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Our glances raise we; Thank we our gods and praise we, On this triumphant day. The King.—Savior brave of thy country, Egypt salutes thee! Hither now advance and on thy head My daughter will place the-crown of triumph. (Radames bends before Amneris, who hands him the crown.) What boon thou askest, freely Hl grant it. Naught can be denied thee on such a day, I swear it by the crown I am wear- ing, By heav’n above us! RadamIjs.—First deign to Order that the captives Be before you brought. (Enter Bthiopian prisoners sur- rounded by guards, Amonasro last in the dress of an ofhcer.) Ramphis and Priests.—Thank we our gods! Aida.—What see I? He here? My father? Ale.—Her father! Amneris.—And in our power! Aida (embracing her father).—Thou! captive made! Amonasro (whispering to Aida).—Teil not my rank! The King (to Amonasro).—Come for- ward— So then, thou art? Amonasro.—Her father. I, too, have fought, And we are conquer’d; death I vainly sought. (Pointing to the uniform he is wear- ing.) This my garment has told you already That I fought to defend King and country; Adverse fortune against us ran steady, Vainly sought we the fates to defy. At my feet in the dust lay extended Our King; countless wounds had transpierc’d him; If to fight' for the country that nurs’d him Make one guilty, we’re ready to die! But, oh King, in thy power transcend- ent Spare the lives on thy merey depend- ent; By fates though to-day overtaken, Ah! say, who can to-morrow’s event descry? Aida.—But, O King, in thy power trans- cendent, etc. SlavE-prisonErs.—We, on whom heav- en’s anger is falling; Thee implore, on thy clemency calling; May you ne’er be by fortune forsaken, Nor thus in captivity lie! Ramphis and Priests.—Death, oh King, be their just destination; Close thy heart to all vain supplica- tion, By the heavens they doom’d are to perish, We the heavens are bound to obey. People.—Holy priests, calm your anger exceeding, Lend an ear to the conquer’d foe, pleading, Mighty King, thou whose power we cherish, In thy bosom let merey have sway. Radames (fixing his eyes on Aida).— See her cheek wan with weeping and sorrow, From affliction new charm seems to borrow; In my bosom love’s flame seems new lighted By each tear-drop that flows from her eyes. Amneris.—With what glances on her he is gazing! Glowing passion within them is blaz- ing! She is lov’d, and my passion is slighted! Stern revenge in my breast loudly cries! The King.—High in triumph since our banners now are soaring, Let us spare those our merey implor- ing: By the gods merey, aye, is requited, And of princes it strengthens the sway. Radames.—O King! by heav’n above us,
