6 I opened to my beloved,
but my beloved had turned and gone.
My soul failed me when he vspoke.
wI sought him, but found him not;
xI called him, but he gave no answer.
7 yThe watchmen found me
as they went about in the city;
they beat me, they bruised me,
they took away my veil,
those watchmen of the walls.
8 I zadjure you, O adaughters of Jerusalem,
if you find my beloved,
that you tell him
bI am sick with love.
6 Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as ya seal upon your arm,
for zlove is strong as death,
ajealousy1 is fierce as the grave.2
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
the very bflame of the Lord.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it.
If a man offered for love
all the wealth of his chouse,
he3 would be utterly despised.
