The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• Introduction
• Characters
• Atto Primo
• Scena I
• Scena Ii
• Scena Iii
• Scena Iv
• Scena V
• Atto Secondo
• Scena I
• Scena Ii
• Scena Iii
• Atto Terzo
• Scena I
• Scena Ii
• Scena Iii
• Scena Iv
• Scena V
• Atto Quarto
• Scena I
• Scena Ii
• Scena Iii
• Act One
• Scene I
• Scene Ii
• Scene Iii
• Scene Iv
• Scene V
• Act Ii
• Scene I
• Scene Ii
• Scene Iii
• Act Iii
• Scene I
• Scene Ii
• Scene Iii
• Scene Iv
• Scene V
• Act Iv
• Scene I
• Scene Ii
• Scene Iii

Scene II

Amneris and Aïda

amneris

(To Aïda, with pretended affection.)

The chances of battle have proved disastrous to thee, my poor Aïda! Be sure that I divide with thee the sorrow that weighs down thy heart. I am thy friend—ask what thou wilt of me, I would make thee happy!

aïda

How can I be happy, far from my native land and ignorant of the fate of my father and brothers!

amneris

I feel with thee deeply; and yet there is a limit to all sorrow here below. Time will cure the anguish of thy heart. And there is a powerful God, greater than time—Love.

aïda

• (Aside, deeply moved.)
• O Love! Love! a joy tormenting,
• Exquisite madness, cruel delight,
• By thy affliction, a life-time contenting,
• And in thy smile a radiance bright.

amneris

• (Aside, looking intently at Aïda.)
• Ah! She is troubled, her countenance paling,
• This is the secret, the fever of love.
• How shall I question—my courage is failing—
• Still has her anguish the power to move.
• (Gazing at her more intently.)
• Nay, but tell me, do not tremble,
• What my sweet Aïda fears.
• Nor thy secret thoughts dissemble,
• Confidence a friend endears;
• Of the many warriors bold
• ’Gainst thy country’s peace enrolled,
• One perhaps his love has told,
• Nor received an answer cold?

aïda

What meanest thou?

amneris

• The cruel fate of war
• Not all alike embraces,
• Sometimes the dauntless warrior,
• The leader, it effaces.

aïda

Wretch, to say so!

amneris

Yes, Rhadames by thy tribe is slaughtered—And thou mourn’st him?

aïda

Forever I shall mourn!

amneris

The gods have avenged thee.

aïda

Forever hostile to me have been the gods—

amneris

(Bursting forth with rage.)

Ah! Tremble! In thy heart of hearts thou lovest him—

aïda

Yes!

amneris

Away with seeming! A little word and I shall know the truth. Look on my face—I told thee falsely—Rhadames lives.

aïda

(Kneeling in ecstasy.)

He lives! The gods be praised!

amneris

Dost thou hope still to deceive me! Yes, thou lovest him—but I love him (with the utmostfury)—even I—dost thou hear me? Thy rival is a daughter of the Pharaohs!

aïda

(Drawing herself up with pride.)

My rival! If ’twere true—even I—

(Checking herself and falling at Amneris’ feet.)

• What have I said? O pity me and pardon!
• O pity for my sore distresses give,
• ’Tis true! For this o’ermastering love I live,
• But thou art happy—thou all things possesest.
• And only in this love of mine I live.

amneris

• Tremble, vile slave! For thy heart thou’rt betraying,
• With thine own life for thy love thou art paying,
• On my sole power thy fate is dependent.
• Reins to my envious rage thou dost give.
• [Sounds heard within.]
• In the pageant they prepare,
• Thou, O slave, shalt have thy share,
• Prostrate in the dust thou’lt lie,
• See me, with the King on high.
• Come—behind me—thou did’st dare
• Overmuch my power to try.

aïda

• Ah, thy pity! Full of care,
• Life to me is but a snare.
• Live and reign, thy furious rage
• Death will presently assuage,
• And my love the grave shall bear,
• That war with thee did’st wage.