8 O that you were like a brother to me,
    who nursed at my mother’s breast!
If I met you outside, I would kiss you,
    and no one would despise me.
² I would lead you and bring you
    into the house of my mother,
    and into the chamber of the one who bore me.^[a]
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
    the juice of my pomegranates.
³ O that his left hand were under my head,
    and that his right hand embraced me!