Tess's reading to Matthew
Inspired by the Song of Songs

Tell me, my sisters, daughters of the moon,
where is my beloved, the one whom I seek?

Tell me, my brothers, sons of the earth,
where is my beloved, the one whom I seek?
Is he not among you?

My feet are weary and my heart is sore,
my eyes are weary with searching and with tears,
O my Mother, and my hair is like a veil over my face.

I sought him in all seasons,
in the meadows, in the forests and valleys,
in comely houses and the streets of the town,
yet I found him not.

O Daughter, beautiful are the seasons;
beautiful the meadows, the forests and valleys,
the comely houses and the streets of the town,
yet your beloved waits in a temple; the bridegroom waits for his bride.

O Daughter, he waits in a temple whose ceiling is lapis and onyx;
the ceiling of the temple is bright with gold and with silver.
The temple walls are hung with jewels and the jewels are fragrant,
the jewels are wet in the dusk, and silver shines in the ceiling.

I heard the song of my Mother,
I found the temple where my beloved waited for me;
the jewels of the temple were many, and sweet.

In the vineyard I found my beloved, prince among men;
his mouth was as wine, and honey was under his tongue.

My beloved is an apple tree among the trees of the wood.

His cheeks are like the pomegranate,
his thighs are golden, a field of grain in summer,
and his beauty is like a young stag upon the mountain.
His beard is a bed of spices, and his neck is hung with gold.

His love is a grove with trees quivering like harpstrings,
his love is a garden whose flowers give forth incense in the sun.
His love is a chamber whose walls are hung with costly linens.
His love is a strong house built for a king and queen.

In the vineyard the bride came to the bridegroom.
His kisses were wine, and honey was under his tongue.

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