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The watchmen found me as they patrolled the city.
    I asked, “Have you seen the one I love?”
As soon as I had left them
    I found the one I love.
I held him. I would not let him go
    until I had brought him to my mother’s house.
    I brought him into the room where I was born.

The Woman Speaks to the Friends

Women of Jerusalem, promise me
    by the gazelles and the deer.
Promise not to wake love.
    Don’t excite my feelings of love
    until I’m ready.

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The watchmen found me
    as they made their rounds in the city.(A)
    “Have you seen the one my heart loves?”
Scarcely had I passed them
    when I found the one my heart loves.
I held him and would not let him go
    till I had brought him to my mother’s house,(B)
    to the room of the one who conceived me.(C)
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you(D)
    by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
    until it so desires.(E)

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