[_Going to the table, he pours
something
into glass.
World's Greatest Books - Volume 17 - Poetry and Drama
And now your strong, pure hands
Grasp all the reins of government and power,
Perform the work entrusted unto you!
Rescue our people from their misery.
Raise Spain up from her grave; restore to her
The strength that made her empress of the world;
And love me as I love you--
RUY BLAS: Oh, my queen!
THE QUEEN: With a pure, steady, honourable love,
Working and waiting with a patient heart
Till I am free to marry you. Farewell!
[_She kisses him on the brow, and departs by the secret
door. _
ACT III
SCENE. --_A small, dark room in the house lent by_ DON SALLUST _to_ RUY
BLAS. _It is late at night, and_ RUY BLAS _is pacing up and
down in a state of wild agitation. _
RUY BLAS: I only am a pawn with which he plays
Against the queen. He seeks to ruin her
By means of me. No! I will save her yet.
Save her and lose her! Cunning though you are,
Don Sallust, you have overlooked one thing;
Even a lackey will lay down his life
To save a noble woman whom he loves
From ruin and dishonour.
[_Going to the table, he pours something into glass. _
Oh, my queen!
Never more shall we meet upon this earth.
[_As he raises the glass to his lips,_ THE QUEEN _enters. _
THE QUEEN: Don Cesar!
RUY BLAS: Oh, my God, my God!
THE QUEEN: Fear not.
I shall protect you.
RUY BLAS: What has brought you here?
THE QUEEN: Your letter, Cesar.
RUY BLAS: Letter? I have sent
No letter.
THE QUEEN: What is this, then? Look and read.
[_She gives him the note he wrote for_ DON SALLUST _as
his lackey. _
RUY BLAS (_reading it_): "My life is in great danger.
Grasp all the reins of government and power,
Perform the work entrusted unto you!
Rescue our people from their misery.
Raise Spain up from her grave; restore to her
The strength that made her empress of the world;
And love me as I love you--
RUY BLAS: Oh, my queen!
THE QUEEN: With a pure, steady, honourable love,
Working and waiting with a patient heart
Till I am free to marry you. Farewell!
[_She kisses him on the brow, and departs by the secret
door. _
ACT III
SCENE. --_A small, dark room in the house lent by_ DON SALLUST _to_ RUY
BLAS. _It is late at night, and_ RUY BLAS _is pacing up and
down in a state of wild agitation. _
RUY BLAS: I only am a pawn with which he plays
Against the queen. He seeks to ruin her
By means of me. No! I will save her yet.
Save her and lose her! Cunning though you are,
Don Sallust, you have overlooked one thing;
Even a lackey will lay down his life
To save a noble woman whom he loves
From ruin and dishonour.
[_Going to the table, he pours something into glass. _
Oh, my queen!
Never more shall we meet upon this earth.
[_As he raises the glass to his lips,_ THE QUEEN _enters. _
THE QUEEN: Don Cesar!
RUY BLAS: Oh, my God, my God!
THE QUEEN: Fear not.
I shall protect you.
RUY BLAS: What has brought you here?
THE QUEEN: Your letter, Cesar.
RUY BLAS: Letter? I have sent
No letter.
THE QUEEN: What is this, then? Look and read.
[_She gives him the note he wrote for_ DON SALLUST _as
his lackey. _
RUY BLAS (_reading it_): "My life is in great danger.
