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Shulamith
Abraham Haim Lipke Goldfaden (1880)
Shulamith accompanies her father on his journey to Jerusalem and loses her way on her return to Bethlehem. Tired and thirsty, she descends into a well and is trapped. Fortunately, Absalom, a traveller to Jerusalem, discovers her and is so smitten by her beauty that he falls in love with her. Although he must continue to Jerusalem, he swears that he will return, but upon entering the city he comes upon a group of youths playing a courting game and captures Abigail, whom he marries. Years pass and Shulamith remains faithful to Absalom and even feigns madness to discourage other suitors. Absalom continues his happy married life until suddenly his two children are killed. Seeing this as a sign that he must return to Shulamith, he journeys back to his former love. They are married in the Temple in Jerusalem, in a ceremony with much splendour and grandeur