Højsangen 3

1 Paa mit Leje om Natten søgte jeg ham, som min Sjæl har kær, jeg søgte, men fandt ham ikke.

One night when I was lying in bed, I longed for the one I love. I longed for him, but he was nowhere to be found.

2 »Saa staar jeg op og gaar om i Byen, om Paa dens Gader og Torve og søger ham, som min Sjæl har kær.« Jeg søgte, men fandt ham ikke.

So I said to myself, “I will get up now and go through the city, looking in its streets and squares for the one I love.” I looked for him but I didn't find him.

3 Vægterne, som færdes i Byen, traf mig: »Saa I mon ham, som min Sjæl har kær?«

The watchmen found me as they went through the city. “Have you seen the one I love?” I asked them.

4 Knap var jeg kommet forbi dem, saa fandt jeg ham, som min Sjæl har kær; jeg greb ham og slap ham ikke, før jeg fik ham ind i min Moders Hus, i hendes Kammer, som fødte mig.

Only a little farther on after I'd passed them I found my love! I held him close and would not let him go until I'd brought him to my mother's house, to the room of the one who conceived me.

5 Jeg besværger eder, Jerusalems Døtre, ved Gazeller og Markens Hjorte: Gør ikke Kærligheden Uro, væk den ikke, før den ønsker det selv!

Women of Jerusalem, swear to me by the gazelles or the wild deer that you won't disturb our love until the right time.

6 Hvad er det, som kommer fra Ørkenen i Støtter af Røg, omduftet af Myrra og Røgelse, alskens Vellugt?

Who is this coming in from the wilderness like a plume of smoke, like a burning sacrifice scented with myrrh and frankincense, with all kinds of imported perfumed powders?

7 Se, det er Salomos Bærestol, omgivet af tresindstyve Helte, Israels Helte,

Look, it's Solomon's sedan chair, accompanied by sixty of Israel's best warriors.

8 alle med Sværd i Haand, oplærte til Krig, hver med sit Sværd ved Lænd mod Nattens Rædsler.

All of them are expert swordsmen who have battle experience. They each carry a sword strapped to the thigh, ready for any night-time attacks.

9 Kong Salomo laved sig en Bærekarm af Træ fra Libanon,

(Solomon's sedan chair was made for him with wood from Lebanon.

10 gjorde dens Støtter af Sølv, dens Arme af Guld; i Midten er Ibenholt indlagt, Sædet er Purpur.

Its posts were covered in silver, and the back was covered in gold. The seat cushion was purple. The interior was lovingly decorated.) Women of Jerusalem,

11 Jerusalems Døtre, gaa ud og se paa Kong Salomo, paa Kronen, hans Moder kroned ham med paa hans Brudefærds Dag, hans Hjertens Glædes Dag!

come out! Look, women of Zion! See King Solomon wearing the crown that his mother placed on his head on his wedding day, his happiest day.