As the citron-tree among the trees of the wood, So is my Beloved among the sons. I delighted and sat down under His shadow, And His fruit was sweet to my taste. Here we find the outcome of that communion. The citrons on which she had fed perfumed her breath, and imparted to her their delicious odour. The Bridegroom concludes his description:-- Thy mouth [is] like the best wine, That goeth down smoothly-- For my Beloved-- interjects the bride, Causing the lips of those that are asleep to move. How wondrous the grace that has made the bride of CHRIST to be all this to her Beloved! Upright as the palm, victorious, and evermore fruitful as she grows heavenward; gentle and tender as the Vine, self-forgetful and self-sacrificing, not merely bearing fruit in spite of adversity, but bearing her richest fruits through it;--feasting on her Beloved, as she rests beneath His shade, and thereby partaking of His fragrance;--what has grace not done for her! And what must be her joy in finding, ever more fully, the satisfaction of the glorious Bridegroom in the lowly wild flower He has made His bride, and beautified with His own graces and virtues! I am my Beloved's, And His desire is toward me, she gladly exclaims. Now it is none of self or for self, but all of Thee and for Thee. And if such be the sweet fruits of going down to the garden of nuts, and caring for His garden with Him, she will need no constraining to continue in this blessed service. Come, my Beloved, let us go forth into the field; Let us lodge in the villages. She is not ashamed of her lowly origin, for she fears no shame: perfect love has cast out fear. The royal state of the King, with its pomp and grandeur, may be enjoyed by-and-by: now, more sweet with Him at her side to make the garden fruitful; to give to Him all manner of precious fruits, new and old, which she has laid up in store for Him; and best of all to satisfy Him with her own love. Not only is she contented with this fellowship of service, but she could fain wish that there were no honours and duties to claim His attention, and for the moment to lessen the joy of His presence. Oh that Thou wert as my brother, That sucked the breasts of my mother! _When_ I should find Thee without, I would kiss Thee; Yea, and none would despise me.