Nocturnal longing
1
On my bed by night, I sought him whom my soul has loved; I sought him, and I did not find him!
2
Now let me rise, and go around the city, || In the streets and in the broad places, || I seek him whom my soul has loved! I sought him, and I did not find him.
3
The watchmen have found me || (Who are going around the city), || “Have you seen him whom my soul has loved?”
4
But I passed on a little from them, || Until I found him whom my soul has loved! I seized him, and did not let him go, || Until I brought him to the house of my mother—And the chamber of her that conceived me.
5
I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, || By the roes or by the does of the field, || Do not stir up nor wake the love until she pleases!
The wedding procession
6
Who [is] this coming up from the wilderness, || Like palm-trees of smoke, || Perfumed [with] myrrh and frankincense, || From every powder of the merchant?
7
Behold, his couch, that [is] of Solomon, || Sixty mighty ones [are] around it, || Of the mighty of Israel,
8
All of them holding sword, taught of battle, || Each his sword by his thigh, for fear at night.
9
A palanquin King Solomon made for himself, || Of the wood of Lebanon,
10
Its pillars he made of silver, || Its bottom of gold, its seat of purple, || Its midst lined [with] love, || By the daughters of Jerusalem.
11
Go forth, and look, you daughters of Zion, || On King Solomon, with the crown, || With which his mother crowned him, || In the day of his espousals, || And in the day of the joy of his heart!
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