By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not.

I will rise 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 found him not.

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

It was but a little after I passed by 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, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spoke: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

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

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

O that you were as my brother, that nursed at the breasts of my mother! if I should find you outside, I would kiss you; yea, I would not be despised.

I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favor.