The woman's beloved is speaking.

## My dove ##

The woman's beloved compares the woman with a dove because she has a beautiful face and a beautiful voice like a dove and because he was to be with her in a place that is far away from other people just as doves live in places far away from people.

## the clefts of the rock ##

"the hiding places of the cliffs." Clefts are large cracks in the side of mountain rocks.

## in the secret clefts of the mountain crags ##

"in the secret places on the steep mountain sides." This phrase describes the place where the beloved wants to see the face of the woman.

## your face ##

"your appearance" or "your form" or "what you look like"