Song of Solomon

¹ “On my bed night after night I sought him Whom my soul loves; I sought him but did not find him.

² In the streets and in the squares I must seek him whom my soul loves.’ I sought him but did not find him.

³ And I said, ‘Have you seen him whom my soul loves?’

⁴ When I found him whom my soul loves; I seized him and would not let him go Until I had brought him to my mother’s house, And into the chamber of her who conceived me.”

⁵ By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, That you do not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases.”

⁶ “Who is this coming up from the wilderness Like columns of smoke, As rising incense of myrrh and frankincense, With all scented powders of the merchant?

⁷ Sixty mighty men around it, Of the mighty men of Israel.

⁸ Learned in war; Each man has his sword at his side, Guarding against the dreadful things of the night.

⁹ From the timber of Lebanon.

¹⁰ Its back of gold And its seat of purple fabric, With its interior inlaid with love By the daughters of Jerusalem.

¹¹ King Solomon with the crown With which his mother has crowned him On the day of his wedding, And on the day of his gladness of heart.”