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¹ By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him. ² "I will rise now," I said, "And go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I will seek the one I love." I sought him, but I did not find him. ³ The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said, "Have you seen the one I love?" ⁴ Scarcely had I passed by them, When I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go, Until I had brought him to the house of my mother, And into the chamber of her who conceived me. ⁵ I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the does of the field, Do not stir up nor awaken love Until it pleases.

⁶ Who is this coming out of the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the merchant's fragrant powders?

⁷ Behold, it is Solomon's couch, With sixty valiant men around it, Of the valiant of Israel. ⁸ They all hold swords, Being expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh Because of fear in the night. ⁹ Of the wood of LebanonSolomon the KingMade himself a palanquin: [fn] ¹⁰ He made its pillars of silver, Its support of gold, Its seat of purple, Its interior paved with love By the daughters of Jerusalem. ¹¹ Go forth, O daughters of Zion, And see King Solomon with the crown With which his mother crowned him On the day of his wedding, The day of the gladness of his heart.