Song of Solomon 3 YLT
Summary: The woman recounts a night scene, searching the city streets for her beloved after failing to find him on her bed, questioning the watchmen, and finally finding him and bringing him to her mother's house — followed again by her refrain against awakening love prematurely. The chapter then shifts to a grand procession: "who is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke" (v. 6), revealed to be Solomon's traveling couch guarded by sixty mighty men armed against the terrors of the night. The litter itself is described as built of Lebanon's wood with posts of silver, a back of gold, and a seat of purple, and the chapter closes urging the daughters of Zion to go out and see King Solomon wearing the crown given by his mother on his wedding day.
1On my couch by night, I sought him whom my soul hath loved; I sought him, and I found him not!
2--Pray, let me rise, and go round the city, In the streets and in the broad places, I seek him whom my soul hath loved! --I sought him, and I found him not.
3The watchmen have found me, (Who are going round about the city), `Him whom my soul have loved saw ye?'
4But a little I passed on from them, Till I found him whom my soul hath loved! I seized him, and let him not go, Till I brought him in unto the house of my mother--And the chamber of her that conceived me.
5I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes or by the hinds of the field, Stir not up nor wake the love till she please!
6Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Like palm-trees of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, From every powder of the merchant?
7Lo, his couch, that is Solomon's, Sixty mighty ones are around it, Of the mighty of Israel,
8All of them holding sword, taught of battle, Each his sword by his thigh, for fear at night.
9A palanquin king Solomon made for himself, Of the wood of Lebanon,
10Its pillars he made of silver, Its bottom of gold, its seat of purple, Its midst lined with love, By the daughters of Jerusalem.
11Go forth, and look, ye daughters of Zion, On king Solomon, with the crown, With which his mother crowned him, In the day of his espousals, And in the day of the joy of his heart!
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