Act IV: The Cadets of GasconyScene VI
The same, all but De Guiche.
Christian
Entreatingly
Roxane!
Roxane
No!
First Cadet
To the others
She stays!
All
Hurrying, hustling each other, tidying themselves
A comb!—Soap!—My uniform is torn!—A needle!—A ribbon!—Lend your mirror!—My cuffs!—Your curling-iron!—A razor!…
Roxane
To Cyrano, who still pleads with her
No! Naught shall make me stir from this spot!
Carbon
Who, like the others, has been buckling, dusting, brushing his hat, settling his plume, and drawing on his cuffs, advances to Roxane, and ceremoniously
It is perchance more seemly, since things are thus, that I present to you some of these gentlemen who are about to have the honor of dying before your eyes.
Roxane bows, and stands leaning on Christian’s arm, while Carbon introduces the cadets to her
Baron de Peyrescous de Colignac!
The Cadet
With a low reverence
Madame…
Carbon
Continuing
Baron de Casterac de Cahuzac,—Vidame de Malgouyre Estressac Lésbas d’Escarabiot, Chevalier d’Antignac-Juzet, Baron Hillot de Blagnac-Salechan de Castel Crabioules…
Roxane
But how many names have you each?
Baron Hillot
Scores!
Carbon
To Roxane
Pray, open the hand that holds your kerchief.
Roxane
Opens her hand, and the handkerchief falls
Why?
The whole company start forward to pick it up.
Carbon
Quickly raising it
My company had no flag. But now, by my faith, they will have the fairest in all the camp!
Roxane
Smiling
’Tis somewhat small.
Carbon
Tying the handkerchief on the staff of his lance
But—’tis of lace!
A Cadet
To the rest
I could die happy, having seen so sweet a face, if I had something in my stomach—were it but a nut!
Carbon
Who has overheard, indignantly
Shame on you! What, talk of eating when a lovely woman!…
Roxane
But your camp air is keen; I myself am famished. Pasties, cold fricassée, old wines—there is my bill of fare? Pray bring it all here.
Consternation.
A Cadet
All that?
Another
But where on earth find it?
Roxane
Quietly
In my carriage.
All
How?
Roxane
Now serve up—carve! Look a little closer at my coachman, gentlemen, and you will recognize a man most welcome. All the sauces can be sent to table hot, if we will!
The Cadets
Rushing pellmell to the carriage
’Tis Ragueneau!
Acclamations
Oh, oh!
Roxane
Looking after them
Poor fellows!
Cyrano
Kissing her hand
Kind fairy!
Ragueneau
Standing on the box like a quack doctor at a fair
Gentlemen!…
General delight.
The Cadets
Bravo! bravo!
Ragueneau
…The Spaniards, gazing on a lady so dainty fair, overlooked the fare so dainty!…
Applause.
Cyrano
In a whisper to Christian
Hark, Christian!
Ragueneau
…And, occupied with gallantry, perceived not—
He draws a plate from under the seat, and holds it up
—The galantine!…
Applause. The galantine passes from hand to hand.
Cyrano
Still whispering to Christian
Prythee, one word!
Ragueneau
And Venus so attracted their eyes that Diana could secretly pass by with—
He holds up a shoulder of mutton
—her fawn!
Enthusiasm. Twenty hands are held out to seize the shoulder of mutton.
Cyrano
In a low whisper to Christian
I must speak to you!
Roxane
To the cadets, who come down, their arms laden with food
Put it all on the ground!
She lays all out on the grass, aided by the two imperturbable lackeys who were behind the carriage.
Roxane
To Christian, just as Cyrano is drawing him apart
Come, make yourself of use!
Christian comes to help her. Cyrano’s uneasiness increases.
Ragueneau
Truffled peacock!
First Cadet
Radiant, coming down, cutting a big slice of ham
By the mass! We shall not brave the last hazard without having had a gullet-full!—
Quickly correcting himself on seeing Roxane
—Pardon! A Balthazar feast!
Ragueneau
Throwing down the carriage cushions
The cushions are stuffed with ortolans!
Hubbub. They tear open and turn out the contents of the cushions. Bursts of laughter—merriment.
Third Cadet
Ah! Viedaze!
Ragueneau
Throwing down to the cadets bottles of red wine
Flasks of rubies!—
And white wine
—Flasks of topaz!
Roxane
Throwing a folded tablecloth at Cyrano’s head
Unfold me that napkin!—Come, come! be nimble!
Ragueneau
Waving a lantern
Each of the carriage-lamps is a little larder!
Cyrano
In a low voice to Christian, as they arrange the cloth together
I must speak with you ere you speak to her.
Ragueneau
My whip-handle is an Arles sausage!
Roxane
Pouring out wine, helping
Since we are to die, let the rest of the army shift for itself. All for the Gascons! And mark! if De Guiche comes, let no one invite him!
Going from one to the other
There! there! You have time enough! Do not eat too fast!—Drink a little.—Why are you crying?
First Cadet
It is all so good!…
Roxane
Tut!—Red or white?—Some bread for Monsieur de Carbon!—a knife! Pass your plate!—a little of the crust? Some more? Let me help you!—Some champagne?—A wing?
Cyrano
Who follows her, his arms laden with dishes, helping her to wait on everybody
How I worship her!
Roxane
Going up to Christian
What will you?
Christian
Nothing.
Roxane
Nay, nay, take this biscuit, steeped in muscat; come!… but two drops!
Christian
Trying to detain her
Oh! tell me why you came?
Roxane
Wait; my first duty is to these poor fellows.—Hush! In a few minutes…
Le Bret
Who had gone up to pass a loaf on the end of a lance to the sentry on the rampart
De Guiche!
Cyrano
Quick! hide flasks, plates, pie-dishes, game-baskets! Hurry!—Let us all look unconscious!
To Ragueneau
Up on your seat!—Is everything covered up?
In an instant all has been pushed into the tents, or hidden under doublets, cloaks, and beavers. De Guiche enters hurriedly—stops suddenly, sniffing the air. Silence.