The Loved One

1Night after night on my bed,

I sought the one I love;

I sought him, but didn’t find him.

2I’ll get up and go all around the city,

throughout the streets, and in the squares.

I’ll seek the one I love.

I sought him, but didn’t find him.

3The watchmen who go all around the city found me.

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

4I had just passed them

when I found the one I love.

I held him and wouldn’t let him go

until I brought him to my mother’s house,

to the room of the one who conceived me.

5Swear to me, young women of Jerusalem,

by the gazelles or by the does of the field,

that you won’t awaken or arouse love

before its proper time!b

The Lover Arrives

6Whatc is this coming up from the desert

like columns of smoke,

perfumed with myrrhd and incensee

from all the fragrant powders of the merchant?

7Look! It’s Solomon’s sedan chair,f

with 60 of the best soldiers in Israelg surrounding it.

8All of them are wearing swords and are

experienced in battle.

Each has his sword on his thigh,

ready for the terror of the night.h

9King Solomon made the sedan chair for himself

from the trees of Lebanon.

10He made its posts of silver,

its back of gold.

Its seat was purple,

and its interior was lovingly inlaid

by the young women of Jerusalem.

11Come out, young women of Zion,

and see King Solomon with the crown

with which his mother crowned him

on his wedding day—

his day of great delight.i