1. W On my bed at night I sought himwhom my soul loves—I sought him but I did not find him.
2. “Let me rise then and go about the city,through the streets and squares;Let me seek him whom my soul loves.”I sought him but I did not find him.
3. The watchmen found me,as they made their rounds in the city:“Him whom my soul loves—have you seen him?”
4. Hardly had I left themwhen I found him whom my soul loves.I held him and would not let him gountil I had brought him to my mother’s house,to the chamber of her who conceived me.
5. I adjure you, Daughters of Jerusalem,by the gazelles and the does of the field,Do not awaken or stir up loveuntil it is ready.
6. D Who is this coming up from the desert,like columns of smokePerfumed with myrrh and frankincense,with all kinds of exotic powders?
7. See! it is the litter of Solomon;sixty valiant men surround it,of the valiant men of Israel:
8. All of them expert with the sword,skilled in battle,Each with his sword at his sideagainst the terrors of the night.