Not here beheld I first the light, Far hence my native land, but yet Alas! I never can forget Objects once precious to my sight; Well I remember towering mountains, Snow-ridged, replete with boiling fountains, Woods pervious scarce to wolf or deer, Nor faith, nor manners such as here; But, by what cruel fate o'ercome, How I was snatched, or when, from home I know not,--well the heaving ocean Do I remember, and its roar, But, ah! my heart such wild commotion As shakes it now ne'er felt before. I in the harem's quiet bloomed, Tranquil myself, waiting, alas! With willing heart what love had doomed; Its secret wishes came to pass: Giray his peaceful harem sought, For feats of war no longer burned, Nor, pleased, upon its horrors thought, To these fair scenes again returned. "Before the Khan with bosoms beating We stood, timid my eyes I raised, When suddenly our glances meeting, I drank in rapture as I gazed; 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, My former love restore to me. Reply not! thee I do not blame, Thy beauties have bewitched Giray, Blinded his heart to love and fame, Then yield him up to me, I pray, Or by contempt, repulse, or grief, Turn from thy love th'ungenerous chief! Swear by thy _faith_, for what though mine Conform now to the Koran's laws, Acknowledged here within the harem, Princess, my mother's faith was thine, By that faith swear to give to Zarem Giray unaltered, as he was! But listen! the sad prey to scorn If I must live, Princess, have care, A dagger still doth Zarem wear,-- I near the Caucasus was born!"