Radames.
With Amonasro, their warrior king,
All hopes of revenge have perished.
Ramphis.
At least,
As earnest of safety and of peace
Keep we back fair Aida's father;
Set the others free.
King.
I yield me to thy counsel,
Of safety now and peace a bond more certain
Will I give you. Radames, to thee our debt
Is unbounded. Amneris my daughter shall be
Thy guerdon. Thou shalt hereafter o'er Egypt
With her hold conquering sway.
Amneris.
(Now let yon bondmaid
Rob me of my love—she dare not!)
King.
Glory to Egypt, sacred land,
Isis hath aye protected;
With laurel and with lotus
Bind round the victor's head.
Prisoners.
Praise be to Isis, Goddess bland,
Who hath our land protected,
And pray the favours granted us
Ever be o'er us shed.
Aida.
(Alas! to me what hope is left?
He wed, a throne ascending,
I left to measure all my loss
Like some poor widowed dove.)
Prisoners.
Glory to Egypt's gracious land
Who hath revenge rejected,
And liberty hath granted us
Once more our soil to tread.
Radames.
(Now Heaven's bolt the clouds hath cleft
Upon my head descending.
Ah no! all Egypt's treasure
Outweighs not Aida's love.)
Amneris.
(Almost of e'vry sense bereft
By joy my hopes transcending,
Scarce I the triumph now can measure
Crowning all my love.)
Amonasro (To Aida).
Take heart, there yet some hope is left,
Thy country's fate amending,
Thou'lt soon behold with pleasure
Vengeance light from above.
People.
Glory to Egypt's Goddess bland
Who hath our land protected,
With laurel and with lotus
Bind round the victor's head.
END OF THE SECOND ACT.
