SHEBy the time the king is in his circle, my nard, will have given out its fragrance:

Swear to me, young women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does of the field, that you won't awaken or arouse love before its proper time!

The flowers, have appeared in the earth, the time of the spring-song, hath come, - and, the voice of the turtle, is heard in our land;

SHEUpon my couch, in the night-time, sought I the beloved of my soul, - I sought him, but found him not.

Swear to me, young women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does of the field, that you won't awaken or arouse love before its proper time!

All of them, grasping the sword, trained for war, - every man, with his sword upon his thigh, because of dread, in the night-time.

Nevertheless when I had opened unto my beloved, he was departed and gone his way. Now like as afore time when he spake, my heart could not longer refrain: Even so now I sought him, but I could not find him: I cried upon him, nevertheless he gave me no answer.

Swear to me, young women of Jerusalem, that you won't awaken or arouse love before its proper time!