Ernani, ACT 2
Within the halls of Silva's palace, Ernani enters disguised as a pilgrim. Silva allows him to stay inside the palace. Ernani finds Elvira and she is overjoyed - she thought he was dead. She tells Ernani that she planned to kill herself at the altar. As the two embrace, Silva catches them and becomes furious. Moments later, it is announced that the king has arrived, and Silva tells Ernani that because he granted him shelter, he will keep Ernani safe from the king. Silva hides Ernani before
he speaks with the king. Silva is intensely questioned by the king, as the king suspects he may be harbouring the criminal. Silva maintains that Ernani is not there despite the king's continued search of the palace. Elvira finds the king and pleads for Ernani's life, but the king abducts her. Meanwhile, Silva returns to Ernani's hiding place and the two begin to quarrel before realizing that the king has taken Elvira. Ernani makes a deal with Silva that if the two work together to stop the king, Ernani will give a horn to Silva.
Whenever Silva sounds the horn, Ernani will take his own life. Silva agrees to help Ernani under the proposed conditions and prepares his men for battle with the king.

Ernani, ACT 3
Near the tomb of Charlemagne, Don Carlo is about to be declared the next Holy Roman Emperor. He vows to himself to change his life for the better. Behind the tomb, Ernani, Silva, and Silva's men gather and discuss their plans to murder Don Carlo. Don Carlo overhears their plot, and when he is crowned as the Holly Roman Emperor, he immediately orders the conspirators and noblemen to be executed and the commoners to be imprisoned. Ernani steps forward and reveals his true identity as Don Juan of Aragon. Elvira begs for the king's mercy. Then with a sudden change of heart, Don Carlo grants forgiveness to Elvira and Ernani. He restores Ernani's past wealth and status and even gives Elvira to Ernani for marriage.

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