THE CHURCH'S WORDS .

By night upon my bed I sought
Him whom my soul doth love;
I sought him, but I found him not:
Which did my sloth reprove.

I'll rise in quest of my belov'd,
And search the city round,
In public streets: so there I rov'd,
Yet ah! he was not found.

The city-watchmen met with me.
Their wonted round who move;
To them I said, O did you see
The object of my love?

'Twas but a little farther on
I past from them apart,
But to my joy I found anon
The darling of my heart:

I held him, nor would let him go,
Till I had brought him home,
My mother's house and room into,
That bore me in her womb.

O Salem's race, I you obtest,
By rural hinds and roes,
Wake not my love, while pleas'd to rest;
Nor mar the sweet repose.

THE COMPANION'S WORDS

Who's this from desart does so fleet,
Like smoky pillars rise,
Perfum'd with myrrh and incense sweet,
Adorn'd to our surprize?

THE CHURCH'S WORDS .

Behold his bed that Solomon's,
For peace and pomp renown'd!
Which threescore men of Israel's sons
As valiant guards surround.

They all bear arms courageously,
Expert and train'd to fight:
Each with his sword upon his thigh,
Because of fear by night.

The chariot which king Solomon
Did for himself array,
Did frame of wood from Lebanon;
With silver pillars stay:

Did gold its bottom, and above
Its cov'ring purple make;
The midst thereof was paved with love,
For Salem's daughters sake.

Go, virgins, see king Solomon,
Deck'd with the crown so gay,
His mother crown'd him with, upon
His joyful marriage-day.