9.5

Act 4 Cyrano de Bergerac

The Cadets of Gascoyne

The Post occupied by the Company of CARBON DE CASTEL-JALOUX at The Seige of Arras.

In the background, a Rampart traversing the entire scene; beyond this, and apparently below, a Plain stretches away to the horizon. The country is cut up with earthworks and other suggestions of the seige. In the distance, against the sky-line, the houses and the walls of Arras.

Tents; scattered Weapons; Drums, etcetera. It is near day-break, and the East is yellow with approaching dawn. Sentries at intervals. Camp-fires.

Curtain Rise discovers the Cadets asleep, rolled in their cloaks. CARBON DE CASTEL-JALOUX and LE BRET keep watch. They are both very thin and pale. CHRISTIAN is asleep among the others, wrapped in his cloak, in the foreground, his face lighted by the flickering fire. Silence.

726

LE BRET Horrible!

CARBON Why, yes. All of that.

LE BRET Mordious!

CARBON (gesture toward the sleeping Cadets)

Swear gently — You might wake them.

(to Cadets)

Go to sleep —

Hush!

(to LE BRET)

Who sleeps dines.

LE BRET I have insomnia.

God! What a famine.

(Firing off stage.)

CARBON Curse that musketry!

5 They’ll wake my babies.

(to the men)

Go to sleep! —

A CADET (rouses)

Diantre!

Again?

CARBON No — only Cyrano coming home.

(The heads which have been raised sink back again.)

A SENTRY (off stage)

Halt! Who goes there?

VOICE OF CYRANO Bergerac!

THE SENTRY ON THE PARAPET Halt! Who goes? —

CYRANO (Appears on the parapet.)

Bergerac, idiot!

LE BRET (Goes to meet him.)

Thank God again!

CYRANO (Signs to him not to wake anyone.)

Hush!

LE BRET Wounded? —

CYRANO No — They always miss me — quite

10 A habit by this time!

LE BRET Yes — Go right on —

Risk your life every morning before breakfast

To send a letter!

CYRANO (Stops near CHRISTIAN.)

I promised he should write

Every single day . . .

(Looks down at him.)

Hm — The boy looks pale

When he is asleep — thin too — starving to death —

15 If that poor child knew! Handsome, none the less . . .

LE BRET Go and get some sleep!

CYRANO (affectionately)

Now, now — you old bear,

No growling! — I am careful — you know I am —

Every night, when I cross the Spanish lines

I wait till they are all drunk.

LE BRET You might bring

20 Something with you.

CYRANO I have to travel light

To pass through — By the way, there will be news

For you to-day: the French will eat or die,

If what I saw means anything.

LE BRET Tell us!

CYRANO No —

I am not sure — we shall see!

CARBON What a war,

25 When the besieger starves to death!

LE BRET Fine war —

Fine situation! We besiege Arras —

The Cardinal Prince of Spain besieges us —

And — here we are!

CYRANO Someone might besiege him.

CARBON A hungry joke!

CYRANO Ho, ho!

LE BRET Yes, you can laugh —

30 Risking a life like yours to carry letters —

Where are you going now?

CYRANO (at the tent door)

To write another.

(Goes into tent.)

(A little more daylight. The clouds redden. The town of Arras shows on the horizon. A cannon shot is heard, followed immediately by a roll of drums, far away to the left. Other drums beat a little nearer. The drums go on answering each other here and there, approach, beat loudly almost on the stage, and die away toward the right, across the camp. The camp awakes. Voices of officers in the distance.)

CARBON (sighs)

Those drums! — another good nourishing sleep

727

Gone to the devil.

(The Cadets rouse themselves.)

Now then! —

FIRST CADET (Sits up, yawns.)

God! I’m hungry!

SECOND CADET Starving!

ALL (groan)

Aoh!

CARBON Up with you!

THIRD CADET Not another step!

35 FOURTH CADET Not another movement!

FIRST CADET Look at my tongue —

I said this air was indigestible!

FIFTH CADET My coronet for half a pound of cheese!

SIXTH CADET I have no stomach for this war — I’ll stay

In my tent — like Achilles.

ANOTHER Yes — no bread,

40 No fighting —

CARBON Cyrano!

OTHERS May as well die —

CARBON Come out here! — You know how to talk to them.

Get them laughing —

SECOND CADET (Rushes up to First Cadet who is eating something.)

What are you gnawing there?

FIRST CADET Gun wads and axle-grease. Fat country this

Around Arras.

ANOTHER (enters)

I have been out hunting!

ANOTHER (enters)

I

45 Went fishing, in the Scarpe!

ALL (Leaping up and surrounding the newcomers.)

Find anything?

Any fish? Any game? Perch? Partridges?

Let me look!

THE FISHERMAN Yes — one gudgeon.

(Shows it.)

THE HUNTES One fat . . . sparrow.

(Shows it.)

ALL Ah! — See here, this — mutiny! —

CARBON Cyrano!

Come and help!

CYRANO (Enters from tent.)

Well?

(Silence. To the First Cadet who is walking away, with his chin on his chest.)

You there, with the long face?

50 FIRST CADET I have something on my mind that troubles me.

CYRANO What is that?

FIRST CADET My stomach.

CYRANO So have I.

FIRST CADET No doubt

You enjoy this!

CYRANO (Tightens his belt.)

It keeps me looking young.

SECOND CADET My teeth are growing rusty.

CYRANO Sharpen them!

THIRD CADET My belly sounds as hollow as a drum.

55 CYRANO Beat the long roll on it!

FOURTH CADET My ears are ringing.

CYRANO Liar! A hungry belly has no ears.

FIFTH CADET Oh for a barrel of good wine!

CYRANO (Offers him his own helmet.)

Your casque.

SIXTH CADET I’ll swallow anything!

CYRANO (Throws him the book which he has in his hand.)

Try the Iliad.

SEVENTH CADET The Cardinal, he has four meals a day —

60 What does he care!

CYRANO Ask him; he really ought

To send you . . . a spring lamb out of his flock,

Roasted whole —

THE CADET Yes, and a bottle —

CYRANO (Exaggerates the manner of one speaking to a servant.)

If you please,

Richelieu — a little more of the Red Seal . . .

Ah, thank you!

THE CADET And the salad —

CYRANO Of course — Romaine!

ANOTHER CADET (shivering)

65 I am as hungry as a wolf.

728

CYRANO (Tosses him a cloak.)

Put on

Your sheep’s clothing.

FIRST CADET (with a shrug)

Always the clever answer!

CYRANO Always the answer — yes! Let me die so —

Under some rosy-golden sunset, saying

A good thing, for a good cause! By the sword,

70 The point of honor — by the hand of one

Worthy to be my foeman, let me fall —

Steel in my heart, and laughter on my lips!

VOICES HERE AND THERE All very well — We are hungry!

CYRANO Bah! You think

Of nothing but yourselves.

(His eye singles out the old fifer in the background.)

Here, Bertrandou,

75 You were a shepherd once — Your pipe now! Come,

Breathe, blow, — Play to these belly-worshippers

The old airs of the South

Airs with a smile in them,

Airs with a sigh in them, airs with the breeze

And the blue of the sky in them

Small, demure tunes

80 Whose every note is like a little sister —

Songs heard only in some long silent voice

Not quite forgotten — Mountain melodies

Like thin smoke rising from brown cottages

In the still noon, slowly — Quaint lullabies,

85 Whose very music has a Southern tongue —

(The old man sits down and prepares his fife.)

Now let the fife, that dry old warrior,

Dream, while over the stops your fingers dance

A minuet of little birds — let him

Dream beyond ebony and ivory;

90 Let him remember he was once a reed

Out of the river, and recall the spirit

Of innocent, untroubled country days . . .

(The fifer begins to play a Provençal melody.)

Listen, you Gascons! Now it is no more

The shrill fife — It is the flute, through woodlands far

95 Away, calling — no longer the hot battle-cry,

But the cool, quiet pipe our goatherds play!

Listen — the forest glens . . . the hills . . . the downs . . .

The green sweetness of night on the Dordogne . . .

Listen, you Gascons! It is all Gascoyne! . . .

(Every head is bowed; every eye cast down. Here and there a tear is furtively brushed away with the back of a hand, the corner of a cloak.)

CARBON (softly to CYRANO)

100 You make them weep —

CYRANO For homesickness—a hunger

More noble than that hunger of the flesh;

It is their hearts now that are starving.

CARBON Yes,

But you melt down their manhood.

CYRANO (Motions the drummer to approach.)

You think so?

Let them be. There is iron in their blood

105 Not easily dissolved in tears. You need

Only —

(He makes a gesture; the drum beats.)

ALL (Spring up and rush toward their weapons.)

What’s that? Where is it? — What? —

CYRANO (smiles)

You see —

Let Mars snore in his sleep once — and farewell

Venus — sweet dreams — regrets — dear thoughts of home —

All the fife lulls to rest wakes at the drums!

A CADET (Looks up stage.)

110 Aha — Monsieur de Guiche!

THE CADETS (Mutter among themselves.)

Ugh! . . .

CYRANO (smiles)

Flattering

Murmur!

A CADET He makes me weary!

ANOTHER With his collar

Of lace over his corselet1

729

ANOTHER Like a ribbon

Tied round a sword!

ANOTHER Bandages for a boil

On the back of his neck —

SECOND CADET A courtier always!

115 ANOTHER The Cardinal’s nephew!

None the less — a Gascon.

CARBON FIRST CADET

A counterfeit! Never you trust that man —

Because we Gascons, look you, are all mad —

This fellow is reasonable — nothing more

Dangerous than a reasonable Gascon!

120 LE BRET He looks pale.

ANOTHER Oh, he can be hungry too,

Like any other poor devil — but he wears

So many jewels on that belt of his

That his cramps glitter in the sun!

CYRANO (quickly)

Is he

To see us looking miserable? Quick —

125 Pipes! — Cards! — Dice! —

(They all hurriedly begin to play, on their stools, on the drums, or on their cloaks spread on the ground, lighting their long pipes meanwhile.)

As for me, I read Descartes.

(He walks up and down, reading a small book which he takes from his pocket. Tableau: DE GUICHE enters, looking pale and haggard. All are absorbed in their games. General air of contentment. DE GUICHE goes to CARBON. They look at each other askance, each observing with satisfaction the condition of the other.)

DE GUICHE Good morning!

(aside)

He looks yellow.

CARBON (same business)

He is all eyes.

DE GUICHE (Looks at the Cadets.)

What have we here? Black looks? Yes, gentlemen —

I am informed I am not popular;

The hill-nobility, barons of Béarn,

130 The pomp and pride of Périgord — I learn

They disapprove their colonel; call him courtier,

Politician — they take it ill that I

Cover my steel with lace of Genoa.

It is a great offense to be a Gascon

135 And not to be a beggar!

(Silence. They smoke. They play.)

Well — Shall I have

Your captain punish you? . . . No.

CARBON As to that,

It would be impossible.

DE GUICHE Oh?

CARBON I am free;

I pay my company; it is my own;

I obey military orders.

DE GUICHE Oh!

140 That will be quite enough.

(to the Cadets)

I can afford

Your little hates. My conduct under fire

Is well known. It was only yesterday

I drove the Count de Bucquoi from Bapaume,

Pouring my men down like an avalanche,

145 I myself led the charge —

CYRANO (Without looking up from his book.)

And your white scarf?

DE GUICHE (surprised and gratified)

You heard that episode? Yes — rallying

My men for the third time, I found myself

Carried among a crowd of fugitives

Into the enemy’s lines. I was in danger

150 Of being shot or captured; but I thought

Quickly — took off and flung away the scarf

That marked my military rank — and so

Being inconspicuous, escaped among

My own force, rallied them, returned again

155 And won the day! . . .

(The Cadets do not appear to be listening, but here and there the cards and the dice boxes remain motionless, the smoke is retained in their cheeks.)

What do you say to that?

Presence of mind — yes?

CYRANO Henry of Navarre

Being outnumbered, never flung away

His white plume.

(Silent enjoyment. The cards flutter, the dice roll, the smoke puffs out.)

DE GUICHE My device was a success,

However!

730

(Same attentive pause, interrupting the games and the smoking.)

CYRANO Possibly . . . An officer

160 Does not lightly resign the privilege

Of being a target.

(Cards, dice, and smoke fall, roll, and float away with increasing satisfaction.)

Now, if I had been there —

Your courage and my own differ in this —

When your scarf fell, I should have put it on.

DE GUICHE Boasting again!

CYRANO Boasting? Lend it to me

165 To-night; I’ll lead the first charge, with your scarf

Over my shoulder!

DE GUICHE Gasconnade once more!

You are safe making that offer, and you know it —

My scarf lies on the river bank between

The lines, a spot swept by artillery

170 Impossible to reach alive!

CYRANO (Produces the scarf from his pocket.)

Yes. Here . . .

(Silence. The Cadets stifle their laughter behind their cards and their dice boxes. DE GUICHE turns to look at them. Immediately they resume their gravity and their game. One of them whistles carelessly the mountain air which the fifer was playing.)

DE GUICHE (Takes the scarf.)

Thank you! That bit of white is what I need

To make a signal. I was hesitating —

You have decided me.

(He goes up to the parapet, climbs upon it, and waves the scarf at arm’s length several times.)

ALL What is he doing? —

What? —

CARBON (to the Cadets)

Well,

175 Gentlemen!

(All rise. Noise of sword belts and breastplates being buckled on.)

DE GUICHE You may have perhaps an hour.

FIRST CADET Oh — An hour!

(They all sit down and resume their games once more.)

DE GUICHE (to CARBON)

The great thing is to gain time.

Any moment the Marshal may return.

CARBON And to gain time?

DE GUICHE You will all be so kind

As to lay down your lives!

CYRANO Ah! Your revenge?

180 DE GUICHE I make no great pretence of loving you!

But — since you gentlemen esteem yourselves

Invincible, the bravest of the brave,

And all that — why need we be personal?

I serve the king in choosing . . . as I choose!

CYRANO (salutes)

185 Sir, permit me to offer — all our thanks.

DE GUICHE (Returns the salute.)

You love to fight a hundred against one;

Here is your opportunity!

(He goes up stage with CARBON.)

CYRANO (to the Cadets)

My friends,

We shall add now to our old Gascon arms

With their six chevrons, blue and gold, a seventh —

190 Blood-red!

(DE GUICHE talks in a low tone to CARBON up stage. Orders are given. The defense is arranged. CYRANO goes to CHRISTIAN who has remained motionless with folded arms.)

Christian?

(Lays a hand on his shoulder.)

CHRISTIAN (Shakes his head.)

Roxane . . .

CYRANO Yes.

CHRISTIAN I should like

To say farewell to her, with my whole heart

Written for her to keep.

CYRANO I thought of that —

(Takes a letter from his doublet.)

I have written your farewell.

CHRISTIAN Show me!

CYRANO You wish

To read it?

CHRISTIAN Of course!

(He takes the letter; begins to read, looks up suddenly.)

What? —

731

CYRANO What is it?

CHRISTIAN Look —

195 This little circle —

CYRANO (Takes back the letter quickly, and looks innocent.)

Circle? —

CHRISTIAN Yes — a tear!

CYRANO So it is! . . . Well — a poet while he writes

Is like a lover in his lady’s arms,

Believing his imagination — all

Seems true — you understand? There’s half the charm

200 Of writing — Now, this letter as you see

I have made so pathetic that I wept

While I was writing it!

CHRISTIAN You — wept?

CYRANO Why, yes —

Because . . . it is a little thing to die,

But — not to see her . . . that is terrible!

205 And I shall never —

(CHRISTIAN looks at him.)

We shall never —

(quickly)

You

Will never —

CHRISTIAN (Snatches the letter.)

Give me that!

(noise in the distance on the outskirts of the camp)

VOICE OF A SENTRY Halt — who goes there?

(shots, shouting, jingle of harness)

CARBON What is it? —

THE SENTRY ON THE PARAPET Why, a coach.

(They rush to look.)

CONFUSED VOICES What? In the Camp?

A coach? Coming this way — It must have driven

Through the Spanish lines — what the devil— Fire! —

210 No — Hark! The driver shouting — what does he say?

Wait — He said: “On the service of the King!”

(They are all on the parapet looking over. The jingling comes nearer.)

DE GUICHE Of the King?

(They come down and fall into line.)

CARBON Hats off, all!

DE GUICHE (Speaks off stage.)

The King! Fall in,

Rascals! —

(The coach enters at full trot. It is covered with mud and dust. The curtains are drawn. Two footmen are seated behind. It stops suddenly.)

CARBON (shouts)

Beat the assembly —

(Roll of drums. All the Cadets uncover.)

DE GUICHE Two of you,

Lower the steps — open the door —

(Two men rush to the coach. The door opens.)

ROXANE (Comes out of the coach.)

Good morning!

(At the sound of a woman’s voice, every head is raised. Sensation.)

215 DE GUICHE On the King’s service — You?

ROXANE Yes — my own king —

Love!

CYRANO (aside)

God is merciful . . .

CHRISTIAN (Hastens to her.)

You! Why have you —

ROXANE Your war lasted so long!

CHRISTIAN But why? —

ROXANE Not now —

CYRANO (aside)

I wonder if I dare to look at her . . .

DE GUICHE You cannot remain here!

ROXANE Why, certainly!

220 Roll that drum here, somebody . . .

(She sits on the drum, which is brought to her.)

Thank you — There!

(She laughs.)

Would you believe — they fired upon us?

—My coach

Looks like the pumpkin in the fairy tale,

Does it not? And my footmen —

(She throws a kiss to CHRISTIAN.)

How do you do?

(She looks about.)

How serious you all are! Do you know,

225 It is a long drive here — from Arras?

732

(Sees CYRANO.)

Cousin,

I am glad to see you!

CYRANO (advances)

Oh — How did you come?

ROXANE How did I find you? Very easily —

I followed where the country was laid waste

— Oh, but I saw such things! I had to see

230 To believe. Gentlemen, is that the service

Of your King? I prefer my own!

CYRANO But how

Did you come through?

ROXANE Why, through the Spanish lines

Of course!

FIRST CADET They let you pass? —

DE GUICHE What did you say?

How did you manage?

LE BRET Yes, that must have been

235 Difficult!

ROXANE No — I simply drove along.

Now and then some hidalgo scowled at me

And I smiled back — my best smile; whereupon,

The Spaniards being (without prejudice

To the French) the most polished gentlemen

240 In the world — I passed!

CARBON Certainly that smile

Should be a passport! Did they never ask

Your errand or your destination?

ROXANE Oh,

Frequently! Then I drooped my eyes and said:

“I have a lover . . .” Whereupon, the Spaniard

245 With an air of ferocious dignity

Would close the carriage door — with such a gesture

As any king might envy, wave aside

The muskets that were levelled at my breast,

Fall back three paces, equally superb

250 In grace and gloom, draw himself up, thrust forth

A spur under his cloak, sweeping the air

With his long plumes, bow very low, and say:

“Pass, Senorita!”

CHRISTIAN But Roxane —

ROXANE I know —

I said “a lover” — but you understand —

255 Forgive me! — If I said “I am going to meet

My husband,” no one would believe me!

CHRISTIAN Yes,

But —

ROXANE What then?

DE GUICHE You must leave this place.

CYRANO At once.

ROXANE I?

LE BRET Yes — immediately.

ROXANE And why?

CHRISTIAN (embarrassed)

Because . . .

CYRANO (same)

In half an hour . . .

DE GUICHE (same)

Or three quarters . . .

CARBON (same)

Perhaps

260 It might be better . . .

LE BRET If you . . .

ROXANE Oh — I see!

You are going to fight. I remain here.

ALL No — no!

ROXANE He is my husband —

(Throws herself in CHRISTIAN’S arms.)

I will die with you!

CHRISTIAN Your eyes! . . . Why do you? —

ROXANE You know why . . .

DE GUICHE (desperate)

This post

Is dangerous —

ROXANE (turns)

How — dangerous?

CYRANO The proof

265 Is, we are ordered —

ROXANE (to DE GUICHE)

Oh — you wish to make

A widow of me?

DE GUICHE On my word of honor —

ROXANE No matter. I am just a little mad —

I will stay. It may be amusing.

CYRANO What,

A heroine — our intellectual?

270 ROXANE Monsieur de Bergerac, I am your cousin!

A CADET We’ll fight now! Hurrah!

ROXANE (more and more excited)

I am safe with you — my friends!

733

ANOTHER (carried away)

The whole camp breathes of lilies! —

ROXANE And I think,

This hat would look well on the battlefield! . . .

But perhaps —

(Looks at DE GUICHE.)

The Count ought to leave us. Any moment

275 Now, there may be danger.

DE GUICHE This is too much!

I must inspect my guns. I shall return —

You may change your mind — There will yet be time —

ROXANE Never!

(DE GUICHE goes out.)

CHRISTIAN (imploring)

Roxane! . . .

ROXANE No!

FIRST CADET (to the rest)

She stays here!

ALL (Rushing about, elbowing each other, brushing off their clothes.)

A comb! —

Soap! — Here’s a hole in my — A needle! — Who

280 Hasaribbon? — Your mirror, quick! — My cuffs —

A razor —

ROXANE (to CYRANO, who is still urging her)

No! I shall not stir one step!

CARBON (Having, like the others, tightened his belt, dusted himself, brushed off his hat, smoothed out his plume and put on his lace cuffs, advances to ROXANE ceremoniously.)

In that case, may I not present to you

Some of these gentlemen who are to have

The honor of dying in your presence?

ROXANE (bows)

Please! —

(She waits, standing, on the arm of CHRISTIAN, while)

CARBON (—presents)

285 Baron de Peyrescous de Colignac!

THE CADET (salutes)

Madame . . .

ROXANE Monsieur . . .

CARBON (continues)

Baron de Casterac

De Cahuzac — Vidame de Malgouyre

Estressac Lésbas d’Escarabiot —

THE VIDAME Madame . . .

CARBON Chevalier d’Antignac-Juzet —

290 Baron Hillot de Blagnac-Saléchan

De Castel-Crabioules —

THE BARON Madame . . .

ROXANE How many

Names you all have!

THE BARON Hundreds!

CARBON (to ROXANE)

Open the hand

That holds your handkerchief.

ROXANE (Opens her hand; the handkerchief falls.)

Why?

(The whole company makes a movement toward it.)

CARBON (Picks it up quickly.)

My company

Was in want of a banner. We have now

295 The fairest in the army!

ROXANE (smiling)

Rather small —

CARBON (Fastens the handkerchief to his lance.)

Lace — and embroidered!

A CADET (to the others)

With her smiling on me,

I could die happy, if I only had

Something in my —

CARBON (turns upon him)

Shame on you! Feast your eyes

And forget your —

ROXANE (quickly)

It must be this fresh air —

300 I am starving! Let me see . . .

Cold partridges,

Pastry, a little white wine — that would do.

Will some one bring that to me?

A CADET (aside)

Will some one! —

ANOTHER Where the devil are we to find —

ROXANE (overhears; sweetly)

Why, there —

In my carriage.

ALL Wha-at?

ROXANE All you have to do

305 Is to unpack, and carve, and serve things.

Oh,

734

Notice my coachman; you may recognize

An old friend.

THE CADETS (Rush to the coach.)

Ragueneau!

ROXANE (Follows them with her eyes.)

Poor fellows . . .

THE CADETS (acclamations)

Ah!

Ah!

CYRANO (Kisses her hand.)

Our good fairy!

RAGUENEAU (Standing on his box, like a mountebank before a crowd.)

Gentlemen! —

(enthusiasm)

THE CADETS Bravo!

Bravo!

RAGUENEAU The Spaniards, basking in our smiles,

310 Smiled on our baskets!

(applause)

CYRANO (aside, to CHRISTIAN)

Christian! —

RAGUENEAU They adored

The Fair, and missed —

(He takes from under the seat a dish, which he holds aloft.)

the Fowl!

(Applause. The dish is passed from hand to hand.)

CYRANO (as before, to CHRISTIAN)

One moment —

RAGUENEAU Venus

Charmed their eyes, while Adonis quietly

(Brandishing a ham.)

Brought home the Boar!

(Applause; the ham is seized by a score of hands outstretched.)

CYRANO (as before)

Pst — Let me speak to you —

ROXANE (as the Cadets return, their arms full of provisions)

Spread them out on the ground.

(calls)

Christian! Come here;

315 Make yourself useful.

(CHRISTIAN turns to her, at the moment when CYRANO was leading him aside. She arranges the food, with his aid and that of the two imperturbable footmen.)

RAGUENEAU Peacock, aux truffes!

FIRST CADET (Comes down, cutting a huge slice of the ham.)

Tonnerre!

We are not going to die without a gorge —

(Sees ROXANE; corrects himself hastily.)

Pardon — a banquet!

RAGUENEAU (Tossing out the cushions of the carriage.)

Open these — they are full

Of ortolans!2

(Tumult; laughter; the cushions are eviscerated.)

THIRD CADET Lucullus!

RAGUENEAU (Throws out bottles of red wine.)

Flasks of ruby —

(and of white)

Flasks of topaz —

ROXANE (Throws a tablecloth at the head of CYRANO.)

Come back out of your dreams!

320 Unfold this cloth —

RAGUENEAU (Takes off one of the lanterns of the carriage, and flourishes it.)

Our lamps are bonbonnières!3

CYRANO (to CHRISTIAN)

I must see you before you speak with her —

RAGUENEAU (more and more lyrical)

My whip-handle is one long sausage!

ROXANE (Pouring wine; passing the food.)

We

Being about to die, first let us dine!

Never mind the others — all for Gascoyne!

325 And if de Guiche comes, he is not invited!

(Going from one to another.)

Plenty of time — you need not eat so fast —

Hold your cup —

(to another)

What’s the matter?

THE CADET (sobbing)

735

You are so good

To us . . .

ROXANE There, there! Red or white wine?

— Some bread

For Monsieur de Carbon! — Napkins — A knife —

330 Pass your plate — Some of the crust? A little more —

Light or dark? — Burgundy? —

CYRANO (Follows her with an armful of dishes, helping to serve.)

Adorable!

ROXANE (Goes to CHRISTIAN.)

What would you like?

CHRISTIAN Nothing.

ROXANE Oh, but you must! —

A little wine? A biscuit?

CHRISTIAN Tell me first

Why you came —

ROXANE By and by. I must take care

Of these poor boys —

LE BRET (Who has gone up stage to pass up food to the sentry on the parapet, on the end of a lance.)

De Guiche! —

CYRANO Hide everything

Quick! — Dishes, bottles, tablecloth —

Now look

Hungry again —

(to RAGUENEAU)

You there! Up on your box —

— Everything out of sight? —

(In a twinkling, everything has been pushed inside the tents, hidden in their hats or under their cloaks. DE GUICHE enters quickly, then stops, sniffing the air. Silence.)

DE GUICHE It smells good here.

A CADET (Humming with an air of great unconcern.)

Sing ha-ha-ha and ho-ho-ho

DE GUICHE (Stares at him; he grows embarrassed.)

You there —

335 What are you blushing for?

THE CADET Nothing — my blood

Stirs at the thought of battle.

ANOTHER Pom . . . pom . . . pom! . . .

DE GUICHE (Turns upon him.)

What is that?

THE CADET (slightly stimulated)

Only song — only little song —

DE GUICHE You appear happy!

THE CADET Oh yes — always happy

Before a fight —

DE GUICHE (Calls to CARBON, for the purpose of giving him an order.)

Captain! I —

(Stops and looks at him.)

What the devil —

340 You are looking happy too! —

CARBON (Pulls a long face and hides a bottle behind his back.)

No!

DE GUICHE Here — I had

One gun remaining. I have had it placed

(He points off stage.)

There — in that corner — for your men.

A CADET (simpering)

So kind! —

Charming attention!

ANOTHER (same business; burlesque)

Sweet solicitude! —

DE GUICHE (contemptuous)

I believe you are both drunk —

(coldly)

Being unaccustomed

345 To guns — take care of the recoil!

FIRST CADET (gesture)

Ah-h . . . Pfft!

DE GUICHE (Goes up to him, furious.)

How dare you?

FIRST CADET A Gascon’s gun never recoils!

DE GUICHE (Shakes him by the arm.)

You are drunk —

FIRST CADET (superbly)

With the smell of powder!

DE GUICHE (Turns away with a shrug.)

Bah!

(to ROXANE)

Madame, have you decided?

ROXANE I stay here.

DE GUICHE You have time to escape —

ROXANE No!

DE GUICHE Very well —

350 Someone give me a musket!

736

CARBON What?

DE GUICHE I stay

Here also.

CYRANO (formally)

Sir, you show courage!

FIRST CADET A Gascon

In spite of all that lace!

ROXANE Why —

DE GUICHE Must I run

Away, and leave a woman?

SECOND CADET (to FIRST CADET)

We might give him

Something to eat — what do you say?

(All the food re-appears, as if by magic.)

DE GUICHE (His face lights up.)

A feast!

355 THIRD CADET Here a little, there a little

DE GUICHE (Recovers his self-control; haughtily.)

Do you think

I want your leavings?

CYRANO (saluting)

Colonel — you improve!

DE GUICHE I can fight as I am!

FIRST CADET (delighted)

Listen to him —

He has an accent!

DE GUICHE (laughs)

Have I so?

FIRST CADET A Gascon! —

A Gascon, after all!

(They all begin to dance.)

CARBON (Who has disappeared for a moment behind the parapet, reappears on top of it.)

I have placed my pikemen

360 Here.

(Indicates a row of pikes showing above the parapet.)

DE GUICHE (Bows to ROXANE.)

We’ll review them; will you take my arm?

(She takes his arm; they go up on the parapet. The rest uncover, and follow them up stage.)

CHRISTIAN (Goes hurriedly to CYRANO.)

Speak quickly!

(At the moment when ROXANE appears on the parapet the pikes are lowered in salute, and a cheer is heard. She bows.)

THE PIKEMEN (off stage)

Hurrah!

CHRISTIAN What is it?

CYRANO If Roxane . . .

CHRISTIAN Well?

CYRANO Speaks about your letters . . .

CHRISTIAN Yes — I know!

CYRANO Do not make the mistake of showing . . .

CHRISTIAN What?

CYRANO Showing surprise.

CHRISTIAN Surprise — why?

CYRANO I must tell you! . . .

365 It is quite simple — I had forgotten it

Until just now. You have . . .

CHRISTIAN Speak quickly! —

CYRANO You

Have written oftener than you think.

CHRISTIAN Oh — have I!

CYRANO I took upon me to interpret you;

And wrote — sometimes . . . without . . .

CHRISTIAN My knowing. Well?

370 CYRANO Perfectly simple!

CHRISTIAN Oh yes, perfectly! —

For a month, we have been blockaded here! —

How did you send all these letters?

CYRANO Before

Daylight, I managed —

CHRISTIAN I see. That was also

Perfectly simple!

— So I wrote to her,

375 How many times a week? Twice? Three times?

Four?

CYRANO Oftener.

CHRISTIAN Every day?

CYRANO Yes — every day . . .

Every single day . . .

CHRISTIAN (violently)

And that wrought you up

Into such a flame that you faced death —

CYRANO (Sees ROXANE returning.)

Hush —

Not before her!

(He goes quickly into the tent. ROXANE comes up to CHRISTIAN.)

ROXANE Now — Christian!

CHRISTIAN (Takes her hands.)

Tell me now

737

380 Why you came here — over these ruined roads —

Why you made your way among mosstroopers4

And ruffians — you — to join me here?

ROXANE Because —

Your letters . . .

CHRISTIAN Meaning?

ROXANE It was your own fault

If I ran into danger! I went mad —

385 Mad with you! Think what you have written me,

How many times, each one more wonderful

Than the last!

CHRISTIAN All this for a few absurd

Love-letters —

ROXANE Hush — absurd! How can you know?

I thought I loved you, ever since one night

390 When a voice that I never would have known

Under my window breathed your soul to me . . .

But — all this time, your letters — every one

Was like hearing your voice there in the dark,

All around me, like your arms around me . . .

(more lightly)

At last,

395 I came. Anyone would! Do you suppose

The prim Penelope had stayed at home

Embroidering, — if Ulysses wrote like you?

She would have fallen like another Helen —

Tucked up those linen petticoats of hers

400 And followed him to Troy!

CHRISTIAN But you —

ROXANE I read them

Over and over. I grew faint reading them.

I belonged to you. Every page of them

Was like a petal fallen from your soul —

Like the light and the fire of a great love,

405 Sweet and strong and true —

CHRISTIAN Sweet . . . and strong . . . and true . . .

You felt that, Roxane? —

ROXANE You know how I feel! . . .

CHRISTIAN So — you came . . .

ROXANE Oh my Christian, oh my king, —

Lift me up if I fall upon my knees —

It is the heart of me that kneels to you,

410 And will remain forever at your feet —

You cannot lift that! —

I came here to say

“Forgive me” — (It is time to be forgiven

Now, when we may die presently) — forgive me

For being light and vain and loving you

415 Only because you were beautiful.

CHRISTIAN (astonished)

Roxane! . . .

ROXANE Afterwards I knew better. Afterwards

(I had to learn to use my wings) I loved you

For yourself too — knowing you more, and loving

More of you. And now —

CHRISTIAN Now? . . .

ROXANE It is yourself

420 I love now: your own self.

CHRISTIAN (taken aback)

Roxane!

ROXANE (gravely)

Be happy! —

You must have suffered; for you must have seen

How frivolous I was; and to be loved

For the mere costume, the poor casual body

You went about in — to a soul like yours,

425 That must have been torture! Therefore with words

You revealed your heart. Now that image of you

Which filled my eyes first — I see better now,

And I see it no more!

CHRISTIAN Oh! —

ROXANE You still doubt

Your victory?

CHRISTIAN (miserably)

Roxane! —

ROXANE I understand:

430 You cannot perfectly believe in me —

A love like this —

CHRISTIAN I want no love like this!

I want love only for —

ROXANE Only for what

738

Every woman sees in you? I can do

Better than that!

CHRISTIAN No — it was best before!

435 ROXANE You do not altogether know me . . . Dear,

There is more of me than there was — with this,

I can love more of you — more of what makes

You your own self — Truly! . . . If you were less

Lovable —

CHRISTIAN No!

ROXANE — Less charming — ugly even —

440 I should love you still.

CHRISTIAN You mean that?

ROXANE I do

Mean that!

CHRISTIAN Ugly? . . .

ROXANE Yes. Even then!

CHRISTIAN (agonized)

Oh . . . God!

ROXANE Now are you happy?

CHRISTIAN (choking)

Yes . . .

ROXANE What is it?

CHRISTIAN (Pushes her away gently.)

Only . . .

Nothing . . . one moment . . .

ROXANE But —

CHRISTIAN (gesture toward THE CADETS)

I am keeping you

From those poor fellows — Go and smile at them;

445 They are going to die!

ROXANE (softly)

Dear Christian!

CHRISTIAN Go —

(She goes up among the Gascons who gather round her respectfully.)

Cyrano!

CYRANO (Comes out of the tent, armed for the battle.)

What is wrong? You look —

CHRISTIAN She does not

Love me any more.

CYRANO (smiles)

You think not?

CHRISTIAN She loves

You.

CYRANO No! —

CHRISTIAN (bitterly)

She loves only my soul.

CYRANO No!

CHRISTIAN Yes —

That means you. And you love her.

CYRANO I?

CHRISTIAN I see —

450 I know!

CYRANO That is true . . .

CHRISTIAN More than —

CYRANO (quietly)

More than that.

CHRISTIAN Tell her so!

CYRANO No.

CHRISTIAN Why not?

CYRANO Why — look at me!

CHRISTIAN She would love me if I were ugly.

CYRANO (startled)

She —

Said that?

CHRISTIAN Yes. Now then!

CYRANO (half to himself)

It was good of her

To tell you that . . .

(change of tone)

Nonsense! Do not believe

455 Any such madness —

It was good of her

To tell you. . . .

Do not take her at her word!

Go on — you never will be ugly — Go!

She would never forgive me.

CHRISTIAN That is what

We shall see.

CYRANO No, no —

CHRISTIAN Let her choose between us! —

460 Tell her everything!

CYRANO No — you torture me —

CHRISTIAN Shall I ruin your happiness, because

I have a cursed pretty face? That seems

Too unfair!

CYRANO And am I to ruin yours

Because I happen to be born with power

465 To say what you — perhaps — feel?

CHRISTIAN Tell her!

739

CYRANO Man —

Do not try me too far!

CHRISTIAN I am tired of being

My own rival!

CYRANO Christian! —

CHRISTIAN Our secret marriage —

No witnesses — fraudulent — that can be

Annulled —

CYRANO Do not try me —

CHRISTIAN I want her love

470 For the poor fool I am — or not at all!

Oh, I am going through with this! I’ll know,

One way or the other. Now I shall walk down

To the end of the post. Go tell her. Let her choose

One of us.

CYRANO It will be you.

CHRISTIAN God — I hope so!

(He turns and calls.)

475 Roxane!

CYRANO No — no —

ROXANE (Hurries down to him.)

Yes, Christian?

CHRISTIAN Cyrano

Has news for you — important.

(She turns to CYRANO. CHRISTIAN goes out.)

ROXANE (lightly)

Oh — important?

CYRANO He is gone . . .

(to ROXANE)

Nothing — only Christian thinks

You ought to know —

ROXANE I do know. He still doubts

What I told him just now. I saw that.

CYRANO (Takes her hand.)

Was it

480 True — what you told him just now?

ROXANE It was true!

I said that I should love him even . . .

CYRANO (smiling sadly)

The word

Comes hard — before me?

ROXANE Even if he were . . .

CYRANO Say it —

I shall not be hurt! — Ugly?

ROXANE Even then

I should love him.

(A few shots, off stage, in the direction in which CHRISTIAN disappeared.)

Hark! The guns —

CYRANO Hideous?

485 ROXANE Hideous.

CYRANO Disfigured?

ROXANE Or disfigured.

CYRANO Even

Grotesque?

ROXANE How could he ever be grotesque —

Ever — to me!

CYRANO But you could love him so,

As much as? —

ROXANE Yes — and more!

CYRANO (aside, excitedly)

It is true! — true! —

Perhaps — God! This is too much happiness . . .

(to ROXANE)

490 I — Roxane — listen —

LE BRET (Enters quickly; calls to CYRANO in a low tone.)

Cyrano —

CYRANO (turns)

Yes?

LE BRET Hush! . . .

(Whispers a few words to him.)

CYRANO (Lets fall ROXANE’S hand.)

Ah!

ROXANE What is it?

CYRANO (half stunned, and aside)

All gone . . .

ROXANE (more shots)

What is it? Oh,

They are fighting! —

(She goes up to look off stage.)

CYRANO All gone. I cannot ever

Tell her, now . . . ever . . .

ROXANE (Starts to rush away.)

What has happened?

CYRANO (Restrains her.)

Nothing.

(Several Cadets enter. They conceal something which they are carrying, and form a group so as to prevent ROXANE from seeing their burden.)

740

ROXANE These men —

CYRANO Come away . . .

(He leads her away from the group.)

ROXANE You were telling me

495 Something —

CYRANO Oh, that? Nothing . . . .

(gravely)

I swear to you

That the spirit of Christian — that his soul

Was —

(Corrects himself quickly.)

That his soul is no less great —

ROXANE (Catches at the word.)

Was?

(crying out)

Oh! —

(She rushes among the men, and scatters them.)

CYRANO All gone . . .

ROXANE (Sees CHRISTIAN lying upon his cloak.)

Christian!

LE BRET (to CYRANO)

At the first volley.

(ROXANE throws herself upon the body of CHRISTIAN. Shots; at first scattered, then increasing. Drums. Voices shouting.)

CARBON (sword in hand)

Here

They come! — Ready! —

(followed by the Cadets, he climbs over the parapet and disappears.)

ROXANE Christian!

CARBON (off stage)

Come on, there, You!

500 ROXANE Christian!

CARBON Fall in!

ROXANE Christian!

CARBON Measure your fuse!

(RAGUENEAU hurries up, carrying a helmet full of water.)

CHRISTIAN (faintly)

Roxane! . . .

CYRANO (Low and quick, in CHRISTIAN’S ear, while ROXANE is dipping into the water a strip of linen torn from her dress.)

I have told her; she loves you.

(CHRISTIAN closes his eyes.)

ROXANE (Turns to CHRISTIAN.)

Yes,

My darling?

CARBON Draw your ramrods!

ROXANE (to CYRANO)

He is not dead? . . .

CARBON Open your charges!

ROXANE I can feel his cheek

Growing cold against mine —

CARBON Take aim!

ROXANE A letter —

505 Over his heart —

(She opens it.)

For me.

CYRANO (aside)

My letter . . .

CARBON Fire!

(Musketry, cries and groans. Din of battle.)

CYRANO (Trying to withdraw his hand, which ROXANE, still upon her knees, is holding.)

But Roxane — they are fighting —

ROXANE Wait a little . . .

He is dead. No one else knew him but you . . .

(She weeps quietly.)

Was he not a great lover, a great man,

A hero?

CYRANO (Standing, bareheaded.)

Yes, Roxane.

ROXANE A poet, unknown,

510 Adorable?

CYRANO Yes, Roxane.

ROXANE A fine mind?

CYRANO Yes, Roxane.

ROXANE A heart deeper than we knew —

A soul magnificently tender?

CYRANO (firmly)

Yes,

Roxane!

ROXANE (Sinks down upon the breast of CHRISTIAN.)

He is dead now . . .

CYRANO (Aside; draws his sword.)

Why, so am I —

For I am dead, and my love mourns for me

515 And does not know . . .

(trumpets in distance)

741

DE GUICHE (Appears on the parapet, disheveled, wounded on the forehead, shouting.)

The signal — hark — the trumpets!

The army has returned — Hold them now! —Hold them!

The army! —

ROXANE On his letter — blood . . . and tears.

A VOICE (off stage)

Surrender!

THE CADETS No!

RAGUENEAU This place is dangerous! —

CYRANO (to DE GUICHE)

Take her away — I am going —

ROXANE (Kisses the letter; faintly.)

His blood . . . his tears . . .

RAGUENEAU (Leaps down from the coach and runs to her.)

520 She has fainted —

DE GUICHE (On the parapet; savagely, to the Cadets)

Hold them!

VOICE OFF STAGE Lay down your arms!

VOICES No! No!

CYRANO (to DE GUICHE)

Sir, you have proved yourself — Take care of her.

DE GUICHE (Hurries to ROXANE and takes her up in his arms.)

As you will — we can win, if you hold on

A little longer —

CYRANO Good!

(Calls out to ROXANE, as she is carried away, fainting, by DE GUICHE and RAGUENEAU.)

Adieu, Roxane!

(Tumult, outcries. Several Cadets come back wounded and fall on the stage. CYRANO, rushing to the fight, is stopped on the crest of the parapet by CARBON, covered with blood.)

CARBON We are breaking — I am twice wounded —

CYRANO (Shouts to the Gascons.)

Hardi!

525 Reculez pas, Drollos!

(To CARBON, holding him up.)

So — never fear!

I have two deaths to avenge now — Christian’s

And my own!

(They come down. CYRANO takes from him the lance with ROXANE’S handkerchief still fastened to it.)

Float, little banner, with her name!

(He plants it on the parapet; then shouts to The Cadets.)

Toumbé dessus! Escrasas lous!

(to the fifer)

Your fife!

Music!

(Fife plays. The wounded drag themselves to their feet. Other Cadets scramble over the parapet and group themselves around CYRANO and his tiny flag. The coach is filled and covered with men, bristling with muskets, transformed into a redoubt.)

A CADET (Reels backward over the wall, still fighting. Shouts.)

They are climbing over! —

(And falls dead.)

CYRANO Very good —

530 Let them come! — A salute now —

(The parapet is crowned for an instant with a rank of enemies. The imperial banner of Spain is raised aloft.)

Fire!

(general volley)

VOICE (among the ranks of the enemy)

Fire!

(Murderous counter-fire; the Cadets fall on every side.)

A SPANISH OFFICER (uncovers)

Who are these men who are so fond of death?

CYRANO (Erect amid the hail of bullets, declaims)

The Cadets of Gascoyne, the defenders

Of Carbon de Castel-Jaloux —

Free fighters, free lovers, free spenders

(He rushes forward, followed by a few survivors.)

535 The Cadets of Gascoyne . . .

(The rest is lost in the din of battle.)

(Curtain)