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!
[He hides in the tomb: the Conspirators enter.
Their Leader: Since Charles of Spain aims at a tyranny,
We, whom he threatens with his power, must use
The only weapon of defence still left—
Assassination! Here, before the tomb
Of Charlemagne, let us decide by lot
On whom the noble task shall fall to strike
The tyrant down.
[The Conspirators write their names on pieces of parchment, and throw them into an urn. They kneel down in silent prayer. Then their leader draws one of the names.
The Conspirators: Who is it?
Their Leader: Hernani.
Hernani: I have won! I hold thee now at last!
Don Ruy Gomez: No, I must strike the blow!
Take back your life,
Take Doña Sol, but let me strike the blow!
[He offers Hernani the horn.
Hernani: No! I have more than you have to avenge.
Their Leader: Don Ruy Gomez de Silva, you shall strike
The second blow if the first fail. And now
Let us all swear to strike and die in turn,
Until Charles falls.
The Conspirators: We swear!
Charles (coming out of the tomb): You are dead men.
[The great vault is lighted up by torches, and a band of soldiers who have been hiding behind the pillars surround the Conspirators.
Charles (to a soldier): Bring in the lady. (To Hernani)
What is your true name?
Hernani: I will reveal it now that I must die.
Don Juan of Aragon, Duke of Segorbe,
Duke of Cardona, Marquis of Monroy,
Count Albatera, and Viscount of Gor,
And lord of scores of towns and villages
Whose names I have forgotten. You, no doubt,
Remember all of them, Charles of Castile,
For they belong to you now.
[The soldier returns with Doña Sol. She throws herself at the emperor's feet.
Doña Sol: Pardon him!
Charles: Rise, Duchess of Segorbe and Cardona.
Marquise of Monroy—and your other names, Don Juan?
Hernani: Who is speaking thus—the king?
Charles: No. It is the emperor. He is a man
Different from the king (turning to the astonished Conspirators); and he will win
Your loyalty, my friends, and your good aid,
If God in His great mercy will but guide
His erring feet along the pathway trod
By Charlemagne. Don Juan of Aragon,
Forgive me, and receive now from my hands
A wife full worthy of you, Doña Sol.
[The two lovers kneel at his feet. Taking from his neck the Golden Fleece, he puts it on Hernani.
The Spectators: Long live the emperor.
Don Ruy Gomez: I have the horn.