Every story, tale or memoir Every saga or romance Whether true or fabricated Whether planned or happenstance Whether sweeping through the ages Casting centuries aside Or a hurried brief recital Just a thirty-minute ride Whether bright or melancholy Rough and ready, finely spun Whether with a thousand players Or a lonely cast of one Every story, new or ancient Bagatelle or work of art All are tales of human failing All are tales of love at heart This is the story of a love that flourished in a time of hate Of lovers no tyranny could separate Love set into motion on the Nile's shore Destiny ignited by an act of war Egypt saw the mighty river As its very heart and soul Source of life for all her people That only Egypt could control Destruction of her southern neighbor justified Nubia exploited, left with little more than pride