 | Cyrano de Bergerac: A Play in Five Acts |  |
Scene V.
Christian, Roxane, the duenna.ROXANE
(coming out of Clomire's house, with a company of friends, whom she leaves. Bows and good-byes)
Barthenoide!--Alcandre!--Gremione!--
THE DUENNA
(bitterly disappointed)
We've missed the speech upon the Tender Passion!
(Goes into Roxane's house.)
ROXANE
(still bowing)
Urimedonte--adieu!
(All bow to Roxane and to each other, and then separate, going up different streets. Roxane suddenly seeing Christian)You!
(She goes to him)Evening falls. Let's sit. Speak on. I listen.
CHRISTIAN
(sits by her on the bench. A silence)
Oh! I love you!
ROXANE
(shutting her eyes)
Ay, speak to me of love.
CHRISTIAN
I love thee!
That's The theme! But vary it.
CHRISTIAN
I. . .
ROXANE
Vary it!
CHRISTIAN
I love you so!
ROXANE
Oh! without doubt!--and then?. . .
CHRISTIAN
And then--I should be--oh!--so glad--so glad If you would love me!--Roxane, tell me so!
ROXANE
(with a little grimace)
I hoped for cream,--you give me gruel! Say How love possesses you?
CHRISTIAN
Oh utterly!
ROXANE
Come, come!. . .unknot those tangled sentiments!
CHRISTIAN
Your throat I'd kiss it!
ROXANE
Christian!
CHRISTIAN
I love thee!
(half-rising)
Again!
CHRISTIAN
(eagerly, detaining her)
No, no! I love thee not!
ROXANE
(reseating herself)
'Tis well!
CHRISTIAN
But I adore thee!
ROXANE
(rising, and going further off)
Oh!
CHRISTIAN
I am grown stupid!
ROXANE
(dryly)
And that displeases me, almost as much As 'twould displease me if you grew ill-favored.
CHRISTIAN
But. . .
ROXANE
Rally your poor eloquence that's flown!
CHRISTIAN
I. . .
ROXANE
Yes, you love me, that I know. Adieu.
(She goes toward her house.)
Oh, go not yet! I'd tell you--
ROXANE
(opening the door)
You adore me? I've heard it very oft. No!--Go away!
CHRISTIAN
But I would fain. . .
(She shuts the door in his face.)
CYRANO
(who has re-entered unseen)
I' faith! It is successful!
| Cyrano de Bergerac: A Play in Five Acts | |