Illustration for the first verse, a minstrel playing before Solomon (15th century Rothschild Mahzor)

 

Wiki : Song of Songs

 

From NC :

It is well known that the Bible includes literary works attributed to King Solomon. This is the “Song of Solomon’s Songs” and the “Book of the Wisdom of Solomon.” The Song of Songs is a poetic work and in rather frank expressions tells about love. It is very interesting that Suleiman the Magnificent is also credited with similar poetic works about love. Historians say: ““ I AM THE SULTAN OF LOVE, ”said Suleiman, WRITING VERSES in Persian and Ottoman Turkish under the pseudonym Muhibbi (meaning“ beloved friend ”). Skilfully rewritten by the court calligrapher, his verses were often decorated with golden grains, on wet ink Patron of the Arts, Suleiman Proud of His Writing Style.

 

Somebody, somewhere will remind me why I keep thinking about a certain character in Pawn in Frankincense by Dorothy Dunnett. The love singer?

Oh and just to connect a dot or several gajillion…