1
"On my bed night after night I sought him aWhom my soul loves; I bsought him but did not find him.
2
'I must arise now and go about the city; In the astreets and in the squares I must seek him whom my soul loves.' I sought him but did not find him.
3
"aThe watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me, And I said, 'Have you seen him whom my soul loves?'
4
"aScarcely had I left them When I found him whom my soul loves; I bheld on to him and would not let him go Until I had cbrought him to my mother's house, And into the room of her who conceived me."
5
"I aadjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the bgazelles or by the hinds of the field, That you will not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases."
6
"aWhat is this coming up from the wilderness Like bcolumns of smoke, Perfumed with cmyrrh and dfrankincense, With all scented powders of the merchant?
7
"Behold, it is the traveling couch of Solomon; Sixty mighty men around it, Of the mighty men of Israel.
8
"All of them are wielders of the sword, aExpert in war; Each man has his bsword at his side, Guarding against the cterrors of the night.
9
"King Solomon has made for himself a sedan chair From the timber of Lebanon.
10
"He made its posts of silver, Its back of gold And its seat of purple fabric, With its interior lovingly fitted out By the adaughters of Jerusalem.
11
"Go forth, O adaughters of Zion, And gaze on King Solomon with the crown With which his mother has crowned him On the bday of his wedding, And on the day of his gladness of heart."