Cyrano, Roxane.
CYRANO: Blessed be the moment when you condescend-- Remembering that humbly I exist-- To come to meet me, and to say. . .to tell?. . .
ROXANE (who has unmasked): To thank you first of all. That dandy count, Whom you checkmated in brave sword-play Last night,. . .he is the man whom a great lord, Desirous of my favor. . .
CYRANO: Ha, De Guiche?
ROXANE (casting down her eyes): Sought to impose on me. . .for husband. . .
CYRANO: Ay! Husband!--dupe-husband!. . .Husband a la mode! (Bowing): Then I fought, happy chance! sweet lady, not For my ill favor--but your favors fair!
ROXANE: Confession next!. . .But, ere I make my shrift, You must be once again that brother-friend With whom I used to play by the lake-side!. . .
CYRANO: Ay, you would come each spring to Bergerac!
ROXANE: Mind you the reeds you cut to make your swords?. . .
CYRANO: While you wove corn-straw plaits for your dolls' hair!
ROXANE: Those were the days of games!. . .
CYRANO: And blackberries!. . .
ROXANE: In those days you did everything I bid!. . .
CYRANO: Roxane, in her short frock, was Madeleine. . .
ROXANE: Was I fair then?
CYRANO: You were not ill to see!
ROXANE: Ofttimes, with hands all bloody from a fall, You'd run to me! Then--aping mother-ways-- I, in a voice would-be severe, would chide,-- (She takes his hand): 'What is this scratch, again, that I see here?' (She starts, surprised): Oh! 'Tis too much! What's this? (Cyrano tries to draw away his hand): No, let me see! At your age, fie! Where did you get that scratch?
CYRANO: I got it--playing at the Porte de Nesle.
ROXANE (seating herself by the table, and dipping her handkerchief in a glass of water): Give here!
CYRANO (sitting by her): So soft! so gay maternal-sweet!
ROXANE: And tell me, while I wipe away the blood, How many 'gainst you?
CYRANO: Oh! A hundred--near.
ROXANE: Come, tell me!
CYRANO: No, let be. But you, come tell The thing, just now, you dared not. . .
ROXANE (keeping his hand): Now, I dare! The scent of those old days emboldens me! Yes, now I dare. Listen. I am in love.
CYRANO: Ah!. . .
ROXANE: But with one who knows not.
CYRANO: Ah!. . .
ROXANE: Not yet.
CYRANO: Ah!. . .
ROXANE: But who, if he knows not, soon shall learn.
CYRANO: Ah!. . .
ROXANE: A poor youth who all this time has loved Timidly, from afar, and dares not speak. . .
CYRANO: Ah!. . .
ROXANE: Leave your hand; why, it is fever-hot!-- But I have seen love trembling on his lips.
CYRANO: Ah!. . .
ROXANE (bandaging his hand with her handkerchief): And to think of it! that he by chance-- Yes, cousin, he is of your regiment!
CYRANO: Ah!. . .
ROXANE (laughing): --Is cadet in your own company!
CYRANO: Ah!. . .
ROXANE: On his brow he bears the genius-stamp; He is proud, noble, young, intrepid, fair. . .
CYRANO (rising suddenly, very pale): Fair!
ROXANE: Why, what ails you?
CYRANO: Nothing; 'tis. . . (He shows his hand, smiling): This scratch!
ROXANE: I love him; all is said. But you must know I have only seen him at the Comedy. . .
CYRANO: How? You have never spoken?
ROXANE: Eyes can speak.
CYRANO: How know you then that he. . .?
ROXANE: Oh! people talk 'Neath the limes in the Place Royale. . . Gossip's chat Has let me know. . .
CYRANO: He is cadet?
ROXANE: In the Guards.
CYRANO: His name?
ROXANE: Baron Christian de Neuvillette.
CYRANO: How now?. . .He is not of the Guards!
ROXANE: To-day He is not join your ranks, under Captain Carbon de Castel-Jaloux.
CYRANO: Ah, how quick, How quick the heart has flown!. . .But, my poor child. . .
THE DUENNA (opening the door): The cakes are eaten, Monsieur Bergerac!
CYRANO: Then read the verses printed on the bags! (She goes out): . . .My poor child, you who love but flowing words, Bright wit,--what if he be a lout unskilled?
ROXANE: No, his bright locks, like D'Urfe's heroes. . .
CYRANO: Ah! A well-curled pate, and witless tongue, perchance!
ROXANE: Ah no! I guess--I feel--his words are fair!
CYRANO: All words are fair that lurk 'neath fair mustache! --Suppose he were a fool!. . .
ROXANE (stamping her foot): Then bury me!
CYRANO (after a pause): Was it to tell me this you brought me here? I fail to see what use this serves, Madame.
ROXANE: Nay, but I felt a terror, here, in the heart, On learning yesterday you were Gascons All of your company. . .
CYRANO: And we provoke All beardless sprigs that favor dares admit 'Midst us pure Gascons--(pure! Heaven save the mark! They told you that as well?
ROXANE: Ah! Think how I Trembled for him!
CYRANO (between his teeth): Not causelessly!
ROXANE: But when Last night I saw you,--brave, invincible,-- Punish that dandy, fearless hold your own Against those brutes, I thought--I thought, if he Whom all fear, all--if he would only. . .
CYRANO: Good. I will befriend your little Baron.
ROXANE: Ah! You'll promise me you will do this for me? I've always held you as a tender friend.
CYRANO: Ay, ay.
ROXANE: Then you will be his friend?
CYRANO: I swear!
ROXANE: And he shall fight no duels, promise!
CYRANO: None.
ROXANE: You are kind, cousin! Now I must be gone. (She puts on her mask and veil quickly; then, absently): You have not told me of your last night's fray. Ah, but it must have been a hero-fight!. . . --Bid him to write. (She sends him a kiss with her fingers): How good you are!
CYRANO: Ay! Ay!
ROXANE: A hundred men against you? Now, farewell.-- We are great friends?
CYRANO: Ay, ay!
ROXANE: Oh, bid him write! You'll tell me all one day--A hundred men!-- Ah, brave!. . .How brave!
CYRANO (bowing to her): I have fought better since.
(She goes out. Cyrano stands motionless, with eyes on the ground. A silence. The door (right) opens. Ragueneau looks in.)
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