The beloved continues that the sentries who patrol the city struck her and wounded her and the keepers of the walls stripped off her mantle, establishing that her public search for the beloved meets with violence from city authorities. The beloved's suffering at the hands of sentries echoes her earlier encounter with them but now with violent consequences, suggesting that public pursuit of love may result in shame and physical harm. The stripping of her mantle establishes violation of her bodily dignity and public humiliation, indicating that love can result not merely in emotional pain but in actual physical and social harm. This verse theologically suggests that authentic love may involve suffering at the hands of hostile powers, and that the beloved may be victimized for her erotic pursuit.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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