Likened to my cavalry; ornaments until the king reclines
I have likened you, my friend, to my cavalry among Pharaoh’s chariots. As far as the Lord’s cavalry differs from Pharaoh’s horses, so far the church differs from alien daughters. Your cheeks are beautiful as a turtledove’s; your neck as necklaces. We will make you ornaments of gold with studs of silver, until the king reclines. Angels and the Bridegroom’s friends prepare ornaments for a time; when the Bridegroom has risen from the passion, he himself will bestow perfect gold and silver.
Latin
Equitatui meo in curribus Pharaonis assimilavi te, amica mea. Quantum equitatus Domini differt ab equis Pharaonis, tantum ecclesia differt a filiabus alienis. Pulchrae sunt genae tuae sicut turturis; collum tuum sicut monilia. Murenulas aureas faciemus tibi cum vermiculis argenteis, donec rex accubuerit. Angeli et amici sponsi ornamenta interim parant; cum surrexerit sponsus a passione, ipse aurum et argentum perfectum largietur.
About this text
Origen’s Commentary on the Song of Songs, Liber I (Rufinus’s Latin). Complete on this page: §§1–20.
English follows Baehrens, Origenes Werke VIII (GCS 33, 1925), Rufinus’s Latin of Commentary Liber I. Lawson ACW 26 was not used as wording. This page is Liber I §§1–20 (closeout).
Witnesses
- Copy-text Baehrens, Origenes Werke VIII = GCS 33 (1925) (Latin · Commentary Liber I §§1–20)
English is newly prepared for study from the stated edition. Open Latin on each section (or the Latin source witness link) for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.