Volltext Seite (XML)
ACT II Scene I.—A hall in the apartments of AmnEris. Amneris surrounded by female slaves, who attire her for the triumphal feast. Tripods emitting perfumed vapors. Young Moorish slaves waving feather-fans. Chorus.—Our song his glöry praising, Heavenward waft a name, Whose deeds the sun out-blazing, Out-shine his dazzling flame! Come, bind thy flowing tresses round With laurel and with flow’rs, While loud our song of praise resound To celebrate love’s pow’rs. AmnEris.— (Ah, come, love, with rap- ture fill me, To joy my heart restore.) Chorus.—Ah! where are now the foes who dared Egypt’s brave sons attack? As doves are by the eagle scar’d, 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 war-like frown. Amneris.—Be silent! Aida hither now advances, Child of the conquer’d, to me her grief is sacred. (At a sign from Amneris the slaves rctire.) (Unter Aida.) On her appearance, My soul again with doubt is tortur’d. It shall now be revealed, the fatal mys- tery! (To Aida with feigned affection.) ’Neath the chances of battle succomb thy people, Hapless Aida! The sorrows that af- flict thee, Be sure I feel as keenly. My heart tow’rds thee yearns fondly; In vain naught shalt thou ask of me: Thou shalt be happy! Aida.—Ah! how can I be happy, Far from my native country, where I can never know VVhat fate may befall my father, brothers ? Amneris.—Deeply you move me! yet no human sorrow Is lasting here below. Time will com fort And heal your present anguish. Greater Than time e’en the healing power of love is. Aida.—Oh, love, sweet power! oh, joy tormenting! Rapturous madness bliss fraught with woes, Thy pangs most cruel a life content- ing, Thy smiles enchanting bright heaven disclose! AmnEris.—Yon deadly pallor, her bosom panting, Teil of love’s passion, teil of love’s woes. Her heart to question, courage is wanting. My bosom feels of her torture the throes. (Bying her ßxedly.) Now say, what new emotion so doth sway my fair Aida? Thy secret thought reveal to me: Come, trust securely, come, Trust in my affection. Among the warriors brave who Fought fatally ’gainst thy country, It may be that one has waken’d In thee gentle thoughts of love? Aida.—What mean’st thou? Amneris.—The cruel fate of war not all alike embraces, And then the dauntless warrior who Leads the host may perish. Yes! Radames by thine is slaughter’d; And canst thou mourn him? The gods have wrought thee ven- geance. Aida.—What dost thou teil me! wretched fate! Forever my tears shall flow! Celestial favor to me was ne’er ex- tended. Amneris (breaking out with violence). Tremble! thou art discovered! Thou lov’st him! Ne’er deny it!
