1 On my bed by nightI sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not.
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 meas they went about in the city.“Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”
4 Scarcely had I passed themwhen I found him whom my soul loves.I held him, and would not let him gountil I had brought him into my mother’s house,and into the chamber of her who conceived me.
5 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field,that you not stir up or awaken loveuntil it pleases.
6 What is that coming up from the wildernesslike columns of smoke,perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,with all the fragrant powders of a merchant?
7 Behold, it is the litter of Solomon!Around it are sixty mighty men,some of the mighty men of Israel,