Brave Arbolan a prisoner lay
Within the Tower of Gold;
By order of the King there stood
Four guards to keep the hold.
'Twas not because against his King
He played a treacherous part;
But only that Guhala's charms
Had won the captive's heart.
"Guhala, Guhala,
My longing heart must cry;
This mournful vow I utter now--
To see thee or to die."
No longer free those sturdy limbs!
Revenge had bid them bind
The iron chain on hands and feet;
They could not chain his mind!
How dolorous was the warrior's lot!
All hope at last had fled;
And, standing at the window,
With sighing voice he said:
"Guhala, Guhala,
My longing heart must cry;
This mournful vow I utter now--
To see thee or to die."
He turned his eyes to where the banks
Of Guadalquivir lay;
"Inhuman King!" in grief he cried,
"Thy mandates I obey;
Thou bidst them load my limbs with steel;
Thy cruel sentinel
Keeps watch beside my prison door;
Yet who my crime can tell?
"Guhala, Guhala,
My longing heart must cry;
This mournful vow I utter now--
To see thee or to die."