EXPOSITION. of the bride. In later times it was cus- CHAPTER IV. tomary for the hair to be adorned with a Ver. 1.-Behold, thou art fair, my love; wreath of myrtle or roses, or a golden behold, thou art fair ; thine eyes are as ornament representing Jerusalem. The doves behind thy veil ; thine hair is as a gouts in Syria. BDd the neighbouring coun- flook of goats, that lie along the side of tries are mostly black or dark brown, while Mount Gilead. We commence, at this verse, the sheep ara white. DelHzsch says, "A the loving converse of the bridegroom with flock of goo.ls encamped upon e. mountain the bride, which we must suppose is heard (rising up, to one looking from e. distance, as as they travel together in the bridal proces- in a steep slope e.nd almost perpendicularly), sion. The words of adoring affection a.re e.nd as if hanging down lengthwise on it,i chiefly spoken by the bridegroom, as is sides, presents a lovely view adorning the nntural in the circumstances, and the refer- landscape." It would be espcciBlly lovely ence to the journey, and its consummation amid the romantic scenery of Gilead. The in ver. 8, make it certain that the intention verb rendered "lie a.long " is otherwise is to carry us in thought to the palanquin taken by the LXX., a,re,ca,\04'1JO'av, and by and the breathings of first love in bridal joy. the Vulg,\te aBcenderunt. The rabbis differ The poetry is exquisite and truly Eastern, from one another in their renderings. Oue while yet absolutely chaste and pui:.e. The says, "which look down;" another, '' nmke praise of the eyes is common in all erotic bo.re ," " quit,'' or " desc.end ; " e.nolher, " tU'e poetry. Her eyes glenm, in colour, motion, seen." The modern translators vary. Luther and lustre, like a po.ir of doves from behind says "shorn·" Houbi,,.o.nt "han"' down·" 0
the veil; showing that the bride is thought Kle~kcn &ua'Ewald, " sho~s itself;'' Ge~e- of o.s travelling. '£he bride was always nius o.nd others, "lie down;" Ginsburg, deeply veiled (see Gen. xxiv. 65), as the "rolling down," "ruuning down." Our Romo.n bride wore the velum flamineum. The Revised Versiou gives, lie along, which is a LXX. havo mistaken the meaning, render- very probable meaning. The refereace is to ing, /,c.,.os 'l'!7S <T1<,nr1/<T<Ws ,rov. 'fho veil the luxuriance and rich colour of the hair. might typify silence or reserve, but the word Gilead would be a recollection of tho bride's is tBammtih, which''is from a root "to veil," native place. nnd is righty rendered by Symmnohus Ver. 2.-Thy teeth are like a flock of ewes 1ed.ll.vµµa. The hair was long and dark, and that are newly shorn, which are come up lo.y down the shoulders uncovered and free, from the washing ; whereof every one hath which· added much to the graceful attraction twins, and none is bereaved among them. The !J2 'fRE SONG OF SOLOMON. [bit, IV, 1-10,