ACT II
The priests assembled in a grove of palms, where they listened to the story of Pamina and Tamino, told by Sarastro.
"The Princess was torn from the Queen of the Night, great priests, because that Queen would overthrow our temple, and here Pamina is to remain till purified; if you will accept this noble youth for her companion, after they have both been taught in the ways of wisdom, follow my example," and immediately Sarastro blew a blast upon a horn. All the priests blew their horns in concurrence.
Sarastro sang a hymn to the gods, and then he and his priests disappeared. Tamino and Papageno were next led in to the temple porch. It was entirely dark.
"Art thou still near me, Papageno?" he asked.
"Of course I am, but I don't feel very well. I think I have a fever. This is a queer sort of adventure."
"Oh, come, be a man. There is nothing to fear."
The priests asked Tamino at that moment why he had come to seek entrance in the temple.
"I came to find Friendship and Love," he replied.
"If you would have that, you must go through every trial; and how about you, Papageno?"