[Don Cesar enters, and he and Ruy Blas look at each other in surprise. Then, seeing he is not wanted, the lackey departs.
Don Cesar: Well, here I am, dear cousin! Have you found,
After a search of twenty years, a post
Worthy of me? Upon the principle
Of setting thieves to capture thieves, I'd make
A splendid captain of your alguazils!
Don Sallust: I know all your remarkable exploits,
My cousin. Were I not chief magistrate,
Your murders, thefts, and acts of brigandage
Would long since have been punished, and Don Cesar,
Count of Garofa—
Don Cesar: He died years ago.
I now am Zafari.
Don Sallust: Zafari can die,
And Cesar, Count of Garofa, revive,
And dazzle all the ladies of the court
With his fine presence, and the wealth I'll give,
If he will serve me, as a cousin should,
Boldly and faithfully.
Don Cesar: Ah, this sounds well.
Give me a hundred ducats to begin,
And I am your man! What do you want of me?
Some rival quietly despatched?
Don Sallust: I need
A daring, gallant and ambitious man
To help me to avenge myself.
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!