 | Cyrano de Bergerac: A Play in Five Acts |  |
Scene II.
Roxane; the Duke de Grammont, formerly Count de Guiche. Then Le Bret and Ragueneau.THE DUKE
And you stay here still--ever vainly fair, Ever in weeds?
ROXANE
Ever.
THE DUKE
Still faithful?
ROXANE
Still.
THE DUKE
(after a pause)
Am I forgiven?
ROXANE
Ay, since I am here.
(Another pause.)
THE DUKE
His was a soul, you say?. . .
ROXANE
Ah!--when you knew him!
THE DUKE
Ah, may be!. . .I, perchance, too little knew him! . . .And his last letter, ever next your heart?
ROXANE
Hung from this chain, a gentle scapulary.
And, dead, you love him still?
ROXANE
At times,--meseems He is but partly dead--our hearts still speak, As if his love, still living, wrapped me round!
THE DUKE
(after another pause)
Cyrano comes to see you?
ROXANE
Often, ay. Dear, kind old friend! We call him my 'Gazette.' He never fails to come: beneath this tree They place his chair, if it be fine:--I wait, I broider;--the clock strikes;--at the last stroke I hear,--for now I never turn to look-- Too sure to hear his cane tap down the steps; He seats himself:--with gentle raillery He mocks my tapestry that's never done; He tells me all the gossip of the week. . .
(Le Bret appears on the steps)Why, here's Le Bret!
(Le Bret descends)How goes it with our friend?
LE BRET
Ill!--very ill.
THE DUKE
How?
ROXANE
(to the Duke)
He exaggerates!
All that I prophesied: desertion, want!. . . His letters now make him fresh enemies!-- Attacking the sham nobles, sham devout, Sham brave,--the thieving authors,--all the world!
ROXANE
Ah! but his sword still holds them all in check; None get the better of him.
THE DUKE
(shaking his head)
Time will show!
LE BRET
Ah, but I fear for him--not man's attack,-- Solitude--hunger--cold December days, That wolf-like steal into his chamber drear:-- Lo! the assassins that I fear for him! Each day he tightens by one hole his belt That poor nose--tinted like old ivory He has retained one shabby suit of serge.
THE DUKE
Ay, there is one who has no prize of Fortune!-- Yet is not to be pitied!
LE BRET
(with a bitter smile)
My Lord Marshal!. . .
THE DUKE
Pity him not! He has lived out his vows, Free in his thoughts, as in his actions free!
(in the same tone)
My Lord!. . .
THE DUKE
(haughtily)
True! I have all, and he has naught;. . . Yet I were proud to take his hand!
(Bowing to Roxane)Adieu!
ROXANE
I go with you.
(The Duke bows to Le Bret, and goes with Roxane toward the steps.)
THE DUKE
(pausing, while she goes up)
Ay, true,--I envy him. Look you, when life is brimful of success --Though the past hold no action foul--one feels A thousand self-disgusts, of which the sum Is not remorse, but a dim, vague unrest; And, as one mounts the steps of worldly fame, The Duke's furred mantles trail within their folds A sound of dead illusions, vain regrets, A rustle--scarce a whisper--like as when, Mounting the terrace steps, by your mourning robe Sweeps in its train the dying autumn leaves.
ROXANE
(ironically)
You are pensive?
True! I am!
(As he is going out, suddenly)Monsieur Le Bret!
(To Roxane)A word, with your permission?
(He goes to Le Bret, and in a low voice)True, that none Dare to attack your friend;--but many hate him; Yesterday, at the Queen's card-play, 'twas said 'That Cyrano may die--by accident!' Let him stay in--be prudent!
LE BRET
(raising his arms to heaven)
Prudent! He!. . . He's coming here. I'll warn him--but!. . .
ROXANE
(who has stayed on the steps, to a sister who comes toward her)
What is it?
THE SISTER
Ragueneau would see you, Madame.
ROXANE
Let him come.
(To the Duke and Le Bret)He comes to tell his troubles. Having been An author (save the mark!)--poor fellow--now By turns he's singer. . .
LE BRET
Bathing-man. . .
Then actor. . .
LE BRET
Beadle. . .
ROXANE
Wig-maker. . .
LE BRET
Teacher of the lute. . .
ROXANE
What will he be to-day, by chance?
RAGUENEAU
(entering hurriedly)
Ah! Madame!
(He sees Le Bret)Ah! you here, Sir!
ROXANE
(smiling)
Tell all your miseries To him; I will return anon.
RAGUENEAU
But, Madame. . .
(Roxane goes out with the Duke. Ragueneau goes toward Le Bret.)
| Cyrano de Bergerac: A Play in Five Acts | |