(NUBIANS and other Egyptian slaves stand around RADAMES' tent. RADAMES appears from the tent with a basket of food, and a jug of wine. MEREB appears with another basket handing out fruit.)
[Aida and Amneris together:]
Who'd have guessed he'd
Throw his world away
To be with someone till his dying day
Not me, not me
[Radames, Amneris and Aida together:]
And who'd have thought that love
Could be so good
Not me, not me (Mereb: Not me, not me)
My/his secrets and
My/his passions understood
Not me, not me (Mereb: Not me, not me)
Who'd have guessed
I'd/ he throw my/his world away
To be with someone till my/his dying day
Not me, not me (Mereb: This can never be)
[Amneris:]
Look, he is preparing to move into the Palace. So, whatever doubts he had the other night must be gone. But you stay, Aida. Apologize for me.
[Aida:]
Oh, no! I can't.
[Amneris:]
You can. You always say the right thing. I never do.
[Aida:]
No princess, please don't make me.
[Amneris:]
I would never make you. But I am asking you, as my friend.
(AMERNIS exits just as RADAMES spots AIDA.)
[Aida:]
Thank you.
[Radames:]
It was nothing. Actually, it was everything, but it doesn't matter.
[Aida:]
Captain, I just came to tell you that the princess is sorry for what she said the other night. And she wants you to know that…
[Radames:]
Aida…
(RADAMES tries to take AIDA'S hand but she pulls away.)
[Aida:]
You are betrothed to my mistress!
[Radames:]
It was arranged by my father, and it will be unarranged by me.
[Aida:]
You could raid another country tomorrow and rebuild your fortune. Radames, you're an Egyptian! Nothing will ever change that fact. I don't even know why you bothered to do this.
[Radames:]
Don't you?