University of Virginia Library

Scene VII.

Cyrano, Le Bret. Then actors, actresses, Cuigy, Brissaille, Ligniere, the porter, the violinists.
CYRANO
(falling into Le Bret's arms)

A rendezvous. . .from her!. . .

LE BRET

You're sad no more!

CYRANO

Ah! Let the world go burn! She knows I live!

LE BRET

Now you'll be calm, I hope?

CYRANO
(beside himself for joy)

Calm? I now calm? I'll be frenetic, frantic,--raving mad! Oh, for an army to attack!--a host! I've ten hearts in my breast; a score of arms; No dwarfs to cleave in twain!. . .

(Wildly)

No! Giants now!

(For a few moments the shadows of the actors have been moving on the stage, whispers are heard--the rehearsal is beginning. The violinists are in their places.)
A VOICE FROM THE STAGE

Hollo there! Silence! We rehearse!

CYRANO
(laughing)

We go!

(He moves away. By the big door enter Cuigy, Brissaille, and some officers, holding up Ligniere, who is drunk.)
CUIGY

Cyrano!

CYRANO

Well, what now?

CUIGY

A lusty thrush They're bringing you!

CYRANO
(recognizing him)

Ligniere!. . .What has chanced?

CUIGY

He seeks you!

BRISSAILLE

He dare not go home!

CYRANO

Why not?

LIGNIERE
(in a husky voice, showing him a crumpled letter)

This letter warns me. . .that a hundred men. . . Revenge that threatens me. . .that song, you know-- At the Porte de Nesle. To get to my own house I must pass there. . .I dare not!. . .Give me leave To sleep to-night beneath your roof! Allow. . .

CYRANO

A hundred men? You'll sleep in your own bed!

LIGNIERE
(frightened)

But--

CYRANO
(in a terrible voice, showing him the lighted lantern held by the porter, who is listening curiously)

Take the lantern.

(Ligniere seizes it)

Let us start! I swear That I will make your bed to-night myself!

(To the officers)

Follow; some stay behind, as witnesses!

CUIGY

A hundred!. . .

CYRANO

Less, to-night--would be too few!

(The actors and actresses, in their costumes, have come down from the stage, and are listening.)
LE BRET

But why embroil yourself?

CYRANO

Le Bret who scolds!

LE BRET

That worthless drunkard!--

CYRANO
(slapping Ligniere on the shoulder)

Wherefore? For this cause;-- This wine-barrel, this cask of Burgundy, Did, on a day, an action full of grace; As he was leaving church, he saw his love Take holy water--he, who is affeared At water's taste, ran quickly to the stoup, And drank it all, to the last drop!. . .

AN ACTRESS

Indeed, that was a graceful thing!

CYRANO

Ay, was it not?

THE ACTRESS
(to the others)

But why a hundred men 'gainst one poor rhymer?

CYRANO

March!

(To the officers)

Gentlemen, when you shall see me charge, Bear me no succor, none, whate'er the odds!

ANOTHER ACTRESS
(jumping from the stage)

Oh! I shall come and see!

CYRANO

Come, then!

ANOTHER
(jumping down--to an old actor)

And you?. . .

CYRANO

Come all--the Doctor, Isabel, Leander, Come, for you shall add, in a motley swarm, The farce Italian to this Spanish drama!

ALL THE WOMEN
(dancing for joy)

Bravo!--a mantle, quick!--my hood!

JODELET

Come on!

CYRANO

Play us a march, gentlemen of the band!

(The violinists join the procession, which is forming. They take the footlights, and divide them for torches)

Brave officers! next, women in costume, And, twenty paces on--

(He takes his place)

I all alone, Beneath the plume that Glory lends, herself, To deck my beaver--proud as Scipio!. . . --You hear me?--I forbid you succor me!-- One, two three! Porter, open wide the doors!

(The porter opens the doors; a view of old Paris in the moonlight is seen)

Ah!. . .Paris wrapped in night! half nebulous The moonlight streams o'er the blue-shadowed roofs; A lovely frame for this wild battle-scene; Beneath the vapor's floating scarves, the Seine Trembles, mysterious, like a magic mirror, And, shortly, you shall see what you shall see!

ALL

To the Porte de Nesle!

CYRANO
(standing on the threshold)

Ay, to the Porte de Nesle!

(Turning to the actress)

Did you not ask, young lady, for what cause Against this rhymer fivescore men were sent?

(He draws his sword; then, calmly)

'Twas that they knew him for a friend of mine!

(He goes out. Ligniere staggers first after him, then the actresses on the officers' arms--the actors. The procession starts to the sound of the violins and in the faint light of the candles.)

Curtain.