Act 3 Cyrano de Bergerac

Roxane’s Kiss

A little square in the old Marais: old houses, and a glimpse of narrow streets. On the Right, The House of Roxane and her garden wall, overhung with tall shrubbery. Over the door of the house a balcony and a tall window; to one side of the door, a bench.

Ivy clings to the wall; jasmine embraces the balcony, trembles, and falls away.

By the bench and the jutting stonework of the wall one might easily climb up to the balcony.

Opposite, an ancient house of the like character, brick and stone, whose front door forms an Entrance. The knocker on this door is tied up in linen like an injured thumb.

709

At the curtain rise THE DUENNA is seated on the bench beside the door. The window is wide open on ROXANE’S balcony; a light within suggests that it is early evening. By THE DUENNA stands RAGUENEAU dressed in what might be the livery of one attached to the household. He is by way of telling her something, and wiping his eyes meanwhile.

RAGUENEAU — And so she ran off with a Musketeer!

I was ruined — I was alone — Remained

Nothing for me to do but hang myself,

So I did that. Presently along comes

5 Monsieur de Bergerac, and cuts me down,

And makes me steward to his cousin.

THE DUENNA Ruined? —

I thought your pastry was a great success!

RAGUENEAU (Shakes his head.)

Lise loved the soldiers, and I loved the poets —

Mars ate up all the cakes Apollo left;

10 It did not take long. . . .

THE DUENNA (Calls up to window.)

Roxane! Are you ready?

We are late!

VOICE OF ROXANE (within)

Putting on my cape —

THE DUENNA (To RAGUENEAU, indicating the house opposite.)

Clomire

Across the way receives on Thursday nights —

We are to have a psycho-colloquy¹

Upon the Tender Passion.

RAGUENEAU Ah — the Tender . . .

THE DUENNA (sighs)

15 —Passion! . . .

(Calls up to window.)

Roxane! — Hurry, dear — we shall miss

The Tender Passion!

ROXANE Coming! —

(Music of stringed instruments off-stage approaching.)

THE VOICE OF CYRANO (singing)

La, la, la! —

THE DUENNA A serenade? — How pleasant —

CYRANO No, no, no! —

F natural, you natural born fool!

(Enters, followed by two pages, carrying theorbos.)

FIRST PAGE (ironically)

20 No doubt your honor knows F natural When he hears —

CYRANO I am a musician, infant! —

A pupil of Gassendi.

THE PAGE (Plays and sings.)

La, la, —

CYRANO Here —

Give me that —

(He snatches the instrument from the Page and continues the tune.)

La, la, la, la —

ROXANE (Appears on the Balcony.)

Is that you

Cyrano?

CYRANO (singing)

I, who praise your lilies fair,

But long to love your ro . . . ses!

ROXANE I’ll be down —

25 Wait —

(Goes in through window.)

THE DUENNA Did you train these virtuosi?

CYRANO No —

I won them on a bet from D’Assoucy.

We were debating a fine point of grammar

When, pointing out these two young nightingales

Dressed up like peacocks, with their instruments,

30 He cries: “No, but I KNOW! I’ll wager you

A day of music.” Well, of course he lost;

And so until to-morrow they are mine,

My private orchestra. Pleasant at first,

But they become a trifle — (to the Pages)

Here! Go play

35 A minuet to Montfleury — and tell him

I sent you!

(The Pages go up to the exit. CYRANO turns to the Duenna.)

I came here as usual

To inquire after our friend — (to Pages)

710

Play out of tune.

And keep on playing!

(The Pages go out. He turns to the Duenna.)

— Our friend with the great soul.

ROXANE (Enters in time to hear the last words.)

He is beautiful and brilliant — and I love him!

40 CYRANO Do you find Christian . . . intellectual?

ROXANE More so than you, even.

CYRANO I am glad.

ROXANE No man

Ever so beautifully said those things —

Those pretty nothings that are everything.

Sometimes he falls into a reverie;

45 His inspiration fails — then all at once,

He will say something absolutely . . . Oh! . . .

CYRANO Really!

ROXANE How like a man! You think a man

Who has a handsome face must be a fool.

CYRANO He talks well about . . . matters of the heart?

ROXANE He does not talk; he rhapsodizes . . . dreams . . .

CYRANO (Twisting his moustache.)

50 He . . . writes well?

ROXANE Wonderfully. Listen now:

(Reciting as from memory.)

“Take my heart; I shall have it all the more;

Plucking the flowers, we keep the plant in bloom—”

Well?

CYRANO Pooh!

ROXANE And this:

“Knowing you have in store

More heart to give than I to find heart-room—”

55 CYRANO First he has too much, then too little; just

How much heart does he need?

ROXANE (Tapping her foot.)

You are teasing me!

You are jealous!

CYRANO (startled)

Jealous?

ROXANE Of his poetry —

You poets are like that . . .

And these last lines

Are they not the last word in tenderness? —

60 “There is no more to say: only believe

That unto you my whole heart gives one cry,

And writing, writes down more than you receive;

Sending you kisses through my finger-tips —

Lady, O read my letter with your lips!”

65 CYRANO H’m, yes — those last lines . . . but he overwrites!

ROXANE Listen to this —

CYRANO You know them all by heart?

ROXANE Every one!

CYRANO (Twisting his moustache.)

I may call that flattering . . .

ROXANE He is a master!

CYRANO Oh — come!

ROXANE Yes — a master!

CYRANO (bowing)

A master — if you will!

THE DUENNA (Comes down stage quickly.)

Monsieur de Guiche! —

(To CYRANO, pushing him toward the house.)

70 Go inside — If he does not find you here,

It may be just as well. He may suspect —

ROXANE —My secret! Yes; he is in love with me

And he is powerful. Let him not know —

One look would frost my roses before bloom.

CYRANO (Going into house.)

75 Very well, very well!

ROXANE (To DE GUICHE, as he enters)

We were just going —

DE GUICHE I came only to say farewell.

ROXANE You leave

Paris?

DE GUICHE Yes — for the front.

ROXANE Ah!

DE GUICHE And to-night!

ROXANE Ah!

DE GUICHE We have orders to beseige Arras.

ROXANE Arras?

DE GUICHE Yes. My departure leaves you . . . cold?

ROXANE (politely)

80 Oh! Not that.

DE GUICHE It has left me desolate —

When shall I see you? Ever? Did you know

I was made Colonel?

711

ROXANE (indifferent)

Bravo.

DE GUICHE Regiment

Of the Guards.

ROXANE (Catching her breath.)

Of the Guards? —

DE GUICHE His regiment,

Your cousin, the mighty man of words! — (grimly)

Down there

85 We may have an accounting!

ROXANE (suffocating)

Are you sure

The Guards are ordered?

DE GUICHE Under my command!

ROXANE (sinks down, breathless, on the bench; aside)

Christian! —

DE GUICHE What is it?

ROXANE (Losing control of herself.)

To the war — perhaps

Never again to — When a woman cares,

Is that nothing?

DE GUICHE (Surprised and delighted.)

You say this now — to me —

90 Now, at the very moment? —

ROXANE (Recovers — changes her tone.)

Tell me something:

My cousin — You say you mean to be revenged

On him. Do you mean that?

DE GUICHE (smiles)

Why? Would you care?

ROXANE Not for him.

DE GUICHE Do you see him?

ROXANE Now and then.

DE GUICHE He goes about everywhere nowadays

95 With one of the Cadets — de Neuve — Neuville — Neuvillers —

ROXANE (coolly)

A tall man? —

DE GUICHE Blond —

ROXANE Rosy cheeks? —

DE GUICHE Handsome! —

ROXANE Pooh! —

DE GUICHE And a fool.

ROXANE (languidly)

So he appears . . .

(animated)

But Cyrano? What will you do to him?

Order him into danger? He loves that!

100 I know what I should do.

DE GUICHE What?

ROXANE Leave him here

With his Cadets, while all the regiment

Goes on to glory! That would torture him —

To sit all through the war with folded arms —

I know his nature. If you hate that man,

105 Strike at his self-esteem.

DE GUICHE Oh woman — woman!

Who but a woman would have thought of this?

ROXANE He’ll eat his heart out, while his Gascon friends

Bite their nails all day long in Paris here.

And you will be avenged!

DE GUICHE You love me then,

110 A little? . . .

(She smiles.)

Making my enemies your own,

Hating them — I should like to see in that

A sign of love, Roxane.

ROXANE Perhaps it is one . . .

DE GUICHE (Shows a number of folded despatches.)

Here are the orders — for each company —

Ready to send . . .

(Selects one.)

So — This is for the Guards —

115 I’ll keep that. Aha, Cyrano!

(to ROXANE)

You too,

You play your little games, do you?

ROXANE (Watching him.)

Sometimes . . .

DE GUICHE (Close to her, speaking hurriedly.)

And you! — Oh, I am mad over you! —

Listen —

I leave to-night — but — let you through my hands

Now, when I feel you trembling? — Listen — Close by,

712

120 In the Rue d’Orléans, the Capuchins

Have their new convent. By their law, no layman

May pass inside those walls. I’ll see to that —

Their sleeves are wide enough to cover me —

The servants of my Uncle-Cardinal

125 Will fear his nephew. So — I’ll come to you

Masked, after everyone knows I have gone —

Oh, let me wait one day! —

ROXANE If this be known,

Your honor —

DE GUICHE Bah!

ROXANE The war — your duty —

DE GUICHE (Blows away an imaginary feather.)

Phoo! —

Only say yes!

ROXANE No!

DE GUICHE Whisper . . .

ROXANE (tenderly)

I ought not

130 To let you . . .

DE GUICHE Ah! . . .

ROXANE (Pretends to break down.)

Ah, go!

(aside)

— Christian remains —

(aloud — heroically)

I must have you a hero — Antoine . . .

DE GUICHE Heaven! . . .

So you can love —

ROXANE One for whose sake I fear.

DE GUICHE (triumphant)

I go!

Will that content you?

(Kisses her hand.)

ROXANE Yes — my friend!

(He goes out.)

THE DUENNA (As DE GUICHE disappears, making a deep curtsey behind his back, and imitating ROXANE’S intense tone.)

Yes — my friend!

ROXANE (Quickly, close to her.)

Not a word to Cyrano —

135 He would never forgive me if he knew

I stole his war!

(She calls toward the house.)

Cousin!

(Cyrano comes out of the house; she turns to him, indicating the house opposite.)

We are going over —

Alcandre speaks to-night — and Lysimon.

THE DUENNA (Puts finger in her ear.)

My little finger says we shall not hear

Everything.

CYRANO Never mind me —

THE DUENNA (across the street)

Look — Oh, look!

140 The knocker tied up in a napkin — Yes,

They muzzled you because you bark too loud

And interrupt the lecture — little beast!

ROXANE (as the door opens)

Enter . . .

(to CYRANO)

If Christian comes, tell him to wait.

CYRANO Oh —

(ROXANE returns.)

When he comes, what will you talk about?

145 You always know beforehand.

ROXANE About . . .

CYRANO Well?

ROXANE You will not tell him, will you?

CYRANO I am dumb.

ROXANE About nothing! Or about everything —

I shall say: “Speak of love in your own words —

Improvise! Rhapsodize! Be eloquent!”

CYRANO (smiling)

150 Good!

ROXANE Sh! —

CYRANO Sh! —

ROXANE Not a word!

(She goes in; the door closes.)

CYRANO (bowing)

Thank you so much —

ROXANE (Opens door and puts out her head.)

He must be unprepared —

CYRANO Of course!

ROXANE Sh! —

(Goes in again.)

CYRANO (calls)

Christian!

(CHRISTIAN enters.)

I have your theme — bring on your memory! —

Here is your chance now to surpass yourself,

713

No time to lose — Come! Look intelligent —

155 Come home and learn your lines.

CHRISTIAN No.

CYRANO What?

CHRISTIAN I’ll wait

Here for Roxane.

CYRANO What lunacy is this?

Come quickly!

CHRISTIAN No, I say! I have had enough —

Taking my words, my letters, all from you —

Making our love a little comedy!

160 It was a game at first; but now — she cares . . .

Thanks to you. I am not afraid. I’ll speak

For myself now.

CYRANO Undoubtedly!

CHRISTIAN I will!

Why not? I am no such fool — you shall see!

Besides — my dear friend — you have taught me much;

165 I ought to know something . . . By God, I know

Enough to take a woman in my arms!

(ROXANE appears in the doorway, opposite.)

There she is now . . . Cyrano, wait! Stay here!

CYRANO (bows)

Speak for yourself, my friend!

(He goes out.)

ROXANE (Taking leave of the company.)

— Barthénoide!

Alcandre! . . . Grémione! . . .

THE DUENNA I told you so —

170 We missed the Tender Passion!

(She goes into ROXANE’S house.)

ROXANE Urimédonte! —

Adieu!

(As the guests disappear down the street, she turns to CHRISTIAN.)

Is that you, Christian? Let us stay

Here, in the twilight. They are gone. The air

Is fragrant. We shall be alone. Sit down

There — so . . .

(They sit on the bench.)

Now tell me things.

CHRISTIAN (after a silence)

I love you.

ROXANE (Closes her eyes.)

Yes,

175 Speak to me about love . . .

CHRISTIAN I love you.

ROXANE Now

Be eloquent! . . .

CHRISTIAN I love —

ROXANE (Opens her eyes.)

You have your theme —

Improvise! Rhapsodize!

CHRISTIAN I love you so!

ROXANE Of course. And then? . . .

CHRISTIAN And then . . . Oh, I should be

So happy if you loved me too! Roxane,

180 Say that you love me too!

ROXANE (Making a face.)

I ask for cream —

You give me milk and water. Tell me first

A little, how you love me.

CHRISTIAN Very much.

ROXANE Oh — tell me how you feel!

CHRISTIAN (Coming nearer, and devouring her with his eyes.)

Your throat . . . If only

I might . . . kiss it —

ROXANE Christian!

CHRISTIAN I love you so!

ROXANE (Makes as if to rise.)

185 Again?

CHRISTIAN (Desperately, restraining her.)

No, not again — I do not love you —

ROXANE (Settles back.)

That is better . . .

CHRISTIAN I adore you!

ROXANE Oh! —

(Rises and moves away.)

CHRISTIAN I know;

I grow absurd.

ROXANE (coldly)

And that displeases me

As much as if you had grown ugly.

CHRISTIAN I —

ROXANE Gather your dreams together into words!

190 CHRISTIAN I love —

ROXANE I know; you love me. Adieu.

(She goes to the house.)

CHRISTIAN No,

But wait — please — let me — I was going to say–

ROXANE (Pushes the door open.)

714

That you adore me. Yes; I know that too.

No! . . . Go away! . . .

(She goes in and shuts the door in his face.)

CHRISTIAN I . . . I . . .

CYRANO (enters)

A great success!

CHRISTIAN Help me!

CYRANO Not I.

CHRISTIAN I cannot live unless

195 She loves me — now, this moment!

CYRANO How the devil

Am I to teach you now — this moment?

CHRISTIAN (Catches him by the arm.)

—Wait! —

Look! Up there! — Quick —

(The light shows in ROXANE’S window.)

CYRANO Her window —

CHRISTIAN (wailing)

I shall die! —

CYRANO Less noise!

CHRISTIAN Oh, I —

CYRANO It does seem fairly dark —

CHRISTIAN (excitedly)

Well? — Well? — Well? —

CYRANO Let us try what can be done;

200 It is more than you deserve — stand over there,

Idiot — there! — before the balcony —

Let me stand underneath. I’ll whisper you

What to say.

CHRISTIAN She may hear — she may —

CYRANO Less noise!

(The Pages appear up stage.)

FIRST PAGE Hep! —

CYRANO (finger to lips)

Sh! —

FIRST PAGE (low voice)

We serenaded Montfleury! —

205 What next?

CYRANO Down to the corner of the street —

One this way — and the other over there —

If anybody passes, play a tune!

PAGE What tune, O musical Philosopher?

CYRANO Sad for a man, or merry for a woman —

210 Now go!

(The Pages disappear, one toward each corner of the street.)

CYRANO (to CHRISTIAN)

Call her!

CHRISTIAN Roxane!

CYRANO Wait . . .

(Gathers up a handful of pebbles.)

Gravel . . .

(Throws it at the window.)

There! —

ROXANE (Opens the window.)

Who is calling?

CHRISTIAN I —

ROXANE Who?

CHRISTIAN Christian.

ROXANE You again?

CHRISTIAN I had to tell you —

CYRANO (under the balcony)

Good — Keep your voice down.

ROXANE No. Go away. You tell me nothing.

CHRISTIAN Please! —

ROXANE You do not love me any more —

CHRISTIAN (to whom CYRANO whispers his words)

No — no —

215 Not any more — I love you . . . evermore . . .

And ever . . . more and more!

ROXANE (About to close the window — pauses.)

A little better . . .

CHRISTIAN (same business)

Love grows and struggles like . . . an angry child . . .

Breaking my heart . . . his cradle . . .

ROXANE (Coming out on the balcony.)

Better still —

But . . . such a babe is dangerous; why not

220 Have smothered it new-born?

CHRISTIAN (same business)

And so I do . . .

And yet he lives . . . I found . . . as you shall find . . .

This new-born babe . . . an infant . . . Hercules

ROXANE (further forward)

Good! —

CHRISTIAN (same business)

Strong enough . . . at birth . . . to strangle those

Two serpents — Doubt and . . . Pride.

ROXANE (Leans over balcony.)

715

Why, very well!

225 Tell me now why you speak so haltingly —

Has your imagination gone lame?

CYRANO (Thrusts CHRISTIAN under the balcony, and stands in his place.)

Here —

This grows too difficult!

ROXANE Your words to-night

Hesitate. Why?

CYRANO (in a low tone, imitating CHRISTIAN)

Through the warm summer gloom

They grope in darkness toward the light of you.

230 ROXANE My words, well aimed, find you more readily.

CYRANO My heart is open wide and waits for them —

Too large a mark to miss! My words fly home,

Heavy with honey like returning bees,

To your small secret ear. Moreover — yours

235 Fall to me swiftly. Mine more slowly rise.

ROXANE Yet not so slowly as they did at first.

CYRANO They have learned the way, and you have welcomed them.

ROXANE (softly)

Am I so far above you now?

CYRANO So far —

If you let fall upon me one hard word,

240 Out of that height — you crush me!

ROXANE (turns)

I’ll come down —

CYRANO (quickly)

No!

ROXANE (Points out the bench under the balcony.)

Stand you on the bench. Come nearer!

CYRANO (Recoils into the shadow.)

No! —

ROXANE And why — so great a No?

CYRANO (More and more overcome by emotion.)

Let me enjoy

The one moment I ever — my one chance

To speak to you . . . unseen!

ROXANE Unseen? —

CYRANO Yes! — yes . . .

245 Night, making all things dimly beautiful,

One veil over us both — You only see

The darkness of a long cloak in the gloom,

And I the whiteness of a summer gown —

You are all light — I am all shadow! . . . How

250 Can you know what this moment means to me?

If I was ever eloquent —

ROXANE You were

Eloquent —

CYRANO — You have never heard till now

My own heart speaking!

ROXANE Why not?

CYRANO Until now,

I spoke through . . .

ROXANE Yes? —

CYRANO — through that sweet drunkenness

255 You pour into the world out of your eyes!

But to-night . . . but to-night, I indeed speak

For the first time!

ROXANE For the first time — Your voice, Even, is not the same.

716

CYRANO (Passionately; moves nearer.)

How should it be?

I have another voice to-night — my own,

260 Myself, daring —

(He stops, confused; then tries to recover himself.)

Where was I? . . . I forget! . . .

Forgive me. This is all sweet like a dream . . .

Strange — like a dream . . .

ROXANE How, strange?

CYRANO Is it not so

To be myself to you, and have no fear

Of moving you to laughter?

ROXANE Laughter — why?

CYRANO (Struggling for an explanation.)

265 Because . . . What am I . . . What is any man,

That he dare ask for you? Therefore my heart

Hides behind phrases. There’s a modesty

In these things too — I come here to pluck down

Out of the sky the evening star — then smile,

270 And stoop to gather little flowers.

ROXANE Are they

Not sweet, those little flowers?

CYRANO Not enough sweet

For you and me, to-night!

ROXANE (breathless)

You never spoke

To me like this . . .

CYRANO Little things, pretty things —

Arrows and hearts and torches — roses red,

275 And violets blue — are these all? Come away,

And breathe fresh air! Must we keep on and on

Sipping stale honey out of tiny cups

Decorated with golden tracery,

Drop by drop, all day long? We are alive;

280 We thirst — Come away, plunge, and drink, and drown

In the great river flowing to the sea!

ROXANE But . . . Poetry?

CYRANO I have made rimes for you —

Not now — Shall we insult Nature, this night,

These flowers, this moment — shall we set all these

285 To phrases from a letter by Voiture?

Look once at the high stars that shine in heaven,

And put off artificiality!

Have you not seen great gaudy hothouse flowers,

Barren, without fragrance? — Souls are like that:

290 Forced to show all, they soon become all show —

The means to Nature’s end ends meaningless!

ROXANE But . . . Poetry?

CYRANO Love hates that game of words!

It is a crime to fence with life — I tell you,

There comes one moment, once — and God help those

295 Who pass that moment by! — when Beauty stands

Looking into the soul with grave, sweet eyes

That sicken at pretty words!

ROXANE If that be true —

And when that moment comes to you and me —

What words will you? . . .

CYRANO All those, all those, all those

300 That blossom in my heart, I’ll fling to you —

Armfuls of loose bloom! Love, I love beyond

Breath, beyond reason, beyond love’s own power

Of loving! Your name is like a golden bell

Hung in my heart; and when I think of you,

305 I tremble, and the bell swings and rings —

Roxane! . . .

Roxane! . . . along my veins, Roxane! . . .

I know

All small forgotten things that once meant You —

I remember last year, the First of May,

A little before noon, you had your hair

310 Drawn low, that one time only. Is that strange?

You know how, after looking at the sun,

One sees red suns everywhere — so, for hours

After the flood of sunshine that you are,

My eyes are blinded by your burning hair!

717

ROXANE (very low)

315 Yes . . . that is . . . Love —

CYRANO Yes, that is Love — that wind

Of terrible and jealous beauty, blowing

Over me — that dark fire, that music . . .

Yet

Love seeketh not his own! Dear, you may take

My happiness to make you happier,

320 Even though you never know I gave it you —

Only let me hear sometimes, all alone,

The distant laughter of your joy! . . .

I never

Look at you, but there’s some new virtue born

In me, some new courage. Do you begin

325 To understand, a little? Can you feel

My soul, there in the darkness, breathe on you?

— Oh, but to-night, now, I dare say these things —

I . . . to you . . . and you hear them! . . . It is too much!

In my most sweet unreasonable dreams,

330 I have not hoped for this! Now let me die,

Having lived. It is my voice, mine, my own,

That makes you tremble there in the green gloom

Above me — for you do tremble, as a blossom

Among the leaves — You tremble, and I can feel,

335 All the way down along these jasmine branches,

Whether you will or no, the passion of you

Trembling . . .

(He kisses wildly the end of a drooping spray of jasmine.)

ROXANE Yes, I do tremble . . . and I weep . . .

And I love you . . . and I am yours . . . and you

Have made me thus!

CYRANO (After a pause; quietly.)

What is death like, I wonder?

340 I know everything else now . . .

718

I have done

This, to you — I, myself . . .

Only let me

Ask one thing more —

CHRISTIAN (under the balcony)

One kiss!

ROXANE (startled)

One? —

CYRANO (to CHRISTIAN)

You! . . .

ROXANE You ask me

For —

CYRANO I . . . Yes, but — I mean —

(to CHRISTIAN)

You go too far!

CHRISTIAN She is willing! — Why not make the most of it?

CYRANO (to ROXANE)

345 I did ask . . . but I know I ask too much . . .

ROXANE Only one — Is that all?

CYRANO All! — How much more

Than all! — I know — I frighten you — I ask . . .

I ask you to refuse —

CHRISTIAN (to CYRANO)

But why? Why? Why?

CYRANO Christian, be quiet!

ROXANE (Leaning over.)

What is that you say

350 To yourself?

CYRANO I am angry with myself

Because I go too far, and so I say

To myself: “Christian, be quiet!” —

(The theorbos begin to play.)

Hark — someone

Is coming —

(Roxane closes her window. CYRANO listens to the theorbos, one of which plays a gay melody, the other a mournful one.)

A sad tune, a merry tune —

Man, woman — what do they mean? —

(A Capuchin enters; he carries a lantern, and goes from house to house, looking at the doors.)

Aha! — a priest!

(to the Capuchin)

355 What is this new game of Diogenes?²

THE CAPUCHIN I am looking for the house of Madame —

CHRISTIAN (impatient)

Bah! —

THE CAPUCHIN Madeleine Robin —

CHRISTIAN What does he want?

CYRANO (To the Capuchin; points out a street.)

This way —

To the right — keep to the right —

THE CAPUCHIN I thank you, sir! —

I’ll say my beads for you to the last grain.

360 CYRANO Good fortune, father, and my service to you!

(the Capuchin goes out)

CHRISTIAN Win me that kiss!

CYRANO No.

CHRISTIAN Sooner or later —

CYRANO True . . .

That is true . . . Soon or late, it will be so

Because you are young and she is beautiful — (to himself)

Since it must be, I had rather be myself

(The window re-opens. CHRISTIAN hides under the balcony.)

365 The cause of . . . what must be.

ROXANE (out on the balcony)

Are you still there?

We were speaking of —

CYRANO A kiss. The word is sweet —

What will the deed be? Are your lips afraid

Even of its burning name? Not much afraid —

Not too much! Have you not unwittingly

370 Laid aside laughter, slipping beyond speech

Insensibly, already, without fear,

From words to smiles . . . from smiles to sighs . . . from sighing,

Even to tears? One step more — only one —

From a tear to a kiss — one step, one thrill!

375 ROXANE Hush! —

CYRANO And what is a kiss, when all is done?

A promise given under seal — a vow

Taken before the shrine of memory —

719

A signature acknowledged — a rosy dot

Over the i of Loving — a secret whispered

380 To listening lips apart — a moment made

Immortal, with a rush of wings unseen —

A sacrament of blossoms, a new song

Sung by two hearts to an old simple tune —

The ring of one horizon around two souls

385 Together, all alone!

ROXANE Hush! . . .

CYRANO Why, what shame? —

There was a Queen of France, not long ago,

And a great lord of England — a queen’s gift,

A crown jewel! —

ROXANE Indeed!

CYRANO Indeed, like him,

I have my sorrows and my silences;

390 Like her, you are the queen I dare adore;

Like him I am faithful and forlorn —

ROXANE Like him,

Beautiful —

CYRANO (aside)

So I am — I forgot that!

ROXANE Then — Come! . . . Gather your sacred blossom . . .

CYRANO (to CHRISTIAN)

Go! —

ROXANE Your crown jewel . . .

CYRANO Go on! —

ROXANE Your old new song . . .

395 CYRANO Climb! —

CHRISTIAN (hesitates)

No — Would you? — not yet —

ROXANE Your moment made

Immortal . . .

CYRANO (Pushing him.)

Climb up, animal!

(CHRISTIAN springs on the bench, and climbs by the pillars, the branches, the vines, until he bestrides the balcony railing.)

CHRISTIAN Roxane! . . .

(He takes her in his arms and bends over her.)

CYRANO (very low)

Ah! . . . Roxane! . . .

I have won what I have won —

The feast of love — and I am Lazarus!

Yet . . . I have something here that is mine now

400 And was not mine before I spoke the words

That won her — not for me! . . . Kissing my words

My words, upon your lips!

(The theorbos begin to play.)

A merry tune —

A sad tune — So! The Capuchin!

(He pretends to be running, as if he had arrived from a distance; then calls up to the balcony.)

Hola!

ROXANE Who is it?

CYRANO I. Is Christian there with you?

CHRISTIAN (astonished)

405 Cyrano!

ROXANE Good morrow, Cousin!

CYRANO Cousin, . . . good morrow!

ROXANE I am coming down.

(She disappears into the house. The Capuchin enters up stage.)

CHRISTIAN (Sees him.)

Oh — again!

THE CAPUCHIN (to CYRANO)

She lives here,

Madeleine Robin!

CYRANO You said RO-LIN.

THE CAPUCHIN No —

R-O-B-I-N

ROXANE (Appears on the threshold of the house, followed by RAGUENEAU with a lantern, and by CHRISTIAN.)

What is it?

THE CAPUCHIN A letter.

CHRISTIAN Oh! . . .

THE CAPUCHIN (to ROXANE)

Some matter profitable to the soul —

410 A very noble lord gave it to me!

ROXANE (to CHRISTIAN)

De Guiche!

CHRISTIAN He dares? —

ROXANE It will not be for long;

When he learns that I love you . . .

(By the light of the lantern which RAGUENEAU holds, she reads the letter in a low tone, as if to herself.)

“Mademoiselle

The drums are beating, and the regiment

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Arms for the march. Secretly I remain

415 Here, in the Convent. I have disobeyed;

I shall be with you soon. I send this first

By an old monk, as simple as a sheep,

Who understands nothing of this. Your smile

Is more than I can bear, and seek no more.

420 Be alone to-night, waiting for one who dares

To hope you will forgive . . . —” etcetera —

(to the Capuchin)

Father, this letter concerns you . . .

(to CHRISTIAN)

— and you.

Listen:

(The others gather around her. She pretends to read from the letter, aloud.)

“Mademoiselle:

The Cardinal

Will have his way, although against your will;

425 That is why I am sending this to you

By a most holy man, intelligent,

Discreet. You will communicate to him

Our order to perform, here and at once

The rite of . . .

(turns the page)

— Holy Matrimony. You

430 And Christian will be married privately

In your house. I have sent him to you. I know

You hesitate. Be resigned, nevertheless,

To the Cardinal’s command, who sends herewith

His blessing. Be assured also of my own

435 Respect and high consideration — signed,

Your very humble and — etcetera —”

THE CAPUCHIN A noble lord! I said so — never fear —

A worthy lord! — a very worthy lord! —

ROXANE (to CHRISTIAN)

Am I a good reader of letters?

CHRISTIAN (Motions toward the Capuchin.)

Careful! —

ROXANE (in a tragic tone)

440 Oh, this is terrible!

THE CAPUCHIN (Turns the light of his lantern on CYRANO.)

You are to be —

CHRISTIAN I am the bridegroom!

THE CAPUCHIN (Turns his lantern upon CHRISTIAN; then, as if some suspicion crossed his mind, upon seeing the young man so handsome.)

Oh — why, you . . .

ROXANE (quickly)

Look here —

“Postscript: Give to the Convent in my name

One hundred and twenty pistoles” —

THE CAPUCHIN Think of it!

A worthy lord — a very worthy lord! . . .

(to ROXANE, solemnly)

445 Daughter, resign yourself!

ROXANE (with an air of martyrdom)

I am resigned . . .

(While RAGUENEAU opens the door for the Capuchin and CHRISTIAN invites him to enter, she turns to CYRANO.)

De Guiche may come. Keep him out here with you

Do not let him —

CYRANO I understand!

(to the Capuchin)

How long

Will you be? —

THE CAPUCHIN Oh, a quarter of an hour.

CYRANO (Hurrying them into the house.)

Hurry — I’ll wait here —

ROXANE (to CHRISTIAN)

Come!

(They go into the house.)

CYRANO Now then, to make

450 His Grace delay that quarter of an hour . . .

I have it! — up here —

(He steps on the bench, and climbs up the wall toward the balcony. The theorbos begin to play a mournful melody.)

Sad music — Ah, a man! . . .

(The music pauses on a sinister tremolo.)

Oh — very much a man!

(He sits astride of the railing and, drawing toward him a long branch of one of the trees which border the garden wall, he grasps it with both hands, ready to swing himself down.)

So — not too high —

(He peers down at the ground.)

I must float gently through the atmosphere —

721

DE GUICHE (Enters, masked, groping in the dark toward the house.)

Where is that cursed, bleating Capuchin?

CYRANO What if he knows my voice? — the devil! — Tic-tac,

455 Bergerac — we unlock our Gascon tongue;

A good strong accent —

DE GUICHE Here is the house — all dark —

Damn this mask! —

(As he is about to enter the house, CYRANO leaps from the balcony, still holding fast to the branch, which bends and swings him between DE GUICHE and the door; then he releases the branch and pretends to fall heavily as though from a height. He lands flatlong on the ground, where he lies motionless, as if stunned. DE GUICHE leaps back.)

What is that?

(When he lifts his eyes, the branch has sprung back into place. He can see nothing but the sky; he does not understand.)

Why . . . where did this man

Fall from?

CYRANO (Sits up, and speaks with a strong accent.)

—The moon!

DE GUICHE You —

CYRANO From the moon, the moon!

I fell out of the moon!

DE GUICHE The fellow is mad —

CYRANO (dreamily)

460 Where am I?

DE GUICHE Why —

CYRANO What time is it? What place

Is this? What day? What season?

DE GUICHE You —

CYRANO I am stunned!

DE GUICHE My dear sir —

CYRANO Like a bomb — a bomb — I fell

From the moon!

DE GUICHE Now, see here —

CYRANO (Rising to his feet, and speaking in a terrible voice.)

I say, the moon!

DE GUICHE (recoils)

Very well — if you say so —

(aside)

Raving mad! —

CYRANO (Advancing upon him.)

465 I am not speaking metaphorically!

DE GUICHE Pardon.

CYRANO A hundred years — an hour ago —

I really cannot say how long I fell —

I was in yonder shining sphere —

DE GUICHE (shrugs)

Quite so.

Please let me pass.

CYRANO (Interposes himself.)

Where am I? Tell the truth —

470 I can bear it. In what quarter of the globe

Have I descended like a meteorite?

DE GUICHE Morbleu!

CYRANO I could not choose my place to fall —

The earth spun round so fast — Was it the Earth,

I wonder? — Or is this another world?

475 Another moon? Whither have I been drawn

By the dead weight of my posterior?

DE GUICHE Sir, I repeat —

CYRANO (With a sudden cry, which causes DE GUICHE to recoil again.)

His face! My God — black!

DE GUICHE (Carries his hand to his mask.)

Oh! —

CYRANO (terrified)

Are you a native? Is this Africa?

DE GUICHE —This mask!

CYRANO (somewhat reassured)

Are we in Venice? Genoa?

DE GUICHE (Tries to pass him.)

480 A lady is waiting for me.

CYRANO (quite happy again)

So this is Paris!

DE GUICHE (Smiling in spite of himself.)

This fool becomes amusing.

CYRANO Ah! You smile?

DE GUICHE I do. Kindly permit me —

CYRANO (delighted)

Dear old Paris —

Well, well! —

(Wholly at his ease, smiles, bows, arranges his dress.)

Excuse my appearance. I arrive

722

485 By the last thunderbolt — a trifle singed

As I came through the ether. These long journeys —

You know! There are so few conveniences!

My eyes are full of star-dust. On my spurs,

Some sort of fur . . . Planet’s apparently . . .

(Plucks something from his sleeve.)

490 Look — on my doublet — That’s a Comet’s hair!

(He blows something from the back of his hand.)

Phoo!

DE GUICHE (Grows angry.)

Monsieur —

CYRANO (As DE GUICHE is about to push past, thrusts his leg in the way.)

Here’s a tooth, stuck in my boot,

From the Great Bear. Trying to get away,

I tripped over the Scorpion and came down

Slap, into one scale of the Balances —

495 The pointer marks my weight this moment . . .

(Pointing upward.)

See?

(DE GUICHE makes a sudden movement. CYRANO catches his arm.)

Be careful! If you struck me on the nose,

It would drip milk!

DE GUICHE Milk?

CYRANO From the Milky Way!

DE GUICHE Hell!

CYRANO No, no — Heaven.

(Crossing his arms.)

Curious place up there —

Did you know Sirius wore a nightcap? True!

(confidentially)

500 The Little Bear is still too young to bite.

(laughing)

My foot caught in the Lyre, and broke a string.

(proudly)

Well — when I write my book, and tell the tale

Of my adventures — all these little stars

That shake out of my cloak — I must save those

505 To use for asterisks!

DE GUICHE That will do now —

I wish —

CYRANO Yes, yes — I know —

DE GUICHE Sir —

CYRANO You desire

To learn from my own lips the character

Of the moon’s surface — its inhabitants

If any —

DE GUICHE (Loses patience and shouts.)

I desire no such thing! I —

CYRANO (rapidly)

510 You wish to know by what mysterious means

I reached the moon? — well — confidentially —

It was a new invention of my own.

DE GUICHE (discouraged)

Drunk too — as well as mad!

CYRANO I scorned the eagle

Of Regiomontanus, and the dove

515 Of Archytas!³

DE GUICHE A learned lunatic! —

CYRANO I imitated no one. I myself

Discovered not one scheme merely, but six —

Six ways to violate the virgin sky!

(DE GUICHE has succeeded in passing him, and moves toward the door of ROXANE’S house. CYRANO follows, ready to use violence if necessary.)

DE GUICHE (Looks around.)

Six?

CYRANO (with increasing volubility)

As for instance — Having stripped myself

520 Bare as a wax candle, adorn my form

With crystal vials filled with morning dew,

And so be drawn aloft, as the sun rises

Drinking the mist of dawn!

DE GUICHE (Takes a step toward CYRANO.)

Yes — that makes one.

CYRANO (Draws back to lead him away from the door; speaks faster and faster.)

Or, sealing up the air in a cedar chest,

525 Rarefy it by means of mirrors, placed

In an icosahedron.

DE GUICHE (Takes another step.)

Two.

723

CYRANO (still retreating)

Again,

I might construct a rocket, in the form

Of a huge locust, driven by impulses

Of villainous saltpetre from the rear,

530 Upward, by leaps and bounds.

DE GUICHE (Interested in spite of himself, and counting on his fingers.)

Three.

CYRANO (same business)

Or again,

Smoke having a natural tendency to rise,

Blow in a globe enough to raise me.

DE GUICHE (Same business, more and more astonished.)

Four!

CYRANO Or since Diana, as old fables tell,

Draws forth to fill her crescent horn, the marrow

535 Of bulls and goats — to annoint myself therewith.

DE GUICHE (hypnotised)

Five! —

CYRANO (Has by this time led him all the way across the street, close to a bench.)

Finally — seated on an iron plate,

To hurl a magnet in the air — the iron

Follows — I catch the magnet — throw again —

And so proceed indefinitely.

DE GUICHE Six! —

540 All excellent, — and which did you adopt?

CYRANO (coolly)

Why, none of them. . . . A seventh.

DE GUICHE Which was? —

CYRANO Guess! —

DE GUICHE An interesting idiot, this!

CYRANO (Imitates the sound of waves with his voice, and their movement by large, vague gestures.)

Hoo! . . . Hoo! . . .

DE GUICHE Well?

CYRANO Have you guessed it yet?

DE GUICHE Why, no.

CYRANO (grandiloquent)

The ocean! . . .

What hour its rising tide seeks the full moon,

545 I laid me on the strand, fresh from the spray,

My head fronting the moonbeams, since the hair

Retains moisture — and so I slowly rose

As upon angels’ wings, effortlessly,

Upward — then suddenly I felt a shock! —

550 And then . . .

DE GUICHE (Overcome by curiosity, sits down on the bench.)

And then?

CYRANO And then —

(Changes abruptly to his natural voice.)

The time is up! —

Fifteen minutes, your Grace! — You are now free;

And — they are bound — in wedlock.

DE GUICHE (Leaping up)

Am I drunk?

That voice . . .

(The door of ROXANE’S house opens; lackeys appear, bearing lighted candles. Lights Up. CYRANO removes his hat.)

And that nose! — Cyrano!

CYRANO (saluting)

Cyrano! . . .

This very moment, they have exchanged rings.

555 DE GUICHE Who?

(He turns up stage. Tableau: between the lackeys, ROXANE and CHRISTIAN appear, hand in hand. The Capuchin follows them, smiling. RAGUENEAU holds aloft a torch. The Duenna brings up the rear, in a negligée, and a pleasant flutter of emotion.)

Zounds!

(to ROXANE)

You? —

(recognizes CHRISTIAN)

He? —

(saluting ROXANE)

My sincere compliments!

(to CYRANO)

You also, my inventor of machines!

Your rigmarole would have detained a saint

Entering Paradise — decidedly

You must not fail to write that book some day!

CYRANO (bowing)

560 Sir, I engage myself to do so.

724

(Leads the bridal pair down to DE GUICHE and strokes with great satisfaction his long white beard.)

My lord,

The handsome couple you — and God — have joined

Together!

DE GUICHE (Regarding him with a frosty eye.)

Quite so.

(Turns to ROXANE)

Madame, kindly bid

Your . . . husband farewell.

ROXANE Oh! —

DE GUICHE (to CHRISTIAN)

Your regiment

Leaves to-night, sir. Report at once!

ROXANE You mean

565 For the front? The war?

DE GUICHE Certainly!

ROXANE I thought

The Cadets were not going —

DE GUICHE Oh yes, they are!

(Taking out the despatch from his pocket.)

Here is the order —

(to CHRISTIAN)

Baron! Deliver this.

ROXANE (Throws herself into CHRISTIAN’S arms.)

Christian!

DE GUICHE (to CYRANO, sneering)

The bridal night is not so near!

CYRANO (aside)

Somehow that news fails to disquiet me.

CHRISTIAN (to ROXANE)

570 Your lips again . . .

CYRANO There . . . That will do now — Come!

CHRISTIAN (still holding ROXANE)

You do not know how hard it is —

CYRANO (Tries to drag him away.)

I know!

(The beating of drums is heard in the distance.)

DE GUICHE (up stage)

The regiment — on the march!

ROXANE (As CYRANO tries to lead CHRISTIAN away, follows, and detains them.)

Take care of him

For me —

(appealingly)

Promise me never to let him do

Anything dangerous!

CYRANO I’ll do my best —

575 I cannot promise —

ROXANE (same business)

Make him be careful!

CYRANO Yes —

I’ll try —

ROXANE (same business)

Be sure you keep him dry and warm!

CYRANO Yes, yes — if possible —

ROXANE (same business; confidentially, in his ear)

See that he remains

Faithful! —

CYRANO Of course! If —

ROXANE (same business)

And have him write to me

Every single day!

CYRANO (stops)

That, I promise you!

(Curtain)