What is it?
SENTINEL(on the embankment).
A coach!
(All rush up to look.)
CRIES.
What! In the camp?—Coming in!—It seems to come from the enemy!—Diantre! Fire!—No! the coachman shouted!—Shouted what?—Shouted: "Service of the King."
(They are all on the embankment, looking into the distance. The sound of carriage bells grows nearer and nearer.)
GUICHE.
What? of the King!....
(All come down again and form in line.)
CARBON.
Hats off, all!
GUICHE(to those in the distance).
Of the King! I said.—Make way, you rabble, so that he can swing around in state.
(The coach enters on a full trot. It is covered with mud and dust. The curtains are closed. Two lackeys behind. It stops short.)
CARBON(shouting).
Salute!
(Drums beat.)
GUICHE.
Lower the step!
(Two men advance rapidly. The coach door opens.)
ROXANE(jumping out of coach).
How are you all?
(On hearing a woman's voice, they all, from a profound inclination, suddenly straighten up. Stupor.)
The same,ROXANE.
GUICHE.
Service of the King! You?
ROXANE.
Certainly, of the only king there is: Love!
CYRANO.
Great God.
CHRISTIAN(rushing up to her).
You, Roxane! Wherefor?
ROXANE.
Oh! this siege was entirely too long.
CHRISTIAN.
But the reason?....
ROXANE.
I'll tell you later.
CYRANO(he has remained motionless, without daring to look at her).
Heavens! Shall I face her?
GUICHE.
You cannot remain here!
ROXANE(gayly).
Oh! yes, I can! Will you be kind enough to bring up a drum?
(One of the Cadets brings up a drum, on which she sits.)
There! thank you.
(laughing).
Do you know that they fired on my coach? It looks like a squash, does it not? As in the fairy tale; and the lackeys like rats.
(sending a kiss to Christian).
How are you, dear?
(looking around at them all).
You don't seem to be very merry here! I didn't know that Arras was so far off.
(looking at Cyrano).
Cousin, delighted!
CYRANO(advancing).
Roxane, tell me how?....
ROXANE.
How I managed to find the army? Oh! my dear friend, it was the simplest thing in the world: I drove on so long as I saw the country laid waste. Such horrors must be seen to be believed! If that is the service of your King, gentlemen, my service is a better one.
CYRANO.
Come, this is foolhardiness! How could you pass?
ROXANE.
How? Why! Right through the Spanish army.
FIRST CADET.
Oh! women. They are knowing ones!
GUICHE.
But how could you get through their lines?
LE BRET.
It must have been very difficult!
ROXANE.
Why! No. I just went along, in my coach, on a trot. Whenever one of the Dons showed his haughty face, I put on and displayed through the window my most fascinating smile, and these gentlemen being, whatever the French may say, the most courteous people in the world, I passed!
CARBON.
Yes, you have a most excellent passport in that smile! But you must frequently have been called upon, Madam, to declare whither you were going.
ROXANE.
Oh! yes, quite frequently. I answered simply: "I am going to see my lover."—Immediately the most ferocious Spaniard would gravely close the door of my coach, with a knightly wave of the hand order up the muskets already pointed at me, and, with as much grace as haughtiness, the plume of his hat proudly floating on the breeze, bow low and say: "Pass on, Senorita!"
CHRISTIAN.
But, Roxane....
ROXANE.
I said: My lover. Yes, husband, you must forgive! You will surely understand that, if I had said my husband, nobody would have let me pass!
CHRISTIAN.
But....
ROXANE.
Well, what?
GUICHE.
You must be gone immediately!
ROXANE.
I?
CYRANO.
Yes, and sooner!
CHRISTIAN.
Yes, at once.
ROXANE.
But how can I get away?
CHRISTIAN(embarrassed).
The fact is....
CYRANO(likewise embarrassed).
In forty-five minutes....
GUICHE(also embarrassed).
Or fifty....
CARBON(embarrassed too).
It would be preferable....
LE BRET.
You might....
ROXANE.
I remain, for there is going to be fighting.
ALL.
Fighting? Nothing of the kind.
ROXANE(throwing herself into the arms of Christian).
He is my husband! And if he is killed, I must be killed too!
CHRISTIAN.
But what is the matter with your eyes?
ROXANE.
I will tell you later!
GUICHE.
But the post is a most dangerous one.
ROXANE(turning).
What! So dangerous?
CYRANO.
Yes, and the proof is that he assigned it to us.
ROXANE(to Guiche).
So, you desire to make a widow of me?
GUICHE.
I swear to you....
ROXANE.
No! Now I am determined and I will not leave!.... Moreover, it is very exciting.
CYRANO.
What! will the "précieuse" turn out to be a heroine?
ROXANE.
Monsieur de Bergerac, I am your cousin.
A CADET.
Moreover, we will defend you desperately!
ROXANE(growing more and more excited).
I believe it, my friends!
ANOTHER CADET(elated).
A perfume of iris pervades the camp.
ROXANE.
Just so! I put some on this hat, which will be very becoming in the fray!....
(looking at Guiche).
But perhaps it is time the Count should leave: the fight might begin.
GUICHE.
Ah! this is too much! I will inspect the guns and return .... You have a little time left still,....change your mind!
ROXANE.
Never!
(Exit Guiche.)
The same, exceptGUICHE.
CHRISTIAN(supplicating).
Roxane!....
ROXANE.
No!
FIRST CADET(to the others).
She remains!
ALL(rushing around hurriedly, and brushing up).
A comb!—Soap!—My doublet is torn: a needle!—A bright bow!—Your looking glass!—My cuffs!—Your curling iron!—A razor!
ROXANE(to Cyrano, who continues begging her to leave).
No! I will not budge from here!
CARBON(after having, like the others, tightened his belt and arranged his cuffs, advances toward Roxane and says ceremoniously:)
Such being the case, it may not seem improper for me to present to you a few of the gentlemen who will have the honour of dying before your eyes.
(Roxane bows, and waits leaning on the arm of Christian. Carbon makes the presentations.)
Baron de Peyrescous de Colignac!
A CADET(bowing).
Madam....
CARBON(continuing).
Baron de Casterac de Cahuzac!—Baron de Malgouyre Estressac Lesbas d'Escarabiot!—Chevalier d'Antignac-Juzet!—Baron Hillot de Blagnac—Salechan de Castel Crabioules!
ROXANE.
But how many names has each of you.
BARON HILLOT.
More than many.
CARBON(to Roxane).
Kindly open the hand that holds your handkerchief.
ROXANE(opens her hand; her handkerchief falls).
What for?
(The whole company darts forward to pick it up.)
CARBON(heading them off and seizing it).
My company had no flag! Now it will have the finest in the camp!
ROXANE(smiling).
It is rather small!
CARBON(tying the handkerchief to his lance).
It is lace.... and yours!
A CADET(to the others).
I would die most willingly for eyes so beautiful, if only I could have a crust of bread or two.
CARBON(indignant).
For shame! How can you think of eating before so exquisite a woman?....
ROXANE.
But he is right. The morning air is sharp, and I myself am famished. Meat-pie,—cold game and jelly, some good wine,—I'll have nothing else, thank you! Suppose we have them now? There is still time.
A CADET.
But where shall we get all these good things?
ROXANE(quietly).
In my coach.
ALL.
What!....
ROXANE.
But somebody must serve and carve. Look at my coachman more attentively, gentlemen, and you will see that he is a very valuable man.
THE CADETS(running up to the coach).
Why! It's Ragueneau!
ROXANE(looking at them).
Poor hungry fellows!
CYRANO(kissing her hand).
What a kind fairy you are!
RAGUENEAU(standing on his seat).
Gentlemen!....
THE CADETS.
Speech! Speech!
RAGUENEAU.
The Spaniards, when so much beauty passed, did not see the repast. (Applause.) They are so bony that they did not notice the boned turkey.
(He takes a dish from under his seat and passes it down.)
CYRANO(aside to Christian).
A word with you for pity's sake!....
RAGUENEAU.
They were so busy with Venus that they allowed Diana's spoils to pass.
(He hands down a stag's leg.)
CYRANO(aside to Christian).
I must speak to you!
ROXANE(to the Cadets who come up loaded with eatables).
Place all that on the ground.
(She spreads a table-cloth on the grass, and, with the assistance of the two lackeys, prepares the cover.)
(to Christian, whom Cyrano is endeavouring to draw aside).
Come, make yourself useful.
(Christian helps her. Cyrano looks anxious.)
RAGUENEAU.
A stuffed peacock!
A CADET(cutting for himself a large slice of ham).
Jupiter's thunder! We'll not die without previously ....stuffing our....(noticing Roxane) your pardon.... feasting!
RAGUENEAU(tossing to them the coach's cushions).
These cushions are stuffed with ortolans!
(Confusion. Cushions ripped open. Laughter. Joy.)
THIRD CADET.
Ah! Viédaze!
RAGUENEAU(handing out bottles of red wine).
Liquid rubies!....
(Bottles of white wine.)
Melted topaz!....
ROXANE(throwing a table-cloth that falls on Cyrano's head).
Attend to this!.... Be nimble!
RAGUENEAU(handing down one of the lanterns).
Each one of the lanterns is a diminutive larder!
CYRANO(unfolds the table-cloth, getting near to Christian, who assists him).
I must speak to you before you speak to her!
RAGUENEAU(growing lyrical).
The handle of my whip is a sausage from Arles!
ROXANE(passing the dishes and filling glasses).
Since we are ordered to die, what care we for the rest of the army?—Yes! all for the Gascons!—and, if Guiche comes, we'll not invite him! (going from one to the other).
Come, you have plenty of time. Do not eat so fast! Drink a little.—Why have you tears in your eyes?
FIRST CADET.
Because it's all too good!....
ROXANE.
Hush!—Red or white?—Bread, Monsieur de Carbon!—A knife?—Your plate!—Meat pie?—Champagne wine?—Chicken?
CYRANO(following her, loaded with eatables, and helping her to serve. Aside).
How I love her!
ROXANE(going up to Christian).
And what willyouhave?
CHRISTIAN.
Nothing.
ROXANE.
Yes, just a cake and a little Muscatel!
CHRISTIAN(endeavouring to detain her).
Oh! tell me why, why you came?
ROXANE.
Hush! Let me first give these poor starving fellows something to eat.... I'll tell you by and by....
LE BRET(who had gone to the rear, to pass, on the end of a lance, a loaf of bread to the sentinel on the embankment).
Here is Guiche!
CYRANO.
Make haste, hide bottles, dishes, plates, baskets, everything! Be lively there! Let him notice nothing!....
(to Ragueneau).
You, get up to your box again!—Be quick! Everything out of the way!
(It has taken only a few seconds to conceal everything, under tent, doublet, cloak or hat.—Enter Guiche. He stops and sniffs the air.—Silence.)
The same,GUICHE.
GUICHE.
It smells good here!
A CADET(humming an air, unconcernedly).
To lo lo!....
GUICHE(stopping and looking at him).
Why! what is the matter?.... You are as red as a beet!
THE CADET.
I?.... Oh! nothing. Merely my blood. We are going to fight. It boils!
ANOTHER CADET.
Poum.... poum.... poum.... patapoum....
GUICHE(turning to him).
What is this, now?
THE CADET(slightly feeling the effects of wine).
That, oh! nothing. Just a little song!
GUICHE.
You are of a lively disposition, my boy!
THE CADET.
Oh! the approach of danger!
GUICHE(calling Carbon to give an order).
Captain,....
(looking at him with astonishment).
Zounds! You, too, have an over-healthy look!
CARBON(very red in the face, and hiding a bottle behind his back).
Oh! constitution....
GUICHE.
I had a field-piece left and I ordered it placed in that corner (pointing to the wings).
Your men may have occasion to use it.
ONE OF THE CADETS(with an affectation of thankfulness).
Delightful attention!
ANOTHER CADET(smiling gracefully).
Exquisitely thoughtful!
GUICHE(aside).
Why! they have all gone mad!—
(sternly).
As you are not accustomed to using cannon, beware of the recoil.
FIRST CADET.
Who cares for recoil?
GUICHE(going up to him, in rage).
Look here, Sir!....
THE CADET.
Gascon guns never move backward.
GUICHE(taking him by the arm and shaking him).
You are intoxicated, Sir!.... with what?
THE CADET(proudly).
With the smell of gun powder!
GUICHE(shrugs his shoulders, pushes him, and goes up to Roxane).
You must decide quickly. What will you be pleased to do?
ROXANE.
I remain!
GUICHE.
No, better escape!
ROXANE.
Fly? Never.
GUICHE.
Such being the case, give me a musket!
CARBON.
What for?
GUICHE.
I, too, will remain.
CYRANO.
At last, Sir, you show your courage!
FIRST CADET.
So you are a true Gascon, after all, in spite of your lace?
GUICHE.
I never abandon a woman in danger!
SECOND CADET(to the first Cadet).
Say! don't you think he deserves something to eat?
(Eatables and drinkables instantly reappear.)
GUICHE(whose eyes brighten).
Provisions!
THIRD CADET.
Every doublet covers some!
GUICHE(mastering himself, proudly).
I eat nobody's leavings!
CYRANO(bowing).
You are improving, Sir!
GUICHE(proudly and forgetting to master his natural Gascon accent).
I know how to fight on an empty stomach!A jeung!
FIRST CADET(overjoyed).
He said it with the Gascon accent!
GUICHE(laughing).
Did I?
THE CADET.
He is one of us!
(They all begin to dance.)
CARBON(who has been away a moment behind the embankment, reappearing on top of it).
My men are placed, and determined!
(He points to a row of lances that show over the crest of the embankment.)
GUICHE(to Roxane, bowing).
Will you accept my hand to pass them in review?....
(She gives her hand and they go up to the embankment. Hats come off, and everybody follows.)
CHRISTIAN(going up to Cyrano).
Now! speak quickly!
(As Roxane appears on the crest, the lances disappear in a salute; she bows.)
THE MEN(outside).
Hurrah!
CHRISTIAN.
What is your secret?....
CYRANO.
In case Roxane...
CHRISTIAN.
Well?
CYRANO.
Should speak to you of letters....
CHRISTIAN.
Yes, yes, I know!....
CYRANO.
Do not be silly enough to appear surprised....
CHRISTIAN.
Surprised by what?
CYRANO.
Oh! I must tell you.... The simplest thing in the world .... and I happened to think of it only to-day, on seeing her. You have....
CHRISTIAN.
I have what?
CYRANO.
You have....written to her more often than you think.
CHRISTIAN.
How so?
CYRANO.
Well! I had undertaken to speak for you, and I interpreted your love. Sometimes I wrote without saying to you: I'm writing!
CHRISTIAN.
Oh! you did?
CYRANO.
Yes, the simplest thing in the world, as I said!
CHRISTIAN.
But, since we have been hemmed in, how did you manage to....
CYRANO.
Oh!.... Before dawn I could pass through the lines....
CHRISTIAN(folding his arms).
Ah! another very simple matter, I suppose? And how many times a week did I write?.... Twice?—Three times?—Four times?—
CYRANO.
More.
CHRISTIAN.
Every day?
CYRANO.
Yes, every day,—twice.
CHRISTIAN(with violence).
And this enraptured you, and the rapture was such that each day you faced death....
CYRANO(noticing Roxane, who is returning).
Hush! not in her presence!
(Exit rapidly, under his tent.)
ROXANE,CHRISTIAN;in the rearCADETS,going and coming:CARBONandGUICHEgiving orders.
ROXANE(running up to Christian).
And now, dear Christian!....
CHRISTIAN(taking both her hands).
And now tell me why, over impassable roads, why, through the ranks of brutal soldiery, you joined me here.
ROXANE.
On account of your letters.
CHRISTIAN.
My letters?
ROXANE.
Yes, and it is your fault if I took so many risks. Your letters intoxicated me. Ah! remember how many you wrote me, during this last month, and all so beautiful!
CHRISTIAN.
What! Do you mean to say that for a few short love letters?....
ROXANE.
Your letters, yes! My ardent love for you,Love passionate, was born that night of blissWhen, from beneath my willing balcony,In accents that to both of us were new,A soul revealed itself to me....'twas yours....So that, each time your letters came, it seemedAs if I lived those minutes once again,And, rapture-bound, I heard your voice itself,Those tender tones that twined around me then.So here am I! Penelope would notHave persevered in waiting labour ifUlysses could have written grandly so;But, daft as Helen, she, to join him, wouldHave flung away her tedious worsted balls.
CHRISTIAN.
But....
ROXANE.
Yes, I read and read, while every thrillConfirmed me yours. Each leaflet that I heldWas like a petal wafted from your soul,Each word was one of love sincere and strong....
CHRISTIAN.
Indeed, sincere and strong?—You felt it so?....
ROXANE.
Oh! yes, so strongly!
CHRISTIAN.
And, Roxane, you came....
ROXANE.
I came because.... O Christian, dearest conqueror,You'd bid me rise, if I should clasp your knees;So 'tis my soul that's at your feet. My soulYou never can remove from reverence.I came to seek forgiveness (and the timeIs meet, indeed, since death is near, perhaps!),Your pardon for—how frivolous I was!—Once loving you for beauty's sake alone.
CHRISTIAN(frightened).
Roxane!
ROXANE.
But later, dear, with growing sense,—A bird will hop before it learns to soar—I marked your soul outshining e'en your looks,And then I loved you more for both.
CHRISTIAN.
And now?
ROXANE.
You have, in short, yourself outshone yourself,And now I love you for your soul alone.
CHRISTIAN.
Roxane!
ROXANE.
Rejoice! What is a love we oweTo passing gifts, to beauty doomed to fade?It's torture for an eager, noble heart.My thoughts of you recall no handsome face;Your beauty that, at first, had captured me,Now that my eyes are opened, strikes me not.
CHRISTIAN.
Oh!
ROXANE.
Doubt you not what victory is yours!
CHRISTIAN.
Roxane!
ROXANE.
I understand. Such love as thisIs past belief.
CHRISTIAN.
'Tis not the love I seek.I wish to be belovèd simply for....
ROXANE.
For what some others prized before to-day?Oh! let your heart make room for better love!
CHRISTIAN.
Roxane, your former love was better.
ROXANE.
Nay!'Tis now I love you better, most and well!'Tis what is really you that now I love,And I should love you still if you should cease....
CHRISTIAN.
Oh! hush, Roxane.
ROXANE.
Yes, cease to look so grand.
CHRISTIAN.
If I were homely?
ROXANE.
Even hideous!
CHRISTIAN.
Roxane!....
ROXANE.
The thought should give you joy profound.
CHRISTIAN(in a husky voice).
Yes....
ROXANE.
What troubles you?
CHRISTIAN(gently pushing her off).
Nothing. I have an order to give! One second, please....
ROXANE.
But....
CHRISTIAN(pointing to a group of Cadets in the rear).
My love for you, my selfishness, has deprived these poor fellows of your sweet company. Go smile to them a little, since they are about to die.... Go!
ROXANE(moved).
How good you are, dear Christian!....
(She goes up to the Gascons, who respectfully surround her.)
CHRISTIAN,CYRANO:in the rear,ROXANEspeaking withCARBONand some of the Cadets.
CHRISTIAN(calling out in the direction of Cyrano's tent).
Cyrano!
CYRANO(coming out armed for battle).
What is it? You are white as a ghost!
CHRISTIAN.
She loves me no more!
CYRANO.
How so?
CHRISTIAN.
You are the one she loves.
CYRANO.
Nonsense!
CHRISTIAN.
Now my soul is all she loves.
CYRANO.
Fiddlesticks!
CHRISTIAN.
I tell you it is so! You therefore are the one she loves,—and you love her.
CYRANO.
I?
CHRISTIAN.
I know it!
CYRANO.
Well, it is true.
CHRISTIAN.
You love her madly.
CYRANO.
More than that.
CHRISTIAN.
Tell her so!
CYRANO.
No!
CHRISTIAN.
Why not?
CYRANO.
Look at my face!
CHRISTIAN.
She said she would love me even if I were homely!
CYRANO.
She really told you so?
CHRISTIAN.
She did!
CYRANO.
I am very glad she said so! But you must not believe anything so wild. Do not lose your beauty, for then she would hate me too much.
CHRISTIAN.
That we shall see. Let her choose! Tell her all.
CYRANO.
No, no! Do not put me to such torture!
CHRISTIAN.
Would you have me destroy your happiness because of my good looks? That would be too unjust!
CYRANO.
And I should ruin yours because I happen, by mere chance, to have the gift of expressing.... that which no doubt you feel?
CHRISTIAN.
Tell her all, I say!
CYRANO.
You persist in tempting me. It is wrong!
CHRISTIAN.
I am tired of having a rival in myself!
CYRANO.
Oh! Christian!
CHRISTIAN.
Our marriage.... without witnesses.... quite secret, in fact, could be annulled.... should we survive!
CYRANO.
How obstinate he is!....
CHRISTIAN.
Perhaps,....but I desire to be loved for myself,....or not at all!—But enough!... I had better go see how things are progressing. I'll return presently; meanwhile, speak, and let her prefer one of us two!
CYRANO.
It shall be you!
CHRISTIAN.
Well.... I hope so!
(he calls out) Roxane!
CYRANO.
No, do not call her, please!
ROXANE(running in).
What is it?
CHRISTIAN.
Cyrano will tell you... something.... important....
(She runs up to Cyrano. Exit Christian.)
ROXANE,CYRANO,laterLE BRET,CARBON OF HAUGHTY-HALL,THE CADETS,RAGUENEAU,GUICHE,etc.
ROXANE.
Something important?....
CYRANO(bewildered).
What! he is gone!.... (to Roxane)
Oh, nothing!....he attaches—Oh! well, you must know him!—a great deal of importance to trifles!
ROXANE(eagerly).
He doubts, perhaps, the truth of what I said?.... I could almost see he did not believe it!....
CYRANO(taking her by the hand).
But was what you said really true?
ROXANE.
Certainly. I would love him even.... (she hesitates a second.)
CYRANO(smiling sadly).
You stop at the word.... in my presence?
ROXANE.
But....
CYRANO.
It will not hurt my feelings! You meant: Even if he were homely!
ROXANE.
Yes.... homely!
(Sound of musketry in the rear.)
CYRANO(ardently).
Abominably so?
ROXANE.
Yes!
CYRANO.
Disfigured?
ROXANE.
Yes, disfigured!
CYRANO.
Grotesque?
ROXANE.
Nothing can make him look grotesque.... to me!
CYRANO.
And then you would love him still?
ROXANE.
More, perhaps!
CYRANO(losing his self control, aside).
Good God! It is true, perhaps, and happiness is there! (to Roxane). Well, then.... Roxane.... listen!....
LE BRET(entering rapidly and calling in a low voice).
Cyrano!
CYRANO(turning around).
What is it?
LE BRET.
Hush! (whispers to him a few words.)
CYRANO(dropping Roxane's hand).
Great God!....
ROXANE.
What has happened?
CYRANO(stupefied).
It is all over!
(Sounds of musketry again.)
ROXANE.
What is it? Why all this firing?
(She goes up and looks beyond the embankment.)
CYRANO.
All over! I never can tell her!
ROXANE(as if going to rush out).
What is going on?
CYRANO(restraining her).
Nothing! nothing!
(Cadets enter bearing something which they conceal by forming around it a group that keeps Roxane at a distance.)
ROXANE.
What are these men here for?
CYRANO(leading her away).
Never mind them!....
ROXANE.
But what is it you were going to say before this disturbance?
CYRANO.
Going to say?.... Nothing. Oh! nothing, I swear it, Madam! (Solemnly) I swear that the spirit of Christian and his soul were.... (correcting himself)arethe greatest....
ROXANE.
You said: were!
(With a shriek). Ah!.... (she rushes back, pushing the men aside.)
CYRANO.
The end has come!
ROXANE(seeing Christian laid out in his cloak).
Christian!
LE BRET(to Cyrano).
The first shot fired by the enemy!
(Roxane throws herself upon the body of Christian. Musketry again. Clash of arms. Shouts. Drums.)
CARBON OF HAUGHTY-HALL(sword in hand).
The attack! to your arms!
(Followed by the Cadets he goes to the other side of the embankment.)
ROXANE(in despair).
Christian! Christian!
THE VOICE OF CARBON(from behind the embankment).
Make haste there!
ROXANE.
Christian!
CARBON.
Fall into line!
ROXANE.
Christian!
CARBON.
Measure.... match!
(Ragueneau has rushed up bringing some water in a helmet.)
CHRISTIAN(in dying tone).
Roxane!....
CYRANO(quickly and in a low tone, in the ear of Christian, while Roxane, frantic, dips into the water of the helmet a piece of linen which she has torn from her breast).
I told her all! and it is you she still loves!
(Christian closes his eyes.)
ROXANE.
What is it, my love?
CARBON.
Ramrods.... high!
ROXANE(to Cyrano).
He is not dead?....
CARBON.
Open charge.... with teeth!
ROXANE.
I feel, here against mine, his cheek getting cold!
CARBON(outside).
Take aim!
ROXANE.
A letter in his bosom! (she opens the letter) for me!
CYRANO(aside).
My letter!
CARBON.
Fire!
(Musketry. Cries. Noise of battle.)
CYRANO(trying to draw away his hand that is held by Roxane, who is on her knees).
But, Roxane, I must join in the fight!
ROXANE(holding him back).
Stay just a little. He is dead, and you were the only one who really knew him.
(She weeps softly.) Is it not true that he had an exquisite soul, a marvellous one?
CYRANO(standing bareheaded).
Yes, Roxane!
ROXANE.
That he was a thrilling poet, an adorable one?
CYRANO.
Yes, Roxane!
ROXANE.
A sublime spirit?
CYRANO.
Yes, Roxane!
ROXANE.
That he had a heart large and brave, too deep to be fathomed by the crowd?
CYRANO(firmly).
Yes, Roxane!
ROXANE(throwing herself upon the body of Christian).
And he is dead!
CYRANO(aside, as he draws his sword).
And I to-day can but die, since, though she knows it not, it is for me she is weeping over him!
(Sound of trumpets in the distance.)
GUICHE(reappearing on the embankment, hatless, wounded in the forehead; with a voice of thunder).
It is the signal that was promised! the trumpets! our comrades come with help and food! Hold fast a few minutes!
ROXANE.
On his letter blood .... and tears!
A VOICE(outside the embankment).
Surrender!
THE CADETS.
No!
RAGUENEAU(who has climbed upon the coach, and is looking at the battle over the embankment).
We are lost!
CYRANO(to Guiche, pointing to Roxane).