1All night long, on my bed I looked for him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but did not find him. 2I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways; I will seek him whom my soul loves. So I sought him, but did not find him. 3The watchmen that patrol the city found me; to whom I said, “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?” 4I had scarcely left them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the room of her who conceived me. 5O you daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles, wild deer of the field, not to awaken my love, till the time is right.

6Who is this coming out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense, made from all spices of the merchant? 7Look! It is Solomon's carriage; escorted by sixty valiant men, the most noble of Israel. 8They all carry swords, experienced in war; each man has his sword upon his thigh, prepared for the dangers of the night. 9King Solomon made himself a chariot out of the wood of Lebanon. 10Its posts he made of silver, its canopy made of gold, its seat upholstered with purple, its interior decorated with love by the young women of Jerusalem. 11Come out, you daughters of Zion. Look at King Solomon wearing the crown which his mother crowned him with in the day of his wedding, the day that his heart rejoiced.