Amneris.
Has not another vision,
One more sweet, more enchanting,
Found favour in your heart? Is there in
Memphis no attraction more charming!
Radames.
I!—(fatal question!)
(Has she the secret yearning
Divined within me burning!
Have then these eyes betrayed me
And told Aida's name!)
Amneris.
(Ah woe, my love if spurning
His heart to another were turning,
Woe if hope should false have played me,
And bootless prove my flame!)
SCENE III.
Aida and the same.
Radames.
Aida!
Amneris.
(He is troubled—ne'er lover
Gazed with more raptured eyes!
Aida! should I discover
One who with me now vies?)
Come hither, thou I dearly prize—
Slave art thou none, nor menial,
Here have I made by fondest ties
Sister, a name more genial,
Weep'st thou? the secret let me know
Wherefore thy tears, yes,
Wherefore thy tears now flow!
Aida.
Alas! the cry of war I hear,
Vast hosts I see assemble.
Therefore the country's fate I fear,
For me, for all I tremble.
Amneris.
And art thou sure no deeper woe
Now bids thy tears to flow?
(Aida casts down her eyes and hides her emotion.)
(Tremble, O thou base vassal!
Lest thy secret stain is detected!
All in vain thou wouldst dissemble,
By tear and blush betrayed!)
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.
(Her glance with anger flashing
Proclaims our love suspected.
Woe if my hopes all dashing,
She mar the plans I've laid.)
SCENE IV.
King.
Mighty the cause that summons
Round the king the faithful sons of Egypt.
From the Ethiop's land a messenger
This moment has reached us, news of grave import
Brings he—be pleased to hear him!
Bring the news-bearer forward.
Messenger.
The sacred regions of Egyptian soil
Is by Ethiops invaded, our fertile fields
Lie all devastated, destroyed our harvest!
Emboldened by so easy a victory the plundering hordes
To the Capital are marching.
All.
Presumptuous daring!
Messenger.
They are led by a warrior as fierce
As he is dauntless—Amonasro.
