THE NILE'S EDGE Lyrics

THE NILE'S EDGE Text

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The great washing day. Under the music, a parade of WOMEN enters with baskets
of laundry on their heads. A ritualistic rhythm takes hold as the linens are
soaked, wrung and beaten to dry. AIDA enters and joins in the work. RADAMES
enters with a SOLDIER. As they talk, AIDA watches him covertly. RADAMES
dismisses the SOLDIER.

RADAMES
(To AIDA.)
You were watching me again. All week your eyes have been on me.

AIDA
What do you mean?

RADAMES
Do you think you're going to gain your freedom, just because you've gained
my attention? You are beautiful, but I am not so easily led.

AIDA
If I've looked in your direction, it was only to see if your chalice needed
refilling.

RADAMES
I have no chalice now... and yet you're looking.

AIDA
(Getting up from the bank, picking up her basket and linens.)
Excuse me, Captain, but I have linen to wash.

RADAMES
(As AIDA walks away from him, he turns after her.)
I do not excuse you. Stop there.

AIDA
(She turns to look back at him.)
You wanted something from me?

RADAMES
Oh yes. I want to make your life easier, Aida. Tell me how. What can I do for
you?

AIDA
Help my people.

RADAMES
I want to help you.

AIDA
I am my people. And I cannot continue to live in the comfort of the palace
while my countrymen are dying. You want my "affection," captain?

RADAMES
I can have your "affection" right here if I command it. I want to know if
you feel anything for me - aside from contempt.

AIDA
I don't know.

RADAMES
Then let's find out.

(RADAMES kisses AIDA, she drops her basket; they are stopped when MEREB
enters.)

MEREB
(Shocked at the sight of seeing RADAMES and AIDA kissing.)
Aida, I just saw - Aida, Amneris requests your presence. The princess...
(To RADAMES.)
...your betrothed.

(AIDA leaves)
11. NOT ME

RADAMES
I once knew all the answers
I stood on certain ground
A picture of true happiness
Confidence so effortless
No brighter could be found

MEREB
Oh No

RADAMES
I never asked the questions
That trouble me today
I knew all there was to know
Love worn lightly
Put on show

My conquest on display
MEREB
I can't believe He's changing

And who'd have thought that
Oh, no
Confidence could die?
Not me, Not me
Not me, not me
That all I took for granted was a lie

Not me, Not me
And who'd have guessed
I'd throw my world away

To be with someone I'm afraid will say
Not me, not me
This can never
be

(RADAMES exits as the backdrop rises above the stage.)

MEREB
He's in love
But he's not the only one
Who'll be changed

(AMNERIS and AIDA enter. AIDA is carrying a piece of cloth. AMNERIS is
carrying an umbrella.)

AIDA
(Showing AMNERIS the cloth in her hand.)
This would be lovely on you. I'll say this for you Egyptians; your thread
count is amazing.

AMNERIS
Why hasn't Radames come to see me again? We're to be married in three days
and yet...Aida, I must make things right with him.

AIDA
I shall not envy lovers
But long for what they share

AMNERIS
An empty room is merciless
Don't be surprised if I confess
I need some comfort there

AIDA & AMNERIS
And who'd have thought
That love could be so good?
Not me, not me
And show me things I never understood
Not me, not me

NEHEBKA
(Entering with clothes and other items.)
Aida.

AIDA
Nehebka, where did you get that?

NEHEBKA
The Egyptian Captain! He's giving away everything he owns. And he's giving it
all to us.

ACT ONE
Scene Eleven
RADAMES' TENT

NUBIANS and other Egyptian slaves stand around RADAMES' tent. RADAMES appears
from the tent with a basket of food, and a jug of wine. MEREB appears with
another basket handing out fruit.

AIDA & AMNERIS
Who'd have guessed he'd
Throw his world away
To be with someone til his dying day
Not me, not me

RADAMES, AMNERIS, AIDA
And who'd have thought that love
Could be so good
Not me, not me
My/his secrets &
My/his passions understood
Not me, not me

Who'd have guessed
I'd/ he throw My/his world away
To be with someone til my/his dying day
Not me/not me

MEREB
Not me, not me
Not me, not me
This can never be

AMNERIS
Look, he is preparing to move into the Palace. So, whatever doubts he had the
other night must be gone. But you stay, Aida. Apologize for me.

AIDA
Oh, no! I can't.

AMNERIS
You can. You always say the right thing. I never do.

AIDA
No princess, please don't make me.

AMNERIS
I would never make you. But I am asking you, as my friend.

(AMERNIS exits just as RADAMES spots AIDA.)

AIDA
Thank you.

RADAMES
It was nothing. Actually, it was everything, but it doesn't matter.

AIDA
Captain, I just came to tell you that the princess is sorry for what she said
the other night. And she wants you to know that...

RADAMES
Aida...

(RADAMES tries to take AIDA'S hand but she pulls away.)

AIDA
You are betrothed to my mistress!

RADAMES
It was arranged by my father, and it will be unarranged by me.

AIDA
You could raid another country tomorrow and rebuild your fortune. Radames,
you're an Egyptian! Nothing will ever change that fact. I don't even know
why you bothered to do this.

RADAMES
Don't you?