The Bride's Reverie

31 "On my bed night after night I sought him Whom my soul loves ; I sought him but did not find him. 2 'I must arise now and go about the city ; In the streets and in the squares I must seek him whom my soul loves .' I sought him but did not find him. 3 " The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me, And I said, 'Have you seen him whom my soul loves ?' 4 " Scarcely had I left them When e I found him whom my soul loves ; I held on to him and would not let him go Until I had brought him to my mother's house , And into the room of her who conceived me." 5 "I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem , By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field , That you will not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases ."

The Wedding Procession

6 " What is this coming up from the wilderness Like columns of smoke , Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense , With all scented powders of the merchant ?

7 "Behold , it is the traveling couch of Solomon ; Sixty mighty men around it, Of the mighty men of Israel . 8 "All of them are wielders of the sword , Expert in war ; Each man has his sword at his side , Guarding against the terrors of the night . 9 "King Solomon has made for himself a sedan chair From the timber of Lebanon . 10 "He made its posts of silver , Its back of gold And its seat of purple fabric , With its interior lovingly fitted out By the daughters of Jerusalem . 11 "Go forth , O daughters of Zion , And gaze on King Solomon with the crown With which his mother has crowned him On the day of his wedding , And on the day of his gladness of heart ."