Don Quixote sings to the sullen kitchen wench Aldonza, whom -- much to her surprise and initially, dismay -- he has discovered to be Dulcinea -- the lady he serves and adores, but has never met -- until now.
I have dreamed thee too long,
Never seen thee or touched thee, but known thee with all of my heart,
Half a prayer, half a song,
Thou has always been with me, though we have been always apart.
Dulcinea ... Dulcinea ...
I see heaven when I see thee, Dulcinea,
And thy name is like a prayer an angel whispers ...
Dulcinea ... Dulcinea!
If I reach out to thee,
Do not tremble and shrink from the touch of my hand on thy hair.
Let my fingers but see
Thou art warm and alive, and no phantom to fade in the air.
Dulcinea ... Dulcinea ...
I have sought thee, sung thee, dreamed thee, Dulcinea!
Now I've found thee, and the world shall know thy glory.
