THE KING (_to_ MAGUELONNE): Life is a flower and love the honey of life; Come, let us taste it, mouth to mouth, my sweet. [_He tries to kiss her, but she escapes._ MAGUELONNE: You got that from a book. THE KING: Your dark, sweet eyes Inspired me! It was only yesterday We met at the Hôtel du Maine, and yet I love you with as passionate a love As if we had been sweethearts all our lives. Come, let me kiss you! MAGUELONNE (_sitting herself gaily on the table where he is drinking_): When you have drunk your wine. [THE KING _empties the flagon of drugged liquor, and with a mocking laugh the girl jumps down and sits on his knee._ THE KING: Oh, you delicious, fascinating thing. What a wild dance you've led me! Feel my heart Seating with love for you! MAGUELONNE: And for a score Of other women! THE KING: No, for you alone! [BLANCHE _cannot bear to look at them any longer. Pale and trembling, she turns away, and falls into her father's arms._ BLANCHE: Oh, God, how he deceived me! My heart breaks. All that he said to me he now repeats To this low, shameless slut. He is a man Without a soul. TRIBOULET (_in a whisper_): Hush, hush! or he will hear! You leave him in my hands then? BLANCHE: What is it You mean to do? TRIBOULET: Avenge you and myself! Run home and dress yourself in the boy's clothes Prepared for you. Take all the gold you find, And ride to Evreux, and there wait for me. BLANCHE (_entreatingly_): Come with me, father! TRIBOULET (_sternly_): I have work to do, Terrible work! Do not return for me, But ride your horse as fast as it will go. BLANCHE: I am afraid. TRIBOULET:: Obey me, Blanche! Good-bye! [_He kisses her, and she staggers away._ TRIBOULET _then signs to_ SALTABADIL, _who comes running up, and gives him ten crowns in gold._ TRIBOULET: Here is half of the sum. I'll bring the rest When you hand me the body in a sack. SALTABADIL: It shall be done to-night. TRIBOULET: At midnight, then. [_He goes in. During this scene outside, the drowsy_ KING _has been flirting with_ MAGUELONNE. _She jumps off his knee as_ SALTABADIL _enters._ TRIBOULET _departs._ SALTABADIL: What a wild night! The rain is pouring down In torrents. THE KING (_sleepily_): You must find me a bed. MAGUELONNE (_in a fierce whisper_): Go! Go! THE KING: What? And be drowned? You are unkind, my sweet. SALTABADIL (_Whispering to his sister_): Keep him here. We have twenty golden crowns To earn to-night. (_To_ KING FRANÇOIS) Sir, you can have my room.