“What! can I not kill thee by a note on this same horn?”
“I care not; chance hath given me the order, I will not barter it.”
“Then fear me, Ernani.”
Suddenly boomed over their heads the loud sound of triumphant artillery. Victory! victory! Charles of Castille was the Emperor Charles the Fifth.
As the sound roared forth, the emperor strode from his concealment, and the soldiery coming quickly forward, behold the conspirators were prisoners.
Again the cannon burst forth, and the next moment the courtiers were coming down among the tombs by torchlight, to congratulate the new emperor.
The electors headed the procession, and, kneeling, greeted the emperor by his new title.
“The will of heaven be mine. See these traitors; they have formed against me a plot. Tremble, ye traitors, as ye learn an emperor’s vengeance! Let the plebeians be cast into prison; let the nobles bow to the block.”
“Accord the block to me, O emperor! for I, Ernani, lord of Arragon, Cordova, and Segovia.”
Why does he start and tremble? Is it that he sees his dear mistress again flinging herself at the emperor’s feet? Again she pleads for mercy; again she asks for happiness and justice.