Page:Aida Libretto English.djvu/43

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The fatal stone upon me now is closing,

Now has the tomb engulfed me. I never more

The light shall behold. Ne'er more see gentle Aida.

Dear Aida, where now art thou? whate'er befalls me

May'st thou be happy. Ne'er may my frightful doom

Reach thy gentle ear. What groan was that? 'Tis a phantom!

Some vision dread. No! sure that form, is human!

Heaven! 'tis Aida.

Yes! Aida!

Thou, with me here buried!

My heart forboded this thy dreadful sentence,

And to this tomb that shuts on thee its portal

I crept unseen by mortal.

Here from all where none can behold us,

Clasped in thy arms I resolved to perish.

To perish! so pure and lovely!

To die, thine own self dooming,

In all thy beauty blooming,

Fade thus for ever!

Thou whom the heav'n only for love created

But to destroy thee was my love then fated!

Ah no! those eyes

So dear I prize

For death are too lovely!

See'st thou where death in angel guise

With heavenly radiance beaming,

Would waft us to eternal joys

On golden wings above!

See heaven's gates are open wide

Where tears are never streaming,

Where only bliss and joy reside

And never-fading love!

That sad chanting!

'Tis the sacred dance

Of the Priesthood!

It is our death chant resounding!

Cannot my lusty sinews

Move from its place this fatal stone?

'Tis vain! all is over,

Hope on earth have we none!

(With sad resignation.)

I fear it! I fear it!

(Approaches Aida and supports her.)

Farewell, O earth! farewell, thou vale of sorrow!

Brief dream of joy condemned to end in woe!

See, brightly opens the sky, an endless morrow

There all unshadowed eternal shall glow!

Peace everlasting, lov'd one, mayst thou know

Isis, relenting, greet thee on high!