CHAPTER 3
1On my couch at night
I sought him I love so.
I sought him but did not find him.
2Let me rise and go round the town,
in the streets and in the square.
Let me seek him I love so.
I sought him but did not find him.
3The watchmen who go round the town found me.
“Have you seen him I love so?”
4I had barely passed on from them
when I found him I love so.
till I brought him to my mother’s house,
and to the chamber of her who conceived me.
5I make you swear, O daughters of Jerusalem,
by the deer or by the gazelles of the field,
that you shall not stir nor rouse
love until it pleases.
6Who is this coming up from the desert
like a pillar of smoke
perfumed with myrrh and frankincense
from all the merchant’s powders?
7Look, Solomon’s bed—
of the warriors of Israel.
8All of them wielding the sword
trained in battle,
each with his sword on his thigh
out of terror in the nights.
9A palanquin did King Solomon make
Its posts he made of silver,
its curtains crimson,
by the daughters of Jerusalem.
10Go out and behold, O daughters of Zion,
with which his mother crowned him
on the day of his heart’s rejoicing.