No More Learning

_

DON CESAR: I knew you in your strange disguise, Ruy Blas.
What are you doing here?

RUY BLAS: Ah, Zafari!
Hunger has now compelled me to adopt
The livery of a lackey. Don Sallust
To-night engaged me as his servitor,
And brought me here. And I came, Zafari,
Because---- (_He hesitates. _)

DON CESAR: You wanted food!

RUY BLAS: No. It was love
I hungered for.

DON CESAR: There are some pretty maids
In this great palace.

RUY BLAS: I am mad, mad, mad!
I am in love, Zafari, with the queen--
I, a lackey. Night after night I creep
Into the royal park, and leave some flowers
Upon her favourite seat. This evening
I put a letter with them.

DON CESAR: My poor friend,
You certainly are mad!
DON SALLUST (_opening the door slightly and pointing
out_ DON CESAR _to three armed alguazils as he
whispers_): That is the man. Arrest him when he leaves.

And kill him quickly. [_He then enters the room, and
gives a purse to_ DON CESAR, _saying:_ Here is what
you want.

Call on me to-morrow.

DON CESAR (_giving_ RUY BLAS _half the ducats_):
Come with me.
Be a free man again.

DON SALLUST (_in an aside_): The devil!

RUY BLAS (_refusing the money_): No;
I never shall be a free man again.
My heart is captive; I must stay on here.

DON CESAR: Well, each man to his fate. Your hand, old friend!

[_After shaking hands, he goes out--to his doom. _

DON SALLUST: No one has seen you yet, I think, Ruy Blas,
Clad in this livery?

RUY BLAS: No one, my lord.

DON SALLUST: Good!