Act 2 — Act II

Scene—Don Ruy Gomez, an old, grey-haired, but superb-looking man, is standing in the hall of his castle in the Aragon mountains.

Don Ruy Gomez: Only an hour, and then she is my wife! I have been jealous and unjust, and used Some violence. But now she is my bride She shall know how a man can love.

[A Page enters.

Page: My lord, There is a pilgrim at the gate, who craves For shelter.

Don Ruy Gomez: Let him in. On this glad day Give friend or stranger welcome. Is there news Of Hernani?

Page: King Charles has routed him And killed him, so they say.

Don Ruy Gomez: Thank Heaven for that! My cup of happiness is full. Run, boy! Bid Doña Sol put on her wedding-gown, And as you go admit my pilgrim guest.

[The Page retires.

Would I could let the whole world see my joy!

[Hernani enters, disguised as a pilgrim.

Hernani: To you, my lord, all peace and happiness!

Don Ruy Gomez: And peace and happiness to you, my guest! Where are you bound for?

Hernani: For Our Lady's shrine.

[Doña Sol enters, arrayed in a wedding-dress.

Don Ruy Gomez: Here is the lady at whose shrine I pray. My dearest bride! Where is your coronet? You have forgotten it, and all the gems I gave you as a wedding gift.

Hernani (in a wild, loud voice): What man Wishes to gain ten thousand golden crowns? This is the price set upon Hernani.

[Everyone is amazed. Tearing off his pilgrim robe, he shows himself in the dress of a mountaineer.

I am Hernani.

Doña Sol: Ah! he is not dead!

Hernani: Ten thousand crowns for me!

Don Ruy Gomez: The sum is great. I am not sure of all my men.

Hernani: Which one Will sell me to King Charles? Will you? Will you?

[The retainers move away from him. Doña Sol makes an imploring gesture; she is speechless with fear.

Don Ruy Gomez: My friend, you are my guest, and I will slay The man that dare lay hands on you. I come Of noble race. And were you Hernani Or Satan, I would keep the sacred law Of hospitality. My honour is A thing I prize above all else on earth, And King Charles shall not stain it while I live! Come, men, and arm, and close the castle gate.

[He goes out, followed by all his retainers. Doña Sol remains, her face white with anguish. Hernani glares at her.

Hernani: So he has bought you, this old wealthy man! Bought you outright! Oh, God, how false and vain All women are!

Doña Sol: When I refused the throne Offered me by King Charles, was I then false? Is this an ornament vain women wear Upon their wedding day?

[She takes a dagger from her bosom.

Oh, Hernani, They told me you were killed! I have been dressed For marriage, but against the bridal night I kept this dagger.

Hernani: Slay me with it, love! I am unworthy of you! Blind and mad Was I to doubt the sweetest, bravest soul That ever walked in beauty on this earth.

Doña Sol (clasping him in her arms): My hero and my lover, and my lord, Love me, and love me always!

Hernani: Unto death.

[As he embraces her, Don Ruy Gomez enters.

Don Ruy Gomez: Judas!

Hernani: Yes. Draw your sword and take my life. But spare your bride, for she is innocent. I came to carry her away, but she Refused to follow me.

Doña Sol: It is not true. I love him. Slay us both, or pardon us!

Don Ruy Gomez: You love him, Doña Sol? Then he must die.

[There is a sound of trumpets outside. A Page enters.

The Page: His Majesty King Charles is at the gate, With all his army.

Don Ruy Gomez: Open to the king!

Doña Sol: Nothing can save him now!

[Don Ruy Gomez presses a spring in the wall, and a door opens into a hiding-place.

Don Ruy Gomez (to Hernani): Here you are safe.

Hernani: Surrender me! I am a prisoner now, And not a guest.

[He enters the hiding-place. Don Ruy Gomez closes it.

The Page: His Majesty, the King!

[King Charles enters, followed by his soldiers. Doña Sol covers herself hastily in her bridal veil.

The King (to the soldiers): Seize all the keys, and guard the gates! (To Don Ruy Gomez) My lord, I hear that you are sheltering my foe, The brigand Hernani.

Don Ruy Gomez: Sire, that is true.

The King: I want his head—or yours.

Don Ruy Gomez: He is my guest. I come of men who are not used to sell The head of any guest, even to their king.

The King: Why, man, he is your rival! You resolved To help me hunt him down. You gave your word.

Don Ruy Gomez: But now he is my guest.

The King: He shall be found, Though every stone in all your castle walls Fall ere I find him.

Don Ruy Gomez: Raze my castle, then; I cannot play the traitor.

The King: Well, two heads Are better, some men say, than one. My lord, I must have yours as well as Hernani's. Arrest this man!

[As the soldiers come forward, Doña Sol throws up her veil and strides up hastily to King Charles.

Doña Sol: You are a wicked and cruel king!

The King: What? Doña Sol? (In a whisper) It is my love for you That stirs in me this passion. You alone Can calm it. (To Don Ruy Gomez) Until you deliver up Hernani, I shall keep your lovely ward As hostage.

Doña Sol (taking the dagger, and hiding it again in her bosom): It will save him! I must go!

[She goes up to King Charles and he leads her out.

Don Ruy Gomez runs to the wall to press the spring. Doña Sol turns as she passes through the door, and stops him by a wild glance. He waits, with heaving breast, till the hall is empty, and then lets Hernani out.

Don Ruy Gomez: The king is gone. Here are two swords. Now fight.

Hernani: No! You have saved me! No. I cannot fight. My life belongs to you. But ere I die Let me see Doña Sol.

Don Ruy Gomez: Did you not hear What happened? Till I give you up, King Charles Holds her as hostage.

Hernani: Fool! He loves her.

Don Ruy Gomez: Quick! Call up my men! To horse! Pursue the king!

Hernani: Leave it to me. I will avenge us both. My way is best—a dagger in the dark. Let us go forth on foot and track him down.

Don Ruy Gomez: And when your rival dies?

Hernani (taking a horn from his belt): Then claim your debt! My life belongs to you. At any time You wish to take it, sound upon this horn, And I will kill myself.

Don Ruy Gomez: Your hand on it!