Study Desk

In my bed at night^[a] I sought the one I love;^(a) I sought him, but did not find him.^[b](b)

I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and the plazas.^(c) I will seek the one I love. I sought him, but did not find him.

The guards who go about the city found me.^(d) I asked them, "Have you seen the one I love?"

I had just passed them when I found the one I love. I held on to him and would not let him go until I brought him to my mother's house^(e)— to the chamber of the one who conceived me.

Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and the wild does of the field: do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time.^[c](f)

N What is this^(g) coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense^(h) from every fragrant powder of the merchant?

It is Solomon's royal litter^[d] surrounded by 60 warriors from the mighty of Israel.

All of them are skilled with swords and trained in warfare. Each has his sword at his side⁽ⁱ⁾ to guard against the terror of the night.^(j)

King Solomon made a sedan chair^[e] for himself with wood from Lebanon.

He made its posts of silver, its back^[f] of gold, and its seat of purple. Its interior is inlaid with love^[g] by the young women of Jerusalem.^(k)

Come out, young women of Zion,^(l) and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown his mother placed on him the day of his wedding^(m)— the day of his heart's rejoicing.

M How beautiful you are, my darling. How very beautiful! Behind your veil, your eyes are doves.^(a) Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.^(b)

Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn sheep coming up from washing, each one having a twin, and not one missing.^[a](c)

Your lips are like a scarlet cord,^(d) and your mouth^[b] is lovely. Behind your veil, your brow^[c] is like a slice of pomegranate.^(e)

Your neck is like the tower of David,^(f) constructed in layers. A thousand bucklers are hung on it— all of them shields of warriors.^[d]

Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle,^(g) that feed among the lilies.

Before the day breaks^[e] and the shadows flee,^(h) I will make my way to the mountain of myrrh and the hill of frankincense.⁽ⁱ⁾

You are absolutely beautiful,^(j) my darling, with no imperfection in you.

Come with me from Lebanon,^[f](k) my bride^(l)— with me from Lebanon! Descend from the peak of Amana, from the summit of Senir and Hermon,^(m) from the dens of the lions, from the mountains of the leopards.

You have captured my heart,⁽ⁿ⁾ my sister,^[g](o) my bride. You have captured my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.

How delightful your love is, my sister, my bride. Your love is much better than wine,^(p) and the fragrance of your perfume than any balsam.

Your lips drip sweetness like the honeycomb, my bride.^(q) Honey and milk^(r) are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.

My sister, my bride, you are a locked garden— a locked garden^[h] and a sealed spring.^(s)

Your branches are a paradise^[i] of pomegranates with choicest fruits,^(t) henna with nard—

nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon,^(u) with all the trees of frankincense,^(v) myrrh and aloes,^(w) with all the best spices.

You are a garden spring, a well of flowing water^(x) streaming from Lebanon.

W Awaken,^(y) north wind— come, south wind. Blow on my garden, and spread the fragrance of its spices. Let my love come to his garden and eat its choicest fruits.^(z)