Album: Aida

Enchantment Passing Through

RADAMES

To sail away to half discovered places

To see the secrets so few eyes have seen

To see moments of enchantment on our faces

The moments when we smile and those in between

AIDA

Are you talking about Nubia now?

RADAMES

Yes, in a way.

AIDA

If I could leave this place then I'd be sailing

To corners of my land where there would be

Sweet southern winds of liberty prevailing

The beauty so majestic and so free

RADAMES

I will take you sailing. South, you can be my guide.

AIDA

Would you let me steer?

RADAMES

Would you run us aground?

AIDA

Oh yes. Wherever there are no people. I'd jump out of the boat, kick off my

sandals and run. And there'd be no one there to scold me and tell me to

behave like a good...to behave.

RADAMES

There'd be no ties of time and space to bind me

AIDA

And no horizon I could not pursue

RADAMES

I'd leave the world's misfortunes far behind me

AIDA

I'd put my faith and trust in something new

RADAMES & AIDA

But why should I tell you this

AIDA

A stranger I just met

RADAMES

A woman whom I hardly know at all and should forget

RADAMES & AIDA

A journey we can only dream of

Enchantment passing through

And how is it I say these things

So easily to you

RADAMES

This is meaningless! I'll never take you sailing. I'm never going to leave

Egypt again. Instead, I'll sit on the throne and send other men off on

their expeditions.

AIDA

You talk as though you've been enslaved.

RADAMES

Not with chains, maybe, but with a marriage promise.

(AIDA begins dabbing her eyes with her dress.)

What is that for?

AIDA

To dry my weeping eyes. Forced to marry a princess? Oh, what hardships. I

know - you want to go to lands where people have been living for centuries

and say that you "discovered" them. But instead, you're being thrust onto

the Pharaoh's throne. It is a great tragedy.

RADAMES

You go too far.

AIDA

No! You go too far. If you don't like your fate, change it. You are your own

master. There are no shackles on you. So don't expect any pity or

understanding from this humble palace slave.

RADAMES

Stop! I command you to stop!

RADAMES

But why did I tell her this?

A stranger I've just met

A woman who I hardly know at all and will forget

Anonymous and gone tomorrow

Enchantment passing through

And all I've done is tell her things

she already knew

She knew ...She knew....