1 On my bed 1by night I sought 2him whom my soul loves; 3I sought him, but found him not.
2
I will rise now and go about the city, in 4the streets and in the squares; I will seek 5him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not.
3
6The 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 7him whom my soul loves. I 8held him, and would not let him go until I had 9brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of 10her who conceived me.
5
11I adjure you, 12O daughters of Jerusalem, 13by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.