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....