From: "Cory Coleman" To: "'jason@kensai.com'" Subject: Cyrano Scenes Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 20:31:30 -0500 Hi there.. I was/am in the process of transcribing a 1923 translatioon of Cyrano for Project Gutenburg or the like. Knowing how long it would take before I got around to finishing all of it, I started with some of the best scenes. So in case you want these for the page, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was to the soul of CYRANO that I intended to dedicate this poem. But since that soul has been reborn in you, COQUELIN, it is to you that I dedicate it. E.R. (The first four Acts in 1640; the fifth in 1655) FIRST ACT A Performance at the Hotel de Bourgogne SECOND ACT The Bakery of the Poets THIRD ACT Roxane's Kiss FOURTH ACT The Cadets of Gascoyne FIFTH ACT Cyrano's Gazette THE PERSONS Cyrano de Bergerac Christian de Neuvilette Comte de Guiche Le Bret Carbon de Castel-Jaloux The Cadets Ligniere Vicomte de Valvert A Marquis Second Marquis Third Marquis Monfleury Bellerose Jodelet Cuigy Brissaile A Meddler A Musketeer Another Musketeer A Spanish Officer A Cavalier The Porter A Citizen His Son A Cut-Purse A Spectator A Sentry Bertandou the Fifer A capuchin Two Musician The Poets The Pastrycooks The Pages Roxane Her Duenna Lise The Orange-Girl Mother Marguerite de Jesus Sister Marthe Sister Claire An Actress A Soubrette The Flower-Girl The Crowd, Citizens, Marquis, Musketeers, Theives, Pastrycooks, Poets, Cadets of Gascoyne, Actors, Violins, Pages, Children, Spanish Soldierd, Dprvysyotd, Intellectuals, Academicians, Nuns, etc. 1 Act One A Performance at the Hotel de Bourgogne THE HALL, of the Hotel de Bourgogne in 1640. A sort of Tennis Court, arranged and decorated for Theatrical productions. The Hallis a long rectangle; we see it diagonally, in such a way that one side of it forms the back scene, which begins at the First Entrance on the Right and runs up to the Last Entrance on the Left, where it makes a right angle with the Stage which is seen obliquely. This stage is provided on either hand with benches placed along the wings. The curtain is formed by two lengths of Tapestry, which can be drawn apart. Above a Harlequin cloak, the Royal Arms. Broad steps lead from the Stage down to the floor of the Hall. On either side of these step, a place for THE MUSICIANS. A row of candles serves as footlights. Two tiers of galleries along the side of the Hall; the upper one divided into boxes. There are no seats upon the floor, which is the actual stage of our theatre; but toward the back of the Hall, on the right, a few benches are arranged; and underneath, a stairway on the extreme right, which leads up to the galleries, 2 and of which only the lower portion is visible, there is a sort of Sideboard, decorated with the little tapers, vases of flowers, bottles and glasses, plate of cake, et cetera. Father along toward the centre of our stage, is the Entrance to the Hall: a great double door which opens only slightly to admit the Audience. On one of the pnels of this door, also in other places about the Hall, and in particular just over the Sideboard, are Playbills in red, upon which we may read the title LA CLORISE. As the Curtain Rises, the Hall is dimly lighted and still empty. The Chandeliers are lowered to the floor, in the middle of the Hall, ready for lighting. (Sounds of voices outside the door. Then a Cavalier enters abruptly) THE PORTER (follows him) Hallo there!-Fifteen sols! THE CAVALIER I enter free. THE PORTER Why? THE CAVALIER Solidier of the Household of the King THE PORTER (turns to another Cavalier who has just entered) You? SECOND CAVALIER I pay nothing. 3 THE PORTER Why not? SECOND CAVALIER Musketeer! FIRST CAVALIER (to the Second) The play begins at two. Plenty of time-- And here's the whole floor empty. Shall we try Our exercise? (They fence with the foils which they have brought) A LACKEY (enters) -Pst! . . . Flanquin! . . . ANOTHER (already on stage) What, Champagne? FIRST LACKEY (showing games which he takes out of his doublet) Cards. Dice. Come on. (sits on the floor) SECOND LACKEY (same action) Come on, old cock! FIRST LACKEY (takes from his pocket a bit of candle, lights it, and sets it on the floor) I have stolen A little of my master's fire. A GUARDSMAN (to a Flower Girl, who comes forward) How sweet. Of you to come before they light the hall! (puts his arm arond her) *28* THE CROWD (applauds) Montlfleury! ... Bravo!... MONTFLEURY (after bowing to the applause, begins the rold of Phedon) "Thrice happy he who hide from pome and power In sylvan shade or solitary bower; Where balmy zephyrs fan his burning cheeks--" A VOICE (from the midst of the hall) Wretch! Have I not forbade you these three weeks? (Sensation. Everyone turns to look. Murmurs) SEVERAL VOICES What?... Where?... Who is ist? CUIGY Cyrano! LE BRET (in alarm) Himself! THE VOICE King of clowns! Leave the stage-- at once! THE CROWD Oh! MONTFLEURY Now, Now, now-- THE VOICE You disobey me? SEVERAL VOICES (from the floor, from the boxes) Hsh! Go on-- Quiet!-- Go on, Montfleury!-- Who's afraid?-- *29* MONTFLEURY (in a voice of no great assurance) "Thrice happy he who hides from..." THE VOICE (more menacingly) Well? Well? Well? Monarch of mountebanks! Must I come and plant A forest on your shoulders? (A cane at the end of a long arm shakes above the heads of the crowd.) MONFLEURY (in a voice increasingly feeble) "Thrice hap---" (The cane is violently agitated.) THE VOICE GO!!! THE CROWD Ah!... CYRANO (arises in the center of the floor, erect upon a chair, his arms folded, his hat cocked ferociously, his moustache bristling, his nose terrible) Presently, I shall grow angry! (Sensation at his appearance.) MONFLUERY (to The Marquis) Messieurs, If you protect me-- A MARQUIS (nonchalantly) Well-- proceed! CYRANO Fat swin! *30* If you dare breathe one balmy zephyr more, I'll fan your cheeks for you! THE MARQUIS Quiet down there! CYRANO Unless these gentleman retain their seats, My cane may bite their ribbons! ALL THE MARQUIS (on their feet) That will do!-- Montfleury-- CYRANO Fly, goose! Shoo! Take to your wings, Before I pluck your blumes, and draw your gorge! A VOICE See here!-- CYRANO Off stage! ANOTHER VOICE One momen-- CYRANO What-- still there? (turns back his cuffs deliberately) Very good-- then I enter-- Left-- with knife-- To care this large Italian sausage MONFLEURY (desperately attempting dignity) Sir, When you insult me, you insult the Muse! *31* CYRANO (with great politeness) Sir, if the Muse, who never knew your name, Had the honor to meet you-- then be sure That after one glance at that face of yours, That figure of a mortuary urn-- She would apply her bushkin-- towad the rear! THE CROWN Montfleury! ... Montfleury!... The play!... The play! CYRANO (to those who are shouting and crowding around him) Pray you, be gentle with my scabbard here-- She'll put her tongue out at you presently!-- (the circle enlarges) THE CROWD (recoiling) Keep back-- CYRANO (to Montfleury) Begone! THE CROWD (pushing in closer, and growling) Ahr!.. Ahr!... CYRANO (turns upon them) Did someone speak? (They recoil again.) A VOICE (in the back of the hall, sings) Monsieur de Cyrano Must be another Caesar-- Let Brutus lay him low, And play us La Clorise! *32* ALL THE CROWD (singing) La Clorise! La Clorise! CYRANO Let me hear one more word of of that same song, And I destroy you all! A CITIZEN Who might you be? Samson?-- CYRANO Precisely. Would you kindly lend me Your jawbone? A LADY (in one of the boxes) What an outrage! A NOBLE Scandalous! A CITIZEN Annoying! A PAGE What a game! THE CROWD Kss! Montfleury! Cyrano! CYRANO Silence! THE CROWD (delirious) Woof! Woof! Baaa! Cockadoo! *33* CYRANO I-- A PAGE Meow! CYRANO I say be silent! (His voice dominates the uproar. Momentary hush) And I offer One universal challenge to you all! Approach, young heroes-- I will take your names. Each in his turn-- no crowding! One, two, three-- Come, et your numbers-- who will head the list-- You, sir? No-- You? Ah, no. To the first man Who falls I'll build a monument! ... Not one? Will all who wish to die, please reaise their hands? I see. You are so modest, you might blush Before a sword naked. Sweet innocence! Not one name? Not one finger? ... Very well, The I go on: (Turning back toward the stage, where Montfleury waits in despair) I'd have out theater cured Of this carbuncle. Or if not, why then-- (His hand on his sword) The lancet! MONFLUERY I- *34* CYRANO (descends from his chair, seas himself comfortably in the center of the circle which has formed around hmi, and makes himself quite at home) Attend to me-- full moon! I will clap my hands three times--thus. At the third You will eclipse yourself THE CROWD (amused) Ah! CYRANO Ready? One. MONTFLEURY I-- A VOICE (from the boxes) No! THE CROWD He'll go-- He'll stay-- MONTFLEURY I really think, Gentelmen-- CYRANO Two. MONTFLEURY Perhaps I had better-- CYRANO Three! (Montfleury disappears, as if through a door. Temptest of laughter, hoots, and hisses.) *35* THE CROWD Yah!-- Coward-- Come back-- CYRANO (beaming, drops back in his chair and crosses his legs) Let him-- if he dare! A CITIZEN The Manager! Speech! Speech! (Bellerose advances and bows.) THE BOXES Ah! Bellerose! BELLEROSE (with elegance) Most noble-- most fair-- THE CROWD No! The Comedian-- Jodelet!-- JODELET (advances, and speaks through his nose) Lewd fellows of the baser sort-- THE CROWD Ha! Ha! Not bad! Bravo! JODELET No Bravos here! Our heavy tragedian with the voluptous bust Was taken suddenly THE CROWD Yah! Coward! *36* JODELET I mean... He had to be excused-- THE CROWD Call him back-- No!-- Yes!-- THE BOY (to Cyrano) After all, Monsieur, what reason have you To hate this Monfleury? CYRANO (graciously, still seated) My dear young man, I have two reasons, either one alone Conclusive. Primo: A lamentable actor, Who mouths his verse and moans his tragedy, And heaves up-- Ugh! like a hod-carrier, lines That ought to soar on their own wings. Secundo-- Well, that's my secret. THE OLD CITIZEN (behind him) But you close the place-- La Clorise-- by Baro! Are we to miss Our entertainment, merely-- CYRANO (respectfullly, turns his chair toward the man) My dear old boy, The poetry of Baro being worth Zero, or less, I feel that I have done Poetic justice! *37* THE INTELLECTUALS (in the boxes) Really!-- our Baro!-- My dear!-- Who ever?-- Ah, dieu! The idea!-- CYRANO (gallantly, turns his chair toward the boxes) Fair ladies-- shine upon us like the sun, Blossom like flowers around us-- be our songs, Heard in a dream-- Make sweet the hour of death, Smiling upon us as you close our eyes-- Inspired, but do not try to criticize! BELLEROSE Quite so-- and the mere money--possibly You would like that returned-- Yes? CYRANO Bellerose, You speak the first word of intelligence! I will not wound the mantle of the Muse-- Here, catch!-- (Throws him a purse) And hold your tongue. THE CROWD (astonished) Ah! Ah! JODELET (deftly catches the purses, weighs it in his hand) Monsieur, You are hereby authorized to close our play Every night, on the same terms. THE CROWD Boo! *60* CYRANO In all this world-- most sweet Also; most wise; most witty, and most fair! LE BRET Who and what is this woman? CYRANO Dangerous Mortally, without meaning; exquisite Without imagining. Nature's own snare To allure manhood. A white rose wherein Love lies in ambush for his natural prey. Who knows her smile has known a perfect thing. She creates grace in her own image, brings Heaven to Earth in one movement of her hand-- Nor thou, O Venus! Balancing thy shell Over ther Mediterranean blue, nor thou, Diana! Marching through broad, blossoming woods, Art so divine as when she mounts her chair, And goes abroad through Paris! LE BRET Oh, well-- of course, That makes everything clear! CYRANO Transparently. LE BRET Madeleine Robin-- your cousin? *61* CYRANO Yes; Roxane. LE BRET And why not? If you love her, tell her so! You have covered yourself with glory in her eyes This very day. CYRANO My old friend-- look at me, And tell me how much hope remains for me With its protuberance! Oh, I have no more Illusions! Now and then-- bah! I may grow Tender, walkling alone in the blue cool Of evening, through some garden fresh with flowers After the benediction of the rain; My poor big devil of a nose inhales April... and so I follow with my eye Where some boy, with a girl upon his arm, Passes a patch of silver... and I feel Somehow, I wish I had a woman too, Walking with little steps under the moon, And holding my arm so, and smiling. Then I dream--- and I forget... And then I see The shadow of my profile on the wall! LE BRET My friend!... 278 The hour!- He will be coming now-- my silks- All done striking? He never was so late Before! The sister at my door--my thimble... Here it is--she must be exhorting him To repent all his sins... (A pause) He ought to be Converted, by this time-- Another leaf-- (A dead leaf falls on her work; she brushes it away) Certainly nothing could--my scissors-- ever Keep him away-- A NUN (appears on the steps) Monsierd de Begerac ROXANE (without turning) What was I saying? ... Hard, sometimes, to match These faded colors (While she goes on working, Cyrano appears at the top of the steps, very pale, his hat drawn over his eyes. The Nun who has brought him in goes away. He begins to descend the steps leaning on his cane, and holding himself on his feet only by an evident effort. Roxane turns to him, with a tone of friendly banter) After fourteen years, Late-- for the first time! CYRANO (reaches the chair, and sinks into it; his gay tone constrasting with his tortured face) Yes, yes-- maddening! I was detained by-- 279 ROXANE Well? CYRANO A visitor, Most unexpected. ROXANE (carelessly, still sewing) Was your visitor Tiresome? CYRANO Why hardly that-- inopportune, Let us say-- an old friend of mine-- at least a very old acquaintance ROXANE Did you tell him To go away? CYRANO For the time being, yes. I said: "Excuse me-- this is Saturday-- I have a previous engagement, one I cannot miss, even for you-- Come back An hour from now ROXANE Your friend will have to wait; I shall not let you go till dark. CYRANO Perhaps *280* A little before dark, I must go.. (He leans back in the chair, and closes his eyes. Sister Marthe corsses above the stairway. Roxanne sees her, motions her to wait, then turns to Cyrano) ROXANE Look-- Somebody waiting to be teased. CYRANO (quickly, opens his eyes) Of course! (in a big comical voice) Sister, approach! (Sister Marthe glides towards him) Beautiful downcast eyes!-- So shy-- SISTER MARHTE (looks up, smiling) You-- (she sees his face) Oh! Cyrano (indicates Roxane) Sh!-- Careful! (resumes his burlesque tone) Yesterday, I ate meat again. SISTER MARTHE Yes, I know. (Aside) That is why *281* He looks so pale... (To him: low and quickly) In the refectory, Before you go--come to me there-- I'll make you A great bowl of hot soup-- Will you come? CYRANO (boisterously) Ah! Will I come! SISTER MARTHE You are quite reasonable Today! ROXANE Has she converted you? SISTER MARTHE Oh, no-- Not for the world!-- CYRANO Why, now I think of it-- That is so-- You, bursting with holiness, And yet you never preach! Astonishing I call it... (with burlesque ferocity) Ah-- now I'll astonish you-- I am going to-- (with the air of seeking for a good joke and finding it) --Let you pray for me Tonight, at vespers! *282* ROXANE Aha! CYRANO Look at her-- Absolutely struck dumb! SISTER MARHE (gently) I did not wait For you to say that I might. (She goes out.) CYRANO (returns to Roxane, who is bending over her work) Now, may the devil Admire me, if I ever hope to see The end of that embroidery! ROXANE (smiling) I thought It was time you said that. (A breath of wind causes a few leaves to fall) CYRANO The leaves-- ROXANE (raises her head and looks away through the trees) What color-- Perfect Venetian red! Look at them fall. Cyrano Yes-- they know how to die. A little way *283* From the branch to the earth, a little fear Of mingling with the common dust-- and yet They go down gracefully-- a fall that seems Like flying ROXANE Melancholy--- you? CYRANO Why, no, Roxane! ROXANE Then let the leaves fall. Tell me now The Court news-- my Gazette CYRANO Let me see-- ROXANE Ah! CYRANO (more and more pale, struggling against pain) Saturday, the nineteenth: The King fell ill, After eight helpings of grape marmalade, His malady was brought before the court, Found guilty of high treason; whereupon His Majest revived. The royal pulse Is now normal. Sunday, the twentieth: The Queen gave a grand ball, at which they burned Seven hundred and sixty-three wax candles. Note: *284* They say our troops have been victorious In Austria. Later: Three sorcerers Have been hung. Special post: The little dog Of Madame d'Athis was obliged to take Four pills before-- ROXANE Monsieur de Bergerac, Will you kindly be quiet! CYRANO Monday... nothing. Lygdamire has a new lover. ROXANE Oh, CYRANO (his face more and more altered) Tuesday, The twenty-second: All the court has gone To fontainebleau. Wednesday: The Comte de Fiesque Spoke to Madame de Montglat; she said No. Thursday: Mancini was the Queen of France Or-- very nearly! Friday: La Montglat Said Yes. Saturday twenty-sixth... (His eyes close; his head sinks back; silence.) ROXANE (surprised at not hearing any more, turns, looks at him, and rises, frightened) He has fainted-- (She runs to him, crying out) Cyrano! *285* CYRANO (opens his eyes) What... What is it?... (He sees Roxane leaning over him, and quickly pulls his hat down over his head and leans back away from her in the chair) No-- oh no-- It is nothing-- truly! ROXANE But-- CYRANO My old wound-- At Arras-- sometimes-- you know... ROXANE My poor friend! CYRANO Oh it is nothing; it will soon be gone... (Forcing a smile) There! It is gone. ROXANE (standing close to him) We all have our old wounds-- I have mine--here... (her hand at her breast) under this faded scrap Of writing... It is had to read now.-- all But the blood-- and the tears... (Twilight begins to fall.) *286* CYRANO His letter! ... Did you Not promise me that some day... that some day You would let me read it? ROXANE His letter? -- You... You wish-- CYRANO I do wish it-- today. ROXANE (gives him the little silken bag from around her neck) Here... CYRANO May I... open it? ROXANE Open it, and read. (She goes back to her work, folds it again, rearranges her silks.) CYRANO (unfolds letter; reads) "Farewell Roxane, because today I die--" ROXANE (looks up, surprised) Aloud? CYRANO (reads) "I know that it will be today, My own dearly-- and my heart *287* Still so heavy with love I have not told, And I die without telling you! No more Shall my eyes drink the sight of you like wine, Never more, with a look that is a kiss, Follow the sweet grace of you--" ROXANE How well you read it-- His letter! CYRANO (continues) "I remeber now the way You have, of pushing back a lock of hair With one hand, from your forehead-- and my heart Cries out-- " ROXANE His letter... and you read it so... (The darkness increases inperceptibly) CYRANO "Cries out and keeps crying: 'Farewell, my dear, My dearest--'" ROXANE In a voice... CYRANO "--My own heart's own, My own treasure--" ROXANE (dreamily) In such a voice.. *288* CYRANO --"My love--" ROXANE --As I remember hearing... (She trembles) --long ago... (She comes near him, softly, without his seeing her; passes the chair, leans over silently, looking at the letter. The darkness increases.) CYRANO "--I am never away from you. Even now, I shall not leave you. In another world, I shall be still that one who loves you Beyond measure, beyond--" ROXANE (lays her hand on his shoulder) How can you read Now? It is dark... (He starts, turns, and sees her there close to him. A little movement of surpise, almost out of fear; then he bows his head. A long pause; then in the twilight now completely fallen, she says very softly, clasping her hands) And all these fourteen years, He has been the old friend, who came to me To be amusing. CYRANO Roxane!-- ROXANE It was you. *289* CYRANO No, no, Roxane, no! ROXANE And I might have known, Every time that I heard you speak my name!... CYRANO No-- It was not I-- ROXANE It was... you! CYRANO I swear-- ROXANE I understand everything now. The letters-- That was you... CYRANO No! ROXANE And the dear, foolish words-- That was you... CYRANO No! ROXANE And the voice... in the dark... Tha was.. you! *290* CYRANO On my honor-- ROXANE And... the Soul!-- That was all you. CYRANO I never loved you-- ROXANE Yes, You loved me. CYRANO (desperately) No-- He loved you-- ROXANE Even now, You love me! CYRANO (his voice weakens) No! ROXANE (smiling) And why.. so great a No? CYRANO No, no, my dear love, I love you not! ... (Pause) ROXANE How many thing have died... and are newborn! ... *291* Why were you silent for so many years, All the while, every night and every day, He gave me nothing-- you knew that--- You knew Here, in this letter lying on my breast, Your tears-- You knew that were your tears--- CYRANO (holding the letter out to her) The blood Was his. ROXANE Why do you break that silence now, Today? CYRANO Why? Oh, because-- (Le Bret and Ragueneau enter, running.) LE BRET What recklessness-- I knew it! He is here! CYRANO (smiling, and trying to rise) Well? Here I am! RAGUENEAU He has killed himself, Madame, coming here! ROXANE He-- Oh, God... And that faintness... was that?-- *292* CYRANO No, Nothing! I did not finish my Gazette-- Saturday, twenty-sixth: An hour or so Before dinner, Monsier de Bergerac Died, foully murdered (He uncoverse his head, and shows it swathed in bandages.) ROXANE Oh, what does he mean?-- Cyrano!-- What have they done to you?-- CYRANO "Struck down By the sword of a hero, let me fall-- Steel in my heart, and laughter on my lips!" Yes, I said that once. How Fate loves a jest!-- Behold me ambushed-- taken in the rear-- My battlefield a gutter-- my noble foe A lacky, with a log of wood! ... It seems Too logical-- I have missed everything, Even my death! RAGUENEAU (breaks down) Ah, Monsieur!-- CYRANO Ragueneau, Stop blubbering! (Takes his hand) What are you writing nowadays, Old poet? *292* RAGUENEAU (through his tears) I am not a poet now; I snuff the-- light the candles-- for Moliere! CYRANO Oh--Moliere! RAGUENEAU Yes, but I am leaving him Tommorrow. Yesterday they played Scapin-- He has stolen your scene-- LE BRET The whole scene-- word for word! RAGUENEAU Yes: "What the devil is he doing there"-- That one! LE BRET (furious) And Moliere stole it all from you-- Bodily!-- CYRANO Bah-- He showed good taste... (To Ragueneau) The scene Went well? ... RAGUENEAU Ah, Monsieru, they laughed-- and laughed-- How they did laugh! *294* CYRANO Yes-- that has been my life. Do you remember that night Christian spoke Under your window? It was alway so! While I stood in the darkness underneath, Others climbed up to win the applause-- the kiss!-- Well-- that seems only justice-- I still say, Even now, on the threshold of my tomb-- "Moliere has genius-- Christian had good looks--" (The chapel bell is ringing. Along the acenue of trees above the stairway, The Nuns pass in a procession to their prayers) They are going to prey now; there is the bell. ROXANE (raises herself and calls to them) Sister!--Sister!-- CYRANO (holding on to her hand) No,-- do not go away-- I may not still be here when you return... (The Nuns have gone into the chapel. The organ begins to play) A little harmony is all I need-- Listen... ROXANE You shall not die! I love you!-- CYRANO No-- That is not in the story! You remember *295* When Beauty said "I love you" to the Beast That was a fairy prince, his ugliness Changed and dissolved, like magic... But you see I am still the same. ROXANE And I-- I have done This to you! All my fault-- Mine! CYRANO You? Why, n. On the contrary! I had never known Womanhood and its sweetness but for you. My mother did not love to look at me-- I never had a sister-- Later on, I feared the mistress with a mockery Behind her smile. But you-- because of you I have had one friend not quite all a friend-- Across my life, one whispering silken gown!... LE BRET (points to the rising moon which begins to shine down between the trees) Your other friend is looking at you. CYRANO (smiling at the moon) I see... ROXANE I never loved but one man in my life, And I have lost him-- twice... CYRANO Le Bret-- I shall be up there presently *296* On the moon-- without having to invent Any flying-machines! ROXANE What are you saying? ... CYRANO The moon-- yes, that would be the place for me-- My kind of paradise. I shall find there Those other souls who should be friends of mine-- Socrates-- Galileo-- LE BRET (revolting) No! No! No! It is too idiotic-- too unfair-- Such a friend-- such a poet-- such a man To die so-- to die so!-- CYRANO (affectionately) There goes Le Bret, Growling! LE BRET (breaks down) My friend!-- CYRANO (half raises himself, his eye wanders) The Cadets of Gascoyne, The Defenders... The elementary mass-- Ah-- there's the point! Now, then... LE BRET Delirious-- And all that learning-- *297* CYRANO On the other hand, We have Copernicus-- ROXANE Oh! CYRANO (more and more delirious) "Very well, But what the devil was he doing there?-- What the devil was he doing there, up there?"... (He declaims) Philosopher and scientist-- Poet, musician, duellist-- He flew high, and fell back again! A pretty wit-- whose like we lack-- A lover... not like other men.. Here lies Hercule-Savinien De Cyrano de Bergerac-- Who was all things-- and all in vain! Well, I must go-- pardon-- I cannot stay! My moonbeam comes to carry me away... (he falls back into the chair, half fainting. The sobbing of Roxane recalls him to reality. Gradually his mind comes back to him. He looks at her, stroking the veil that hides her hair) I would not have you weep any less For that good, brave, noble Christian; But perhaps-- I ask you only this-- when the great cold Gathers around my bones, that you may give A double meaning to your widow's weeds *298* And when you let fall your tears for him, Some few... will be.. for me... ROXANE (sobbing) Oh, my love! ... CYRANO (suddenly shaken as with a fever fit, he raises himself erect and pushes her away) --Not there!-- Not lying down! ... (They spring forward to help him; he motions them back) Let no one help me-- no one!-- Only the tree... (He sets his back against the trunk. Pause) It is coming... I feel Already shod with marble... gloved with lead... (Joyously) Let the old fellow come now! He shall find me On my feet-- sword in hand-- (Draws his sword) LE BRET Cyrano!- ROXANE (half fainting) Oh, Cyrano! CYRANO I can see him there-- he grins-- *299* He is looking at my nose-- that skeleton --What's that you say? Hopeless??-- Why, very well!-- But a man does not fight merely to win! No-- no-- better to know one fights in vain!... You there-- Who are you? A hundred against one--- I know them now, my ancient enemies-- (He lunges at the empty air) Falsehood!... There! There! Prejudice-- Compromise-- Cowardice-- (thrusting) What's that? No! Surrender? No! Never-- never! Ah, you too, Vanity! I knew you would overthrow me in the end-- No! I fight on! I fight on! I fight on! (He swings the blade in great circles, then pauses, gasping. When he speaks again, it is another tone) Yes, all my laurels you have riven away And all my roses; yet in spite of you, There is one crown I bear away with me, And tonight, when I enter before God, My salute shall sweep all the stars away From the blue threshold! One thing without stain, Unspotted from the world, in spite of doom Mine own!-- (He springs forward, his sword aloft) And that is... (The sword escapes for his hand; he totters, and falls into the arms of Le Bret and Ragueneau) *300* ROXANNE --That is... CYRANO (opens his eyes and smiles up at her) My white plume... (Curtain)