Page:The Song of Songs (1857).djvu/202

 SECTION V.

CHAPTER VIII. 5-14.

The Shulamite, released from the palace, returns to her native place with her beloved (5). On their way home they visit the spot where they had been first pledged to each other; and there they renew their vows (6, 7). On their arrival at the Shulamite's home, her brothers are reminded of the promise they had made to reward their sister's virtue (9, 10). The Shulamite mentions the greatness of her temptations, and her victory over them (11, 12). The shepherds visit her, to whom she declares, according to request, her unabated attachment to her beloved shepherd (13, 14).

THE COMPANIONS OF THE SHEPHERD.

5 Who is it that comes up from the plain, Leaning upon her beloved?

THE SHULAMITE.

Under this apple-tree I won thy heart,

5. Who is it that comes up, &c. The last successful resistance secured for the Shulamite her liberty. Convinced that even the blandishments of a king cannot overcome the power of virtuous love in the heart of a rustic damsel; satisfied that "all the wealth of his house" could not buy it, Solomon dismisses her. Then, reunited to her beloved shepherd, the happy pair immediately depart for home. As they approach their native place the inhabitants, beholding them at a distance, exclaim, "Who is it that comes up from the plain, leaning upon her beloved?" [HE: ham.id^eb.or], the plain (vide supra, iii. 6), most probably the plain of Esdraelon, at present known by the name of Merij Ibn 'Amir, lying between Jezreel and Sulem (Robinson, Palestine, iii. 169), which the lovers had to cross on their way home. [HE: mit^erap.oqet] (from [HE: ropaq], to lean; hence [HE: mar^ep.Eq], an arm, on which one leans, Talm. Sabbath, 92), ''supporting herself'', being weary with so long a journey. So the Sept. [GR: e)pistêrizome/nê]; the Vulg. innixa, &c. As for the additional [GR: leleukanthisme/nê] in the Sept., and deliciis affluens in the Vulg., the one most probably arose from the word [HE: b.orah], used in chap. vi. 10, where a similar question occurs, and the other from a marginal gloss, [HE: mtpnqt] or [HE: mtn`n`t].

Under this apple-tree, &c. As they drew nearer home they beheld the endeared spot—the memorable shady tree under which the shepherd was born, and where their mutual love was first kindled. These sweet musings are at length terminated by the Shulamite, who joyfully recounts the pleasing reminiscences of that place. The frequent meetings of shepherds and shepherdesses under shady trees, (vide supra, chap. i. 7), often resulted in the formation of a sacred tie. The solemn vow of love was then engraven on the bark of the tree, as a witness of their union. Thus Theocritus, Idyl. xviii. 47, 48:—

[GR: gra/mmata d' e)n floiô|= gegra/psetai, ô(s pariô/n tis a)nnei/mê|, Dôristi\, se/bou m'; E(le/nas futo\n ei)mi/.]

"and on the bark, In Doric, shall be engraven for all to mark, 'To me pay honour—I am Helen's tree.'"

Compare also Idyl. xxiii. 46; Propert. I. xviii. 22; Virg. Ecl. x. 53; and Pope, Past. iii. 66, 67.