Act IV: The Cadets of GasconyScene VII
The same. De Guiche.
De Guiche
It smells good here.
A Cadet
Humming
Lo! Lo-lo!
De Guiche
Looking at him
What is the matter?—You are very red.
The Cadet
The matter?—Nothing!—’Tis my blood—boiling at the thought of the coming battle!
Another
Poum, poum—poum…
De Guiche
Turning round
What’s that?
The Cadet
Slightly drunk
Nothing!…’Tis a song!—a little…
De Guiche
You are merry, my friend!
The Cadet
The approach of danger is intoxicating!
De Guiche
Calling Carbon de Castel-Jaloux, to give him an order
Captain! I…
He stops short on seeing him
Plague take me! but you look bravely, too!
Carbon
Crimson in the face, hiding a bottle behind his back, with an evasive movement
Oh!…
De Guiche
I have one cannon left, and have had it carried there—
He points behind the scenes
—in that corner…Your men can use it in case of need.
A Cadet
Reeling slightly
Charming attention!
Another
With a gracious smile
Kind solicitude!
De Guiche
How? they are all gone crazy?
Drily
As you are not used to cannon, beware of the recoil.
First Cadet
Pooh!
De Guiche
Furious, going up to him
But…
The Cadet
Gascon cannons never recoil!
De Guiche
Taking him by the arm and shaking him
You are tipsy!—but what with?
The Cadet
Grandiloquently
—With the smell of powder!
De Guiche
Shrugging his shoulders and pushing him away, then going quickly to Roxane
Briefly, Madame, what decision do you deign to take?
Roxane
I stay here.
De Guiche
You must fly!
Roxane
No! I will stay.
De Guiche
Since things are thus, give me a musket, one of you!
Carbon
Wherefore?
De Guiche
Because I too—mean to remain.
Cyrano
At last! This is true valor, Sir!
First Cadet
Then you are Gascon after all, spite of your lace collar?
Roxane
What is all this?
De Guiche
I leave no woman in peril.
Second Cadet
To the first
Hark you! Think you not we might give him something to eat?
All the viands reappear as if by magic.
De Guiche
Whose eyes sparkle
Victuals!
The Third Cadet
Yes, you’ll see them coming from under every coat!
De Guiche
Controlling himself, haughtily
Do you think I will eat your leavings?
Cyrano
Saluting him
You make progress.
De Guiche
Proudly, with a light touch of accent on the word ‘breaking’
I will fight without br-r-eaking my fast!
First Cadet
With wild delight
Br-r-r-eaking! He has got the accent!
De Guiche
Laughing
I?
The Cadet
’Tis a Gascon!
All begin to dance.
Carbon de Castel-Jaloux
Who had disappeared behind the rampart, reappearing on the ridge
I have drawn my pikemen up in line. They are a resolute troop.
He points to a row of pikes, the tops of which are seen over the ridge.
De Guiche
Bowing to Roxane
Will you accept my hand, and accompany me while I review them?
She takes it, and they go up toward the rampart. All uncover and follow them.
Christian
Going to Cyrano, eagerly
Tell me quickly!
As Roxane appears on the ridge, the tops of the lances disappear, lowered for the salute, and a shout is raised. She bows.
The Pikemen
Outside
Vivat!
Christian
What is this secret?
Cyrano
If Roxane should…
Christian
Should?…
Cyrano
Speak of the letters?…
Christian
Yes, I know!…
Cyrano
Do not spoil all by seeming surprised…
Christian
At what?
Cyrano
I must explain to you!…Oh! ’tis no great matter—I but thought of it to- day on seeing her. You have…
Christian
Tell quickly!
Cyrano
You have…written to her oftener than you think…
Christian
How so?
Cyrano
Thus, ‘faith! I had taken it in hand to express your flame for you!…At times I wrote without saying, ‘I am writing!’
Christian
Ah!…
Cyrano
’Tis simple enough!
Christian
But how did you contrive, since we have been cut off, thus…to?…
Cyrano
…Oh! before dawn…I was able to get through…
Christian
Folding his arms
That was simple, too? And how oft, pray you, have I written?…Twice in the week?…Three times?…Four?…
Cyrano
More often still.
Christian
What! Every day?
Cyrano
Yes, every day,—twice.
Christian
Violently
And that became so mad a joy for you, that you braved death…
Cyrano
Seeing Roxane returning
Hush! Not before her!
He goes hurriedly into his tent.