No More Learning

VICTOR HUGO[I]




Hernani


_Persons in the Drama_

HERNANI A MOUNTAINEER
CHARLES V. OF SPAIN A PAGE
DON RICARDO SOLDIERS
DON RUY GOMEZ CONSPIRATORS
DONA SOL RETAINERS

Date of action, 1519.


ACT I

SCENE--KING CHARLES _and some of his noblemen are creeping into the
courtyard of the palace of_ DON RUY GOMEZ DE SILVA _at Saragossa.
It is midnight, and the palace is dark, save for a dim light
coming from a balcony window_.

THE KING: Here will I wait till Dona Sol comes down.
Guard every entrance. And if Hernani
Attempts to fight you need not kill the man.
Brigand although he is, he shall go free,
If I can win his lady.

DON RICARDO: Shoot the hawk
If you would keep the dove. The mountaineer
Is a most desperate outlaw.

THE KING: Let him live.
If I were not so passionately in love
With Dona Sol I would help Hernani
To rescue her from her old guardian.
To think that Don Ruy Gomez should have kept
So beautiful a girl a prisoner,
And tried to marry her! Had Hernani
Eloped with her before I fell in love
I would have praised his courage.

[_The balcony window opens, and as the noblemen retire_,
DONA SOL _comes down_.
DONA SOL: Hernani!

THE KING (_holding her_): Sweet Dona Sol.

DONA SOL: Oh, where is Hernani?

THE KING: I am the king, King Charles. I worship you,
And I will make you happy.

DONA SOL: Hernani!
Help! Help me, Hernani! [_She tries to escape_.

THE KING: I am your king!
I love you, Dona Sol. Come, you shall be
A duchess.

DONA SOL: No.

THE KING: Princess.

DONA SOL: No.

THE KING: Queen of Spain!