[1] Her: Restless night after night in my bed, I longed and looked for my soul's true love; I searched for him, but I could not find him. [2] I will get up now and search the city, wander up and down streets and plazas; I will look for my soul's true love. I searched for him, but I could not find him. [3] The watchmen found me as they kept watch on the silent city. "Have you seen my soul's true love?" I asked. [4] Not long after I left them, I found him-I found my soul's true love. I pulled him to me and would not let him go until I brought him to my mother's house, to the very room where she conceived me. [5] (to the young women of Jerusalem) Heed my warning: By the gazelles and deer of the field, I charge you not to excite your love until it is ready. Don't stir a fire in your heart too soon, until it is ready to be satisfied. [6] Young Women of Jerusalem: Who is this coming up from the desert, with billowing clouds of dust and smoke, with a sweet aroma of burning myrrh and frankincense, with fragrant spices fresh from the merchant? [7] Look, it is Solomon's litter, surrounded by 60 strong men, some of the very best soldiers in Israel, [8] All armed swordsmen, battle-hardened heroes, experts at war, Marching with swords at their sides, ready to guard the king from the terrors of the night. [9] King Solomon built his own royal carriage from the trees of Lebanon. [10] He had its posts fashioned from silver, its back made of gold, its seat covered with royal purple, its interior decorated with love by the young women of Jerusalem. [11] O go out, young women of Zion, and see King Solomon Wearing the crown with which his mother has crowned him on his wedding day, on the day his heart overflows with joy.
