5. A Handsome Stag

A Handsome Stag

O daughters of Jerusalem, hear well:

Be careful when you rouse love and its fires.

I charge you by the doe and the gazelle:

Stir not up love until it so desires.

Look! There he is. My lover comes for me—

a young gazelle cavorting o’er the hill.

He’s swift of foot and runs assuredly,

a handsome stag that goes where’er he will.

But now I see him waiting by the wall.

With longing eyes he gazes at the door.

I hear his lovely voice, I hear him call

me with a song that I cannot ignore.

He stands with eager yearning at the gate.

I’ll ever in his love luxuriate.

(Ch. 2:7-9)

Head of a Stag, Diego Velazquez, 1634

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