Doña Sol: You are a wicked and cruel king!
The King: What? Doña Sol? (In a whisper)
It is my love for you
That stirs in me this passion. You alone
Can calm it. (To Don Ruy Gomez)
Until you deliver up
Hernani, I shall keep your lovely ward
As hostage.
Doña Sol (taking the dagger, and hiding it again in
her bosom): It will save him! I must go!
[She goes up to King Charles and he leads her out.
Don Ruy Gomez runs to the wall to press the spring. Doña Sol turns as she passes through the door, and stops him by a wild glance. He waits, with heaving breast, till the hall is empty, and then lets Hernani out.
Don Ruy Gomez: The king is gone. Here are two swords. Now fight.
Hernani: No! You have saved me! No. I cannot fight.
My life belongs to you. But ere I die
Let me see Doña Sol.
Don Ruy Gomez: Did you not hear
What happened? Till I give you up, King Charles
Holds her as hostage.
Hernani: Fool! He loves her.