1 P OR las noches busqué en mi lecho al que ama mi alma: Busquélo, y no lo hallé.

By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him.

2 L evantaréme ahora, y rodearé por la ciudad; Por las calles y por las plazas Buscaré al que ama mi alma: Busquélo, y no lo hallé.

“I will rise now,” I said, “And go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I will seek the one I love.” I sought him, but I did not find him.

3 H alláronme los guardas que rondan la ciudad, Y díjeles: ¿Habéis visto al que ama mi alma?

The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said, “Have you seen the one I love?”

4 P asando de ellos un poco, Hallé luego al que mi alma ama: Trabé de él, y no lo dejé, Hasta que lo metí en casa de mi madre, Y en la cámara de la que me engendró.

Scarcely had I passed by them, When I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go, Until I had brought him to the house of my mother, And into the chamber of her who conceived me.

5 Y o os conjuro, oh doncellas de Jerusalem, Por las gamas y por las ciervas del campo, Que no despertéis ni hagáis velar al amor, Hasta que quiera.

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the does of the field, Do not stir up nor awaken love Until it pleases. The Coming of Solomon The Shulamite

6 ¿ Quién es ésta que sube del desierto como columnita de humo, Sahumada de mirra y de incienso, Y de todos polvos aromáticos?

Who is this coming out of the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the merchant’s fragrant powders?

7 H e aquí es la litera de Salomón: Sesenta valientes la rodean, De los fuertes de Israel.

Behold, it is Solomon’s couch, With sixty valiant men around it, Of the valiant of Israel.

8 T odos ellos tienen espadas, diestros en la guerra; Cada uno su espada sobre su muslo, Por los temores de la noche.

They all hold swords, Being expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh Because of fear in the night.

9 E l rey Salomón se hizo una carroza De madera del Líbano.

Of the wood of Lebanon Solomon the King Made himself a palanquin:

10 S us columnas hizo de plata, Su respaldo de oro, su cielo de grana, Su interior enlosado de amor, Por las doncellas de Jerusalem.

He made its pillars of silver, Its support of gold, Its seat of purple, Its interior paved with love By the daughters of Jerusalem.

11 S alid, oh doncellas de Sión, y ved al rey Salomón Con la corona con que le coronó su madre el día de su desposorio, Y el día del gozo de su corazón.

Go forth, O daughters of Zion, And see King Solomon with the crown With which his mother crowned him On the day of his wedding, The day of the gladness of his heart.