The 1824 poem is inspired by a legend about the loves of a Muslim prince and a Christian captive that Pushkin learned while traveling in Crimea while visiting the Palace of the Khans.
From his raid in Poland, Girei, khan of Crimea, brings Marie back for his harem. He falls madly in love with her. This provokes the jealousy of the beautiful Zarema for whom only the khan's love matters. Zaréma entrusts him to Marie who dreams only of flight. Death frees Mary when Zarema poisons her. Girei orders Zarema to be punished. In memory of this sad story, he built a fountain where the water flows drop by drop, like tears.