ACT II.
SCENE I.
Slaves.
Our songs his glory praising,
Heavenward waft a name
Whose deeds the sun outblazing
Eclipse his dazzling flame.
Come, bind thy flowing tresses round
With laurel and with flowers,
While loud our songs of praise resound
To celebrate Love's powers.
Amneris.
(Come, love, with rapture fill me,
To joy my heart restore!)
Slaves.
Ah! where are now the foes who dared
Egypt's brave sons attack?
As doves are by the eagle scared,
Our warriors drove them back.
Now wreaths of triumph glorious
The victor's brow shall crown,
And love o'er him victorious
Shall smooth his warlike frown.
Amneris.
(Come, love, let thy voice thrill me
With accents dear once more.)
Ah, cease now, 'tis Aida who this way advances,
Child of the conquered, to me her grief is sacred.
(At a sign from Amneris the Slaves retire as Aida enters.)
Once more to see her
My soul again with doubt is tortured—
Thy dread secret at last shall be surrendered!
SCENE II.
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.
Aida (Much moved).
(Oh, love, sweet power! oh, joy tormenting!
Rapturous madness, bliss fraught with woes,
Thy pangs most cruel, a life contenting,
Thy smiles enchanting bright heaven disclose!)
Amneris.
(Looking fixedly towards Aida.)
(Yon deadly pallor, her bosom panting,
Tell of love's passion, tell of love's woes:
Her heart to question, courage is wanting,
My bosom feels of her torture the throes.)
Nay, tell me, then, what new fledged love
Assails my gentle Aida?
Unbosom all thy secret thoughts,
Come, trust securely in my affection;
