Antonio Ghislanzoni

“ Radames is discovered in the Crypt, on the steps of the staircase leading into the vault.—Above, two Priests in the act of letting down the stone which closes the subterranean.
Radames.
The fatal stone upon me now is closing,
Now has the tomb engulfed me. I never more
The light shall behold. Ne'er more see gentle Aida.
Dear Aida, where now art thou? whate'er befalls me
May'st thou be happy. Ne'er may my frightful doom
Reach thy gentle ear. What groan was that? 'Tis a phantom!
Some vision dread. No! sure that form, is human!
Heaven! 'tis Aida.
Aida.
Yes! Aida!
Radames. ”

“ Amneris and Aida.
Amneris.
(To Aida, with counterfeited affection.)
'Neath the chances of battle succumb thy people,
O hapless Aida; the sorrows that afflict thee
Be sure I feel as keenly; my heart towards thee yearns fondly:
Ask what thou wilt of me, thy days shall be happy.
Aida.
Ah, how can I be happy
Far from my native country, where I can never
Know what fate has befallen father and brothers?
Amneris.
Deeply you move me, yet no human sorrow
Is lasting here below. Time will bring comfort—
And heal your present anguish—
Greater than time the healing power of love is. ”

“ Radames (Regarding Aida) .
(See her cheek wan with weeping and sorrow,
From affliction new charm seems to borrow,
In my bosom love's flame seems new lighted
By each tear-drop that flows from her eyes.)
Amneris.
(With what glances on her is he gazing,
Glowing passion witin them is blazing;
She is loved and my passion is slighted,
Stern revenge in my breast loudly cries.)
King.
High in triumph since our banners now are soaring,
Let us spare those our mercy imploring,
By the gods mercy aye is requited,
And gives strength to princely sway.
Radames (To King) . ”

“ Towards regions new we'll turn our eyes,
⁠Our faithful love inviting.
There where the virgin forests rise,
⁠'Mid fragrance softly stealing,
Our loving bliss concealing,
⁠The world we'll quite forget, 'mid loving bliss. ”

“ When I first thee regarded,
How can I e'er forget?
Aida.
Beneath our skies more freely
To our hearts will love be yielded,
The gods thy youth that shielded
Will not our love forget.
Radames (Hesitating) .
Aida!
Aida.
Me thou lov'st not! Go!
Radames.
Not love thee?
Ne'er in mortal bosom
Burnt yet love's flame with ardour more devouring.
Aida.
Go, thy Amneris 'waits thee! ”

“ Aida.
What see I? He here? My father?
All.
Her father!
Amneris.
And in our power!
Aida (Embracing her father)
Thou captive made!
Amonasro (Whispering to Aida.)
Tell not my rank.
King (To Amonasro) .
Come forward!
So then thou art—
Amonasro. ”

“ Amneris.
Then save thy life and clear thyself.
Radames.
No!
Amneris.
Wouldst thou die?
Radames.
Detested
Life is; of all pleasure
From henceforward divested.
Without hope's priceless treasure
'Tis better far to die!
Amneris.
Wouldst die then? ah me! consent to live.
Live, of all my love assured ”

“ Vainly sought we the fates to defy.
At my feet in the dust lay extended
Our King—countless wounds had transpierced him;
If to fight for the country that nursed him
Make one guilty, we are ready to die. ”

“ Priest of Heaven: thou death hast inflicted
On whom well ye know once I treasured;
May a broken heart's curses unmeasured
With his blood on thy guilty head fall!
Priests.
None can his doom recall! ”

“ Abashed and trembling, to Heaven would hover
My prayers for both, for both my tears would fall.
Ah, woe! transformed seemed my prayers to blaspheming,
To suffer is a crime, dark sin to weep.
My senses lost, wrapt in deep night are dreaming. ”

“ From a boat which approaches the shore descend Amneris and Ramphis, followed by Women, closely veiled, and Guards.
Ramphis (To Amneris) .
Come to the fane of Isis the eve
Before the day of thy bridal, pray that
The Goddess grant thee her favour.
⁠To Isis
Are the hearts of mortals open. All that is hidden
In the heart of man she knoweth.
Amneris. ”

“ Thou shalt be happy made.
SCENE V.
Enter Amneris from the Temple, then Ramphis, Priests, Guards, and the above.
Amneris.
Traitor vile!
Aida.
The Princess here!
Amonasro.
(Advancing with a dagger towards Amneris.)
Comest thou here to mar my projects?
Die then!
Radames.
(Rushing between them.) Nay, strike not, thou madman!
Amonasro.
O fury!
Ramphis.
Guards there, advance!
Radames.
(To Aida and Amonasro.) Fly! quick! Delay not!
Amonasro (Dragging Aida) .
Come then, my daughter!
Ramphis (To the Guards) .
Guards! quick, follow!
Radames (To Ramphis) . ”

“ Life's to me a void, forsaken;
⁠Live and reign, thy anger blighting
O'er my head no more shall loom;
⁠Soon this love thy hate inviting
Shall be buried in the tomb.
SCENE III.
Entrance gate to the city of Thebes.—In front a dump of palms.—R.H. a temple dedicated to Ammon; L.H. a throne with a purple canopy; at back a triumphal arch.—The stage is crowded with people. Enter the King, followed by State Officers, Priests, Captains, Fan-bearers, Standard-bearers.—Afterwards Amneris, with Aida and Slaves.—The King takes his seat on the throne.—Amneris places herself at his left hand. ”

“ Interior of the Temple of Vulcan at Memphis.—A mysterious light from above.—A long row of columns, one behind the other, vanishing in distance.—Statues of various Deities.—In the middle of the stage, above a platform covered with carpet, rises the altar, surmounted with sacred emblems.—Golden tripods emitting the fumes of incense. Priests and Priestesses.—Ramphis at the foot of the altar.—Afterwards Radames.—The singing of the Priestesses is heard from within with harp accompaniment.
Priestesses (Within) .
Hail, mighty, hail, mighty Phthà! that wakest
In all things breathing life, hail! ”

“ The Egyptian troops, preceded by trumpets, defile before the King.—Other troops enter, following war chariots, banners, sacred vessels, and images of the Gods.—A group of Dancing Girls appears bringing the spoils of the conquered.—Enter Radames under a canopy carried by twelve officers. ”

“ Aida.
(No! fate o'er Egypt looming
Weighs down on my heart dejected,
I wept that love thus was dooming
To woe a hapless maid.)
Radames.
(Regarding Amneris.) (Her glance with anger flashing
Proclaims our love suspected.
Woe if my hopes all dashing,
She mar the plans I've laid.)
SCENE IV.
The King enters, preceded by his Guards and followed by Ramphis, his Ministers, Priests, Captains, etc., etc.—An Officer of the Palace, and afterwards a Messenger. ”