Young Woman

1One night as I lay in bed, I yearned for my lover.

I yearned for him, but he did not come.

2So I said to myself, “I will get up and roam the city,

searching in all its streets and squares.

I will search for the one I love.”

So I searched everywhere but did not find him.

3The watchmen stopped me as they made their rounds,

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

4Then scarcely had I left them

when I found my love!

I caught and held him tightly,

then I brought him to my mother’s house,

into my mother’s bed, where I had been conceived.

5Promise me, O women of Jerusalem,

by the gazelles and wild deer,

not to awaken love until the time is right.a

Young Women of Jerusalem

6Who is this sweeping in from the wilderness

like a cloud of smoke?

Who is it, fragrant with myrrh and frankincense

and every kind of spice?

7Look, it is Solomon’s carriage,

surrounded by sixty heroic men,

the best of Israel’s soldiers.

8They are all skilled swordsmen,

experienced warriors.

Each wears a sword on his thigh,

ready to defend the king against an attack in the night.

9King Solomon’s carriage is built

of wood imported from Lebanon.

10Its posts are silver,

its canopy gold;

its cushions are purple.

It was decorated with love

by the young women of Jerusalem.

Young Woman

11Come out to see King Solomon,

young women of Jerusalem.b

He wears the crown his mother gave him on his wedding day,

his most joyous day.