By night on my bed I was looking for him who is the love of my soul: I was looking for him, but I did not see him.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

My dove, my very beautiful one, is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the dearest one of her who gave her birth. The daughters saw her, and gave her a blessing; yes, the queens and the servant-wives, and they gave her praises.

Who is she, looking down as the morning light, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, who is to be feared like an army with flags?

Oh that you were my brother, who took milk from my mother's breasts! When I came to you in the street, I would give you kisses; yes, I would not be looked down on.

Who is this, who comes up from the waste places, resting on her loved one? It was I who made you awake under the apple-tree, where your mother gave you birth; there she was in pain at your birth.

I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers; then was I in his eyes as one to whom good chance had come.

My vine-garden, which is mine, is before me: you, O Solomon, will have the thousand, and those who keep the fruit of them two hundred.

You who have your resting-place in the gardens, the friends give ear to your voice; make me give ear to it.