1. Bride: On my bed, throughout the night, I sought him whom my soul loves. I sought him, and did not find him.
2. I will rise up, and I will circle through the city. Through the side streets and thoroughfares, I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, and did not find him.
3. The watchers who guard the city found me: "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"
4. When I had passed by them a little, I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not release him, until I would bring him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her who bore me.
5. Groom to Chorus: I bind you by oath, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the does and the stags of the open field, not to disturb or awaken the beloved, until she wills.
6. Chorus to Groom: Who is she, who ascends through the desert, like a staff of smoke from the aromatics of myrrh, and frankincense, and every powder of the perfumer?