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The Bride’s Dream

¹ On my bed at night I sought the one I love; I sought him but did not find him.² I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and squares. I will seek the one I love. So I sought him but did not find him.³ I encountered the watchmen on their rounds of the city: “Have you seen the one I love?”⁴ I had just passed them when I found the one I love. I held him and would not let go until I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the chamber of the one who conceived me.⁵ O daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.

Solomon Arrives on His Wedding Day

⁶ Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from all the spices of the merchant?

⁷ Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage^(a), escorted by sixty warriors from the valiant of Israel.⁸ All are skilled with the sword, experienced in warfare. Each has his sword at his side prepared for the terror of night.⁹ King Solomon has made his carriage out of the timber of Lebanon.¹⁰ He has made its posts of silver, its base of gold, its seat of purple fabric. Its interior is inlaid with love by the daughters of Jerusalem.¹¹ Come out, O daughters of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown his mother bestowed on the day of his wedding—the day of his heart’s rejoicing.