I sought the one I love;b

  I sought him, but did not find him.c, d

  2I will arise now and go about the city,

  through the streets and the plazas.e

  I will seek the one I love.

  I sought him, but did not find him.

  3The guards who go about the city found me.f

  I asked them, “Have you seen the one I love? ”

  4I 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 houseg —

  to the chamber of the one who conceived me.

  5Young 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.h, i

N 6What is thisj coming up from the wilderness

  like columns of smoke,

  scented with myrrh and frankincensek

  from every fragrant powder of the merchant?

  7It is Solomon’s royal litterl

  surrounded by 60 warriors

  from the mighty of Israel.

  8All of them are skilled with swords

  and trained in warfare.

  Each has his sword at his sidem

  to guard against the terror of the night.n

  9King Solomon made a sedan chairo for himself

  with wood from Lebanon.

  10He made its posts of silver,

  its backp of gold,

  and its seat of purple.

  Its interior is inlaid with loveq

  by the young women of Jerusalem.r

  11Come out, young women of •Zion,s

  and gaze at King Solomon,

  wearing the crown his mother placed on him

  the day of his weddingt —

  the day of his heart’s rejoicing.