The Moor was faithful to his charge, a warrior stout and leal,

And Chico took the note of love and trembling broke the seal;

And when the open page he saw and read what it contained,

These were the words in which the maid of her hard lot complained:


THE LETTER OF VINDARAJA

"Ah, hapless is the love-lorn maid like me in captive plight,

For freedom once was mine, and I was happy day and night.

Yes, happy, for I knew that thou hadst given me thy love,

Precious the gift to lonely hearts all other gifts above.