No More Learning

DON CESAR: On whom?

DON SALLUST: A woman.

DON CESAR: I have fallen very low,
Don Sallust, but I have not come to that.
Murder may be my trade, but to bring down
A woman by a dastardly intrigue
Is something I would never stoop to do!
I am a wolf, maybe, but not a snake!

DON SALLUST: Give me your hand, my cousin! You have come
Out of the ordeal I prepared for you
Better than I expected.

DON CESAR: Then this plot
Against a woman----

DON SALLUST: Merely was a test.
I'll give you now the money you require.
A hundred ducats, was it? I will fetch them.

[_He departs, and signs to_ RUY BLAS _to enter. _

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.