Is this an
ornament
vain women wear
Upon their wedding day?
Upon their wedding day?
World's Greatest Books - Volume 17 - Poetry and Drama
Will you?
[_The retainers move away from him. _ DONA 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. _ DONA 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!
DONA 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.
DONA 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.
DONA SOL: It is not true.
[_The retainers move away from him. _ DONA 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. _ DONA 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!
DONA 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.
DONA 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.
DONA SOL: It is not true.
