3 In my little bed, I sought him by nights, whom my soul loveth; I sought him, and I found not. (In my little bed, night after night, I sought him, whom my soul loveth; I sought him, but I could not find him.)

² I shall rise, and I shall compass the city, by little streets and large streets; I shall seek him, whom my soul loveth; I sought him, and I found not. (So I said, I shall arise, and I shall go about the city, by the little streets and the large streets; I shall seek him, whom my soul loveth; so I sought him, but I could not find him.)

³ (The) Watchmen, that keep the city, found me. (I asked,) Whether ye saw him, whom my soul loveth? (But the watchmen, who guard the city, found me. And I asked them, Have ye seen him, whom my soul loveth?)

⁴ A little when I had passed them, I found him, whom my soul loveth (Then only a little while after that I had left them, I found him, whom my soul loveth); I held him, and I shall not leave him, till I bring him into the house of my mother, and into the (bed-)closet of my mother.