Synopsis

Act 1

Scene One
A young Englishman, Lord Wilson, is travelling through Egypt with his servant, John Bull. They meet a caravan of Arab merchants. Suddenly, a powerful storm descends and they take shelter in a nearby pyramid.

Scene Two
Lord Wilson joins the merchants for a chibouk of opium, after which he falls asleep. In a fantastic dream, the entombed mummies, among them Aspicia, daughter of the Pharaoh, comes to life. She lays her hand on his heart, magically transforming Wilson and servant into Egyptians named Taor and Passiphonte, respectively. As Taor tries to follow the beautiful princess, she disappears.

Scene Three
By miracle, Taor finds Aspicia sleeping on a rock. She awakens and they gaze lovingly at each other. A pack of hunters warn of a lion nearby. Taor hides as the hunters surround the lion. The lion breaks away, charging at the princess. Taor springs out and kills the lion with a bow. Aspicia faints and Taor carries her off to safety. He encounters the Pharaoh, who orders his arrest; coming to, the princess declares him a hero and her father invites him to the palace.

Act 2

Scene Four
While Taor visits with Aspicia in her apartment, they are interrupted by the Pharaoh, accompanied by the King of Nubia. The Pharaoh promises his daughter’s hand in marriage to the King, plunging Taor into despair. The two lovers conspire to flee the kingdom; they escape through a secret door during the marriage festivities. The King of Nubia sets off after them.

Act 3

Scene Five
Taor and Aspicia take refuge in a fisherman’s hut on the Nile. At night, Taor goes fishing while Aspicia rests. She is awakened by the King; rather than surrender, she flings herself into the Nile. When Taor returns, he’s arrested.

Scene Six
As Aspicia is daughter of the Pharaoh, she is greeted warmly the God of the Nile. The God grants her only wish – to be reunited with her lover on dry land.

Scene Seven
At his palace, the Pharaoh demands that Taor reveal the location of his daughter. When he does not, he’s sentenced to death. Then, the fishermen arrive with Aspicia. She tells her father the King forced her to jump into the Nile; the Pharaoh banishes him from the kingdom. When he refuses, however, to pardon Taor, Aspicia resolves to die with her love. Touched by her altruism, he forgives Taor and blesses their marriage as the stage is enveloped in clouds.

Scene Eight
The pyramid re-appears; Lord Wilson awakens, smiling as he remembers his amazing dream.