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Radames (to Aida and Amonasro).— Fly quick! delay not! amonasro (dragging Aida). —Come then, my daughter. Ramphis (to the guards).—Follow after! Radamüs (to Ramphis).—Priest of Isis, I yield to thee. ACT IV Scene I.—A Hall in the King’s palace. On the left a large portal leading to the subterranean hall of justice. A Passage on the right, leading to the prison of Radames.) AmnEris.—She, my rival detested, has escaped me. And from the priesthood Radames Awaits the sentence on a traitor. Yet a traitor he is not. Tho’ he dis- closed The weighty secrets of warfare, flight was i His true intention, and flight with her too. They are traitors all, then! deserving to perish! What am I saying? I love him, still I love him; Yes, insane and desp’rate is the love My wretched life destroying. Ah! could he only love me! 1 fain would save him. Yet can I? One effort! Soldiers, Radames bring hithtr. (Enter Radames, led by guards.) Now to the hall the priests proceed, Whose judgment thou art waiting; Yet there is hope from this foul deed Thyself of disculpating; Once clear, to gain thy pardon I at the throne’s foot kneeling, For mercy dear appealing, Life will I render thee. Radames.—From me my judges ne’er will hear One word of exculpation; In sight of heaven I am clear, Nor fear its reprobation. My lips I kept no guard on. The secret I imparted, But guiltless and pure-hearted, From stain my honor’s free. AmnEris.—Then save thy life, and clear thyself. Radames.—No. AmnEris.—Wouldst thou die? Radames.—My life is hateful! Of all pleasure Forever ’tis divested, Without hope’s priceless treasure, ’Tis better far to die. AmnEris.—Wouldst die, then? Ah! thou for me shalt live! Live, of all mv love assured; The keenest pangs that death can give, For thee have I endured! By love condemn’d to languish, Long vigils I’ve spent in anguish, My country, my power, existence, All I’d surrender for thee. Radames.—For her I too my country, Honor and life surrender! Amneris.—No more of her! Radames.—Dishonor awaits me, Yet thou wilt save me? Thou all my hope hast shaken, Aida thou hast taken; Haply thou hast slain her, And yet offerest life to me? Amneris.—I, on her life lay guilty hands? No! She is living! Radam es.—Living ? AmnEris.—When routed fled the savage bands, To fate war’s chances giving, Perish’d her father. Radames.—And she then? AmnEris.—Vanish’d, nor aught heard we then further. Radames.—The gods her path guide then. Safe to her home returning; Guard her, too, e’er from learning That I for her sake die! AmnEris.—But if I save thee, wilt thou swear Her sight e’er to resign? Radames.—I cannot! Amneris.—Swear to renounce her for ever, Life shall be thine! Radames.—I cannot!
