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.