 | Cyrano de Bergerac: A Play in Five Acts |  |
Scene IX.
Cyrano, Christian, Roxane.ROXANE
(coming out on the balcony)
Still there? We spoke of a. . .
CYRANO
A kiss! The word is sweet. I see not why your lip should shrink from it; If the word burns it,--what would the kiss do? Oh! let it not your bashfulness affright; Have you not, all this time, insensibly,
ROXANE
Hush! hush!
CYRANO
A kiss, when all is said,--what is it? An oath that's ratified,--a sealed promise, A heart's avowal claiming confirmation,-- A rose-dot on the 'i' of 'adoration,'-- A secret that to mouth, not ear, is whispered,-- Brush of a bee's wing, that makes time eternal,-- Communion perfumed like the spring's wild flowers,-- The heart's relieving in the heart's outbreathing, When to the lips the soul's flood rises, brimming!
ROXANE
Hush! hush!
CYRANO
A kiss, Madame, is honorable The Queen of France, to a most favored lord Did grant a kiss--the Queen herself!
ROXANE
What then?
CYRANO
(speaking more warmly)
Buckingham suffered dumbly,--so have I,-- Adored his Queen, as loyally as I,-- Was sad, but faithful,--so am I. . .
And you Are fair as Buckingham!
CYRANO
(aside--suddenly cooled)
True,--I forgot!
ROXANE
Must I then bid thee mount to cull this flower?
CYRANO
(pushing Christian toward the balcony)
Mount!
ROXANE
This heart-breathing!. . .
CYRANO
Mount!
ROXANE
This brush of bee's wing!. . .
CYRANO
Mount!
CHRISTIAN
(hesitating)
But I feel now, as though 'twere ill done!
ROXANE
This moment infinite!. . .
CYRANO
(still pushing him)
Come, blockhead, mount!
(Christian springs forward, and by means of the bench, the branches, and the pillars, climbs to the balcony and strides over it.)
Ah, Roxane!
(He takes her in his arms, and bends over her lips.)
CYRANO
Aie! Strange pain that wrings my heart! The kiss, love's feast, so near! I, Lazarus, Lie at the gate in darkness. Yet to me Falls still a crumb or two from the rich man's board-- Ay, 'tis my heart receives thee, Roxane--mine! For on the lips you press you kiss as well The words I spoke just now!--my words--my words!
(The lutes play)A sad air,--a gay air: the monk!
(He begins to run as if he came from a long way off, and cries out)Hola!
ROXANE
Who is it?
CYRANO
I--I was but passing by. . . Is Christian there?
CHRISTIAN
(astonished)
Cyrano!
ROXANE
Good-day, cousin!
CYRANO
Cousin, good-day!
I'm coming!
(She disappears into the house. At the back re-enter the friar.)
CHRISTIAN
(seeing him)
Back again!
(He follows Roxane.)
| Cyrano de Bergerac: A Play in Five Acts | |