8 O that you were like a brother to me,
    that nursed at my mother’s breast!
If I met you outside, I would kiss you,
    and none would despise me.
² I would lead you and bring you
    into the house of my mother,
    and into the chamber of her that conceived me.^[a]
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
    the juice of my pomegranates.