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.
Act IV
Scene—A terrace by the palace of Aragon. It is midnight, and the guests are departing from the marriage feast of Hernani and Doña Sol.
Doña Sol: At last, my husband, we are left alone.
How glad I am the feast and noise is done—
Are over.
Hernani: I, too, am weary of the loud, wild joy.
Happiness is a deep and quiet thing,
As deep and grave and quiet as true love.
Doña Sol: Yes, happiness and love are like a strain
Of calm and lovely music. Hernani,
Listen! (The sound of a mountain horn floats on the air.)
It is some mountaineer that plays
Upon your silver horn. [Hernani staggers back.