The Garden Imagery in The Pistel of Swete Susan:
Illuminating Images of A Maiden's Spirituality and Sexuality
Although the elaborate garden in the medieval poem The Pistel of Swete Susan appears only to be a poetic celebration of the wonders of nature, closer examination reveals more intriguing and profound insights. In The Pistel of Swete Susan, Joakim's beauteous garden, which is described in elaborate detail, is emblematic of his wife Susan's sexuality and spiritual virtue. In the tradition of Hebrew love poetry, the medieval poet presents Susan metaphorically as both the private garden of her husband's delight, and as the spiritual bride and garden of Christ.
An accurate understanding of the important garden imagery in The Pistel of Swete Susan is not possible without basic knowledge of an important book of erotic love poetry in the Judeo-Christian scriptural canon- The Song of Songs. In an age where European societies were unified by the broad canopy of Christian theology and ritual, one can be certain that the medieval author of The Pistel of Swete Susan would have been familiar with this canticle. The Song of Songs, whose authorship is attributed to the Hebrew King Solomon, was an important book in the Hebrew Pentateuch. According to Jewish tradition, the book was recited for many years in its entirety at Passover. Throughout history, Hebrew exegetes interpreted the book as an allegorical picture of the spiritual relationship between Yahweh and Israel. Writers of the early Christian church, such as mystics like St. John of the Cross and St. Bernard of Clairvaux interpreted this enigmatic poem as an allegory of the marriage between Christ and his Church. Additionally, many Christian scholars have interpreted the book literally as a picture of the sacred institution of marriage, ordained and blessed by Yahweh (Jones, 991). A basic understanding of The Song of Songs is crucial to unlocking the layers of symbolism in The Pistel of Swete Susan. Let us begin our brief examination of this enigmatic canticle with the fourth song of the collection, which is often described as the prelude to the consummation scene. The king praises the beauty of his young Shulamite bride, and metaphorically describes her as a beauteous garden, replete with pleasant herbs and spices:
A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, fountain sealed.
Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard
Spikenard and saffron; calamus and frankincense ; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices
A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon (Dakes, 678)