Enchantment Passing Through

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

Are you talking about Nubia now?

Yes, in a way.

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

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

Would you let me steer?

Would you run us aground?

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.

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

And no horizon I could not pursue

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

I'd put my faith and trust in something new

But why should I tell you this

A stranger I just met

A woman whom I hardly know at all and should forget

A journey we can only dream of
Enchantment passing through
And how is it I say these things
So easily to you

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.

You talk as though you've been enslaved.

Not with chains, maybe, but with a marriage promise.
(AIDA begins dabbing her eyes with her dress.)
What is that for?

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.

You go too far.

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.

Stop! I command you to stop!

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...