Thamos, King in Egypt
No. 1 - Chorus
PRIESTS, VIRGINS
The night, day's enemy, gives place to you, o Sun!
From Egypt a fresh victim is offered to you:
hear our prayer! May your eternal course
bring happy days to the people of Thamos!
PRIESTS
Grant to the happy youth of our land
the gifts of obedience and purity.
To the young men courage,
bravery in deed,
wisdom in counsel,
and to all grant love of their country!
PRIESTS, VIRGINS
Hear our prayer! May your eternal course
bring happy days to the people of Thamos!
VIRGINS
May Egypt's daughters be
their families' and
their husbands' pride!
In quiet happiness
dutifully to live,
bloorning and full of years as we!
PRIESTS
Crowned with victory
may Thamos in war
strike terror into our enemies!
VIRGINS
Lead us through trials,
and tribulations, and through love,
o king and father!
Nr. 2 - Interlude (Maestoso - Allegro)
after Act One
Nr. 3 - Interlude (Andante)
after Act Two
Nr. 4 - Interlude (Allegro)
after Act Three
Nr. 5 - Interlude ( Allegro vivace assai)
after Act Four
No. 6 - Chorus
PRIESTS, VIRGINS
Godhead mighty above all!
Ever renewed and ever glorious!
The land of Egypt worships you.
Ever rising, never falling,
let it be supreme o'er all,
in greatness knowing no equal!
PRIESTS
From the hot sands of midday
to the distant ocean's edge
clouds of incense rise.
Early on our songs are heard,
each evening once again our hymns;
never does our chorus remain silent.
VIRGINS
As in the vasty temple's halls
with the trumpet's blast
blends the soft enchanted flute,
so blends, o sons of Osiris,
our song with yours
a song of praise to you, o sun!
A PRIEST
What the prince's words promise,
A VIRGIN
What the people ask of him,
BOTH
May each bring blessing down on each!
A PRIEST
He gracious to us,
A VIRGIN
We faithful to the throne;
A PRIEST
Fatherly care,
A VIRGIN
Our love in return,
BOTH
That is our mutual bond.
PRIESTS, VIRGINS
Godhead rnighty above all!
Ever renewed and ever glorious!
The land of Egypt worships you.
Ever rising, never falling,
let it be supreme o'er all,
in greatness knowing no equal!
Nr. 7 a - Interlude
after Act Five
No. 7b - Solo and Chorus
HIGH PRIEST
Ye children of the dust, tremble and quake
e'er ye rise up against the god!
Avenging thunderbolts protect him
from the blasphemer's vain attack!
CHORUS
We children of the dust tremble and quake,
and bow our heads to the earth;
to serve the gods be our sole endeavour,
in whatsoever they desire.
Mightiest godhead, gentle Sun,
hear Egypt's pious prayer!
Protect the king's new crown,
let it never fall.