CHRIST.
O My loue, arise, and stand vp, my faire one, come thy waie, and go to thine owne. Behold, the win∣ter [of sinne, error, and infidelitie] is now past, [driuen backe and put awaie by my comming in the flesh, which is compared to the Springtime, when all things flourish:] the raine is chan∣ged and gone awaie: the flowers [of good works] are come vp and appere in the fields: the time of the birds singing is come, and the voice of the turtle dooue [or holie Ghost] is heard in our land. The fig tree bringeth foorth hir figs, and the vines beare blossoms, and haue a good smell.
O stand vp then, and come my loue, arise, I saie, my beautifull one, and come awaie, O my dooue. Thou that art in the caues of the rocks, holes in the wall, and in the secret place of the staires: [thou, I saie, that art ashamed of thy sinnes, come and] shew thy selfe vnto me. O let me see thy countenance, and heare thy voice. For sweete is thy voice, and faire and comelie is thy face.
Take vs the foxes, yea the little foxes, which destroy the vines: [suppresse the heretikes and enimies of my Church whiles they be yoong: that is, when they begin to shew their malice, and destroie my vine, by preaching false doctrine:] for our vines beare blossoms, and haue small grapes.