The Drama "Hernani"

The drama "Hernani" tells the story of Doña Sol, the sun of Madrid, who is loved by Don Carlos, king of Spain, by the old duke, Ruy Gomez, and by Hernani, leader of the revolutionists, upon whose head a price is set.

Doña Sol loves only Hernani; she receives him secretly at night in the house of her guardian, Ruy Gomez, to whom she is betrothed. She proposes to flee with her lover before the marriage takes place. She declares that she knows not whether he is her demon or her angel, but that she is his slave and will follow him wherever he goes.

The king, Don Carlos, who is concealed in a closet, hears this avowal, and appears. At the moment when the two rivals cross their swords, Ruy Gomez enters the room. He recognizes his sovereign, who spares Hernani, saying that he belongs to his suite ...