Song of Solomon 5:2-8 in English

² I was asleep, but my heart waked: It is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; For my head is filled with dew, My locks with the drops of the night.

³ I have put off my garment; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

⁴ My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, And my heart was moved for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my beloved; And my hands dropped with myrrh, And my fingers with liquid myrrh, Upon the handles of the bolt.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone. My soul had failed me when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

⁷ The watchmen that go about the city found me, They smote me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls took away my mantle from me.

⁸ I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If ye find my beloved, That ye tell him, that I am sick from love.

² I sleep, but my heart is awake: the voice of my kinsman knocks at the door, saying, Open, open to me, my companion, my sister, my dove, my perfect one: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

³ I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them?

⁴ My kinsman put forth his hand by the hole of the door, and my belly was moved for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my kinsman; my hands dropped myrrh, my fingers choice myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my kinsman; my kinsman was gone: my soul failed at his speech: I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he answered me not.

⁷ The watchmen that go their rounds in the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

⁸ I have charged you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the powers and the virtues of the field: if ye should find my kinsman, what are ye to say to him? That I am wounded with love.

² I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

³ I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

⁴ My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

⁷ The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

⁸ I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.

² I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

³ I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

⁴ My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

⁷ The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

⁸ I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.

² I sleep, but my heart is awake: the voice of my kinsman knocks at the door, saying, Open, open to me, my companion, my sister, my dove, my perfect one: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

³ I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them?

⁴ My kinsman put forth his hand by the hole of the door, and my belly moved for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my kinsman; my hands dropped myrrh, my fingers choice myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my kinsman; my kinsman was gone: my soul failed at his speech: I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he answered me not.

⁷ The watchman that go their rounds in the city found me, they struck me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

⁸ I have charged you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the powers and the virtues of the field: if you° should find my kinsman, what are you° to say to him? That I am wounded with love.

² I was asleep, but my heart waked: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.

³ I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

⁴ My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my heart was moved for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with liquid myrrh, upon the handles of the bolt.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone. My soul had failed me when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

⁷ The watchmen that go about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my mantle from me.

⁸ I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.

² I was partially asleep, but my mind was still awake. Then I heard the one who loves me knocking at the door. He said, “My darling, you who are dearer to me than my sister, my dear friend, my perfect one, my dove MET, open the door for me! My hair is wet from the dew, from the mist that has fallen during the night.”

³ But I had already taken off my robe; I did not RHQ want to put it on again to open the door. I had already washed my feet; I did not RHQ want them to become dirty again.

⁴ The one who loves me put his hand through the opening in the wall, and I was thrilled that he was there.

⁵ I got up to open the door for the one who loves me, but first I put a lot of myrrh on my hands. The myrrh was dripping from my fingers while I unlatched the bolt.

⁶ I opened the door for the man who loves me, but he had left. He had turned away and was gone! I was very disappointed IDM; I searched for him, but I could not find him. I called him, but he did not answer.

⁷ The city watchmen saw me while they were walking around the city. They beat me and wounded me because they thought I must be a prostitute; those men who were guarding the city walls took my robe.

⁸ You young women of Jerusalem, I plead with you, if you see the man who loves me, tell him DOU that I am very disappointed that we did not make love.

² I sleep, but my heart is awake: the voice of my kinsman knocks at the door, saying, Open, open to me, my companion, my sister, my dove, my perfect one: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

³ I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them?

⁴ My kinsman put forth his hand by the hole of the door, and my belly moved for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my kinsman; my hands dropped myrrh, my fingers choice myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my kinsman; my kinsman was gone: my soul failed at his speech: I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he answered me not.

⁷ The watchman that go their rounds in the city found me, they struck me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

⁸ I have charged you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the powers and the virtues of the field: if you° should find my kinsman, what are you° to say to him? That I am wounded with love.

² I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.”

³ I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them?

⁴ My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him.

⁵ I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left, and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer.

⁷ The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me.

⁸ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am faint with love.

² I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.”

³ I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them?

⁴ My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him.

⁵ I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left, and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer.

⁷ The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me.

⁸ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am faint with love.

² I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.”

³ I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them?

⁴ My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him.

⁵ I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left, and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer.

⁷ The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me.

⁸ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am faint with love.

² I am sleeping, but my heart is awake; it is the sound of my loved one at the door, saying, Be open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my very beautiful one; my head is wet with dew, and my hair with the drops of the night.

³ I have put off my coat; how may I put it on? My feet are washed; how may I make them unclean?

⁴ My loved one put his hand on the door, and my heart was moved for him.

⁵ I got up to let my loved one in; and my hands were dropping with myrrh, and my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the lock of the door.

⁶ I made the door open to my loved one; but my loved one had taken himself away, and was gone, my soul was feeble when his back was turned on me; I went after him, but I did not come near him; I said his name, but he gave me no answer.

⁷ The keepers who go about the town overtook me; they gave me blows and wounds; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

⁸ I say to you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you see my loved one, what will you say to him? That I am overcome with love.

² I slept, but my heart was awake. The voice of my beloved! he knocketh: Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, mine undefiled; For my head is filled with dew, My locks with the drops of the night.

³ — I have put off my tunic, how should I put it on? I have washed my feet, how should I pollute them? —

⁴ My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door; And my bowels yearned for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my beloved; And my hands dropped with myrrh, And my fingers with liquid myrrh, Upon the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself; he was gone: My soul went forth when he spoke. I sought him, but I found him not; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

⁷ The watchmen that went about the city found me; They smote me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

⁸ I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, If ye find my beloved, ...What will ye tell him? — That I am sick of love.

² I sleep, and my heart watcheth; the voice of my beloved knocking: Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is full of dew, and my locks of the drops of the nights.

³ I have put off my garment, how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them?

⁴ My beloved put his hand through the key hole, and my bowels were moved at his touch.

⁵ I arose up to open to my beloved: my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers were full of the choicest myrrh.

⁶ I opened the bolt of my door to my beloved: but he had turned aside, and was gone. My soul melted when he spoke: I sought him, and found him not: I called, and he did not answer me.

⁷ The keepers that go about the city found me: they struck me: and wounded me: the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

⁸ I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him that I languish with love.

² Though I was asleep, my mind was racing. I heard my love knocking, and calling out, “Please open the door, my sister, my darling, my dove, my perfect love. My head is soaked with dew, my hair is wet from the night mist.”

³ I replied, “I've already got undressed. I don't have to get dressed again, do I? I've already washed my feet. I don't have to make them dirty again, do I?”

⁴ My love thrust his hand into the opening. Deep inside I longed for him.

⁵ I got up to let my love in. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, as I grabbed the handles of the bolt.

⁶ I opened up to my love, but he had left—he was gone! I was crushed as a result. I looked for him but I couldn't find him. I called him but he didn't answer.

⁷ The watchmen found me as they went through the city. They beat me, they hurt me, and stole my cloak, those watchmen of the walls.

⁸ Women of Jerusalem, promise me if you find my love and wonder what you should tell him, tell him I am weak with love.

² I sleepe, but mine heart waketh, it is the voyce of my welbeloued that knocketh, saying, Open vnto mee, my sister, my loue, my doue, my vndefiled: for mine head is full of dewe, and my lockes with the droppes of the night.

³ I haue put off my coate, howe shall I put it on? I haue washed my feete, howe shall I defile them?

⁴ My welbeloued put in his hand by the hole of the doore, and mine heart was affectioned toward him.

⁵ I rose vp to open to my welbeloued, and mine hands did drop downe myrrhe, and my fingers pure myrrhe vpon the handels of the barre.

⁶ I opened to my welbeloued: but my welbeloued was gone, and past: mine heart was gone when hee did speake: I sought him, but I coulde not finde him: I called him, but hee answered mee not.

⁷ The watchmen that went about the citie, founde me: they smote me and wounded me: the watchmen of the walles tooke away my vaile from me.

⁸ I charge you, O daughters of Ierusalem, if you finde my welbeloued, that you tell him that I am sicke of loue.

² I sleep, but my heart waketh; Hark! my beloved knocketh: 'Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.'

³ I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

⁴ My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my heart was moved for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with flowing myrrh, upon the handles of the bar.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had turned away, and was gone. My soul failed me when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

⁷ The watchmen that go about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my mantle from me.

⁸ 'I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, what will ye tell him? that I am love-sick.'

² I sleep, but my heart waketh: It is the voice of my beloved that knocketh saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: For my head is filled with dew, And my locks with the drops of the night.

³ I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

⁴ My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, And my bowels were moved for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my beloved; And my hands dropped with myrrh, And my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, Upon the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: My soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

⁷ The watchmen that went about the city found me, They smote me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls took away my vail from me.

⁸ I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, That I am sick of love.

² I slept, but my heart was awake: there was the voice of my beloved that knocked, “Open for me, my sister, my beloved, my dove, my guiltless one; for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.”

³ I have put off my coat: how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet: how shall I defile them?

⁴ My friend stretched forth his hand through the opening, and my inmost parts were moved for him.

⁵ I rose up myself to open for my friend; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with fluid myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

⁶ I indeed opened for my beloved; but my beloved had vanished, and was gone: my soul had failed me while he was speaking; I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he answered me not.

⁷ Then found me the watchmen that walked about the city; they smote me, they wounded me: they took away my vail from me, they that watched the walls.

⁸ I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, what will ye tell him? that I am sick of love.—

² I sleep, but my heart is awake: The voice of my kinsman knocks at the door, saying, Open, open to me, my companion, my sister, My dove, my perfect one: For my head is filled with dew, And my locks with the drops of the night.

³ I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them?

⁴ My kinsman put forth his hand by the hole of the door, And my belly was moved for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my kinsman; My hands dropped myrrh, My fingers choice myrrh, On the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my kinsman; My kinsman was gone: My soul failed at his speech: I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he answered me not.

⁷ The watchmen that go their rounds in the city found me, They smote me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

⁸ I have charged you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the powers and the virtues of the field: If ye should find my kinsman, what are ye to say to him? That I am wounded with love.

² M. I slept, but my heart was awake; It was the voice of my beloved, who was knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my love, My dove, my perfect one! For my head is filled with dew, And my locks with the drops of the night.”

³ “I have taken off my vest said I; How shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; How shall I soil them?”

⁴ My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, And my heart was moved for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my beloved, And my hands dropped with myrrh, And my fingers with self-flowing myrrh, upon the handles of the bolt.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone. I was not in my senses while he spake with me! I sought him, but could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

⁷ The watchmen that go about the city found me; They smote me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls took away from me my veil.

⁸ I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem! If ye should find my beloved,—What will ye tell him? That I am sick with love.

² I was asleep, but my heart was awake. There is the sound of my beloved knocking and saying, “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled one, for my head is wet with dew, my hair with the night's dampness.”

³ “I have taken off my robe; must I put it on again? I have washed my feet; must I get them dirty?”

⁴ My beloved put in his hand through the opening of the door latch, and my heart was stirred up for him.

⁵ I got up to open the door for my beloved; my hands were dripping with myrrh, my fingers with moist myrrh, on the door handle.

⁶ I opened the door for my beloved, but my beloved had turned and gone. My heart sank when he spoke. I looked for him, but I did not find him; I called him, but he did not answer me.

⁷ The watchmen found me as they were making their rounds in the city. They struck me and wounded me; the guards on the walls took away my cloak from me.

⁸ I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem, that if you find my beloved— What will you make known to him?— that I am sick from love.

² I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.”

³ I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them?

⁴ My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him.

⁵ I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left, and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer.

⁷ The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me.

⁸ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am faint with love.

² I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.”

³ I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them?

⁴ My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him.

⁵ I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left, and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer.

⁷ The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me.

⁸ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am faint with love.

² I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying , Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

³ I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

⁴ My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door , and my bowels were moved for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my beloved: and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet-smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spoke: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

⁷ The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my vail from me.

⁸ I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick with love.

² I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.”

³ I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them?

⁴ My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him.

⁵ I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left, and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer.

⁷ The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me.

⁸ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am faint with love.

² I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.”

³ I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them?

⁴ My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him.

⁵ I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left, and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer.

⁷ The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me.

⁸ I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am faint with love.

² I sleep, and mine heart waketh. The voice of my darling knocking; my sister, my love, my culver, my spousess unwemmed, open thou to me; for mine head is full of dew, and mine hairs be full of the drops of nights.

³ I have unclothed me of my coat; how shall I be clothed therein? I have washed my feet; how shall I defoul them?

⁴ My darling put his hand by an hole in the door; and my womb trembled at the touching thereof.

⁵ I rose, for to open to my darling; mine hands dropped myrrh, and my fingers were full of myrrh most proved.

⁶ I opened the wicket of my door to my darling; and he had bowed away, and had passed forth. My soul was melted, as the darling spake; I sought, and I found not him; I called, and he answered not to me.

⁷ The keepers that compassed the city found me; they smote me, and wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my mantle.

⁸ Ye daughters of Jerusalem, I beseech you by an holy thing, if ye have found my darling, that ye tell to him, that I am sick for love.

² I sleep, and mine heart waketh. The voice of my darling knocking; my sister, my love, my culver, my spousess unwemmed, open thou to me; for mine head is full of dew, and mine hairs be full of the drops of nights. (I sleep, and then my heart awakeneth. The sound of my darling knocking; and he is saying, My dear, my love, my dove, my unblemished spousess, open thou the door for me; for my head is drenched with dew, yea, my hair is full of the drops, or the mist, of the night.)

³ I have unclothed me of my coat; how shall I be clothed therein? I have washed my feet; how shall I defoul them? (I have taken off my coat; shall I now put it on again? I have washed my feet; shall I now defile them again?)

⁴ My darling put his hand by an hole (in the door); and my womb trembled at the touching thereof.

⁵ I rose, for to open to my darling; mine hands dropped myrrh, and my fingers were full of myrrh most proved. (I rose, to open the door for my darling; my hands dripped with myrrh, yea, my fingers were covered with the best myrrh.)

⁶ I opened the wicket of my door to my darling; and he had bowed away, and had passed forth. My soul was melted, as the darling spake; I sought, and I found not him; I called, and he answered not to me. (And I opened my door for my darling; but he had turned away, yea, he had gone forth. My soul had melted, as my darling spoke; and now I sought him, but I could not find him; I called to him, but he did not answer me.)

⁷ The keepers that compassed the city found me; they smote me, and wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my mantle. (But the guards, who went around the city, found me; and they struck me, and wounded me; yea, the guards on the walls took away my cloak.)

⁸ Ye daughters of Jerusalem, I beseech you by an holy thing, (that) if ye have found my darling, that ye tell to him, that I am sick for love. (Ye daughters of Jerusalem, I plead with you by a thing most holy, that if ye find my darling, that ye tell him, that I am weak, or that I faint, because of love.)

² I am sleeping, but my heart waketh: The sound of my beloved knocking! 'Open to me, my sister, my friend, My dove, my perfect one, For my head is filled with dew, My locks with drops of the night.'

³ I have put off my coat, how do I put it on? I have washed my feet, how do I defile them?

⁴ My beloved sent his hand from the net-work, And my bowels were moved for him.

⁵ I rose to open to my beloved, And my hands dropped myrrh, Yea, my fingers flowing myrrh, On the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved, But my beloved withdrew — he passed on, My soul went forth when he spake, I sought him, and found him not. I called him, and he answered me not.

⁷ The watchmen who go round about the city, Found me, smote me, wounded me, Keepers of the walls lifted up my veil from off me.

⁸ I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, If ye find my beloved — What do ye tell him? that I am sick with love!