The women sleep;--but one is there Who sleeps not; goaded by despair Her couch she quits with dread intent, On awful errand is she bent; Breathless she through the door swift flying Passes unseen; her timid feet Scarce touch the floor, she glides so fleet. In doubtful slumber restless lying The eunuch thwarts the fair one's path, Ah! who can speak his bosom's wrath? False is the quiet sleep would throw Around that gray and care-worn brow; She like a spirit vanished by Viewless, unheard as her own sigh! * * * * The door she reaches, trembling opes, Enters, and looks around with awe, What sorrows, anguish, terrors, hopes, Rushed through her heart at what she saw! The image of the sacred maid, The Christian's matron, reigning there, And cross attracted first the fair, By the dim lamp-light scarce displayed! Oh! Grusinka, of earlier days The vision burst upon thy soul, The tongue long silent uttered praise, The heart throbs high, but sin's control Cannot escape, 'tis passion, passion sways! The Princess in a maid's repose Slumbered, her cheek, tinged like the rose, By feverish thought, in beauty blooms, And the fresh tear that stains her face A smile of tenderness illumes. Thus cheers the moon fair Flora's race, When by the rain opprest they lie The charm and grief of every eye! It seemed as though an angel slept From heaven descended, who, distressed, Vented the feelings of his breast, And for the harem's inmates wept! Alas! poor Zarem, wretched fair, By anguish urged to mere despair, On bended knee, in tone subdued And melting strain, for pity sued. "Oh! spurn not such a suppliant's prayer!" Her tones so sad, her sighs so deep, Startled the Princess in her sleep; Wond'ring, she views with dread before her The stranger beauty, frighted hears For mercy her soft voice implore her, Raises her up with trembling hand, And makes of her the quick demand, "Who speaks? in night's still hour alone, Wherefore art here?" "A wretched one, To thee I come," the fair replied, "A suitor not to be denied; Hope, hope alone my soul sustains; Long have I happiness enjoyed, And lived from sorrow free and care, But now, alas! a prey to pains And terrors, Princess hear my prayer, Oh! listen, or I am destroyed!