Tell me, [you] whom my {heart} loves, where do you pasture your flock, where do your sheep lie down at the noon? {For why should I be like} one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions?

On my bed in the night, I sought him whom my {heart} loves. I sought him, but I did not find him.

Now I will arise, and I will go about in the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my {heart} loves. I sought him, but I did not find him.

The sentinels who go about in the city found me. "Have you seen the one whom my {heart} loves?"

{Scarcely had I passed} by them when I found him whom my {heart} loves. I held him and I would not let him go until I brought him to the house of my mother, into the bedroom chamber of she who conceived me.

My dove, {she is the one}; my perfect, {she is the only one}; she [is] {the favorite of} her mother who bore her. Maidens see her and consider her fortunate; queens and concubines praise her:

"Who [is] this that looks down like the dawn, beautiful as the moon, {bright as the sun}, {overwhelming as an army with banners}?"

{How I wish that you were my little brother}, [who] nursed {upon my mother's breasts}! [If] {I met you outside}, I would kiss you, {and no one would despise me}!

{I would surely bring you} to the house of my mother, {who would surely teach me}; {I would give you spiced wine to drink}, the {sweet wine} of my pomegranates.

Who [is] this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? Under the apple tree I awakened you; there your mother {conceived you}; there she who was in labor gave birth to you.

{My own "vineyard" belongs to me}; the "thousand" are for you, O Solomon, {and "two hundred" for those who tend its fruit}.

O you who dwell in the garden, [my] companions are listening to your voice. Let me hear [it]!