Page:Aida Libretto English.djvu/27

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O thou who to Osiris art

Mother and consort immortal,

Goddess that mad'st the human heart

Flutter as does the dove,

Aid us who seek thy portal,

Parent of deathless love.

Come to the fane of Isis the eve

Before the day of thy bridal, pray that

The Goddess grant thee her favour.

To Isis

Are the hearts of mortals open. All that is hidden

In the heart of man she knoweth.

Yes, and I will pray that Radames may give me

Truly his heart, truly as mine to him

Has ever been sacred.

Thou shalt pray till the daylight. I shall be near thee.

(Aida, veiled, enters cautiously.)

He will ere long be here! What would he tell me?

I tremble! Ah, if thou comest

To bid me, harsh man, farewell for ever,

Then, Nilus, thy dark and rushing stream

Hides me for ever; peace shall I find there and oblivion!

O skies cerulean, breezes soft blowing,

Where brightly calmness saw life's blithe morn unfold,

Sweet sloping verdure by streams so softly flowing,

Thee my native land ne'er more shall I behold!

Heaven! my father!

To thee, Aida, I come

For gravest reasons. Naught escapes my attention;

For Radames thou'rt dying of love.

He loves thee, thou awaitest him.

A daughter of the Pharaohs is thy rival—

Race accursed, detested, to us aye fatal!

And I am in her grasp, I, Amonasro's daughter!

In her power, thou? No!! If thou wishest,

Thy all-powerful rival thou shalt vanquish;

Thy country, thy sceptre, thy love—all shall be thine.

Once again shalt thou on our balmy forests,

Our verdant valleys, our golden temples gaze!

Once again shall I on our balmy forests,

Our verdant valleys, our golden temples gaze.

The happy bride of thy heart's dearest treasure,

Delight unbounded there shalt thou enjoy.

Ah, but one day of such enchanting pleasure,

Nay, but an hour of bliss so sweet, then let me die!