² ‘^[a]I must arise now and ^[b]go around in the city;
In the ^(A)streets and in the public squares
^[c]I must seek him whom my soul loves.’
I sought him but did not find him.
^3 (B)The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me,
And I said, ‘Have you seen him whom my soul loves?’
^4 (C)Hardly had I ^[d]left them
When I found him whom my soul loves;
I ^(D)held on to him and would not let him go
Until I had ^(E)brought him to my mother’s house,
And into the room of her who conceived me.”

^8 (A)Swear to me, you daughters of Jerusalem,
If you find my beloved,
As to what you will tell him:
For ^(B)I am lovesick.”