; thy clothing shall be of
wrought gold; thou shalt be brought unto the king in raiment of
needlework, with gladness and rejoicing shalt thou be brought and enter
into the king's palace," sings one of the Women; but the Sulamite remains
loyal, and only answers: "My Beloved pastures his flocks among the
lilies. My Beloved is mine, and I am his." The temptation is interrupted
by the procession of the ark passing in the street below to the glad
acclaim of the people ("Make a joyful Noise unto the Lord, all ye
Lands"), and a brilliant march. Successively the Maidens of Jerusalem
with timbrels, the Elders, the Shepherds and Vine-dressers, the Soldiers,
the Priests bearing the sacred vessels pass by, singing tributes of
praise to the Lord; and as the Levites appear bearing the ark, and
Solomon comes in sight with all his retinue, the entire chorus
triumphantly repeat "God save the King!" The brilliant procession passes
from view. The Women once more appeal to the Sulamite; but she still
loyally declares: "My Beloved pastures his flocks among the lilies; lo!
Solomon in all his glory is not arrayed like one of these."

The third part, "Victory," opens with an orchestral prelude picturing the
sleep of the Sulamite, with her women watching about her. The voice of
the Beloved is heard without the chamber, "Open to me, my Sister, my
Bride." It reaches her in a dream, and in fancy she replies to him,
clothes herself, and searches for him in the streets; but when she
accosts the watchmen, they are so rude that her fright awakes her. She is
still a prisoner in the palace, and the Women about her announce the
coming of Solomon. He pleads his cause in a passionate song ("Ere the Day
cool and the Shadows flee away"); and she replies with another
protestation of her constancy in the solo, "Lo! a Vineyard hath Solomon
at Baal-hamon." The situation, which is very dramatic in its treatment,
is heightened by a duet and by the mocking chorus of Women; but above
them all still sings the brave Sulamite, "My Beloved is mine, and I am
his."

The fourth part brings us back again to the vineyards of Sulam. It opens
with a melancholy chorus of the Vine-dressers ("O Lord, be gracious unto
us"), lamenting her absence. It is followed by a bass solo ("Thus saith
the Lord") and a chorale in full broad harmony. At last the victorious
Sulamite is seen coming up from the valley leaning on the arm of the
Beloved. All join in a powerful and exultant chorus of