No More Learning

Slay us both, or pardon us!

DON RUY GOMEZ: You love him, Dona 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!

DONA 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. _ DONA
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.