n d ia W h i le S olo m o n l i ved th e d read ful i n fl u e n c e o f h i s exam ple w h il e bad en o ug h co u l d n o t i n o n e l ifetim e b e fol l owed by m any of th e c i ty d well ers Ye t th e sh am eful ly l arge n u m b e r of id ol at ro u s an d m oral ly t ai n t ed w om e n i n th e h arem was l ik e a m as s of w ate r k e pt b ac k o nly te m porari ly by a weak dam H i s d e ath h o wever was th e s i gn al fo r a m oral d is as ter of w h i ch t h e C o nem au gh cal am i ty fu rn i sh e s th e a n alogy i n th e n at u ral wo rl d Th e fl o o d g a te s of i n i qu i ty we re o pen ed u po n J e rus al e m o n th e break in g u p of th e gre at royal h arem aft e r t h e s ece s s io n h ad m ad e i m p o s s i bl e by t h e c urtail m e n t of reve n ue t h e c o n ti n u ed m ai n t e n a n c e of a vas t s eragl io O i th e awful e f f e c t up o n ci ty l ife of t h i s fl o o d of i n i qu ity l e t l oo s e t h e bo ok of Pro verbs esp ec ial ly gi ve s s t r iki n g proofs Th at S ol o m o n h i m s el f pers o n ally d e serted u t te rly th e w o rsh i p of j e h o vah fo r th e s e d i vi n i t i e s we d o n o t gath e r fro m th e reco rd n o r b el i eve Th a t h e was spi ri t ually a t rai tor to h i s G o d i n t h u s l e n d i n g aid an d c o mfort to J eh ovah s e n em ies an d of i nd i re ctly a ssi s t i ng i n t h es e e n orm i ti e s i s c e rtai n W i th th i s s i n G o d c harge d h i m a n d t h reate ne d p u n is h m e n t u po n h i m for i t ,

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HI S TO RI C CHARA C

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63

W i th i n a n h i st ori cal fram ework a s i n th e book s of th e Ki n gs th e A u th o r of th e B ibl e h as set a m i rro r i n to wh i ch we i n t h is age o f A m eri ca n pro s pe ri ty an d a m azi n g weal t h d o wel l to l o ok W i th i n th e po e t i cal fram ework of th e S o ng of S on gs w e b eli eve h e h as se t th e co nt ras t of c h as t e pu re l o ve m ai n tai n i n g i t s elf u n s pot ted agai n s t th e bla n d i sh m en ts of I t i s h igh ly probabl e t h at t h e a s e n sual is t Ca n t i cl e had a n h i sto ri cal bas is i n a n epi sod e i n S olo mo n s ti m e an d th a t o u t of t h i s a n i n spi red poe t was i m pel l ed t o wri t e a m ast e r piece ex pre s s ive of th e deepe s t e m o t i on s of t h e H ebre w h eart I n th i s poem se n s ual i ty i s s cor n ed an d rej ec ted an d pu re l ove g lo r i fi e d a n d i ts s eat d i scern e d i n th e boso m of G od ,

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of th e m os t profo u nd c h an ge s i n th e c o n sc io u s n e s s of t h e peopl e of I s rael wa s wro ugh t by t h e i n s ti tu ti o n of m o n arch y Hi th er to th e n ati on h ad bee n acco rd i n g t o t h e p rev a le n t fai th u n de r t h e d i rec t go vern m e n t of G od H e r j ud ges prie sts an d p roph e ts we re m i n i s ters o f J e h ovah wh o as s is ted i n wo rsh i p a n d i n th e m ai n ten an ce of th e i n st i t u t io n s o f s ocial order an d rel i gio n T he i n n o vati o n of a m o narch y an d ce n t ral ized go vern m e n t wi th rel igio u s s ervic es po i n t i n g t o u l t im ate r e s tr i c t i o n at J eru sal e m t h e ki n g c lai m in g to b e G o d s vic ege re nt caus ed a p rofou n d c h an ge i n t h e feel i n gs o f j eh ovah s peopl e A t fi r s t all probab ly wel co m ed t h e n e w o rd er an d d ur i ng th e fi r s t few years o f th e s u n sh i ne of royal p o pulari ty a n d th e glare o f wo rl dly prospe ri ty t h ere wa s l it tle o r n o p ro t es t W h e n h oweve r th e b eh avi or o f th e m on arch s can dal ized t h e pe opl e an d th e woes fo retold by S am uel fell u po n th em w h e n th e taxes a n d ga ll in g b u r d e n s began t o p res s u po n n ec k an d pu rse .

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HI S TOR y

66

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m en t io n ed i n th e p oe ti cal book s of th e B ibl e h e h i m s el f i s m ad e th e ch i ef p ers o n age i n th e C an ti cl e an d i n o thers i s a n o t abl e n g ure H e n ce th e great con t ras t bet wee n t h e b al d p ros e of th e b ook s of th e K in gs an d t h e ex ube ra n t p oet ry of th e C an ticl e Th e p roph e t s cri be wh o co m piled t h e K in gs giv e s t h e u n varn ish ed fa c t s th e prie s t w r i ter of C h ro n icl e e ul ogiz e s S ol o m o n a n d d well s i n th e gl o ry of t h e t e m pl e an d t h e royal gifts w i th m ea s ure m en t s an d m ath em at i cal fi gu res t h ough t h e h u m a n i n tere s t i s vas t ly l es s t ha n i n Ki n gs T h e E ph rai m i t e s i n ger of th e S o n g of S on gs i n ves t s e veryt h i n g w i t h a poe t ic gl o w I n t h e exub e ra n t t rop i cal l an gu age of th e O rie n t al l t h i n gs fa i r i n h eave n a n d o n e arth are s u m m o n e d to p ict u re th e e n v i ro n m e n t an d t o i n te r pr e t th e e m ot io n s of th e royal adm ire r and t h e fai th ful l overs wh il e th e c rowni n g m ot ive of t h e pi ec e an d c ul m i n at io n of th e t h ou gh t i s l i n k ed t o th e n am e of J eh ovah h i m sel f H o w d id th e S o n g of S on gs com e t o be w ri t te n ? D i d poet s i n t h e a n c i e n t wo rl d i n spi red o r u n i n sp i red s t ri v e fo r o rigi n al c o n s cen es c e pt i o n s a n d a t te m pt t o c rea te pl ot s an d ch arac ters a s i s d o n e i n m ode rn d ram a o r n ovel ? I f anyth i n g see m s e s tabl i sh ed by cl o s e s t udy of t h e l i terat u re an d l i fe of t h e an c ie n t worl d

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67

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i s th i s : t h a t th e abst rac t i nve n tio n of a ch aract er o r a s tory apart fro m so m e bas is of fac t by a poe t ; o r th e u t teran c e of a proph ecy h av i n g n o vi t al co n n e c t i o n w ith th e proph et s o w n l ife t i m es an d experi en ce i s i n t h e He brew S cript ure s u n k n ow n I n eit her cas e of poem o r prop h ecy th ere m u s t be a s tarti n g p oi n t of act ual o c c u rren ce Th e a n ecd o t e was th e s eed of poe m psalm o r p roph e cy Li ter al ly i t m ay be said th e poe try fi c ti o n d ram a “ an d proph et i c burd e n of th e B ibl e i s fo u n d ed o n fac t B y wh at p ar ticul ar h i s torical occ u rren c e th e S ong of S o ngs was su ggested o r t o wh at eve n t i t i s d irectly rel a ted we d o n o t k no w w i t h certain ty U s i n g t h e w ord anecd o t e i n i t s l i t eral an d h i st o ri c sen s e t h e co n j ect u re i s n ot u n reas o n ab le th at th e com po s er of th e C an t icl e l ik e t h e po et o r poet s of t h e b oo k of J ob wh o u s ed th e an ecdo t e c on c ern in g th e m an of U z h as h eard t h e s t ory of A bish ag an d S olom o n s d es ir e to w i n h er fo r h im s elf o r a t leas t s ees beh i n d h i s m u rde r of A d o n ij ah th e basi s of a d ram a i n real l ife Th ereu po n w i t h th i s i n c id en t as a s ugges t ive s tarti n g po i n t a n d wi th exqui s it e l i terary art h e co n s t r u c t s th e can tata wh ic h s o cl early se t s i n c on t rast p ure a n d i n n ocen t l ove wi t h s e n s ual pas s io n an d u n h oly am b it i o n Let u s loo k a t ,

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HI S TO R Y

68

CRITICISM

AND

th e po rt i c o of t h i s tem pl e of H ebrew p oe try s o ful l of st re n gt h an d o f b eauty I n th e s u pe rsc ri p t io n of t h e w ri t in g we h ave t h e a n n o u n ce m e n t o r argu m e n t T he S o n g of I t i s th e c h ief S o n gs wh i ch i s S ol om o n s so n g t h e n obl es t of al l b ecau se i ts th em e i s th e n obl es t pass i o n l o ve A s G od t h e K i n g of k i n gs d we ll s i n th e h eave n of h eaven s i n th e t r u e h o ly of h ol i es an d i s G od o f god s “ Lord of l o rd s ; as C anaan was th e servan t o f s ervan t s ; as l ife to th e wri t e r of E c c le s i as tes was va ni ty of va n itie s ; a s l ove t o o u r H eave n ly Fath er sh o ul d be i n o u r h ear t o f h eart s : s o th e so n g wh o s e b u rd e n i s l ove i s t h e S o n g of s o ngs Th e B i bl e i t s elf i s t h e C an t icl e of G od s l o v e to u s fo r G od i s l ove E ve n th e N e w Te s tam en t th ou gh i t s l an gu age i s G reek c o n tai n s th i s H ebrew id io m “ fo r s al vat io n i s o f t h e J e ws ; a nd Pau l th e H eb rew th ou gh u s i n g G re ek cal ls h i m s el f a H ebrew o f t h e H e bre ws O i t h e boo k n ow u n der ex am in at i o n t h e t i tl e i s S h i r h as h S h i r i m o r S o n g of S o n gs ; y e t i t i s q ui te po s sibl e t h at t h i s H ebre w wri t i n g wh e n fi r s t publ i s h ed h ad n o t i t le T h i s was th e c ase w i t h m o s t of t h e s c rip t u res of th e O l d Tes tam e n t th e n am e s o f w h i c h as n ow u sed cam e i n to u se m u c h l ate r th an th e I n th i s re sp ect t i m e of th e ir com po s i ti on ,

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B A C XG R O U/VD OF THE

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th ey were l ike th e great vol u m e ran ki n g n ext i n world wid e pop u lari ty to t h e B ibl e an d wh ic h al l C h r i st i an s love s up posed t o h ave bee n w ri t te n by Th om as a Ke m pi s I t i s known u n de r s eve ral t it le s w h i ch take th ei r for m fro m wo rd s o r ph rase s i n th e boo k it sel f “ “ s u ch as Th e I m i tat io n of C h ris t o r O n t h e Fol low i n g of C h ri s t ; t h ou gh i n J apa n th e J es ui t m i ss io n aries tran slat ed i t u n der th e “ ti tle C o nt em pt of th e W orld Th e h ead l i n e over t h e fi fth of th e poet ical bo ok s o f t h e “ B ibl e Th e S on g of S o n gs wh i ch i s S ol o m o n s — t h e o n ly l i n e of prose i n th e form of th e book as we h ave i t i s s o evid e n tly a ve r sicl e add ed as a t i tl e by a h and l ater t h an t h e au th o r s th at i n th e R evi sion of 1 8 8 4 th e old h ead i n g of t h e page i n t h e fo rm e r E n gl i sh ver s i on s h as bee n d iscarded an d t h e n am e Th e S ong of S on gs o n ly pri n t ed as t h e t itle t o be used by th e pe opl e I n th i s m atte r t h e r e v i s e r s h ave fol lowed th e bes t c ri t ical ed i tors of t h e H ebrew t ex t Th e st udy of ph i lology t each e s u s t o pay cl os es t at te n tio n t o th e “ sm all es t wo rd s fo r oft e n t h es e l it tl e h ook s an d eye s of speech tel l great s to rie s an d are as t rue eviden ce s of t i m e and ch an ge as th e geol ogi cal i m pri n t s o n ce m ad e i n clay an d n o w h arde n ed fo r t h e age s i n st on e Th e l i tt l e pro “ n o u n wh ic h i n t h e t i tl e Th e S on g o f S on gs ‘

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HI S TO R Y

70

AN D

CRITICISM

i s oi o r abo u t S olo m o n i s d i ffe re n t i n form t o t h e e xte n t of s eve ral l e tt ers fro m th e s am e pro n o un (s /ze ) w h i c h i s u se d i n e very o th er pl a c e i n th e C an ti cl e I n t h e h ead l i n e add e d d o ub tl es s l on g afte r th e p oe m was w ri tte n i t i s a s /ze r a wo rd rarely u sed i n t i tl es eve n of t h e Ps al m s an d co n tai n i ng th ree c on s o n an t s a n d t wo vowel s ; i n t h e body o f th e b ook t h e pro n o u n wh i c h i s represe n ted i n H ebre w by a w o r d o f o n e c o n s o n an t l e tt e r “ w h ich i s 5 01 S o m e s ch ol ars th i n k t h e w o rd s a re part of th e t e xt by t h e auth o r wh o om on s i n te n d e d t o i m i tat e t h e s ty le of S o l o m o n o r t o proj ec t h im sel f i n t o S o lo m o n i c t i m e s an d s ph e re o f th o ugh t O ur word C a n t i c l es m o re p rop erly Ca n t i cl e “ i s fro m th e Lat i n C an t ic u m c a n t i co r u m “ Lu th e r c al l ed i t an d a D a s H o h el ied Fren ch e xpo s i t o r c row n s i t as th e E te rn al Song O u r u nd ers ta n d i n g o f t h e poe m i s m u ch fac i li tated by c on st an t refere n ce t o th e b i s tori c al bo oks fo r ofte n th e s e p re s erve fo r u s t h e fi g u r a t i ve expres s i o n w h i c h th e co n t e m porarie s of S ol o m o n u s ed t o de n o t e th e ob j e cts of th ei r ad m i ra t io n o r ce n s u re Th u s i n regard t o th e pers o n and appu rt en a n ces of th e k i n g we h av e i n c h ap te r i v 8 of th e S on g refere n ce s wh i ch m igh t w i th ou t th e e xpl an atio n i n K i n gs b e wb



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i n t e rp re ted l it eral ly of zo ology i n s t ead of m e t a ph o r i c a lly of t h e k i ng s s eat an d c om pan io n s Th e S h u la m i t e s l ove r i n urgin g h e r to g o wi th h im m en t i o n s th e vari o us r oyal re s i d e n c e s an d bi d s h er t o esc ape w ith h i m away fro m th e m an d fr o m S o l om on B es ides L eba n o n A m an a S h e n ir an d H erm o n h e spe aks “ o f th e l i on s de n an d t h e m o un tai n s of t h e l eopard s A r e we t o t h i nk h ere of w i ld b eas ts l i v e quad ruped s n o te d fo r t h e i r c laws an d t eet h o r of t h e l io n s upp o rt ed t h ro n e of S ol o m o n an d t h e co urt i n wh i ch h i s cou rti ers d w el l ? I n bot h K i n gs a n d C h ro n i cl e s ( 1 Ki n gs x 1 8 — 20 ; 2 C h ron i x I 8 1 9 ) we read of t h e great th ro n e of i v ory overl ai d w i th th e fi n e s t “ gol d w ith s i x s tep s lead in g t o i t an d two l i on s s tan d in g b es id e t h e s tays I n o th er part s of th e sacred wri ti n gs k i n gs are s tyl ed l io n s an d th e c o u rt iers s urro un di n g a great m on arch are called by th e n am es of powe rful beas ts I n th e popular l an guage of a d i st a n t p rovi n ce th e th ron e ro o m wi th i t s fo urtee n li o n s wo ul d be called th e l ion s de n Th e pe t n am e s wh i c h t h e fai th ful girl gi ve s h er l over are al l poet i cal a n d i n a ccord wit h t h e rich n es s of o ri e n tal m etaph o r To h er h i s “ n am e i s s pike nard as th e k in g s i s to t h e harem lad ie s o i n t m e n t po u red fo rt h — as a ’

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HI S TO R

72

Y

C R I TI C I S /ll

A A’D

.

p rec i o u s al abast e r perfum e b o tt l e b rok e n an d p o u red u po n th e h ead of th e gue s t o r c r u s h ed i n a n apk i n eve ry pi e c e of w h ich i s th e n c e fo r ward a b eare r of sw ee t o d o rs B y n o n e of th e s en s e s m o re th an t h e par t i c ul ar o n e o f s m el l i s th e m e m ory mo re deeply s t i rred an d as s o He wh o m re cal l ed ( 2 C o r i i I c i a ti o n h e r s o u l l o vet h i s a n e ck bag o r vi al of per fu m e a b u n dl e of my rrh w h i c h sh e wears o n h e r bo s o m bet wee n h e r h e a r t a n d h e r gar m en t s A s J o b o r J ob s w i fe nam ed on e of h i s d au gh t ers K e ren h a ppu c h o r to il e t bo x s o n am e s of t h i n gs l i ked by lad ie s were often appl i ed t o th ei r h u m an favo ri tes A s a cl u s te r o f ri c h yell o w cypress fl o w e r s at h e r gird le al s o s o i s h e r abse n t bel oved Th ou gh wa rm an d ard en t h e r l an gu age an d i m ages as wel l as h er t h ou gh t are i m m ac ul ately ch as te an d ar t l e ss ly i nn oc e n t I n th e m aide n s s peech we h n d a n am azi n g weal th of i m agery an d h e r n at ive t o ngu e i s as ful l of th e n at u ral poet ry of th e H ebre ws as th e pl ai n of S h aro n i s ful l o f d ai s i e s M any of t h e ol d w ord s of t h e l an gu age a re i n th em s el ves l at en t po em s b u t o n h e r l i p s a n e w beau ty i s bo r n i n t o m any o f th e m A s a vi n e yard c o n s i s t s of c u l t ivated o r prepared l an d an d i s a pl ac e o f beau ty as wel l a s of wo rk s o s h e call s h e r o wn perso n a vi n eyard N eg -

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7 011 y

11 1 5

74

AN D

)

CRITICISM

wom an ly vi r tu es S h e i s a l ily a m o n g “ th o rns a d ove i n t h e cl eft of t h e rock s a n i n cl o s ed gard e n a fou n tai n s eal ed S he “ “ i s h i s s i s te r h i s be tro th ed U n l ike t h e m e m be rs of S ol o m o n s m i s ce ll a n e o u s h erd sh e i s on e I n h e r u n as sail abl e p u ri ty s h e i s a w el l of l i vi n g wa ter a l i m p id m ou n t ai n bro ok of Leban o n I n h e r o w n s elf d epre cat in g wo rd s “ s h e i s bl ack th e wo rd bei n g t h e s a m e as th at appl ied to th e t urbi d N i l e b ut i n h i s eye s sh e i s clear sk i n n ed an d wh i te as t h e torren t s foam I n h e r acc om p l i sh m e n t s a n d ch a rm s s h e i s a garde n of s p i ces a s weet s i n ger d wel l i n g i n th e garde n s A s to th e o n e bel o ved o f th e S h ulam i te w h o i n th e H ebre w i s i n variabl y add re s s ed i n o n e fo rm o f w ord s n o t u s ed of S ol o m on h e see m s i n h i s l ife a n d way s t o be m o re t h a n of e arth ly m o u ld of al m o s t a ngel i c h abi t s of i n n oce n c e p u ri ty an d h igh com m u n i o n of so ul w i th th i n gs ra re prec io u s an d u n earth l y He i s an i d eal pe rs o n age i n h er eye s H i s d wel l in g pl ace s are fi e ld s of l i l ie s gard en s of bal sam a nd m o u n tai ns of S pi ce s He i s b eau t iful i n body wis e i n min d a n d free as t h e h i n d s of th e h eld He i s h e r l ead er teac h e r a n d e xem pl ar I n th e ard o r of h e r affec ti o n sh e cl oth es h i m w i th ide al grace s wh ic h all th e s pl endo rs o f royal blan d ish m e n t s can n o t fo r a m o m e n t e cl ipse I f .



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PO E 7 1 0 E A C KG R O U N D OF THE C A N TI C L E

75

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i n th i s book t h ere b e fo un d a true type of C h ri s t i t i s th e s h ep h erd l over an d n o t t h e se n s ual k ing I n th e be lo ved s add res s es ch as te p u re an d t en d er n at ural i mage s ar e ab u nda n t ly refl ec ted He n eve r vi s ibly appears o n th e s cen e u n t i l th e l as t c rown i n g e ve n t and i n all th e o th ers t h e S h ul a m i t e s e e s h i m o n ly i n t ran ce o r vi s i on A s i n t h e sp iri tu al d ram a of J ob wh e re th e o n e m os t tal ked abo ut an d h o n ored i s G od no t m an h e appears o n t h e s ce n e o n ly at th e ve ry las t I n S ol o m o n s add res s es to th e w om a n of h i s ques t wh ose i nn oce n c e an d i napp roac h abi lity ba ffl e h im o n e easily d is co vers a marked c o n t ras t i n th ough t i m agery an d l an guage fro m t h ose em ployed by th e s h eph erd Th e royal vol upt uary s con cept i o n s are n ot elevat ed h i s m etaph ors are s om e ti m e s h e avy a n d m o s t of h i s i m ages are th os e bo rro w ed fro m th e a r ti fi H i s lan c i a l l ife of c i ties co urt s an d stabl e s gu a ge i s l es s t h at of t h e i m pass i on ed love r th an th e ambi t io us s eeke r wh o d oe s n o t expe c t to be fi n a lly b a ffl e d ; i t i s h i gh ly rh et orical an d som etim es i n e xquis i te l i terary fo r m O n ly i n th e fi n a l s ce n e of h i s at t e n t i o n s h o w eve r d oe s h e s ee m t o s pe ak i n t erm s wh ich verge up o n i m propriety I n deed excep t t h i s V ery bri ef speech of S olo m o n to t h e da n ci n g gi rl of -

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HI S TO R Y

76

AN D

c m TI C I S M

.

M a h an ai m t h e w ri te r d e cl are s afte r ear n es t s t udy th a t h e d i s c ove rs n ot h i n g i n d i s co rd wi th p u ri ty of t h ough t an d s o u n d m o ral i ty i n al l t h e C a n t i cl e To S o lo m o n th e n e w i n m ate of h i s pal ac e i s l ike a m are h er c h eek s an d n eck re m i n d h i m of j ewels h er n ec k re cal l s th e ar m ory towe r h e c om pare s h er t o th e ri val c i tie s o f Ti rzah a n d J e ru sal e m H i s vi ew o f n at ure i s th at o f a c ul t i vat ed c ri t i c wh o e n j oys t h e l an d s cap e be s t w h e n i t is ful l of th e t ri u m ph s of c i vil iza t io n I n c h ap te r vi i th e d es cri pt i on of t h e d a n ce r s pe rso n by th e w om e n i s do n e w i th a d e tail t h at i s m o re pl easin g to o ri e n t al t ha n t o w es te rn tas t e Th e h e i gh t of ex ub e ran ce of fi g u r a t i ve l a n guage i s reac h ed i n th e fi n a l scen e an d las t c h apte r wh e re th e o bsc uri ty o r w e m ay s ay p rofu n d i ty o f th e all us io n s s u gges ts th e e n i g m as s o ch arac t e ri s t i c of S ol o m o n s a ge an d o f w h ich th e ori e n t al s a re yet so fo n d H e re l o ve i s a h t e u n q ue n c h abl e by st ream o r flo od e qual li n g th e grav e i n i t s i rre s is t i bl e power H ere th e l ittle s i s te r of u nd evel o ped fi g u r e i s warn ed t o ch oo se betwee n be i n g a wal l o r a d oo r Th e al tern at i ve p rizes of a l i n t el o f c ed ar o r of a t u rre t o f silve r i s s e t be fore h e r A m arriage wi th a pla i n m a n perh aps ol d an d h a rs h s te m an d s evere o r e ve n th e sal e i n t o ,

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POE TI C

BAC

O F THE

KG R O UN D

C A N TI C L E

77

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a h arem again s t h er wi ll o r o n th e o th e r h an d h o n orabl e an d c row ned m arri age to h e r ow n ch os e n l over i s h ere i n d icated Th e ch ief t reas ure am on g t h e w edd i n g gift s be i n g t h e h o rn of s ilver w h i c h orn am e n ted th e b rid e s h ead a n d fro m wh i ch h e r ve i l d epe nd ed t h e pal ace o r t u rret of s i l ver wo u ld s h o uld sh e prove di s c re e t m od es t a n d fai th ful b e b ui l t “ “ u po n h e r a n d h e r h o rn be exalted w i th t h e h on o r d esi red by all H eb re w d augh t e rs Th e vi n eyard of S o l o m o n at Baal h am o n h ad d oub tles s i ts co u n t erpar t i n ac t ual la nd v i n es grapes or ol ive s an d h u sba nd me n an d re n t ; bu t th rou gh o u t th e po em t h e vi n eyard wh i c h s h e n egl ected was h e r o wn a nd m y v i n eyard wh ich i s m i n e i s befo re m e was h e r ow n pe r s on h er vi rgi n body u n bo ugh t u n sol d A part fro m t h e h u m an ac to rs i n th e Can t icle an d th e fi g u r a ti ve la n guage appl ie d to t h em i n n am es of l ov e an d fea r t h ere i s a ri ch sym b o li s m p ertai n in g t o pl ace s an d th i n gs Th e m o u ntai n s of Leban o n ric h as t h ey we re i n bal sa m tree s an d c edars were th e real type s of th o se m o u n t ai n s of s pi ces wh i ch w e re prob ably n eve r s een o n se a o r lan d b u t grew i n id eal re gi on s Th e m ou n tain s of B eth er o r s eparat io n refe r p rob ably t o t h e e verlas ti n g h ill s wri n kl ed w i th valley s o r gorged wi t h r a vi n es m aki n g d i vi s i on an d d is ta n c e be t wee n ,

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HI S TO R Y

8 7

AN D

CRITICISM



l ove r an d l o ved M o u n t ai n s of m y rrh a n d “ h ill s of frank i n ce n s e were n o t o n ly th e range s th at s t rike th e Vi ew i n n or th er n I s rael bu t typi fi e d probably al s o t h e be aut ie s of t h e h u m a n fo rm o r gar d e n s fo un d i n l o vers b o we rs W e fi n d i n S ol o m o n s las t spe e ch p alm t re e s an d “ b ou gh s cl u st e rs of grapes a n d apple s t h at gro w o n ly i n po e t ry a n d o n t h e faires t work o f G o d i n th at h um an form wh i ch i n t h e poe t ry of G en e si s h e m ade of a ri b i n s t ead of t h e d us t of t h e gro u n d O i places w e eas ily recogn i ze th o s e of h i s t ori c n am e and real i ty b u t are th ere n ot o th ers t o be d i scove red o n n o m ap an d ex is te n t o n ly i n th e geography o f i magi n ati o n ? A r c hae o lo gi s t s and e xcavat o rs i n th e H eb re w t ext s h ave s o ugh t i n vai n t o l oc at e B aal H am o n o r th e B aal of M ul t i t ud e Po s s i bly s u ch a l ocal ity “ ( l i d really exi s t i n o n e of t h e fat vall eys of E ph rai m a n d i ts n am e if n o t a m i s read i n g fo r Baal H erm o n m ay perh aps b e fo u n d co r “ r u p t e d i n t o th e of th e a po c ryph al B a la m o n b ook of J ud i th c h a pt e r vi i i 3 I t s eem s m o re l ikely h o we ver th at th e n am e i s a co i n age of t h e b rai n o f t h e po et an d t o g o afte r i t m i gh t b e l i k e seek i n g i n E n gl an d J oh n B u n ya n s V an i ty F ai r an d o th er pl ace s o f i m m o rtal “ n o t e S o w i th th e l i o n s d e n s an d th e m ou n t ai n s of leopard s as w e h ave su gge s ted .



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PO E TIC BA CKG RO UND

OF THE C A N TI C LE

79

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I n t h e sy m bol i s m of fl o w e r s an d reco nd i t e all u s io n s t o th e se nt i m e n t as soc iat e d w i t h t rees fr uit s perfu m es an d o t he r delec tab l e o h i n m etap h or an d tro pe th e p oe t i s l a v i s h e c t s j The su n look s o n t h e m aid en t o tan b ro wn h e r face th e m o rn i n g peep s fo rth t h e gazel l es are c reat ure s t o t ake s ol e m n o at h b y l ove i s a l i v i n g c reat u re wi t h a wi ll n o t to b e l igh tly awak e n ed th e s tate car of S ol om o n i s paved w it h love Th e S h u la m i t e s plan t s an d o rc hard of pomegranates with all t h e co s tly spice s are em ble m s of m e n tal a n d m oral grace s an d t rai t s of t e m peram e n t S h e i s h i s garde n th e j oy s of h er l ove are h i s h on eyco m b a n d h o n ey h i s w i n e an d m i lk m ak i n g a feas t of j oy Yet sh e i s n o t t o o brigh t o r good for h u m an n atu re s daily food Th e apple tre e wh ic h i s am o n g t h e t rees of t h e wood wh at th e beloved i s t o h i s l ovi ng be tro th ed am o ng th e you n g m en i s t h e sy m bol of love an d affect i o n I ts beau ty u seful ness fragran ce it s d el ic io us fru i t an d d eligh tful sh ad o w th e m em ories th at clu s te r arou nd i t as a pl aygrou n d an d eve n a s a b irt h pl ace i n t h e E as t wh ere l ife eve n i n i t s begi n n i n g as wel l as to i l an d j oy i s i n th e O pe n ai r m ak e i t a favori t e wi th th e poets Probably at t h e era of S olom o n th i s Pers i an t ree wa s fi r s t i n trod uced i n to Pal est i n e a nd be co m i n g a par t of t he l ife of t h e p eople i t fo rm ed a st ri k ,

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80

TI C I S M

11 1 5 TOR y A N D

i n g obj ec t i n t h e land s cape an d a u seful sy m bol t o th e poe t s Th i s fru i t of fru i ts i s also pl ac ed poet ic ally i n t h e eyeb al l an d h u n g o n t h e forb idd e n t re e i n E d e n Po s s i bl y h owever t h e a ppl e t re e of th e H ebrews i s m o re co rrec tly a n apri c o t or p os s i bly a qu in c e C o n t rast b et we e n urb an and ru ral l ife t o t h e adv a n tage o f t h e l atter i s o n e of t h e t h e poem I n th e co u n t ry n ot abl e po i n t s i n t h e m aid of S h un e m h as al l h er j oys i n th e c i ty h e r woes s o rrow s acc ide n ts a n d p e c ul i ar t ro u bl es E vid en tly i t i s t h e pu rpo s e of t h e poe t t o pai n t t h e d el igh t s o f o u t do o r l ife am i d th e beau tie s of n at u re co m pell i n g co n t ras t t o t h e d an gers an d te m p tat io n s of t h e c i ty I n n o boo k of t h e Bibl e i s th e l es s o n t h at Go d m ad e th e c o u n t ry wh il e m a n m ad e th e to w n s o cl early i ll u s t ra ted I n n o o t h er are th e d ive rse m od e s of l ife pu t i n j u xtapos i tio n t h e o n e t o be feared an d t h e o th e r t o b e d e s i red Lik e th e teach er o f N azare th w h o pe rh aps n eve r s pe n t a n i gh t i n J e rus ale m except th at o n e o f s o rro w before h is c r u c i fi x i o n a n d wh o t h e S h ul a m a vo ided th e c i ty fo r t h e c o u n try i t e e ve r lo oks l o n gi n gly upo n th e h eld s an d h i l ls C i ties are th e grave s o f h eal th and s t ren gth th e d e s t roy e rs of n erve a nd vi go r an d t h e was t e of e n ergy n eed s co n sta n t reple n is h in g .

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82

AN D

C R I TI C I S M

am pl e of th e i n co rrup tible m aid e n of S h u n e m b e t o t h e m a b eac o n of li gh t an d i n sp i rat i o n w h il e h e r t em p er eve r rem ai n s a warn i n g “ agai n s t t h at hard en i n g of th e h ear t wh ic h b ri n gs i rreve re n ce for t h e d ream s of y out h W h at happe n e d t o th e S h ul am i te c o m e s t o pas s i n th e h i sto ry of al m o s t e ve ry you n g m an E s pec ial ly i n a co u n try of a n d you n g w om an e n dles s p o ss ib il i t ies l ike o ur o wn i s t h i s t rue S h e wa s place d betwee n o ppo s i te a tt racti o n s t hat repres e n ted th e tru e an d th e fal s e id eal s of l ife S h o ul d sh e ch o o s e gl o ry o r d uty ? S h o ul d sh e l i ve w it h co n sc ie n c e reli gio n s i m i t of l ife p uri ty a n d be fait h fu l t o h er l i c p y word a n d fi r s t l ove ? O r fo r am b i tio n s sake “ for a n e s tabl is h m e n t i n J e ru s al em s ell h e r s elf ? H appy th ey wh o by d ec i s io n an d u n s wer v i n g l oyal ty t o th e i d eal s of d uty kee p co n s c ie nc e c l ear a nd e nj oy peac e of m i n d ,



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C D R A MA T I C

HA PTE R

V

S T R U C T U R E O F T HE S O N G O F S O N G S

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T HE S o n g

of S o n gs i s t h e o n ly boo k i n th e l ibrary of t h e s acred wri t i n gs w h ic h c o nsis t s wh olly of poe try an d co n vers at i o n A ll t h e oth er p oet i cal books eve n t h e Bo ok of J o b wh i ch i s a d ram a of t h e S pi ri t co n t ai n pros e d ict io n i n th e fo rm of i n t rod uc t i on s ubj ec t m at ter expl an at io n o r epilogue i n w h i c h th e au th or h i m self speak s I n t h e S o n g of S o n gs h owever th e a uth o r i s en t i rely s il en t as t o i h form atio n gi ve n or ut t eran ce s d i rec tly m ad e fro m h im sel f Th ere are n o voices b u t t ho se of th e d r a m a ti c pe r s m w t h e ch arac te rs t h e m s elves N o o t he r boo k of th e B ibl e i n th e ol d er E n g l i sh vers i o n s s tood s o m uch i n n eed of th e revi s er s t ou c h as t h at of th e C ant icl e I n t h e Revi s ed V e rs i on t h e fi y e th o u san d wo rd s a re arran ged w it h s om e refere n ce to th ei r o rder as p oet ry ; a n d as d ial ogu e sol ilo quy ch oru s o r co n ve rsat i o n I t m ay n o w b e read i n tell ige n tly by t h e ge n e ral reader N o r do es i t now s ee m pres u m p tu ou s audacity eve n t o .

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84

11 1 5 TO ) ?

Y

C R I TI C I S M

AN D

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t al k of i t s co n s u m m a t e form as a wo rk of l i terary art W h at i s th e form of t h i s m as terp i ec e o f H ebrew poet ry ? I s i t a pas toral ep i c lyric c an t ata o r d ra m a ? O r i s th e re any o n e wo rd wh i ch w it h h o ne s t r eferen ce t o o u r s c a n ty k n owled ge of i ts o r igi n p u rpo se a n d u s e i n an c i e n t t i m es w i l l acc urately d escribe i t ? T hi s is a ques t io n of great i n teres t to s c h ol ars wh o h ave expe n d e d m u c h learn i n g u pon th i s po i n t an d res earc h a n d c o n troversy c o n c ern i n g th e c oro llary q u est io n wh et he r t h e d ram a e xi s t ed a m on g th e H eb rew s I n every A s i at ic race fro m J apa n to Phoen icia w e fi n d d ram at i c e x pre s s o n in s om e fo rm ; b u t i n n o n e o f th e S e m i t i c rac e s d id t h i s reach th e po i n t of devel o p m e n t repres e nt ed by t h e t h eat re S o m e assert th at th ere i s su c h an i n n ate e s t ran ge m e n t i n th e H e brew ge n i u s from e very th in g of th e n at ure of plas ti c art th at e ve n d ram at i c w ri ti n gs wo ul d be i m pos s ibl e a m on g t h e m B ot h th e ac to r o n th e s tage a n d th e co m pos e r of t h e d ram a m u s t acc ord i n g t o t h e m eas u re of h i s su c cess d i ve s t h i m s el f of h i s o wn pe rs o n al i ty an d e n t er i n t o th at of o th er s He m u s t h ave a s o r t of d o u bl e con s c io u s n e s s He m u s t m o ve h i m s el f w i t h pa s s io n s w h i ch are n ot h i s ow n an d id e n t ify h i m s el f w i t h t h e so u l o f o th ers I t i s as s ert ed .

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B R A M A TI C S TR U C T UB E

85

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th at t h e H eb rews we re n o t abl e to d o th i s an d h e n ce d i vi n e i n sp i rat i o n wh ic h m o ve d th e pen m en of t h e H o ly S cri ptu res t o u tt er th ei r G od breath ed w is do m i n al m o s t every o th er form of li te rary exp res s io n fo u n d n o i n s tr u m en t i n t h e d ram a E ve n th e very t h o ugh t of th e pure d ra m a or of dram at i c w ri t ing i n t h e Bibl e sh ocks th e m in d s of t h o se ed ucat e d to bel ieve t h at plast i c ar t an d in s pi rat io n are i n co m patible l i ke th e u n io n of C h ri s t an d Belial W h at fo u nd at io n of t ru th or fac t u n derl ie s s u ch n o tio n s ? D o es n o t a c ri t ical th at i s a t h o roughly h o n es t an d u n bias ed s ear ch i n g of t h e S crip t ure s accord i n g t o th e co m m a nd of C h ri st m od ify s uc h pre s u ppos i t io n s ? I s i t n ot t rue th at th e H eb rews w er e e specially n oted fo r t h e ir love of sym bol s and th at sym b o li s m we n t th e len gt h of m i m i cry t hat th e prop h ets often d i d en te r i n t o t h e feel in gs and t h e very pe rs o n ali ty o f o t h ers i n rem ot e t i m es an d places ? W a s n o t th i s s tri ctly s peaki n g d ra m ati c act io n ? Fro m a p u rely l i t erary poin t of Vi ew i s n o t I sai ah s creatio n of t h e S ervan t of J eh ovah o n e of t h e bold e s t s tro kes of d ram at i c gen i u s ? W a s i t w i th ou t po i n t that J es u s c al l ed a tt e n ti o n to th e m i m i c s tage play th e privat e th eat ri cal s of t h e c h il d re n i n t h e m arket p lac e ( M at th ew x i an d t h at ,

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86

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AN D

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h e b ra n d ed t h e Ph ari s ees t h e co n s um m at e “ m ask weare rs o f h i s d ay as s t age act ors t ha t i s h ypo crites ? I t i s t ru e as a s t udy of H eb rew l i te rat u re s h ow s th at t h e S c ri pt u re s e m an at in g fro m J u d ah o r S ou t h er n I s rael w ere m ore i n t en sely s p i ri t ual i n the i r t o n e an d bo rro we d l e ss th e i r i m age s fro m n at u re wh il e i n th e s pe ech an d w r i t i n gs of t h e p roph e ts a n d po ets of E ph rai m o r N o rth e rn I s rael t h ere w as i f n o t m or e of d ram at i c m o ve m e n t ac t i o n l i fe fi r e t rope m e taph o r an d p ic t u r e wo rd a cl o ser acquai n t a n c e an d sy m pat hy wi t h n at ure Th e sacre d “ l an d of J eh ovah co n tai n i n g t h e fat vall eys of an d t h e pe re n n ially r i c h plai n of E ph rai m J ez reel w a s m o re bo u n t i ful ly d o w ered w i th N ature s gift s i n th e n ort h t h an i n th e so u th Th e H eb rew i n n o rt h e r n I s rael l i ved n o t n ex t t o t h e d es e rt as d i d h i s so u t h ern bre th re n b u t i n a m ore fe rt il e regio n a n d n earer t o Ph oe n i cia t h e l an d of art a n d t h e r e fi n e m e n t s of c i vil iza ti on Fu rt h e r t h e n at u ral s ce n ery of th e N ort h w as m o re bold vari egated a n d i m pre s si bl e t h a n i n th e S o u th wh e re sa n d an d b are rock s an d u n t i m be re d h i ll s p re vai l ed I t was i n E p h rai m t h at ly ri c p oe t ry w a s m o s t c ul t i vat ed a n d w h e n ce aros e th e m igh t ie s t s i ngers an d poet s I t was N a ph t h a li th a t “ gav e goodly wo rd s I t wa s i n t h e N o rt h ,

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TU R E

5 7 7?

87

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th at t h e d ram a h ad a plac e th ou gh i t never d evel oped i n t o th e t h eat re I n st udyi n g fur th e r t h e dram at i c s t ru ct ure of t h i s Bibl e d ram a of pure l ove we do n o t fi n d th at t h e speakers are n am ed as i n t h e B ook of J ob wh i c h i s a d ram a of t h e so ul s trial s I n th e Can t i cl e excep t t h e ti tl e th ere are n o m arks at begi n n i n g o r e ndi n g s uch as are added by origi n al w ri ters o r l ater ed i tors an d t i tl e m aker s of t h e Psal m s s o w e m u s t l ook to i n tern al m ark s A S wi s s cott age sh ows u s i ts pl a n even from th e o u ts id e b e cau s e th e m ai n t im be rs ar e v i si bl e I n a m ore el aborate e d i fi c e h o wever we m u s t e n ter an d from w i t h i n st ud y t h e arc h i tec t s i d ea I n a m odern d ram a h el p i s give n t o t h e read er by d ivision s an d sect i o n s by th e i n i tial le t t ers of speakers an d ve rs icl es u s ually pri n ted i n i tal ic s A ll th ese are l ackin g i n t h e C an t i cl e A s printed i n a d i sj oi n ted bu tch er l i ke way i n th e u n rev i sed vers io n s w i t h s wadd l i ng band s of im pert i n e n t ch ap ter h ead in gs an d vers e d ivis ion s i t i s n early as h ard to recogn ize t h e mas terly poet i c fo rm of th e o ri gi n al as to d i s cover th e pret ty l am b of t h e m ead o w i n t h e d re ssed carcas s o n th e i ro n h ook s of t h e m ark et s tal l O n th e co n t rary t h e ori gi n al poe m i n t h e H ebre w give s by u n erri n g m arks an d d etai l s ,

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1 1 1 5 1 013

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0191 1 1 01 5 111

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o f a n atom y n early as m u c h as sis t an c e t o th e reader as th e pri n ted h el ps i n a m odern book T h e Rev is ed V ers i o n p re se n t s a m u c h b e t t er expres s io n of t h i s p art of th e W ord o f G od t h an t h e ol d form w h i c h i s m arred by t h e m ix i n g togeth e r of c om m e n t at ors n ot e s d og m at i c i n terp ret at i o n s a n d t rad i t ion s o f S cri b e s a n d Phari se e s w i t h H ol y S c rip t u re Th e se n o tes a n d c o m m e n t s c on t ai n e d i n th e c h apter h ea d i n gs are i n te n d ed t o fo rc e u po n t h e re ad er th e i n t e rp re tat io n ac c epted fi r s t by th e S y n agogue an d th e n by t h e C h u rc h fro m t h e S yn ago gue I n a way t h at s can d al ize s a n h o n es t reade r o f God s W o rd th ey th ru s t a s ch em e o f p u rely h u m an i n ven t i o n u po n t h e c o m m o n peopl e w h o th u s u n w i t t i n gly w ear t h e s pe c tacl e s p ro vid ed fo r th e m an d read i n to th e S cri p t ure s w h at t h e rab bi s a n d d o c to rs i n t e n ded t h ey s h o ul d I n o t h e r wo rd s th e p ub li s h e r s of K i n g J ame s s versi o n of th e B ibl e h ave effec t ual ly fo r th e vas t m aj o ri ty o f read e rs braved th e w arn i n g i n Re vel at i o n xxi i I 8 “ an d ad de d t o th e w ord s o f th e proph ecy o f th i s book I n re m ovi ng for m o s t peopl e t h e po s s i bi l i ty of read i n g i t i n a n at u ral way t h ey “ h av e al so tak e n away fro m t h e w o rd s o f t h e p ro ph e cy o f t h i s b ook H o w m en of th e r e fo r m ed o r Pro tes tan t fai t h h av e s o l o n g s ub m i tt e d t o th i s d ish on ori ng of t h e H oly W o rd i s h ard to u n ders tan d .



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CRITICISM

11 1 5 TO ) ? Y A N D

0 9

wh et h e r i t i s th e S h ulam i te o r e it h er of h er s u i tor s th at i s s peak i n g Th e fem i n i n e for m of verb ad j ec t i ve an d n ou n i n eac h cas e r e veal s t h e m ai d en as t h e S peake r H e r G alil ea n d i al e c t i s n o m o re t o be m i s take n t h a n was Pe t er s i n t h e h i gh pri e s t s h all i n J eru sale m T h e add res ses of t h e l ad i e s of th e h arem are “ e as ily recogn ized Th ey cal l h er fai re st of wo m e n ; an d wh e n s po ke n t o t h ey are daugh ters of J e rusal em a s i n th e s ix plac es ch apt e rs i 5 ; 1 1 7 ; i i i 5 1 0 ; v 8 ; vi i i 4 To d i s ti ngu is h i nfal l ibly th e m al e s peak ers i s at pres e n t p ro babl y i m po ssi bl e bu t to d o s o w i t h a fai r d egre e of certai n ty i s n o t ex tre m ely W e poi n t o u t a few i n d i cati o n s h ere d i ffi c u lt re se rvi n g a f ull e r t reat m e n t fo r th e c h ap te r o n Li te rary F ea t ure s of th e Poe m Th e k i n g wh e n a d dres s i n g th e m ai de n al l ud e s t o h i s p o s i t i o n as i n i 9 1 1 ; vi 4 o r m ake s u s e of la nguage referri n g t o h i s an i m al s t rappi n gs fu rn i tu re po sses s ion s an d t h in gs of a r t i fi c i a l l ife ; h i s m e taph o rs are ra th e r e labo rat e n o t t o say s t ra i n ed ; th e c ol ori n g of h i s d ic ti o n i s th at of a c i ty b red m an i n h igh l ife He call s th e o n e t o w h o m h e i s payi ng h i s a t ten t io n s m y l o ve — as th e R evi si o n t ran s l ates t h i s s pe ci al fo rm o f ad d re s s th e ol d ve r “ s io n h avi n g m y fri e n d Th e w o rd i n th e H eb re w (m y a /z) i s d iffere n t fro m th e fo rm s of .

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DR A MA TI C

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91

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add re s s wh ic h th e sh epherd l ove r u se s t o h i s b etro th ed t h o ugh am o n g h i s m any term s of en d ear m e n t t h i s of my l o ve o r m y d ear i s also em pl oy ed T h is vari ety of ad dres s as si st s u s th o ugh n o t i nfalli bly t o d i s t i n gu i s h th e m ale speakers I n t h e fi n a l col l oquy t h e k i n g s l an guage st rai n s th e l i m i ts of prop riety n ever e ve n app roach ed by t he ru ral l over O n th e co n trary th e s h ephe rd speaks a l es s rh etorical pol i sh ed an d a r ti fi c i a l lan guage wh ich r e fl e c t s th e im ages of rural an d o u td oo r l ife H i s tal k i s of fl o c k s sh e ep fl o w e r s n at u ral perfum es an d food s a nd of o bj ec t s wi th i n t h e ran ge of h i s V i s ion o r of po pular kn owl ed ge H i s w o rd s h ave n o t t he s h ado w of i m propri e ty i n th e m tho ugh f u l l of i n te n s e pas s i on an d an aban do n of e m otio n th at see m s a t th e ve ry n ad i r o f t h e m ode rn l over wh os e c h ief ai m i f w e m ay tru s t t h e average n ovel i s to h ol d h im self i n co n s trai n t before th e wo man h e s ec retl y wo rsh i ps The S h u la m i te s t al k of h e r b el o ved refers t o a n e n vi ro n m e n t d iffere n t fro m t h at of a n i n h a b i t a n t of k i n gs h o uses th o ugh wh e n po rtrayin g h i m to th e palace lad ie s s h e describes h i s pe r s o n i n term s of t h e l ux u ry t h e n see n aro u n d speaker an d h eare rs S he in variably cal l s h i m by o n e s uprem e pet n am e wh i c h s h e n e ve r b e st ows upo n h er royal s ui t or Th e l o ve r w h e th e r -

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HI S TOR Y

2 9

CRITICISM

AN D

ab sen t o r pre s e n t i s th e bel o ved Th i s wo rd (d a d ) i s fo un d l i ke t h e rec u rri ng s trai n o f m el ody i n a great sy m ph o ny Th e revi s e rs h ave ca reful ly di s c ri m i n at ed o n e ph as e of t h is feat u re ad d in g i n t h e m argi n t o S ol o m o n s form " of add res s m y l ov e ( ch ap i 7zzy fi ze fzd an d s o t h ro ugh o u t th o ugh t h ey h ave n eg ) ( le c t e d t o ad d t h e e q ually i m po r tan t fac t th a t th e accept ed l o ve r s t i tl e my beloved i s al s o “ s o th rou gh o ut an d i s n eve r u s e d b y o r a p pli ed t o t h e royal s u i to r I n t h e pl u ral th i s wo rd (d a d ) s i g n i fi e s cares se s or o th er s i gn s of affec tio n exc ep t w h e re i n o n e pl a ce i t re fe rs p robably to fri en d s o r s pe c t at o rs I n d ee d i t m ay be sai d t h at o n t h e righ t d i s cri m i n at i o n a n d u n ders tan d i n g of t h e d iffere n t H eb rew w ord s e xp re s s ed i n E ngl i s h by t h e o ne wo rd “ l ove re s ts th e app rec iatio n a n d c o m pr e h e n s i o n o f t h i s appare n t ly e n igm ati cal book W e k n o w w h at s tapl e fo r pop ul ar m is u nde rs tan d i n g as wel l as fo r h om il e t i c expatia ti o n t h e po ve r ty of ou r l an guage a ffo rd s w h en i n t h e E n gl i sh ve rs i on of th e N e w Testam en t t h ree d i s t i n c t G reek w o rd s are re nd ered by t hat o ne fact ot u m of fo ur l e t te rs l o ve U n fo r tu n a te l we a re p u t t o n early as great a s t rai t y i n t ryi n g t o m ake a n i n ade q uate vague n es s i n E ngl is h d o d u ty fo r cl ear d i s t i n c tio n s i n H eb rew w h i c h s e rve e xc e l le n tly for d ram a ti c ,

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S TR U C T UR E

D R A/l/[A TI C

93

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as wel l as i deograph ic si g n s I n t h e r e fra i n ch apt ers i i 7 i i i 5 v 8 V 1 1 1 4 an d i n th e cl i m ax c hap v i i i 6 7 t h e wo rd for l o ve refe rs to t h e se n t i m en t an d n o t t o a person ; t h ough i n chap i i i I O an d vi i 6 t hi s s am e wo rd i s u s ed i n a way th at partak es bo t h of t h e ab s trac t an d th e co n cret e i n co n n ect io n Th e wo rd m ya /z wh ic h W i th th e S h u l am i t e “ “ w e m ay t ran slat e my cl ear m y frien d “ my lov e (ch ap i 9 i i i s us ed alike by S ol o m o n an d t h e sh ep h erd lover th o ugh th e l at ter cal l s h e r al so by th e m o re pro n o un ce d n am es of b rid e an d s i s ter be s id e o th er e n dearin g ep ith et s Th e on e n a m e h ow eve r by wh ic h t h e S h ulam i te t h e mai n ch aracter of “ th e poe m add res s es o r sp eak s of h e r he l oved i s d a d an d th i s special d e sign at io n sh e bes tows u pon n o o n e el se Th e read e r of t h e E n gl i s h Bi ble m ay b e as s ist ed i n h i s s t udy of t h e poe m b y n o ti ci n g h o w w h en wh ere a n d by wh o m th e vari o u s H eb rew “ wo rd s f o r lo ve are u sed A /za b a /z ch apte rs i i 4 5 7 ; ii i 5 I O ; v 8 ; vi i 6 ; vii i 4 6 7 7 A /ze b i 3 4 7 1 6 ; i i i 1 2 3 4 R ay a /z i 9 1 5 ; i i 2 I O 1 3 ; i v 1 7 ; v ,

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Th e t wo wo rd s 211 2 6 2 11 an d a /ze b are fro m t h e s am e roo t s i gn ify i n g as n o u n a n d v erb t h e ge neral s e n t i m en t o f A ffe c t i o n an d are u s ed i n s om e o f th e m os t t e n d e r an d b eau tiful pas sage s i n th e O ld Te s tam e n t as fo r exam pl e by J acob Ge n e s i s xx ix 20 D avid 2 S am u el i 26 an d I s aiah l xi i i 9 R ay a /z m e an s cl ear o n e o r (fe m al e ) frie nd I n ch apt e rs i 2 4 ; i v 1 0 ; vi i 1 2 t h e wo rd a oa s i g n i fi e s t h e ac t s of l ove ; i n t h e o th e r i n s t an ce s n o ted abo ve i t re fe rs t o a perso n T h e s tep b ro t h ers of th e h ero i n e are refe rre d t o i n t h ree pl ac es an d th ei r w o rd s give n i n t wo of t h ese c hap i i 1 5 an d v i ii 8 9 O i t h e c i t ize n s of J e rus al e m wh o s peak i n c h apte r i i i 6 — 1 1 t h ere are probably t h ree o r fo u r w h o m ak e qu e s ti o n an d an swer each h av i n g refe re n ce t o w h at m o s t at tract s h i s a t te n t io n T h e po e t m ay h ave h e re m ean t al s o t o i n t rod uc e a c h o rus “ Th e daugh te rs of J eru salem are t h e pal a c e lad i e s be lo n gi n g to th e royal h are m Th ey s peak frequ e n tly i n c h o r u s o r sol o n o t o n ly i n th e ope n i n g sce n e an d i n d es c rip t i o n of t h e d an ce r i n ch a pte r vn I n th e las t part of th e p oe m th e fri e nd s of th e sh eph erd fo rm a ch o ru s as i n ch apte r v i ii 5 I t m ay be th at we h ave al so t wo s n a tch es o r fragm e n ts of p op ul ar son gs s uc h as oft e n ,

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mM A TI C

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95

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echoed i n t h e v i n eyard s of I srael t wen ty fi ve ce n t uri es ago T h e word s p ri m ari ly u tt ere d by th e s tep bro th e rs as a c o m m an d or warn i n g were p rob ably al s o a d i tty s u n g i n fac t i n act ual l ife an d i n repres e n t at io n al s o w h e n t h i s c om posi t i o n was s u n g at wedd i n g fe s t ival s o r rec ite d i n publ i c Th e pret ty fragm e n t i n c h apter vi 1 3 wh i c h b egi n s ch ap ter vi i i n th e H eb re w wi t h i t s fou r repet i t io n s of t h e word ret ur n i s as m u si cal i n i t s way a s th e ech o ch or us i n t h e B ugl e s o n g of Ten nyso n Th e repeated H ebrew word 5 2 s 5 en d i ng i n a lon g O p en vowel i s o n e t h at i s fo u n d i n so m e of t h e m o st m elod i ous pas sage s i n t h e B ibl e th e m u s i c of w h i c h s o ch arm s th e ea r I t i s th e sam e a s th at wh ic h R u th u sed i n h e r i m m ortal refu sal t o forsake Naom i E n t reat m e n o t to leave th ee or to r e tu rn fro m follow i n g after t h ee et c I t i s o n e of t h e m os t effec t i ve wo rd s t o th e ear e it h er i n H ebrew o r E n gl i s h I t i s o fte n u s ed i n t h e poetical b ooks b u t n owh e re el s e i n s u c h s t ri k i n g repet i t io n s as i n th i s pas sage I f t h is can tata was ever en acted i n p ubli c w i t h m u si cal acc om pan i m e n t th e effec t of th i s ec h o ch oru s m u s t h ave been very s wee t t o t h e ear I n th e po em th e wo rd s m ay h ave bee n u t t ered by S ol o m o n b u t m o re pro bably by t h e c o ur t ladies -

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96

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M o s t s t ri ki ng of t h e featu re s wh i c h reveal t h e d ram at i c s truct u re of t h i s co n s u m m at e w ork o f H eb rew po e t ical art i s th e fo rm ul a “ o f adj u ra t io n I adj ure yo u O ye d augh ters of J e ru sale m by t h e ro e s a n d by th e h i n d s of t h e fi e ld t h at ye st i r n o t u p n o r awak e n l ove t il l i t pl eas e Th e rec u rre n ce o f th i s fo rm ul a fo u r di ffe r e n t t i m es at t h e e n d of d eci s i ve s ce n e s d i vid es t h e c om p o s iti o n i n to s i x part s ; o r s h al l we s ay act s ? A s a d i vi s io n m ark i t rem i n d s u s o f th e S e lah of t h e Psal m s i n d i cat in g a p aus e of c o n s iderabl e l e n gth I t s wo rd s a re al way s add re ss ed t o t h e c o urt l ad i e s I n s tead of “ b ei n g a sl u m ber so n g o r l ullaby i t i s m o re th an a ch arge n o t to awake n a bel ove d o n e w h o wi she s t o s leep ; i t i s an i m passio n ed s ol e m n appeal t o t h o s e w h o wo u ld wan to n ly e ve n fri vol o usly s t i r u p th e G od bo r n e m o t io n Th e w ord us ed by t h e S h ul am i te o r p u t i n t o h e r m o uth b y t h e p oe t i s th e s ame wh i ch i n o t her part s of th e B i bl e i s re ndered to s wear by a n “ o at h to c o n fi r m by a n oat h t o bi nd w i t h a n o ath bei n g so re nd e red ab ou t o n e h u n d red an d fi fty t i m e s i n m o s t of th e E n gl i s h ve rs i on s of t h e B i bl e T h e t ra n slato rs of 1 6 1 1 h owever al l o we d t h ei r n o t io n s of i n terpre t at io n to wa rp th e pl ai n m ea n i ng of th e tex t a n d s o c uri o us ly ,

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even as h er n ei gh bo rs swo re by th ei r h ead b eard t e n t pol e o r by o th er ob j ect s often i n th em s e l ve s t ri vial o r co m m o npl ace as wel l a s by th e t em pl e by th e bl o od o r by Heave n Th ere are i n th e S o n g m any pl ays o n wo rd s all it erat i on s a n d bril l ian t reparte e s wh i c h t ake th ei r o n e fro m th e l as t s p eak e r I t i s as h ard t o t ran sfer th es e fro m H ebrew poe try o ver i n to E n gl ish p ro s e a s t o keep th e perfum e i n a p res s ed fl o wer Th ere are al so so m e o b s c u r i ti e s t h at h ave n o t ye t y i el ded t h ei r s ec re t t o i n ve s ti gat io n Th e vario u s s ce n e s i n wh i ch th e h eroi n e fi n d s h ers el f are l aid e i t he r i n J eru s ale m bo th wi th i n a n d w i t h ou t th e pal ac e i n th e s t re e t s a n d op en s quare s of th e ci ty a nd o n o r n ear t h e wall s o r i n N orth e rn I s rael i n t h e v i n e yard s fi e ld s gard e ns m o un t ai n 5 10 pe s a n d To th e a c C h i ld h oo d s s c e n es u nd er th e trees “ m y belo ved of th e po em wh o c e p t e d l ove r i s th e s h eph erd th e m aid e n o fte n S peak s o r t alk s as i f h e w ere i n h e r pres e n c e A ppar e n tly h e i s i n J eru sale m an d at t h e palace a s wel l as i n H erm o n a n d t h e lan d o f I s sach ar i n th e far N o rth S in ce by far t h e great e r po rt io n of th e po e m c on s i s ts o f add res se s o r refere n c e s to th e b e l oved o r o f h i s w o rd s t o t h e S h ul a m i te t h e q ues t io n n at u rally ari se s H o w d o e s t h e a u th o r ,

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D R A MA TI C

5 1 11 U C TU R E '

99

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i n ten d to repres en t th e m ovem e n t s of t h e b e loved D oe s h e m ea n u s t o u n ders tan d th at t h e s h eph e rd appears o n t h e s ce n e i n obj ec tive real i ty bo di ly i n t h e fl e s h i n pres en ce o f D o es alo n gsid e o f or em b rac i n g t h e m ai de n h e c om e t o J eru sal em wal k i n t h e gard e n s o r u nd er t h e w i n dow s of t h e pal ac e Is he a vis ibl e speaker o n th e s tage ? D o e s h e wi th ac tual an d au d ibl e vo i ce bi d h e r fl y w i t h h im I s th e s ce n e m ean t to b e sh ifted i n obj e c tive real ity fro m J erusal e m t o H e r m on fro m c i ty t o co u n try from pal ace to cot tage ? O r d oe s th e p oe t down t o c h ap ter vi i I O r epre s e n t t h e h om e s i ck an d love sick gi rl i n o n e place t h e royal pal ace o r J er usalem al l th e t im e ; an d are th e vari o u s s cen e s of th e m eet i n gs of th e l overs s ub j ectiv e o n ly i n vi s i on t ran ce o r ecst asy ? H owever i t m ay h ave bee n e xh i bi ted wh e n o r i f th e can tata wa s p u bl icly s u n g o r e n act ed w e t h i n k th at all t h e scen e s co n tai n i n g a n a p pare n t d ialogue betwee n t h e l overs except i n th e fi n a l un io n i n ch apt e r Vi i i are i deal Th e p u rpose of th e poet i s m an ife s tly to repres en t th e s heph erd l over as i n vi s ib l e u n til t h e fi n a l s cen e of tri um ph wh e n h e l eads th i s l i ly n o lon ger a m on g t h or n s t o t h e gard en s of h appy h o m e a n d m arri age Fro m t h e O pe n i ng of t h e fi r s t s ce n e u n til t h e begi n n i n g o i t h e fi n a l ,

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HI S

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o n e s l n c h ap t er v i i i t h e act ual m ove m e n t of t h e d ram a i s i n o r n ear t h e royal qu ar ters w h et h e r i n pav ili o n i n Gal i l ee o r p al ace at J eru sal em Th e lover i s s ee n an d h eard r e m em b e red as i n th e d ream o r t h o u gh t of as p re s en t i n th e s pi r i t b u t al l t h i s i s o n ly i n t h e m i n d of t h e S h ulam i te wh o i s s e ve red i n th e fl es h fro m h i m I n o t her wo rd s th i s bi bl i cal d ram a i s en acte d Th e c h i ef m ai n ly i n th e s o u l of th e m ai d e n c e n tre of th e read er s th o ugh t a n d a tt en t io n i s t h e wo m a n s h ear t and al l el se i s b u t s u b o r d i n at e a n d il lus t rat ive Th e o rder o f i m p or tan ce of th e ch a ract e rs i s fi rs t th e S h ul am i t e se c o n d t h e sh eph e rd l over ; an d t h i rd S olom o n ; b u t t h e d ram at i c and psych ol ogi cal i m po rtan ce of t h e t w o m e n i s of s m al l i m po rtan ce Th e re al m ot i o n an d a re n a are i n th e feelin gs of t h e w o m an A s o n t h e C h in ese s tage o n acco u n t of t h e go rgeo us col ors an d d r a pery of t h e ac tors n o scen e ry i s n eed ed s o i n t h i s He b rew d ram a th e c h an gi n g m ood an d i n te n s e fe el i n gs o f th e h ero i n e m ake every th i n g el s e o n ly s u bo rd i nat ely n ec essary Th e m i n o r ch ar i n d i spen sable a s m ach i n e ry m igh t a s a c te r s i n t h e d ram a of J apan wear m ask s o r bl acke n t h e i r faces t o p reve n t recogn i t io n y e t wo ul d t h e so ul of th e S h ula m i te b e v i s i ble i n all it s m ood s ,

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HI S TO R Y

1 02

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d o n i n g h im sel f i n a t o rren t of em o t i o n ; w h il e i n th e wo m an s h eart t h e s to rm i s u n c eas i n g u n t il peace i s wo n wh e n t h e ge n ui n e w o m an assert s h er d e ligh t i n t h e k i nd of c o quetry th at gi ld s m an s l ife an d gi ves i t ch arm H eb re w d ram at i c w ri ti n g i n s o far a s w e k n ow i t l ik e o th e r p o e try of t h i s h ot bl ood ed pe opl e i s i n te n s el y s ubj ec t i ve a n d before t h e s tre s s o r glo w of feel i n g i n t h e h e ro i n e s bo s o m all el s e b e n ds a n d pale s Th i s id ea of t h e po et i s es peci al ly ill us trated i n th e fact th at i n co n s tr u c t i n g h i s work h e m akes a t leas t fo ur of th e s ce n e s an d part s o f oth e rs i deal t h at i s i n re m i n i sce n c e o r d ream Th e two d ream s ar e n o tabl e feat u re s a n d occu r i m m ed iately afte r t h e h eroi n e s fe el i n gs h ave be e n esp ecial ly e xc i t ed W e c o nc l u d e t h at i t i s th e obj ec t of t h e s ac re d d ram at i s t t o keep i n s h ad o w a n d d i s ta nce t h e l o ve r s o th a t t h e trial s of t h e l ily a m on g th o rn s m ay be sh ow n t o b e all th e m ore r e al an d s eve re T h e i n t e rn al d ramati c u n i ty of t h e po e m i s m o s t p erfec tly m ai n tai n ed i n th e c h arac t e r o f t h i s t ri ed an d proved S h u la m i t e t o w h o m th e ki n g an d t h e peas an t l over are d ram at i cal ly s ubord i nate F urt h er t h e l ov e wh i c h i s p u re h oly an d G od b orn i s of p urpo s e se t fo rth a s fa r as po s s ibl e w i th o u t t rac e of co ars en ess fl e s h li n e s s o r i m p u ri ty A s stai n l e s s as a m arbl e s tat u e i s ’

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D R A M A TI C

S TR U C TU R E

03

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t h i s i n spi red dram a of l ove Th e v i rgi n h ero i n e i s absol ut ely c has t e an d gu il eless Th e o n ly pos s ibl e approac h t o i n deli cacy i n th e wh ol e poe m i s fo u n d i m m ed iately after th e d e s cript ion by th e c ou rt lad ie s of t h e da n ce r of M ah an ai m an d th i s brief pas s age i s p ut i n t o th e m ou t h of th e royal vo l upt u ary w h o i s i n d i g n a n tly a n d bold ly i n t errup ted by t h e v i rgi n h eroi n e A t thi s poi n t ch apt e r V 1 1 9 s e co n d l in e D e l i tzs ch an d m os t H ebrai s t s eve n tho ugh d ifferi ng i n th e i r i n terpret ati on s agree a s t o t h e fact th at th e S h u lam i te i n te rru p ts th e ki n g Th e d ram at i c st ruct ure of t h e S o n g beco m es h e re m ore s tro ngly m an ifes t th an e l se wh ere b e fore Th e read e r of t h e E n gl i s h B ible m ay a sk Ho w do yo u kn ow t h is ? W e an s wer t hat th e S h ul am i te h as o n e i nvari abl e d e s i g “ n at io n fo r h er l over ; wh ic h i s m y bel ove d (d a d ) wh i ch sh e n e ver appl ie s t o th e royal s u i tor an d wh i ch i s n ever u s e d by S ol om on I t i s h e r lan guage an d h ers o n ly Fu rth er as “ D el i tzs c h s ays Th e t ex t a s i t s tan d s before u s r e qu ire s an i n terc h an ge of th e s pea k e rs an d n oth i n g preve n t s t h e s uppos i t io n o f s uch a n i n terch an ge Th e variou s i deal s ce n es i n wh ic h t h e l over s talk o r wal k t oge th er are i n ge neral cl early i n d i ca te d by rh et ori cal guid e m arks as m an if e s t .

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HI S TOR Y

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AN D

CRITICISM

a s t h e s h ift i n g of a ct ual scenery o f b oa rd a n d c a n vas o n a s tage o r th e ris e and fal l of a c u r tai n Th e c h ief d e m ar kati o n p o i n t i s t h e “ re frai n of adj urat i o n I adj ure y o u O ye d augh ter s of J eru salem by t h e roes a n d by th e h i n d s of t h e fi e ld t h at ye s ti r n o t u p n or awake n l ov e t il l i t pl ease T h i s m ark ed fea t u re i n t h e dra m a o c c u rri n g fo u r ti m e s d i vi des th e m o ve m e n t i nt o fi ve s eparat e act s T h e vari o u s s ce n es wh i ch n u m ber fou rtee n i n all a re separat ed fro m each o th er by m i n o r refrai n s s uch as M y bel o ved i s m in e a n d I am his w h i ch o cc u rs t h re e t i m es ; as l ike wi s e th e t h re e referen ces t o t h e m o u n t a i n s by w h i c h th re e of t h e s ce n es are cl o s e d Th e re veri es d ream s o r n i gh t v is i o n s o f t h e S hu la m i te are i nd i cat e d by th e w o rd s wh i c h b egi n “ a n ew s cen e By n i gh t o n my b ed I s ou gh t I s l eep b ut m y h ear t w ake th Th e two s pec t a c u la r s ce n e s i n w h i ch a p ro cess io n appea rs a n d ch o ru ses o f sp ec ta to r s tak e part a s t h e h e roi n e e n t e rs J er usal e m i n t h e royal l it te r o r re t u rn s h o m e w i t h h er b elo ved are i n trod uced by t h e que s t io n W h o i s t h i s I n deed co n s i d e r i n g t hat th e S o n g o f S o n gs c o n s i s t s e n ti r e ly of c o n t i n uo u s d ial ogue w i t h o u t a ny e x t e rn al m arks o r pros e ve rs ic l es t o gui d e th e reader a s i n J ob t h e a rt i s ti c fo r m i s a ll th e m ore rem arkabl e a n d i t s co n s u m m ate art al l t he m o re de m o n s trabl e ,

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C HI S TO R Y

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fat e of t h e fi n e s t o f H eb rew p oe m s t h e h i s tory o f t h e b o ok i t self b o th a s t o i ts o u t ward form a n d i n ward p u rpo se form s a m os t e xt raord i n ary c h apt e r i n t h e an n al s o f l i te ra t u re W e s h al l h e re a t te m p t t o s h ow h o w i t c a m e t o pas s t h at s o s i m pl e an d beaut iful a p i e c e of poe try was i n t h e p ro ces s of t im e t ur n ed i n to a n all ego ry an d late r i n t o a m y s t e r i o u s sy mb ol ful l o f t h e m o st ad van ced d og m ati c th eol o gy ; a n d sh al l th e n gl an ci n g at i t s rem arkabl e l it e rary h i s to ry t ry t o ex plai n t h e p ro ce s s by w h i c h a m at ch le s s p oe m was p ul v e r i z e d i n t o co m m o n p ro s e Let u s fi r s t expl a i n wh a t a n al lego ry i s gi v i n g several exam pl es t h en d e tai l th e p roc ess by wh i c h C an t icl es l ost i ts h i sto ric an d l i te ral c h arac te r an d gai n ed t h e r ep u tati on o f h av i n g a pu rel y my s t i c n at u re an d pu rpo s e wh i c h d id n o t o ri gi n al ly b elo n g t o i t an d of wh i ch t h e B ibl e apart fro m u n c e rt ai n an a logies gives n o h i n t w h ateve r A n all ego ry i s t h e d e s c ript io n o f o n e th in g T HE

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HI S TOR Y

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u nder th e i m age o f an ot h er I n a n all e go ry we u se t h e co n cret e t o e nforc e t he ab s tract rep rese n t on e t h i n g i n p i cture s o r n arrat ive i n o rde r t o co n s i de r s o m eth i n g el s e A h all ego ry i s a m etaph o r lo n g d rawn o u t o r a ch ai n of m etaph ors co n s t an t ly i n volvin g a t ra n sfe r of m ean i ng Th e c urre n t of t h ough t m u s t co n l l s t a n tl break co n t ac t w i th t h e w o rd s A l i t y e r a t u r e i s ful l of s h or t al lego ries l ike th at of Plat o s com paris o n of t h e so u l to a ch ario tee r draw n by t wo h ors es o n e w h i te t h e o th er black S h ake sp eare s text i s ri c h w i t h t h es e t ropi cal pi ct u res ; b ut th e lo n ges t as wel l as th e m o s t perfec t all egori es i n th e E n gl is h “ lan guage are S pen ce r s Pai ri e Quee n and B unya n s Pi lgri m s Pro gre s s O h S pen c er s fi e ld of th e c l o th of gol d kn i gh t s l ad i e s l i o n s lambs m o n sters a n d de m o n s m ov e b ri skly ; b u t by th es e h e m ean s to te l l u s abo u t H ol i n es s Tem pe ran ce C hasti ty M am m o n D e spai r C ru el ty e t c Th e l io n s and lam bs a r e o nly embl e m s of virt ues S o J oh n B un ya n pi ct u re s a varie ty o f ch aracters pilgri m s trav e le r s an d s h op m en an d sh ow s t h e every day peopl e of m id d le E n glan d t wo h u n d re d years ago an d wh at o n e m ay se e at Co n ey I sl an d o n B road w ay o r at a cou n ty fai r t o day Th e i m m ortal d rea m er s obj ec t i s t o sh ow u s m oral tru t h s and t h e tem p tat io n s .

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t ri al s of a C h ri s t ia n o n h i s j o u rn ey t o

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An

al lego ry i s s om ewh at d i ffere n t fro m a arabl e fo r a parabl e i s a n a rrativ e of i m ; p a g i n e d fact s o r of e ve n t s n ot s up po sed as a w h ol e t o h av e act ual ly h appen ed w h il e a n a l le g o r y i s u s ual ly a co n t i n ua tio n of s i m i l i t ud es w i t h o ut t h e si gn s of com pari so n s at h an d I t s s en se i s t wofo l d ; t h u s I s rael i s a c ake no t t u rn ed Parabl e s d o n o t h ave m e taph o rs i n t h e tel l i n g o f t h e m th e s e ed i s s eed t h e lam p i s a lam p t h e fi s h a fi s h A l l ego rie s are ful l of m etaph ors : t h e gras sh opper i s s o m e bod i ly o rgan t h e s il ver co rd i s t h e s p i nal m a rro w th e gol d e n b ow l i s th e h u m a n sk ul l e tc Th e re are m any al l ego ri e s i n t h e B i bl e I n t h e ei gh t ie th Psal m I s rael i s d es cribed as a v i n e b rough t o u t o f E gyp t pla n t ed t e n d ed re n t by t h e wil d boars t ram pl ed d o wn e t c ; w h ic h m ean s t h at t h e H eb re w n at i o n i s i n g rea t d i s t re s s a n d h as m a ny e n e m ie s Th e d es c ri pt i o n of old age i n E ccl es ias te s u nder t h e s i m il es bel on gi n g to a h ou s e i s a su perbl y b eau t i fu l al legory i n wh ich w i n d ows d o ors pi l lars w heel s p i tch e rs c i s tern s e tc refer t o th e ey e s m o ut h h ear t l i mb s an d t ru n k o f t h e aged h u m an body Natha n s al l ego ry o f th e t ravel er s teal i n g t h e p oor m an s pc t l am b i s a no th e r exam pl e S o al so i s th e parli a m e n t o f ,

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HI S TOR Y

1 10

CRITICISM

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p e 0 p 1e t ur n t h e B ibl e u p s id e do wn a n d d efeat t h e ve ry pu rp os e of revel at io n G od s W ord i s a book fo r t h e race for pl ai n m e n a n d t il l t h e e n d of t i m e t h e gram m ar an d d i c ti o n ary wi l l b e t h e bes t b ook s t o ge t a t w h at t h e w ri te rs s ai d an d m ean t ; w h il e c o m m o n s e n s e a n h u m bl e an d wi ll i n g h eart a n d p raye r fo r th e H oly S p i ri t wi l l b e t h e b e st aid s t o u nd er s ta n d j us t wh at God m ea n s J us t n o w t h e gra m mar a n d d ict io n ary are bat teri n g d ow n t h e wal l s o f J e wi sh fable s wh i c h rabb is h ave rai sed aro u n d th e O l d Test am e n t A l th o u gh t h e S c ri pt ur e s are ab u s ed a n d t u rn ed i n to e xces s of all egory t h ro u gh u n bri dl e d i m agi n at io n o r m o re o ft e n th rough t h e vagaries o f fan cy w e m u s t n o t d esp i se p arabl e s e m hle m s or type s b u t m u s t d i s co ve r em pl oy an d e n j oy th e m as t h e apo stl e s d id — soberly care ful ly m od erately ; as fo r i n s tan c e i n th e E pi s tl e t o th e H eb rew s o n e o f t h e s u bl i m es t an d m o s t ed ifyi n g b ook s i n t h e N ew Tes ta m en t S o m e ti m es Paul d raws an a ll egory fro m a c t ual fac ts o f h i st ory b u t h e d oe s n o t t u r n th e h i s to ry i n t o a n all ego ry ; i t i s t o h i m act u al n arrat io n of facts bu t fac ts s o rela ted as to b e typ ical B e t we e n M o u n t S i n ai an d j e ru sal e m b e t we e n th e so n of th e sl ave wom an a nd th e S uch

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HI S TOR Y

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I TS E L F

1 1 1

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c h il dre n of th e fre e m o t her h e d raw s a co m p ari so n i n Galat i a n s i v 22 3 1 Th i s h e d o e s t o s h ow C h ri s tian free do m by grace as agai n s t b on dage t o a c erem o n ial law t h at i s a m an i s s aved by C h ris t an d n o t by th e bloo d of goat s an d bul lock s ; a n d h i s l ife m u s t b e by fai t h an d good wo rks to G od an d m an n o t by que s t i on s of m eat s an d d ri nk s an d h oly day s A goo d allego ry i s a goo d t h i n g b u t to t ur n a wh ole bo o k of h i s to ry o r poe t ry fo u n d ed o n h i s tori cal fac t s i n t o an al l ego ry i s to s m o th er a l ivin g th i n g an d m ake i t a m u m my I t i s ad d i n g t o th e s cri p tu re so m e t h i n g n o t t h ere a n d t ak in g away what i s Pau l m ad e u s e of H agar a nd S arah t o po i n t a n argu m e nt b u t h e d i d n o t th ereby m ake t h e h i s t ori cal fac t any t h e l ess true or th e wom en a ny l es s real fl e s h a n d bl ood of dec idedly fe m in i n e qu ality I n s h o w i n g t h at freedo m was bet t e r th an s l avery h e d id n o t d eclare t h at th e s to ry of A braha m s cas ti n g o ut of H agar was a fi c ti o n o r a my th E ve n a n ap ost l e h ad n o righ t t o d o t h i s It was s til l a fac t an d t h e h is t o ry i s tru e Pau l was careful t o s tate wh at h e was d o i n g : sai d “ he W h i c h th in gs t hat i s w h i c h s olid fac t s of h isto ry con ta i n an al legory fo r th e re are two coven an ts I n th e R evi sed V e rs io n w e s ee h ow clear t h e apo s tl e m ake s t h i s m atte r Th e h i s to ri c fac t s are al s o allego ri cal becau s e ,

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t h e wo m e n repre s e n t coven a n t s He d oe s n ot s ay t h es e eve n ts are o n ly an al l egory b ut t h a t N o w fro m t h i s e xam pl e of t h ey co n tai n o n e t h e i n sp i re d apo s tl e l et u s d raw o u r r ule of i n t e r pr e ti n g th e S c rip t ure s of th e O ld Tes tam e n t a n d es peci ally t h e S o n g of S o n gs A t en d en cy to d i s cove r al l egor ie s m ay b e a s m u c h a proof of p overty o f i m agi n at io n as t h e lat ter bei n g th e o f ex ubera n c e of fan cy s ervan t of s e n s e t h e fo rm e r th e s e rvan t of rea s on M o s t o f th e t e n th o u sa n d fan ciful all e g o r i e s a n d m ean i n gs w h ic h peopl e fi n d i n t h e W e are to S crip t ure s m ay b e s afely rej e c ted b eware h ow we c o n s id e r a ny B ibl e h i s t o ry as al l ego ri cal excep t t h a t w h i c h C h ri s t th e apos t les o r i n sp ire d pe rso n s h ave t reat ed a lle g o r i c al ly Pau l i n h i s u s e o f all ego ry was s trik i n g ly t em pe rat e b u t t h e m od e ra tio n of m os t c o m m en tat ors on C an t i cl e s i s n o t m an ifes t E ve r l e t u s pro c eed s o be rly a n d i n d epen d e n ce u po n t h e H oly S p i ri t H o w d are w e t u r n th e S o n g o f S on gs a wh ol e bo ok of th e B i bl e i n t o a l lego ri e s a n d e m bl em s wh e n n o r th e C h ri s t g ives n e i th e r p rop h e t ap os tl e u s a sh ado w of righ t t o d o s o S u rely i f th e C an ticl e w ere a n all ego ry t h e N e w Tes tam e n t e s pecial ly Pa ul o r t h e p ri m i t i ve w ri ters C h ri st ia n s w o ul d h ave sei zed u p on i t u s ed i t a n d to ld u s th is arti cle of t he i r fai th .

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t ha n ZE S O p s fabl e s E ven th e C h u rch of R o m e refu s es t o re ce ive i t as S c ri pt u re an d i t i s n o t u sual ly bou n d u p w it h th e o th er b ook s of t h e A p oc ryph a I n 2 E sd ras v 23 w e read “ 0 Lo rd w h o beare s t r ule fro m e very w ood of t h e eart h a n d fro m al l t h e trees th ereof t h o u h as t c h os e n o n e Vi n e ; a n d fro m al l land s of t h e w orld t h o u h as t ch o se n th ee o n e lan d an d from al l th e fl o w e r s th e reof o n e l i ly ; a n d fro m all th e dep th s of t h e sea t ho u h as t fi lle d t h ee o n e r iver ; an d fro m al l c i ti es b u il t th o u h as t h all owe d S i o n u n t o t hy s elf ; a n d from a ll fly i n g th i ngs th at are c reat ed th o u h as t call ed t h ee o n e d o ve ; a n d fro m a ll cat tl e th a t are m ade t h o u h as t p rovided th ee o n e s h e e p ; an d fro m al l t h e m u l t i t u de s o f peopl e s th o u h as t go t t e n t h e e o n e p e 0 p 1e ; an d u n to th i s p e 0p 1e w h o m th o u l o ved s t th o u gaves t a l aw t hat i s app rove d by al l N o w fro m th i s m e n tio n of t h e l ily a n d t h e d ove an d th e o n e p e 0 p 1e bel o ved a n d i n al l co m pari s o n s I s rae l a s th e ch iefes t am o n g t e n th ou san d cam e th e id ea of t h e ch urc h of I s rael th a t i s of t h e Ol d Tes tam en t as a b rid e ; w h ic h i n t h e seve n t h ch ap te r an d twen ty eigh th ve rs e o f t h i s sam e apoc ryph al b oo k i s t h u s s pok e n o f : Fo r t h e t i m e sh al l c om e a nd i t s h al l c o m e t o pass t h at w h e n t h e s e token s wh i ch I h ave t ol d th ee of s hall co m e t h e brid e .

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5

sh al l appear an d th e c i ty sh i n e forth t hat i s n o w w i th d rawn fo r my s o n J es us s h al l b e r e ve al ed wi th th ose t hat are w it h h i m an d t h ey t h at rem ai n sh al l rej o ice for 4 00 years A n d i t s h all co m e t o pas s aft er t h es e years t h at m y s o n C hri s t s h al l d ie a n d a ll m e n th at h ave breat h et c H ere th e n o n e t h o u san d years aft er t h e w ri t i n g of th e Can t i c l e wh e n m any of i ts l o cal al l u si on s h ad bee n forgo t t en an d t h e n ic eti e s of i t s lan guage l ost be cau se H ebrew was a d ead l a n guage to t h e m aj ori ty wh e n n early every o n e of th e J ews tal ked A ram ai c Gr ee k o r oth er foreign t on gu es i n s tead of t h e an c i e n t lan guage of Pal e sti n e an d wh e n al lego ry h ad reach ed th e poi n t of a craze am on g l earn ed m e n t h e fi r s t germ of th e idea of alt e ri n g t h e o rigi nal m eani n g of t h e S o n g of S ongs c am e i n t o be i n g A h u ndred y ears later w h e n t h e J ew s had rej ec te d J es us as t he M e s s i ah an d J erusal e m had be e n d es troyed w h e n He brew was rapidly beco m in g a n absol ut ely d ead l an guage an d t he Tal m ud was bei n g fo r m ed i n w h i c h e n dl es s trad i tio n wove i ts web l ike a s p ider over t h e Old Te s tam e n t a s o ve r a cl o sed doo r th e n th e l earn ed rabb i A k iba com pl ete d i n t h e J ewi s h ch u rch th e as ce n d an cy of th e all egorical ove r t h e l i teral i n te rpretati o n A n o th er h un d red years l at er O ri ge n t h e ,

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l e arn ed d ivi n e of A l e xan d ri a wh o fi r s t i n t ro d u c e d i n t o t h e C h ri s tia n c h urch t h e a lle g o r i z i n g m e th od wrot e a c om m e n tary i n t en vo l u m es o n t h e C a n t i cl e I n t h i s fam o u s book h e m ad e t h e S h ul am i te t o m ea n t h e C h u rc h of C h ri st an d S ol o m o n t o m e an J e s u s a n d o th e r pers o n s i n th e po e m to s tan d fo r frie nd s o r e n em i e s of t h e C h urc h H i s t rem endo u s a u t h o r i ty s e tt l ed th e qu est i o n an d m ad e t he o r t h o d o x y of th e t i m e To do ub t h i s op i n io n s was to bec o m e a h e re ti c G ran d ol d fi g h te r of t h e h eath e n an d n o bl e w it n es s t o t h e fai t h a s h e was h e fi lle d t h e B ibl e w i t h cobwebs I n t h e M i dd l e A ge s t h i s syst e m o f i n terpre tat io n b ecam e al m os t u n ivers al B e r n ard of C lai r vau x pre ach ed ove r fo u rsco re s e rm o n s o n t h e fi r s t t wo ch ap ters o f th e b oo k an d n early a ll c om m e n tators u n ti l t h e eigh tee n th c e n t ury was w el l pas t fol l ow ed alon g t h i s track N o w th e l o n g h and l ed d u st b ru sh e s of r e s earch a n d n ew b roo m s o f fres h s tudy n o t of t h e fat h e rs o r of t h e J ew i s h rabb i s bu t o f th e B ibl e i ts el f are s weep i n g away t h es e p u rely h u man i m agi nati on s W e a re m o re an d m o r e s eei ng as t h e I s rae li te s of two th o u san d a n d m o re y ears ago saw an d re ad in g as th ey read W e d o n ot n ow g o t o th e J ew s to l ear n He b rew o r fi n d o u t w hat th e Ol d Te s tam e n t m e an s W e g o to t h e origi n al S c ri p tu re s t h e m ,

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t h e m as t h ey are wri t t e n H en c e h e ever so u gh t fo r t h e h i dde n a n d m y s teri o u s m ean i n gs an d m any p e 0 p 1e st i ll fol l o w h i m revel i n g i n th e d el i gh t s of t u rn i ng o n e s im pl e p iece of glas s i n to a kal ei do scope a n d th e B ibl e i n to a s ecre t s oci ety s lodge ro o m an d ch am be r of m y s tery Le t u s rat h e r fo l l o w C h ri s t a n d Paul b e ve ry s parin g of th e u s e of al l egory a nd t ravel o n th e h u m bl e b u t s afe road of B i bl e fac ts W e n ee d n o t g o any fu rt h er a nd t rac e o u t t h e full h i s tory of th i s u nb i bl i cal i n t erpre ta t i o n of th e bo ok befo re u s n o r s h o w h o w O rige n s s u cces sors e n l arged u pon h i s vi e w s an d h o w s u bs eque n t i n terp re te rs fo u n d n earl y e ve ry th i ng e ven d ow n to t h e l ast abs u rd i t ie s of s ec tari an rh ap s ody i n th e C a n t i cl e Th i s o n e b o ok h as s to od fo r m an y cen t u ries am o n g t h e o t h er S c rip t u re s lik e t h e h e roi n e of i t c as t o u t of h er o w n pl ace h avi n g n o v i n ey a rd of h er o wn k eepin g t h e v i n eyard s of h e r m o th er s s o n s bu t h e r o w n n ot kept B e i n g t h e fi r s t o f th e n ve M egi l l oth o r roll s i t i s read a n n u al ly on c e at th e feas t o f th e Pass o ver b u t i s o th erwi se n egl ected by th e J ew i sh peo pl e Th e C h u rch of E n gl an d h a s ca s t i t o u t of h er tabl es o f S cri pt u re l es s on s th o ugh reta i n i n g p orti o n s o f th e apocryph al books s u ch as Tobi t B ar uc h W i sd om an d E c cl es ias ti c u s ; .

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and e m bold e n ed by h e r exam pl e ed i tors of t he B i bl e i n pri vat e t ran slatio n re j e ct t h i s boo k an d i n se rt i n s t ead t ext s fro m Babyl o n i a n Tabl et s A lch em i s ts fort u n e tell e rs an d pol i t i c i a n s h ave l e t l oo s e t h e i r vagran t fan cies upo n i t u n t i l t h i s d ivi n e pi ct u re of l ove has lai n bu ried u n de r t h e r ubbi s h and w h i te was h of age s of n o n se n s e No r i s th i s asser tio n an y th e les s tru e becau s e d evou t s o u l s h ave i n eve ry age fo u n d i n t h i s w ri ti n g t h e parabl e of t h e s ou l s affe ct io n s a n d th ei r vocabu l ary of ad o rati o n S u ffi c e i t t o say th at o n t h e o th e r h an d s i n ce T h e o d o r e t of S yri a wh o d ied A D 4 57 th e re have alway s bee n C h ri s tian s ch olars w h o h ave d e n i e d a n yth i n g e i t h e r i m p u re i n t h e t h ough t o r lan guage o f th e bo ok o r t ha t i t n eede d a n o cc ul t sch em e o f p h ilo soph y t o e x plai n i t or t ha t i t was a n al lego ry rel ati n g t o C h ri s t an d t h e C h u rch No w th an ks t o t h e lab ors o f m any s t ud en ts i n m any co u n tries ye t al l c o m i n g t o s u b s t a n t ial agre e me n t t h e an ci en t u nd ers ta n d i n g of i t ha s bee n regai n ed M a n y m i n is ters of th e gospel bel ieve eve n i f t h ey h es i tat e t o preach t h e o ri gi nal an c ie n t v i e w w h i l e i n a fe w o f o u r ow n th eologi cal s e m i n aries th e s i m pl e n at ural i n terp retat io n i s taugh t a n d d e m o n “ s tr a t e d I t i s sh o w n th a t t h e ti t l e S o n g of S ol o m o n i s a li te rary an ach ro n i s m an d d oe s ,

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n o t b el o n g t o t h e book bu t h as be en a d ded by t radi tio n ; w h il e i ts ow n co n t e nt s prov e t h a t S ol om o n d i d n o t wri te it a n d fi n a lly th at t h e fi r s t an d ol d e s t t ran sl at i o n of th e bo o k fro m H ebre w i n t o G reek m ad e th ree c e n t u rie s b e fore C h ri st l e n d s n o c ol o r t o th e pop ul ar id ea of an all egory Th e sam e m ay be d e clared of th e pre C h r is t ian w ork s o f H ebre w l i te rat u r e e n t itl ed th e b o o k of E c c l es ias t i c u s Th e W i s d o m of S ol o m o n a n d t h e writ i n gs of J o s eph us To s u m u p wh a t h as b ee n s ai d c o n cern i n g th e i n te r n al p u rpo s e : ( 1 ) Th ere i s n o t a w o rd o r a s c rap o f evi denc e i n t h e O l d o r N ew Tes t am en t t h a t give s bas i s to th e n o tio n t h a t t h e S o n g of S on gs refers i n d et ai l ed all ego ry t o C h ri s t a n d th e C h u rch o r t h at bears o u t th i s fan c ifu l i n terpre tat i on Th is t u rn i n g of th e p oe m i n t o a n all egory b egan l o n g afte r t h e t i m e of C h ri s t a n d was i n trod u ced i n to t h e C h ri s t i a n C h u rc h by O ri ge n b u t th e B i bl e give s n o co u n t e n an ce t o i t ( 2) W e are to r em e m b er t h at al l th e h ead i n gs of c h ap t ers a n d page s as wel l as th e d iv i si o n s of t h e t e x t s of t h e B ibl e i n to ch ap t e rs a n d ve rses are th e w ork o f pri n t e rs ed i t o rs an d u n i n spi red m en a n d h ave n o d i vi n e o r rat i o n al au th o ri ty Th i s m eth od of s u r r e p t i t i o u s n ot e an d co m m e n t a m o u n t i n g vi rtu ally to a sys tem of i n t e rp re ta ti on i s n o part of ,

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J ud ges are p ri n ted i n a fash io n th at reveal s t o so m e e xte n t th e po et i c s tru c t ure of th e E as ily d i s t i n gu is h able t o th e eye ori gi n al fro m th e m as s o f pros e e ve n th e s o ng of Lam ec h s tand s o u t l i ke a c ry s ta l of gar ne t i n i ts be d of rock M u ch as h as al ready b ee n do n e to ward s i m p ro v i n g t h e o u t ward gui s e as w el l as d evel op i n g t h e real m ean i n g an d i n ward sp i ri t of t h e s ac re d w ri ti n gs m o re ye t re m ai n s t o b e a c com pl i sh ed Th e re s earch e s of s ch o lars i n t o t h e l i terary h i s to ry of I s rael i n to th e n at u re of t h e H ebre w l an guage an d t h eir p rol o n ge d c ri t i cal ex am i n at io n o f th e tex t s h ave re ve al e d b eau t ie s of s t ruc t ure an d art i s t i c fo rm s n ever d ream ed o f s i n ce t h i s veh i cl e of re vel at io n b ecam e a d ead l an guage E ve n ye t w i t h al l th e weal th of s ch ol ars h i p l avi sh e d u po n t h e s ubj ec t th e reco rd of t h e psal m i s ts p roph e t s an d po et s o f t h e O l d Tes tam e n t s t il l re m ai n s l ik e t h e n egati ve of a ph ot ograph w h i ch h as b ee n i m pe rfe c t ly d evel op ed A ve rs io n a t ra n sl at io n i s l ik e a copy pri n te d fro m t h e o ri gi n al i n wh i c h cl ear n es s of i m pres s io n to n e l i gh t a n d sh ad e an d al l th e d etail s t h at o g t o for m a perfec t pi c t u re a re a cco rd i n g to t h e sk il l a n d re s o u rce s of th e o pe ra to r O th e r exqu i s i t e poem s n ow u n re cogn izabl e as s u ch i n t h e c o m m o n p ro se of th e Ol d Te s tam e n t ,

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are y e t t o s tand o u t cl early i n a perfec t ed ve r sio n Th e s t ud en t of t h e E ngl i s h B ibl e m ay as k h o w i t cam e t o p as s th at t h e p oe t ry of th e He b rew s was t ur ne d in to prose H o w h appen ed i t th at t h e m as s eve n of J ewi s h wo rsh ipers i n m od er n ti m es th o u gh h eari n g t h e s acred roll s read i n t h e syn agogue s o oft e n n eve r s u s t th e b eau ty of t h e real fo rm wi th i n t h e e c e d p wo rd s t h ey li s te n ed t o o r ch a n t e d Like th e m e n of t wo ce n t uri e s ago W h o lo oked upo n a fos s il as o nl y a freak of n at ure o r a n O ri e n tal s h ep herd wh o to day feed s h i s fl oc k i gno ran tly a m o n g C ori n t h ia n c ap i tal s o r c un e ifo rm i n s c r i pt i o n s t h ere was n o s u sp i ci o n of t h e o ri gi n al p urpo se a nd th e act ual t ru th U t terly l os t as t o i t s i n tri n sic c h arm s th e S o n g o f S on gs a s read al ike i n t he syn agogue i n m edi aeval an d m odern ti m e s an d i n th e E n gl i s h B ibl e wa s l ike th e m ou n d s of earth wh i ch i n E gypt an d C haldea co ver gran d r u i n s Th e s tory of decay ru i n s l eep a n d r e s u r r e c tio n of t h e exqu i s it e p oem of t h e C an t i cl e i s s om ewh at l i ke th at of an anci e n t c i ty excep t th at th e l apses h appene d u n der guard ian s a n d n o t u n der en em ies Co m posed p robably i n t h e age of class i c H ebre w i n n ort h ern I srae l i ts d elicate all usio n s a nd l ocal col o r were fo r got te n i n lat er c e n tu ri es W h e n too H eb re w .

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C R I TI C I S M

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c eased t o b e sp ok e n an d be cam e a d ead la n gu age l o s t t o po et s an d origi n al w rite rs a n d o n ly a co rp s e to b e em b al m ed o r d i s s ec t ed by s cri bes an d do gm a t i s ts i ts poet ry was fo rgo t t e n Th e e ar a n d ey e of proof tex t h un ter a n d d i sp ut an t of word s becam e d ul l to l i terary bea ut i es an d h arm o n i e s an d t he cas t of m i n d c o m m o n t o th e J ews w as th at o f th e C h i n es e s c h olars to d ay bet wee n wh o m an d th e po st b ibl ical H ebrews th ere are s u rp ri s i n g po i n t s o f like n es s Yet t h e se m e n of Tal m ud m aki n g t i m e s w ere aft e r all o n ly fam o u s acc o rd i n g as th ey l ifted u p axes u po n t h i c k t ree s a n d red uced t h e l iv in g fo re s t of H eb rew i n s p ired l i teratu re t o a m as s of d ead t i m ber Th ey d id i nd eed p re se rve t h i s t i m be r m o s t careful ly by a n el ab o r a t e ly a r t i fi c i a l sy s tem Th e t rad i tio n al pro n u n c i a t i o n of th e word s of t h e S cri pt u res was e m bal m ed i n a re markable syst e m of d o ts d as h e s an d ot h e r d iac ri ti cal m arks repres e n t i n g v o wel s a n d w h i ch t o th e eye appear n o t vas tly d i ffe re n t fro m th e t el egraph i c alph abe t Th e s e t i n y m ark s wri t te n o u t sid e t h e l e tter o r “ i n si de of i ts bo so m wi th ou t to u c h i n g i ts o u tl i n e re prese n t t h e v o we ls d o ubl e t h e co n s o n an t s a nd o t h e rwi se p rese rve o r a ffec t th e s e n se o f t h e w ri t i n g Ye t afte r th e be s t i s s aid th a t c an b e sai d abo u t t h i s M as so ret ic ,

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1 26

11 15 1 01?

Y

AN D

7 1 01 5 1 1

.

To fi t th i s a r ti fi c i a l m eth od of u s i n g t h e i n s p i r ed W ord an elaborat e sy s tem of m ark s t o n es an d acce n t s was grad ually d evel op ed an d s e t u p on t h e S crip t ure t ex t ; a t fi r s t h o n e st ly o n i t b u t n o t of i t A s c u n n i n gly as a sp id e r w eave s i t s web o ver a flo we r be d was th i s w o n d erfu l sys te m w h i ch fac il i tate d can t i llatio n w ov e n ove r th e an c ien t t ext s [11 t i m e t/ze s e r e a d i n g 7122 1925 [ 1 6 5 1271 1 2 Ho ly S c r i tu r e to 1121 p pe o ple Th e o l d B ibl e of J e s u s an d Pa ul a n d J oh n was t ran sform ed t o t h e p op ul ar m i nd i n t o a d ead u n i ty of o rth od o x a n d ed i fy i n g read i n g m att e r I t s m arvel ou s d i v ers i ty of l i te rary fo r m was fo rgo tten i n d u l l u n i fo r m ity J ews and C h r i s t i an s al ike cam e t o b el i eve i n t h e d ivi n e i n s pi rat io n e ve n of t h is d o ubl e sy s te m of p o i n t s a nd ac c e n t s wh i ch as wi th axe s an d h am m e rs h ad b rok e n d ow n th e carv ed w o rk of th e o n c e s pl en d i d t em pl e of l i vin g l i t eratu re Fo r ce n t u r i e s th e m arvel ou s b eaut i e s of form an d t h e S p i ri t a n d m ean i n g o f t he i r a ncest ral poet ry w ere forgo tt e n even by th e J e ws t h e m se l ves P ract i cal ly u n kn o w n t o C h ri s t ian s ch ol ars u n t il th e R efor mat io n p e ri od th e H eb re w r e m ai n ed u n s t ud i ed an d t h e C h u rc h i n h e r it e d u n su spect i n gly t h e vas t m as s of j ewi s h t rad i t io n E ve n wh e n th e l an gu age of th e O l d Tes t am en t was s tu d i e d i n th e u n i ve rs i t ie s of E u rop e a n d A m eri ca i t was i n th e s pi ri t of t h e ,

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HIS TOR Y

OF THE

B O OK

1 27

scri be s a n d l awye rs agai n s t wh o m J es u s c o n s ta n tly s e n t t h e sh afts of h i s cri t ic i s m H e n ce t h ough t h ere was vas t erud i tio n an d m igh ty st ores i n th e m e m ory an d m uch s t uff i n g of te xt s i n t o d ogm atic c artrid ges t h ere was l i ttl e rea l u nd ers t an d i n g of t h e B ibl e a s l i te ra t u re I t h as bee n o nly d uri n g t h e pas t ce n t ury th at th e cr it ical an d c o m p ara ti ve m eth od s s o com m e n ded of o u r Lord J e s u s h ave b ee n Th e frui t of t h e t o i l o f a dopted by sch ol ars t h e grea t H ebrai s t s i s n ow befo re u s an d i n to th ei r labor s we m ay wi s el y e n t e r I n t h e R e vis ed V ers ion of 1 8 84 a very ca ut io us an d u l t ra co n servat ive u s e of t h e m ateri al s a c c u m u lated h as be e n m ad e u s e o f i n th e text t h o ugh a m ore gen ero u s an d courageo u s u til izat ion of Fo r e ve n th i s t h em i s fo u n d i n th e m argi n res ul t com pro m i se t h o u gh i t b e w e m i n i s t e rs a n d B ibl e readers m ay b e th ank ful Th e day m ay ye t co m e wh e n t h i s on e of th e d eat h l es s li terat ures of t h e wo rl d m ay be res to re d to u s To th e recove ry of th e O l d Te s ta m en t a s m at ch l e ss l i teratu re as a t em pl e of glo ry a nd d el i gh t s i n to wh i ch eve n t h e o rd i n ary E ngl is h read e r m ay en ter t o beh o ld a m iracl e of pu ri ty beau ty and d i vi n e l o v e th e R evi s io n of 1 8 8 4 h as gran d ly co n t rib u ted W h et h e r i t sh al l be a ccept ed i n i t s p rese n t form o r n o t i t w il l s erve to overth row t h e n a y i t h as al ready s erved ,

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HI S TO R Y

1 28

AN D

C R I TI C I S M

.

i dol s t h at h ave t o o l o n g h el d t h ei r plac e i n th e C h ri s t ian c h u rc h l i ke t h e B aal i m bes i de J eh o vab s al t ar Th e revi se rs h ave n o t o nly h el ped t o s h ow u s t h at h e wh o b ui ld ed t h e h o u s e h at h m o re h o no r t h a n t h e h o use b u t that He t hat b u il t a ll th i n gs i s G od ,



.

-

,

.

TE XT 1 1V THE R

1 30

E VISED

VE RSIO N

cn oa us

we will run a f t e r thee SO

LO

.

The king hath brought m e into his chambers HO R U S

C

.

W e will be gl ad a n d re j oice i n thee We will ma k e m ention o f thy love m ore ,

wine 1 R ightly do they love thee

.

ULA M I TE

SH

5 1

am

black

.

,

HO R U S

C

but co m e ly

.

,

U L A M ITE

SH

.

daughters of J erusale m the tents o f Kedar

0 ye As

.

,

HO R U S

C

.

as the curtains of S olomo n UL A M IT E

SH

6 L ook

.

upon me b e cause I a m swarthy Becaus e th e sun h at h scorched me M y m oth e r s sons wer e incensed agai nst me T h e y made m e k e e per o f th e v in e yards B u t m in e o w n vin e yard have I n o t k e pt n ot

,

,

2

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1

O r , 1 7:

p ig htn

u

r

eu

2 .

O r , looke d

u

pon

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.

THE

7

OF

S ON G

1

31

Tell m e O thou w hom m y soul lov e th Where thou f e e d e st My fl ock w her e thou ma k est i t to re st at noon 1 F or w h y s h ould I b e as o n e that is veiled Beside the fl o c k s o f t h y co m panions ? ,

,

,

C

8

HO R U S

.

I f thou k no w not 0 thou f aire st a m ong wo m en G o t h y way f orth by t h e footst e ps o f t h e floc k A n d f e ed thy k ids b e side the sh e ph e rds tents ,

,



.

SC EN E I I

( R oya l

te n t

.

S ol om on SO

.

d ” w S fi u Za m i te

a n

LO M O N

.

)

.

I have co m pared th e e O m y love 8 T o a ste e d i n Ph araoh s c h ariots 1 0 T hy ch e e k s are co m e ly w it h p laits o f T h y n e c k w ith strings of j ew e ls 1 1 W e w ill m a k e t h e e plaits o f gold W it h studs o f sil v e r 2

9

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fla ir ,

.

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S HU LA M I I E '



.

W hil e t h e k i n g sat at his tabl e

,

M y spi k e nard s e nt f orth its f ragrance 4 M y b e lo v e d is unto me a s a bu n dle of That li e t h b e t w ixt my breasts .

.

1 2 3

Mos t

i t

an c en

ve

rs i o

ve w d t h r o u g ho u t )

ha

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O r, my f r i en d (a n d so O r , To l/ze s te e d s O r , To m y O r , ba g .

4

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a n

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e r et z .

s te e d .

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m

yrrh

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1 1

TE XT [N

32 4

THE

R E VISED

M y b e lo v e d is un to

me

VE R S I ON

a cluster o f

as

l

.

he n

n a

flo wers

I n the vineyards of

E n -ge d i

SO

1

LO MO N

.

.

Behold thou art f air my love fair 2 Thine eyes are a s doves

5

,

behold thou art

,

,

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UL A M I T E

SH

Be hold ,

.

thou art f air my beloved yea pleasant A lso our couch is green ,

,

,

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SO

LO M O N

.

4

bea m s of our house are cedars 5 our raf ters are fi r s 8

The Ami

,

.

UL AM I TE

SH

1

I

a rose o f S haron lily of the v alleys 7

6

am

A

.

.

SO

2

As

So

,

LO MO N

.

a l ily amo n g thorns is my love a m ong the daughters ,

U L A M I TE the appl e tre e a m o n g t h e trees of the wood SH

3 As So 1 3 5 7

He b

.

is .

m

.

n g m b lov d a o e e y

p/ wr

co

0 5 11 021 51 5

2 .

Or

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O r , 0171 7 6 5 51 5 O r , ( I n pla i n

O r,

5 .

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Tlzo

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o

th e

u

k a r t d ove s

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eyes .

qf fi r th e a u .

lza b a zze le l lz, ’

.

sons

,

t u m n c r o cu s

.

1 34

TE XT I N

THE

R E VISED VE RSION

He sh e weth hims e l f throu g h the lattice M y b e loved spa k e and said u n to me 1

1 0

,

,

L O VER love m y f air one an d co m e away T HE

R ise 1 1

F or

u p,

.

my

.

,

,

is past The rai n is o ver and gone The fl o we r s appear on the e arth T h e tim e o f th e singi n g of b i r d : is come A n d the voice o f the turtle is heard i n o u r land Th e fi g tr e e r i pe n e th h e r gr e e n fi g s A n d the vines are in blosso m Th e y give f orth th e ir f ragrance A rise my love m y f air o n e and co m e away 0 m y dove that art in the cl e f ts o f the roc k i n the co v e rt o f the st e e p place L e t me s e e thy coun t e nance le t me hear thy voice F or swe e t is thy voice and thy countenance is comely ,

10 , th e w inter

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2

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1

3

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1

4

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SO N G

1

5

.

Ta k e u s the foxes the l ittle fox e s that spoil the vineyards F or our vin e yards a r e i n blossom ,

,

.

U LAM IT E

SH

1

6

.

.

M y belov e d is m i n e a n d I a m his He feed e th lzzs fl or k among th e lilies ,



1

O r , g la n

ce d :

t/zr o u g /z

.

2

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.

of

vi n e s

.

1 11 5

0111 0

5

01



5 01vc5

1

.

35

Until the day be cool a n d the shadows fl e e away 8 Turn my b e lov e d and b e thou li k e a roe or a young hart 5 Upon th e mountai n s o f Be ther

1

2

,

,

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II

S C EN E

(I n

a

d r e a m , tfi e S b

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’ ‘ u la m zze s e e k s a n a



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lze r love r

n afs

.

)

nig h t on my bed I sought h i m who m m y soul lo vet h I sought h i m but I f oun d h i m not s a za I w ill rise now and g o about the city I n th e stre e ts a n d in th e broad ways I W ill s e e k h i m who m m y soul lo v e th I sought h i m but I f oun d h i m not Th e w atc h m e n t h at g o about t h e ci ty found m e “ To w /za m I s a i a S a w ye hi m w h o m m y soul lo v et h I t was but a little t h at I passed fro m t h e m W h e n I f ou n d h i m w h o m m y soul lov e th : I h e ld hi m and w ould n o t let h i m g o Until I had broug h t h i m i n to my mother s house A n d into th e cha m b e r of h e r that conceive d me By

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is

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a

O r , g a ze lle w O r m ou n ta i n , .

a

Pe r ha ps , the

:

s

qf p

pa r a ti on

se

i ce

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m a /oé a tfi r on

.

TEX T

1 36

THE

[N

RE

VISED

11 5 5 5 1 0111

.

ad j ure you 0 daug h t e rs o f J erusal e m By th e ro e s and b y th e h inds o f the fi e ld That ye stir not u p n or awaken love Until it pl e ase 1

5

I

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AC T

(A

r oya

l p

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r oce m zon

C

6

I II

S C EN E I

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i n tb e

HO R U S

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f 7 e r u 5a le m

Atr a cts o t

L

O F PEO P E

C i ti z e n

.

.

Wh o is this that cometh up out o f the

ss li k e pillars o f s m o k e Per f um e d w it h m yrrh a n d f ran k incense W ith all powd e rs o f the merc h ant ? n e

w ilder

,

,

.

C I TI Z EN

.

B e h old , 7

it is the litter o f S olomon ; T h re escore m ighty men are about i t O f th e mig h ty men of Israel

,

.

C I T I Z EN

8

.

T h e y all handle the sword

,

an

d

a re

expert

wa r

Ev e ry

h ath his sword u po n his t h ig h B e caus e o f f ear in t h e night man

,

.

C I T I Z EN

9

.

King S olo m on m ad e hi m s e l f a palan q ui n O i t h e w oo d o f L e banon He mad e t h e pillars thereo f o f silver 2

.

,

1

Se e

ch

.

ii

.

7

2 .

:

O r,

ca r (

ya m

.

1

38

THE

TE XT I N

R E VISED

VE RSION

li ps a r e li k e a thre ad o f scarl e t 1 t h y m out h is co m ely T hy t e m pl e s a r e li k e a piece of a po m egranate 8 B e h i n d thy v e il 8 Thy nec k is l i k e the towe r o f D a v id builded fo r a n arm oury Wh e reon there hang a thousand buc k lers A ll th e shi e lds o f t h e m ig h ty m e n Th y t w o br e asts are l i k e tw o f awns that are twins o f a roe Th ou art a ll f air my lo v e A n d there is no spot in thee

3 T hy An d

,

.

4

,

,

.

5

.

7

,

.

UL A M I T E

SH

.

M y b e lo v ed is mine a n d I a m h i s W h o f e edeth /zz5 fl 01 é a m ong the l ilies ,

,

'

,

6

.

5

U n til the day be cool an d the shado w s a w ay I w ill g e t m e to the mountain o f m yrrh A n d to th e hill o f f ran k i n cens e ,

,

,

.

1

O r , 57503 5 11 O r , g a z e lle

2

O r,

5

See

.

4

8

Fo r

th e

.

8 eh

re a r ra n g e m e n t

0 4— 20 7 . a s 2 e p g

.

of

ii

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17

the

O r , w i tfi tu r r e t s

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t e xt

in

ve rs e s

-

5 7,

see

?

HE

S ON G

OF S ON GS

S C EN E 1 1 1

(



Tb e S /zu la m zte

an

LO VE R

39

.

d Ize r l ove r , i n i d ea l i n te r vi e w T HE

8

1

.

.

)

.

Co m e with m e f ro m Le banon my bride W ith m e f ro m L e bano n 1 L oo k f ro m t h e top o f A m ana F ro m th e top o f Se nir and He rm on F ro m the lio n s d e ns F ro m the m ountains o f the l e opards ,

,

,

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.

9

Thou hast ra v ished my heart my sister my bride 8 Thou hast ra v ish e d m y h e art with o n e of thin e eye s W ith o n e c h a i n o f t h y n e c k Ho w f air is t h y lo v e m y sister my bride Ho w muc h b e tt e r is t h y lo v e t h a n w in e A n d th e s m e ll o f t h in e o int m e n ts t h an a ll m a n n e r o f spic e s ! ‘ Thy lips O my brid e drop a 5 the h on e yco m b Hon e y and m il k a r e u n d e r t h y to n gu e A n d the s m ell o f t h y gar m e nts is li k e the s m ell o f L e banon 8 A g a rd e n shut u p is m y sist e r m y bride 8 A spring s h ut u p a f ou n tain s e al e d 2

,

,

8

,

.

,

,

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,

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,

1 8

O r , 00 O r,

O r, 8

O r,

on e ’

2

O r , g i ve n m e

5

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.

l o ok f

p

a ro

a cc o

r om

t/zzn '

e e

ye 5

Izon ey d n g to m a n y a n

.

.

r i

cou r a g e .

i t

c en

au

ba r r e d

.

t h o ri ti e s

,

.

g a r de n

.

1 40 1

THE

TE XT I N

R

E VISED

VE R S I OJ V .

s h oots a r e a h orc h ard o f po m e g ranat e s w ith precious f ruits He nna w ith s pi k e n a r d plants S pi k e nard and sa ffron C ala m us a n d cinna m on w ith a ll tre e s of fran k i n c e ns e ; M yrrh and alo e s with all the chief spices TIza u a r t a f ountain o f gard e ns A w e ll o f li v ing w at e rs A n d fl o w i n g str e a m s f ro m L e banon 1

3 T hy

,

,

1

4

,

,

,

1

5

.

,

,

.

UL A M I T E

SH

.

Awa k e , 0

north win d a n d co m e thou south B low u po n m y garden that th e spices ther e o f may fl ow out L e t m y beloved co m e i n to his garden A n d eat his precious fruits ,

,

.

,

.

T HE

L O V ER

.

I a m co m e into m y gard e n m y sister my bride 2 I hav e gat h ered m y m yrrh w it h m y s pice ; I h a v e e at e n m y hon e yco m b wi t h m y honey ; I have dru n k my wine w it h m y m il k A s zd a E f ri nds a t 0 e ; ] [ 8 D rin k ye a d rin k abundantly 0 beloved ,

,

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1

O r, a

p

ard

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au

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z

.

2

O r , 00 1m m

.

.

1 42

THE

TE X T [N

R E VISED

VE R S I O J V .

I sough t him but I could n o t n a d hi m ; I call e d h i m but he gave m e n o answer T he watch m e n that g o about the city f ound m e Th e y smot e m e th e y wound e d m e ; 1 Th e k e e pers o f the walls too k away m y mantle from me ,

.

,

7

,

,

.

L A D I ES

TO T HE

8

.

I ad j ure you 0 d aught e rs of J erusalem if fi n d my belov e d 2 That ye tell hi m that I a m sic k o f love ,

,

ye

,

.

,

AC T IV

( D i a log C

9

ue a

HO R U S

SC EN E 1

.

b ou t 1 72: B e lo OF

L A D I ES

v ed

U LAMITE

.

)

.

What is thy belo v ed more than O thou f airest a m ong women What is th v b e loved more than That thou dost so ad j ure u s ? SH

.

a zzol/ze r

beloved

,

a n olfi er

beloved

,

.

M y belo v e d is w h it e and ruddy a T h e chie f e st a m ong te n t h ousand 1 1 Hi s h e ad is a 5 t h e m ost fi n e gold H is loc k s are bus h y a n d blac k as a raven 1 2 H is e yes a r e li k e do v e s b e sid e the water brooks ; 5 W ash e d with m il k a n d fi tly set 1 0

,

.

,

,

.

,

1 2

O r,

ve i l

.

He b W/za t w i ll y : He b fil a r ke d ou t .

8

.

1

O r,

cu r

.

li n g

te ll lzi m

by

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ba 8

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n n er

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5 1 tf 1 n

g by / ull 5 0 1 m m

.

5 0111 0 O F 5 0111 05

1 11 5

Hi s chee k s

1 43

.

as a bed of spic e s a 5 ban k s of swe e t herbs Hi s lips are a 5 lili e s droppi n g li q uid m yrrh 8 1 Hi s hands are a 5 rings o f gold s e t w ith b e ryl 8 8 Hi s body is a 5 i v ory wor k o v erlaid w zt/z sap 2

1

a re

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h p ire S

Hi s l e gs

.

pillars o f m arbl e set upon soc k e ts o f n n e g old Hi s asp e ct is li k e Le b anon exc e ll e nt as the cedars 7 Hi s m outh is m ost sweet : ye a h e is altog e ther lo v ely a re a 5

,

,

.

,

.

This is m y belov e d and t h is is 0 daug h t e rs o f J e rusal e m ,

my

friend

,

.

HO R U S

C

1

OF

LA D I ES

Whith e r is thy b e lo v ed g one 0 thou f airest a m ong wo m en W hither hat h t h y belov e d turn e d That we m a y see k h i m wit h thee ,

UL A M IT E

SH

2

.

hi m ,

.

M y beloved is gon e down to his gard e n to 1 th e beds o f spic e s ,

,

To

1 8

fe e d i n the g ardens

O r , b a l5 a m

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an

2 .

O r , cy /zn d e m O r , b m glzt i vory

4

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.

8

O r , 5pe ec/z

.

d

to gather lilies

O r , to w e m

f f e rf u m a

o

O r , topa z ’ O r , e n cr w te a .

8 .

He b pa la te .

.

.

.

.

3

THE

TE XT I N

1 44

belo v e d s and m y b e l o ved He f e e deth Izzs fl océ am ong the lilies

1

I

R E VISED VERSIO N

a

m



my

,

is m in

e

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.

SC EN E 11 tb zr a w ooi n g ’



Hi s pr a z5e5 of Me '

.

SO

4

.

LO M O N

.

Thou art beauti ful 0 my love as Tirzah Co m ely as J erusale m 2 Terrible as an ar m y with banners Turn away thine e yes f ro m me 8 F or th e y hav e o v e rco m e me T hy hair is as a fl oc k o f goats That li e along the sid e o f G il e ad 5 Thy t e e th are li k e a fl o c k of e wes W h ich are co m e up f ro m the w as h ing ; W h ere o f every one h at h twins A n d none is ber e aved a m ong th e m Thy te m ples are li k e a piece o f a pome granate B e h ind t h y v e il There a r e t h re e score q ueens and f ourscore concubin e s 7 A n d virgins wit h out nu m ber M y do v e m y u n d e fi le d is b u t one ; S h e is the only one o f her mother ; ,

,

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5

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iv iv

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h o s ts

n e r ed .

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UL A M I T E

SH

Why will

loo k upon

ye

C

As

upon

dance

th c

Tfi e la a ze5 , ’’

th e

HO R U S 1

S hula m ite ?

.

M ahanai m

of

a dm

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i r i n g t/ze d a n

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ce r

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)

H ow beauti ful a r e thy f e e t in sandals 0 pri n c e s daug h ter 8 Th e j oints o f t h y t h ighs a r e li k e j e w els Th e w or k o f the ha n ds o f a cu n ning wor k m an 2 T hy n a v e l is l i k e a rou n d gobl e t W/ze r e zn n o m ingl e d w ine is w anting T h y b e lly is li k e an h e ap of wh e at S e t about w ith lilies 1 Thy two breasts a r e li k e two fawns 3 That are twins o f a roe 4 Thy n e c k is li k e th e to w e r o f ivory ; Thin e e y e s cm the pools in Heshbon by the gat e o f B ath r a b b i m Thy n os e is l i k e th e to w er o f L e banon W h ic h loo k e t h to w ard D a m ascus a d upon t h e e is li k e Car m e l Thin h e e 5 5 A n d t h e h a i r o f t h i n e head li k e purple ; Th e k i n g is h e ld captive in th e tresses 2

1

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4 Se e O r , T/zy r ou n d e d t/zzg/ u e h iv 5 S o m e a n c i e n t v e r s i o n s h a v e , li ke the p u r ple of a k i n g , r

.

8

O r,

.

.

.

THE

6

S ONG

OF

SO NG S

147

.

Ho w f air and h o w pleasant art t h ou 0 lo v e f or d e lights ! This thy stature is li k e to a pal m tree ,

,

7

thy bre asts to cluste rs of

An d

S O LO M O N

g r apes

,

.

.

said I w ill cli m b u p i n to the pal m tre e I will ta k e h old o f th e branch e s th e reo f L e t thy breasts b e as clust e rs o f th e vin e A n d t he s m e ll o f t h y br e at h li k e ap pl e s ; A n d t h y m outh li k e the b e st wi ne

8 I

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,

1

9

2

UL A M IT E ( i

SH

n

te r

pti n g )

ru

.

That goeth do w n s m oothly f or m y belo v ed ‘Gliding throug h th e lips of those that are asl e ep 3

,

.

( He r fi n a l d e ci s i on ) .

10

I

s his d e sire is to ward

am m

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UL A M I TE (to l w m y b e lo v e d le t SH

Com e

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a

me

ex

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pe cte d love r ) us

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f orth into the

go

fi e ld

vill a g es L e t u s g e t u p e arly to th e v in e yards ; L e t a s s e e w h e t h e r th e v in e h at h budded 5 its blosso m be op e n Le t

us

lodge in

th e

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an

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n os e

2 .

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4

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5

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f

o

a

3 .

t/zos e t/za t

ppe a r

.

are

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.

p

a r zg fi

l

t

.

to m ove

or

i

48

THE

TE X T I N

RE

VISED

VE R S I ON

.

po m egranates be in fl ower Th e re wil l I gi v e th e e my love 1 T h e m a n dra k e s give f orth fragrance 2 A n d at our doors ar e a ll m anner of pre c ious f ruits new and old Which I have laid up for thee O my beloved A m ! th e

.

I

3

,

,

,

.

,

Oh

that thou wert as m y brother That suc k e d the breasts o f my mother ! W/zm I should fi n d thee w ithout I would k iss th e e Y e a and none would d e spis e m e an d bring thee into m y 2 I would lead t h ee m other s house 8 Wh o would instruct m e I would caus e th e e to drin k o f spiced wine O f th e j uic e o f m y po m e granat e 5 s /zo u lzz 11 5 under my head H is l f t hand e 3 A n d his rig ht hand should e m brace m e 1

,

,

.

,

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,

4

.



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.

( To t/ze la d i e s ) .

I ad j ure you

4 a

0

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stir n o t U n til it pl e ase

T h a t ye

daug h t e rs o f J erusale m u p nor awa k en love ,

,

.

1 3

5

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eh

x x x

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mt t/zo u m .

ii

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14

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6, 7

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ig /zte s t

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r

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THE

R E VISED VER SION

AC T V

( Tfi e B r i d e

a n

SC EN E I I

.

d lze r b r a t/ze r s

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Pa r a b le of Me

.

FI R ST

.

tw o vi n ey a r d s ) .

B RO T HE R .

We hav e a littl e sist e r

,

hath n o breasts W h at shall we do f or our sister I n the day w hen she shall be spo k en An d

s he

S EC O N D

9

I f she be a w all We will build upon

B R OT HE R

fo r ?

.

,

T HI R

he r

D

1

a turret of silver

B R O T HE R

.

if s h e be a door W e will inclose her with boards of cedar An d

,

UL A M I TE

SH

10

I

z

am

Th e n

a wall and

was

,

y

.

breasts li k e the towers

in his eye s as one that f ound

I

peace

m

.

.

S olomon

had a v i n e yard at Baal ha m on He le t o u t t h e v i n e yard u n to k e epers ; Eve r y one for t h e f ruit t h e r e o f was to bring a thousand p i e ces o f sil v er M y vin e yard w hic h is mi n e is be f ore me Thou 0 S olo m on shalt ha v e the thousand -

.

,

,

,

,

1

O r , b a llk

m m ts

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2 .

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.

THE

An d

S ONG

S O NG S

OF

1 51

.

those that k e e p the f ruit th e reo f two hundred .

L O V ER x

3

A N D B R I D EG R O O M

.

Thou that d w e ll e st i n th e g ard e ns 1 Th e co m p a n ions h e ar k e n f or t h y voice C aus e m e to h e ar i t ,

.

U LA M I T E 2 I4 M a k e haste my belo v e d 3 A n d be thou li k e to a roe or to Upon the m ountains o f spice s SH

,

.

,

a

young har t

3

O r , g a ze lle

.

1

.

P A RT I I I

.

S TU D I E S A N D C O M M E N TS

AC T I

.

T HE V I N E Y A R D -G I R L

S C EN E I T HE

m

C HA PTER

I

1 —8

.

.

.

KI N G



S

HA R E M

.

.

T HE

c u rt ai n ri s es u pon a s ce n e of O ri e n tal spl e ndor I t i s sp ri n gt i m e i n th e lan d of I s sach ar S ol om o n an d t h e royal h ou se h ol d are o n a pl easu re to u r i n th e n o rth ern part of “ h i s d o m i n io n s I n o n e of t h e fat val leys b e twe e n th e m ou n tai n s of Tabo r an d G il boa n ear t h e h il l of Li t tle H erm o n th e royal ten ts are p i t ch ed H o rs es a nd ch ari o t s s tat e pal a n q u i n s go rgeo us trappi n gs an d b ri ll i an tly u n i form ed body guard s s n ow wh it e pavi l io n s an d l u xu rian t cam p e q u i page c om pel co m pari s o n w it h t h e l o vel i n es s o f t h e n atu ral fo regro u n d a n d th e gran d e u r o f th e d is tan t sce n e ry V i n eya rd s wh eat - h el d s a n d ol ive garde n s ful l of l ife l ab o r son g an d c ol o r w i t h vi n e cl ad c ot tage s an d flock s of sh eep u n de r sh ad e .

.



.

,

,

-

.

,

,

,

-

-

,

,

.

,

,

,

,

,

,

1

C OM M E N TS

5 7 0191 5 5 A N D

54

.

l ooke d wi t h i n th e s e te m p o rary p alace s o f l u x u ry o r eve n caugh t gl i m ps e s of t h e i n teriors fi lle d w i th ivo ry an d j ewel s I n d ia p erfum es a n d s t ran ge pe ts we n t h om e t o tel l w o n de r ful s t o rie s t o eage r l i s t en ers Th e h ei gh t of i n t e r e s t wa s reach ed wh e n i t was b ru i ted abo u t a t w el l c u rb an d e ve n i ng re s t th at a m aide n of S h u n e m h ad bee n i n vit e d i n vita wh e n t i on m e an t co m m an d an d d i sobed ien ce peri l t o j oi n th e kin g s h are m W h at a dazzl i n g vi s ta open ed t o th e i m agi n atio n o f t h e co u n try m ai d s an d vi neyard t oi lers as t h ey t h ou gh t of o n e of t h e i r n u m be r e s tabl i sh ed am id s u c h m a g n i fi c e n c e w i t h n o h ard w ork to s o il th e h and s o r expos ure to b r own t h e face wi th se r va n t s an d fi n e s t c l o th i n g an d perfu m e a nd A ll t h at m u s ic a n d dan ci n g al l th e d ay l on g co u l d fasc i n ate yo u th wh e n th e s e n ses are m o s t k een an d fa n cy i s m o s t warm a n d d ay d ream s are m o st bri gh t lay i n th e royal i n vi ta t i o n I n a few d ay s t h e t en t s wo ul d be b roke n u th e caval cad e m ove t o J e rusal em a n d th e n p t h e you n g gi rl w o uld beh ol d th e s pl e nd o rs o f t h e capi t al wh e re s il ve r an d gol d w ere as co m m o n a s s ton e s an d ced arwood a s pl e n ti fu l a s fi g m ulber ry i n t h e l owl an d s W h o woul d n o t e n vy t h e go od fo rt u n e of t h e i r n e igh bo r ? B ut l e t u s gl an ce w i th i n I t i s u po n t h e royal h are m that th e p oe t ,

,

,

,

.

-

_

,



.

,

,

,

.

,

,

,

,

.

,

,

,

,

-

.

,

.

VINE YARD GIR L —

'

1 1V

KING S HAR EM ’

1

55

b id s u s l ook O u t of h i s m igh ty h os t of wom e n w h o l i ve to a m u s e th e ki n g h e h as s elect ed as p art of h i s trave l i n g h o u seh ol d s ix ty l ad ies of n oble rank e igh ty o f th e grad e call ed pzleg e S /z o r s eco n dary w ive s wi th pe r h ap s h un d red s o f fai r yo un g girl s wh o are at te n dan t s m usic ian s a n d da n cers toge th er w i th t h e ordi n ary wom e n servan t s O n ly o n e idea o n e am bit i on have t h es e ladi es of th e c our t : i t i s to pl eas e S ol o m o n t o e nj oy h i s favo r h i s c o ndes cen s io n an d t o rece i ve toke n s of h is regard i n gifts o r th e h o n o r o i h i s pres en ce H ear t h em .

,

,

'

,

.

,

,

,

.

,

,

,

,

,

.

.

f or a k iss f ro m the k iss e s o f his mout h f or t h y lo v e is b e tt e r t h an wi n e L a dy

.

0

.

,

I n e nt h us iast i c agree m e nt t h e o t he r lad ie s j o i n i n th e p rais e of th e ki n g ,

.

is the f rag rance o f thy per fu m es but t h y na m e its e l f is as oint m e n t poure d out ; b e caus e o f t h is the m ai d e n s lo v e t h e e C /zor zzs

.

S we e t

,

.

,

H as th e m aid o f S h u n e m l is te n ed t o t h es e prai s es o r d oes sh e h ere e n te r a n d i s i t h e r vo i ce wh i ch speak s ? ,

,

5 010 Th e .

m e n ts

k i n g has broug h t

me

into his apart

.

We

re j o ic e w ith th e e we w ill c e l e brat e t h y care sses m ore than wi n e ; ri g htly do th e y lo v e th e e C /zo r w

.

w

il l

b e gl a d

.

an

d

,

1

56

S T UD I E S

C OMM EN TS

AN D

.

d o e s t h e c h o ru s re s po nd t o a w i sh s i n ce t h e wo rd s m igh t b e re nd ered 0 th at th e k i ng w o ul d b ri ng m e exp ressed by o n e l o n gi n g fo r royal fa v o r ? R eade rs m ay d i ffe r i n reprod u ci n g th e fi r s t part of t h e O pe n i n g s c e ne t o ey e a n d ear b u t at vers e fi f t h th e S h ul a m i t e s pe aks as th e p oet d oes with n o u n ce rtai n so u nd I t i s n o pall i d be au ty of t h e h are m b ut a c h il d o f o u t d o o r l i fe wh o s ays pro bably i n an s we r t o th ei r i n q u i ri n g gl an ces an d p os s i bly h av i n g j u s t e n Or

,

,

,

.

,

-

,

,

,

te r e d “





I a m d ark bu t co m ely i n t erru pt th e l ad i e s “ O ye d au gh te rs o f J eru s al e m co n t i n u e s t h e S h ul am i t e a s th e t en t s o f Ked ar as t h e c u r tai n s of S o lo m o n t h ey rej o i n fl at t er ,

.

,



,



,

i n g ly

.

I n h e r ow n eye s s h e i s s u nb u rn t an d swarth y an d l ike th e d ark goa t s h ai r cl o t h o f th e s h e p h erd s t e n t s of t h e tribe o f Keda r ; bu t t h ey p rai se h er r u s ti c beau ty as co m pa rabl e wi t h th e royal u ph ol s tery “ L oo k not i n disdai n upon m e because I a m ta n ned b e cause t h e s u n has loo k ed hard at m e M y m oth e r s sons were s e v er e with m e th e y m ade m e k e e per o f th e ir vi n e yards b u t my own v i n e yard I ha v e n e g lect e d to k e e p H e re t h e h e ro i n e o f t h e po e m gives u s a ,



-



.

,

.

,



,

,



.

I

58

COM M E N TS

S TUD I E S A N D

.

i n g i n it s e ffec t u po n h e r face bu t th e h eat o f t h ei r an ge r h as bee n s evere agai n s t h e r By a p ret ty play o n wo rd s t h e po et pl aces h e r b e t w een t wo fi r e s S o wi t h a yo u n g gi rl s e x agge rat io n a n d wi t h pr i s m a t i c s o f w i t wh i c h are b et t er app reciat ed i n th e H eb rew th an i n th e E n gl ish th e auth o r i n t ro d u ces t h e s tep b r o t h e r s a s t h e s eco n d grou p o f t h e m i n o r ch aract ers i n t h e c a n tata t h e lad i e s of t h e h arem be in g th e fi r s t Th ree ti m es or m ore i n th e p i ec e ar e th e s tep bro th ers h eard fro m T h e s e b urly fell ows h ard h ead ed c o u n t ry m e n as th ey s eem i n t h e i r m at te r o i fac t h u m o r an d practi cal view o f t h i n gs are real ly th e guard “ i an s of t h e ir l i tt l e s is t er ( vi i i an d m ak e b u t h er m atri m o n ial n o t o n ly h er b eh avio r p ro s pec t s t h ei r c o n ce rn ( viii 8 A c c ord i n g t o th e an c ie n t l aw of I s rael t o u se t h e w ord s of E wal d T h e s p eci al an d m os t n at ural p rot ec tors of a free m aide n were b e sid es h e r pare n t s h e r b roth ers es pecially t h e eld es t of t h e m wh o o ften s h owe d t h e m s el ve s far m o re j eal o u s an d ac t ive i n th e m at te r t h an th e fath e r w h il e h e was yet al ive Th i s c au s ed t h e bet roth al an d m arri age o f a d a u g h t e r o n ly t o o o fte n t o be a pe c un iary tran s ac t i on b etwee n th e s e p ro te c to rs an d th e i r fu tu re h u s ,

.

,



.

,

,

,

'

,

.

-

.

-

,

-

-

,

.

,

.

,

,

,

,

,

,

,

.

b an dsf



Th i s we see il l u s t rated e speci ally i n G e n es i s

.

VI N E

YA A D — ’

G IR L

IN

KING S HA RE M ’

1

59

H e re i n th e S o n g i t seem s t h e bro th e rs daz an d pe rhap s pl eased w i t h z le d by t h e h o no r th e worldly or fi n a n c i a l advan tage s h av e c o n s en ted to h ave t h ei r s tep s i s ter bec om e a n i n m ate of t h e royal h o u seh old T h is all u si o n t o h erself an d h e r d om es t i c h istory i s o nl y a pare n th esis fo r h e r th ough t s are s till with h er love r a n d sh e th u s add res se s th e ab sen t o n e I s i t i n s i le n t t h o u gh t or i s sh e overh eard m u rm u ri n g t o h ersel f “ Te ll m e O t h ou w h o m m y soul l o v e t h w h e re t h ou f e e d e st t h y fl oc k w h e re t h ou m a k e st it r e st at n oon : f or w h y s h oul d I b e as a w a n d e r e r b e sid e th e fl oc k s of t hy co m pa n io n s I n t h i s th e fi r s t of s everal d escri p tio n s o f th e on e belov ed of th e h ero i n e o f th e po e m w e read th e pe t n am e u s ed by h er of t h e s heph e rd b u t n ever of S ol o m o n He i s p i ctu red h ere an d always as o n e i n th e past u re o r o n t h e m ou n tai n s n eve r as a dwell e r i n a c i ty a k i n g a m o narch or o n e bu sy w i th t h e w ork of gov e r n m e n t o r s urro un ded wi th l u xu ry S h e l on gs t o kn ow wh e re h e r l ove r i s u nd er wh at sh ado w of a great rock or be neat h wh at wid e spread in g t ree h e ha s bee n d r ive n by th e d o ubl e ligh t an d i n ten s e h eat of n oon bu t t o g o roam i n g am on g t h e sh eph e rds wh o were s tran ge r s t o h er an d perh aps free i n t h e ir r em ark s a bou t a l ove s ic k girl t o fi n d h i s p art ic u l ar fl o c k ,

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w o ul d e xpo s e h e r m od es t fe el i n gs to a seve re t ri al I n al l t h i s th e S h ul am i t e t al k s i n a real “ c o u nt ry d ial ec t i n G al il ean s peech t h at b e w ray s h e r N o rt h e rn o ri gi n as s u r ely as Pe ter s p ro n u n c iat io n reveal e d h i s p ers o n al i ty to t h e qu i ck eare d s e rvan t girl i n H ero d s p al ace ce n t u r i e s aft erwar d Th e ci ty bred lad ie s o v erb eari n g h e r t a lk i n g to h e rs el f m ake a n s we r t o th e r us ti c m ai d e n I s n o t t h i s a t o u c h o f s arcas m o r j eal o u sy pos ? s ib l of co n t em p t fo r h e r l o ve r s occ u pat i o n y Th e c h i ef l ady o f S ol om o n s h o u s eh ol d was the d augh t e r o f Ph araoh ; a n d ve ry po s s ibly th e E gypt i an t o wh o m sh eph e rd s w ere a n abom i nat io n s e t t h e fas h io n a t S ol o m o n s c o u r t a n d th e c h i ef l ady sh aped t h e v i ews of th e h are m Th ey a n s w e r I f you do n o t re al ly k n o w in secret you prettiest o f wo m e n i n the world you had better g o o u t a m o n g th e hoo f tr a c k s l e f t by the fl oc k and f e e d your k i d s a m o n g t he s h e p h e rds t e n ts I n o t h er w ord s th es e pam pe red beaut i e s d eem h er a fool ish vi r gi n i nd eed t o kee p th i nk i n g of a plai n c o u n t r y la d wh e n K in g S olo m o n h e r a place i n h i s royal al be it rath e r o ffe rs m i scell ane o us affe cti on s I n th e i r referen ce t o kid s i n s t ead o f l am b s i n t h e sh eph e rd s fl o c k th er e may be a n al l u s io n to th e wo rs h ip .

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ch aract e r appears u po n t h e sce n e a n d s p eak s for th e fi r s t t i m e i n ve rs e n i n th I t i s h i s I m p eri al M aj e sty S ol o m o n h i m self s u ze rai n of t h e vass al n ati o n s lord o f al l I s rael c om m an de r of t h e ar m ie s w h o fi lls th e pl ace s w i t h d ead b odi es w h o s e e n em i es b i te t h e d u s t i n death a t h i s wo rd W h o can re s i s t h i m wh o h a s s en t e ve n pri n ces t o t h ei r grave u n d e r th e as s as s i n s k n ife ? I t i s fearful eve n t o t h i n k of cr os si n g h i s wi l l Th e H eb rew e m pe ro r i s a j udge of b eau ty H avin g a h o s t of fai r face s d aily befo re h i m h e i s n o t e a s i ly l ed cap t i ve by rave n t res s es a r o sy ch eek or a s parkl in g eye D espi te h e r own d is prai s e t h e S h ul am i te m u s t i nd eed h ave g races all h er o wn t o att rac t th i s j aded m an “ H o w m e n pro pos e i s a s ub j e ct of pere n n ial i n te res t t o wo m en and al l l i t erat u re h as b e e n s earch ed t o fi n d pi c t ure s of th e woo i n g s ce n e Th e B ible O p e n s t o o u r v i e w m ore th an o n e pi ct ure of arde n t s wai n s eek i ng th e A

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h eart an d h an d of w il l i n g maide n i n p ure an d h on orabl e l ove S ol o m o n m akes love i n a b usin es s way m u c h a s a pu rch as e r w oul d con trac t for a p erch of buil d in g s ton e o r a cargo of p rovi s io n s S e n s u a li ty kn ows n o eloque n ce b u t p ur i ty an d s i n C ri t i cal an d c e r i ty m ake th e s il ve r t on gue u n i m pass i on ed y e t c ompl i m e n tary a n d poli t e t h e roya l volup t uary u s in g a t erm t h e m ea n “ i n g of wh i c h h o ve rs betwee n c om pani o n “ an d loved o n e t h u s address e s t h e r us ti c d am s e l “ I h a v e co m pare d th e e m y f riend to st e e ds ca par i so n e d f or Ph araoh s c h ariot Thy ch e e k s a r e co m e ly in t h e ir f ri n ge s o f coi n s t h y n e c k in its n e c k l a ce o f b e ads We w ill m a k e t h e e h e ad ba n ds o f g old and a n e c k lac e o f k n obs o f si l v e r Th i n k n o t t h e k i n g a j ockey b ecau s e h e com pare s h i s l ady fr i en d t o o n e of h is m are s an d p o ss i bly d raws t h e i mage ry of h i s pro m i s e s f rom t h e h ead fram e and gay t as sel s of h i s nobl e black s teed I n ou r W es t e r n eyes i t i s n o t i n good tas te t o c om pare mai de n swee t h eart o r w ife t o a h orse Th e R o m a n poets h oweve r d id i t an d t h e A rab s d o i t yet t he com pari so n bein g ac cept ed as d el igh tful fl at te r y Rem em be r t o o t h at h orse s o n c e as s o c i a te d o n l y w i t h E gypt i an sl avery a n d l o n g forb idd e n i n I srael were at t h i s t i m e n ew an d .

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wo nderful t h i n gs i n th e c i ti e s of I s rael I t m ay h ave bee n a po e t of S ol o m o n s t i m e w h o d es cri be d i n m atc h l es s ap o st r oph e t h e war h o rs e i n t h e bo o k of J o b E ve n n ow th e l o ve o f t he fl e e t an i m al so m e ti m es t urn s a m an s t h ough t s away fro m h i s w ife an d fam ily I t i s n o t cert ai n b u t th a t s o m e m e n l o ve t h ei r p e t t ro t te r s a n d p acers m ore t ha n t h ei r c h il d re n a nd t h e e xc i te m en t o f th e races m o re t h an t h e s i m pl e j oy s of h o m e To th e G al il ea n m aid en ad o rn ed i t m ay be w i t h ri c h b rai ded h ai r wi th i n a s i m pl e h ead d res s bo rde red perh ap s w i th ro ws o f b ro nze o r s il ve r co i n s an d h e r n e ck d e corate d wi th u nco stly j ewel ry m ad e by Ph oe n ic ian b ro n ze s m i th s t h e great ki n g p ro m i ses gol d e n c i r ro w u po n ro w of gold co i n a n d n e ckl ac e c le t s d amas ce ne d wi t h poin t s o f s il ver l i ke th e h o rs e bridl es o f h is c aval ry I t i s n o p ri n ce s s o r earth ly ki n g s d augh t e r t o wh o m S olo m o n t h u s c on d e s c en d s I t i s o n e u n u sed to ri c h gifts I s t h e r u s t ic m ai d e n wo n by th e p ro m i ses of j e wel ry a nd fi n e ry s uc h a s yo un g wom e n are u s u al ly an xiou s to o w n ? S uc h p res e n t s m igh t e asi ly i n fl u e n c e h e r favo rably I s sh e i n cl i ned t o y iel d “ N o t yet Th e o i n t m e n t pou red fo rth a s th e cou rt l adi es n am ed t h e ki n g i s n ot yet h e r Th e s avo r s weet to h er so ul a ccepted perfu m e .



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equ al t o o u r b ut to n h ol e b el t o r c o rsage b o u q u et wh ic h s h e w ears fo r o rn am e n t i n s t ead of t h e j e wel ry p ro m i sed by S o l o m o n T h e m ai d e n s of I s rael a s we l ear n fro m t h e H eb rew o f I s aia h cal l e d t h e p rett y vi al s of p e rfu m e m ad e o f s n o w wh i te o ny x o r al abas t e r w h i c h th ey w o re s u s p e n d e d ro u n d t h ei r n ec k s b e “ tw ee n th e ir h eart a n d th ei r gar m en t s s o u l “ d wel l i n gs o r th e h o u se s of t h e s o ul th e perfu m e i n cl os ed be i n g t h e s o u l of t h e i r fa vo r i t e frie n d o r l ov e r W h ile vi rgi n m od es ty b o ws h er h ead u nd er th e royal fi a tte r i e s t h e s weet od o r o n h e r o w n b oso m as ce n d s grat e f ul ly t o th e se n s e of s m ell re m i n di n g h e r o f h i m wh o m s h e al ways calls th e bel ov ed n o w far away Th u s u n d er a cr i ti cal s t udy of t h i s l ovely B ible p ic t ure of t r ue l o ve al l s us pi c io n o f an y t h i n g t h at coul d sh o c k p rop ri e ty van i shes Th e p u re s t m i n d e d v i rgi n m ay safely read t h e S o n g o f S o ngs i n wh ich i s n o t rac e o f i m m oral t h o u gh t M a rk ed wi t h O ri e n t al ab an d on ye t u nl i ke al l o th e r pas to ral s La t i n G reek o r E a s ter n i t h a s n o t t h e ves tige o f a p u tri d s tai n N o e xpu rgat io n s o m i s s i o n s o r apol o gy are n eed ed for t h i s bo ok I t s t an d s fo rth am id e rot i c l i t erat u re as ch as te a s u n s u n n ed s n o w m i racl e o f pu res t t h o u gh t a nd d ic t i o n as a c o m pared wi t h th e l o ve p oe m s of A si a ,

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Th e co nvers at io n c o n t i n u es S ol om o n tal k “ i n g t o t h i s n e w add iti o n t o th e l is t of vi rgi n s w i tho u t n um b e r i n h i s t rai n bu t th ou gh h e r word s seem d irect ed t o t h e ki n g h e r h eart i s “ w i t h h er bel oved an d h e r th ou gh t s are upo n t h e l ife am i d n at ur e wh i ch s h e s o love s N o t o n ly i s he r s peec h i n th e G al il ean r u s ti c d iale c t wh i le t h e k i n g s i s i n th e pol i sh ed l a n guage of J ud ea b u t wh il e h e r tal k i s of th i n gs h o m e m ade an d o ut doo rs h i s i s of wo rks o f a r t an d of s ki lled workm e n Lo S olom on L o thou art lo v e ly m y dear thi n e e ye s a r e as do v e s L o thou art lo v e ly m y b e loved ye a pleasa n t ; o u r arbor is g r e e n S olom on T h e r oo f b e a m s o f our house are o f cedar the w ai n scoti n g o f cy press I a m o n ly a wild fl o w e r of the plain a lily o f th e v a ll e y ,

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w ill i m agi n e h ers elf lo s t i n t h e st reet s of a great ci ty Man y th i n gs absu rd an d fan tas t i c w i l l s tart befo re o ur sl eepi n g con s cio u s n ess but al l th e el e m e n t s w il l c o m e o u t of o u r ex r i n what we fee l o r kn o w t h i n k o r read e e e c p ab ou t W e d ream o nly ab ou t t h a t w h ic h h as m et o u r waki ng eye o r th ough t s al t ho ugh w e can n o t always t race th e l i n k s of c on n ect i o n Th e co m b in at ion s of th e kaleido s cop e of dream s are stran ge bu t t h e par ts are fam il i a r Th e i mages o n t h e brai n are rearran ged i n to n e w form s with ou t j udgm en t o r th e regu lat i n g fac u lty W h ere as t h e roo t sen s e of o u r E n gl i sh word d re am i s that of s ou n d o r m u s i c an d th e G reek id ea th at of noi s e o r tu m ul t th e He bre w wo rd ph otograph s t h e t h ough t of a m a n t i ed o r b ou nd h i s se n se s c ongealed o r c los ed s o th a t s urpri s e o r won de r can n o t e n ter t o t ake part wi th th e ot h er facul ties o f th e m in d C hapte r i i i begi n s a d ream wh i c h t h e S h u la m i te th u s narrate s .

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ch ild l ike art l es s a n d d u tiful d i spo s i t io n of t h e gi rl I t i s a p ro of of t h e ab sol u te gui l el es s n e s s o f m aid en h ood I n th i s re s pec t e ve n i n h er d rea m t h e S h u la m i t e i s an exam pl e t o m oder n yo u t h s a n d m a id en s I t w oul d certai n ly s ave m any b roken h eart s an d rui n ed l ive s if daugh t ers n o w wo ul d m ak e c o n fi d a n t s of t h e i r m oth e rs an d i n p res e n ce of t h o s e wh o l o ve t h e m b es t e nj oy th e i n n o c en t pl ea s ure s t h at sp rin g fro m th e as s o c i a t i o n w i t h you n g m e n H o w m any fool is h p e 0 p 1e c om e t o t h e pars o n s to ge t m arried a n d afte r th e c erem o ny i s o ve r p1e a d t h at i t “ — b e kept qu i e t D o n t ad verti s e i t for t h e worl d ! Be t ter t h e i n n o cen ce o f th e S h u l a m i t e t h an th e s m art s ec recy of t h e clan d es t i n e m arri age F i n all y wh et h er waki ng o r s leepi n g wh e t h er a t ru s t i c l abo r at h om e o r e nj oy in g t h e l uxu ry of k i n g s pal ac e s wh e th e r i n t h e h a m let of S h u n e m i n t h e royal t e n t o n i t s way t o th e capi tal o r i n t h e c i ty o f J er u salem b u t es pe p res e n ce real re m em c i a lly e xul tan t i n t h e be red o r expect ed of h e r t ru e a n d ac ce pt ed l o ve r th e h e ro i n e of th e poe m co n cl ud e s t h i s a s s h e d o es e v e ry experi e n ce wit h th e sol em n ad j u rat io n wh ich th ric e rec u rs I t i s i n fre s h m em o ry of h e r m o th er s h o m e w i t h h e r l ove r be s id e h er t h at s h e n o w c ri es ou t ,

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ad j ure yo u O ye daugh t e rs o f J e rusal e m by the t o e s and b y th e hin d s o f th e fi e ld that ye stir not u p n o r e xcit e lo v e til l it pl e as e I

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N o te h e re th at s o m e of t h e e xp re s s i o n s i n C an ticl es a s w e h av e re n d ered t h e m d i ffe r i n s en s e fro m t h os e i n th e E n gl is h ve rs io n of an d as we gi ve th e m t h ey are l es s o h 16 1 1 j e c ti o n a b le to t h e m o ral se ns e of t h e C h ri s tian t han i n th e ol d u n revised ve rs io n o f t h e E n g l ish B i ble N o w i t i s t rue t h a t d i ffere n t t ran s l ators re nde r cert ai n pas sages d i ffere n tly a n d th e reaso n i s plai n Th e exp res sio n i n E n gl i s h w ill be accord in g t o th e th eory o f t h e poe m and th e t h ough t o f t h e t ran sl ato r o r read e r B ri ng to C an ticl es a fri vol o u s o r pru ri e n t m i nd an d o n e can h n d m uch t h at g r a t i fi e s a d ep raved tas te R e ad i t wi t h a ch as t e nay eve n w i t h a fai rly u n bias ed m i nd a n d th ere i s n o t h i n g i m pure o r i m p ro perly sugge s tive Ki n g J a m e s s t ran sl at ors ac ted o n t h e t h eo ry that S o lo m o n wro te th e p o e m a n d refe rs t o th e S h u l am i t e as h is b rid e ; he n ce t h e se n t e n c e s n o t i n h arm o ny wi th go od tas te th o ugh th ey m ay h ave s u i ted th e tast e o f t h e age i n t h e E n glan d of t h r e e ce n t u rie s ago Th e t ran slato rs see m to h ave bee n m o re fam ilia r w i th th e V ulgate a n d S ept uagi n t th a n wi t h t h e o rigin al text be sid e s n eed l e s sly m arri n g m any te nder H eb re w pas sages especi al ly i n ,

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I sai ah w i th a t ruly S axo n c oa rs e n e s s Re n an wh o see s i n C h ri s t o n ly a Galile an peas a n t i n E ccle s ias t es a dys pep t i c cy n i c a nd i n al l t h e O l d Te s tam e n t n o t h i n g d iv i n e w il l of c o u rs e ‘ d i sc o ver i n L e C a m zg u e o n ly th e c oars e fl i rta t i o n s of a d an c i n g gi rl a n d d i al ogu es fi t te d fo r bee r sal oon s B u t h o n e s t m i n d ed s ch ol ars a n d es pecial ly t h o s e w h o rej ec t t h e alle go ri cal th e o ry fi n d w h a t w e believe th at th e re i s n o t h i n g ob j e ct i on abl e o r offe n s ive t o r e fi n e d t as te i n th e e n t i re la n gu age of t h e ca n tata e xc ep t po s s i b ly a pas sage i n ch ap ter vi i w h i c h t h e p oe t righ tl y p u t s i n t o th e m ou th of t h e vol upt u ary S ol o m o n A c co rd i n g to th e n at u ral t h eory o f t h e po e m th ere i s n o n eed fo r i m proper l an gu age o r wo rd s of d o uble m ean i n g I n s en poe t ic yet t e n c e s fi tt i n g gl owi n g pass io n at e p u r e m o des t ye t s t ro n g ; i n n obl e s u gge s t io n o f n ai ve s i m pl i ci ty w ith h earty d el igh t i n n a t u re a n d w i th a rt l es s fi li a l a ffec tio n th e G al i l ea n m aid e n s peaks h e r c h as t i ty o f th ou gh t e ver prevail in g ove r th e ard o r of h e r i m ages W e pi ty t h o se w h o se eyes can n o t enj oy t h e s t udy of a n u n d raped s tat ue o r a pi ct u re i n w h i c h A r t t o u ch es ch as tely h e r n obles t s ub an d i f we pi ty th o s e wh os e c ul t ure i s s o e c ts j l a cki n g i n w h o m i s ab se n t th e se n s e of a ppr e c i a t i o n of th e d ivi n e m ast e rp i ec es o f b eau ty i n th e h u m a n body h o w m u ch m o re s h o uld w e ,

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I N T O th e J eru salem of J e h ovah s t e m pl e pal a ce s of m arbl e orna m e n t ed wi t h ivo ry gran d b ui l d i n gs i n n e w a n d s t ran ge d e si gn s of arch i t ec t u re wh i ch com pel c o n trast wi th t h e w oo de n d wel l i n gs of D avid s t i m e t h e royal proce ss i o n n o w e n ters a m id t h e gl eam i n g o f s teel an d t h e wav i n g of ban n e rs Th e t e n t s o f th e k i n g s h o u s eh old w h i c h h ad be e n pit c h ed i n t h e r e gi o n of t h e S h u la m i te s h o m e h ave be e n fo l ded u p a n d t h e j o u rn ey t o th e capi tal t ake n d ow n th e J o rd an vall ey t o t h e l ow lan d s o f J eri ch o wh e n c e bega n t h e asce n t t h ro ugh t h e w i ld e r n e s s t h a t i s th e co u n t ry re m ot e fro m t ow n s or cities O n approach i n g t h e ci ty o f th e great k i n g cl o ud s o f i n ce n s e e n vel o p th e co rt ege fro m fragran t gu m s an d s pi ce s b u rn e d acco rd i n g t o O ri e n tal c u stom s s t ill p re val e n t d uri n g t h e m ove m en t s of royal ty o r d ign i t arie s of h igh e s t ra n k Th e perfu m e s of A rabi a an d I n d ia are ,

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wafte d o n th e breeze an d as th e gl i t t er o f th e ki ng s car o f s t ate a nd o f th e flash i n g bl ad e s of th e caval ry e s co rt i s c a u gh t s i gh t o f fro m th e bat tlem en t s of J e ru sale m we h ear th e c ry of t h e crowd s of spec tato rs l in i n g t h e wal l s an d e m i n e n ces E ach of t h e vari ou s s peak e rs poi n t s ou t wh at e spec ial ly rive t s h i s at ten t io n W ho is this Fi r s t ( 172572 or 511 077 1 1 of Spe ctru m s co m i n g up out o f t h e wilder n e ss as in p illars o f s m o k e p e rf u m e d wit h m yrr h a n d f ran k incens e w it h all the po w d e rs i m port e d b y t h e m e rchants L oo k it is th e pala n q uin o f S o l S econ d ci ti zen o m o n T h re e score m ighty m e n a r e rou n d a bout it o f th e v e t e ra n s o f Isra e l ,



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Th e ad m i rat io n of t h e peopl e for th e G ib bo ri m o r veteran s m a ny of th e m i t m ay b e scarre d i n n u m erou s b at tl es i s v ery great a l bei t m os t o f th e m were fo reign ers Th ey form ed th e l ife guard of t h e ki n g a n d carri ed o u t h i s o rd er s h o wever terri bl e o r despo ti c S u c h a m il i tary co nvoy was n eed ed for eve n S ol o m o n wh o h ad s e n t s o m an y o th ers t o death co ul d n o t t ravel t h rou gh h i s ow n do m i n io n s i n w h ich were m a ny t ri bes an d n at ion al i t i e s w i th en t ire s afety Be s id es w i t h al l h i s p u bl i c work s extravagan t arch i tec tu re an d cos tly n avy dazzl in g l ux u ria n c e i n t h e c ity and lavi sh exp e n di t u re o n pl eas u re seats h e ,

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I M E N TS C OW

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eve r gave th e c o u n t ry eit h er a go od p ol i c e sys te m o r fi rs t cl as s ad m i n i s t rat io n o f p u bl i c road s Th e ro bber by day o n th e road t o J e ri c h o s t i l l waylaid an d t h e n o ct u rn al m a r a u d e r s t il l prowle d s o t ha t t h e kee n bl ades o f t h e G i b b o r i m g uard s were v ery apt to b e u s e f ul as w e l l as o rn am e n tal O f t h e val o r an d abil i ty o f t h i s s u p erb co rps t h e re was n o p op ul ar d o ub t “ T/zzm a i zz en : They all handle the sword a n d are e xp e rt in war Ev e ry man h ath his s w ord upo n his thigh because o f fear i n the nig h t

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W it h th e i n t rod u c t ion o f h orses an d ch ario t s i n t o I s r a el n o t o n ly t h e w ar ve hi cl e s an d fac il i t ies fo r o rd i n ary t ran spo rtat io n we re greatly i m proved u po n a s c om pared with th e o ld d ay s l it t e r b u t i n t ravel i n g e q ui o f t h e m ul e an d page al s o won ders of c o m fort an d l ux u ry we re w rough t Th e m zfta /z h e re S poke n of was a pala nqu i n o r recl in in g b ed o r m o re properly a p ortabl e roo m o r c h ambe r born e o n t h e back s o f d rau gh t an im al s a nd a s l u x uria n t i n i ts way a s t h e pal ace o r b o u doi r car of t o day I n h i s “ p ri vate ca r S ol o m o n wa s acc u s t o med ow n t o t ravel fro m Be ersh eba w h e re th e lim it s of fert ile l an d m e t th e s o u th e rn d esert t o D a n wh e re th e m o u n tai n s o f Leb a n o n m ade t h e n o rt h e rn fro n t ie r I n ca rs o r palan qu i n s s i m i la r ly t ran s por t ed bu t p robably far les s c o s tly ,

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of th e n ew c i ty b u il t u po n M o ri ah an d t h e h il l s Come f orth O ye daught e rs o f Z ion and b e hold Ki n g S olo m on wit h t h e cro w n w it h w hic h his m ot h e r cro w n e d h i m i n t h e day o f h is e spousals a n d in th e d a y o f h is g lad n e ss o f h e art ,

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I n H ebre w i de a t h e c i ty was t h e m o th er an d t h e i n h abi t an t s t h e s o n s a n d daugh t e rs Th e d au gh te rs o f Zi o n w h o h e re ap pear i n pu b l i c ar e t h e h o n o rable w om e n l i vi n g i n t h e o ld c i ty of D av id t h e c i ty p rope r o f h o m e s an d d w el l i n gs a nd n o t i n th e n e w an d gari s h p ar t “ dau gh t e rs of J eru o f th e capi t al wh e re t h e s al em o r i n m a tes o f th e h ar e m d wel t B e t we e n th e t wo h i l l s of Z io n an d M o ri ah th ere wa s a val l ey o r ravi n e cal le d late r th e Ty ro o n e h u n d red fe e t d eep wh ic h ol o m o n n S o o e p h ad c ro s s ed by a m as si ve vi ad u c t bu i lt o n piers a n d arch e s T h e b rid ge fro m th e so l id m a s o n r y o n th e s o u th wes t a n gl e of th e t em pl e to th e fi rs t of t h e s e ri es of p ie rs bu i l t ove r t h e vall ey wa s n early fi fty fee t lo n g a fragm e n t of i ts n o rth e rn e n d b ei n g ye t s ee n i n Robi n s o n s arch Th e dau gh t ers o r wo m e n of Z io n are i n vit ed to t ake a l o ok a t th e i r so verei gn wh o t o d ay wears h i s k i n gly ro bes a n d o n h i s h ead if n o t t h e e m bl em o f ki n gly po w er t h e C h apl et o f t h e e x pec tan t b rid egro o m I s i t p o ss ibl e t h at h e o ffe rs to m ake t h e S h ulam i t e o n e o f ,

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h i s w ive s of fi r s t grad e ? That t h e cou n try m ai d i s n o t o n ly to j oi n t h e h arem b u t t o take h i gh ran k i n i t a s a p ri n ce s s S o e n d s th e fi r s t s t roph e of th e th i rd can to Th e referen c e t o S o lom o n s d ay of n u p tial s an d c oro n a ti o n recal l s h i s m arriage wi th th e E gyptia n pri n ces s ; a nd a s i s ye t th e c u sto m i n th e E ast t h e ch apl e t o r flora l d iad e m was pl aced o n h i s h ead by t h e que e n m ot h er t h e b eautiful B at h sh eba H ow t i me s m u s t h ave ch an ged s i nce th e d ays of M ose s ' Th en I s rael was a sl ave n a t ion an d a n E gy pt ian l o oked d ow n o n a He brew a s on e of a d egrade d race as a ch at tel b u t n o t a perso n N ow Pharaoh m ake s a n a l li a n c e w i th S olom on at t h e v ery begi n n i n g of h i s reign — wi th t h e k i n g of th es e H eb rew s wh o m h i s an ce st o rs h el d a s s lave s He eve n assi st s th e arm ies of I srael i n pu tt in g d ow n th e C an aan it i sh rebel s an d give s t o D avid s s o n h i s daugh t e r i n m arriage To fu rn i s h h e r w i t h a d ow ry t h e E gyp t ian fath e r se n t a n aval exped it i o n of war gall eys a cro s s t h e M e d i t e r ran e a n and l a nd i n g a t J o ppa red u ced a n d s e t o n fi re th e t ow n of G ezer treated th e Ca n aa n i t i s h i n h abi tan t s w i t h th e s eve ri ty of a co n u e r o r s righ t s an d th e n bes towed t h e re v e q n ues of th e t erri tory u po n h i s d augh t er fo r h e r “ pi n m on ey ac cord i n g t o an ci e n t l an or ,

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k ing s dau g ht e r is all gl orious w ithin her clothing is o f wroug h t gold S he s h al l b e broug h t u n to the k ing i n rai m ent o f n e e d l e wo rk : the vir gins h e r co m panio n s t h at f ollo w h e r sh a l l be broug h t unto t h e e W ith glad n e ss a n d r e j oici n g ’

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S TUD I E S

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20 0

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H avi n g b raid ed h er l o n g bl ack h ai r m ad e h er t o ilet a n d arrayed h e r s el f i n t h e appare l b e fi tt i n g a n i n m at e of t h e pal ace w e m ay i m agi n e h e r l ooki n g m o re l ike a p rin ce s s th an b e fore H o w t h e t o il e t te of th e H ebrew l ady i m p res se d I s aia h m ay b e r ead i n th a t r e m a r k a bl e pas s age i n h i s t h i rd ch apt e r w hi c h c on ta i n s a n i n ve n t o ry of a lady s co s t u m e V i ew in g h erself i n th e m i rror we ca n i m agi n e th e fai r “ you n g gi rl m urm u ri n g t o h ers el f I kn o w wh at my b el ove d w oul d s ay t o m e c oul d h e se e m e n o w W o ul d h e n o t rep eat wh a t h e h as t ol d m e befor e ? “ W e ca n i m agi n e t h e bel oved s peak i n g s oft w o rd s of l o ve a n d prai s i n g h e r i n t erm s o f O rie n tal m et aph ors too war m fo r o u r col d W es te r n t a st e ; b u t th e sp eaker wh o n ow a d d res s es t h e S h ul am i t e i s a m a n of th e wo rld w h o i s fam il i ar w i th r e fi n e m e n t s an d t h e a r t i fi c i a l ado rn m e n t s o f n at ure He takes a poe t ic an d c ri ti cal vi e w of th e l an d scape an d th e feat u re s h e m o s t d well s upon are n o t th os e o f u n tam ed n at ur e b u t o f a c ul tivat e d co u n t ry Th ere i s n o w h i t e h ea t o f p as s i o n h e re o n ly p rop ri ety an d faul tl es s rh eto ri c H ear th i s c o n n o i s se u r o f b eau ty i n th e h u m a n fi g u r e an d i n c iv il i za ti o n pou r o u t h is p rai se s Be h old thou art lo v ely m y d e ar T h in e eye s are as do v e s b etween thy loc k s Thy hair is li k e a ,

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S TU D I E S

202

C O M M E N TS

AN D

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wo rd s b eef v eal m ut to n an d po rk was fro m th at o f th e S ax on s wh o h ave gi ve n u s t h e n am e s o f o x c alf s h ee p an d h og T h e N o r m an s aw o n t h e tabl e th e d re s sed m eat s ele cted fro m t h e a n i m al te n ded i n th e fi e ld s by h i s se rf o r s wi n e h e rd S ol om o n s ee s t h e l an d s cap e fro m a pav i li on o r o u t o f a pal ace w i n do w I s t h e S h ul am i te wo n by h i s p rai se s ? B rou gh t i n t o t h e l io n s d e n d o es sh e yi el d ? Th e k i n g s w rat h i s as th e roar i n g o f a l io n ; t o p ro vok e i t m ay m ean d ea th Ye t wi l l n o t J eh ovah d el i ver h er fro m h i s power ? H e r l ove s tro n g a s deat h b rave s even th e o cc upan t o f th e l i on t h ro n e U ny ield in g a s S h eol sh e re mai n s l oyal t o h e r be t ro th ed W e h ave h eard h e r c ry b efo re My b el oved i s m i n e an d I a m h i s I n l ike m an n e r a n d w i t h t h e s am e i n t e n t s h e tel l s S o l o m o n h e r u n m i s tak abl e p refe re n c e as he ar t an d t h ough t fly n o rt h ward ,

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Un til th e clay cool and the s h a d o w s fl e e away I will g e t m e to th e m o untain o f m yrr h a n d to t h e h ill o f f ran k i n c e nse ,

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I n th ou gh t sh e t ra n s po rt s h ers el f t o h e r m ou n tai n h om e wh e r e al l aro u n d o r i n s igh t o f h e r c ottage ri s e th e ve rd a n t an d fragran t m o un tai n s ri c h i n odo ro u s fores t s — vas tl y d i fferen t i n th i s re spe c t from th e l es s ri chly ,

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[IV THE

L O VE- MAKING

PA L A CE

20 3

.

t i m bered a nd ofte n bare h i ll s s urro u n di n g Jeru salem I n to t h is regio n an d o ver m o u n tai n s w i th i n t h e h o rizo n of t h e S h ul am ite an d of t h e n o rt h e r n poe t t h at i s o ver Leban o n an d t h rough th e m ore d i stan t D am asc u s wh i c h i s m e n t io n ed i n th e Can t icl e Pom pey th e G reat m arch e d ce n t u ries afterward o n h i s way t o s ubd ue t h e J e wi s h n ati o n F lo r u s t h e h i s torian tel l s u s h e p assed o n th at way th rou g h p erfu m ed groves t h rou gh wood s of {ran ki n cen se an d bals am A s app reci at ive as a n I n d i an o f th e s we e t gras s wh i ch h e pl ucks t o weave i n to h i s gayly dye d basket s o r as a Th orea u of th e wi tch e ry of th e wo ody odo rs s o t h es e u n spo ile d c h il d re n of I srael app r e ci ated m ore t han t h e m e r ch an t s powd ers and th e apo th ecarie s m i x t ure s th e n at ural fragran c e o f n at u re Th ey lo n g to walk togeth er i n th e fores t ai sle s to e nj oy th e swe e t b reat h of t h e bal sam wood s wh e n t he su m m er s u n d i s t ill s a char m fo r t h e s en ses wh ic h o n ly Leba n o n yiel d s I t e v e n a w hi ff fro m th e pi ll ow wh ic h i m p ri son s t h e for est od ors i s grat e ful t o th e j aded d wel l e r w i th i n walls ho w m u s t th e h om e s ic k girl h av e l o n ged fo r freed o m and j oy agai n Th is t h e n i s h e r a n swer ou t of th e lio n s d e n fro m J u dah an d J eru sal em fro m S ol om o n an d t h e palace s h e lon gs t o fl y to h e r t ru e love s hom e an d be wit h h i m to wh om i s h er desire ,

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C OM M E N TS

S T UD I E S A N D

204

.

word h e re as t o t h e art i s t ic fo rm of t h e c h arm i n g l i t tl e p oe m w h ic h th e au th o r p ut s i n t o S ol o m o n s m ou t h an d al s o u po n t h e wh o l e d ram a as a work of art i n let ters Lau nch ed t wen ty or eve n t wen ty fi ve ce n t uri e s ago an d o n ce fre sh t ri m beau tiful an d pe rfec t i n al l i t s d etail as a n ew s h i p m ak i n g fi r s t voyage h ow lo ok s th i s po eti c c raft n ow ? O n ce co m l p e t e fro m t h e m a st e r s h an d ca n i t h ave sail ed th e s eas of t i m e wit h ou t l os in g s par sail o r a u gh t of u s e o r beau ty ? O r l ike ve s s el s h o m e fro m l on g cru i se s are m ark s of st rai n a n d s t re s s v i si bl e ? I f i t b e al m o s t a m i racl e t o w ri te a m anu scri pt o r p ri n t a b ook w i th ab s ol u t e co r rec t n e s s d e sp ite m a n ifol d m eth od s of s cru t i ny an d plat oo n s of vigilan t p r oof re ad ers c a n w e s u ppos e a p o em wh ich i s p os s ib ly tw o a n d a h alf m i l l e n n i u m s old to reac h u s u n scath e d T h e s e q u es t ion s ar i s e wh e n w e s t u dy t h e for m of t h e wh ol e p oem a n d t h e n co m pare i t s p art s on e wi th th e o th er H e bre w p oet ry h a s n o t rhym e o r m et re l i ke th e G reek n o r i s i t blan k vers e n o r i s i t i n u n rh y m ed s tan za ; n everth el es s i t h as a m e t ri cal fo rm a rh yth m an d a m u si c al l i t s o wn i n add i t io n t o i t s s tri k i n g feat ure of para ll el i s m S om e s ch ol ars w h o se ears are at t un ed to th e h arm o n ie s an d wh os e eye s s ee th e b eau tiful i n te ri or an ato m y A



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2o 6

S T UD I E S

AN D

C OM M E N TS

.



poe m i t i s on ly th e sh epherd wh o fe e d s [hi s fl o c k ]am on g th e l il i e s ( ch ap i 7 ; i i 1 6 vi “ a n d t ha t t h e H eb rew wo rd for fee d d oe s n o t s i gn ify t o ea t or t o partak e of food b u t m ean s t o l ead o r c o nd u c t [t o pas t u re ] an d i s al m o s t e xcl us ively u s ed o f s h eph e rd s wit h d o m e s ti ca t ed a n i m al s Th e ro e o r gazel l e i s n ow h ere m e n t i on ed i n t h e S cript u res as fee d i n g b u t as bei n g i n m ot i o n a s h u n t ed o r as fu rn i sh i n g gam e food I n Pro verbs ch ap ter v 1 9 w h ere w e h ave prob ably a re fe re n ce t o t h e pa ss age before u s ( S o n g o f S o n gs i v th e t h ou gh t an d s e n s u o u s i m agery are n early s i m feed i n g i la r bu t th ere i s n oth in g sai d as t o “ o r l il ie s Th es e s pe ci al wo rd s i n th e C an ti c l e are a ppl i ed to t h e sh eph erd o nly C o n ce rn i n g th e p ret ty po em of S ol o m o n i n p rai s e of th e S h ul a m i t e wh i ch be gi n s an d e n d s “ w i th Th o u art fai r m y l o ve d o es i t n o t s ug ge s t as t o t h i s p o i n t of l it erary l i ke n es s bo t h t h e Bo w so n g o r lam e n t of D avi d o ve r S aul a n d J on at h an ( 2 S a m u e l i 1 9 and the e igh t h psal m ? O f th e a u th o r o f t h i s lat ter p rai se so n g of I s rael t h e w ri te r of th e E pi s tle t o th e H e brew s say s o n e i n a c er tai n place wh i l e t h e t i tl e m ake r a n d ed ito r o f t h e fi r s t gre a t H ebrew hy m n b ook s ay s A Psal m of D avid T h e t ru e t e xt of t h e B ibl e d oe s n o t c o n tra ”

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L O VE

-

THE

M A KI N G [N '

PA L A CE

20 7

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d ic t i ts el f D i d th e p oe t of th e C an ti cle writ e bot h th e Ps al m o f the A s t ro n om e r an d t h e passage i n C an ti c le s we h ave j us t s tud i ed I t s eem s r eason ably c ertai n at l eas t that th e l i te r ary m od el of t h e th re e poem s was th e sam e S u ch quest ion s m ay n eve r recei ve sati sfyin g an swers For s pirit ual n o uri sh m en t fo r e d i fi catio n we d o n o t n eed ce rtai n ty ; bu t t h is i s s u re w e read ers of t h e B i bl e h ave as m u c h righ t G od give n a nd C h ri s t co m m anded t o search th e S c ri pt u re s to day an d fo r m o u r o pi n i ons as h ad th e scrib es Ph aris ees p riest s ed i tors t i tle m akers c us tod i an s an d t rad i ti on i s t s of th e past A s ou r fat h ers of G erm a ny an d E n glan d an d i n th e ce n t uri es pas t d id i t i s o u rs t o revere n tly i n qu i re s tu dy and m ak e u p o u r m i n d s co n cerni n g th i ngs l eft u n expl ai n ed I f a ny ma n lac k w i sdom i n th e S cri ptu re s l et h i m as k of G od w h o gi vet h li bera lly a n d u pb raid eth n ot .

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AC T III T HE

SC EN E I I I

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G A R D EN

C HA PT ER

.

O F S PI C E S

IV

.

8 —V

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1

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.

S O L O MO N

h as d i sappeared fro m t h e s ce n e b u t t h e S h ul a m i t e i s wro ugh t to a fre n zy o f e xc i t e m e n t i n vi e w of h e r s it uat i on and the po ss ib il i ty o f a fo rced m arriage I n vi s io n t h e wi s h b e in g paren t t o t h e t h o ugh t s h e s e es h e r l ove r c o m i n g t o defy t h e l io n an d l e opards of au t h o ri ty a n d es capi n g wi t h h er t o t h e m o u n tai n fas t n es se s o f t h e N o rt h I n t h e lan g uage w h i c h we n o w read th e b eat i n g of a t rue l over s h eart i s felt an d th e pas sio n ate a p peal sh ed s a gl o w o ve r th i s w h ol e s t roph e of t h e po em T h e lan guage i s at wh i t e h eat “ m y fri en d but He c all s h er n o t my d ear m y b r i de a n d s h e d e li gh t s to h ear h i m ,

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Escape

wit h m e f ro m Leb a no n m y brid e w it h m e f ro m L e banon t h ou s h alt g o ; t h ou s h alt g o fro m t h e to p o f A m a na f ro m t he su m m it o f S e n ir fro m t h e d e ns o f t h e lions f ro m t h e m ountains o f T h ou hast gi v e n m e courage m y th e l e opards sist e r my brid e thou hast ra v ished m y h e art w ith o n e loo k of thine e yes wit h o n e j e we l o f t h y n e c k lac e ,

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S TUD I E S

210

C O ZVM E N TS

AN D

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Th e ch an ge s i n t h e l it e rary for m of t h e s t rop h e s of th e p oem refl ec t t h e c o n fl i c ti n g em o t i o n s t h e ch an gi n g m ood s of t h e m ai den s ex c i ted m i n d S h e feel s i n te n sely an d i n h e r d a y d ream of t u m u l t uou s feel i n g h er l over i s a s i t really p re se n t to h e r breath i n g i n h er ears t h e p rop o s al to es cap e fro m th e h are m t o h e r free l ife of th e h il l s A s i n t h e o th e r i deal s ce n e i n c h ap te r i i th i s waki n g Vi s i o n of h e r ac t ive i m agi n at i o n w i l l b e s u cceed ed by a n igh t d ream w h e rei n h er th ou gh ts agai n wan de r afar off al way s t o fi n d h er b eloved b u t i n th i s cas e t o l os e h i m agai n T hat i s H eb re w p oetry — u t te rly vagu e an d m i s ty as t o c h ro n ol ogi c al relat i on o r t h e pro c e s s es of l ogi c b u t a s qu i ckl y as a t urn i ng kal eido s co pe e xp re s s i n g e very i m p ul s e every i m p res sio n a n d e m o t io n o r m i x tur e of t h e m Th e W es te rn m i n d t h at l ook s fo r t h e s e of o rd erly reas o n i n g i s c o ns tan t ly p u t u n e e s c q o u t a t n o t i ci n g t h e gaps an d wan t of co n n e c t i o n i n th e poe ti cal b ook s of th e Bi bl e To ex pec t c l o s e reas on i n g o r t h e pe rfect d r a m a t 1 c m o vem e n t o f a G ree k t ragedy i s t o i n su re d i sappoi n t m e n t T h e u t teran c es o f ps al m is t p o e t an d p roph e t rem i n d u s o f l overs c o n wh i ch lack logi c are ful l o f tan ve r s a t i o n s ge n t s a n d c o n tai n spac e s of s i l e n ce ev e n w h e n t h e speake rs feel m os t i n t e n sel y O n e ’

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THE

GA RDEN

SPICES

OF

21 1

.

em o ti o n gi ve s place rapidly t o an ot h e r i n a m an n er th at m ak e s a cold b l ood ed tran s lat or If on e ad opt s t h e or co m m e n tat o r d espai r al legorical m e t h od of i n te rpret at io n by wh ich l a n guage can b e m ad e to m ea n anyth i n g an d ev eryth i n g th ere i s n o d i ffi c u lty ; b u t t o keep t rack of th e m ovem e n t of s e n t im en t an d pl ay of feeli n g taxe s on e s powe rs of at ten t io n s e ,

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ve r e ly

I n th e m in d o f th e m aid e n th e re i s a s trug gl e S h al l s h e yi eld to t he propo s i ti o n P N o s h e w i l l n o t e n co u rage t h e sh eph erd i n w i l d sch em e s of l awless n e s s S h e gen tly d i s s u a d e s h im w i t h a ki s s an d w i th love s w e a p on r Th e ki s s an d cares s y sh e i s s u cce s sfu l i n vi n ci bl e Th e beloved beco m e s cal m are an d h is word s ch an ge i n t o n e an d s u bj ec t W i th a l over s gu il e h e m ak es furth e r a d van ce s i n th e t rium ph s of th e m ast er pas s io n “ Ho w f air is t h y care ss m y sist e r m y bri d e How muc h b e tt e r t h y lo v e t h a n w in e a n d th e f ra Th y l i ps drop g r a n c e o f t h y p e r f u m e t h a n all sp i c e s ho n e y m y bri d e ; h o n e y and m il k a r e u n d e r thy to n g u e and th e f r a g r a n c e o f t h y gar m e n ts is li k e the frag ranc e o f L e ba n o n .

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S o fl ow

th e l over s wo rd s i n a t orre n t of rapt urou s exaggerat i o n s A s th e bo u q u et of “ w i n e a n d th e pe r fum e of t h e so ul h o u se s o th e l u sc io u s l i ps an d t h e l ove li n es s of h er per ’

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S TU D I E S

21 2

C OM M E N TS

AN D

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s o n e n t h ral l h i m Ye t n ow h e add s a m ore d el i c ate c o m pl i m en t to h e r m od es ty h e r i n s t i n c t i ve r e fi n e m e n t h e r ch ast e l ife h e r pu ri ty am i d co u r t t em p tat i o n He p rais es h e r i n ward o rn a m e n ts h er s o u l s ch ar m s He an ted ate s a n d prec ed e s S olo m o n i n l ook i n g fro m s e n s u o u s c h arm s t o t h e i nt e rio r grac es of th e sp iri t W i t h c o n s u m m at e art th e p o e t p ut s th e s h ep h erd i n ad va n c e of th e ki n g i n t h i s “ A gard e n loc k e d thou art m y sist e r my bride ; a gard e n i n closed a f ountain seal e d W h at sprouts f or thee therein ma k es a para d ise o f po m e granates w ith m os t excell e n t f ruit henn a and spices nard a n d sa ffron cala m us a n d cin n a m on with all trees o f fran k i n cense myrrh and alo e s with all th e chief spic e s Y e a a gard e n f ountai n a we ll o f li v ing wat e rs a fl o w i n g stre a m f ro m L e bano n art thou .

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I n t h i s rh etori cal c ol ori n g an d all us ion s t o th e s cen e ry o f h i s h om e t h e spe ech e s of t h e y o un g m an be l o ved of t h e S h ula m ite a re qu i te d i ffere n t fro m th o s e of th e royal s ui to r I n free u n s t ud ied d ict io n wh ic h lack s t h e perfe c t rh e to ri cal fi n i s h o f t h e ki n g s ad d re s se s a n d d rawi n g h i s m e t a ph o rs fro m w i l d n at u re w i th i n t h e v iew of th e l i fe o f th e t oil er h i s w o rd s b u rn w it h pas s i o n W i th m an y a gl o wi n g wo rd o f com pl i m en t an d fl ow of p re tty di m i n u tives w h ic h es pec ial ly p uzzl e t h e c om m en t at ors w h o s eek i n t h e t ex t m aterial fo r d og m ati c th eol ogy ,

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S T UD I E S

21 4

AN D

C OM M E N TS

.

vok es th e w i n ds of h eave n to m ake h e r eve n m o re l ovely .

A rise , 0

north wind and co m e thou south wind blo w u pon my garden t h at its spic e o d ors may be wa f ted out ,

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W i t h s w ee t r espon s ive n e s s i n gu il el ess l ove an d c h i ld l ike c o n fi d e n c e th e m ai d e n yi e l d s th u s h e r h eart a n d h e r al l t o h er accep te d l over H e r d e s i re i s th at i n all w om an l y grac e s a n d ch arac t er sh e m ay be al l h e h op es of h e r Th is i s h e r ye s h er fu l l s u r re n d e r ,

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L e t m y b e lo v ed

i ts

pre cious f ruits

co m e into his garden and eat

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H er sw ee t yi eld i n g fi lls h i m wi t h a l over s b l i s s a n d th e s eco n d and l ast scen e i n t h e t h i rd ca n t o of th e p oem e nd s w i th th e fi rs t v ers e of c h ap ter v T h e ac cept ed an d h ap py sh eph e rd l o ve r resp o n d s t o h e r e n co u rage m e n t “ s ayin g t o h i s bel o v ed t h i s fai th fu l fo u n d am o n g t h e fa it h l e s s th i s peasan t gi rl wh o r e s i s ts a k i ng i n o rder t o b e t rue t o h er pl igh ted t r ot h ’

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I a m co m ing i n to my gard e n m y sister my bride I a m gat h e ri n g m y m yrr h with m y balsam I a m eati n g m y h o n e yco m b w it h m y hon e y I a m drin k i n g m y win e w it h m y m il k ,

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I n tr u e O ri e n tal rh e to ric u n d e r th e ,

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THE

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5

of d el i c i ou s fru i t s s weet s sp i c es an d d ri n ks th e l ove r al ike s i g n i fi e s h is j oy h i s t ri um ph h i s rap tu re a n d h i s e m bod ie d ideal To th e a ffi a n c e d coupl e h appy i n eac h o th er s a ffect io n th e poe t adds app rovi n g wo rd s S h al l we p u t th e m i n th e m o u th s of th e co u rt lad ies wh o overh ear t h e S h u lam i te talki n g t o h erse lf ? O r d o we rec ogn ize h ere i n th e r efrai n of a c h oru s t h e poe t s ow n h ear t ? fi gu re s

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f riends drin k abu n da n tly [o f lo v e ] E a t, 0

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Th u s if ou r i nte rp retat i o n of t h i s l as t l i n e b e corre c t t h e s eal of i n sp i rati o n an d d ivi n e appro val i s se t agai n o n pure lo ve betwee n o n e m an an d o n e w om an B e twe e n t wo gre at eve n t s — t h e n upt ial s i n E d e n wh e rei n G od c o n s um mated th e fi r s t m arriage an d th e weddi n g of C an a i n G al il e e at wh i c h J e s us s at w i t h approvi n g s m ile — t h i s d i vin e poe m s ta n d s m id way t o t es t ify t o t h e heaven ly o r igi n of l ove an d th e h ol i n es s of m arriage Fo r l ov e i s as s tro n g as d eath i t s pas s io n as i n fl e x i b le as S h eol i t s coal s are as c oal s at wh it e h eat because lo ve i s a fi r e fl a m e ki ndled by J eh ovah h im s elf ,

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t h e s eco n d m o vem e n t of t h e poe m wh i c h w e h ave cal l ed A c t s o i n th i s par t of t h e d e vel op m e n t of t h e pl o t a n i gh t d ream s u cc eed s th e d ay vi s io n o r id eal s c e n e T h e y ou ng gi r l fal ls i n to s l u m ber ; h er b ody r e m ai n i n g i n t h e pal ace w h i l e h e r s oul go es o u t t o pl ay ,

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Har k m y b e love d is k noc k ing ! Hear his voice O p e n to m e m y sist e r m y cl e ar m y do v e my p e r f e ct M y h e ad is fi lle d with dew and my loc k s w it h the drops o f th e nig h t ,

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Th e S h ul am it e gi rl by th e d ream m agi c wh ic h a n n i h il ate s d i s tan ce i s n o lo n ge r i n th e J eru sal e m pal ac e b u t i n h e r n o rth e rn h o m e a m o n g h e r n ati ve h i ll s S h e i s n o t n ow at ti red i n s il k a n d j ewel s an d e m b ro i de red sa nd al s b u t i n h er v i n eyard d re s s an d wi t h bare fee t W e arie d aft er t h e d ay s h ard t oil sh e h as r e t i re d ve ry early t o res t ex pec t i ng n o vi s i t ; I n h e r d ream sh e i s agai n th e s im ple c o u n try m ai d -

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21 8

S TU D I E S A N D

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t h at t o t read agai n o n th e eart h en fl o o r o f t h e c o tta g e w oul d be u n d es irabl e C om pare fo r il lu s t ra t i o n th e w ord s o f C h ri s t t o Pet er i n th e R evi s i o n He th at i s bath ed n eed et h n o t save t o wash h i s fee t I n o u r s u m m e r s ea bat h i n g as al l k n o w we was h o u r fe et eve n aft e r t h e s ea pl un ge an d t h en are cl ea n e ve ry w h i t afte rward s we d o n o t l i k e t o t read o n l oo se ear th o r t h e sa ndy board s of th e ba th h o use Th e d oor of th e ave rage h ou s e i n th e E as t i s of eart h h e n ce t h e S h u la m i te s e xc u s e B u t th e l o ver n o t k n ow i n g h i s b el o ved h ad a l ready re ti red t o bed h ad at th e m o m e n t of s peak i ng p u t h i s h an d o n th e wo o d en pi n of th e l at c h an d h ol d i n g i t w h i le tal k i n g h e n o w b ein g refu sed s o u n exp ect edly wi th d raws on h i s h a nd an d d epart s Th e n o h h o w t rue to l ife t h i s i s ! E ve ry good eve ry h o n orabl e m a n wh o i s s ui t or fo r a m aid en s h a n d b u t u n exp ert i n th e mys t eri es of a wo m a n s h eart o ugh t t o kn o w i t ; an d wou l d th at th e pu re a n d good m en k n ew i t a s t h o ro ugh ly for go od a s w icked m e n wh o p lay o n th e weakn e s s o f fe m i n i n e a ffe c t i o n k n o w i t for e v i l t h e n afte r sh e h as S poke n h a rs h r e p el l i n g w o rd s a n d d ri ven h e r l o ve r off th e re com e s t o h e r a rev ul s i o n o f feel in g H e r h eart w i th i n h e r i s m o ved W h e n a wo m an d e n i es yo u h arsh ly sh e i s s ure to b e so rry sh e d i d i t .

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wom a n s n o ofte n m ea n s ye s i f yo u d o n t tr y t o wi n h e r t oo eas i ly S o fo rgett in g al l h e r exc u ses t h e S h u l am i t e girl d resses h as W h e th er s u g t i ly an d ru s h es t o t h e d oo r ges t ed i n p oet i c hyperbole o r a s a l i te ral fac t th at th e l over h as c o m e dressed i n h i s bes t clo th es an d al l perfu m ed to m ake h i s vi s i t t o h i s belov ed th e l atch i s red o le n t wit h myrrh M yrrh i s th e i n expen s ive d ru g w i th wh ich e ve n a p oo r s heph erd coul d ad d to h i s p ers o n al a t trac t ion s a n d wh i c h we m ay rem em ber b ei n g l as t an d h u m bles t of th e th ree M agi s offe r i n gs t o th e in fan t C h ri st trad i ti on ass i gn s t o t h e sl ave t h e ki n g bri ngi n g gol d a n d th e n oblem an fra n ki n cen se Li ft i n g th e latch a nd ope n i n g t h e co ttage d oor s h e h ope s to cat ch s igh t of h er l over s d epart i ng fi g u r e b u t h e h as van i sh ed i n th e n igh t s darkn es s S he s t rai n s h er ear t o ca tc h t h e ech o of h i s di s tan t fo otfall s bu t i n vain H er h ear t s i n ks as s h e real ize s h o w h ard s e vere c r uel sh e has bee n S h e call s but n o an swe r an d th e ni gh t bu t m o cks h er c rie s S h e ru s he s i n to th e vo i d t o s eek a n d cal l h i m back A



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M y lo v e put h is hand at the door—hole a n d m y h e art was m o v e d w it h in m e ; I ro s e to op e n to m y belo v e d and m y h a n ds dro pp e d m yrr h a n d m y fi n g ers with li q uid m yrrh u po n th e h andles o f t h e ,

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C OM M E N TS

S T UD I E S A N D

220

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bolt I op e n e d to m y b e love d but my b e lov e d had turned a w ay he was go n e M y soul we nt f orth to hi m w h e n h e spo k e ; I soug h t hi m but I f ound hi m not I called to hi m b u t he did n o t answe r .

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T he n by th at st ran ge m i x t u re of s i tu at i o n s t h at b el on gs to d rea m s a n d wh i c h th e Bi bl e fel ic i to u sly exh ib i t s s h e fi n d s h e rse lf n o t i n t h e n eigh bo rho od of h er h o m e i n Gal ile e i n w h i c h t h e d re am began b u t a h un d red m il es away i n t h e s t reet s of J e ru sale m Th ere t h e watc h m e n ab o u t w h o m s h e d re am ed o nce b e fo re m eet h er E vide n tly a n d i n re al i ty sh e h ad a d read of th ese o ffi ce r s o f t he l aw for Now t wi c e h ave t h ey appeared i n he r d rea m s t h ey t reat h e r as a t h ief o r a d iso rd erly c h ar Th ey be at h e r t h ey w ou nd h er t h ey a cter p ul l off h er ve i l — t h e h igh es t i n s ul t t o a n O rie n tal wo m an ; to wear t h e ve il bei n g a n h on o r to h ave i t t orn o ff d is h o n o r Ye s t h e r u fi i a n s t h e s en t i n els o n th e wall s sh e c rie s wi t h e m ph as is a s sh e wake s d id it u p an d th i nks of h er d ream H ow i m po rta n t t o s o cial p rop rie ty i n t h e c o st u m e of a n O ri en tal l ady th e ve il o r ve i l gar m en t was i s s h ow n by t h e co n ce rn o f R e b ec ca o n c o m i ng i n s igh t o f I s aac i n G e n esi s xx i v 6 4 6 5 Th e c h aract e ri s ti c toke n of a w o m an s bei n g betro th ed o r m arried was th e ,

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b rew p roph et s and th e M a n of S o rrow s spak e ofte n i n t e nd eres t com pas si o n W i th t h e gr i efs of th e m i n d th ere i s fo r wom an les s sym p ath y i n exp re ss i o n at l ea s t I t was a “ m a n wh o c rie d o u t Love r an d fri en d h as t T h o u p u t fa r fro m m e an d m i n e ac qu ai n t an ce i n t o d ark n es s I n ch ap ter xx i x of th e great s piri t ual d ram a of J o b t h e s ufferi n g h ero u t te r s h i s g rea t c ry d e p r of zm a zs th at ye t ris es in to a V ic t o r s recog n i ti o n of h i s Ki n s m a n res c uer w h o i s t o s tan d S u rv ivo r a n d V i n d i cato r ove r h i s d u s t Ye t h ere i s a wom an w it h b reak i n g h ear t i n m o rtal t erro r a n d i n m e n tal t ravail w h o i n t h e d arke s t h o u r th at co m e s before th e d a w n m igh t h ave j o i n ed t h e c ry of th e Psal m i s t a n d th e m an o f U 2 an d u ttered th em i n path os o f e qual s ufferi n g S urely fo r h er th er e m u s t be d el ive ra n c e fro m O n e w h o i n res cu i n g h er w i ll exal t h i s n am e J ah .

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re ma rkabl e feat ure o f th e S on g of S on gs i s th e fre quen t d es c ri pt i o n of th e h um an b ody an d i t s m e m ber s I n o th er par t s of S cr ip t ure a nd e s pecially i n th e books of wi sd om th e b ody i n wh ol e o r part i s i n deed ref e rred t o an d i t s i n t er i or arran gem e n t s o r e xt e rn al a p I n th e Bo ok of J o b i n pe a r a n ce d escri bed Psal m cxxx i x an d o th er s an d i n E cc l esiast e s c hapt e r x i i wh ere u n d er th e fi g u r e of a h o us e th e h u ma n b ody i s s can n ed w i t h a p oe t s ey e we h ave detail ed al l usi on s t o t h e h u ma n fi g ure I n th e Can t icl e h owever w e fi n d n o fewe r t h an fi ve m i n u te a n d se parat e d e s c r i p t i o n s of th e phys i cal appearan ce of th e pers o n s i n t h e d ram a Th re e of th ese are by S olo m o n of t h e S h ulam i te on e i s by t h e S h ula m it e of h er l over an d o n e o f t h e S h ul am i t e by th e cou rt lad ie s A ll i n t h e Cant icle trea t of th e e xt e rnal at t rac t io n s of th e body an d i ts m em bers i n t erm s of se n s uo u s ad m i rat i on w h e reas i n th e o th er poe ti cal book s of th e H ebrew s A

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S T UD I E S

224

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t h e l an gu age i s t h at o f r e fl e c ti o n t h e view b e i n g di rec te d to t h e wo n de rs of t h e i n war d e c o n om y I n th i s s ce n e w e fi n d t h at th e S h ul a m i te h avi n g been t h ri ce t ol d of h er o w n at t r act io n s n o w proceeds to d es cri be th o s e of h er bel oved t h e sh eph e r d Th e c uri o s i ty of t h e c o u r t l ad ies b e i n g aro u s ed by th e c o n s tan t refere n ce s o f th e S hu “ la m i te t o h e r beloved t h ey i n qui re of h er a n d as k h e r t o t el l t h e m w h o a n d wh at h e is I n th ei r lan guage d o we n o t d e t e c t a to n e of p i que a nd t h e sarcas m wh i ch we h eard b efo re ? H e r p e rs i s t e n t t al k an d o n e i de a h ave bec o m e m o no to n o u s Th ey as k ,

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ore than any oth e r b e lo v ed you pretti e st w o m an i n t h e w orl d ? W h at is your b e lo v ed a n y m or e t h an a n y other b e lo v ed that you ad j ure u s in t h is styl e m

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Th e n e xc i ted t o e n t h u s i asm as peo pl e d eeply i n l ove i n variabl y are wh e n any o n e s peak s agai n s t t h e o n e th ey el ec t favori te fo r o n e e asy way t o d is cover wh a t a m a ide n t h i n ks o f h e r real o r s u ppo s ed lover i s t o at tack a n d t h e S h ul am it e b u rs t s o u t fo r t h e a b use h i m fi rs t t i m e i n i m pas s i o ne d prai s e of t h e ch a rm s o f h e r b et rot h ed ,

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226

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all u s i o n s t o an ato my a n d th e m arvel o u s fu n c t io n s of th e vari o u s orga n s S h e s ees i n d eed th e ve i n s th at app ear th ro ugh t h e t ran sp ar en t sk i n of h e r b eloved b u t th ere i s n o s ugge st io n o f t h e c i rc ul at i o n n o r refere n c e t o t h e c is te r n or wh eel o r p i tch er at t h e fo u n tai n b u t o n ly t h e co n t rast i n g col o rs of i vo ry an d sapph i re S o t h e fi n g e r s an d l egs are n o t s ee n wi th t h e eye of a n anat o m i s t b u t t h e pre tty co nt ras t s i n t i n t b et we e n t h e h eal t hy ski n an d t h e ro sy fi n ge r nail and i n th e col u m n s sh aft an d bas e o f l i m b a n d foot are n o ted w it h ad m i rati o n H e rs i s t h e l an guage o f you th fu l en th us ias m H er d e sc rip ti o n s are t h o s e o f a n i n experi e n ced y ou n g gi rl W i th u n erri n g art i s tic s e n s e t h e poe t i s h e re t ru e t o l ife Th e l ad i es o f th e h are m are i n teres ted at l ea s t i n h e r fl u e n t e n co m i u m s Th ey are b u r n i n g w ith c u ri o s i ty t o beh ol d t h i s parago n of m a n ly beau ty Th ey o ffer t o g o wi t h h er t o fi n d h i m Revert i n g t o th e d ream i n wh i c h h e t u r n ed away fro m th e d oors t ep th ey as k .

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Th i s i s t h e l over wh om t h e po e t of th e C an t i c le pi c tu res a n d t h i s i s t h e nat ure of her so re t rial t o b e p erforc e away fro m h i m a n d e n d u re s eparat ion N o pict ure h ere i n t h i s h oly poe m o f gro s s an d carn al d el igh t s i n fl a m i n g fl e s hly l us t Th e l over dwel l s upo n m ou n tai n s t h a t are d i stan t ret reat s t o t h e gard e n of s pice s a nd feed s h is fl o c k am on g th e l il ies A h u h earth ly gl ory s eem s t o w rap hi m ro u nd I n m i n d h e s eem s ever n ear I n ch as t e l ove of th e S pi ri t h e i s at h an d Yo u th beau ty w i s d om s t re ngth are al l h i s an d t o h e r pure m i n d h e i s pre sen t c on ge n ial devot ed ge tt i n g and givi n g h appi n ess b u t a t th e s uggest i o n of t h e i n t ru der s pre s en ce of augh t gros s o r car nal h e is far o ff u n at tai n abl e l i ke a n i deal t h a t ever el udes Yet th e m aid e n l ove s h i m al l th e m o re ev e n wh ile h e r ey e s h un ger fo r a s i gh t of h i s fo r m an d h e r h ear t yearn s for h i s pre se n c e Th e poet p urposely m akes t h i s t h e burde n of h er ,

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228

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C O M M E N TS

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t rial to be k ep t l o n g ab s en t fro m h i m th at sh e m ay b e t es ted S h e i s th e o n e t o be p ro ved n o t h e A n d th u s wi t h s u pe r fi n e art o r d i vin e i n sp i rati o n s hal l w e s ay b o th the S hula m i t e b eco m e s t o u s a ty pe of th o se w h o n o t h avi n g s een love w i t h j oy u n s peakabl e a n d ful l o f gl ory th e grea t Love r o f o ur s o u l s W e h a ve b u t again t o c o m pare th e add re s ses o f t h e s h eph e rd l ove r wi th t h os e of th e k i n g to s ee cl early th e n at ure o f real l ove an d of a m Th e in t en t i o n of t h e b i ti o n or c arn al d es i re p oe t a n d o f th e D iv i n e S pi ri t wh o i n s pired t h e p oet w e d oub t n o t i s t h at w e al l s h o uld s e e an d d i s c rim i n ate Le t lover a n d m aid al ike s t udy th i s b o ok a n d by i t c l ean s e t h ei r love fro m earth ly s tai n T ruly th e yo u n g m an i n lov e o r wh o m ay s o m e d ay be i n lo ve a n d t h e h ea rt of yo u th m ay ever as k W h erewi th al s h al l a yo u n g m a n By cl ean s e h i s way s A n d th e an s we r i s taki n g h eed t h ere t o acc ord i n g to t hy W o rd — t h e W o rd i n w h ich th is Ca n ticl e i s s e t as a gem S u rely we n eed n o allegory n o m ys ti t o c over u p th e p ure an d l ofty m ean i n g ci s m o f th i s h oly book S tran ge i nd e ed i f i n a ll t h e revel ati o n of G od t o m an t h ere we re n o m e s s age fo r h u m a n l ove ; b ut th e m e s sage i s h e re ,

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S TUD I E S

23 0

C OM A/ E N TS

A I VD '

.

t el l th e i r o w n s tory S ata n c an eas ily b e p i c ked ou t am o n g th e so n s of Go d S peec h i s a s u b tl e b et rayer n ot al o n e of Pet er b u t of i t s e lf I n i ll u s t ra ti o n of th i s i s th e wo rd p i /eg e s k w h i ch i n every bo ok of th e E n gl i sh fo rm of th e Old Te stam e n t ex cep t D an i el s tan d s fo r co n c ub i n e o r h alf w ife Th i s i s a fo re i gn wo rd a n d d oes n o t bel o n g t o t h e H ebre w t on gu e Th e speec h of th e S e m i t i c tribes an d cla n s th e pat ria rch s an d prop h et s of I s rael u sed o n ly t h e s i m pl e au gu s t wo rd s wo m an w ife Th es e are n a m e s s u ffi c i e n t for k in gs p ri es t s pro ph e t s an d t h e C h ri s t wh o al ways ad d res se d h i s m oth e r by th e gran d t i tl e of “ wo m an I n t h e a n ci en t u nl ux u ri o u s age s o f s i m pli c i ty and ch as t i ty wh e n t h e laws requ iri ng p ers o n al p u ri ty w e re s eve re b u t w h ol e s o m e n o w o rd for c o n c ubi n e exi s ted fo r n o n e was n ec e ssary A m a n e ve n l ike A brah am m i gh t h a v e oth er w o m e n i n h i s h o u s eho ld be s id e th e fi r s t an d t ru e wife b u t th is w as fo r t h e sake o f h ei rs a n d s u c h s ub ord i n at e wom e n w e re as servan t s an d s ubj ec t t o th e w ife w h o was m i s t re s s of t h e h o u se W h e n h owever th e a n c i e n t s im pl i c i ty d egen e ra ted i n to l ux u a n d fro m t h e h eath e n and t h e i r r iou s n e s s se n s ual o rgi e s a s s oc ia ted wit h i dol w orsh i p .

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C OM PA R E D

WI TH

PRINCESSES

23 1

.

l ewd nes s i n creased am o n g th e I s rael it es w o m e n were m ul t i plied i n th e h o u seh ol d i n m ere wa nt o n n es s o f l u s t o r am bi t io n Po lygamy c rept i n an d so ugh t fo r re cogn i t io n a n d e ve n i n s t it u tio n an d a n e w word was n eces sary Th at word i s p zleg e s lz u n kn o w n i n th e a n c i en t S em i tic l an guage s a n d borro wed fro m som e I n d o G erm a n i c peop le pro bably th e Gree ks th rough t h e Ph oen ic ian s w h o t rad ed i n sl ave gi rl s T h e o ri gi n al S an s kri t roo t wo rd pa l/a va / m m ea n s a gi rl an d u n d er li e s t h e Lati n pe l/ex and G reek pa /Za k zs T h i s h i st o ry of th e H eb rews as r e fl e c t e d i n speech i s s ubst an tially t h e sa me i n al l th os e n at ion s wh i ch e m e rgi n g fro m pri m iti ve si m pli c i ty w h e n offen se s agai n s t th e l aws of pu r ity were su m m ari ly d eal t wi th p as sed i n t o th e s tage of s en s ual l ux ury W i t h t h e d egrada t io n of m oral s we n t th e d i sease an d d ecay of lan guage t h e word s of gran d s i mpl i ci ty bei n g d egrad ed a n d t h e t erm s fo r abo m i nabl e per s o n s and th i n gs m ad e e uph em is t i c B etwe e n th e h i st o ry of J apan e spec ially a n d of I s rael t h i s co r respo n de n c e as t o wo rd s an d fac ts l angu age an d h i s to ry i s very clo se I n th e later H eb rew of D a n i el th e se brevet wives h old i n g b ut a fract io n of t h ei r l ord s affec t io n s are cal l ed by a n a m e mea n i n g s h e “ “ t ha t am u se s s i n gi n g gi rl o r sporti n g ,

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S TUD I E S

23 2

/ M E N TS C OZV

AN D

.

one I t was S o l o m o n h oweve r w h o fi r s t bega n th e ass e m bl i n g of t h e s e i dle p eopl e i n large n u m bers for h i s ow n s e lfi s h am b i t io n a n d g r a ti fi c a t i o n at t h e p u bl i c expe n s e Th e p oe t i n th e C an t icle rep res e n t s h i m e ven b oas t i n g of t h e great h a re m w h i ch h e h ad coll e cted an d n u m be ri n g h i s s i n ful po s ses s io n s I n t h i s p oe t i cal b oo k t h e s m al le r n u m be r as co m pared w i th t h e fi g u r e s i n t h e h i st o ri c al reco rd s s e em s “ a t fi r s t rath e r to h i s c red it Th e m aid e n s w i th o u t n u mbe r s h ow o n th e o t he r h an d t h at t h ere i s h a rd ly gro u n d e ve n fo r a d i s c r e p a n cy o r c opy i s t s m is t ake i n favo r of t h e royal s i n n er S ol o m o n agai n appears at vers e 4 ch ap te r a n d b egi n s h is ad va n ce s i n t h e fo l l ow i n g vi add re s s He h as h eard t h a t t h e S h ul am i te i s t h e o n ly da u gh te r of h e r m o t h e r an d t ha t th e w om e n of t h e h are m h ave i n tal ki n g abo u t h er , p rai s ed h er h igh ly Th ey n o t o nly com m e n d h e r c h arac te r bu t t h ey w o n d e r wh o s h e can be w h o i s c o m pared t o s u n a nd m oo n t erri bl e eve n t o S olom o n t h e em pe ro r T h e ki n g s word s n o w s h ow far m o re respec t an d real a d m i r a ti o n t h an b efo re fo r h e sees i n th i s p ure m i n d ed H ebrew girl s o m e t h i n g qu i te d iffere n t fro m t h e fri vol o us bea u t i e s of th e h are m ,

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Thou art f a ir m y d e ar as Tirzah co m ely as J erusal e m terribl e as bannered hosts Turn away ,

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5 7 0 0 1 155

23 4

C OM M E N TS

AN D

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requ i re th i s ? Ce rtai n ly i t i s ve ry n o ti ceabl e t hat t h i s add res s i n i ts ab rup tn es s an d s udd e n ch an ges o f t h ough t d i ffe rs vastly fro m t h e al m o s t pe rfec t poe m ( ch ap te r i v 1 — 5 in wh i c h h i s fo rm e r p rai s es we re w ro ugh t i n s u p erb li terary pro p o rt io n an d i n u n broke n a n d progres s ive i d eas I n th i s o n e s ce n e d evo t ed e n ti rely to th e k in g s u n s u cce s s fu l l ove m ak i n g we gath er th at t h e S h ulam i te i s le s s approach abl e t h an before an d t h e royal s u i t or i s u t terly d i s co n c erted He n o l on ge r d raws com pari so n w i t h th e i n an i m at e t h i n gs of arc h i tect u re o r wi th t h e p ret ty d oves s n o w wh i t e s hee p a nd gl is te n i n g goat s of G i l ead b u t l ift s h i s id eas an d rai s e s h i s s t a n dard e ve n s o h i gh as to se t th is r us t i c m ai den ab o ve t h e lad ie s of t h e pal ac e — yes e ve n above t h e p ri n c e s se s Th ey a re a m as s a c ro wd ; s h e i s o n e a n d p erfe c t H ear h i m “ Th e re a r e thre e score q u e e ns f ourscore c o n cu bines ( p zleg es fi zm ) a n d you n g m a id e ns wit h out n u m ber M y do v e is m y only o n e m y u n d e n le d the d e l i g ht of h e r m ot h e r t he choic e o f th e o n e who bore h e r T h e dau g h t e rs s a w her and blessed h e r ; t h e q ue e n s a n d the concubin e s ( pi leg cs /z zm ) and th e y prais e d h e r ,

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S i n ce

th e C an ticl e co n tai n s m an y al l us i on s t o th e bo ok of G e ne si s i t m ay b e t h a t h ere t h e p oe t had i n h i s m i nd s eye t h e expre s s io n ,



WI TH PR I N C E S S E S

C O M PA R E D

23 5

.



o f Leah ( x x x H appy a m I fo r th e dau gh ters wi l l cal l m e bles s ed ; an d o f th is a n cie n t wo m a nly so n g of t riu m ph t h e refe r e n ce o f S o l om on i s a n e ch o ; wh il e of t h i s agai n t h at of Proverbs x xx i 28 i s a prolo nga tio n of t h e sam e s trai n of prais e t o h er wh o re m ai n s co n te n t w i t h th e c h ief treas u re s o f wom a n s es tat e — pu rity i n s i n gle a n d m o th e r h oo d i n m arri ed l ife M os t n at u ral ly t h e w is d om li teratu re of t h e H ebre w s tran scen d i n g th e n arrow l i m i ts of I s rael t ake s h ol d o n a b s tract th at i s un iversal t ru t h wi t h al l th at bel o ngs to h u m an i ty I t refer s i n r e tr o s pe c t i ve gl a n c e e ve n to t i m e w h en th e ve ry n am e “ of H eb r e w wa s n o t eve n s o m uc h as a ge o graph i cal abst ract io n B efore I s rael was t h e h um a n h ear t i s ,

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AC T IV T HE

S C EN E I I I

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E O F MA H ANA I M

DAN C

C HA PT E R

VI I

1 0— 1

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3

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T HR E E ti m e s h as t h e s ove re i gn o f th e He brew e m p i re m ad e love t o h is s ubj e ct th e m ai d of Gal il ee I n t h re e s eparate fo rm s of add res s h as t h e woo i n g b ee n d o n e — o n c e i n th e c h at of i nfo rm al c o n ve rsa ti o n o n ce w i t h e l abo rat e s o n n et i n w h i ch th e grac e s of s peec h were prese n ted i n fas c i n at i n g form s agai n i n l an guage fai r b u t broke n t h at r e fl e c t th e c h an gi n g e m o t i o n of th e s peak er Ye t t h e girl w h o ha s l eft h er h ear t beh i n d h er i n keep i n g of h er love r w h o feed s h i s flock am on g t h e l i l i e s gives n o s i g n of swervi n g fro m h e r b el o ved Th a t th e o th er w o m e n sh o ul d ei th e r j e a l ou s l y i n qu i re ab ou t o r ad m i ri ngly p rais e t h e n ew c o m er th e m ead o w wi l d fl owe r do es b u t fi re S ol om o n s d esi re t o pos ses s he ; t o ad o rn h i s gard en of beau ty I I er ch arm s a n d grace s an d l ove s ickn e s s an d ab o ve a ll h er ob st i n at e refu s al to be s at i s fied wit h h are m l ife h e r fi at rej ec ti o n of th e kin g have m a d e h e r t h e tal k ,

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23 8

3 7 00 1 5 5

AND

C O M M E N TS

.

h as S t t i s fa c t o r i ly c racked There i s e vid e n tly ri ch m e at i n t h e ke r n el wh e n o n ce obtai n ed T h e H eb rew t ex t read s A m m i n adi b w h i ch i s m os t probably a p roper n am e Th e S e ptu a gi n t a n d V ul gat e ve rs i o n s read A m i n ad ab wh i c h i s a c o m m o n n o u n of m u l ti tu de D oe s t h e pas sage m e an th at t h i s ch an ce i m pul s e of th e m aiden was th e m ean s of pla ci ng h er i n t h e ch ari o t by w h i ch s h e w as b ro ugh t to th e royal h arem ? W a s s h e kid nappe d ? Le t u s s ee I n th e H eb re w exp ress i o n m y s oul m a d e m e ch ario ts o f A m m i Nad i b t h ere m ay b e a pos s i bl e refe re n c e to th e ki n g s c h ari ot ee r pe rh aps th e J e h u o f h i s t i m e I n t h e vers io n o f 1 6 1 1 th e ren d eri n g i s My s o u l m ad e m e " I n t h e ve r li k e th e c h ario t s of A m m i -nadib s i o n o f 1 8 84 i t i s M y soul se t m e a m on g t h e ch ario t s of my pri n cely peopl e Th e t h eo ry o f a pro pe r n am e h as b ee n ad opted i n t h e o n e c as e an d th at of a co m m o n n o u n i n th e o th er W h at can be s aid o n bo th s ides o f t h e q ue s ti o n I n E xod u s vi 23 A m m i Nadab i s a m an s n am e m ea n i n g o n e of th e pe 0p 1e (o i th e p ri n ce) I n 2 S am ue l vi 3 A bi n ad ab wh o s e “ n am e m ean s a pri n cely o r royal fat h er w as t h e keepe r of th e a rk of God wh i c h was pu t i n t h e n ew chari o t o r car t d ri ve n by h i s .

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THE

O F M A HA N A 1 M

DA NCE

239

.

so n s t o Zi o n i n J e ru sal e m I s th e all u s i o n “ h ere t o S ol o mo n as th e pri n cely fath er of I srael an d to h i s ch ari ots th a t were t o m ove t o Z io n an d Je ru salem wi t h t h ei r n ew fre ight t h e S h ulam i t e O r i s t h e co n t rary t h e i dea i n te nded th at as if i n t h e s wift c h ar i o ts of A m m i N ad ib t h e th ough ts of th e yo u n g girl we re i n a n i n s ta n t swiftly t ran sport ed to h e r ho m e s o t h a t s h e t ur n ed to fl e e P M ay i t n o t b e po s sibl e t hat th e w ord o ri g i n a lly wri tte n by th e p oet here w as A h i n adab t h e n am e of S olo m o n s c o m m i ssary offi ce r at M ah an aim ( 1 K i ngs iv a nd th a t o n t h i s partic ular j o u rn ey of th e kin g an d cour t h e h ad ch arge of th e tran s port a nd co m m i s saria t of th e wh ol e party A h i n adab m ay h ave been a skill ed an d swift ch ari o tee r H i s n am e “ m ean s nobl e b rot h er a n d a sl igh t ch a n ge of s t roke i n th e secon d H e brew let t e r w o ul d m ake e i t h er read i n g I t i s re m arkabl e th at both th e S ept uagi n t a n d t h e V ul gat e S pel l th e n am e wi th o n e m I n t h e j oy of h er yo u n g h ear t th i s l ovely coun t ry gi rl i n th e valley o f J ezr e el h a s t h rown aside h er v eil a n d i s s i n gi n g an d dan c in g i n i n no cen t gl e e re j oici n g i n h er ow n o pen i ng l ife th e j oy of n ew fo u n d love a n d th e fres hn es s of S pri ngt i m e S olo m o n a c .



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S T UD I E S

24 0

C O /II M E N TS

AN D

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c o m pan ie d by h i s co ur t i s m aki n g a pl eas u re e xc ursio n i n t h e n o rth er n part of h i s ki n gdo m — a l an d ri c h i n vi n eyard s a n d pas tor al s c e n e ry T h e n obl e lo rd s o f t h e c o urt are los t i n ad m irat i o n of t h i s fai r creat u re dan c i n g i n th e n u t gard en s w i t h j oy Th e gi rl h i t h e rto u n c o n s ci o u s of t h e i r pre se n ce so o n co m es n ear t h e road an d i s s ta r tle d at b eh o ld i n g t h e s ple nd id a rray of p alan q u i n s h o rs e s a n d c h ario t s S he sh r i n ks bac k s hyly fro m th e k n i gh tly rid ers i n t h e c aval cade an d t u rn s t o r u n away Th e p e opl e i n t h e royal t ra i n po s s ibly t h e k in g h i m s elf a t o n c e c ry o u t R eturn return 0 S h ula m ite R e turn return T h at we m a y loo k upon yo u C oyly t he m aid e n app roach e s an d asks ,



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What do you

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F ul l o f ad m i rat io n th e c o u rti ers a n swe r i n c h or u s ,

it were the da n c e o f M ahanai m

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choirs ] H e re agai n a d i ffi c ul ty arises i n t ran sl at io n o f t h e p rop er n am e M ah an ai m b u t th e case i s o f e xt re m e i n te re s t Th e Revi s i o n of 1 8 8 4 ch an gi n g t h e t e xt o f 1 6 1 1 p ri n t s th e wo rd u n t ra n sl at ed H e re i n al s o i s i ll u s t ra ted th e .

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S TU D I E S

24 2

C OM M E N TS

AN D

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wa s fo rgo t te n o r pas s ed over u n t i l L u th e r a n d th e R efo rm ers s aw th e poi n t T h e refere n c e poi n ts t o th e s eco n d v isio n of a n gel s wh ich J acob s aw e as t of t h e J ord an aft e r l e avi n g M i zpah He n am ed th e pl ace M ah an ai m w h i ch m ean s t wo cam ps or tw o h os ts o r arm i es - t h e o n e e arth ly h i s ow n h o u seh ol d a n d fol l owi n g an d th e o th e r t h e h eave nly h o s t of t h rob b i n g s i n gin g happy an gel s S o h ere th e co u rt i ers of S ol o m o n lo oki n g u po n t h i s l iv in g tab leau o f m ai de n ly love li n es s d e cl are t hat th e yo u n g gi rl s ai ry fai ry m ot io n s rem i n d t h e m of J aco b s cel e s ti al v i s i tan t s Th e s i gh t o f h er i s t h at of an gel i c b eau ty a n d h e aven ly w i n s o m ene s s r ecal l i n g t h e asc e n d i n g a n d d e s ce n d i n g of t h e an gel s u po n th e lad de r o r s tai rs from eart h t o h eaven Th e fu l l i m port of th es e wo rd s o f t h e d an ce o r grac e ful m ot i o n as of an gel s was fi r s t d i s c ern e d by E wald t h e great G erm a n s ch olar wh o h as u n ra vel ed s o m any k n o tty pas sage s i n th e Ol d Tes tam e n t th ou gh Lu th e r fi rs t ca ugh t th e id ea t h a t th e prop e r n am e of Mah a n ai m sh o ul d b e i n t h e t ex t a n d n o t th e m ar gi n an d s o i n serted i t i n t h e page of th e G e r m a n B ibl e To t h i s on e o f s eve ral r e m i n i s ce n ce s of ideas o r even t s i n t h e b oo k o f G en esi s an d n ot t o th e h an gi n g d an ce of ,

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THE

DA NCE

OF

M A HA N A I M

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24 3

th e S yrian peasan try m ade by d o ubl e row s of yo u th s an d maide n s des cribed by W e t s t e i n w e b el i eve t h e reference i n t h e Can ticl e t o be m ad e S t i l l i t i s possibl e th at t h e n am e of t h e da nc e refer s o n ly an d i m m ed i ately to th e fes ti ve c elebrat i o n s w h i ch t he co u rt peopl e an d th e k i n g m a y h ave w i t n es s ed o nly a few d ays b efore at th e ch ari ot tow n eas t of th e J ordan of wh ic h A h i n adab wa s o ve rse e r C har med w i th h e r m ode st d e scri pt io n of th at epi s od e i n h er l ife w h i c h b ro u gh t h e r n ear r oyal ty t h e co u rt l adi e s i n si s t upo n h e r d an c i ng befo r e th em i n th e m an n e r of t h e d an c e of M ah anai m Th e verse s follow in g at t h e begi n n i n g o f ch apter vi i sh o w th at sh e y ield ed t o th ei r requ es t fo r th es e wo rd s are th e de s cri pt i o n of an ac tive d an cer a n d th e p rai se i s th at of a w o m an by wo m en Th e c 0 pi o u s vocab ulary i n H eb re w fo r t h e variety of dan ce s m e n ti o n e d i n th e O l d Tes ta m en t an d th e m any referen ce s t o t h i s m o de of showi n g d el igh t of cel ebrat i n g great nat io n al e ve n ts o r of w orsh ipi n g G od s h o w th at t h e c h ose n pe 0 p 1e of J eh ovah m ad e t he i r rel igi o n a part of c o m m o n l ife an d m i n g led j oyous n es s w i t h worsh i p S ervi ces co m m e m o rat i n g grea t d el ivera n ces of Providen ce m irac ul ou s e v e n t s fam o u s vi s io n s o r th eoph an ies w ere h el d a t t h e variou s sacred pl aces Th es e places w e re ,

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S TUD I E S

24 4

AN D

C O M /UE N TS

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q u i t e n u m e rou s before w orsh ip was ce n tral ize d a t J eru s ale m D an ces were a reg ul ar part of t h es e p op ul ar m em o rial c el eb rat io n s an d th e v i s io n o f an gel s s ee n by J aco b a t M ah anai m was d o ub tl e ss co m m e m o ra ted by t h e p e 0 p 1e of t h i s fam o us to w n M ah an a i m an d by th e i n h abi tan t s of t h e adj ace n t regio n wh o w e re a c c u s to m ed t o V i s i t t h e h oly p lac e Th e i dea a n d p u rpo s e o f t h e d an c e m ay have be e n to repre s en t th e as ce n d i n g and d e s ce n d in g of th e an gel s u p o n t h e ladde r or rocky s tai rs l ead in g u p to h eave n Th e H eb re w wo rd w h i ch th e S h u lam it e h ere u s e s i s t h e t erm fo r a re l i giou s d a n ce an d i s th e same as t h at w h ic h d esc r ibe s t h e h oly an d pa trio ti c rej o i c i n gs o f M i riam ( E x x v a nd o f th e m aide n s w h o m e t J ep h th ah (j ud g xi an d D avid ( 1 S a m x xi as w el l as th os e o f S h iloh w h o m th e x xi 2 1 ) cau gh t t o m e n of B e nj a m i n (J ud g m ake w ives o i Th e da n c i n g o f t h e m ai d en s at th e p opul ar fes t ival at S h ilo h was p robably i n i d ea i f not i n t ech n i cal m e t h od t h e sam e a s t h e d an ce s at M ah an ai m I t m ay be re m e m be red th at E l ish a ( 1 Ki n gs x ix 1 6 ) was bo r n at a pl ace m ean i n g Th e M ead ow of D an ci n g T o grat ify th e lad ies of t h e co u rt an d per h ap s t o fo rget h e r o w n p resen t s o rro ws by th rowin g h ers el f h eart an d s o ul i n to th e pas t t h e yo un g gi rl begi n s th e o r d a n ce .

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24 6

C OMMENTS

AN D

5

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T h in e head u pon th e e is li k e Car m el an d the tress e s o f t h y h e a d li k e dark purpl e l I n th e ringl e ts t h e r e o f e v en a k i n g is hel d cap ti v e ‘ How f air and pleasant art thou called love for d e lights l T h i s t h y fi g u r e is l i k e that o f a palm an d thy boso m is li k e its clust e rs ,

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H e re e n d s t h e d es cri pt io n fo r a n ew voic e a n d p re se n c e u n e xpe ctedly b reak u po n t h e s cen e F ro m t h e t i n t s s pread o n Nat u re s pal et te wh eat yel low a n d l ily wh i t e fro m t h i n gs s t rik i n g an d gracefu l i n art arc h i tect ure an d h ou s eh ol d ad o rn m e n t ; th e a r ti fi c i a l spl e n d ors of p ark s gard e n s v illas an d for tre ss e s ; t h e fac e a n d fi g u r e th e c ol o r an d expres si o n t h e l ove ly ch arm s of t h e r us t i c d an c er are p or t r a ye d as sh e s n at ch es m an y a grace beyo n d th e rea ch of t h e h arem s art a n d s ee m s t o t h e gaze r s i n carn at e po et ry Th e ch an ge o f w ord s fro m th o s e i n th e ord i n ary vers ion s of t h e H eb re w of verse sec on d w h i c h o u r read ers wil l n ot ic e m ak i n g t h e ref e ren c e t o m ot i o n i n s t ead o f t o natu re s s car l eft o n t h e b ody a t bi rth i s w e t h i n k fu lly fi r s t p ro po sed by D alan d I t wa s u s t i fi a b le j Th e rea so n s fo r th e c h an ge are fi rs t th at t h e “ w ord n avel i s n eve r us ed i n t h e B i bl e i n c on ne c tio n w i t h beau ty o r as a n obj e c t of a d ,



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THE

D AN

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OF

M A HA N A I M

24 7

sec o nd t h at i t seem s u s el es s d i s pr o p orti on al a n d a n u n us ual re pe t i ti o n i n so s h o rt a pas sage t o p rai s e fi rs t th e d e pres s io n i n th e wai s t a nd t h e n th e wai st it self th ere bein g n o paral l el i s m i n t h i s p u rely d es cript i ve po rt i o n of th e po e m ; th ird i t s eem s t o break t h e h arm o ny an d p rogres s o f t h e poeti c i n ven tory of a t t r a c t io n s ; fou rth t h e H eb re w wo rd h ere u s ed i s th e ac t iv e part ici pl e of t h e verb s /zom r m ean i ng to t ur n ro u n d to m ove i n a c i rcl e an d th i s i s th e o n ly on e i n t h e B ible w h i c h co n tai n s th i s part i c ul ar gram m at ical fo rm t h e o th e r pl aces Pro v i i i 8 Job x 1 1 6 an d E zek x vi 4 h a vi n g d i ffere n t fo rm s t h o ugh fro m th e s am e roo t as eve n th e E n gli s h reader m ay s e e i n Yo u n g s C on co rdan c e fi ft h t h e wo rd tran slated go b l et i s derived fro m a roo t m ean i ng c i rc ul ar “ t read i n g wi th th e fee t a nd th e t er m pe rfec t “ c i rcles or c up ro u n d fi g u r e s see m s h e re m o s t appropriat e ; s ixt h th e wo rd tran sl ated “ “ m i ngled wi n e o r li quo r m ean s m ix t ure and applie d t o t h e d an ce wo ul d m ean varia t ion s e ve n as w e read i n m us i cal n otati o n t h e “ ph ras e add m ixt ures ; s e v en th t h e s e nse m odesty an d fo rm of th i s E ngl i s h ren deri n g s ee m t o be m o re i n ac cord w i th th e ge n eral id ea of th e poem wh i c h i s ch as t ely p u re i n word an d del i cate i n i dea t h ro ugh o u t m

i r a ti o n

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AC T I V T HE

S C EN E

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I M PR E G N A B L E

C HA PT E R

VI I

.

IV

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F O R T R E SS

8 VII I

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4

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.

DOES

th e p oe t re p res e n t th e k i n g p re sen t a s a n u n s u spect ed a n d u n see n l ooke r o h wh o fro m b eh i n d co l u m n s cree n o r tap es t ry h as e n j oyed t h e s pec tacl e of t h e danc e of M ah a n ai m H oweve r th i s m ay b e w e fi nd h i m at ve rse s e igh t h and n i n th add res s in g th e fai r one nam ed “ lo ve wh o h as s o pleas ed th e wom e n of th e h are m I s th e st ro n g k i n g w h o i s n o t a c c u s t o m e d t o be c ros s ed i n h i s pu rpo s es n o w abo u t to c ru sh th e ob s t i n acy of h is h u m bl e s ubj ec t an d m ak e h e r k n ow h e r pl ace th e pl ace of p as s iv e obed i e n ce ? S uc h a d o ct ri n e was tau gh t eve n t o pe 0p 1e of t h e G erm an i c rac e i n G r eat Bri tai n t wo c e n t u ri e s ago D o es th e w ooe r h ere b eco m e th e s o vere ign ? H ear S o l o m o n s ul t i m at u m —

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I said I will cli m b u p into the pal m tree I w ill ta k e h old o f its br a n c h e s may t h y boso m be u n to m e as clust e rs o f t he vi n e a n d th e f ra gra n c e o f t h y breath as appl e s and t h y mout h as t h e b e st wi n e ,

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S T UD I E S

2 50

C OM M E zVTS

AN D

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sh e b u t a wall re s is t i n g al l i m proper a d van c e s Th e ch arm s of t h i s vi rgi n reared i n a p u re I s rael i te h om e are as t o w ers im pre g n able t o th e s t ron ge s t assa ul ts of th e t e mp ter S h e h e rs elf i s a n i n vi n cible fo rtre s s K is s es a nd ca re sse s are am o ng t h e goo d gift s o f G od righ tly to b e u s ed an d n o t ab us ed un t o s i n T h e w i n e of l ove cau s e s e ve n sl u m b er i n g l i ps t o m ove and afte r separat io n fro m h e r bel oved eve n i n th e h o u rs of sl eep t h e rap t ures of l ove s co m m un i o n a re e n j oy ed agai n i n d ream a n d th e part ed l i p s m o v e w i t h aud i bl e q uest i o n a n d re s po n se I n sl u m b erin g o r i n waki n g h ou rs th e lo ve r re m em be rs h i s b e l oved ; a n d h i s s oli loqu ies are of h er wh o d well e t h i n t h e gard e n s Love i n vad e s all s tat es o f b ody an d m i n d wi th wel co m ed d es ,

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po t i s m

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I n t h i s t h e S hu la m i te s fi r m d ecl aration i s agai n th e key n o t e t o vic tory fo r th e rel i gio n o f J eh o vah wh i ch th e k i n g wi th al l h i s e rro rs h as n o t re n ou n ced forbi d s h i m t o u s e force agai n s t a w o m an H e re we be h ol d th e be tt e r n atu re of S olo m o n Th e n o bl e r sid e o f h i s ch ara c te r c o m e s i n t o vi ew w h e n we h n d th a t h e h o n o rs an d ad m i res th e s tead fas t res i s tan ce t o all h i s fi a t t e r i e s a n d bland i sh m e n t s M agn an i m ou sly h e th o ugh a k i n g c o n fess e s h i m self a rej ected su it or an d l ets h e r g o free Th e l i o n wil l n o t ,

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THE

I M PR E GN A B L E

FOR TR E SS

251

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rend th e l am b t he eagl e d oe s n o t tear th e d ove U nl i ke m a ny a ba ffled s u i to r o f o ur d ay wh o by m urd er o r sl an d er w reak s reven ge u po n th e w o man wh o h as d ecl i n ed h i s ad d re ss es o r u h l ike H e n ry V I I I w h o s e n t h i s wi ves to th e axe a n d bl ock t h e H ebre w k i n g d o e s t h e S h u lam it e o rde rs h e r n o h arm i n b ody o r i n c ha rac te r n o t t o s w ord d un geon o r d i sgrace b u t m ag n a n i m o u s ly gives h er t o freedo m a n d h o m e t o lb ve r an d m arri age He w h o s e n t h is pol i t ic al e ne m i es t o deat h ye t spared t h i s girl R e su m i ng t h e th read of o u r n arrative a nd th e pl o t of t h e po em w e fi n d th e S h ul am i te h as n o t ye t s t arted fo r h o m e S h e i s st ill i n th e pal ace i n J eru sal em b ut i n dulgi n g i n th e t h o ugh t th at sh e i s already free S he a n ti ci pate s i n day d ream th at m e et in g wi th h er b e troth ed w h i ch i s s o soo n t o be S ol o m o n great h earted even i n h i s d is appo i n t m e n t wi ll s e n d h e r bac k t o h er n orth er n h o m e e ve n as h e l at ely took h e r away Th is i s wh at sh e wil l say t o h er lo v e r wh en sh e m eet s h i m s afe a t h o m e o n th e d ear ol d d oo rs t ep o n ce agai n .

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Co m e

f ort h into t h e cyp r e ss bo u gh s L e t fi e ld s le t u s u s start e a r ly f o r t h e v i n e yards to s e e w h e t h e r th e vi n e h as s pr o ut e d o r its b losso m s O pe n e d or t h e po m e granat e s bud d e d T h e re w ill I g ive t h e e m y lo v e The lo v e ap pl e s s m e ll sw e et a n d o v er our ,

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S TUD I E S A N D

252

C O M M E N TS

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cotta g e door gro w al l sorts o f e xc e ll e n t f ruits new as w e ll a s old w h ic h m y b e lo v e d I h a v e re s e r v e d f or t h e e —

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Th e n foll ow s th e j oyful i n n o ce n t o ut b urs t of a gu il el es s ch ild t o wh om t h o u gh sh e b e a m a id e n grown a love r i s b u t a goo d b ro th e r A n a n gel m i gh t e n vy s u c h artle s s lo ve d well i n g i n a h u m a n h ear t To th e p ure t h at i s p u re wh i ch an o th e r j ud ge s vil ely o i O n e l i n e o f d i fferen ce ev er d i v id i n g good a n d b ad m e n i s th i s — t h e i r bel ief or u n bel ief i n th e ab s ol u te gu il el e s s n es s of n at u ral m aide n h ood A s p u re a s a s i s te r s a ffec t io n for h er broth er o r as a m ot h e r s fo r h er bab e i s t h i s t ran s pare n t rap t u re of a cry s tal h ear t wh e n s h e cri e s ,

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that t h ou wert a s m y brother that suc k e d the br e asts o f m y m ot h e r S h ould I fi n d t h e e w it h out t h e d oor I t h e n w oul d k iss t h e e a n d n o o n e w oul d co n d e m n m e I w ould l e ad t h e e a n d bri n g th e e into m y m ot h e r s hous e t h ou s h ouldst b e m y an d t e ac h er a n d I s h oul d c a us e t h e e to drin k t he spic e d wi n e o f m y po m e gra n at e j uic e 0

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y es sh e would say i f yo u were onl y m y bro th e r I co ul d d o t h i s an d n o n e w o ul d b e sh ocke d o r s can d al ized at i t N o t yet ca n th i s b e ; bu t s om e t i m e by m arriage w e sh al l be o n e an d th e pl eas u re s of c o n s t an t co m pa n i o n s hi p wi l l be o u rs Ah

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S TUD I E S

254

C O M M E N TS

AN D

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w e say th at n ow fo r t h e fi rs t t i m e the S h ul am i t e begi n s t o cat c h a gl eam of th e t ru t h wh ich th e i n s p i red p oe t i s t e ac h i n g al l read e rs o f h i s s o n g ? Th at s h e i s n o w m ou n t i n g t o th e cl ear vi s i o n th at w i l l e n abl e h er t o s ay Love i s a fi r e of Jah S o m e st ude n t s of t h i s bi bl ical d ra m a wou l d h ave u s be lieve t h at th e c o n s t r uc t ive art o f th e H eb rew au t h o r i s s o c rud e t h at at th e cl ose of e ach ac t h e a n t ic i pates th e c on cl u s io n Th i s w e d o n o t b el ieve b u t rath e r t hat by h er t ri al s sh e l ear n s t o w al k w i th G od an d th at He wal ks w i t h h er as He d id w i th h i s t ri ed s e r van t J ob N o m o re m ak in g adj urat io n by h e r earth ly pet s o r ad m i re d cre at ures of freed om s h e n ow re fe rs t h e b u rd e n o f h e r t h ou gh ts an d feel i n gs t o th e H ol y O n e A s t h e i n te n t o f t h e au t h o r of th e Bo ok o f J ob i s t o c o n d uc t h i s h ero th ro u gh e art h ly calam i ti es t h ro u gh t h e u t m o s t t em pt at i o n s of S atan th rough a ll c l ou d s a n d darkn e s s o f t h e fl e sh a nd th e S pi ri t t h ro ugh th e m i s t an d t wil i gh t of h um a n ph il o s oph y t h at h e m ay bri n g h i m to God an d see h i s h e ro e ve n m o re th an a j acob m ad e I s rael s o th ro u gh al l th at m o s t t rie s a w o man t h e s i n ger o f th e S o n g o f S o n gs w ou l d b ri n g th e S h ul am i t e wh e re sh e m ay l oo k u p i n t o th e face o f h e r H eave n l y Fath e r M ay n o t t h i s e m an c i pat e d o n e h ave s u ng wo rd s l ike t h es e S h al l



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IM PR E GNAB L E

FO R TR E S S

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255

unto G o d sing praises to his na m e : extol hi m that rid e th u po n th e h e a v ens by his na m e J A H and r e j oic e b e f ore h i m G o d s e tt e t h t h e solitary in f a m ili e s he bring e th o u t t h os e whic h a r e bound wit h chains : b u t the r e b e llious dwe ll in a dry land ,



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AC T V T HE

U

N ION

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S C EN E I

L O VE R S

O F T HE

C HA PTE R

VI I I

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5 7

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T W I C E fro m th e pers o n s o f th e d ram a d oe s “ W h o i s t h i s th a t c om et h th e qu e s t io n a ris e up o u t o f th e w il dern es s ? I n t h e fi rs t i n s tan c e t h e e x clam ati o n s o f wo nd er are ‘c o m l l fro m t h e lip s o f c i t i zen s of J er usal e m e e d p by t h e gorgeo u s t rai n o f K i n g S o l o m on a n d h i s s t ate palan qu i n s u rro u n ded by t h e fam o u s ve te ran s o f t h e wars o f D av id Th e n i t w as t h e s tately app roach am i d cl o ud s o f i n ce n se of o n e w h o expec ted t o w i n w ith a wo rd T h e o u tl o ok was fro m J e r u s ale m t h e oc cas i o n o n e of t h e pu bl ic p age a n t s u s ual u po n th e appea r a n ce i n s tat e of S olo m o n s u ch for i n s tan ce a s o n t h e o c cas i o n of h i s m arriage w i th Ph a r a o h s d augh t er o r h i s ret urn fro m a pleas ure o r h u n t i n g t o ur o r h i s e n t r an c e i n to t h e c i ty w i t h t h e id ea of add i n g a n o t h er s tar of b eau ty t o t h e gal axy o f h i s ha re m N ow th e q ue s t io n i s agai n asked a s i n o th er sce n es of t h e d ram a b u t t h i s t i m e t h e ,



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a s s o c i at io n s w i th Nature th an th ey w ho s e w o rd s of l ove are sp o ke n i n p arl or o r d raw i n g ro o m D i d t h e H ebrew l overs of t we n ty fi ve ce n t u r i e s ago carve sign o r sy mbo l o n wood o r b ark o r s i m ply i n vok e t h e t ree t o b e t h e i r wi t n es s ? To t h es e p eopl e w h o c al l ed a sp ri n g of wat er t h e eye of th e l and s cape a n d i n u n co n s cio us n atu ral poe try a ve t o a ri ver “ “ “ to n gu e lips and mouth to a mou n “ “ “ “ t ai n h ead nose ea rs sh oul der “ “ “ “ s id e back ri bs l o i n s a n d el bo w a t re e was e ve n m ore of a li vi n g t h i n g I n t h ei r parabl e s fabl es an d al lego ries i n s t ead o f t h e a n i m al s t h at t al k to u s an d i n s t ruc t u s i n 43 8 0 9 1 11 6 t rees s tand a s sy m b ol s of G od s l aw i n E d en h ol d a co n ve n t io n t o de c id e u p o n h av i n g a k i n g an d b eco m e t h e e m bl e m o f t h e m an wh o m ed i tat es o n G od s " “ la w I n B i bl e l an guage t h e t ree s k n o w t h ey rej oi ce t h ey cl ap th ei r h an d s t h ey fai n t th ey a re t h e Lo rd s Th ey b eco m e pl aces o f dwel l i n g an d o f j ud gm en t n ot o n ly l an d m arks b u t u n d ern eat h t h e m b i rth an d d ea th l o v e pl ed ge a n d l egal co ven an t an d a ll th e eve n t s of l i fe a n d l o ve take plac e U po n t h e appl e tree th e S h ul am i t e cas ts h er eye s i n wel co m e a n d d el igh t as m e m ory re cal l s t h e h appy pas t .



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lates t h i s c u l m i nat i n g w o rd s /za Z/ze b e Z/z j a /z S e t a t t h i s d ram at i c c l i m ax of th e d ram a i t c a n m ean n o th i n g l e s s t h a n a refere n ce of t h e t h e m e of t h e p oe t a n d t h e s ubj ec t of th e d ram a t o J ah J e h ovah wh os e gl o rio u s n am e w e read i n t h e m argi n of I s ai ah x ii 2 x xvi 4 Th i s nam e o f Go d u s ed o n ly i n po et ry i s h ere s e t at t h e c ul m i n at i o n of t h e poe m of p o em s m o s t fel i ci t o usly a n d app rop riately Th i s i s t h e d i vi n e s i d e o f l ove ; i t h as al so a h u m a n s id e T h e i m age an d su pe rs c ri pt io n a re of J eh o vah t h e wort h of s t am p a n d l egen d m u s t b e t e st ed i n h u ma n e xperie n ce A s s h e re m em b ers t h e d e e p wa te rs of t rial a n d th e bri bes of a ki n g s h e add s -

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w e st ward Th e S h ul am i t e gazi n g at th e t ower of h e r o w n ex perie n c e s aw fi rs t t h ereo n a tru th t o be ful ly reve al ed i n t h e d ay o f C h ri s t I t i s n o t i c eabl e al s o t h at w h e n t he G re ek s of A l ex and ri a l on g aft erward s an d m u ch n eare r t h e t ru e M es s i ah s t i m e t u rn ed th i s m arvelou s po em i n t o p ro se t h ey e xp re s s ed th e t erm fo r l ove w h i c h th e H eb rew poe t ch o se fo r u se i n t h e refrai n by t h e p u rely b i bl i cal an d s ac e d c o i n a ge of th o ugh t — a g ape Th e c h oi ce of th i s p rec i ou s wo r d s o often o n t h e li p s and pen s of Pa ul J oh n Pe ter an d J ude a nd d o ub tless o f t h e S o n o f M an s h ows h o w t h e s even ty tran s la to rs of A l exan d r ia regard ed th e id e a of l ove a s t reated i n t h e C an ticl e H ere fi r s t as Pro fe s s o r Th ayer s h ows an d o cc u rr i n g i n n o c l as si c G reek au t h o r t h e wo rd a g ape m ad e i t s appearan ce as a c urren t te rm i n t h i s gl o riou s w o rl d l an guage wh ich wi th al l i t s verbal rich es h ad k no w n o n ly th o s e i n ferio r term s fo r l o ve i n wh i ch fl e s hly enj oym e nt was t h e bas i c i dea “ D e Qu i n cey re m ark s th a t Th e ac t o f t ran s l ati n g o u t of a m y s teri ou s ci ph er i n t o t he gol de n l igh t o f a l an guage th e m o s t b eau t iful t h e m os t h o n o red am o n g m e n a n d t h e m o s t w id ely d i ffu sed th rough a t h o u s an d years t o c o m e h a d t h e i m m eas u rab l e effec t o f th ro wi n g i n t o th e great c ru c ibl e of h u m a n s p ecula tio n e ve n th e n be gi n n i n g t o fe rm en t .

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bo il t o o ve r fl ow th at m igh t i est of all el e m en t s for exalt i n g th e ch em i st ry of ph i lo s o — gran d a nd fo r t h e fi r s t t i m e ad equ at e h py co nc eption s of th e D eity W i th o u t t h e el o q u e n c e of th e w izard of E n gl is h s tyle w e u tt er o ur belief t ha t t h i s S o n g of S o n gs i n w h i ch i t i s s h o w n th ro ugh a wom an th at th e fou n t ai n of l ove i s i n God bore a n obl e par t i n p repari n g th e wo rld fo r t h e i deas d om i nan t in C h ri s tian i ty to

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an ce I h ave n o t k ep t C ul ti vat i n g for m y b ro th e rs I h ave n o t c u l t ivat ed my self I t i s probabl e t h at th es e s t ep b ro t h e rs we re i n real i ty h arsh er i n th e t reatm e n t of t h ei r l i t tl e s i s ter t ha n t h ey k n e w o r i n ten d ed t o b e Th ey d i d n ot m ea n t o m ake h e r m i serabl e b u t i f sh e w as t o b e h appy i t w as t o b e i n th e i r way Perh aps th ey bel on ged to t h a t cl as s o f perso n s n o t s o very rare t o w h o m ad he re s t h e i n fi r m i ty of wan ti n g eve ry o ne to b e an d th i n k an d a c t afte r th e i r n o t io n s M any a really k i nd good w ell m ean i n g o ld e r b roth e r w il l m ake h i s you n g s i s ter p e rfec tly m i se rabl e wh i l e a t t h e He s am e t i m e m ean i n g to m ak e h e r h appy w i ll e ve n ch ee rfully s a c r i fi c e h i m self t o m ak e h e r w re tch ed wh il e t h i nk i n g t o m ake h e r h appy {71 11 15 w ay W h a t a m i stake we m ake wh e n t ry i n g t o ar r a n ge t h e h appi n es s of o th e r p eople o n ou r o w n cas t i ro n plan s a n d h ow u n ch ris t ian t o r e fu s e o u r h el p t o o th ers wh o d ecl i n e t o al te r th ei r w h ol e l i fe c ou rs e i n ord e r to r u n o n o u r gau ge ! “ Th e l i ttl e s is t e r i s th e S h ula m i t e a n d o n e day wh e n n o t ye t i n h e r t een s s h e ove r h ears th ei r pl an s w h e n th ey are tal k i n g ab ou t h e r H er w ord s n o w ad d re s s ed o n h e r w ed d i n g d ay t o h e r fri e nd s are a pl ayful r e m i n i s ce n c e o f w h at sh e on c e h ea rd l o n g ago O n e broth e r tal k s i n th i s s t ra i n —

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is littl e S h e i s n o t gro w n n o t d e v e lop e d S h e is not a you n g la d y h a t s h all we d o ? n o t w h at s h all s /ze do W e t y [ but wh at shal l w e do] in t h e day w h e n s h e s h all be spo k e n for — w h e n you n g m e n s e e k h e r c o m pany w h e n lo v e rs co m e f or h e r h and and h e art w hen s he is to e n ter soci e ty ,

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d wel l s i n t h e gard e n s of requ i t e d l o ve an d d e s i red affec t io n s N o w fo r t h e fi rs t t im e i n th e d ram a t h e b e l oved c om e s pub l icly u po n th e s ce n e a n d h i s o w n vo i ce i s d i rec tly h eard H e retofo re h e h as bee n add re s sed d e s crib ed re m em bered d ream ed abou t m ad e par ti c ipan t i n t h e s c en e s o f t h o ugh t an d i m agi n at io n b ut s o far has h ad t o th e r ead e r o f t h i s gra n d love p oem o n ly s ub c t i ve e ex i ste n ce i n t h e p u re m i n d of th e j m aid e n No w as l over c ro wn e d an d h appy h u sba n d h e app ears o n th e s c e n e i n obj ect ive re al i ty Y et eve n t h e n al l h i s t h ou gh ts are d i rec t ed toward s h i s b rid e I n h e r sh ad ow h e l i ve s an d a pp earin g o nly fo r a m o m e n t va n i s h e s upo n th e m o u n tai n s of s p ic es .

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