Page:Aida Libretto English.djvu/11

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Has not another vision,

One more sweet, more enchanting,

Found favour in your heart? Is there in

Memphis no attraction more charming!

I!—(fatal question!)

(Has she the secret yearning

Divined within me burning!

Have then these eyes betrayed me

And told Aida's name!)

(Ah woe, my love if spurning His heart to another were turning, Woe if hope should false have played me, And bootless prove my flame!)

(Seeing Aida approaching.)

Aida!

(He is troubled—ne'er lover

Gazed with more raptured eyes!

Aida! should I discover

One who with me now vies?)

(After a short pause turning to Aida.)

Come hither, thou I dearly prize—

Slave art thou none, nor menial,

Here have I made by fondest ties Sister, a name more genial,

Weep'st thou? the secret let me know

Wherefore thy tears, yes,

Wherefore thy tears now flow!

Alas! the cry of war I hear,

Vast hosts I see assemble.

Therefore the country's fate I fear,

For me, for all I tremble.

And art thou sure no deeper woe

Now bids thy tears to flow?

(Regarding Aida.)

(Tremble, O thou base vassal!

Lest thy secret stain is detected!

All in vain thou wouldst dissemble,

By tear and blush betrayed!)

(No! fate o'er Egypt looming

Weighs down on my heart dejected,

I wept that love thus was dooming

To woe a hapless maid.)

(Regarding Amneris.)

(Her glance with anger flashing

Proclaims our love suspected.

Woe if my hopes all dashing,

She mar the plans I've laid.)

Mighty the cause that summons

Round the king the faithful sons of Egypt.

From the Ethiop's land a messenger

This moment has reached us, news of grave import

Brings he—be pleased to hear him!

(To an Officer.)

Bring the news-bearer forward.

The sacred regions of Egyptian soil

Is by Ethiops invaded, our fertile fields

Lie all devastated, destroyed our harvest!

Emboldened by so easy a victory the plundering hordes

To the Capital are marching.

Presumptuous daring!

They are led by a warrior as fierce

As he is dauntless—Amonasro.