Act II: The Poet’s Eating-HouseScene VI
Cyrano, Roxane.
Cyrano
Blessed be the moment when you condescend—Remembering that humbly I exist—To come to meet me, and to say…to tell?…
Roxane
Who has unmasked
To thank you first of all. That dandy count,Whom you checkmated in brave sword-playLast night,…he is the man whom a great lord,Desirous of my favor…
Cyrano
Ha, De Guiche?
Roxane
Casting down her eyes
Sought to impose on me…for husband…
Cyrano
Ay! Husband!—dupe-husband!…Husband a la mode!
Bowing
Then I fought, happy chance! sweet lady, notFor my ill favor—but your favors fair!
Roxane
Confession next!…But, ere I make my shrift,You must be once again that brother-friendWith whom I used to play by the lake-side!…
Cyrano
Ay, you would come each spring to Bergerac!
Roxane
Mind you the reeds you cut to make your swords?…
Cyrano
While you wove corn-straw plaits for your dolls’ hair!
Roxane
Those were the days of games!…
Cyrano
And blackberries!…
Roxane
In those days you did everything I bid!…
Cyrano
Roxane, in her short frock, was Madeleine…
Roxane
Was I fair then?
Cyrano
You were not ill to see!
Roxane
Ofttimes, with hands all bloody from a fall,You’d run to me! Then—aping mother-ways—I, in a voice would-be severe, would chide,—
She takes his hand
‘What is this scratch, again, that I see here?’
She starts, surprised
Oh! ’Tis too much! What’s this?
Cyrano tries to draw away his hand
No, let me see!At your age, fie! Where did you get that scratch?
Cyrano
I got it—playing at the Porte de Nesle.
Roxane
Seating herself by the table, and dipping her handkerchief in a glass of water
Give here!
Cyrano
Sitting by her
So soft! so gay maternal-sweet!
Roxane
And tell me, while I wipe away the blood,How many ’gainst you?
Cyrano
Oh! A hundred—near.
Roxane
Come, tell me!
Cyrano
No, let be. But you, come tellThe thing, just now, you dared not…
Roxane
Keeping his hand
Now, I dare!The scent of those old days emboldens me!Yes, now I dare. Listen. I am in love.
Cyrano
Ah!…
Roxane
But with one who knows not.
Cyrano
Ah!…
Roxane
Not yet.
Cyrano
Ah!…
Roxane
But who, if he knows not, soon shall learn.
Cyrano
Ah!…
Roxane
A poor youth who all this time has lovedTimidly, from afar, and dares not speak…
Cyrano
Ah!…
Roxane
Leave your hand; why, it is fever-hot!—But I have seen love trembling on his lips.
Cyrano
Ah!…
Roxane
Bandaging his hand with her handkerchief
And to think of it! that he by chance—Yes, cousin, he is of your regiment!
Cyrano
Ah!…
Roxane
Laughing
—Is cadet in your own company!
Cyrano
Ah!…
Roxane
On his brow he bears the genius-stamp;He is proud, noble, young, intrepid, fair…
Cyrano
Rising suddenly, very pale
Fair!
Roxane
Why, what ails you?
Cyrano
Nothing; ’tis…
He shows his hand, smiling
This scratch!
Roxane
I love him; all is said. But you must knowI have only seen him at the Comedy…
Cyrano
How? You have never spoken?
Roxane
Eyes can speak.
Cyrano
How know you then that he…?
Roxane
Oh! people talk’Neath the limes in the Place Royale…Gossip’s chatHas let me know…
Cyrano
He is cadet?
Roxane
In the Guards.
Cyrano
His name?
Roxane
Baron Christian de Neuvillette.
Cyrano
How now?…He is not of the Guards!
Roxane
To-dayHe is not join your ranks, under CaptainCarbon de Castel-Jaloux.
Cyrano
Ah, how quick,How quick the heart has flown!…But, my poor child…
The Duenna
Opening the door
The cakes are eaten, Monsieur Bergerac!
Cyrano
Then read the verses printed on the bags!
She goes out
…My poor child, you who love but flowing words,Bright wit,—what if he be a lout unskilled?
Roxane
No, his bright locks, like D’Urfe’s heroes…
Cyrano
Ah!A well-curled pate, and witless tongue, perchance!
Roxane
Ah no! I guess—I feel—his words are fair!
Cyrano
All words are fair that lurk ’neath fair mustache!—Suppose he were a fool!…
Roxane
Stamping her foot
Then bury me!
Cyrano
After a pause
Was it to tell me this you brought me here?I fail to see what use this serves, Madame.
Roxane
Nay, but I felt a terror, here, in the heart,On learning yesterday you were GasconsAll of your company…
Cyrano
And we provokeAll beardless sprigs that favor dares admit’Midst us pure Gascons—(pure! Heaven save the mark!They told you that as well?
Roxane
Ah! Think how ITrembled for him!
Cyrano
Between his teeth
Not causelessly!
Roxane
But whenLast night I saw you,—brave, invincible,—Punish that dandy, fearless hold your ownAgainst those brutes, I thought—I thought, if heWhom all fear, all—if he would only…
Cyrano
Good.I will befriend your little Baron.
Roxane
Ah!You’ll promise me you will do this for me?I’ve always held you as a tender friend.
Cyrano
Ay, ay.
Roxane
Then you will be his friend?
Cyrano
I swear!
Roxane
And he shall fight no duels, promise!
Cyrano
None.
Roxane
You are kind, cousin! Now I must be gone.
She puts on her mask and veil quickly; then, absently
You have not told me of your last night’s fray.Ah, but it must have been a hero-fight!…—Bid him to write.
She sends him a kiss with her fingers
How good you are!
Cyrano
Ay! Ay!
Roxane
A hundred men against you? Now, farewell.—We are great friends?
Cyrano
Ay, ay!
Roxane
Oh, bid him write!You’ll tell me all one day—A hundred men!—Ah, brave!…How brave!
Cyrano
Bowing to her
I have fought better since.
(She goes out. Cyrano stands motionless, with eyes on the ground. A silence. The door (right) opens. Ragueneau looks in.)