[_NEFERTITI whispers in his ear. They laugh. He tries again to kiss her. She escapes again, and dances seductively, taking care to go close past MENOPHIS, who makes several half movements towards her, but controls himself._ _Nefertiti_ (_Singing mischievously to the tune of the distant pipe, and holding SETHOS by the hand. As she goes past MENOPHIS she holds out her free hand to him temptingly._) “Come, dance together. Take my hand Beside the rising river; We’ll dance upon the starlit sand, And then through life--for ever!” _Menophis_ (_Catching at her hand as she flits past._) Nefertiti! _Nefertiti_ (_Escaping his touch. Still hand in hand with SETHOS._) I heard a dead voice calling from a Tomb. (_To SETHOS._) It’s not for us. _We_ are alive! [_Sings as before, glancing mockingly at MENOPHIS, who again would seize her as she goes by._ “The rising river takes our feet, And life flows full of laughter; Come, dance with me while youth is sweet----” _Menophis_ (_Touching her._) Little Child! _Nefertiti_ (_Slowing down. Sings last line lingeringly._) “The wedding follows after!” _Menophis_ _My_ Little Child. _Sethos_ (_Trying to draw her away._) Come, Nefertiti. Come with me, lest the Temple snatch you, too. _Menophis_ Listen! The waters wait the sign! (_Warningly._) A few brief moments and the Tear of Isis falls--and the choice is made, not for this life only, but for ever. (_Solemnly to NEFERTITI._) You would bind your soul to his … for all future lives … for ever? _Nefertiti_ (_Drawing back._) “For ever”! “For all future lives”! For an hour--a few hours, perhaps---- _Sethos_ You swore to me that you---- _Nefertiti_ I danced and played and sang with you. You dance lightly and your voice is sweet. But--if it is true that vows taken to-night can bind me to your soul for ever---- _Menophis_ It is true. _Nefertiti_ … the journey would tire me. _Sethos_ Nefertiti! _Menophis_ (_Steps between them. NEFERTITI hesitates._) Let her alone. Since her eyes first opened to the sun she has been mine. A hundred future lives shall take our feet together. And she knows it. She plays with you--this singing, dancing. She _lives_ with me. (_Seizes her, all else forgotten._) Leave us together, Sethos. Go! _Nefertiti_ I played with you. You know it. (_To MENOPHIS._) You had forgotten our appointment! I did it--for my love’s sake. [_SETHOS shrinks from his sudden violence, startled, but keeps her hand._ _Menophis_ She has finished with you. Go! _Sethos_ (_Sneers._) Finished! You are mistaken, Menophis. Only a while ago she said my love was precious to her--(_Realising._) You (_to her_) have strange ideas of play. You’re a---- _Menophis_ (_Threateningly._) Enough, Sethos. You knew, at least, that we belonged to one another. You have yourself to blame. _Nefertiti_ (_Proud of him._) Of course. Sethos says the same sweet things to many another maiden too.