He called me to him,--from that hour

We lived in bliss beyond the power

Of evil thought or wicked word,

The tongue of calumny unheard,

Suspicion, doubt, or jealous fear,

Of weariness alike unknown,

Princess, thou comest a captive here,

And all my joys are overthrown,

Giray with sinful passion burns,

His soul possessed of thee alone,

My tears and sighs the traitor spurns;

No more his former thoughts, nor feeling

For me now cherishes Giray,

Scarce his disgust, alas! concealing,

He from my presence hastes away.

Princess, I know the fault not thine

That Giray loves thee, oh! then hear

A suppliant wretch, nor spurn her prayer!

Throughout the harem none but thou

Could rival beauties such as mine

Nor make him violate his vow;

Yet, Princess! in thy bosom cold

The heart to mine left thus forlorn,

The love I feel cannot be told,

For passion, Princess, was I born.

Yield me Giray then; with these tresses

Oft have his wandering fingers played,

My lips still glow with his caresses,

Snatched as he sighed, and swore, and prayed,

Oaths broken now so often plighted!

Hearts mingled once now disunited!

His treason I cannot survive;

Thou seest I weep, I bend my knee,

Ah! if to pity thou'rt alive,