# Aida/Act IV

Layout 2
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
Amneris, mournful, crouched before the portal.
Amneris.
She, my rival detested, has escaped me; And from the Priesthood Radames is 'waiting The sentence of a traitor. Yet a traitor He is not. Though he disclosed the weighty Secrets of warfare—flight was his true intention. And flight with her too. They are traitors all then! And justly should perish. What am I saying? I love him! Still I love him. Yes, insane and desperate Is the love my wretched life destroying. Ah! could he only love me! Fain would I save him. Yet can I? One effort! Soldiers: Radames bring hither.
SCENE II.
Radames, led in by Guards.
Amneris.
Now to the hall the priests proceed Where judgment thou art waiting, Yet is there 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 bring to 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 keep no guard on, The secret I imparted; But guiltless and pure-hearted, From stain my honour's free!
Amneris.
Then save thy life and clear thyself.
Radames.
No!
Amneris.
Wouldst thou die?
Radames.
Detested Life is; of all pleasure From henceforward divested. Without hope's priceless treasure 'Tis better far to die!
Amneris.
Wouldst die then? ah me! consent to live. Live, of all my love assured; The keenest pangs that death can give For thee have I endured By love condemned to languish, Long vigils I have spent in anguish, My country, power, existence All I'd surrender for thee!
Radames.
Have I not staked upon her All that in life was dearest!
Amneris.
No more of her!
Radames.
Dishonour Awaits me, my death thou fearest? Wretched thou mad'st life ever From Aida mine to sever; Haply thou hast slain her Yet offerest life to me?
Amneris.
I on her life lay guilty hands! No! Aida lives yet!
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.
(Falling on a chair, overcome.)
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!
(Covers her face with her hands.)
Priests.
(Within the subterranean hall.)
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.
Ramphis (In the crypt).
Radames, Radames: thou hast betrayed Of thy country the secrets to aid the foeman.
Priests.
Defend thyself!
Ramphis.
He is silent.
All.
Traitor vile!
Ramphis.
Radames, Radames: and thou wast absent From the camp the very day before the combat!
Priests.
Defend thyself!
Ramphis.
He is silent.
All.
Traitor vile!
Ramphis.
Radames, Radames: and thou hast played The part of a traitor to King, and to honour!
Priests.
Defend thyself!
Ramphis.
He is silent.
All.
Traitor vile! Radames, we thy fate have decided, Of all traitors the fate shall be thine— 'Neath the altar whose God thou'st derided Thou a sepulchre living shalt find.
Amneris.
Find a sepulchre living! hated wretches! Ever vengeful, bloodthirsty and blind, Yet who serve of kind Heaven the shrine.
(Assailing the Priests, who re-enter from the Crypt.)
Priests of Heaven, a crime you have enacted, Tigers ever in bloodshed exulting, Earthly justice and Heaven's you are insulting, On the guiltless your sentence will fall.
Priests.
None can his doom recall!
Amneris (To Ramphis).
Priest of Heaven: thou death hast inflicted On whom well ye know once I treasured; May a broken heart's curses unmeasured With his blood on thy guilty head fall!
Priests.
None can his doom recall!
(Departing slowly.)
Amneris.
Impious priesthood, curses light on ye all! On your heads Heaven's vengeance will fall!
(Exit wildly.)
SCENE IV.
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.
(With sad resignation.)
I fear it! I fear it!
(Approaches Aida and supports her.)
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.