Radames.
Living!
Amneris.
When routed, fled the savage bands,
To fate war's chances giving,
Perished her father!
Radames.
And she then!
Amneris.
Vanished, nor ought heard we then further.
Radames.
The gods her path guide then,
Safe to her home returning,
Guard her too e'er from learning
That for her sake I 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.
Amneris.
Once more thy answer,
Wilt thou renounce her?
Radames.
No! Never!
Amneris.
Life's thread wouldst thou then sever?
Radames.
Ready for death am I?
Amneris.
From the fate now hanging o'er thee
Who will save thee, wretched being?
She whose heart could once adore thee
Thou hast made thy mortal foe.
Heaven all my anguish seeing,
Will avenge this cruel blow!
Radames.
Void of terrors death appeareth
Since I die for her I cherish;
In the hour when I perish
With delight my heart will glow:
Wrath no more this bosom feareth,
Scorn for thee alone I know!
(Radames goes out attended by Guard.)
Amneris.
Ah me! death's hand approaches! who now will save him?
He is now in their power,
His sentence I have sealed—Oh how I curse thee,
Jealously, vile monster, thou who hast doomed him
To death, and me to everlasting sorrow!
What see I? Behold of death
The ministers fatal, his merciless judges.
Ah let me not behold those white robed phantoms!
Priests.
Heavenly spirit, in our hearts descending,
Kindle of justice the flame eternal,
Unto our sentence truth and righteousness lending.
Amneris.
Pity, O Heaven, this heart so sorely wounded,
His heart is guiltless, save him, powers supernal,
For my sorrow is despairing, deep, unbounded.
