The. holie. Bible. conteynyng the olde Testament and the newe.

❧The Ballet of Ballettes of Solomon, called in Latin, Canticum Canticorum.

The first Chapter.

1 The familier talke and misticall communication of the spirituall loue betweene Iesus Christe and his Churche. 6 The domesticall enemies that persecute the Churche.

[unspec A] 1 O That (a) 1.1 he would kisse me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy loue is more plea∣saunt then wine, and that because of the good and pleasaunt sauour of thy most preci∣ous baulmes.

2 (b) 1.2Thy name is a sweet smelling oynt∣ment when it is shed foorth, therfore do the * 1.3 maydens loue thee.

3 Drawe thou me [vnto thee] we wyll runne after thee. The kyng hath brought me into his (d) 1.4 priuie chaum∣bers: We wylbe glad and reioyce in thee, we thinke more of thy loue then of wine: they that be righteous loue thee.

4 (e) 1.5I am blacke (O ye daughters of Hierusalem) but yet (f) 1.6 fayre and well fauoured, like as the tentes of the Ce∣darenes, and as the hanginges of So∣lomon.

5 Marueyle not at me that I am so blacke, for why? the sunne hath shined vpon me: my mothers chyldren haue euyll wyll at me, they made me the ke∣per of the vineyardes, but mine owne vineyarde haue I not kept.

6 Tell me O thou whom my soule lo∣ueth, where thou feedest the sheepe, where thou makest them rest at the noone day: for why shall I be like hym that goeth wrong about the flockes of thy companions?

7 If thou knowe not thy selfe (O thou [unspec B] fayrest among women) then go thy way foorth after the (g) 1.7 footesteppes of the sheepe, and feede thy goates besyde the shepheardes tentes.

8 Vnto * 1.8 the hoast of Pharaos charets haue I compared thee, O my loue.

9 Thy cheekes and thy necke is beauti∣full as the turtles, and hanged with spanges and goodly iewels, a neckband of golde wyll we make thee, with siluer buttons.

10 (h) 1.9When the king sitteth at the table, he shall smell my Nardus: a bundell of myrre is my loue vnto me, he wyll lye betwixt my brestes: a cluster of Cam∣phire in the vineyardes of Engaddi is my loue vnto me.

11 * 1.10Oh howe fayre art thou my loue, Oh howe fayre art thou? thou hast doues eyes. O howe fayre art thou my beloued, howe well fauoured art thou?

12 Our bed is dect with flowres, the see∣linges of our house are of Cedar tree, and our crosse ioyntes of Cipresse.

The .ij. Chapter.

3 The Churche desireth to rest vnder the shadowe of Christe. 8 She heareth his voyce. 14 She is compared to the doue. 15 And the enemies to the foxes.

[unspec A] 1 I Am the rose of the fielde, and lillie of the valleys,

2 (a) 1.11As the lillie a∣mong the thornes: so is my loue among the daughters.

3 (b) 1.12Like as the apple tree among the trees of the wood: so is my beloued a∣mong the sonnes.

4 My delight is to sit vnder his sha∣dowe, for (c) 1.13 his fruite is sweete vnto my throte.

5 He bringeth me into his wine seller, his banner spread ouer me, whiche is his loue.

6 Set about me cuppes of wine, comfort me with apples, for I am sicke of loue.

7 * 1.14His left hande lyeth vnder my head, and his right hande shall imbrace me.

8 * 1.15I charge you O ye daughters of Hierusalem by the roes and hindes of the fiede, that ye wake not vp my loue, nor touche her, tyll she be content her selfe.

[unspec B] 9 Me thinke I heare the voyce of my beloued: lo, there commeth he hopping vpon the mountaines, and leaping ouer the litle hilles.

10 My beloued is lyke a roe or a young hart: beholde he standeth behinde e 1.16 our wall, he looketh in * 1.17 at the win∣dowe, and peepeth thorowe the grate.

11 My beloued aunswered and sayd vn∣to me: O stande vp my loue, my beau∣tifull, and go to thyne owne: (g) 1.18 for lo the winter is nowe past, the rayne is away and gone.

12 (h) 1.19The flowres are come vp in the field, the tyme of the byrdes singing is come, and the (i) 1.20 voyce of the turtle doue is hearde in our lande.

13 The figge tree bryngeth foorth her [unspec C] figges, and the vines beare blossomes and haue a good smell.

14 O stande vp then and come my loue my beautifull, [and come I say] O my doue, out of the caues of the rockes, out of the holes of the wall, O let me see thy countenaunce and heare thy voyce: for sweete is thy voyce, and fayre is thy face.

15 Get vs k 1.21the foxes, yea the litle foxes that hurt the vines: for our vines beare blossomes.

16 * My loue is mine, & I am his, whiche feedeth among the lillies vntill the day breake, and till the shadowes be gone:

17 (l) 1.22Come agayne O my beloued, and be lyke as a roe or a young hart vpon the wyde mountaines.

¶The .iij. Chapter.

1 The Churche desireth to be ioyned inseparably to Christe her husbande. 6 Her de∣liueraunce out of the wyldernesse.

[unspec A] 1 BY (a) 1.23 night in my bed I sought hym whom my soule loueth: yea diligently sought I him, but I found him not.

2 I will get vp [thought I] (b) 1.24 & go about the citie, in the wayes in all the streates wyll I seeke hym whom my soule loueth: but when I sought him I founde him not.

3 The watchmen also that go about the citie, founde me [to whom I sayde] Sawe ye not hym whom my soule loueth?

4 So when I was a litle past them, I founde him whom my soule loueth: I haue gotten holde vpon hym, and wyll not let him go, vntyll I bryng him into my mothers house, and into her chaum∣ber that bare me.

5 * 1.25I charge you O ye daughters of Hierusalem by the roes and hyndes of the fielde, that ye wake not vp my loue, nor touch her, till she be content her self.

6 Who is this that commeth vp out (c) 1.26 of the wyldernesse like vapours of smoke, as it were a smell of myrre, franken∣sence, and all maner spices of the Apo∣thecarie?

7 Beholde, about (d) 1.27 Solomons bed∣steede [unspec B] there stande threescore valiaunt, of the most mightie in Israel: They holde swordes euery one, and are ex∣pert in warre.

8 (e) 1.28Euery man also hath his sworde vp∣pon his thigh, because of feare in the night.

9 Kyng Solomon had made him selfe a pallace of the wood of Libanus, the pillers are of siluer, “ 1.29 the couering of golde, the seate of purple, the grounde is pleasauntly paued with loue for the daughters of Hierusalem.

10 Go foorth (f) 1.30 (O ye daughters of Si∣on) and beholde king Solomon in the crowne wherewith his mother crow∣ned him in the day of his mariage, and in the day of the gladnesse of his heart.

¶The .iiij. Chapter.

1 The prayses of the Churche. •• She is without blemishe in his sight. 9 The loue of Christe towardes her.

[unspec A] 1 O Howe * 1.31 fayre art thou my loue, howe fayre art thou? thou hast * 1.32 doues eyes, beside that which lyeth hid with∣in: * 1.33 Thy heerie lockes are lyke the wooll of a flocke of goates that be shorne vpon mount Gilead.

2 (d) 1.34Thy teeth are like a flocke [of sheepe] of the same bignesse whiche went vp from the washing place, where euery one beareth two twinnes, and not one vnfruitfull among them.

3 Thy lippes are lyke a rose coloured ribande, thy wordes are louely, thy cheekes are like a peece of a pomegra∣nate within thyne heeres.

4 (e) 1.35Thy necke is like the towre of Dauid buylded with costly stones, lying out on the sides wherevpon there hange a thousande shieldes: yea all the wea∣pons of the giauntes.

5 (f) 1.36Thy two breastes are lyke two twinnes of young Roes, whiche feede among roses.

6 O that I might go to the mountaine of myrre, and to the hil of frankencense, til the day breake, and til the shadowes be past away.

7 Thou art all fayre (O my loue) and no spot is there in thee.

8 Come to me from Libanus (O my spouse) come to me from Libanus: looke from the top of Amana, from the top of Sanir and Hermon, from the li∣ons dennes, and from the mountaines of the leopardes.

9 Thou hast [with loue] bewitched my [unspec B] heart O my sister my spouse, thou hast bewitched my heart with one of thyne eyes, and with one chayne of thy necke.

10 O howe fayre are thy breastes, my si∣ster, my spouse? Thy breastes are more pleasaunt then wine, and the smell of thyne oyntmentes passeth all spices.

11 (g) 1.37Thy lippes, O my spouse, drop as the hony combe, yea mylke and hony is vn∣der thy tongue, and the smell of thy gar∣mentes is like the smell of Libanus.

12 (h) 1.38A garden well locked is my sister, my spouse: a garden well locked, and a sea∣led well.

13 The fruites that are planted in thee, are lyke a very paradise of pomegra∣nates with sweete fruites, as Cam∣phire, Nardus, & Saffron, Calamus, Sinamom, with all sweete smellyng trees, Myrre, Aloes, and all the best spyces, a well of gardens, a well of li∣uing waters which runne downe from Libanus.

14 (i) 1.39Vp thou north winde, come thou south winde and blowe vpon my gar∣den, that the smell therof may be caryed on euery side: yea that my beloued may come into his garden, and eate of the sweete fruites [that growe therein.]

The .v. Chapter.

1 Christe calleth his Churche to the participation of all his treasures. 2 She heareth his voyce. 6 She confesseth her nakednes. 10 She prayseth Christe her husbande.

[unspec A] 1 I Am (a) 1.40 come into my garden, O my sister, my spouse, I haue gathered my Myrre with my spice: I haue eatē hony with my hony combe, I haue drunke my wine with my milke: Eate O ye frendes, drinke and be me∣rie O ye beloued.

2 I am a sleepe, but my heart is wa∣king: I heare the voyce of my beloued when he knocketh, saying, Open to me O my sister, my loue, my doue, my dear∣ling: for my head is full of deawe, and the lockes of my heere are full of the nyght doppes.

3 I haue put of my coate, howe can I do it on agayne? I haue washed my feete, howe shall I fyle them agayne?

4 My loue put in his hande at the hole, and my heart was moued within me.

5 I stoode vp to open vnto my beloued, and my handes dropped with Myrre, & the Myrre ranne downe my fingers vpon the locke.

6 I opened vnto my beloued, but he was departed and gone his way: Now whē he spake, my heart was gone: b 1.41 I sought him, but I coulde not finde him: I cryed vpon hym, neuerthelesse he gaue me no aunswere.

[unspec B] 7 So the watchmen that went about the citie, founde me, smote me, and wounded me: yea they that kept the walles toke away my kerchaffe from me.

8 I charge you therfore O ye daugh∣ters of Hierusalem, yf ye fynde my be∣loued, that ye tell hym howe that I am sicke for loue.

9 What maner of man is thy loue aboue other louers, O thou fairest a∣mong women? Or what can thy loue do more then other louers, that thou chargest vs so straytly?

(c) 1.4210 As for my loue, he is whyte and red coloured, a goodly person among tenne thousande.

11 His head is as the most fine golde, the lockes of his heere are busshed, & blacke as a crowe.

12 His eyes are as the eyes of doues by the water brookes as though they were wasshed with mylke, “ 1.43 and are set lyke pearles in golde.

13 His cheekes are lyke a garden bed, wherin the Apothecaries plant all maner of sweete thynges.

14 His lippes are lyke lilies that droppe [unspec C] sweete smellyng Myrre: His handes are lyke golde rynges, hauyng inclosed the precious stone of Tharsis.

15 His body is as the pure iuorie, dect ouer with Saphires: His legges are as the pillers of Marble set vpon sockettes of golde.

16 His face is as Libanus: and as the beautie of the Cedar trees.

17 The wordes of his mouth are sweete: yea he is altogether louely: Such a one is my loue O ye daughters of Hieru∣salem, such a one is my loue.

The .vi. Chapter.

2 The Church assureth her selfe of the loue of Christe. 3 The prayses of the Church. 8 She is but one and vndefiled.

[unspec A] 1 WHyther is thy loue gone then O thou fairest among women? whyther is thy loue departed, and we wyll seke hym with thee?

2 (a) 1.44My loue is gone downe into his garden vnto the sweete smellyng beddes, that he may refreshe hym selfe in the garden, & gather lilies.

3 My loue is myne, and I am his, which feedeth among the lilies.

4 Thou are beautifull O my loue as is [the place] Thirza, thou art faire as Hie∣rusalem, fearefull as an armie of men with their banners.

5 Turne away thine eyes from me, for they * 1.45 haue set me on fire: Thy heery lockes are lyke a flocke of goates shorne vpon the mount of Gilead.

6 Thy teeth are lyke a flocke of shorne sheepe which go out of the wasshyng place, where euery one beareth twinnes, and not one vnfruitfull among them.

7 Thy cheekes are like a peece of a pome∣granate within thy lockes of heere.

8 (b) 1.46There are threescore queenes, foure∣score [unspec B] wiues, and damselles without number.

9 (c) 1.47One is my doue, one is my dearlyng: She is the only beloued of her mother, and deare vnto her that bare her: When the daughters sawe her, they sayde she was blessed, yea the queenes & wiues praysed her.

10 What is she this that loketh foorth as the mornyng, faire as the moone, cleare as the sunne, and fearfull as an armie of men with their banners?

11 (d) 1.48I went downe into the nut garden to see what grewe by the brookes, and to loke yf the vineyarde florished, or yf the pomegranates were not foorth.

12 I knewe not that my soule had made me the charyot of the people that be vnder tribute.

13 Turne agayne turne agayne O thou perfect one, turne agayne turne agayne and we wyll loke vpon thee: What will ye see in the e 1.49 Sulamite? She is lyke men of warre singing in a companie.

The .vij. Chapter.

1 The beautie of the Churche in all her members. 1•• She is assured of Christes loue towardes her.

[unspec A] 1 O Howe pleasaunt are thy treadynges with thy shoes, thou princes daughter? the ioyntes of thy thighes are like a faire iewell, which is wrought by a cunnyng workemaister.

2 Thy (a) 1.50 nauell is lyke a rounde goblet, which is neuer without drynke.

3 Thy (b) 1.51 wombe is like a heape of wheate that is set about with lilies.

4 (c) 1.52Thy two breastes are lyke two twinnes of young roes.

5 * 1.53Thy necke is as it were a towre of iuorie: thine (e) 1.54 eyes also are lyke the water pooles that are in Hesebon, be∣side the port of Bathrabbim, thy(f) 1.55 nose is lyke the towre of Libanus, which loketh towarde Damascus.

6 (g) 1.56That head that standeth vpon thee is lyke Carmel: and the heere of thy head is like purple, and like a kyng dwellyng among many water conduites.

7 O Howe faire and louely art thou my dearlyng in pleasures?

8 Thy stature is lyke a (h) 1.57 paulme tree, and thy breastes lyke the grapes.

9 I sayde, I wyll climbe vp into the paulme tree, and take holde of his hye braunches.

10 h 1.58Thy breastes also shalbe as the wine clusters, the smell of thy nosethrilles like as the smell of apples.

11 And thy rooffe of thy mouth lyke the best wine, which is meete for my best beloued, pleasaunt for his lippes, and for his teeth to chawe.

12 I am my beloueds, and he shall turne hym vnto me.

13 O come on my loue, we wyll go foorth [unspec C] into the fielde, and take our lodgyng in the villages.

14 (i) 1.59In the mornyng wyll we go see the vineyarde, we wyll see yf the vine be sprong foorth, yf the grapes be growen, and yf the pomegranates be shot out.

15 (k) 1.60There will I geue thee my brestes: the Mandragoras geue their sweete smell, and besyde our doores are all maner of pleasaunt fruites both newe and olde, which I haue kept for thee O my beloued.

The .viij. Chapter.

2 The Church wyll be taught by Christe. 3 She is vpholden by hym. 6 The vehement loue wherwith Christe loueth her. 1•• She is the vine that bryngeth foorth fruite to the spirituall Solomon, which is Iesus Christe.

[unspec A] 1 O That (a) 1.61 I might finde thee without and kisse thee, whom I loue as my brother whiche suckt my mothers brestes, and that thou shalt not be dispised,

2 I wyll leade thee and bryng thee into my mothers house, that thou myghtest teache me, and that I myght geue thee drynke of the spiced wine, and of the sweete sappe of my pomegranates.

3 * 1.62His (b) 1.63 left hande shalbe vnder my head, and his ryght hande shall imbrace me.

4 I charge you O ye daughters of Hie∣rusalem that ye wake not vp my loue, nor touche her, tyll she be content her selfe.

5 (What is she this that cometh vp from the wildernesse, and leaneth vpon her loue?) I wake thee vp among the apple trees where thy mother conceaued thee, where thy mother [I say] brought thee into the worlde.

6 (c) 1.64O set me as a seale vpon thine heart, and as a seale vpon thine arme: for loue is myghtie as the death, and gelousie as the hell.

7 Her coales are coales of fire, and a very vehement flambe [of the Lorde]: so that many waters are not able to quenche loue, neither may the streames drowne it: Yea yf a man woulde geue all the good of his house for loue, he shoulde count it nothyng.

8 d 1.65Our sister is but young and hath no brestes: what shall we do for our sister when she shalbe spoken for?

9 * 1.66If she be a wall, we shall builde a siluer bulwarke thervpon: yf she be a doore, we shall fasten her with boordes of Cedar tree.

10 I am a wall, and my brestes lyke towres, then was I as one that hath founde fauour in his syght.

11 Solomon hath a vineyarde at Baal-Hamon: and this vineyarde deliuered he vnto the kepers, that euery one for the fruite therof shoulde geue hym a thousande peeces of siluer.

12 My vineyarde which is myne, is in my syght: thou (O Solomon) must haue a (f) 1.67 thousande, and the kepers two hun∣dred, which kepe the fruite.

13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens, (g) 1.68O let me heare thy voyce, that my companions may hearken to the same.

14 (h) 1.69O get thee away my loue, and be as a roe or a young hart vpon the sweete smellyng mountaynes.

A. P. E.

The ende of the ballet of ballettes of Solomon, called in latine Canticum Canticorum.

Notes

• (a) 1.1

  The Churche de∣sireth y^e peace of Christe.
• (b) 1.2

  Christes mercy to set foorth by preaching
• * 1.3

  The may∣dens, that is, they that are pure in heart.
• (d) 1.4

  Priuie chaumber, that is, his se∣cretes and misteries.
• (e) 1.5

  Blacke, thorowe the spottes of sinne and per∣secution.
• (f) 1.6

  Fayre, thorow fayth in the blood of Christe.
• (g) 1.7

  After the doctrine of the Apostles.
• * 1.8

  Exo. xiiii. c.
• (h) 1.9

  So, long as y^e Churche foloweth Christe, she shall not erre from the true fayth of sal∣uation.
• * 1.10

  Cant. iiii. a.
• (a) 1.11

  Christe among his enemies.
• (b) 1.12

  The loue of the Church towarde Christe
• (c) 1.13

  His fruite, that is, his worde.
• * 1.14

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.15

  〈…〉〈…〉
• e 1.16

  His 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was hid¦den vnder our fleshe.
• * 1.17

  We can not knowe hym in this lyfe perfectly.
• (g) 1.18

  That is, sinne and infi∣delitie is put away by Christe.
• (h) 1.19

  Good workes.
• (i) 1.20

  The voyce of the holy ghost.
• k 1.21

  Suppresse the heretikes at the begin∣ning, when they preache false doctrine.
• (l) 1.22

  The Church pray∣eth Christe to be a present helpe alwaies in tyme of neede.
• (a) 1.23

  Christe is not founde by carnal reason, but by the scripture.
• (b) 1.24

  We must continue in prayer, though we feele no com∣fort at the first.
• * 1.25

  Cant••. ii. b.
• (c) 1.26

  By this is vnderstan∣ded the chyl∣dren of Isra∣el, whiche in the wylder∣nes did folow Christe.
• (d) 1.27

  By So∣lomons bed∣steede, is vn∣derstanded the temple of Solomon the whiche is de∣fended by the sword, that is by the worde.
• (e) 1.28

  Euery man must learne the word of God, by the whiche he shalbe de∣fended in the time of temp∣tation.
• “ 1.29

  Some reade, the pauement of golde, the co¦uering of pur∣ple.
• (f) 1.30

  Ye that be of the number of the faythful
• * 1.31

  Christe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Churche, wherein he hath great delight.
• * 1.32

  A simple fayth and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.33

  The frui∣tes of a true fayth.
• (d) 1.34

  By the teeth is sig∣nified fayth, by the whiche we are all made the sonnes of God equally.
• (e) 1.35

  By the necke are sig∣nified the preachers.
• (f) 1.36

  The two breastes sig∣nifie the two testamentes.
• (g) 1.37

  The prea∣chyng of the Gospel, bring∣eth forth much consolation & profite.
• (h) 1.38

  The Churche is defended by Christe.
• (i) 1.39

  He pray∣eth for the grace of the holy ghost to∣warde the Churche, without the whiche no∣thing can prosper in it.
• (a) 1.40

  The gar∣den signifieth the Churche of God, in the whiche Christe be∣stoweth his singuler bene∣fites.
• b 1.41

  Christe doth leaue his for a tyme, for that he would stirre vp in them a greater desire of hym.
• (c) 1.42

  The Church set∣teth foorth Christe to be of most per∣fection & com∣linesse.
• “ 1.43

  Some reade, and re∣mayne by the ful•• vessels.
• (a) 1.44

  Christe is conuersant in his Churche, which is di∣rected by his scriptures.
• * 1.45

  Or, ouer∣come me.
• (b) 1.46

  There be many in the Churche of God, & diuers orders and degrees ther∣in.
• (c) 1.47

  Diuers perticuler Churches dispersed, maketh but one catholike Churche.
• (d) 1.48

  Christe loketh vpon his Church subiect to af∣fliction, what fruite it bryngeth.
• e 1.49

  Sulamite, that is, Hie∣rusalem, the which was Shalem, that signifeth peace.
• (a) 1.50

  Thy na∣uell is reple∣nyshed with the rich know¦ledge of Gods worde & hea∣uenly desires.
• (b) 1.51

  The Church is ful of spirituall treasures.
• (c) 1.52

  The two testamentes cōmeth from God, and they be of equall aucthoritie.
• * 1.53

  The prea∣chers ought to be pure.
• (e) 1.54

  The magistrates must he well instructed in the worde of God.
• (f) 1.55

  Thy iudg∣es of good and euyll.
• (g) 1.56

  The prince that al∣wayes stand∣deth aboue, lyke a watch∣man to defend the body.
• (h) 1.57

  The Churche doth encrease, the more it is pres¦sed and perse∣cuted.
• h 1.58

  〈…〉〈…〉 the sacramentes, must folowe the pure word of god alway
• (i) 1.59

  Christe wyll call them that professe his worde to accompt what fruite they do bryng.
• (k) 1.60

  God geueth his graces to the faythfull the which be in his Church.
• (a) 1.61

  The fa∣thers of the olde testament desireth to see the incarnati∣on of Christe.
• * 1.62

  Cant. ii. a.
• (b) 1.63

  His gra∣tious fauour shall preserue me from des∣peration in aduersitie, and frō presump∣tion in prospe∣ritie.
• (c) 1.64

  The Churche de∣sireth to be ioyned vnto Christe by the seale of the holy ghost.
• d 1.65

  The Iewes Church spe••¦keth this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Church 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gentiles 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 both testa¦mentes
• * 1.66

  The Apostles preacheth to them that are called inward∣lye of God to saluation,
• (f) 1.67

  By this thousand is signified the greatest pro∣fite, which is lyfe euerla∣styng, which is obteined by the grace of God, & not by our merites.
• (g) 1.68

  Christe dwelleth in his Church, and his sheepe heare his voyce.
• (h) 1.69

  The Church doth pray that Christe de∣parting with his bodyly presence, he woulde assist her in all kinde of ne∣cessites with the grace of his heauenly spirite.