Radames.
The fatal stone upon me now is closing,
Now has the tomb engulfed me. I never more
The light shall behold. Ne'er more see gentle Aida.
Dear Aida, where now art thou? whate'er befalls me
May'st thou be happy. Ne'er may my frightful doom
Reach thy gentle ear. What groan was that? 'Tis a phantom!
Some vision dread. No! sure that form, is human!
Heaven! 'tis Aida.
Aida.
Yes! Aida!
Radames.
Thou, with me here buried!
Aida.
My heart forboded this thy dreadful sentence,
And to this tomb that shuts on thee its portal
I crept unseen by mortal.
Here from all where none can behold us,
Clasped in thy arms I resolved to perish.
Radames.
To perish! so pure and lovely!
To die, thine own self dooming,
In all thy beauty blooming,
Fade thus for ever!
Thou whom the heav'n only for love created
But to destroy thee was my love then fated!
Ah no! those eyes
So dear I prize
For death are too lovely!
Aida (Transported).
See'st thou where death in angel guise
With heavenly radiance beaming,
Would waft us to eternal joys
On golden wings above!
See heaven's gates are open wide
Where tears are never streaming,
Where only bliss and joy reside
And never-fading love!
(Singing and dancing of the Priestesses in the Temple.)
Aida.
That sad chanting!
Radames.
'Tis the sacred dance
Of the Priesthood!
Aida.
It is our death chant resounding!
Radames.
(Trying to displace the stone closing the vault.)
Cannot my lusty sinews
Move from its place this fatal stone?
Aida.
'Tis vain! all is over,
Hope on earth have we none!
Radames.
I fear it! I fear it!
Aida and Radames.
Farewell, O earth! farewell, thou vale of sorrow!
Brief dream of joy condemned to end in woe!
See, brightly opens the sky, an endless morrow
There all unshadowed eternal shall glow!
Amneris.
Peace everlasting, lov'd one, mayst thou know
Isis, relenting, greet thee on high!
END OF THE OPERA.
