 | Cyrano de Bergerac: A Play in Five Acts |  |
Scene 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-play Last night,. . .he is the man whom a great lord, Desirous of my favor. . .
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, not For my ill favor--but your favors fair!
ROXANE
Confession next!. . .But, ere I make my shrift, You must be once again that brother-friend With 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!. . .
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!
(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 tell The 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.
Ah!. . .
ROXANE
But who, if he knows not, soon shall learn.
CYRANO
Ah!. . .
ROXANE
A poor youth who all this time has loved Timidly, 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!. . .
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 know I 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 chat Has let me know. . .
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-day He is not join your ranks, under Captain Carbon 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?
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 Gascons All of your company. . .
CYRANO
And we provoke All beardless sprigs that favor dares admit 'Midst us pure Gascons--(pure! Heaven save the mark! They told you that as well?
Ah! Think how I Trembled for him!
CYRANO
(between his teeth) Not causelessly!
ROXANE
But when Last night I saw you,--brave, invincible,-- Punish that dandy, fearless hold your own Against those brutes, I thought--I thought, if he Whom 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!
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 (R.) opens. Ragueneau looks in.)
| Cyrano de Bergerac: A Play in Five Acts | |