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 III

chorus

• Glory to Egypt and to Isis,
• Who our sacred land enfoldeth!
• And to him the throne who holdeth
• Now our festive song we sing!
• Hither come, O warriors glorious,
• Mingle, now, your joy with ours,
• Wreaths of laurel and of flowers
• For their royal progress bring!

women

• Laurel leaves with lotus woven
• Shall the conquering brows entwine,
• While a cloud of flowers combine
• Warlike arms to hide from sight;
• Circle round, Egyptian dancers,
• And your mystic carol sing,
• As the stars, a heavenly ring,
• Circle round their sovereign bright.

priests

• Now we lift our humble glances
• To the gods above, most glorious,
• Who have made our arms victorious,
• Sing their praise this festive day.
• For through them our foes were scattered,
• And our honor cleared from blame.
• Never let us feel the shame
• Of the hated stranger’s sway!
• [The Egyptian troops announced by the blaring of trumpets, march before the King. They are followed by war-chariots, banners, the sacred vessels and statues of the gods. A band of dancing girls bearing the captured spoils. At the end, Rhadames enters under a canopy borne by twelve officers.]

king

(Descends from the throne to embrace Rhadames.)

Saviour of thy country, I salute thee. Come, and my daughter, with her own hand, shall give thee the crown of triumph.

[Rhadames bows before Amneris, who gives him the crown.]

king

(To Rhadames.)

Ask what thou wilt and freely will I grant it. Naught shall be denied thee on such a day as this. I swear it by my crown and by the holy gods.

rhadames

First deign to order that the captives be brought before thee.

[Enter the Ethiopian captives surrounded by a guard. Amonasro last, in the dress of simple officer.]

aïda

(Aside.)

Whom see I! Is he here? My father?

all

Her father!

amneris

And in our power!

aïda

(Embracing her father.)

Thou! A prisoner!

amonasro

(Aside to Aïda.)

Betray me not!

king

(To Amonasro.)

Approach thou—so then—thou art—?

amonasro

• Her father—in my country’s cause, I fought.
• Nor, conquered, could I find the death I sought.
• (Pointing to his uniform.)
• This you have learned from the dress I am wearing,
• I have my King and my country defended.
• Vain, ’gainst our fate were all courage and daring,
• We were unable its might to defy.
• Then I perceived ’mid the carnage extended,
• The form of the King—it was covered with gore.
• Now if to fight for the land we adore,
• Be worthy of death, we are ready to die!
• (Turning to the King, as a suppliant.)
• But thou, O King, in thy power transcendent,
• Spare thou the lives on thy mercy dependent,
• We, by the fates are to-day overtaken,
• What in the fates of to-morrow may lie?

AÏDA, CAPTAINS AND SLAVES

• Yes, though the anger of Heaven seems chiding,
• Show us thy pity, thy mercy abiding,
• Ah! May ye never, by fortune forsaken,
• In the despair of captivity sigh!

RAMPHIS AND PRIESTS

• Death is, O King, their just destination,
• Close, then, thy heart to all vain supplication.
• Since they are doomed by high Heaven to perish,
• Heaven’s decree we ought not to delay.

people

• Calm, holy priests, your anger exceeding,
• Graciously list to the desolate, pleading,
• And thou, O King, whose dominion we cherish,
• The mandates of mercy haste to obey.

rhadames

• (Aside, looking at Aïda.)
• Wan is her cheek with weeping and sorrow,
• Yet from affliction beauty doth borrow.
• Now in my bosom love’s flame is new lighted,
• By every drop that flows from her eyes.

amneris

• (Aside.)
• Ah! With the passionate zeal of a lover,
• Round her his glances linger and hover,
• She hath been chosen: in my bosom slighted,
• Furious promptings of envy arise.

king

• Now since our banners in triumph are waving,
• Mercy to show, the unfortunate saving,
• This to the Heavens above us is pleasant,
• Adding new strength to a powerful sway.

rhadames

(To the King.)

O King, by the holy gods and by the splendor of thy crown, thou didst swear to give me whatever I might ask.

king

I swore it.

rhadames

Even so: I pray that thou grant life and liberty to these Ethiopian captives.

amneris

(Aside.)

All of them!

priests

Death to Egypt’s enemies!

people

Mercy for the wretched!

ramphis

Hear me, O King;

(To Rhadames.)

And thou, too, youthful hero, the voice of prudence hear:

• Thy foes to battle hardened,
• Are yet thy foes at heart,
• Will bolder grow, if pardoned,
• And soon from peace depart.

rhadames

With Amonasro, their warrior king slain, all hope of vengeance is lost.

ramphis

At least, we should detain Aïda’s father, as a hostage to peace and safety. Set all the others free.

king

I yield to thy advice. Yet now a surer bond of peace and safety will I give you. Rhadames, thy country owes thee all. The hand of Amneris, my daughter, shall be thy reward. Sovereign of Egypt shalt thou reign with her hereafter.

amneris

(Aside.)

Now, now, let the slave-girl rob me of my love—she dare not!

king

• Egypt praise, and Isis fair,
• Our sacred land is in her care;
• Laurel now with lotus twine
• For the mighty victor’s brow.

priests

• Raise your hymns to Isis fair,
• Our sacred land is in her care.
• May she, with her favor blest,
• Our country still endow.

aïda

• (Aside.)
• Alas! to me what hope remains?
• He glory and a throne attains,
• But only loneliness and tears
• Shall be my portion now.

captives

• Praise to Egypt’s gracious land,
• Who pity on a captive band
• Hath ta’en, and granted liberty
• Once more our soil to tread.

rhadames

• (Aside.)
• Now Heaven’s bolt upon my head
• Hath fallen! All my hopes are dead.
• Nought to me were Egypt’s treasure
• Could I Aïda’s love avow.

amneris

• (Aside.)
• Almost bereft of every sense
• By joy unspeakable, immense,
• ’Tis triumph’s wondrous recompense!
• Now my love I can avow.

amonasro

• (To Aïda.)
• Take heart: we may amend the fate
• Of our country desolate.
• Presently this haughty state
• Shall before our vengeance bow.

people

• Egypt praise, and Isis fair,
• Our sacred land is in her care.
• Laurel now with lotus twine
• For the mighty victor’s brow!

end of second act

ACT III