The Post occupied by the Company of Carbon de Castel-Jaloux at The Siege of Arras.
In the background, a Rampart traversing the entire scene; beyond this, and apparently below, a Plain stretches away to the horizon. The country is cut up with earthworks and other suggestions of the siege. In the distance, against the sky-line, the houses and the walls of Arras.
Tents; scattered Weapons; Drums, et cetera. It is near daybreak, and the East is yellow with approaching dawn. Sentries at intervals. Camp-fires.
Curtain Rise discovers the Cadets asleep, rolled in their cloaks. Carbon de Castel-Jaloux and Le Bret keep watch. They are both very thin and pale. Christian is asleep among the others, wrapped in his cloak, in the foreground, his face lighted by the flickering fire. Silence.
Le Bret
Horrible!
Carbon
Why, yes. All of that.
Le Bret
Mordious!
Carbon
(Gesture toward the sleeping Cadets)
Swear gently— You might wake them.
(To Cadets)
Go to sleep—
Hush!
(To Le Bret)
Who sleeps dines.
Le Bret
I have insomnia.
God! What a famine.
(Firing off stage.)
Carbon
Curse that musketry!
They'll wake my babies.
(To the men)
Go to sleep!—
A Cadet
(Rouses)
Diantre!
Again?
Carbon
No—only Cyrano coming home.
(The heads which have been raised sink back again.)
A Sentry
(Off stage)
Halt! Who goes there?
Voice of Cyrano
Bergerac!
The Sentry on the Parapet
Halt! Who goes?—
Cyrano
(Appears on the parapet.)
Bergerac, idiot!
Le Bret
(Goes to meet him.)
Thank God again!
Cyrano
(Signs to him not to wake anyone.)
Hush!
Le Bret
Wounded?—
Cyrano
No— They always miss me—quite
A habit by this time!
Le Bret
Yes— Go right on—
Risk your life every morning before breakfast
To send a letter!
Cyrano
(Stops near Christian.)
I promised he should write
Every single day ...
(Looks down at him.)
Hm— The boy looks pale
When he is asleep—thin too—starving to death—
If that poor child knew! Handsome, none the less ...
Le Bret
Go and get some sleep!
Cyrano
(Affectionately)
Now, now—you old bear,
No growling!—I am careful—you know I am—
Every night, when I cross the Spanish lines
I wait till they are all drunk.
Le Bret
You might bring
Something with you.
Cyrano
I have to travel light
To pass through— By the way, there will be news
For you to-day: the French will eat or die,
If what I saw means anything.
Le Bret
Tell us!
Cyrano
No—
I am not sure—we shall see!
Carbon
What a war,
When the besieger starves to death!
Le Bret
Fine war—
Fine situation! We besiege Arras—
The Cardinal Prince of Spain besieges us—
And—here we are!
Cyrano
Someone might besiege him.
Carbon
A hungry joke!
Cyrano
Ho, ho!
Le Bret
Yes, you can laugh—
Risking a life like yours to carry letters—
Where are you going now?
Cyrano
(At the tent door)
To write another.
(Goes into tent.)
(A little more daylight. The clouds redden. The town of Arras shows on the horizon. A cannon shot is heard, followed immediately by a roll of drums, far away to the left. Other drums beat a little nearer. The drums go on answering each other here and there, approach, beat loudly almost on the stage, and die away toward the right, across the camp. The camp awakes. Voices of officers in the distance.)
Carbon
(Sighs)
Those drums!—another good nourishing sleep
Gone to the devil.
(The Cadets rouse themselves.)
Now then!—
First Cadet
(Sits up, yawns.)
God! I'm hungry!
Second Cadet
Starving!
All
(Groan)
Aoh!
Carbon
Up with you!
Third Cadet
Not another step!
Fourth Cadet
Not another movement!
First Cadet
Look at my tongue—
I said this air was indigestible!
Fifth Cadet
My coronet for half a pound of cheese!
Sixth Cadet
I have no stomach for this war—I'll stay
In my tent—like Achilles.
Another
Yes—no bread,
No fighting—
Carbon
Cyrano!
Others
May as well die;
Carbon
Come out here!—You know how to talk to them.
Get them laughing—
Second Cadet
(Rushes up to First Cadet who is eating something.)
What are you gnawing there?
First Cadet
Gun wads and axle-grease. Fat country this
Around Arras.
Another
(Enters)
I have been out hunting!
Another
(Enters)
Went fishing, in the Scarpe!
All
(Leaping up and surrounding the newcomers.)
Find anything?
Any fish? Any game? Perch? Partridges?
Let me look!
The Fisherman
Yes—one gudgeon.
(Shows it.)
The Hunter
One fat... sparrow.
(Shows it.)
All
Ah!—See here, this—mutiny!—
Carbon
Cyrano!
Come and help!
Cyrano
(Enters from tent.)
Well?
(Silence. To the First Cadet who is walking away, with his chin on his chest.)
You there, with the long face?
First Cadet
I have something on my mind that troubles me.
Cyrano
What is that?
First Cadet
My stomach.
Cyrano
So have I.
First Cadet
No doubt
You enjoy this!
Cyrano
(Tightens his belt.)
It keeps me looking young.
Second Cadet
My teeth are growing rusty.
Cyrano
Sharpen them!
Third Cadet
My belly sounds as hollow as a drum.
Cyrano
Beat the long roll on it!
Fourth Cadet
My ears are ringing.
Cyrano
Liar! A hungry belly has no ears.
Fifth Cadet
Oh for a barrel of good wine!
Cyrano
(Offers him his own helmet.)
Your casque.
Sixth Cadet
I'll swallow anything!
Cyrano
(Throws him the book which he has in his hand.)
Try the "Iliad."
Seventh Cadet
The Cardinal, he has four meals a day—
What does he care!
Cyrano
Ask him; he really ought
To send you ... a spring lamb out of his flock,
Roasted whole—
The Cadet
Yes, and a bottle—
Cyrano
(Exaggerates the manner of one speaking to a servant.)
If you please,
Richelieu—a little more of the Red Seal ...
Ah, thank you!
The Cadet
And the salad—
Cyrano
Of course—Romaine!
Another Cadet
(Shivering)
I am as hungry as a wolf.
Cyrano
(Tosses him a cloak,)
Put on
Your sheep's clothing.
First Cadet
(With a shrug)
Always the clever answer!
Cyrano
Always the answer—yes! Let me die so—
Under some rosy-golden sunset, saying
A good thing, for a good cause! By the sword,
The point of honor—by the hand of one
Worthy to be my foeman, let me fall—
Steel in my heart, and laughter on my lips!
Voices Here and There
All very well— We are hungry!
Cyrano
Bah! You think
Of nothing but yourselves.
(His eye singles out the old fifer in the background.)
Here, Bertrandou,
You were a shepherd once— Your pipe now! Come,
Breathe, blow,— Play to these belly-worshippers
The old airs of the South—
"Airs with a smile in them,
Airs with a sigh in them, airs with the breeze
And the blue of the sky in them—"
Small, demure tunes
Whose every note is like a little sister—
Songs heard only in some long silent voice
Not quite forgotten— Mountain melodies
Like thin smoke rising from brown cottages
In the still noon, slowly— Quaint lullabies,
Whose very music has a Southern tongue—
(The old man sits down and prepares his fife.)
Now let the fife, that dry old warrior,
Dream, while over the stops your fingers dance
A minuet of little birds—let him
Dream beyond ebony and ivory;
Let him remember he was once a reed
Out of the river, and recall the spirit
Of innocent, untroubled country days ...
(The fifer begins to play a Provençal melody.)
Listen, you Gascons! Now it is no more
The shrill fife— It is the flute, through woodlands far
Away, calling—no longer the hot battle-cry,
But die cool, quiet pipe our goatherds play!
Listen—the forest glens ... the hills ... the downs ...
The green sweetness of night on the Dordogne ...
Listen, you Gascons! It is all Gascoyne! ...
(Every head is bowed; every eye cast down. Here and there a tear is furtively brushed away with the back of a hand, the corner of a cloak.)
Carbon
(Softly to Cyrano)
You make them weep—
Cyrano
For homesickness—a hunger
More noble than that hunger of the flesh;
It is their hearts now that are starving.
Carbon
Yes,
But you melt down their manhood.
Cyrano
(Motions the drummer to approach.)
You think so?
Let them be. There is iron in their blood
Not easily dissolved in tears. You need
Only—
(He makes a gesture; the drum beats.)
All
(Spring up and rush toward their weapons.)
What's that? Where is it?—What?—
Cyrano
(Smiles)
You see—
Let Mars snore in his sleep once—and farewell
Venus—sweet dreams—regrets—dear thoughts of home—
All the fife lulls to rest wakes at the drums!
A Cadet
(Looks up stage.)
Aha— Monsieur de Guiche!
The Cadets
(Mutter among themselves.)
Ugh! ...
Cyrano
(Smiles)
Flattering
Murmur!
A Cadet
He makes me weary!
Another
With his collar
Of lace over his corselet—
Another
Like a ribbon
Tied round a sword!
Another
Bandages for a boil
On the back of his neck—
Second Cadet
A courtier always!
Another
The Cardinal's nephew!
Carbon
None the less—a Gascon.
First Cadet
A counterfeit! Never you trust that man—
Because we Gascons, look you, are all mad—
This fellow is reasonable—nothing more
Dangerous than a reasonable Gascon!
Le Bret
He looks pale.
Another
Oh, he can be hungry too,
Like any other poor devil—but he wears
So many jewels on that belt of his
That his cramps glitter in the sun!
Cyrano
(Quickly)
Is he
To see us looking miserable? Quick—
Pipes!—Cards!—Dice!—
(They all hurriedly begin to play, on their stools, on the drums, or on their cloaks spread on the ground, lighting their long pipes meanwhile.)
As for me, I read Descartes.
(He walks up and down, reading a small book which he takes from his pocket. Tableau: De Guiche enters, looking pale and haggard. All are absorbed in their games. General air of contentment. De Guiche goes to Carbon. They look at each other askance, each observing with satisfaction the condition of the other.)
de Guiche
Good morning!
(Aside)
He looks yellow.
Carbon
(Same business)
He is all eyes.
de Guiche
(Looks at the Cadets.)
What have we here? Black looks? Yes, gentlemen—
I am informed I am not popular;
The hill-nobility, barons of Béarn,
The pomp and pride of Périgord—I learn
They disapprove their colonel; call him courtier,
Politician—they take it ill that I
Cover my steel with lace of Genoa.
It is a great offense to be a Gascon
And not to be a beggar!
(Silence. They smoke. They play.)
Well—Shall I have
Your captain punish you? ... No.
Carbon
As to that,
It would be impossible.
de Guiche
Oh?
Carbon
I am free;
I pay my company; it is my own;
I obey military orders.
de Guiche
Oh!
That will be quite enough.
(To the Cadets)
I can afford
Your little hates. My conduct under fire
Is well known. It was only yesterday
I drove the Count de Bucquoi from Bapaume,
Pouring my men down like an avalanche,
I myself led the charge—
Cyrano
(Without looking up from his book.)
And your white scarf?
de Guiche
(Surprised and gratified)
You heard that episode? Yes—rallying
My men for the third time, I found myself
Carried among a crowd of fugitives
Into the enemy's lines. I was in danger
Of being shot or captured; but I thought
Quickly—took off and flung away the scarf
That marked my military rank—and so
Being inconspicuous, escaped among
My own force, rallied them, returned again
And won the day! ...
(The Cadets do not appear to be listening, but here and there the cards and the dice boxes remain motionless, the smoke is retained in their cheeks.)
What do you say to that?
Presence of mind—yes?
Cyrano
Henry of Navarre
Being outnumbered, never flung away
His white plume.
(Silent enjoyment. The cards flutter, the dice roll, the smoke puffs out.)
de Guiche
My device was a success,
However!
(Same attentive pause, interrupting the games and the smoking.)
Cyrano
Possibly ... An officer
Does not lightly resign the privilege
Of being a target.
(Cards, dice, and smoke fall, roll, and float away with increasing satisfaction.)
Now, if I had been there—
Your courage and my own differ in this—
When your scarf fell, I should have put it on.
de Guiche
Boasting again!
Cyrano
Boasting? Lend it to me
To-night; I'll lead the first charge, with your scarf
Over my shoulder!
de Guiche
Gasconnade once more!
You are safe making that offer, and you know it—
My scarf lies on the river bank between
The lines, a spot swept by artillery
Impossible to reach alive!
Cyrano
(Produces the scarf from his pocket.)
Yes. Here ...
(Silence. The Cadets stifle their laughter behind their cards and their dice boxes. De Guiche turns to look at them. Immediately they resume their gravity and their game. One of them whistles carelessly the mountain air which the fifer was playing.)
de Guiche
(Takes the scarf.)
Thank you! That bit of white is what I need
To make a signal. I was hesitating—
You have decided me.
(He goes up to the parapet, climbs upon it, and waves the scarf at arm's length several times.)
All
What is he doing?—
What?—
The Sentry on the Parapet
There's a man down there running away!
de Guiche
(Descending)
A Spaniard. Very useful as a spy
To both sides. He informs the enemy
As I instruct him. By his influence
I can arrange their dispositions.
Cyrano
Traitor!
de Guiche
(Folding the scarf.)
A traitor, yes; but useful ...
We were saying? ...
Oh, yes— Here is a bit of news for you:
Last night we had hopes of reprovisioning
The army. Under cover of the dark,
The Marshal moved to Dourlens. Our supplies
Are there. He may reach them. But to return
Safely, he needs a large force—at least half
Our entire strength. At present, we have here
Merely a skeleton.
Carbon
Fortunately,
The Spaniards do not know that.
de Guiche
Oh, yes; they know
They will attack.
Carbon
Ah!
de Guiche
From that spy of mine
I learned of their intention. His report
Will determine the point of their advance.
The fellow asked me what to say! I told him:
"Go out between the lines; watch for my signal;
Where you see that, let them attack there."
Carbon
(To the Cadets)
Well,
Gentlemen!
(All rise. Noise of sword belts and breastplates being buckled on.)
de Guiche
You may have perhaps an hour.
First Cadet
Oh:— An hour!
(They all sit down and resume their games once more.)
de Guiche
(To Carbon)
The great thing is to gain time.
Any moment the Marshal may return.
Carbon
And to gain time?
de Guiche
You will all be so kind
As to lay down your lives!
Cyrano
Ah! Your revenge?
de Guiche
I make no great pretence of loving you!
But—since you gentlemen esteem yourselves
Invincible, the bravest of the brave,
And all that—why need we be personal?
I serve the king in choosing ... as I choose!
Cyrano
(Salutes)
Sir, permit me to offer—all our thanks.
de Guiche
(Returns the salute.)
You love to fight a hundred against one;
Here is your opportunity!
(He goes up stage with Carbon.)
Cyrano
(To the Cadets)
My friends,
We shall add now to our old Gascon arms
With their six chevrons, blue and gold, a seventh—
Blood-red!
(De Guiche talks in a low tone to Carbon up stage. Orders are given. The defense is arranged. Cyrano goes to Christian who has remained motionless with folded arms.)
Christian?
(Lays a hand on his shoulder.)
Christian
(Shakes his head.)
Roxane ...
Cyrano
Yes.
Christian
I should like
To say farewell to her, with my whole heart
Written for her to keep.
Cyrano
I thought of that—
(Takes a letter from his doublet.)
I have written your farewell.
Christian
Show me!
Cyrano
You wish
To read it?
Christian
Of course!
(He takes the letter; begins to read, looks up suddenly.)
What?—
Cyrano
What is it?
Christian
Look—
This little circle—
Cyrano
(Takes back the letter quickly, and looks innocent.)
Circle?—
Christian
Yes—a tear!
Cyrano
So it is! ... Well—a poet while he writes
Is like a lover in his lady's arms,
Believing his imagination—all
Seems true—you understand? There's half the charm
Of writing— Now, this letter as you see
I have made so pathetic that I wept
While I was writing it!
Christian
You—wept?
Cyrano
Why, yes—
Because ... it is a little thing to die,
But—not to see her ... that is terrible!
And I shall never—
(Christian looks at him.)
We shall never—
(Quickly)
You
Will never—
Christian
(Snatches the letter.)
Give me that!
(Noise in the distance on the outskirts of the camp)
Voice of a Sentry
Halt—who goes there?
(Shots, shouting, jingle of harness)
Carbon
What is it?—
The Sentry on the Parapet
Why, a coach.
(They rush to look.)
Confused Voices
What? In the Camp?
A coach? Coming this way— It must have driven
Through the Spanish lines—what the devil— Fire!—
No— Hark! The driver shouting—what does he say?
Wait— He said: "On the service of the King!"
(They are all on the parapet looking over. The jingling comes nearer.)
de Guiche
Of the King?
(They come down and fall into line.)
Carbon
Hats off, all!
de Guiche
(Speaks off stage.)
The King! Fall in,
Rascals!—
(The coach enters at full trot. It is covered with mud and dust. The curtains are drawn. Two foot-men are seated behind. It stops suddenly.)
Carbon
(Shouts)
Beat the assembly—
(Roll of drums. All the Cadets uncover.)
de Guiche
Two of you,
Lower the steps—open the door—
(Two men rush to the coach. The door opens.)
Roxane
(Comes out of the coach.)
Good morning!
(At the sound of a woman's voice, every head is raised. Sensation.)
de Guiche
On the King's service— You?
Roxane
Yes— my own king —
Love!
Cyrano
(Aside)
God is merciful ...
Christian
(Hastens to her.)
You! Why have you—
Roxane
Your war lasted so long!
Christian
But why?—
Roxane
Not now—
Cyrano
(Aside)
I wonder if I dare to look at her ...
de Guiche
You cannot remain here!
Roxane
Why, certainly!
Roll that drum here, somebody ...
(She sits on the drum, which is brought to her.)
Thank you— There!
(She laughs.)
Would you believe—they fired upon us?
—My coach
Looks like the pumpkin in the fairy tale,
Does it not? And my footmen—
(She throws a kiss to Christian.)
How do you do?
(She looks about.)
How serious you all are! Do you know,
It is a long drive here—from Arras?
(Sees Cyrano.)
Cousin,
I am glad to see you!
Cyrano
(Advances)
Oh— How did you come?
Roxane
How did I find you? Very easily—
I followed where the country was laid waste
—Oh, but I saw such things! I had to see
To believe. Gentlemen, is that the service
Of your King? I prefer my own!
Cyrano
But how
Did you come through?
Roxane
Why, through the Spanish lines
Of course!
First Cadet
They let you pass?—
de Guiche
What did you say?
How did you manage?
Le Bret
Yes, that must have been
Difficult!
Roxane
No— I simply drove along.
Now and then some hidalgo scowled at me
And I smiled back—my best smile; whereupon,
The Spaniards being (without prejudice
To the French) the most polished gentlemen
In the world—I passed!
Carbon
Certainly that smile
Should be a passport! Did they never ask
Your errand or your destination?
Roxane
Oh,
Frequently! Then I dropped my eyes and said:
"I have a lover ..." Whereupon, the Spaniard
With an air of ferocious dignity
Would close the carriage door—with such a gesture
As any king might envy, wave aside
The muskets that were levelled at my breast,
Fall back three paces, equally superb
In grace and gloom, draw himself up, thrust forth
A spur under his cloak, sweeping the air
With his long plumes, bow very low, and say:
"Pass, Señorita!"
Christian
But Roxane—
Roxane
I know—
I said "a lover"—but you understand—
Forgive me!—If I said "I am going to meet
My husband", no one would believe me!
Christian
Yes,
But—
Roxane
What then?
de Guiche
You must leave this place.
Cyrano
At once.
Roxane
I?
Le Bret
Yes—immediately.
Roxane
And why?
Christian
(Embarrassed)
Because ...
Cyrano
(Same)
In half an hour ...
de Guiche
(Same)
Or these quarters
Carbon
(Same)
Perhaps
It might be better ...
Le Bret
If you ...
Roxane
Oh—I see!
You are going to fight. I remain here.
All
No—no!
Roxane
He is my husband—
(Throws herself in Christian's arms.)
I will die with you!
Christian
Your eyes!... Why do you?—
Roxane
You know why ...
de Guiche
(Desperate)
This post
Is dangerous—
Roxane
(Turns)
How—dangerous?
Cyrano
The proof
Is, we are ordered—
Roxane
(To De Guiche)
Oh—you wish to make
A widow of me?
de Guiche
On my word of honor—
Roxane
No matter. I am just a little mad—
I will stay. It may be amusing.
Cyrano
What,
A heroine—our intellectual?
Roxane
Monsieur de Bergerac, I am your cousin!
A Cadet
We'll fight now! Hurrah!
Roxane
(More and more excited)
I am safe with you—my friends!
Another
(Carried away)
The whole camp breathes of lilies!—
Roxane
And I think,
This hat would look well on the battlefield! ...
But perhaps—
(Looks at De Guiche.)
The Count ought to leave us. Any moment
Now, there may be danger.
de Guiche
This is too much!
I must inspect my guns. I shall return—
You may change your mind— There will yet be time—
Roxane
Never!
(De Guiche goes out.)
Christian
(Imploring)
Roxane! ...
Roxane
No!
First Cadet
(To the rest)
She stays here!
All
(Rushing about, elbowing each other, brushing off their clothes.)
A comb!—
Soap!—Here's a hole in my— A needle!—Who
Has a ribbon?—Your mirror, quick!—My cuffs—
A razor—
Roxane
(To Cyrano, who is still urging her)
No! I shall not stir one step!
Carbon
(Having, like the others, tightened his belt, dusted himself, brushed off his hat, smoothed out his plume and put on his lace cuffs, advances to Roxane ceremoniously.)
In that case, may I not present to you
Some of these gentlemen who are to have
The honor of dying in your presence?
Roxane
(Bows)
Please!—
(She waits, standing, on the arm of Christian, while
Carbon
— presents)
Baron de Peyrescous de Colignac!
The Cadet
(Salutes)
Madame ...
Roxane
Monsieur ...
Carbon
(Continues)
Baron de Casterac
De Cahuzac—Vidame de Malgouyre
Estressac Lésbas d'Escarabiot—
The Vidame
Madame ...
Carbon
Chevalier d'Antignac-Juzet—
Baron Hillot de Blagnac-Saléchan
De Castel-Crabioules—
The Baron
Madame ...
Roxane
How many
Names you all have!
The Baron
Hundreds!
Carbon
(To Roxane)
Open the hand
That holds your handkerchief.
Roxane
(Opens her hand; the handkerchief falls.)
Why?
(The whole company makes a movement toward it.)
Carbon
(Picks it up quickly.)
My company
Was in want of a banner. We have now
The fairest in the army!
Roxane
(Smiling)
Rather small—
Carbon
(Fastens the handkerchief to his lance.)
Lace—and embroidered!
A Cadet
(To the others)
With her smiling on me,
I could die happy, if I only had
Something in my—
Carbon
(Turns upon him)
Shame on you! Feast your eyes
And forget your—
Roxane
(Quickly)
It must be this fresh air—
I am starving! Let me see ...
Cold partridges,
Pastry, a little white wine—that would do.
Will some one bring that to me?
A Cadet
(Aside)
Will some one!—
Another
Where the devil are we to find—
Roxane
(Overhears; sweetly)
Why, there—
In my carriage.
All
Wha-at?
Roxane
All you have to do
Is to unpack, and carve, and serve things.
Oh,
Notice my coachman; you may recognize
An old friend.
The Cadets
(Rush to the coach.)
Ragueneau!
Roxane
(Follows them with her eyes.)
Poor fellows ...
The Cadets
(Acclamations)
Ah!
Ah!
Cyrano
(Kisses her hand.)
Our good fairy!
Ragueneau
(Standing on his box, like a mountebank before a crowd.)
Gentlemen!—
(Enthusiasm)
The Cadets
Bravo!
Bravo!
Ragueneau
The Spaniards, basking in our smiles,
Smiled on our baskets!
(Applause)
Cyrano
(Aside, to Christian)
Christian!—
Ragueneau
They adored
The Fair, and missed—
(He takes from under the seat a dish, which he holds aloft.)
the Fowl!
(Applause. The dish is passed from hand to hand.)
Cyrano
(As before, to Christian)
One moment—
Ragueneau
Venus
Charmed their eyes, while Adonis quietly
(Brandishing a ham.)
Brought home the Boar!
(Applause; the ham is seized by a score of hands outstretched.)
Cyrano
(As before)
Pst— Let me speak to you—
Roxane
(As the Cadets return, their arms full of provisions)
Spread them out on the ground
(Calls)
Christian! Come here;
Make yourself useful.
(Christian turns to her, at the moment when Cyrano was leading him aside. She arranges the food, with his aid and that of the two imperturbable footmen.)
Ragueneau
Peacock, aux truffes!
First Cadet
(Comes down, cutting a huge slice of the ham.)
Tonnerre!
We are not going to die without a gorge—
(Sees Roxane; corrects himself hastily.)
Pardon—a banquet!
Ragueneau
(Tossing out the cushions of the carriage.)
Open these—they are full
Of ortolans!
(Tumult; laughter; the cushions are eviscerated.)
Third Cadet
Lucullus!
Ragueneau
(Throws out bottles of red wine.)
Flasks of ruby—
(And of white)
Flasks of topaz—
Roxane
(Throws a tablecloth at the head of Cyrano.)
Come back out of your dreams!
Unfold this cloth—
Ragueneau
(Takes off one of the lanterns of the carriage, and flourishes it.)
Our lamps are bonbonnières!
Cyrano
(To Christian)
I must see you before you speak with her—
Ragueneau
(More and more lyrical)
My whip-handle is one long sausage!
Roxane
(Pouring wine; passing the food.)
We
Being about to die, first let us dine!
Never mind the others—all for Gascoyne!
And if De Guiche comes, he is not invited!
(Going from one to another.)
Plenty of time—you need not eat so fast—
Hold your cup—
(To another)
What's the matter?
The Cadet
(Sobbing)
You are so good
To us ...
Roxane
There, there! Red or white wine?
—Some bread
For Monsieur de Carbon!—Napkins— A knife—
Pass your plate— Some of the crust? A little more—
Light or dark?—Burgundy?—
Cyrano
(Follows her with an armful of dishes, helping to serve.)
Adorable!
Roxane
(Goes to Christian.)
What would you like?
Christian
Nothing.
Roxane
Oh, but you must!—
A little wine? A biscuit?
Christian
Tell me first
Why you came—
Roxane
By and by. I must take care
Of these poor boys—
Le Bret
(Who has gone up stage to pass up food to the sentry on the parapet, on the end of a lance.)
De Guiche!—
Cyrano
Hide everything
Quick!—Dishes, bottles, tablecloth—
Now look
Hungry again—
(To Ragueneau)
You there! Up on your box—
—Everything out of sight?—
(In a twinkling, everything has been pushed inside the tents, hidden in their hats or under their cloaks, De Guiche enters quickly, then stops, sniffing the air. Silence.)
de Guiche
It smells good here.
A Cadet
(Humming with an air of great unconcern.)
Sing ha-ha-ha and ho-ho-ho—
de Guiche
(Stares at him; he grows embarrassed.)
You there—
What are you blushing for?
The Cadet
Nothing—my blood
Stirs at the thought of battle.
Another
Pom ... pom ... pom! ...
de Guiche
(Turns upon him.)
What is that?
The Cadet
(Slightly stimulated)
Only song—only little song—
de Guiche
You appear happy!
The Cadet
Oh yes—always happy
Before a fight—
de Guiche
(Calls to Carbon, for the purpose of giving him an order.)
Captain! I—
(Stops and looks at him.)
What the devil—
You are looking happy too!—
Carbon
(Pulls a long face and hides a bottle behind his back.)
No!
de Guiche
Here—I had
One gun remaining. I have had it placed
(He points off stage.)
There—in that corner—for your men.
A Cadet
(Simpering)
So kind!—
Charming attention!
Another
(Same business; burlesque)
Sweet solicitude!—
de Guiche
(Contemptuous)
I believe you are both drunk—
(Coldly)
Being unaccustomed
To guns—take care of the recoil!
First Cadet
(Gesture)
Ah-h...Pfft!
de Guiche
(Goes up to him, furious.)
How dare you?
First Cadet
A Gascon's gun never recoils!
de Guiche
(Shakes him by the arm.)
You are drunk—
First Cadet
(Superbly)
With the smell of powder!
de Guiche
(Turns away with a shrug.)
Bah!
(To Roxane)
Madame, have you decided?
Roxane
I stay here.
de Guiche
You have time to escape—
Roxane
No!
de Guiche
Very well—
Someone give me a musket!
Carbon
What?
de Guiche
I stay
Here also.
Cyrano
(Formally)
Sir, you show courage!
First Cadet
A Gascon
In spite of all that lace!
Roxane
Why—
de Guiche
Must I run
Away, and leave a woman?
Second Cadet
(To First Cadet)
We might give him
Something to eat—what do you say?
(All the food re-appears, as if by magic.)
de Guiche
(His face lights up.)
A feast!
Third Cadet
Here a little, there a little—
de Guiche
(Recovers his self-control; haughtily.)
Do you think
I want your leavings?
Cyrano
(Saluting)
Colonel—you improve!
de Guiche
I can fight as I am!
First Cadet
(Delighted)
Listen to him—
He has an accent!
de Guiche
(Laughs)
Have I so?
First Cadet
A Gascon!—
A Gascon, after all!
(They all begin to dance.)
Carbon
(Who has disappeared for a moment behind the parapet, reappears on top of it.)
I have placed my pikemen
Here,
(Indicates a row of pikes showing above the parapet.)
de Guiche
(Bows to Roxane.)
We'll review them; will you take my arm?
(She takes his arm; they go up on the parapet. The rest uncover, and follow them up stage.)
Christian
(Goes hurriedly to Cyrano.)
Speak quickly!
(At the moment when Roxane appears on the parapet the pikes are lowered in salute, and a cheer is heard. She bows.)
The Pikemen
(Off stage)
Hurrah!
Christian
What is it?
Cyrano
If Roxane ...
Christian
Well?
Cyrano
Speaks about your letters ..
Christian
Yes—I know!
Cyrano
Do not make the mistake of showing ...
Christian
What?
Cyrano
Showing surprise.
Christian
Surprise—why?
Cyrano
I must tell you! ...
It is quite simple—I had forgotten it
Until just now. You have ...
Christian
Speak quickly!—
Cyrano
You
Have written oftener than you think.
Christian
Oh—have I!
Cyrano
I took upon me to interpret you;
And wrote—sometimes ... without..
Christian
My knowing. Well?
Cyrano
Perfectly simple!
Christian
Oh yes, perfectly!—
For a month, we have been blockaded here!—
How did you send all these letters?
Cyrano
Before
Daylight, I managed—
Christian
I see. That was also
Perfectly simple!
—So I wrote to her,
How many times a week? Twice? Three times? Four?
Cyrano
Oftener.
Christian
Every day?
Cyrano
Yes—every day ...
Every single day ...
Christian
(Violently)
And that wrought you up
Into such a flame that you faced death—
Cyrano
(Sees Roxane returning.)
Hush—
Not before her!
(He goes quickly into the tent. Roxane comes up to Christian.)
Roxane
Now—Christian!
Christian
(Takes her hands.)
Tell me now
Why you came here—over these ruined roads—
Why you made your way among mosstroopers
And ruffians—you—to join me here?
Roxane
Because—
Your letters ...
Christian
Meaning?
Roxane
It was your own fault
If I ran into danger! I went mad—
Mad with you! Think what you have written me,
How many times, each one more wonderful
Than the last!
Christian
All this for a few absurd
Love-letters—
Roxane
Hush—absurd! How can you know?
I thought I loved you, ever since one night
When a voice that I never would have known
Under my window breathed your soul to me ...
But—all this time, your letters—every one
Was like hearing your voice there in the dark,
All around me, like your arms around me ...
(More lightly)
At last,
I came. Anyone would! Do you suppose
The prim Penelope had stayed at home
Embroidering,—if Ulysses wrote like you?
She would have fallen like another Helen—
Tucked up those linen petticoats of hers
And followed him to Troy!
Christian
But you—
Roxane
I read them
Over and over. I grew faint reading them.
I belonged to you. Every page of them
Was like a petal fallen from your soul—
Like the light and the fire of a great love,
Sweet and strong and true—
Christian
Sweet... and strong ... and true ...
You felt that, Roxane?—
Roxane
You know how I feel! ...
Christian
So—you came ...
Roxane
Oh, my Christian, oh my king,
Lift me up if I fall upon my knees—
It is the heart of me that kneels to you,
And will remain forever at your feet—
You cannot lift that!—
I came here to say
'Forgive me'—(It is time to be forgiven
Now, when we may die presently)—forgive me
For being light and vain and loving you
Only because you were beautiful.
Christian
(Astonished)
Roxane! ...
Roxane
Afterwards I knew better. Afterwards
(I had to learn to use my wings) I loved you
For yourself too—knowing you more, and loving
More of you. And now—
Christian
Now? ...
Roxane
It is yourself
I love now: your own self.
Christian
(Taken aback)
Roxane!
Roxane
(Gravely)
Be happy!—
You must have suffered; for you must have seen
How frivolous I was; and to be loved
For the mere costume, the poor casual body
You went about in—to a soul like yours,
That must have been torture! Therefore with words
You revealed your heart. Now that image of you
Which filled my eyes first—I see better now,
And I see it no more!
Christian
Oh!—
Roxane
You still doubt
Your victory?
Christian
(Miserably)
Roxane!—
Roxane
I understand:
You cannot perfectly believe in me—
A love like this—
Christian
I want no love like this!
I want love only for—
Roxane
Only for what
Every woman sees in you? I can do
Better than that!
Christian
No—it was best before!
Roxane
You do not altogether know me ... Dear,
There is more of me than there was—with this,
I can love more of you—more of what makes
You your own self—Truly! ... If you were less
Lovable—
Christian
No!
Roxane
—Less charming—ugly even—
I should love you still.
Christian
You mean that?
Roxane
I do
Mean that!
Christian
Ugly? ...
Roxane
Yes. Even then!
Christian
(Agonised)
Oh ... God! ..,
Roxane
Now are you happy?
Christian
(Choking)
Yes ...
Roxane
What is it?
Christian
(Pushes her away gently.)
Only ...
Nothing ... one moment...
Roxane
But—
Christian
(Gesture toward the Cadets)
I am keeping you
From those poor fellows— Go and smile at them;
They are going to die!
Roxane
(Softly)
Dear Christian!
Christian
Go—
(She goes up among the Gascons who gather round her respectfully.)
Cyrano!
Cyrano
(Comes out of the tent, armed for the battle.)
What is wrong? You look—
Christian
She does not
Love me any more.
Cyrano
(Smiles)
You think not?
Christian
She loves
You.
Cyrano
No!—
Christian
(Bitterly)
She loves only my soul.
Cyrano
No!
Christian
Yes—
That means you. And you love her.
Cyrano
I?
Christian
I see—
I know!
Cyrano
That is true ...
Christian
More than—
Cyrano
(Quietly)
More than that.
Christian
Tell her so!
Cyrano
No.
Christian
Why not?
Cyrano
Why—look at me!
Christian
She would love me if I were ugly.
Cyrano
(Startled)
She—
Said that?
Christian
Yes. Now then!
Cyrano
(Half to himself)
It was good of her
To tell you that...
(Change of tone)
Nonsense! Do you believe
Any such madness—
It was good of her
To tell you....
Do not take her at her word!
Go on—you never will be ugly— Go!
She would never forgive me.
Christian
That is what
We shall see.
Cyrano
No, no—
Christian
Let her choose between us!—
Tell her everything!
Cyrano
No—you torture me—
Christian
Shall I ruin your happiness, because
I have a cursed pretty face? That seems
Too unfair!
Cyrano
And am I to ruin yours
Because I happen to be born with power
To say what you—perhaps—feel?
Christian
Tell her!
Cyrano
Man—
Do not try me too far!
Christian
I am tired of being
My own rival!
Cyrano
Christian!—
Christian
Our secret marriage—
No witnesses—fraudulent—that can be
Annulled—
Cyrano
Do not try me—
Christian
I want her love
For the poor fool I am—or not at all!
Oh, I am going through with this! I'll know,
One way or the other. Now I shall walk down
To the end of the post. Go tell her. Let her choose
One of us.
Cyrano
It will be you.
Christian
God—I hope so!
(He turns and calls.)
Roxane!
Cyrano
No—no—
Roxane
(Hurries down to him.)
Yes, Christian?
Christian
Cyrano
Has news for you—important.
(She turns to Cyrano. Christian goes out.)
Roxane
(Lightly)
Oh—important?
Cyrano
He is gone ...
(To Roxane)
Nothing—only Christian thinks
You ought to know—
Roxane
I do know. He still doubts
What I told him just now. I saw that.
Cyrano
(Takes her hand.)
Was it
True—what you told him just now?
Roxane
It was true!
I said that I should love him even ..
Cyrano
(Smiling sadly)
The word
Comes hard—before me?
Roxane
Even if he were ...
Cyrano
Say it—
I shall not be hurt!—Ugly?
Roxane
Even then
I should love him.
(A few shots, off stage, in the direction in which Christian disappeared.)
Hark! The guns—
Cyrano
Hideous?
Roxane
Hideous.
Cyrano
Disfigured?
Roxane
Or disfigured.
Cyrano
Even
Grotesque?
Roxane
How could he ever be grotesque—
Ever—to me!
Cyrano
But you could love him so,
As much as?—
Roxane
Yes—and more!
Cyrano
(Aside, excitedly)
It is true!—true!—
Perhaps—God! This is too much happiness ...
(To Roxane)
I—Roxane—listen—
Le Bret
(Enters quickly; calls to Cyrano in a low tone.)
Cyrano—
Cyrano
(Turns)
Yes?
Le Bret
Hush! ...
(Whispers a few words to him.)
Cyrano
(Lets fall Roxane's hand.)
Ah!
Roxane
What is it?
Cyrano
(Half stunned, and aside)
All gone ...
Roxane
(More shots)
What is it? Oh,
They are fighting!—
(She goes up to look off stage.)
Cyrano
All gone. I cannot ever
Tell her, now ... ever ...
Roxane
(Starts to rush away.)
What has happened?
Cyrano
(Restrains her.)
Nothing.
(Several Cadets enter. They conceal something which they are carrying, and form a group so as to prevent Roxane from seeing their burden.)
Roxane
These men—
Cyrano
Come away ...
(He leads her away from the group.)
Roxane
You were telling me
Something—
Cyrano
Oh, that? Nothing....
(Gravely)
I swear to you
That the spirit of Christian—that his soul
Was—
(Corrects himself quickly.)
That his soul is no less great—
Roxane
(Catches at the word.)
Was?
(Crying out)
Oh!—
(She rushes among the men, and scatters them.)
Cyrano
All gone ...
Roxane
(Sees Christian lying upon his cloak.)
Christian!
Le Bret
(To Cyrano)
At the first volley.
(Roxane throws herself upon the body of Christian. Shots; at first scattered, then increasing. Drums. Voices shouting.)
Carbon
(Sword in hand)
Here
They come!—Ready!—
(Followed by the Cadets, he climbs over the parapet and disappears.)
Roxane
Christian!
Carbon
(Off stage)
Come on, there, You!
Roxane
Christian!
Carbon
Fall in!
Roxane
Christian!
Carbon
Measure your fuse!
(Ragueneau hurries up, carrying a helmet full of water.)
Christian
(Faintly)
Roxane!
Cyrano
(Low and quick, in Christian's ear, while Roxane is dipping into the water a strip of linen torn from her dress.)
I have told her; she loves you,
(Christian closes his eyes.)
Roxane
(Turns to Christian.)
Yes,
My darling?
Carbon
Draw your ramrods!
Roxane
(To Cyrano)
He is not dead? ...
Carbon
Open your charges!
Roxane
I can feel his cheek
Growing cold against mine—
Carbon
Take aim!
Roxane
A letter—
Over his heart—
(She opens it.)
For me.
Cyrano
(Aside)
My letter ...
Carbon
Fire!
(Musketry, cries and groans. Din of battle.)
Cyrano
(Trying to withdraw his hand, which Roxane, still upon her knees, is holding.)
But Roxane—they are fighting—
Roxane
Wait a little ...
He is dead. No one else knew him but you ...
(She weeps quietly.)
Was he not a great lover, a great man,
A hero?
Cyrano
(Standing, bareheaded.)
Yes, Roxane.
Roxane
A poet, unknown,
Adorable?
Cyrano
Yes, Roxane.
Roxane
A fine mind?
Cyrano
Yes, Roxane.
Roxane
A heart deeper than we knew—
A soul magnificently tender?
Cyrano
(Firmly)
Yes,
Roxane!
Roxane
(Sinks down upon the breast of Christian.)
He is dead now ...
Cyrano
(Aside; draws his sword.)
Why, so am I—
For I am dead, and my love mourns for me
And does not know ...
(Trumpets in distance)
de Guiche
(Appears on the parapet, disheveled, wounded on the forehead, shouting.)
The signal—hark—the trumpets!
The army has returned— Hold them now!—Hold them!
The army!—
Roxane
On his letter—blood ... and tears.
A Voice
(Off stage)
Surrender!
The Cadets
No!
Ragueneau
This place is dangerous!—
Cyrano
(To De Guiche)
Take her away—I am going—
Roxane
(Kisses the letter; faintly.)
His blood ... his tears ...
Ragueneau
(Leaps down from the coach and runs to her.)
She has fainted—
de Guiche
(On the parapet; savagely, to the Cadets)
Hold them!
Voice Off Stage
Lay down your arms!
Voices
No! No!
Cyrano
(To De Guiche)
Sir, you have proved yourself— Take care of her.
de Guiche
(Hurries to Roxane and takes her up in his arms.)
As you will—we can win, if you hold on
A little longer—
Cyrano
Good!
(Calls out to Roxane, as she is carried away, fainting, by De Guiche and Ragueneau.)
Adieu, Roxane!
(Tumult, outcries. Several Cadets come back wounded and fall on the stage. Cyrano, rushing to the fight, is stopped on the crest of the parapet by Carbon, covered with blood.)
Carbon
We are breaking—I am twice wounded—
Cyrano
(Shouts to the Gascons.)
Hardi!
Reculez pas, Drollos!
(To Carbon, holding him up.)
So—never fear!
I have two deaths to avenge now—Christian's
And my own!
(They come down, Cyrano takes from him the lance with Roxane's handkerchief still fastened to it.)
Float, little banner, with her name!
(He plants it on the parapet; then shouts to the Cadets.)
Toumbé dessus! Escrasas lous!
(To the fifer)
Your fife!
Music!
(Fife plays. The wounded drag themselves to their feet. Other Cadets scramble over the parapet and group themselves around Cyrano and his tiny flag. The coach is filled and covered with men, bristling with muskets, transformed into a redoubt.)
A Cadet
(Reels backward over the wall, still fighting. Shouts)
They are climbing over!—
(And falls dead.)
Cyrano
Very good—
Let them come!— A salute now—
(The parapet is crowned for an instant with a rank of enemies. The imperial banner of Spain is raised aloft.)
Fire!
(General volley)
Voice
(Among the ranks of the enemy)
Fire!
(Murderous counter-fire; the Cadets fall on every side.)
A Spanish Officer
(Uncovers)
Who are these men who are so fond of death?
Cyrano
(Erect amid the hail of bullets, declaims)
The Cadets of Gascoyne, the defenders
Of Carbon de Castel-Jaloux—
Free fighters, free lovers, free spenders—
(He rushes forward, followed by a few survivors.)
The Cadets of Gascoyne ...
(The rest is lost in the din of battle.)
(Curtain)