1
By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
2
[I said], I will rise now, and go about the city; In the streets and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
3
The watchmen that go about the city found me; [To whom I said], Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
4
It was but a little that I passed from them, When I found him whom my soul loveth: 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 roes, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, Until he please.
6
Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant?
7
Behold, it is the litter of Solomon; Threescore mighty men are about it, Of the mighty men of Israel.
8
They all handle the sword, [and] are expert in war: Every man hath his sword upon his thigh, Because of fear in the night.