Pera, March 16. O. S.
I AM extremely pleased, my dear lady, that you have, at length, found a commission for me, that I can answer, without disappointing your expectations; though I must tell you, that it is not so easy as perhaps you think it; and that if my curiosity had not been more diligent than any other stranger's has ever yet been, I must have answered you with an excuse, as, I was forced to do, when you desired me to buy you a Greek slave. I have got for you, as you desire, a Turkish love-letter, which I have put into a little box, and ordered the captain of the Smyrniote to deliver it to you with this letter. The translation of it is literally as follows: The first piece you should pull out of the purse, is a little pearl, which is in Turkish called Ingi, and must be understood in this manner:
Ingi, Sensin Uzellerin gingi Pearl, Fairest of the young.
Caremfil, Caremfilsen cararen yok
Clove, Conge gulsum timarin yok
Benseny chok than severim
Senin benden, haberin yok.
You are as slender as the clove! You are an unblown rose! I have long loved you, and you have not known it!
Pul, Derdime derman bul Jonquil, Have pity on my passion!
Kihat, Birlerum sahat sahat Paper, I faint every hour!
Ermus, Ver bixe bir umut Pear, Give me some hope.
Jabun, Derdinden oldum zabun Soap, I am sick with love.
Chemur, Ben oliyim size umur Coal, May I die, and all my years be yours!