Aida (complete libretto) Music: Elton John Lyrics: Tim Rice Book by Linda Woolerton! Robert "alls # $aid %enry % &an' AT *+E ,rolo'ue T%E M-.E-M Lights up on the Egyptian wing of a Modern Art Museum. A contemporary contemporary crowd, chic and beautifully dressed, is gathered around various artifacts, all under glass: a small boat, a model of a soldier with a bow and arrow, a mannequin of AMNE!", ancient female #haraoh of Egypt. $he crowd moves appreciatively around the e%hibits. !n the center of the room, also behind glass, is a mysterious ob&ect ' an ancient burial chamber, a tomb. A man and a woman also dressed in the fashions of today approach the tomb from different sides. $hey are both drawn to it. $hey circle it, intrigued as if they have seen it before. $he man is A(AME") the woman is A!(A. !n a musical moment, they loo* up. $heir eyes meet and all the action in the room free+es as AMNE!", wearing a royal headdress, emerges from the glass encasement. As she sings, the cast of the modern museumgoers leaves the stage. /: E0ER1 .T*R1 2. A L*0E .T*R1 AM+ER2. E0ER1 .T*R1! TALE TALE *R MEM*2R E0ER1 .A3A *R R*MA+E W%ET%ER TR-E *R "ABR2ATE$ W%ET%ER ,LA++E$ *R %A,,E+.TA+E W%ET%ER .WEE,2+3 T%R*-3% T%E A3E. A.T2+3 E+T-R2E. A.2$E *R A %-RR2E$ BR2E" RE2TAL J-.T A T%2RT1M2+-TE T%2RT1M2+-TE R2$E AMNE!" steps off of the pedestal and stands before the audience.W%ET%ER BR23%T *R MELA+%*L1 R*-3% A+$ REA$1! RE A$1! "2+EL1 .,-+ W%ET%ER W2T% A T%*-.A+$ ,LA1ER. *R A L*+EL1 A.T *" *+E E0ER1 .T*R1! +EW *R A+2E+T
BA3ATELLE *R W*R4 *" ART ALL ARE TALE. TALE. *" %-MA+ %-MA+ "A2L2+3 "A2L2+3 ALL ARE TALE. TALE. *" L*0E L*0E AT AT %EART $he lights change violently with a roc* and roll chord. ro+en on stage: the Man staring at a model of the boat. $he /0MAN loo*s at the figure of the Archer.T%2. 2. T%E .T*R1 *" A L*0E T%AT "L*-R2.%E$ 2+ A T2ME *" %ATE *" L*0ER. +* T1RA++1 *-L$ .E,ARATE L*0E .ET 2+T* M*T2*+ *+ T%E +2LE5. .%*RE $E.T2+1 23+2TE$ B1 A+ AT *" WAR E31,T .AW T%E M23%T1 R20ER A. 2T. 0ER1 %EART A+$ .*-L .*-RE *" L2"E "*R ALL %ER %ER ,E*,LE T%AT *+L1 E31,T *-L$ *+TR*L $E.TR-T2*+ *" %ER .*-T%ER+ +E23%B*R J-.T2"2E$ +-B2A E6,L*2TE$! E6,L*2TE$! LE"T W2T% L2TTLE M*RE T%A+ ,R2$E *%%%%%%%%%%7
AT *+E .cene *ne A .LA0 .LA0E E BAR3E As the /0MAN moves off with the model model of the boat, large red sails fly in, creating an Egyptian barge on stage. E12#$!AN "0L(!E" man the sails as riches and the spoils of war are loaded on to the dec* of the ship. 87 "*RT-+E "A0*R. T%E BRA0E .*L$2ER. *%! *% "*RT-+E "A0*R. "A0*R. T%E BRA0E *%! *% "*RT-+E "A0*R. "A0*R. T%E BRA0E A(AME", an Egyptian Army 3aptain, enters.RA$AME. WE %A0 % A0E E .WE,T .W E,T T* 3L*R1 3L*R 1!
BA3ATELLE *R W*R4 *" ART ALL ARE TALE. TALE. *" %-MA+ %-MA+ "A2L2+3 "A2L2+3 ALL ARE TALE. TALE. *" L*0E L*0E AT AT %EART $he lights change violently with a roc* and roll chord. ro+en on stage: the Man staring at a model of the boat. $he /0MAN loo*s at the figure of the Archer.T%2. 2. T%E .T*R1 *" A L*0E T%AT "L*-R2.%E$ 2+ A T2ME *" %ATE *" L*0ER. +* T1RA++1 *-L$ .E,ARATE L*0E .ET 2+T* M*T2*+ *+ T%E +2LE5. .%*RE $E.T2+1 23+2TE$ B1 A+ AT *" WAR E31,T .AW T%E M23%T1 R20ER A. 2T. 0ER1 %EART A+$ .*-L .*-RE *" L2"E "*R ALL %ER %ER ,E*,LE T%AT *+L1 E31,T *-L$ *+TR*L $E.TR-T2*+ *" %ER .*-T%ER+ +E23%B*R J-.T2"2E$ +-B2A E6,L*2TE$! E6,L*2TE$! LE"T W2T% L2TTLE M*RE T%A+ ,R2$E *%%%%%%%%%%7
AT *+E .cene *ne A .LA0 .LA0E E BAR3E As the /0MAN moves off with the model model of the boat, large red sails fly in, creating an Egyptian barge on stage. E12#$!AN "0L(!E" man the sails as riches and the spoils of war are loaded on to the dec* of the ship. 87 "*RT-+E "A0*R. T%E BRA0E .*L$2ER. *%! *% "*RT-+E "A0*R. "A0*R. T%E BRA0E *%! *% "*RT-+E "A0*R. "A0*R. T%E BRA0E A(AME", an Egyptian Army 3aptain, enters.RA$AME. WE %A0 % A0E E .WE,T .W E,T T* 3L*R1 3L*R 1!
E31,T5. MA.TER1 E6,A+$. "R*M T%E +2LE5. +*RT%ER+ M*.T $ELTA T* T%E $R1! $R1 .*-T%ER+ .A+$. T%E M*RE WE "2+$! T%E M*RE WE .EE! T%E M*RE WE *ME T* LEAR+ T%E M*RE T%AT WE E6,L*RE! T%E M*RE WE .%ALL RET-R+ .*L$2ER. *%! *% "*RT-+E "A0*R. "A0*R. T%E BRA0E RA$AME. 2T5. ALL W*R4E$ *-T! M1 R*A$ 2. LEAR T%E L2+E. *" LAT2T-$E E6TE+$ WA1 BE1*+$ M1 W2L$E.T $REAM. T*WAR$ .*ME 3REAT TR2-M,%A+T E+$ WE .E29E T%E $A1 WE T-R+E$ T%E T2$E WE T*-%E$ T%E .TAR. WE M*4E$ T%E 3RA0E WE M*0E$ 2+T* -+%ARTE$ LA+$. RA$AME. # .*L$2ER. "*RT-+E "A0*R. "A0*R. T%E BRA0E RA$AME. T%E M*RE WE "2+$! T%E M*RE WE .EE T%E M*RE WE *ME T* LEAR+ T%E M*RE T%AT WE E6,L*RE T%E M*RE WE .%ALL RET-R+ +*T%2+3 2. A+ A2$E+T WE ARE "REE T* %A0E 2T ALL WE ARE W%AT WE WA+T T* BE 2T5. 2+ *-R.EL0E. T* R2.E *R "ALL T%2. 2. EA.1 T* BEL2E0E W%E+ $2.TA+T ,LAE. ALL T* ME 2T5. %AR$ER "R*M T%E ,ALAE 1AR$ "*RT-+E "A0*R. T%E "REE
.*L$2ER. *%! *% RA$AME. "*RT-+E "A0*R. T%E 1*-+3 .*L$2ER. *%! *% RA$AME. "*RT-+E "A0*R. "A0*R. T%E BRA0E "uddenly, "uddenly, A!(A and N45!AN /0MEN are pushed onstage. "he stumbles. RA$AME. goes over to inspect the Nubians.RA$AME. What hae &e here; .*L$2ER
A2$A Release them7 RA$AME. 3rossing to A!(A- %and A!(A- %and it oer7 +o& A2$A "he holds the sword close to the soldier6s nec*.- 1ou nec*.- 1ou took us =rom +ubia777and no& you say &e belon' to you! yes; RA$AME. 1es7 A2$A Well! 2 took this soldier =rom your ranks7 .o! by your o&n lo'ic he belon's to me7 +o& let them 'o7 A(AME" smiles in ac*nowledgement, then points to $7E /0MEN. "0L(!E" instantly grab them. A!(A lays down the sword. A "0L(!E snatches it up..*L$2ER -ARTER. A(AME" leads A!(A off as the set rises to reveal the ship6s lower quarters. 0nce in his quarters, A(AME" lifts his hand. A!(A covers her face. A2$A $on5t7 RA$AME. 1ou don5t &ant me to remoe your shackles; "he holds up her hands for him and he unloc*s her manacles.- They5ll manacles.- They5ll only 'et in the &ay7 0ery 0ery impressie up there7 2 should enlist you in my m y army7 Make you my Lieutenant7 A2$A Are you mockin' me! aptain; aptain;
RA$AME. +o7 Admirin' you. 7e removes his coat, dropping it to the floor almost as a dare.$o you kno& &hat5s 'oin' to happen no&; 1ou5re 'oin' to scrub the =ilth o= battle =rom my skin. A(AME" sits on a stool in front of her. A!(A sees the basin of water and the sea sponge.- 2t5s been a lon' time since 25e =elt clean7 A!(A begins to scrub his bac* with all her force.- 1ou5re much better &ith a s&ord than you are &ith a spon'e7 A2$A 2 &ish 2 had a s&ord no&7 RA$AME. There5s mine7 %elp yoursel=7 Who tau'ht you to use a &eapon; A2$A My =ather7 RA$AME. Because he kno&s that +ubian men can5t protect their &omen; ("he straightens, furious.- 1ou5re not =inished7 A2$A 1es! 2 am7 RA$AME. *n your knees 7e stands to confront her.- 1ou en?oy liin' dan'erous! don5t you; A2$A About as much as 2 en?oy &ashin' your =ilthy E'yptian skin A!(A throws the sponge to the ground. A(AME" raises his hand to stri*e her.RA$AME. 1ou777 3. THE PAST IS ANOTHER LAND
A2$A +o777 1*- 4+*W +*T%2+3 AB*-T ME A+$ ARE E0E+ LE.. %*W *-L$ 1*- -+$ER.TA+$ *-R EM,T2+E.. 1*-50E ,L-+$ERE$ *-R W2.$*M! *-R 4+*WLE$3E! *-R WEALT% 2+ BLEE$2+3 -. $R1
1*- L*+3 "*R *-R .,2R2T B-T T%AT 1*- W2LL +E0ER ,*..E.. T%E ,A.T 2. +*W A+*T%ER LA+$ "AR BE1*+$ M1 REA% 2+0A$E$ B1 2+.2$2*-. "*RE23+ B*$2E.! "*RE23+ .,EE% W%ERE T2MELE.. J*1. *" %2L$%**$ L2E BR*4E+ *+ T%E BEA% RA$AME. What is your name; A2$A Aida777 .*L$2ER <@ offstageaptain! &e5re ready to dock A(AME" scoops up the shac*les from the floor and forces them on A!(A. A2$A ,lease! leae them o==7 RA$AME. 1ou5re a slae no& And i= you &ant to surie you better remember it7 A2$A T%E ,RE.E+T 2. A+ EM,T1 .,AE BETWEE+ T%E 3**$ A+$ BA$ A M*ME+T LEA$2+3 +*W%ERE T** ,*2+TLE.. T* BE .A$ B-T T2ME E+*-3% T* LA1 T* WA.TE E0ER1 ERTA2+T1 2 %A$ $he platform from A(AME"6 ship appears onstage, as slaves e%it from the ship and onto the doc*.T%E "-T-RE 2. A BARRE+ W*RL$ "R*M W%2% 2 A+5T RET-R+ B*T% %EARTLE.. A+$ MATER2AL 2T. WRET%E$ .,*2L. +*T M1 *+ER+ .%2+2+3 L24E A+ E02L .-+ A. M1 %2L$%**$ TREA.-RE. B-R+
.%2+2+3 L24E A+ E02L .-+ A. M1 %2L$%**$ TREA.-RE. B-R+ AT *+E .cene Three T%E $*4. $he scene has now changed to the doc*s in Egypt, where A(AME"6 soldiers are unloading the ship and securing the slaves. A ME37AN$ enters, carrying gold. MEE5, A(AME"6 young servant, enters after ME37AN$, carrying a few cas*s of wine. MER%A+T Mereb! Mereb7772s that the &ine; MEREB 1ou hae the 'old; $hey e%change gold and wine. $he ME37AN$ runs off. A(AME" comes down the platform and onto the doc*s.RA$AME. Mereb MEREB 7e stuffs the bag of gold down his shirt, then turns.- Master! 2 am so 'lad you5e returned7 RA$AME. (escending gangplan*.- %ae you kept my house in order; MEREB 1es! &ell ecept =or a =e& casks o= &ine! &hich hae mysteriously disappeared7 RA$AME. A'ain; 80"E and his M!N!"$E" enter from " to A(AME" and MEE5.9*.ER %ere you are my son! home at last .tep aside Mereb MEREB 7e bows to 80"E ) 1es! oh hie= Minister 9oser777 loed by the 3ods! the people
and himsel=7 9*.ER are=ul boy or 25ll hae you777 RA$AME. 7e embraces 80"E.- 2t5s 'ood to see you =ather7 9*.ER 1ou &ere 'one =or so lon' Radames! 2 &as be'innin' to &orry7 1ou &eren5t in?ured in battle; RA$AME. +o7 9*.ER 2 kept tellin' the princess that no man could best you &ith a s&ord7 RA$AME. +o man 'ot the better o= me7 Thou'h a certain &oman mi'ht hae777 9*.ER Really; RA$AME. Listen! beyond the =i=th cataract the +ile heads directly to&ard 4hartoum7 9*.ER Then &e can attack the city by &ater; Ecellent 1ou recorded the landscape; RA$AME. With the maps &e made! an illiterate =oot soldier could =ind his &ay throu'h +ubia7 9*.ER And you brou'ht us capties7 3ood7 Take them to the copper mines7 We can5t seem to keep them alie do&n there7 80"E motions the 14A(" forwardRA$AME. .top +ot this one7 7e ta*es A!(A from the 14A(.- 2 need a 'i=t =or the princess7 9*.ER 1es7 .he5ll be epectin' somethin'7
R%A$AME. Take the others to the ,alace 3roundskeeper7 They can help &ith the harest7 $o 80"E.- They5re all &omen7 They &ouldn5t last a day under'round7 9*.ER As you &ish7 They5re your slaes7 A(AME" turns A!(A to face him. A2$A Thank you7 RA$AME. 3ie me your hands! Aida7 MEREB 1our name is Aida; RA$AME. Mereb7$o Aida, ta*ing her chains off.- 25m 'oin' to remoe these7 But kno& that i= you dare try to escape! 2 &ill come a=ter you mysel=7 A2$A 1ou =latter me! aptain7 1ou don5t look like a man &ho &ould chase a=ter any &oman7 RA$AME. 25ll make an eception =or you7 $o Mereb.- Mereb! take her to ,rincess Amneris &ith my compliments7 A!(A and MEE5 e%it.9*.ER 1ou5e been 'one si months7 2 really think a personal appearance is in order7 RA$AME. 2n 'ood time! =ather7 Thou'h you and the ,rincess should kno& that as soon as my cre& is rested! 2 am settin' out a'ain7 9*.ER 4. ANOTHER PYRAMID
1ou can5t7 Radames! E'ypt needs you no&7 ,haraoh is not the po&er=ul leader he &as &hen you le=t7 9*.ER W%2LE 1*-50E BEE+ AWA1 A0*RT2+3 MATTER. %ERE %A0E M*0E$ A,AE +*W 2 +EE$ 1*- %*ME .-,,*RT2+3 ALL T%E ,LA+. 250E ,-T 2+ ,LAE "2R.T *" ALL T%2. MEA+. 1*-R WE$$2+3 1*-5LL REALL 1*-R "-T-RE BR2$E "*R T%E WA1 T%AT ,%ARA*%5. %EA$2+3 T2ME5. +* L*+3ER *+ *-R .2$E A*R$2+3 T* T%E %AW4 3*$! %*R-. *-R M*.T RE3AL 2+0AL2$ 2. +*T T%AT M-% L*+3ER "*R -. B-2L$ A+*T%ER ,1RAM2$ RA$AME. 1ou mean ,haraoh has =allen ill; 2s it serious; 9*.ER 25m a=raid so7 RA$AME. 2 must 'o to him7 9*.ER 1es7 That &ill brin' him some com=ort7 25ll see you toni'ht at the banuet! aptain7 T%ERE ARE MA+1 W%*5LL BE TEAR"-L A. *-R LEA$ER "A$E. AWA1 B-T *-R AR%2TET. ARE %EER"-L A+$ EA% $*3 M-.T %A0E 2T. $A1 2" *-R *-+TR1 2. T* "L*-R2.% T%E+ M1 .*+ M-.T TA4E T%E LEA$ BE *-R 2+.,2RAT2*+! +*-R2.% ALL *-R %*,E. *-R $REAM. *-R REE$ .**+ *-R M*+AR% W2LL %A0E "2LLE$ A
T*MB J-.T L24E %2. "AT%ER. $2$ .-MM*+ E31,T5. 3REATE.T B-2L$ER. RE: A+*T%ER ,1RAM2$ M2+2.TER. B-2L$ 2T! B-2L$ 2T A+*T%ER ,1RAM2$ T%ERE W2LL BE A T2ME "*R M*-R+2+3 B-T "*R +*W ,-T ,LA+. *+ %*L$ M2+2.TER. %*L$ "*R 2 320E T%E +AT2*+ WAR+2+3 T%AT BE"*RE T%E *R,.E 2. *L$ M2+2.TER. *L$ 9*.ER WE5LL E6TE+$ "A2R E31,T5. ,*WER E31,T5. 3L*R1 .TRE+3T% A+$ .T1LE WE .%ALL %A0E *-R "2+E.T %*-R "AR BE1*+$ T%E M23%T1 +2LE %E M-.T %A0E A 0A-LT T%AT5. 3RA+$ B1 A+1 .TA+$AR$.! "L**R T* L2$ ,-T "20E T%*-.A+$ .LA0E. *+ .TA+$ B1 B-2L$ A+*T%ER ,1RAM2$ M2+2.TER. B-2L$ 2T! B-2L$ 2T B-2L$ 2T! B-2L$ 2T B-2L$ 2T! B-2L$ 2T B-2L$ 2T ($A+E BREA4) 9*.ER .omeone has been tellin' ,haraoh about our priate meetin's7 M2+2.TER. .hhhhhhhh
9*.ER $o the A334"E( M!N!"$ETraitor %e5s become a liability7 $he other M!N!"$E" instantly surround the A334"E( M!N!"$E. A""A""!N M!N!"$E crosses to M!N!"$E, pulls out a *nife, and *ills him. $he (ance goes into high gear.M2+2.TER. Build it! build it Build it ($A+E BREA4) 9*.ER %E M-.T %A0E A 0A-LT T%AT5. 3RA+$ B1 A+1 .TA+$AR$.! "L**R T* L2$ ,-T "20E T%*-.A+$ .LA0E. *+ .TA+$ B1 B-2L$ A+*T%ER ,1RAM2$ 9*.ER $o one M!N!"$E- 1ou etracted more arsenic; (M2+2.TER hands 9*.ER a ile o= arsenic) Who &ould hae thou'ht the copper mines &ould yield such an abundant supply; ,ut some in ,haraoh5s &ine toni'ht at the banuet7 A'ain! only a =e& drops7 We don5t &ant him dyin'777?ust yet7 AT *+E .cene "our %ALLWA1 2+ T%E ,%ARA*%5. ,ALAE A!(A appears in a uniform of a #alace "lave. MEREB Well no& you look like a handmaiden7 But at least the aptain sa& that you are special7 A2$A What that man sees and understands could be etched on a 'rain o= sand7 MEREB That may be! but Radames did sae you and the other &omen =rom the copper mines7
A2$A That &as surprisin' and decent o= him7 MEREB When 2 &as ten! Radames saed me =rom bein' beaten to death by a palace 'uard7 %e promised he5d look a=ter me =rom then on7 %e has kept his promise7 A!(A turns away.- Look! 2 kno& &hat you are thinkin'777that 25e become one o= them7 But 2 am still +ubian7 2 &ill al&ays be +ubian7 A2$A *= course C7 %*W 2 4+*W 1*MEREB 2 3REW -, 2+ 1*-R %*MET*W+ AT LEA.T BE3A+ T* 3R*W 2 %A$+5T 3*T T* M1 "2R.T .%A0E BE"*RE T%E B*$1 BL*W
E31,T2A+. 2+ T%E *-RT1AR$ M1 "AM2L1 2+ %A2+. 1*- W2T+E..E$ *-R AB$-T2*+ W%2% ,*..2BL1 E6,LA2+. %*W 2 4+*W 1*%*W 2 4+*W 1*MEE5 ta*es A!(A upstageBE"*RE T%AT "ATE"-L M*R+2+3 M1 "AM2L1 E+J*1E$ A ,R202LE3E$ E62.TE+E "*R M1 "AT%ER WA. EM,L*1E$ A. A$02.*R T* T%E 42+3 +* LE.. W%2% .-REL1 R2+3. A BELL "*R A. 1*-R ARE %2. $A-3%TER 1*- ,R*BABL1 A+ TELL %*W 2 4+*W 1*1E. 2 4+*W 1* A2$A 1*- 4+*W T** M-% A+$ W%AT 1*- .A1
2. BETTER LE"T -+4+*W+ A+$ +*W 25M J-.T A .LA0E L24E 1**-R L20E. *-R +*T *-R *W+ MEREB 2 +E0ER %A0E ABA+$*+E$ A+$ +*R 2 T%2+4 *-L$ 1*T%AT .,AR4 *" %*,E "*R "REE$*M +* TERR*R A+ .-B$-E A2$A M1 *+L1 %*,E 2. .2LE+E 1*-50E +E0ER .EE+ M1 "AE MEREB +* 1*- REMA2+ A ,R2+E.. 2+ A+1 T2ME *R ,LAE A2$A 1*- $*+5T 4+*W ME MEREB 1E.! 2 4+*W 1* A2$A 1*- $*+5T 4+*W ME MEREB %*W 2 4+*W 1*%*W 2 4+*W 1*,rincess777 A2$A Mereb! you must treat me like any other slae7 2= the E'yptians kne& 2 &as the dau'hter o= the +ubian 4in'777 MEREB They &ould kill you7 But our people &ill keep your secret7 A2$A +o7 1ou must not tell anyone &ho 2 am7 "rom no& on! 2 am nothin' but a 'i=t =rom an E'yptian captain to his ,rincess7
MEREB Just so you kno&! Amneris is more than that to Radames7 .he5s his betrothed7 A2$A %e5s to be married; When; MEREB The day his ship sinks and the royal builders re=use to make him another7 omeD let5s 'et you to the ,rincess7 AT *+E .cene "ie T%E BAT%. "team begins to fill the stage. /0MEN 0 $7E #ALA3E enter wrapped in sheets. "LA9E" stand by with trays of fruit, oils and cosmetics. /e see two girls swimming. AM+ER2. 3limbing out of the pool and changing into robe) 2t is such hard &ork maintainin' per=ection7 But &orth the e==ort! don5t you think; W*ME+ *h! yes7 $e=initely &orth it 1ou5re per=ect7 AM+ER2. Really; ,er=ect; Really; Then maybe one o= you can eplain to me &hy Radames! the man destined to be my one and only! is ne'lectin' me; A!(A and MEE5 enter unseen.- %e5s been to see my =ather7 2 hear he5s spent time &ith his =ather7 2n =act! he5s probably chummed it up &ith eery &ithered old man in E'ypt7 But clearly! the thou'ht o= isitin' a ripe youn' princess! &ith =abulous hair! leaes him cold7 AMEN!" powders herself.MEREB 5owing low.- ,rincess Amneris =irst in beauty! &isdom! and accessories7 aptain Radames has not =or'otten you7 %e kno&s you &ill be at the =east toni'ht in all your etraa'ant =inery7 And he can hardly &ait7 But =or no&! he sends you this 'i=t7 AM+ER2. $urns to see A!(A.- Another handmaiden; 2 don5t need another handmaiden7 $oes this 'i=t hae a name; A2$A
Aida7 AM+ER2. $id you ?ust speak; A2$A My name is Aida! ,rincess7 And 2 think you mi'ht &ish to kno&777 AM+ER2. %o& dare you 1ou do not lo&er your eyes7 1ou do not tremble7 Are you not a=raid o= me; A2$A Would it please you i= 2 &ere; AM+ER2. +ot so much7 A2$A Then 2 am doin' as you please7 AM+ER2. True7 Well that5s true7 1ou started to say somethin' about777 A2$A aptain Radames7 AM+ER2. What do you kno& o= the captain; A2$A *nly that he is &ell7 %e su==ered no in?uries in battle7 2 thou'ht you mi'ht &ant to kno& that7 AM+ER2. 2 did7 1ou see 25e been so7771ou5re ery astute! aren5t you! Aida; A2$A *nly on occasion7 But my true talent lies &ith a needle7 And i= you &ill allo& me! ,rincess! 2 &ill make you a robe in a shade closer to that o= your eyes7 There5s a dyein' process 2 use that makes =abrics 'lo&7 2t5s a secret that &as passed do&n by the handmaidens o= >ueen +e=erteti7 AM+ER2.
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AT *+E .cene .i T%E ,%ARA*%5. ,R20ATE BA+>-ET R**M 4pstage three e%otic dancers, preparing for the #alace entertainment, begin to dance. (ownstage MEE5 enters and immediately after, A(AME" searching him out. $hey cross the stage.RA$AME. Mereb! &as the ,rincess please &ith my 'i=t; MEREB 1es7 Aida mana'ed to make hersel= indispensable in record time7 RA$AME. 25m not surprised7 $id she tell you anythin' about hersel=; Because! 25e neer met a &oman like her be=ore7 And 2 can5t help but &onder777 MEREB
+o +othin' .he said nothin'7 MEE5 e%its quic*ly. And the $7EE (AN3!N1 1!L" sweep downstage in an ecstatic display. $he music builds. $he #7AA07 ma*es a grand entrance on a special sedan chair, carried on shoulders by #alace "ervants. 7e appears very ill. $he stage is set with a long low table filled with delicacies.RA$AME. $o AMNE!".- 1ou look loely toni'ht7 AM+ER2. Thank you7 RA$AME. 2s this the latest =ashion; AM+ER2. 2t is no&7 .o your epedition &ent ℓ RA$AME. *h yes! &e 'ot &ell past As&an! into territory &here no E'yptian has eer set =oot7 AM+ER2. Really; That sounds ery777 scenic7 Maybe net time 25ll 'o &ith you7 RA$AME. 2= you like! ,rincess7 We sleep &ith sand mitesD lie on dried monkey meatD and this time the &ater &as so tainted &e omited =or days7 AM+ER2. Whe& Then a'ain! 25m pretty busy7 $he dance continues for a bit and dissolves into the scene with the dancing girls showing themselves off to the rich and powerful men of Egypt. A!(A is pouring wine. A N45!AN "E9AN$ passes her.+-B2A+ ,rincess! the &ord o= your arrial has spread throu'h the +ubian camps7 +-B2A+ Another N45!AN slave, dancing with the court dancers, addresses A!(A while dancing- 1our people cannot &ait to see you7 Welcome! &elcome7 A2$A
3alling in MEE56" direction.- Mereb MEREB *kay! so 2 told one person7 Maybe t&o7 ,rincess! your people need to kno&7 ,%ARA*% 7olding his chalice up for a toast.- aptain7 To a success=ul epedition7 Thanks to the routes you hae discoered! our troops &ill no& be able to attack +ubia &ith oer&helmin' =orce7 The 3ods &illin'! this lon' &ar shall soon end! &ith E'ypt5s complete and =inal ictory.$he court drin*s to the toast.- Amneris! shall 2 continue; AM+ER2. Whateer you think is best! =ather7 ,%ARA*% Radames7 1ou came to me this mornin' &ith a reuest to set out on another ?ourney7 But 2 hae a more important mission =or you7 Althou'h it means you can neer leae E'yptian soil a'ain! 2 beliee this &ill be a ?oyous assi'nment7 *ne 2 &ould only trust to a man 2 hae lon' re'arded as a member o= my o&n =amily RA$AME. 2t has been my priile'e to sere you! 1our Ma?esty7 ,%ARA*% As you all kno&! aptain Radames and my dau'hter hae been betrothed =or nine years no&7 Lon' enou'h! 25d say7 #7AA07 laughs, but is stopped by a debilitating coughing attac*.- 2 &ant to see her and our nation happily settled be=ore 2 leae this &orld7 There=ore! in seen days! Radames! son o= 9oser! &ill &ed the ,rincess Amneris7 The .on o= 2sis has spoken7 AMNE!" runs to her father6s side and shows her appreciation for the announcement. $he men gather and congratulate A(AME". "uddenly, #7AA07 has another attac*, coughing uncontrollably. $he court gathers around him and escorts him offstage. 80"E and A(AME" are left alone in the banquet hall with A!(A and another servant.9*.ER A toast to the bride'room7 2= 25d kno&n such an a&k&ard youn' 'irl &ould turn into such a stunnin' youn' &oman! 2 &ould hae o==ered =or her mysel=7 RA$AME. 2t5s not too late7 9*.ER
2 thou'ht you loed Amneris; RA$AME. *= course 2 do7 We 're& up to'ether7 9*.ER Then &hat is it; 7e waits for an answer.- Radames 25e spent years &orkin' to&ard this day7 And you are not 'oin' to ruin it not =or yoursel=! or me Welcome to your ne& li=e! son7 F7 "*RT-+E "A0*R. T%E BRA0E (Reprise) RA$AME. +*T%2+3 2. A+ A2$E+T WE ARE "REE T* %A0E 2T ALL WE ARE W%AT WE WA+T T* BE 2T5. 2+ *-R.EL0E. T* R2.E *R "ALL A(AME" pic*s up a goblet from the table.T%2. 2. EA.1 T* BEL2E0E W%E+ $2.TA+T ,LAE. ALL T* ME 2T5. %AR$ER "R*M T%E ,ALAE 1AR$ "*RT-+E "A0*R. T%E777 A(AME" turns upstage and throws the chalice off. A!(A and the "E9AN$ turn and begin to wal* off.RA$AME. $o Aida.- +o! stay777 A2$A 1es! aptain; RA$AME. Where are you =rom; A2$A 2kaita7 2tGs a illa'e near777 RA$AME. 777near the .econd ataract7 The rier5s an entirel y di==erent color there7 A2$A
+o! it5s an entirely di==erent color here7 RA$AME. "air enou'h7 A2$A My =ather and 2 use to spend days sailin' the +ile7 %e5d let me choose the course7 And sometimes 25d een run us a'round on purpose777 &heneer 2 &anted to see somethin' on the shore7 RA$AME. $id you eer sail north; A2$A +o7 My =ather =elt the "irst ataract! bein' so close to the border o= E' ypt &as too777Was too dan'erous a place to take me7 RA$AME. But there are no E'yptians in the "irst ataract7 *nly these tiny! 'rassy islands7 And the sunli'ht is di==erent there7 2n E'ypt it is direct and harsh7 But there it shimmers7 2t5s the most beauti=ul place 25e eer seen7 A2$A *= course! it5s +ubia7 2 &ould like to see that part o= my country7 H7 E+%A+TME+T ,A..2+3 T%R*-3% RA$AME. T* .A2L AWA1 T* %AL" $2.*0ERE$ ,LAE. T* .EE T%E .ERET. .* "EW E1E. %A0E .EE+ T* .EE M*ME+T. *" E+%A+TME+T *+ *-R "AE. T%E M*ME+T. W%E+ WE .M2LE A+$ T%*.E BETWEE+ A2$A Are you talkin' about +ubia no&; RA$AME. 1es! in a &ay7 A2$A 2" 2 *-L$ LEA0E T%2. ,LAE T%E+ 25$ BE .A2L2+3 T* *R+ER. *" M1 LA+$ W%ERE T%ERE W*-L$ BE .WEET .*-T%ER+ W2+$. *" L2BERT1 ,RE0A2L2+3 T%E BEA-T1 .* MAJE.T2 A+$ .* "REE
RA$AME. 2 &ill take you sailin'7 .outh! you can be my 'uide7 A2$A Would you let me steer; RA$AME. Would you run us a'round; A2$A *h yes7 Whereer there are no people7 25d ?ump out o= the boat! kick o== my sandals and run7 And there5d be no one there to scold me and tell me to behae like a 'ood777to behae7 RA$AME. T%ERE5$ BE +* T2E. *" T2ME A+$ .,AE T* B2+$ ME A2$A A+$ +* %*R29*+ 2 *-L$ +*T ,-R.-E RA$AME. 25$ LEA0E T%E W*RL$5. M2."*RT-+E. "AR BE%2+$ ME A2$A 25$ ,-T M1 "A2T% A+$ TR-.T 2+ .*MET%2+3 +EW RA$AME. # A2$A B-T W%1 .%*-L$ 2 TELL 1*- T%2. A2$A A .TRA+3ER 2 J-.T MET RA$AME. A W*MA+ W%*M 2 %AR$L1 4+*W AT ALL A+$ .%*-L$ "*R3ET RA$AME. # A2$A A J*-R+E1 WE A+ *+L1 $REAM *" E+%A+TME+T ,A..2+3 T%R*-3% A+$ %*W 2. 2T 2 .A1 T%E.E T%2+3. .* EA.2L1 T* 1*RA$AME. This is meanin'less 25ll neer take you sailin'7 25m neer 'oin' to leae
E'ypt a'ain7 2nstead! 25ll sit on the throne and send other men o== on their epeditions7 A2$A 1ou talk as thou'h you5e been enslaed7 RA$AME. +ot &ith chains! maybe! but &ith a marria'e promise7 (A2$A be'ins dabbin' her eyes &ith her dress7) What is that =or; A2$A To dry my &eepin' eyes7 "orced to marry a princess; *h! &hat hardships7 2 kno& you &ant to 'o to lands &here people hae been liin' =or centuries and say that you IdiscoeredI them7 But instead! you5re bein' thrust onto the ,haraoh5s throne7 2t is a 'reat tra'edy7 RA$AME. 1ou 'o too =ar7 A2$A +o 1ou 'o too =ar7 2= you don5t like your =ate! chan'e it7 1ou are your o&n master7 There are no shackles on you7 .o don5t epect any pity or understandin' =rom this humble palace slae7 RA$AME. .top 2 command you to stop RA$AME. B-T W%1 $2$ 2 TELL %ER T%2.; A .TRA+3ER 250E J-.T MET A W*MA+ W%* 2 %AR$L1 4+*W AT ALL A+$ W2LL "*R3ET A+*+1M*-. A+$ 3*+E T*M*RR*W E+%A+TME+T ,A..2+3 T%R*-3% A+$ ALL 250E $*+E 2. TELL %ER T%2+3. .%E ALREA$1 4+EW .%E 4+EW 777.%E 4+EW7777 AT *+E .cene .een AM+ER2.5 $RE..2+3 R**M AMNE!" sits at her dressing stand, brushing her hair, forcibly. A!(A enters.-
A2$A 0ffers to brush AMNE!"6 hair.- %ere! let me7 AMNE!" hands her the brush. A!(A brushes the #rincess6 hair.- %o& is your =ather; AM+ER2. 2 don5t understand it7 This illness o= his came on so suddenly7 Weeks a'o he &as healthy7 And the court physicians! they hae no idea &hat it is7 Well! it &as a ma'ni=icent =east! thou'h! &asn5t it; A2$A 1es! princess7 AM+ER2. *h! there is so much to do to 'et ready =or the &eddin' ceremony7 "rom the broned entry statue o= me! to the centerpieces o= lilies and roses arran'ed to look like777 me7 A2$A 2t must be di==icult7 AM+ER2. ,lannin' a &eddin'; A2$A +o7 Bein' a ,rincess7 AM+ER2. *h! you hae no idea7 The responsibilities are777 oer&helmin'7 A2$A 1our people must epect so much7 AM+ER2. They &ant a 'oddess and 25m ?ust777 A2$A %uman7 K7 .TR*+3E.T .-2T (Reprise) AM+ER2. 2 MA1 LEA0E A 3REAT 2M,RE..2*+ A. 2 RAE T%R*-3% A .-E..2*+ *" T%E LATE.T RA9E.! %A.E T%E +EWE.T "A$ 2 "EEL BETTER W%E+ BE3-2L2+3
"2+$ T%AT "A.%2*+ 4EE,. ME .M2L2+3 B-T 2+ M1 %EART 2 4+*W 2T5. RAT%ER .A$ A2$A T%AT A L2"E *" 3REAT ,*TE+T2AL 2. $2.M2..E$! 2+*+.E>-E+T2AL AM+ER2. A+$ *+L1 E0ER .EE+ A. BE2+3 -TE .* 25LL "L-TTER T* $EE20E A2$A *% +* 1*- M-.T BEL2E0E T%AT *+E $A1 1*-5RE B*-+$ T* "2+$ A2$A # AM+ER2. A .TR*+3ER .-2T A(AME" enters the room, catching A!(A AMNE!" off guard. AM+ER2. Radames This is my bedchamber7 1ou can5t ?ust777 you kno& you shouldn5t777 Aida! leae7 A!(A turns to wal* out.RA$AME. +o! stay7 ,our the princess a cup o= &ine7 A!(A goes to the wine pitcher and pours the wine. AM+ER2. Are you tryin' to 'et me drunk! Radames; 1ou kno& it5s not necessary7 RA$AME. 2s that your bed in there; AM+ER2. .ilk coered and =at &ith =eathers7 RA$AME. Why don5t you 'o in and 25ll ?oin you in a moment7 AM+ER2.
Radames! are you sure; We5re 'oin' to be married in a &eek7 RA$AME. Amneris! &e5e been en'a'ed nine years7 AM+ER2. 3ood point7 AMNE!" turns and runs offstage.RA$AME. 1ou think you can speak to me like that! scold me like a shre& then &alk a&ay; 1ou =or'et that 2 can hae you carried o== to the copper mines7
A2$A And you =or'et that 2 am her property no&! not yours7 A!(A turns to leave.RA$AME. 2t doesn5t matter7 Because 2 kno& no& that you &ere ri'ht7 A!(A gives him a disconcerting loo*.- What; A2$A 25m shocked7 Een in enli'htened +ubia! one neer hears a man admit he5s &ron'7 AM+ER2. 0ffstage.- Radames! 25m ready RA$AME. 3alling offstage.- 25ll be ri'ht in princess7 7e turns bac* to A!(A.- Aida! 2 &as &ron'7 2 hae been sel=ish7 2= ,haraoh does not recoer! E'ypt is 'oin' to need a ne& leader7 A stron' leader! and 2 don5t think that is Amneris7 AM+ER2. 0ffstage.- Radames! your en'a'ement party is &aitin'7 A2$A 1ou should 'o to her7 RA$AME. Were you a noble&oman be=ore you &ere captured;
A2$A What does it matter; There5s nothin' noble about m e no&7 RA$AME. 1ou5re &ron'7 1ou are noble and coura'eous7 0ery =e& o= us dare to speak so honestly7 And considerin' you5re a slae777 A2$A 1es! &e mustn5t eer =or'et that 25m a slae7 RA$AME. 2 cannot take back the past! Aida7 But een i= 2 could777 25m not sure 2 &ant to7 Aida! 2 AMNE!" interrupts him, storming into the room wrapped in a sheet. AM+ER2. Radames 1ou bar'e into my bedchamber! &a'in' a =ull=rontal attack! so to speak777 and no& you5re stallin'7 Why; RA$AME. 25m sorry! 2 didn5t realie777 AM+ER2. There5s a bucknaked princess loun'in' in her bed! callin' your name7 What eactly didn5t you realie; Be=ore our &eddin' ni'ht! pack up some o= that dried monkey meat and hae the royal carto'rapher dra& you a map o= the =emale body! aptain7 Maybe then you5ll be more inclined to come eplore7 A(AME" loo*s around and then runs out of the room.- Was it somethin' 2 said; When &e &ere children &e understood each other so &ell7 +o& he5s a mystery to me7 AT *+E .cene Ei'ht T%E +-B2A+ .LA0E AM, As AMNE!" e%its offstage, the set changes to the Nubian camp. A!(A stands in the middle of the stage as MEE5 approaches her.MEREB Aida! there you are7 Will you come &ith me; A2$A Where; MEREB
The +ubian camp7 Look! eerybody kno&s that 25m the one &ho can 'et thin's7 And our people777 They5e hae asked me to brin' them777 you7 A2$A Why; .o they can see a reckless =ool dressed as a serant; +o& that is &hat 2 am! Mereb7 My =ather told me not to leae the boundaries o= our illa'e! but 2 could not be so constrained7 2 took +ehebka and the other &omen up the rier7 2 had to see the countryside7 And that5s &here the E'yptians captured us7 2 desere this7 And our people desere a leader &ho thinks o= them7 +ot o= her o&n sel=ish pleasures7 MEREB Aida! the +ubians &ant their princess7 /7 $A+E *" T%E R*BE A2$A 2T5. 4+*W2+3 W%AT T%E1 WA+T *" ME T%AT .ARE. ME 2T5. 4+*W2+3 %A02+3 "*LL*WE$ T%AT 2 M-.T LEA$ 2T5. 4+*W2+3 T%AT EA% ,ER.*+ T%ERE *M,ARE. ME T* T%*.E 2+ M1 ,A.T W%*M 2 +*W .-EE$ B-T %*W A+ W%ATE0ER 2 $* "*R T%EM +*W BE E+*-3% BE E+*-3% +-B2A+. A2$A A2$A ALL WE A.4 *" 1*2. A L2"ET2ME *" .ER02E! W2.$*M! *-RA3E T* A.4 M*RE W*-L$ BE .EL"2.% B-T +*T%2+3 LE.. W2LL $* A2$A A2$A +E%EB4A 1*- R*BE .%*-L$ BE 3*L$E+! 1*-R R*BE .%*-L$ BE ,ER"ET 2+.TEA$ *" T%2. RA33E$ *+*T2*+ *" T%REA$ B-T MA1 1*- BE M*0E$ B1 2T. $E.,ERATE BEA-T1 T* 320E -. +EW L2"E "*R WE5$ RAT%ER BE $EA$ T%A+ L20E 2+ T%E .>-AL*R A+$ .%AME *" T%E .LA0E T* T%E $A+E T* T%E $A+E +-B2A+. A2$A A2$A ALL WE A.4 *" 1*-
ALL WE A.4 2. A L2"ET2ME *" .ER02E! W2.$*M! *-RA3E T* A.4 M*RE W*-L$ BE .EL"2.% B-T +*T%2+3 LE.. W2LL $* A2$A A2$A +-B2A+. A2$A A2$A A2$A A2$A A2$A A2$A 2 4+*W E6,ETAT2*+. ARE W2L$ A+$ ALM*.T BE1*+$ M1 "-L"2LLME+T B-T T%E1 W*+5T %EAR A W*R$ *" A $*-BT *R .EE .23+. *" WEA4+E.. M1 +23% *+ 2M,*..2BLE $-T1 2. LEAR 2" 2 A+ RE42+$LE M1 A+E.T*R.5 $REAM. 2T5. E+*-3% 2T5. E+*-3% A2$A 2T5. E+*-3% +-B2A+. A2$A +-B2A+. A2$A A2$A A2$A A2$A A2$A A2$A 2T5. E+*-3% +-B2A+. A%!A%!A%!A%!A%!A% /hen the song ends, the N45!AN give A!(A her robe and she places it on her head. "he is escorted onto the bac* of another N45!AN and is carried around the camp. $hey e%it. AT *+E .cene +ine T%E +2LE5. E$3E $he great washing day. 4nder the music, a parade of /0MEN enters with bas*ets of laundry on their heads. A ritualistic rhythm ta*es hold as the linens are soa*ed,
wrung and beaten to dry. A!(A enters and &oins in the wor*. A(AME" enters with a "0L(!E. As they tal*, A!(A watches him covertly. A(AME" dismisses the "0L(!E.RA$AME. $o A!(A.- 1ou &ere &atchin' me a'ain7 All &eek your eyes hae been on me7 A2$A What do you mean; RA$AME. $o you think you5re 'oin' to 'ain your =reedom! ?ust because you5e 'ained my attention; 1ou are beauti=ul! but 2 am not so easily led7 A2$A 2= 25e looked in your direction! it &as only to see i= your chalice needed re=illin'7 RA$AME. 2 hae no chalice no&777 and yet you5re lookin'7 A2$A 1etting up from the ban*, pic*ing up her bas*et and linens.- Ecuse me! aptain! but 2 hae linen to &ash7 RA$AME. As A!(A wal*s away from him, he turns after her.- 2 do not ecuse you7 .top there7 A2$A "he turns to loo* bac* at him.- 1ou &anted somethin' =rom me; RA$AME. *h yes7 2 &ant to make your li=e easier! Aida7 Tell me ho&7 What can 2 do =or you; A2$A %elp my people7 RA$AME. 2 &ant to help you7 A2$A 2 am my people7 And 2 cannot continue to lie in the com=ort o= the palace &hile my countrymen are dyin'7 1ou &ant my Ia==ection!I captain; RA$AME.
2 can hae your Ia==ectionI ri'ht here i= 2 command it7 2 &ant to kno& i= you =eel anythin' =or me aside =rom contempt7 A2$A 2 don5t kno&7 RA$AME. Then let5s =ind out7 A(AME" *isses A!(A, she drops her bas*et) they are stopped when MEE5 enters.MEREB "hoc*ed at the sight of seeing A(AME" and A!(A *issing.- Aida! 2 ?ust sa& Aida! Amneris reuests your presence7 The princess777 $o A(AME".- 777your betrothed7 A!(A leaves-
//7 +*T ME RA$AME. 2 *+E 4+EW ALL T%E A+.WER. 2 .T**$ *+ ERTA2+ 3R*-+$ A ,2T-RE *" TR-E %A,,2+E.. *+"2$E+E .* E""*RTLE.. +* BR23%TER *-L$ BE "*-+$ MEREB *% +* RA$AME. 2 +E0ER A.4E$ T%E >-E.T2*+. T%AT TR*-BLE ME T*$A1 2 4+EW ALL T%ERE WA. T* 4+*W L*0E W*R+ L23%TL1 ,-T *+ .%*W M1 *+>-E.T *+ $2.,LA1
MEREB 2 A+5T BEL2E0E %E5. %A+32+3 A+$ W%*5$ %A0E T%*-3%T T%AT *%! +*
*+"2$E+E *-L$ $2E; +*T ME! +*T ME +*T ME! +*T ME T%AT ALL 2 T**4 "*R 3RA+TE$ WA. A L2E +*T ME! +*T ME A+$ W%*5$ %A0E 3-E..E$ 25$ T%R*W M1 W*RL$ AWA1 T* BE W2T% .*ME*+E 25M A"RA2$ W2LL .A1 +*T ME! +*T ME T%2. A+ +E0ER BE A(AME" e%its as the bac*drop rises above the stage.MEREB %E5. 2+ L*0E B-T %E5. +*T T%E *+L1 *+E W%*5LL BE %A+3E$ AMNE!" and A!(A enter. A!(A is carrying a piece of cloth. AMNE!" is carrying an umbrella. A2$A "howing AMNE!" the cloth in her hand.-This &ould be loely on you7 25ll say this =or you E'yptiansD your thread count is amain'7 AM+ER2. Why hasn5t Radames come to see me a'ain; We5re to be married in three days and yet777Aida! 2 must make thin's ri'ht &ith him7 A2$A 2 .%ALL +*T E+01 L*0ER. B-T L*+3 "*R W%AT T%E1 .%ARE AM+ER2. A+ EM,T1 R**M 2. MER2LE.. $*+5T BE .-R,R2.E$ 2" 2 *+"E.. 2 +EE$ .*ME *M"*RT T%ERE A2$A # AM+ER2. A+$ W%*5$ %A0E T%*-3%T T%AT L*0E *-L$ BE .* 3**$;
+*T ME! +*T ME A+$ .%*W ME T%2+3. 2 +E0ER -+$ER.T**$ +*T ME! +*T ME +E%EB4A Entering with clothes and other items.- Aida7 A2$A +ehebka! &here did you 'et that; +E%EB4A The E'yptian aptain %e5s 'iin' a&ay eerythin' he o&ns7 And he5s 'iin' it all to us7
(N45!AN" and other Egyptian slaves stand around A(AME"6 tent. A(AME" appears from the tent with a bas*et of food, and a &ug of wine. MEE5 appears with another bas*et handing out fruit. A2$A # AM+ER2. W%*5$ %A0E 3-E..E$ %E5$ T%R*W %2. W*RL$ AWA1 T* BE W2T% .*ME*+E T2L %2. $12+3 $A1 +*T ME! +*T ME RA$AME.! AM+ER2.! A2$A A+$ W%*5$ %A0E T%*-3%T T%AT L*0E *-L$ BE .* 3**$ +*T ME! +*T ME M1N%2. .ERET. # M1N%2. ,A..2*+. -+$ER.T**$ +*T ME! +*T ME W%*5$ %A0E 3-E..E$ 25$N %E T%R*W M1N%2. W*RL$ AWA1 T* BE W2T% .*ME*+E T2L M1N%2. $12+3 $A1 +*T MEN+*T ME MEREB +*T ME! +*T ME +*T ME! +*T ME T%2. A+ +E0ER BE AM+ER2.
Look! he is preparin' to moe into the ,alace7 .o! &hateer doubts he had the other ni'ht must be 'one7 But you stay! Aida7 Apolo'ie =or me7 A2$A *h! no 2 can5t7 AM+ER2. 1ou can7 1ou al&ays say the ri'ht thin'7 2 neer do7 A2$A +o princess! please don5t make me7 AM+ER2. 2 &ould neer make you7 But 2 am askin' you! as my =riend7 AMEN!" e%its &ust as A(AME" spots A!(A. A2$A Thank you7 RA$AME. 2t &as nothin'7 Actually! it &as eerythin'! but it doesn5t matter7 A2$A aptain! 2 ?ust came to tell you that the princess is sorry =or &hat she said the other ni'ht7 And she &ants you to kno& that777 RA$AME. Aida777 A(AME" tries to ta*e A!(A6" hand but she pulls away. A2$A 1ou are betrothed to my mistress RA$AME. 2t &as arran'ed by my =ather! and it &ill be unarran'ed by me7 A2$A 1ou could raid another country tomorro& and rebuild your =ortune7 Radames! you5re an E'yptian +othin' &ill eer chan'e that =act7 2 don5t een kno& &hy you bothered to do this7 RA$AME.
$on5t you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
2 J-.T WA+T T* T*-% 1*-R %EART MA1 T%2. *+"E..2*+ RA$AME. # A2$A BE T%E .TART $hey *iss. $he lights fade out. /hen the lights come up they are in each other6s arms.RA$AME. Are you cold; A2$A 1ou could hae at least kept a blanket7 RA$AME. +o7 2 could not7 Man enters this &orld naked! &ithout possessions7 2 &ant to be a ne& man =or you! Aida7 leansed o= my past sins7 (rums sound from offstage. A2$A What is it; RA$AME. My armies hae returned7 ,haraoh &ill epect a ictory celebration7 3o back to the palace7 1ou5ll be sa=e there7 7e gets up and puts his shirt bac* on. 7e begins to wal* away and then turns bac*.- Wait! take my amulet7 2= anyone stops you! sho& them this and they5ll let you pass7 7e starts to leave again. A2$A 2 loe you7 RA$AME. 2 heard that7 .ay it a'ain7 2 command you7 2 command777 "0L(!E enters..*L$2ER aptain A!(A turns her face away from the "0L(!E.-
RA$AME. 2 heard the drums7 .*L$2ER But &e hae captured the +ubian 4in' RA$AME. The kin'; 1ou hae taken him alie; "ind out &hich men are responsible =or this7 25ll see they receie the hi'hest honors7 Tell the others 25m on my &ay7 .*L$2ER 1es! aptain7 RA$AME. 7e sees A!(A is upset by the news.- Aida! our countries are at &ar7 2 can5t chan'e that7 A2$A But he5s my777%e5s my kin'7 A!(A begins to cry as A(AME" e%its. AT *+E .cene T&ele T%E +-B2A+ .LA0E AM, "he leaves him. A(AME" reali+es what he6s done ' and hates himself for it. A crowd of Nubians appear and circle A!(A. $he light changes and we are at the Nubian "lave 3amp.+E%EB4A ,rincess say it5s not true MALE +-B2A+
+o! +o MEREB Amonasro o= +ubia is alie7 2 sa& him taken to the prison7 +E%EB4A But it5s only a matter o= time be=ore the E'yptians slau'hter him7 MALE +-B2A+
T%E 3*$. L*0E +-B2A! WE %A0E T* 4EE, BEL2E02+3 T%E .ATTERE$ A+$ $202$E$! WE ARE .T2LL 2T5. %EART A2$A T%E "ALL *" +-B2A! E,%EMERAL A+$ "LEET2+3 T%E .,2R2T ALWA1. B-R+2+3 T%*-3% T%E "LE.% 2. T*R+ A,ART7 ALL T%E "ALL *" +-B2A E,%EMERAL A+$ "LEET2+3 T%E .,2R2T ALWA1. B-R+2+3 T%*-3% T%E "LE.% 2. T*R+ A,ART TA4E ME 2+ M1 $REAM. RE-RR2+3 %EER"-L A. A %2L$%**$ $A+E 2+T* *+E M*RE TA.TE *" "REE$*M *+E M*RE L*+32+3 BA4WAR$ 3LA+E T%E 3*$. L*0E +-B2A! T%E BEA-T2"-L! T%E 3*L$E+ T%E RA$2A+T! T%E "ERT2LE! T%E 3E+TLE A+$ T%E BLE..E$ T%E ,A2+ *" +-B2A 2. *+L1 "*R T%E M*ME+T T%E $E.*LATE T%E .-""ER2+3 T%E ,L-+$ERE$! T%E *,,RE..E$ T%E 3*$. L*0E +-B2A WE %A0E T* 4EE, BEL2E02+3 T%*-3% .ATTERE$ A+$ $202$E$ WE ARE .T2LL 2T5. %EART T%E "ALL *" +-B2A E,%EMERAL A+$ "LEET2+3 T%E .,2R2T ALWA1. B-R+2+3 T%*-3% T%E "LE.% 2. T*R+ A,ART T%E .,2R2T ALWA1. B-R+2+3 T%*-3% T%E "LE.% 2. T*R+ A,ART A2$A A,ART A2$A # +-B2A+. TA4E ME 2+ M1 $REAM. RE-RR2+3 *+E M*RE L*+32+3 BA4WAR$ 3LA+E
E+$ *" AT *+E AT TW* .cene *ne .TAR.A,E
A!(A, A(AME" and AMNE!" are alone in their t houghts, fro+en in separate places. $he laser forms the triangle around them./O7 A .TE, T** "AR AM+ER2. 2T5. .* .TRA+3E %E $*E.+5T .%*W ME M*RE A""ET2*+ T%A+ %E +EE$. ALM*.T "*RMAL T** RE.,ET"-L +E0ER TA4E. R*MA+T2 LEA$. T%ERE ARE T2ME. W%E+ 2 2MA32+E 25M +*T ALWA1. *+ %2. M2+$ %E5. +*T T%2+42+3 W%AT 25M T%2+42+3 ALWA1. %AL" A .TE, BE%2+$ ALWA1. %AL" A .TE, BE%2+$ *%!*%!*%!*% *%!*%!*%!*% *%!*%!*%!*% RA$AME. 25M 2+ E0ER1 42+$ *" TR*-BLE A+5T 1*- TELL! J-.T L**4 AT ME %AL" E.TAT2! %AL" $EJETE$ ALL 2+ ALL 25M ALL AT .EA EA.1 TERM. 2 T%*-3%T 2 WA+TE$ "2LL ME +*W W2T% %2LL2+3 $REA$ 1*- *-L$ +E0ER 4+*W T%E %A*. *" A L2"E T-R+E$ *+ 2T. %EA$ *" A L2"E T-R+E$ *+ 2T. %EA$ *%!*%!*%!*% RA$AME. # AM+ER2. *%!*%!*%!*% *%!*%!*%!*% *%!*%!*%!*% A2$A 2 AM ERTA2+ T%AT 2 L*0E %2M B-T A L*0E A+ BE M2.,LAE$ %A0E 2 *M,R*M2.E$ M1 ,E*,LE 2+ M1 ,A..2*+ A+$ M1 %A.TE; 2 *-L$ BE %2. L2"E *M,A+2*+
A+1W%ERE B-T W%ERE WE ARE AM 2 LEA$ER; AM 2 TRA2T*R; $2$ 2 TA4E A .TE, T** "AR; AM+ER2. 2T5. .* .TRA+3E %E $*E.+5T .%*W ME M*RE A""ET2*+ T%A+ %E +EE$. ALM*.T "*RMAL T** RE.,ET"-L +E0ER TA4E. R*MA+T2 LEA$. T%ERE ARE T2ME. W%E+ 2 2MA32+E 25M +*T ALWA1. *+ %2. M2+$ %E5. +*T T%2+42+3 W%AT 25M T%2+42+3 ALWA1. %AL" A .TE, BE%2+$ ALWA1. %AL" A .TE, BE%2+$ RA$AME. 25M 2+ E0ER1 42+$ *" TR*-BLE A+5T 1*- TELL! J-.T L**4 AT ME %AL" E.TAT2!%AL" $EJETE$ ALL 2+ ALL 25M ALL AT .EA EA.1 TERM. 2 T%*-3%T 2 WA+TE$ "2LL ME +*W W2T% %2LL2+3 $REA$ 1*- *-L$ +E0ER 4+*W T%E %A*. *" A L2"E T-R+E$ *+ 2T5. %EA$ *" A L2"E T-R+E$ *+ 2T5. %EA$ A2$A 2 AM ERTA2+ T%AT 2 L*0E %2M B-T A L*0E A+ BE M2.,LAE$ %A0E 2 *M,R*M2.E$ M1 ,E*,LE 2+ M1 ,A..2*+ A+$ M1 %A.TE; 2 *-L$ BE %2. L2"E *M,A+2*+ A+1W%ERE B-T W%ERE WE ARE AM 2 LEA$ER; AM 2 TRA2T*R; A2$A *%!*%!*%!*% A2$A # RA$AME. *%!*%!*%!*% A2$A! RA$AME. # AM+ER2. *%!*%!*%!*% *%!*%!*%!*%
*%!*%!*%!*% *%!*%!*%!*% *%!*%!*%!*% $2$ 2 TA4E A .TE, T** "AR AT TW* .cene T&o T%E ,R2.*+ $he lights change and the set transforms to a prison cell. A!(A and MEE5 are with a 14A(. MEE5 glances around and hands the 14A( a sac* of gold.MEREB A &ord &ith the prisoner7 3-AR$ Alri'ht! Mereb7 But be uick about it7 (3uard eits7 A2$A and MEREB enter the cell7) A2$A "ather; AM*+A.R* Aida; 2 kne& you &ould surie7 That 2 trained my dau'hter &ell7 At least! 2 &ould not allo& mysel= to beliee anythin' else7 A2$A %ae they mistreated you; AM*+A.R* +o! 2 beliee they are sain' that part =or my eecution777 Three days =rom no&7 A2$A 2t &on5t come to that7 We5ll 'et you out o= here7 MEREB 2n t&o days! the dau'hter o= the ,haraoh &ill &ed7 Most o= the 'uards &ill be needed to control the cro&ds AM*+A.R* And &ho is this youn' Minister o= War; A2$A
This is Mereb7 1ou remember777 %enu5s boy7 AM*+A.R* %enu7 1our =ather &as a 'reat &arrior7 %e had hopes you &ould 'ro& up to be a scholar7 MEREB .ire7 The chie= ?ailor &ill attend Amneris5 &eddin'7 They5e assi'ned a lo&ly 'uard to take his place a man 2 kno&7 AM*+A.R* 1ou are su''estin' you may be able to bribe this 'uard; MEREB Let5s ?ust say! &e5e done business in the past7 A2$A That &ould take a lot o= 'old7 MEREB 2 hae it7 "or years 25e been stealin' =rom the palace7 2 thou'ht maybe! someday! 2 could use it to 'et back to +ubia7 But i= 2 can send my 4in' home777 AM*+A.R* We &ill all be 'oin' home soon! Mereb7 +o&! ho& are the docks 'uarded; MEREB By the aptain5s soldiers7 AM*+A.R* .o the odds are slim7 an you use a s&ord! boy; MEREB Me; Actually 25m better at proidin' encoura'ement =rom the sidelines7 A2$A A =i'ht &on5t be necessary7 They5ll let us throu'h7 Aida ta*es out the amulet A(AME" gave her. MEE5 gasps.MEREB aptain Radames 'ae you that; AM*+A.R*
80"E turns to his men.- "ind the slae 'irl called Aida7 And &hen you do777kill her7 AT TW* .cene "our +-B2A+ .LA0E AM, A!(A stands alone. "uddenly a slave woman appears outside the fence. "he slips A!(A a folded note and disappears. A!(A begins to read and A(AME" appears in her imagination./F7 RA$AME.5 LETTER RA$AME. 25M .*RR1 "*R E0ER1T%2+3 250E .A2$ A+$ "*R A+1T%2+3 2 "*R3*T T* .A1 T** W%E+ T%2+3. 3ET .* *M,L2ATE$ 2 .T-MBLE AT BE.T M-$$LE T%R*-3% 2 W2.% T%AT *-R L20E. *-L$ BE .2M,LE 2 $*+5T WA+T T%E W*RL$ *+L1 1**% 2 W2.% 2 *-L$ TELL 1*- T%2. "AE T* "AE B-T T%ERE5. +E0ER T%E T2ME +E0ER T%E ,LAE .* T%2. LETTER W2LL %A0E T* $* 2 L*0E 1*-7777 A crowd of N45!AN" circle A!(A. A!(A hides the letter in the bosom of her dress as A(AME" moves bac* and disappears.MEREB Tomorro& ,rincess! you and your =ather &ill be =ree +E%EB4A We &ill lie to tell our 'randchildren o= the 4in'5s 'reat escape MEREB +ubia &ill preail >uiet "uddenly two 14A(" storm into the Nubian encampment. MEE5 bac*s off while others push A!(A bac* into the crowd. #rotectively, the Nubians surround A!(A, hiding her.3-AR$
5efore A!(A can spea*, a Nubian man clamps a hand over her mouth. More N45!AN" bloc* her from view. NE7E5;A steps forward.+E%EB4A 2 am Aida $he guards drag NE7E5;A away. A!(A struggles to free herself. 5ut the Nubians hold her until the guards are gone.MALE +-B2A+
MEREB T%ERE 2. A T2ME T%ERE 2. A ,LAE W%E+ L*0E .%*-L$ *+>-ER ALL T%E RE.T *" L2"E 2. ,-.%E$ A.2$E A. TR-T% A+$ REA.*+ "ALL B-T *+L1 2" T%AT .EL"2.%+E.. A+ LEA$ T* .*MET%2+3 3**$ 2 T%*-3%T 2 4+EW 1*- ,R2+E.. B-T 2 +E0ER -+$ER.T**$ 2 $*+5T 4+*W 1*2 $*+5T 4+*W 1* AT TW* .cene "ie RA$AME.5 3AR$E+ A(AME" wal*s the Nile. A!(A enters. $hey stare at each other for a moment then embrace passionately.RA$AME. Aida 2 thou'ht you &ere777 A2$A They came =or me7 But they took another7 2 blame mysel=7 RA$AME. +o7 2 put you in dan'er7 But 2 s&ear! it &ill neer happen a'ain7 25m callin' o== the &eddin'7 2 am 'oin' to build you a house on an island at the border o= our countries7 And &e &ill sail the +ile7 A2$A *h Radames "he stops herself short, reali+es this foils her father6s escape plans.+o 1ou can5t7 1ou can5t call o= the &eddin' A!(A pulls out of A(AME"6 arms and steps away.RA$AME. 1es! 2 can7 And 2 &ill7 A2$A 2 loe you! Radames7 But you must marry the princess tomorro&7 Tomorro&7 What you &ant =or us is impossible7 They &ould hunt us do&n7 2t is a =oolish plan7
RA$AME. 2 &ill =ind a &ay =or us to be to'ether7 /K7 WR2TTE+ 2+ T%E .TAR. A2$A 2 AM %ERE T* TELL 1*- WE A+ +E0ER MEET A3A2+ .2M,LE REALL1! 2.+5T 2T! A W*R$ *R TW* A+$ T%E+ A L2"ET2ME *" +*T 4+*W2+3 W%ERE *R %*W *R W%1 *R W%E+ 1*- T%2+4 *" ME *R .,EA4 *" ME A+$ W*+$ER W%AT BE"ELL T%AT .*ME*+E 1*- *+E L*0E$ .* L*+3 A3* .* WELL RA$AME. +E0ER W*+$ER W%AT 25LL "EEL A. L202+3 .%-""LE. B1 1*- $*+5T %A0E T* A.4 ME A+$ 2 +EE$ +*T RE,L1 E0ER1 M*ME+T *" M1 L2"E "R*M +*W -+T2L 2 $2E 2 W2LL T%2+4 *R $REAM *" 1*- A+$ "A2L T* -+$ER.TA+$ %*W A ,ER"ET L*0E A+ BE *+"*-+$E$ *-T *" %A+$ 2. 2T WR2TTE+ 2+ T%E .TAR. ARE WE ,A12+3 "*R .*ME R2ME 2. T%AT ALL T%AT WE ARE 3**$ "*R J-.T A .TRET% *" M*RTAL T2ME *R .*ME 3*$5. E6,ER2ME+T 2+ W%2% WE %A0E +* .A1 2+ W%2% WE5RE 320E+ ,ARA$2.E B-T *+L1 "*R A $A1 A2$A Marry the ,rincess! Radames7 1ou can help my people7 This could be our chance to do somethin' important7 $on5t you see; 2t may be the &hole reason &e met7 RA$AME. Then it &ould be a cruel trick A2$A +ot i= the 3ods put us to'ether =or some 'reater purpose7 +*T%2+3 A+ BE ALTERE$! T%ERE 2. +*T%2+3 T* $E2$E +* E.A,E! +* %A+3E *" %EART! +*R A+1,LAE T* %2$E RA$AME. 1*- ARE ALL 25LL E0ER WA+T! B-T T%2. 2 AM $E+2E$ .*MET2ME. 2+ M1 $AR4E.T T%*-3%T.! 2 W2.% 25$ +E0ER LEAR+E$
A2$A # RA$AME. W%AT 2T 2. T* BE 2+ L*0E A+$ %A0E T%AT L*0E RET-R+E$ A2$A 2. 2T WR2TTE+ 2+ T%E .TAR. ARE WE ,A12+3 "*R .*ME R2ME 2. T%AT ALL T%AT WE ARE 3**$ "*R J-.T A .TRET% *" M*RTAL T2ME A2$A # RA$AME. "*R .*ME 3*$5. E6,ER2ME+T 2+ W%2% WE %A0E +* .A1 2+ W%2% WE5RE 320E+ ,ARA$2.E B-T *+L1 "*R A $A1 RA$AME. 2 &ill do &hat you ask o= me7 But you must also do somethin' =or me7 3o home! leae E'ypt =oreer7 A2$A What are you sayin'; RA$AME. While 2 am takin' my &eddin' o&s! there &ill be a boat &aitin' =or you at the docks to return you to +ubia7 At least 2 &ill hae a messa'e o= happiness kno&in' you are =ree7 A(AME" *isses A!(A one last time and leaves. A!(A loo*s to the s*y...*nowing her gods have provided a way. $he irony of it nearly brea*s her in two. "he e%its in the opposite direction. AMNE!" emerges from the shadows. "he has seen everything.87 2 4+*W T%E TR-T% AM+ER2. %*W $2$ 2 *ME T* T%2.; %*W $2$ 2 .L2, A+$ "ALL; %*W $2$ 2 T%R*W %AL" A L2"ET2ME AWA1 W2T%*-T A+1 T%*-3%T AT ALL; T%2. .%*-L$ %A0E BEE+ M1 T2ME 2T5. *0ER! 2T +E0ER BE3A+ 2 L*.E$ M1 E1E. T* .* M-% "*R .* L*+3
A+$ 2 +* L*+3ER A+ 2 TR1 T* BLAME 2T *+ "*RT-+E .*ME 42+$ *" .%2"T 2+ A .TAR B-T 2 4+*W T%E TR-T% A+$ 2T %A-+T. ME 2T5. "L*W+ J-.T A L2TTLE T** "AR 2 4+*W T%E TR-T% A+$ 2T M*4. ME 2 4+*W T%E TR-T% A+$ 2T .%*4. ME 2T5. "L*W+ J-.T A L2TTLE T** "AR7 AT TW* .cene .i AM+ER2.5 $RE..2+3 R**M AMNE!" is dressed for her wedding by four handmaidens. $hey present her with a fantastic wedding gown. "he stands lifeless, still reeling from the shoc* of what she witnessed.W%1 $* 2 WA+T %2M .T2LL; W%1 W%E+ T%ERE5. +*T%2+3 T%ERE; %*W T* 3* *+ W2T% T%E RE.T *" M1 L2"E T* ,RETE+$ 2 $*+5T ARE T%2. .%*-L$50E BEE+ M1 T2ME 2T5. *0ER2T +E0ER BE3A+ 2 L*.E$ M1 E1E. T* .* M-% "*R .* L*+3 A+$ 2 +* L*+3ER A+ 2 TR1 T* BLAME 2T *+ "*RT-+E .*ME 42+$ *" TW2.T 2+ M1 "ATE B-T 2 4+*W T%E TR-T% A+$ 2T %A-+T. ME 2 LEAR+E$ 2T A L2TTLE T** LATE *% 2 4+*W T%E TR-T% A+$ 2T M*4. ME 2 4+*W T%E TR-T% A+$ 2T .%*4. ME 2 LEAR+E$ 2T A L2TTLE T** LATE T** LATE AMNE!" is now fully dressed and stands there li*e a painted life'si+ed doll. AT TW* .cene .een T%E R*1AL WE$$2+3
lower petals fall from the heavens. 80"E, M!N!"$E" and 04 LA(!E" 0 $7E #ALA3E are in attendance. A(AME" ta*es his place at AMNE!"6 side. 7e loo*s as numb and duty bound. $he #7AA07, sic*er than ever, presides-7 ,%ARA*% As &itnessed by the 3ods and all o= E'ypt! 2 pronounce you man and &i=e7 May your lies be =illed =oreer &ith the ?oy o= this moment7 3-AR$
A2$A Radames AM*+A.R* Aida -ndo the rope7 A2$A "or'ie me "ather! but 2 need one last moment &ith him7 AM*+A.R* $au'hter "he leaps out of the boat and runs to A(AME". 7e puts it together.RA$AME. *= course! you5re the +ubian ,rincess7 And you had me marry Amneris ?ust so your kin' could escape7 What a =ool 2 am7 2t &as all a li e7 An act7 Eery &ord7 Eery kiss7 A2$A +o But 2 hae made too many mistakes and too many people hae su==ered7 2 could not act sel=ishly no&7 RA$AME. .o you lied to me; A2$A +ot &hen 2 said 2 loe you7 .ay you beliee me7 As A(AME" struggles to find the answer, 80"E appears on the rise.9*.ER "hoc*ed to see A!(A. $o one of the 14A(".- .he5s alie; (MEREB rushes =or&ard7 %e stands in =ront o= 9*.ER! brandishin' a s&ord7) MEREB .top there MEE5 and 14A( fight< MEE5 cuts down the 14A(. AM*+A.R* Aida! come
RA$AME. Aida! 'et in the boat This is your last chance7 80"E pulls his sword and cuts MEE5 down. A2$A MEREB A!(A pulls away from A(AME" and runs to MEE5. A(AME" ta*es MEE56" sword and lifts it high above the rope that secures the boat.9*.ER Radames "or the loe o= E'ypt stop them A(AME" brings his sword down on the rope...severing it.- +***** AM*+A.R* A2$A $he boat is swept away.9*.ER Radames What hae you done; RA$AME. 2t5s all oer! "ather7 When they come =or me! they5ll take you a&ay too7 9*.ER +o that can5t happen E'ypt needs me RA$AME. 1ou5re the one &ho tied our =ates to'ether7 Like =ather! like son7 2 think you should run7 80"E e%its. A2$A Radames7 %e5s777 MEREB "or'ie me! ,rincess7 2 =ailed you7 A2$A +o777neer 1ou! Mereb! inspired me7
MEREB 2 &anted to 'o back to +ubia7 Aida! take me home7 A!(A holds MEE5 as he dies. A(AME" moves forward and li fts A!(A into his arms as the guards surround them. AT TW* .cene +ine T%E J-$3EME+T %ALL AMNE!" approaches A(AME" and A!(A as the 14A(" pull them apart to put chains on them, A!(A is dragged to stage left, leaving A(AME" and AMNE!" in the center.RA$AME. Amneris7 2 neer meant to hurt you7 "uddenly drums sound, announcing #7AA076" arrival. M!N!"$E" and "0L(!E" begin to file on upstage. AMNE!" is panic*ed. AM+ER2. Radames! i= you deny eerythin' there is a chance7 My =ather mi'ht spare your li=e7 Listen to me! they &ant to bury you alie7 RA$AME. 1es7 That5s &hat &e do to traitors7 AM+ER2. 1ou must say that eeryone is &ron's and RA$AME. +o! 2 can5t7 Aida is eerythin' 2 thou'ht 2 &as meant to be7 But her coura'e and her loe =or her people hae put me to shame7 Eery act o= my li=e has been &ron'! ecept =or this7 AM+ER2. $id you eer loe me at all; RA$AME. Amneris 7e touches her chee* gently.- 25e loed you all my li=e7 $he 14A( drags A(AME" away, pushing him to stage right. 0n stage left, a 14A( forces A!(A to her *nees. Angrily, AMNE!" calls to him.-
