The Shulamite relates to the court ladies a dream which she has had, in which she manifests great attachment for her beloved (2–8). The court ladies, surprised at this extraordinary enthusiasm, ask what there is particular in his person to cause such an attachment (9). The Shulamite then gives a description of him (10–16). Whereupon the court ladies inquire where he is, and offer to seek him (ch. vi. 1). The Shulamite, suspecting their intention, gives an evasive answer to their inquiry (2, 3). The king, having heard the Shulamite’s beloved mentioned, immediately comes forward and seeks to win her affections (4–9); in exalting her beauty, he repeats how the court ladies had praised her when they first saw her (10). The Shulamite, having explained how she came to be seen by the court ladies, withdraws (11, 12.) The king calls her back (ch. vii. 1); and, as she returns, describes her charms, and wishes to enjoy the love of one so beautiful (2–10). The Shulamite refuses the king’s desire, stating that her affections were espoused (11); then addressing herself to her beloved, she asks him to go home with her, and descants upon their rural pleasures (12–14). Remembering, however, that circumstances even at home prevented the full manifestation of her love, she longs for those obstacles to be removed (ch. viii. 1, 2). Overcome by her feelings, she wishes that none but her beloved may support her (3), and with the little strength she has left, adjures the court ladies not to persuade her to change her love (4). THE SHULAMITE. I was sleeping, but my heart kept awake, Hark! my beloved! he is knocking! Open to me, my sister, my love! My dove, my perfect beauty! For my head is filled with dew, My locks with the drops of the night. I have put off my tunic, How shall I put it on? I have washed my feet, How shall I soil them? My beloved withdrew his hand from the door hole, And my heart was disquieted within me. I immediately arose to open to my beloved, And my hands dropped with myrrh, And my fingers with liquid myrrh, Upon the handles of the bolt. I opened to my beloved, But my beloved had withdrawn, was gone! My soul departed when he spoke of it! I sought him, and found him not; I called him, and he answered me not. The watchmen who patrol the city found me: They beat me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls stripped me of my veiling garment. I adjure you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, If ye shall find my beloved, What will ye tell him? Tell him that I am sick of love. DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM. What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? What is thy beloved, more than another beloved, That thou thus adjurest us? THE SHULAMITE.