Song of Solomon 3:2-8 in English

² I said, I will rise now, and go about the city; In the streets and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen that go about the city found me; To whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

⁴ It was but a little that I passed from them, When I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, Until I had brought him into my mother’s house, And into the chamber of her that conceived me.

⁵ I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, Until he please.

⁶ Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant?

⁷ Behold, it is the litter of Solomon; Threescore mighty men are about it, Of the mighty men of Israel.

⁸ They all handle the sword, and are expert in war: Every man hath his sword upon his thigh, Because of fear in the night.

² I will rise now, and go about in the city, in the market-places, and in the streets, and I will seek him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen who go their rounds in the city found me. I said, Have ye seen him whom my soul loves?

⁴ It was as a little while after I parted from them, that I found him whom my soul loves: I held him, and did not let him go, until I brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

⁵ I have charged you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the powers and by the virtues of the field, that ye rouse not nor awake my love, until he please.

⁶ Who is this that comes up from the wilderness as pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the perfumer?

⁷ Behold Solomon's bed; sixty mighty men of the mighty ones of Israel are round about it.

⁸ They all hold a sword, being expert in war: every man has his sword upon his thigh because of fear by night.

² I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

⁴ It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

⁵ I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

⁶ Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

⁷ Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.

⁸ They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

² I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

⁴ It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

⁵ I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

⁶ Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

⁷ Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.

⁸ They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

² I will rise now, and go about in the city, in the marketplaces, and in the streets, and I will seek him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen who go their rounds in the city found me. I said, Have you° seen him whom my soul loves?

⁴ It was as a little while after I parted from them, that I found him whom my soul loves: I held him, and did not let him go, until I brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

⁵ I have charged you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the powers and by the virtues of the field, that you° rouse not nor awake my love, until he please.

⁶ Who is this that comes up from the wilderness as pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the perfumer?

⁷ Behold Solomon's bed; sixty mighty men of the mighty ones of Israel are round about it.

⁸ They all hold a sword, being expert in war: every man has his sword upon his thigh because of fear by night.

² I said, I will rise now, and go about the city, in the streets and in the broad ways, I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

⁴ It was but a little that I passed from them, when I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

⁵ I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awaken love, until it please.

⁶ Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

⁷ Behold, it is the litter of Solomon; threescore mighty men are about it, of the mighty men of Israel.

⁸ They all handle the sword, and are expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh, because of fear in the night.

² So I said to myself, “I will get up now and walk around the city, through the streets and plazas, to search for the one whom I love.” So I got up and searched for him, but I could not find him.

³ The city watchmen saw me while they were patrolling/walking around the city. I asked them, “Have you seen the one whom I love?”

⁴ As soon as I walked past them, I found the one whom I love. I clung to him and would not let him go until I had brought him to my mother's house, to the room where my mother had conceived me (OR, where I was born).

⁵ You women of Jerusalem, solemnly promise me, while the does and gazelles are listening, that you will not disturb us while we are making love until we are ready to quit.

⁶ Who is it that is coming from the desert, who is stirring up dust like a column of smoke from burning myrrh and incense made from spices imported by merchants?

⁷ It is Solomon, sitting in his portable chair surrounded by sixty bodyguards chosen from the strongest/greatest warriors in Israel.

⁸ They all have swords and they all ◄are trained to/know well how to► use them. Each one has his sword strapped to his side and is prepared to defend Solomon from dangers that might occur even during the night.

² I will rise now, and go about in the city, in the marketplaces, and in the streets, and I will seek him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen who go their rounds in the city found me. I said, Have you° seen him whom my soul loves?

⁴ It was as a little while after I parted from them, that I found him whom my soul loves: I held him, and did not let him go, until I brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

⁵ I have charged you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the powers and by the virtues of the field, that you° rouse not nor awake my love, until he please.

⁶ Who is this that comes up from the wilderness as pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the perfumer?

⁷ Behold Solomon's bed; sixty mighty men of the mighty ones of Israel are round about it.

⁸ They all hold a sword, being expert in war: every man has his sword upon his thigh because of fear by night.

² I will get up now, and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn’t find him.

³ The watchmen who go about the city found me; “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”

⁴ I had scarcely passed from 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, into the room of her who conceived me.

⁵ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up nor awaken love, until it so desires.

⁶ Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?

⁷ Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage! Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel.

⁸ They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, because of fear in the night.

² I will get up now, and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn’t find him.

³ The watchmen who go about the city found me; “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”

⁴ I had scarcely passed from 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, into the room of her who conceived me.

⁵ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up nor awaken love, until it so desires.

⁶ Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?

⁷ Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage! Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel.

⁸ They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, because of fear in the night.

² I will get up now, and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn’t find him.

³ The watchmen who go about the city found me; “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”

⁴ I had scarcely passed from 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, into the room of her who conceived me.

⁵ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up nor awaken love, until it so desires.

⁶ Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?

⁷ Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage! Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel.

⁸ They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, because of fear in the night.

² I will get up now and go about the town, in the streets and in the wide ways I will go after him who is the love of my soul: I went after him, but I did not see him.

³ The watchmen who go about the town came by me; to them I said, Have you seen him who is my heart's desire?

⁴ I was but a little way from them, when I came face to face with him who is the love of my soul. I took him by the hands, and did not let him go, till I had taken him into my mother's house, and into the room of her who gave me birth.

⁵ I say to you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes of the field, let not love be moved till it is ready.

⁶ Who is this coming out of the waste places like pillars of smoke, perfumed with sweet spices, with all the spices of the trader?

⁷ See, it is the bed of Solomon; sixty men of war are about it, of the army of Israel,

⁸ All of them armed with swords, trained in war; every man has his sword at his side, because of fear in the night.

² I will rise now, and go about the city; In the streets and in the broadways Will I seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen that go about the city found me: — Have ye seen him whom my soul loveth?

⁴ — Scarcely had I passed from them, When I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, Until I had brought him into my mother's house, And into the chamber of her that conceived me.

⁵ I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

⁶ Who is this, she that cometh up from the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant? ...

⁷ Behold his couch, Solomon's own: Threescore mighty men are about it, Of the mighty of Israel.

⁸ They all hold the sword, Experts in war; Each hath his sword upon his thigh Because of alarm in the nights.

² I will rise, and will go about the city: in the streets and the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, and I found him not.

³ The watchmen who keep the city, found me: Have you seen him, whom my soul loveth?

⁴ When I had a little passed by them, I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him: and I will not let him go, till I bring him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that bore me.

⁵ I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and the harts of the fields, that you stir not up, nor awake my beloved, till she please.

⁶ Who is she that goeth up by the desert, as a pillar of smoke of aromatical spices, of myrrh, and frankincense, and of all the powders of the perfumer?

⁷ Behold threescore valiant ones of the most valiant of Israel, surrounded the bed of Solomon?

⁸ All holding swords, and most expert in war: every man’s sword upon his thigh, because of fears in the night.

² So I said to myself, “I will get up now and go through the city, looking in its streets and squares for the one I love.” I looked for him but I didn't find him.

³ The watchmen found me as they went through the city. “Have you seen the one I love?” I asked them.

⁴ Only a little farther on after I'd passed them I found my love! I held him close and would not let him go until I'd brought him to my mother's house, to the room of the one who conceived me.

⁵ Women of Jerusalem, swear to me by the gazelles or the wild deer that you won't disturb our love until the right time.

⁶ Who is this coming in from the wilderness like a plume of smoke, like a burning sacrifice scented with myrrh and frankincense, with all kinds of imported perfumed powders?

⁷ Look, it's Solomon's sedan chair, accompanied by sixty of Israel's best warriors.

⁸ All of them are expert swordsmen who have battle experience. They each carry a sword strapped to the thigh, ready for any night-time attacks.

² I will rise therefore nowe, and goe about in the citie, by the streetes and by the open places, and wil seeke him that my soule loueth: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen that went about the citie, found mee: to whome I said, Haue you seene him, whome my soule loueth?

⁴ When I had past a litle from them, then I found him whom my soule loued: I tooke holde on him and left him not, till I had brought him vnto my mothers house into the chamber of her that conceiued me.

⁵ I charge you, O daughters of Ierusalem, by the roes and by the hindes of the fielde, that ye stirre not vp, nor waken my loue vntill she please.

⁶ Who is shee that commeth vp out of the wildernes like pillars of smoke perfumed with myrrhe and incense, and with all the spices of the marchant?

⁷ Beholde his bed, which is Salomons: threescore strong men are round about it, of the valiant men of Israel.

⁸ They all handle the sworde, and are expert in warre, euery one hath his sword vpon his thigh for the feare by night.

² 'I will rise now, and go about the city, in the streets and in the broad ways, I will seek him whom my soul loveth.' I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen that go about the city found me: 'Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?'

⁴ Scarce had I passed from them, when I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

⁵ 'I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles, and by the hinds of the field, that ye awaken not, nor stir up love, until it please.'

⁶ Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

⁷ Behold, it is the litter of Solomon; threescore mighty men are about it, of the mighty men of Israel.

⁸ They all handle the sword, and are expert in war; every man hath his sword upon his thigh, because of dread in the night.

² I will rise now, and go about the city In the streets and in the broad ways, I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen that go about the city found me: To whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

⁴ It was but a little that I passed from them, But I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, Until I had brought him into my mother’s house, And into the chamber of her that conceived me.

⁵ I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, and by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

⁶ Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant?

⁷ Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; Threescore valiant men are about it, Of the valiant of Israel.

⁸ They all hold swords, being expert in war: Every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

² Oh, I must rise now, and go about in the city in the streets, and in the open places; I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ Then found me the watchmen that walked about the city. “Have ye seen him whom my soul loveth?”

⁴ Scarcely had I passed away from them, when I found him whom my soul loveth: I laid fast hold of him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that had born me.

⁵ I adjure you, ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye awaken not, nor excite my love, till it please to come of itself.—

⁶ Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spicy powders of the merchant?

⁷ Behold, it is the bed, which is Solomon's, sixty valiant men are round about it, of the valiant ones of Israel.

⁸ All of them are girded with the sword, are expert in war; every one hath his sword upon his thigh, because of the terror in the nights.

² I will rise now, and go about in the city, In the marketplaces, and in the streets, And I will seek him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen who go their rounds in the city found me. I said, Have ye seen him whom my soul loves?

⁴ It was as a little while after I parted from them, That I found him whom my soul loves: I held him, and did not let him go, Until I brought him into my mother’s house, And into the chamber of her that conceived me.

⁵ I have charged you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the powers and by the virtues of the field, That ye rouse not nor awake my love, until he please.

⁶ Who is this that comes up from the wilderness As pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the perfumer?

⁷ Behold Solomon’s bed; Sixty mighty men of the mighty ones of Israel are round about it.

⁸ They all hold a sword, Being expert in war: Every man has his sword upon his thigh Because of fear by night.

² I will arise now said I, and go about the city; In the streets and the broad ways will I seek him whom my soul loveth; I sought him, but found him not.

³ The watchmen who go about the city found me; “Have you seen said I him whom my soul loveth?”

⁴ I had but just passed them, When I found him whom my soul loveth; I held him, and would not let him go, Till I had brought him into my mother's house, Into the apartment of her that bore me.

⁵ Lov. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem! By the gazelles, and by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till she please.

⁶ Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the powders of the merchant?

⁷ Behold, the carriage of Solomon! Threescore valiant men are around it, Of the valiant men of Israel.

⁸ They all wear swords, Being skilled in war. Every one hath his sword girt upon his thigh, On account of danger in the night.

² I said to myself, “I will get up and go through the city, through the streets and squares; I will search for him whom my soul loves.” I searched for him, but I did not find him.

³ The watchmen found me as they were making their rounds in the city. I asked them, “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”

⁴ It was only a little while after I had passed them that 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, into the bedroom of the one who had conceived me.

⁵ I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and the does of the fields, that you will not awaken or arouse love until she pleases.

⁶ What is that coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the powders sold by merchants?

⁷ Look, it is the bed of Solomon; sixty warriors surround it, sixty soldiers of Israel.

⁸ All of them are skilled with a sword and are experienced in warfare. Every man has his sword at his side, armed against the terrors of the night.

² I will get up now, and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn’t find him.

³ The watchmen who go about the city found me; “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”

⁴ I had scarcely passed from 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, into the room of her who conceived me.

⁵ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up nor awaken love, until it so desires.

⁶ Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?

⁷ Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage! Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel.

⁸ They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, because of fear in the night.

² I will get up now, and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn’t find him.

³ The watchmen who go about the city found me; “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”

⁴ I had scarcely passed from 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, into the room of her who conceived me.

⁵ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up nor awaken love, until it so desires.

⁶ Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?

⁷ Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage! Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel.

⁸ They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, because of fear in the night.

² I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said , Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

⁴ It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

⁵ I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

⁶ Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

⁷ Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; sixty valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.

⁸ They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

² I will get up now, and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn’t find him.

³ The watchmen who go about the city found me; “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”

⁴ I had scarcely passed from 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, into the room of her who conceived me.

⁵ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up nor awaken love, until it so desires.

⁶ Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?

⁷ Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage! Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel.

⁸ They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, because of fear in the night.

² I will get up now, and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn’t find him.

³ The watchmen who go about the city found me; “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”

⁴ I had scarcely passed from 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, into the room of her who conceived me.

⁵ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up nor awaken love, until it so desires.

⁶ Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?

⁷ Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage! Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel.

⁸ They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, because of fear in the night.

² So I said, I shall rise, and I shall compass the city, by little streets and large streets; I shall seek him, whom my soul loveth; I sought him, and I found not.

³ Watchmen, that keep the city, found me. I asked, Whether ye saw him, whom my soul loveth?

⁴ A little when I had passed them, I found him, whom my soul loveth; I held him, and I shall not leave him, till I bring him into the house of my mother, and into the bed-closet of my mother.

⁵ Ye daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you greatly, by the caprets, and harts of fields, that ye raise not, neither make to awake the dearworthy spousess, till she will.

⁶ Who is this woman, that goeth up by the desert, as a rod of smoke of sweet smelling spices, of myrrh, and of incense, and of all powder of an ointment maker?

⁷ Lo! sixty strong men of the strongest men of Israel encompass the bed of Solomon;

⁸ and all they hold swords, and be most witting to battles; the sword of each man is on his hip, for the dread of nights.

² I shall rise, and I shall compass the city, by little streets and large streets; I shall seek him, whom my soul loveth; I sought him, and I found not. (So I said, I shall arise, and I shall go about the city, by the little streets and the large streets; I shall seek him, whom my soul loveth; so I sought him, but I could not find him.)

³ (The) Watchmen, that keep the city, found me. (I asked), Whether ye saw him, whom my soul loveth? (But the watchmen, who guard the city, found me. And I asked them, Have ye seen him, whom my soul loveth?)

⁴ A little when I had passed them, I found him, whom my soul loveth, (or Then only a little while after that I had left them, I found him, whom my soul loveth); I held him, and I shall not leave him, till I bring him into the house of my mother, and into the (bed-)closet of my mother.

⁵ Ye daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you greatly, by the caprets, and harts of fields, that ye raise not, neither make to awake the dearworthy spousess, till she will. (Ye daughters of Jerusalem, I strongly command you, by the gazelles, and the harts of the fields, that ye raise not up, nor awaken the dearworthy spousess, until she desireth it.)

⁶ Who is this woman, that goeth up by the desert, as a rod of smoke of sweet smelling spices, of myrrh, and of incense, and of all powder of an ointment maker? (Who is this woman, who goeth up by the desert, like a column of smoke of sweet smelling spices, yea, of myrrh, and of incense, and of all the powders of a perfume maker?)

⁷ Lo! sixty strong men of the strongest men of Israel compass the bed of Solomon; (Behold! sixty strong men of the strongest of Israel surround, (or protect), Solomon in his bed;)

⁸ and all they hold swords, and be most witting to battles; the sword of each man is on his hip, for the dread of nights. (and they all hold swords, and be most knowing about battle, or about fighting; the sword of each man is on his hip, ready for any attack in the night.)

² — Pray, let me rise, and go round the city, In the streets and in the broad places, I seek him whom my soul hath loved! — I sought him, and I found him not.

³ The watchmen have found me, (Who are going round about the city), 'Him whom my soul have loved saw ye?'

⁴ But a little I passed on from them, Till I found him whom my soul hath loved! I seized him, and let him not go, Till I brought him in unto the house of my mother — And the chamber of her that conceived me.

⁵ I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes or by the hinds of the field, Stir not up nor wake the love till she please!

⁶ Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Like palm-trees of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, From every powder of the merchant?

⁷ Lo, his couch, that is Solomon's, Sixty mighty ones are around it, Of the mighty of Israel,

⁸ All of them holding sword, taught of battle, Each his sword by his thigh, for fear at night.