Selected Poems (Engelse vertaling)

49 JEHUDAH HALEVI

Men and maidens think, ah! would they were
but free

To be thy slaves and thine handmaidens!

As for my share of worldly wealth, I ask for
nought

Gen. 14,23. But a thread of scarlet from thy lips, a girdle
from thy waist.

Cant.5,1. My sweet wild honey is between thy lips,
Cant. 4.14. My spikenard and my myrrh between thy
breasts.

jer. 22,24. I have placed thee as a seal upon my right

hand; O would that I too
Cant. 8.6. Might be as a seal upon thine arms.

Ps. 137.5. May I forget to discern my right hand from

jonah 4,11. my left, O my doe,

jer. 2,2. If I ever forget the love of thine espousals.

Separation maketh my heart bitter, when I
remember

Upon my lips the sweet honey of thy kisses.

Ex. 22,15. With the fragrance of thy pure myrrh will I
Ex. 30,23. endow me with fragrance:

Then perchance, through my fragrance, I
may kiss thy lips.

Lo, the glory of women is the praise of them—
but thou—

Thy praises draw glory from thee.