the green plants in the
valley, to see whether the vine budded, and the pomegranates were in
flower. But before I was aware of it, I was among the chariots of my
princely people.

THE CHORUS

Turn about, turn again, O Shulamite, that we may see thee.

A DANCER

What will you see in the Shulamite whom the King has compared to an
army?

SOLOMON

(_to the_ SHULAMITE.)

How beautiful are thy feet, prince's daughter,... How fair and how
pleasant art thou....

THE SHULAMITE

(_impatiently as before._)

I am my beloved's and he is sighing for me.

(_Exit_ SOLOMON. _Enter the_ SHEPHERD.)

THE SHULAMITE

(_hastening to her lover._)

Come, my beloved, let us go forth to the fields, let us lodge in the
villages. We will rise early and see if the vine flourishes and the
grape is ripe and the pomegranates bud. There will I caress thee. The
love-apples perfume the air and at our gates are all manner of rich
fruit, new and old, which I have kept for thee, my beloved. Oh, that
thou wert my brother, that, when I am with thee without, I might kiss
thee and not be mocked at. I want to take and bring thee into my
mother's house. There thou shalt instruct me and I will give thee spiced
wine and the juice of my pomegranates.

(_Falling in his arms and calling to the_ ODALISQUES.)

His left hand is under my head and his right hand doth embrace me.

THE SHEPHERD

(_to the chorus._)

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not nor awake my
beloved till she will.

ACT V.

THE VILLAGE OF SHULAM.

(_The_ SHULAMITE, _who has escaped from the seraglio is carried in by her
lover._)

CHORUS OF VILLAGERS

Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her
beloved?

THE SHEPHERD

(_to the_ SHULAMITE.)

I awake thee under the apple tree.

(_He points to the house._)

There thou wert born.

THE SHULAMITE

Set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thine arm; for love is
strong as death, jealousy cruel as the grave; the flashes thereof are
flashes of fire, a very flame of the Lord. But many waters cannot quench
love, nor can the floods drown it. The man who seeks to purchase it
acquires but contempt.

EPILOGUE.

A COTTAGE AT SHULAM.

FIRST BROTHER OF THE SHULAMITE

(_thinking of a younger sister whom he would sell when she is older._)

We have a little sister, still immature. What shall we do with her when