Page:Aida Libretto English.djvu/25

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With Amonasro, their warrior king,

All hopes of revenge have perished.

At least,

As earnest of safety and of peace

Keep we back fair Aida's father;

Set the others free.

I yield me to thy counsel,

Of safety now and peace a bond more certain

Will I give you. Radames, to thee our debt

Is unbounded. Amneris my daughter shall be

Thy guerdon. Thou shalt hereafter o'er Egypt

With her hold conquering sway.

(Now let yon bondmaid

Rob me of my love—she dare not!)

Glory to Egypt, sacred land,

Isis hath aye protected;

With laurel and with lotus

Bind round the victor's head.

Praise be to Isis, Goddess bland,

Who hath our land protected,

And pray the favours granted us

Ever be o'er us shed.

(Alas! to me what hope is left?

He wed, a throne ascending,

I left to measure all my loss

Like some poor widowed dove.)

Glory to Egypt's gracious land

Who hath revenge rejected,

And liberty hath granted us

Once more our soil to tread.

(Now Heaven's bolt the clouds hath cleft

Upon my head descending.

Ah no! all Egypt's treasure

Outweighs not Aida's love.)

(Almost of e'vry sense bereft

By joy my hopes transcending,

Scarce I the triumph now can measure

Crowning all my love.)

Take heart, there yet some hope is left,

Thy country's fate amending,

Thou'lt soon behold with pleasure

Vengeance light from above.

Glory to Egypt's Goddess bland

Who hath our land protected,

With laurel and with lotus

Bind round the victor's head.