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! ACT III SCENE--CHARLES OF SPAIN, _who has just been elected Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, is kneeling by the tomb of Charlemagne in the underground vault at Aix-la-Chapelle._ CHARLES: O mighty architect of Christendom, Inspire me now to carry on thy work! Ah, let me with the lightning of thy sword Smite the rebellious people down, and make Their kings my footstool! Warrior of God! Give me the power to subjugate and weld The warring races in a hierarchy Of Christian government throughout the world! [_The tramp of many feet is heard._ Here my assassins come! Oh, let me creep, Thou mighty spirit, into thy great tomb! Counsel me from thy ashes; speak to me; Instruct me how to rule with a strong hand, And punish these wild men as they deserve!