The vine unnoticed twines its wreaths,

Gold glistens, shrubs exhale perfume.

The shattered casements still are there

Within which once, in days gone by,

Their beads of amber chose the fair,

And heaved the unregarded sigh;

The cemetery there I found,

Of conquering khans the last abode,

Columns with marble turbans crowned

Their resting-place the traveller showed,

And seemed to speak fate's stern decree,

"As they are now such all shall be!"

Where now those chiefs? the harem where?

Alas! how sad scene once so fair!

Now breathless silence chains the air!

But not of this my mind was full,

The roses' breath, the fountains flowing,

The sun's last beam its radiance throwing

Around, all served my heart to lull

Into forgetfulness, when lo!

A maiden's shade, fairer than snow,

Across the court swift winged its flight;--

Whose shade, oh friends! then struck my sight?

Whose beauteous image hovering near

Filled me with wonder and with fear?

Maria's form beheld I then?

Or was it the unhappy Zarem,

Who jealous thither came again

To roam through the deserted harem?

That tender look I cannot flee,

Those charms still earthly still I see!

He who the muse and peace adores,

Forgetting glory, love, and gold,