1
Upon my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he gave no answer.
2
"I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves." I sought him, but found him not.
3
The watchmen found me, as they went about in the city. "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"
4
Scarcely had I passed them, when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
5
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the hinds of the field, that you stir not up nor awaken love until it please.
6
What is that coming up from the wilderness, like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the fragrant powders of the merchant?
7
Behold, it is the litter of Solomon! About it are sixty mighty men of the mighty men of Israel,
8
all girt with swords and expert in war, each with his sword at his thigh, against alarms by night.