Chapter VIII: 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.