Prologue
Scene 1. A Desert near the Pyramids of Gizeh
A caravan of merchants stops to rest near the Pyramid. Englishmen, a young traveler Lord Wilson and his servant John Bull are invited to join them. Bayadères entertain them with dancing. Suddenly, a sandstorm makes everyone seek shelter in the pyramid.
Scene 2. Inside the Pyramid
The old watchman explains that they find themselves inside the resting place of the Pharaohs' daughter Aspicсia. Smoking opium, Lord Wilson falls into a delirious sleep. A magical transformation takes place, the mummies come to life. Reassured to find herself as beautiful as she ever was, Aspicсia approaches the sleeping Lord Wilson. She makes him follow her into the past.
Act I
Scene 3. In the Forest
The Pharaoh’s daughter and her retinue are lion hunting. Taking a break, Aspiccia’s confidante Ramzé starts playing lute causing all others to fall asleep. Aspiccia is frightened by a monkey, then a bee stings her. A lion pursued by huntresses threatens her, but the young Egyptian Ta-Hor bravely shoots the beast. Aspiccia thanks him.
The Pharaoh enters with his retinue. He orders Ta-Hor and Pasifonte to be captured, but Aspiccia explains what has happened. The Pharaoh invites them to his palace.
Act II
Scene 4. The Pharaoh's Palace in Thebes
Aspiccia presents Ta-Hor with rich gifts in gratitude for saving her life, but he declines them.
The Pharaoh greets his guest, the Nubian King. Struck by Aspiccia’s beauty, the Nubian King asks for her hand. Ta-Hor reaches out for his dagger to challenge his opponent, but Aspiccia’s pleading gaze calms his anger. Aspiccia and Ta-Hor decide to run away. Ramzé helps them to succeed giving them a secret door key. A slave informs the Pharaoh about the escape of the lovers. The Pharaoh threatens Ramzé with his wrath, but true to her mistress, she does not say a word. The Nubian King pursues the fugitives, while the Pharaoh is in anger and sorrow.
Act III
Scene 5. The Fisherman's Hut
A fisherman’s couple is celebrating their recent wedding. Guised in peasant clothes, Aspiccia, Ta-Hor and Pasifonte knock, asking for shelter. Aspiccia tells the company they were caught in a storm while fishing and barely made it back to shore. At nightfall, the fishermen set off to fish. Ta-Hor offers them his help. Aspiccia stays alone and is startled by the Nubian King. He reminds her that she is his fiancée. Aspiccia orders him to leave, telling that she is in love with another man. The Nubian King is deeply offended. Aspiccia finding no escape throws herself into the Nile. Ta-Hor and Pasifonte return, but instead of the princess, they find the Nubian King, who demands that they be captured.
Scene 6. In the Nile
Aspiccia’s body descends to the bottom of the river. The Nile greets her and arranges a celebration in her honor, to which rivers are invited from different countries. Aspiccia asks to see her loved ones again. She perceives her father in deep sadness, and her beloved in chains. Struck by this, she begs to be brought back to the surface. The Nile grants her wish.
Act IV
Scene 7. The Pharaoh's Palace in Thebes
The Pharaoh doesn't understand what has happened to his daughter. To demonstrate what punishment awaits the captive Ta-Hor, Pasifonte and Ramzeé, he orders a slave to be killed by a venomous snake.
Just in time Aspiccia and the fishermen enter the palace. She tells her father about her adventures. Pleading for justice, she accuses the Nubian King for mistreating her. The Pharaoh liberates the innocent, blesses his daughter's union with Ta-Hor, and orders the Nubian King to leave. The feast begins.
Epilogue
Aspiccia calls for Lord Wilson. Or is it still a dream?
