My soul's love I by night did seek

Verse 1

By night as on my bed I lay, when I awak'd; I sought For the Beloved of my soul; I sought, but found Him not!

Verse 2

Now I'll arise, and in the streets, and all broad places round, Him I will seek whom my soul loves: I sought, but had not found.

Verse 3

The watchmen, as I went about the city, met with me; Of them I ask'd; HIM whom my soul most loves, O did you see?

Verse 4

But 'twas a very little space, that I from them had past, E'er Him whom my soul loves I found, I seiz'd and held him fast. Nor would I let Him go till I had brought Him in to see My mother's house, the chamber too who had conceived me.

Verse 5

O daughters of Jerusalem, wake not my Love, nor raise; By roes and hinds of all the fields, I charge you, till He please.

Verse 6

Who's she that from the desart comes, as incense-pillars rise? Perfum'd with myrrh and frankincense, and powders all of spice?

Verse 7

Behold the stately bed of rest which is King Solomon's, And round it threescore valiant men, of Isr'els valiant sons.

Verse 8

So dreadful to their enemies, all warriours skill'd in fight: Their ready swords girt on their thighs because of fear by night.

Verse 9

Of wood of Lebanon the King a stately couch has made:

Verse 10

Its pillars are of silver form'd, gold for its bottom laid. Of purple is the canopy, arch'd over all above, For daughters of Jerusalem the midst is spread with love.

Verse 11

O Zion's daughters, go ye forth, with rais'd delight behold King Solomon all glorious with his diadem of gold; The crown which on his nuptial day his mother on him plac'd; The day when gladness fills his heart and all around are bless'd.