CHRISTIANDENEUVILLETTE
COUNTDEGUICHE
RAGUENEAU
LEBRET
CARBONDECASTEL-JALOUX
THECADETS
LIGNIERE
DEVALVERT
AMARQUIS
SECONDMARQUIS
THIRDMARQUIS
MONTFLEURY
BELLEROSE
JODELET
CUIGY
BRISSAILLE
THEDOORKEEPER
ALACKEY
ASECONDLACKEY
ABORE
AMUSKETEER
ANOTHER
ASPANISHOFFICER
APORTER
ABURGHER
HISSON
APICKPOCKET
ASPECTATOR
AGUARDSMAN
BERTRANDTHEFIFER
AMONK
TWOMUSICIANS
THEPOETS
THEPASTRYCOOKS
ROXANE
SISTERMARTHA
LISE
THEBUFFET-GIRL
MOTHERMARGUERITE
THEDUENNA
SISTERCLAIRE
ANACTRESS
THEPAGES
THESHOP-GIRL
Thecrowd,troopers,burghers(maleandfemale),marquises,musketeers,pickpockets,pastry-cooks,poets,Gasconscadets,actors(maleandfemale),violinists,pages,children,soldiers,Spaniards,spectators(maleandfemale),precieuses,nuns,etc。
ActI。
ARepresentationattheHoteldeBourgogne。
ThehalloftheHoteldeBourgogne,in1640。Asortoftennis-courtarrangedanddecoratedforatheatricalperformance。
Thehallisoblongandseenobliquely,sothatoneofitssidesformsthebackoftherightforeground,andmeetingtheleftbackgroundmakesananglewiththestage,whichispartlyvisible。
Onbothsidesofthestagearebenches。Thecurtainiscomposedoftwotapestrieswhichcanbedrawnaside。Aboveaharlequin’smantlearetheroyalarms。Therearebroadstepsfromthestagetothehall;oneithersideofthesestepsaretheplacesfortheviolinists。Footlights。
Tworows,oneovertheother,ofsidegalleries:thehighestdividedintoboxes。Noseatsinthepitofthehall,whichistherealstageofthetheater;atthebackofthepit,i。e。,ontherightforeground,somebenchesformingsteps,andunderneath,astaircasewhichleadstotheupperseats。Animprovisedbuffetornamentedwithlittlelusters,vases,glasses,platesoftarts,cakes,bottles,etc。
Theentrancetothetheaterisinthecenterofthebackground,underthegalleryoftheboxes。Alargedoor,halfopentoletinthespectators。Onthepanelsofthisdoor,indifferentcorners,andoverthebuffet,redplacardsbearingthewords,’LaClorise。’
Attherisingofthecurtainthehallisinsemi-darkness,andstillempty。
Thelustersareloweredinthemiddleofthepitreadytobelighted。
Scene1。I。
Thepublic,arrivingbydegrees。Troopers,burghers,lackeys,pages,apickpocket,thedoorkeeper,etc。,followedbythemarquises。Cuigy,Brissaille,thebuffet-girl,theviolinists,etc。
(Aconfusionofloudvoicesisheardoutsidethedoor。Atrooperentershastily。)
THEDOORKEEPER(followinghim):
Hollo!Youthere!Yourmoney!
THETROOPER:
Ientergratis。
THEDOORKEEPER:
Why?
THETROOPER:
Why?IamoftheKing’sHouseholdCavalry,’faith!
THEDOORKEEPER(toanothertrooperwhoenters):
Andyou?
SECONDTROOPER:
Ipaynothing。
THEDOORKEEPER:
Howso?
SECONDTROOPER:
Iamamusketeer。
FIRSTTROOPER(tothesecond):
Theplaywillnotbegintilltwo。Thepitisempty。Come,aboutwiththefoilstopassthetime。
(Theyfencewiththefoilstheyhavebrought。)
ALACKEY(entering):
Pst……Flanquin……!
ANOTHER(alreadythere):
Champagne?……
THEFIRST(showinghimcardsanddicewhichhetakesfromhisdoublet):
See,herebecardsanddice。
(Heseatshimselfonthefloor):
Let’splay。
THESECOND(doingthesame):
Good;Iamwithyou,villain!
FIRSTLACKEY(takingfromhispocketacandle-end,whichhelights,andsticksonthefloor):
Imadefreetoprovidemyselfwithlightatmymaster’sexpense!
AGUARDSMAN(toashop-girlwhoadvances):
’Twasprettilydonetocomebeforethelightswerelit!
(Hetakesherroundthewaist。)
ONEOFTHEFENCERS(receivingathrust):
Ahit!
ONEOFTHECARD-PLAYERS:
Clubs!
THEGUARDSMAN(followingthegirl):
Akiss!
THESHOP-GIRL(strugglingtofreeherself):
They’relooking!
THEGUARDSMAN(drawinghertoadarkcorner):
Nofear!Noonecansee!
AMAN(sittingonthegroundwithothers,whohavebroughttheirprovisions):
Bycomingearly,onecaneatincomfort。
ABURGHER(conductinghisson):
Letussithere,son。
ACARD-PLAYER:
Tripleace!
AMAN(takingabottlefromunderhiscloak,andalsoseatinghimselfonthefloor):
AtipplermaywellquaffhisBurgundy(hedrinks):
intheBurgundyHotel!
THEBURGHER(tohisson):
’Faith!Amanmightthinkhehadfalleninabadhousehere!
(Hepointswithhiscanetothedrunkard):
Whatwithtopers!
(Oneofthefencersinbreakingoff,jostleshim):
brawlers!
(Hestumblesintothemidstofthecard-players):
gamblers!
THEGUARDSMAN(behindhim,stillteasingtheshop-girl):
Come,onekiss!
THEBURGHER(hurriedlypullinghissonaway):
Byalltheholies!Andthis,myboy,isthetheaterwheretheyplayedRotrouerewhile。
THEYOUNGMAN:
Ay,andCorneille!
ATROOPOFPAGES(hand-in-hand,enterdancingthefarandole,andsinging):
Tra’ala,la,la,la,la,la,la,lere……
THEDOORKEEPER(sternly,tothepages):
Youpagesthere,noneofyourtricks!……
FIRSTPAGE(withanairofwoundeddignity):
Oh,sir!——suchasuspicion!……
(Briskly,tothesecondpage,themomentthedoorkeeper’sbackisturned):
Haveyoustring?
THESECOND:
Ay,andafish-hookwithit。
FIRSTPAGE:
Wecanangleforwigs,then,uptherei’th’gallery。
APICKPOCKET(gatheringabouthimsomeevil-lookingyouths):
Harkye,youngcut-purses,lendanear,whileIgiveyouyourfirstlessoninthieving。
SECONDPAGE(callinguptoothersinthetopgalleries):
Youthere!Haveyoupeashooters?
THIRDPAGE(fromabove):
Ay,havewe,andpeaswithal!
(Heblows,andpeppersthemwithpeas。)
THEYOUNGMAN(tohisfather):
Whatpiecedotheygiveus?
THEBURGHER:
’Clorise。’
THEYOUNGMAN:
Whomaytheauthorbe?
THEBURGHER:
MasterBalthazarBaro。Itisaplay!……
(Hegoesarm-in-armwithhisson。)
THEPICKPOCKET(tohispupils):
Haveacare,aboveall,ofthelaceknee-ruffles——cutthemoff!
ASPECTATOR(toanother,showinghimacornerinthegallery):
Iwasupthere,thefirstnightofthe’Cid。’
THEPICKPOCKET(makingwithhisfingersthegestureoffilching):
Thusforwatches——
THEBURGHER(comingdownagainwithhisson):
Ah!Youshallpresentlyseesomerenownedactors……
THEPICKPOCKET(makingthegesturesofonewhopullssomethingstealthily,withlittlejerks):
Thusforhandkerchiefs——
THEBURGHER:
Montfleury……
SOMEONE(shoutingfromtheuppergallery):
Lightup,belowthere!
THEBURGHER:……Bellerose,L’Epy,LaBeaupre,Jodelet!
APAGE(inthepit):
Herecomesthebuffet-girl!
THEBUFFET-GIRL(takingherplacebehindthebuffet):
Oranges,milk,raspberry-water,cedarbitters!
(Ahubbuboutsidethedoorisheard。)
AFALSETTOVOICE:
Makeplace,brutes!
ALACKEY(astonished):
TheMarquises!——inthepit?……
ANOTHERLACKEY:
Oh!onlyforaminuteortwo!
(Enterabandofyoungmarquises。)
AMARQUIS(seeingthatthehallishalfempty):
Whatnow!Sowemakeourentrancelikeapackofwoolen-drapers!
Peaceably,withoutdisturbingthefolk,ortreadingontheirtoes!——Oh,fie!
Fie!
(Recognizingsomeothergentlemenwhohaveenteredalittlebeforehim):
Cuigy!Brissaille!
(Greetingsandembraces。)
CUIGY:
Truetoourword!……Troth,weareherebeforethecandlesarelit。
THEMARQUIS:
Ay,indeed!Enough!Iamofanillhumor。
ANOTHER:
Nay,nay,Marquis!see,foryourconsolation,theyarecomingtolightup!
ALLTHEAUDIENCE(welcomingtheentranceofthelighter):
Ah!……
(Theyformingroupsroundthelustersastheyarelit。Somepeoplehavetakentheirseatsinthegalleries。Ligniere,adistinguished-lookingroue,withdisorderedshirt-frontarm-in-armwithchristiandeNeuvillette。
Christian,whoisdressedelegantly,butratherbehindthefashion,seemspreoccupied,andkeepslookingattheboxes。)
Scene1。II。
Thesame。Christian,Ligniere,thenRagueneauandLeBret。
CUIGY:
Ligniere!
BRISSAILLE(laughing):
Notdrunkasyet?
LIGNIERE(asidetoChristian):
Imayintroduceyou?
(Christiannodsinassent):
BarondeNeuvillette。
(Bows。)
THEAUDIENCE(applaudingasthefirstlusterislightedanddrawnup):
Ah!
CUIGY(toBrissaille,lookingatChristian):
’Tisaprettyfellow!
FIRSTMARQUIS(whohasoverheard):
Pooh!
LIGNIERE(introducingthemtoChristian):
MylordsDeCuigy。DeBrissaille……
CHRISTIAN(bowing):
Delighted!……
FIRSTMARQUIS(tosecond):
Heisnotilltolookat,butcertes,heisnotcostumedinthelatestmode。
LIGNIERE(toCuigy):
ThisgentlemancomesfromTouraine。
CHRISTIAN:
Yes,IhavescarcebeentwentydaysinParis;tomorrowIjointheGuards,intheCadets。
FIRSTMARQUIS(watchingthepeoplewhoarecomingintotheboxes):
ThereisthewifeoftheChief-Justice。
THEBUFFET-GIRL:
Oranges,milk……
THEVIOLINISTS(tuningup):
La——la——
CUIGY(toChristian,pointingtothehall,whichisfillingfast):
’Tiscrowded。
CHRISTIAN:
Yes,indeed。
FIRSTMARQUIS:
Allthegreatworld!
(Theyrecognizeandnamethedifferentelegantlydressedladieswhoentertheboxes,bowinglowtothem。Theladiessendsmilesinanswer。)
SECONDMARQUIS:
MadamedeGuemenee。
CUIGY:
MadamedeBois-Dauphin。
FIRSTMARQUIS:
Adoredbyusall!
BRISSAILLE:
MadamedeChavigny……
SECONDMARQUIS:
Whosportswithourpoorhearts!……
LIGNIERE:
Ha!soMonsieurdeCorneillehascomebackfromRouen!
THEYOUNGMAN(tohisfather):
IstheAcademyhere?
THEBURGHER:
Oh,ay,Iseeseveralofthem。ThereisBoudu,Boissat,andCureaudelaChambre,Porcheres,Colomby,Bourzeys,Bourdon,Arbaud……allnamesthatwilllive!’Tisfine!
FIRSTMARQUIS:
Attention!Herecomeourprecieuses;Barthenoide,Urimedonte,Cassandace,Felixerie……
SECONDMARQUIS:
Ah!Howexquisitetheirfancynamesare!Doyouknowthemall,Marquis?
FIRSTMARQUIS:
Ay,Marquis,Ido,everyone!
LIGNIERE(drawingChristianaside):
Friend,Ibutcameheretogiveyoupleasure。Theladycomesnot。Iwillbetakemeagaintomypetvice。
CHRISTIAN(persuasively):
No,no!You,whoareballad-makertoCourtandCityalike,cantellmebetterthananywhotheladyisforwhomIdieoflove。Stayyetawhile。
THEFIRSTVIOLIN(strikinghisbowonthedesk):
Gentlemenviolinists!
(Heraiseshisbow。)
THEBUFFET-GIRL:
Macaroons,lemon-drink……
(Theviolinsbegintoplay。)
CHRISTIAN:
Ah!Ifearmesheiscoquettish,andoverniceandfastidious!
I,whoamsopoorofwit,howdareIspeaktoher——howaddressher?
Thislanguagethattheyspeakto-day——ay,andwrite——confoundsme;
Iambutanhonestsoldier,andtimidwithal。Shehaseverherplace,there,ontheright——theemptybox,seeyou!
LIGNIERE(makingasiftogo):
Imustgo。
CHRISTIAN(detaininghim):
Nay,stay。
LIGNIERE:
Icannot。D’Assoucywaitsmeatthetavern,andhereonediesofthirst。
THEBUFFET-GIRL(passingbeforehimwithatray):
Orangedrink?
LIGNIERE:
Ugh!
THEBUFFET-GIRL:
Milk?
LIGNIERE:
Pah!
THEBUFFET-GIRL:
Rivesalte?
LIGNIERE:
Stay。
(ToChristian):
Iwillremainawhile。——Letmetastethisrivesalte。
(Hesitsbythebuffet;thegirlpourssomeoutforhim。)
CRIES(fromalltheaudience,attheentranceofaplumplittleman,joyouslyexcited):
Ah!Ragueneau!
LIGNIERE(toChristian):
’Tisthefamoustavern-keeperRagueneau。
RAGUENEAU(dressedintheSundayclothesofapastry-cook,goingupquicklytoLigniere):
Sir,haveyouseenMonsieurdeCyrano?
LIGNIERE(introducinghimtoChristian):
Thepastry-cookoftheactorsandthepoets!
RAGUENEAU(overcome):
Youdometoogreathonor……
LIGNIERE:
Nay,holdyourpeace,Maecenasthatyouare!
RAGUENEAU:
True,thesegentlemenemployme……
LIGNIERE:
Oncredit!
Heishimselfapoetofaprettytalent……
RAGUENEAU:
Sotheytellme。
LIGNIERE:
——Madafterpoetry!
RAGUENEAU:
’Tistruethat,foralittleode……
LIGNIERE:
Yougiveatart……
RAGUENEAU:
Oh!——atartlet!
LIGNIERE:
Bravefellow!Hewouldfainfainexcusehimself!
——Andforatriolet,now,didyounotgiveinexchange……
RAGUENEAU:
Somelittlerolls!
LIGNIERE(severely):
Theyweremilk-rolls!Andasforthetheater,whichyoulove?
RAGUENEAU:
Oh!todistraction!
LIGNIERE:
Howpayyouyourtickets,ha?——withcakes。
Yourplace,to-night,cometellmeinmyear,whatdiditcostyou?
RAGUENEAU:
Fourcustards,andfifteencream-puffs。
(Helooksaroundonallsides):
MonsieurdeCyranoisnothere?’Tisstrange。
LIGNIERE:
Whyso?
RAGUENEAU:
Montfleuryplays!
LIGNIERE:
Ay,’tistruethatthatoldwine-barrelistotakePhedon’spartto-night;
butwhatmatteristhattoCyrano?
RAGUENEAU:
How?Knowyounot?HehasgotahothateforMontfleury,andso!——hasforbidhimstrictlytoshowhisfaceonthestageforonewholemonth。
LIGNIERE(drinkinghisfourthglass):
Well?
RAGUENEAU:
Montfleurywillplay!
CUIGY:
Hecannothinderthat。
RAGUENEAU:
Oh!oh!thatIhavecometosee!
FIRSTMARQUIS:
WhoisthisCyrano?
CUIGY:
Afellowwellskilledinalltricksoffence。
SECONDMARQUIS:
Isheofnoblebirth?
CUIGY:
Ay,nobleenough。HeisacadetintheGuards。
(Pointingtoagentlemanwhoisgoingupanddownthehallasifsearchingforsomeone):
But’tishisfriendLeBret,yonder,whocanbesttellyou。
(Hecallshim):
LeBret!
(LeBretcomestowardsthem):
SeekyouforDeBergerac?
LEBRET:
Ay,Iamuneasy……
CUIGY:
Isitnottruethatheisthestrangestofmen?
LEBRET(tenderly):
True,thatheisthechoicestofearthlybeings!
RAGUENEAU:
Poet!
CUIGY:
Soldier!
BRISSAILLE:
Philosopher!
LEBRET:
Musician!
LIGNIERE:
Andofhowfantasticapresence!
RAGENEAU:
Marry,’twouldpuzzleevenourgrimpainterPhilippedeChampaignetoportrayhim!Methinks,whimsical,wild,comicalasheis,onlyJacquesCallot,nowdeadandgone,hadsucceededbetter,andhadmadeofhimthemaddestfighterofallhisvisoredcrew——withhistriple-plumedbeaverandsix-pointeddoublet——thesword-pointstickingup’neathhismantlelikeaninsolentcocktail!He’sprouderthanallthefierceArtabansofwhomGasconyhaseverbeenandwilleverbetheprolificAlmaMater!AbovehisTobyruffhecarriesanose!——ah,goodmylords,whatanoseishis!Whenoneseesitoneisfaintocryaloud,’Nay!’tistoomuch!Heplaysajokeonus!’Thenonelaughs,says’Hewillanontakeitoff。’Butno!——MonsieurdeBergeracalwayskeepsiton。
LEBRET(throwingbackhishead):
Hekeepsiton——andcleavesintwoanymanwhodaresremarkonit!
RAGUENEAU(proudly):
Hissword——’tisonehalfoftheFates’shears!
FIRSTMARQUIS(shrugginghisshoulders):
Hewillnotcome!
RAGUENEAU:
Isayhewill!andIwagerafowl——alaRagueneau。
THEMARQUIS(laughing):
Good!
(Murmursofadmirationinhall。Roxanehasjustappearedinherbox。Sheseatsherselfinfront,theduennaattheback。Christian,whoispayingthebuffet-girl,doesnotseeherentrance。)
SECONDMARQUIS(withlittlecriesofjoy):
Ah,gentlemen!sheisfearfully——terribly——ravishing!
FIRSTMARQUIS:
Whenonelooksatheronethinksofapeachsmilingatastrawberry!
SECONDMARQUIS:
Andwhatfreshness!Amanapproachinghertoonearmightchancetogetabadchillattheheart!
CHRISTIAN(raisinghishead,seesRoxane,andcatchesLignierebythearm):
’Tisshe!
LIGNIERE:
Ah!isitshe?
CHRISTIAN:
Ay,tellmequick——Iamafraid。
LIGNIERE(tastinghisrivesalteinsips):
MagdaleineRobin——Roxane,socalled!Asubtlewit——aprecieuse。
CHRISTIAN:
Woeisme!
LIGNIERE:
Free。Anorphan。ThecousinofCyrano,ofwhomwewerenowspeaking。
(Atthismomentanelegantnobleman,withblueribbonacrosshisbreast,entersthebox,andtalkswithRoxane,standing。)
CHRISTIAN(starting):
Whoisyonderman?
LIGNIERE(whoisbecomingtipsy,winkingathim):
Ha!ha!CountdeGuiche。Enamoredofher。ButweddedtothenieceofArmanddeRichelieu。WouldfainmarryRoxanetoacertainsorryfellow,oneMonsieurdeValvert,aviscount——and——accommodating!Shewillnoneofthatbargain;butDeGuicheispowerful,andcanpersecutethedaughterofaplainuntitledgentleman。Morebytoken,Imyselfhaveexposedthiscunningplanofhistotheworld,inasongwhich……Ho!hemustrageatme!Theendhithome……Listen!
(Hegetsupstaggering,andraiseshisglass,readytosing。)
CHRISTIAN:
No。Good-night。
LIGNIERE:
Wheregoyou?
CHRISTIAN:
ToMonsieurdeValvert!
LIGNIERE:
Haveacare!Itishewhowillkillyou(showinghimRoxanebyalook):
Staywhereyouare——sheislookingatyou。
CHRISTIAN:
Itistrue!
(Hestandslookingather。Thegroupofpickpocketsseeinghimthus,headinairandopen-mouthed,drawneartohim。)
LIGNIERE:
’TisIwhoamgoing。Iamathirst!Andtheyexpectme——inthetaverns!
(Hegoesout,reeling。)
LEBRET(whohasbeenallroundthehall,comingbacktoRagueneaureassured):
NosignofCyrano。
RAGUENEAU(incredulously):
Allthesame……
LEBRET:
Ahopeislefttome——thathehasnotseentheplaybill!
THEAUDIENCE:
Begin,begin!
Scene1。III。
Thesame,allbutLigniere。DeGuiche,Valvert,thenMontfleury。
Amarquis(watchingDeGuiche,whocomesdownfromRoxane’sbox,andcrossesthepitsurroundedbyobsequiousnoblemen,amongthemtheViscountdeValvert):
Hepaysafinecourt,yourDeGuiche!
ANOTHER:
Faugh!……AnotherGascon!
THEFIRST:
Ay,butthecold,suppleGascon——thatisthestuffsuccessismadeof!
Believeme,wehadbestmakeourbowtohim。
(TheygotowardDeGuiche。)
SECONDMARQUIS:
Whatfineribbons!Howcallyouthecolor,CountdeGuiche?’Kissme,mydarling,’or’TimidFawn?’
DEGUICHE:
’Tisthecolorcalled’SickSpaniard。’
FIRSTMARQUIS:
’Faith!Thecolorspeakstruth,for,thankstoyourvalor,thingswillsoongoillforSpaininFlanders。
DEGUICHE:
Igoonthestage!Willyoucome?
(Hegoestowardthestage,followedbythemarquisesandgentlemen。Turning,hecalls):
ComeyouValvert!
CHRISTIAN(whoiswatchingandlistening,startsonhearingthisname):
TheViscount!Ah!Iwillthrowfullinhisfacemy……
(Heputshishandinhispocket,andfindstherethehandofapickpocketwhoisabouttorobhim。Heturnsround):
Hey?
THEPICKPOCKET:
Oh!
CHRISTIAN(holdinghimtightly):
Iwaslookingforaglove。
THEPICKPOCKET(smilingpiteously):
Andyoufindahand。
(Changinghistone,quicklyandinawhisper):
Letmebutgo,andIwilldeliveryouasecret。
CHRISTIAN(stillholdinghim):
Whatisit?
THEPICKPOCKET:
Ligniere……hewhohasjustleftyou……
CHRISTIAN(sameplay):
Well?
THEPICKPOCKET:
Hislifeisinperil。Asongwritbyhimhasgivenoffenseinhighplaces——
andahundredmen——Iamofthem——arepostedto-night……
CHRISTIAN:
Ahundredmen!Bywhomposted?
THEPICKPOCKET:
Imaynotsay——asecret……
CHRISTIAN(shrugginghisshoulders):
Oh!
THEPICKPOCKET(withgreatdignity):……Oftheprofession。
CHRISTIAN:
Wherearetheyposted?
THEPICKPOCKET:
AtthePortedeNesle。Onhiswayhomeward。Warnhim。
CHRISTIAN(lettinggoofhiswrists):
ButwherecanIfindhim?
THEPICKPOCKET:
Runroundtoallthetaverns——TheGoldenWinePress,thePineCone,TheBeltthatBursts,TheTwoTorches,TheThreeFunnels,andateachleaveawordthatshallputhimonhisguard。
CHRISTIAN:
Good——Ifly!Ah,thescoundrels!Ahundredmen’gainstone!
(LookinglovinglyatRoxane):
Ah,toleaveher!……
(lookingwithrageatValvert):
andhim!……ButsaveLigniereImust!
(Hehurriesout。DeGuiche,theviscount,themarquises,havealldisappearedbehindthecurtaintotaketheirplacesonthebenchesplacedonthestage。
Thepitisquitefull;thegalleriesandboxesarealsocrowded。)
THEAUDIENCE:
Begin!
ABURGHER(whosewigisdrawnupontheendofastringbyapageintheuppergallery):
Mywig!
CRIESOFDELIGHT:
Heisbald!Bravo,pages——ha!ha!ha!……
THEBURGHER(furious,shakinghisfist):
Youngvillain!
LAUGHTERANDCRIES(beginningveryloud,anddyinggraduallyaway):
Ha!ha!ha!ha!ha!ha!
(Totalsilence。)
LEBRET(astonished):
Whatmeansthissuddensilence?……
(Aspectatorsayssomethingtohiminalowvoice):
Is’ttrue?
THESPECTATOR:
Ihavejusthearditongoodauthority。
MURMURS(spreadingthroughthehall):
Hush!Isithe?No!Ay,Isay!Intheboxwiththebarsinfront!TheCardinal!TheCardinal!TheCardinal!
APAGE:
Thedevil!Weshallhavetobehaveourselves……
(Aknockishearduponthestage。Everyoneismotionless。Apause。)
THEVOICEOFAMARQUIS(inthesilence,behindthecurtain):
Snuffthatcandle!
ANOTHERMARQUIS(puttinghisheadthroughtheopeninginthecurtain):
Achair!
(Achairispassedfromhandtohand,overtheheadsofthespectators。Themarquistakesitanddisappears,afterblowingsomekissestotheboxes。)
ASPECTATOR:
Silence!
(Threeknocksareheardonthestage。ThecurtainopensinthecentreTableau。Themarquisesininsolentattitudesseatedoneachsideofthestage。Thescenerepresentsapastorallandscape。Fourlittlelusterslightthestage;theviolinsplaysoftly。)
LEBRET(inalowvoicetoRagueneau):
Montfleurycomesonthescene?
RAGUENEAU(alsoinalowvoice):
Ay,’tishewhobegins。
LEBRET:
Cyranoisnothere。
RAGUENEAU:
Ihavelostmywager。
LEBRET:
’Tisallthebetter!
(Anaironthedrone-pipesisheard,andMontfleuryenters,enormouslystout,inanArcadianshepherd’sdress,ahatwreathedwithrosesdroopingoveroneear,blowingintoaribboneddronepipe。)
THEPIT(applauding):
Bravo,Montfleury!Montfleury!
MONTFLEURY(afterbowinglow,beginsthepartofPhedon):
’Heureuxquiloindescours,dansunlieusolitaire,Seprescritasoi-memeunexilvolontaire,Etqui,lorsqueZephireasoufflesurlesbois……’
AVOICE(fromthemiddleofthepit):
Villain!DidInotforbidyoutoshowyourfacehereformonth?
(Generalstupor。Everyoneturnsround。Murmurs。)
DIFFERENTVOICES:
Hey?——What?——Whatis’t?……
(Thepeoplestandupintheboxestolook。)
CUIGY:
’Tishe!
LEBRET(terrified):
Cyrano!
THEVOICE:
Kingofclowns!Leavethestagethisinstant!
ALLTHEAUDIENCE(indignantly):
Oh!
MONTFLEURY:
But……
THEVOICE:
Doyoudaredefyme?
DIFFERENTVOICES(fromthepitandtheboxes):
Peace!Enough!——Playon,Montfleury——fearnothing!
MONTFLEURY(inatremblingvoice):
’Heureuxquiloindescours,dansunlieusol——’
THEVOICE(morefiercely):
Well!Chiefofalltheblackguards,mustIcomeandgiveyouatasteofmycane?
(Ahandholdingacanestartsupovertheheadsofthespectators。)
MONTFLEURY(inavoicethattremblesmoreandmore):
’Heureuxqui……’
(Thecaneisshaken。)
THEVOICE:
Offthestage!
THEPIT:
Oh!
MONTFLEURY(choking):
’Heureuxquiloindescours……’
CYRANO(appearingsuddenlyinthepit,standingonachair,hisarmscrossed,hisbeavercockedfiercely,hismustachebristling,hisnoseterribletosee):
Ah!Ishallbeangryinaminute!……
(Sensation。)
Scene1。IV。
Thesame。Cyrano,thenBellerose,Jodelet。
MONTFLEURY(tothemarquises):
Cometomyhelp,mylords!
AMARQUIS(carelessly):
Goon!Goon!
CYRANO:
Fatman,takewarning!Ifyougoon,I
Shallfeelmyselfconstrainedtocuffyourface!
THEMARQUIS:
Havedone!
CYRANO:
AndiftheselordsholdnottheirtongueShallfeelconstrainedtomakethemtastemycane!
ALLTHEMARQUISES(rising):
Enough!……Montfleury……
CYRANO:
IfhegoesnotquickIwillcutoffhisearsandslithimup!
AVOICE:
But……
CYRANO:
Outhegoes!
ANOTHERVOICE:
Yet……
CYRANO:
Ishenotgoneyet?
(Hemakesthegestureofturninguphiscuffs):
Good!Ishallmountthestagenow,buffet-wise,TocarvethisfineItaliansausage——thus!
MONTFLEURY(tryingtobedignified):
YououtrageThaliaininsultingme!
CYRANO(verypolitely):
IfthatMuse,Sir,whoknowsyounotatall,Couldclaimacquaintancewithyou——oh,believe(Seeinghowurn-like,fat,andslowyouare)
Thatshewouldmakeyoutasteherbuskin’ssole!
THEPIT:
Montfleury!Montfleury!Come——Baro’splay!
CYRANO(tothosewhoarecallingout):
Iprayyouhaveacare!IfyougoonMyscabbardsoonwillrenderupitsblade!
(Thecircleroundhimwidens。)
THECROWD(drawingback):
Takecare!
CYRANO(toMontfleury):
Leavethestage!
THECROWD(comingnearandgrumbling):
Oh!——
CYRANO:
Didsomeonespeak?
(Theydrawbackagain。)
AVOICE(singingattheback):
MonsieurdeCyranoDisplayshistyrannies:
Afigfortyrants!What,ho!
Come!Playus’LaClorise!’
ALLTHEPIT(singing):
’LaClorise!’’LaClorise!’……
CYRANO:
Letmebuthearoncemorethatfoolishrhyme,Islaughtereverymanofyou。
ABURGHER:
Oh!Samson?
CYRANO:
YesSamson!Willyoulendyourjawbone,Sir?
ALADY(intheboxes):
Outrageous!
ALORD:
Scandalous!
ABURGHER:
’Tismostannoying!
APAGE:
Fairgoodsport!
THEPIT:
Kss!——Montfleury……Cyrano!
CYRANO:
Silence!
THEPIT(wildlyexcited):
Ho-o-o-o-h!Quack!Cock-a-doodle-doo!
CYRANO:
Iorder——
APAGE:
Miow!
CYRANO:
Iordersilence,all!
Andchallengethewholepitcollectively!——
Iwriteyournames!——Approach,youngheroes,here!
Eachinhisturn!Icrythenumbersout!——
Nowwhichofyouwillcometoopethelists?
You,Sir?No!You?No!ThefirstduellistShallbedispatchedbymewithhonorsdue!
Letallwholongfordeathholduptheirhands!
(Asilence):
Modest?Youfeartoseemynakedblade?
Notonename?——Notonehand?——Good,Iproceed!
(Turningtowardthestage,whereMontfleurywaitsinanagony):
Thetheater’stoofull,congested,——I
Wouldclearitout……Ifnot……
(Putshishandonhissword):
Theknifemustact!
MONTFLEURY:
I……
CYRANO(leaveshischair,andsettleshimselfinthemiddleofthecirclewhichhasformed):
Iwillclapmyhandsthrice,thus——fullmoon!Atthethirdclap,eclipseyourself!
THEPIT(amused):
Ah!
CYRANO(clappinghishands):
One!
MONTFLEURY:
I……
AVOICE(intheboxes):
Stay!
THEPIT:
Hestays……hegoes……hestays……
MONTFLEURY:
Ithink……Gentlemen,……
CYRANO:
Two!
MONTFLEURY:
Ithink’twerewisest……
CYRANO:
Three!
(Montfleurydisappearsasthroughatrap。Tempestoflaughs,whistlingcries,etc。)
THEWHOLEHOUSE:
Coward……comeback!
CYRANO(delighted,sitsbackinhischair,armscrossed):
Comebackanifyoudare!
ABURGHER:
Callfortheorator!
(Bellerosecomesforwardandbows。)
THEBOXES:
Ah!here’sBellerose!
BELLEROSE(elegantly):
Mynoblelords……
THEPIT:
No!no!Jodelet!
JODELET(advancing,speakingthroughhisnose):
Calves!
THEPIT:
Ah!bravo!good!goon!
JODELET:
Nobravos,Sirs!
ThefattragedianwhomyouallloveFelt……
THEPIT:
Coward!
JODELET:……wasobligedtogo。
THEPIT:
Comeback!
SOME:
No!
OTHERS:
Yes!
AYOUNGMAN(toCyrano):
Butpray,Sir,forwhatreason,say,HateyouMontfleury?
CYRANO(graciously,stillseated):
Youthfulgander,knowIhavetworeasons——eitherwillsuffice。
Primo。Anactorvillainous!whomouths,AndheavesuplikeabucketfromawellTheversesthatshould,bird-like,fly!Secundo——
Thatismysecret……
THEOLDBURGHER(behindhim):
Shameful!YoudepriveusOfthe’Clorise!’Imustinsist……
CYRANO(turninghischairtowardtheburgher,respectfully):
Oldmule!
TheversesofoldBaroarenotworthAdoit!I’mgladtointerrupt……
THEPRECIEUSES(intheboxes):
OurBaro!——
Mydear!Howdaresheventure!……
CYRANO(turninghischairtowardtheboxesgallantly):
Fairestones,Radiate,bloom,holdtoourlipsthecupOfdreamsintoxicating,Hebe-like!
Or,whendeathstrikes,charmdeathwithyoursweetsmiles;
Inspireourverse,but——criticiseitnot!
BELLEROSE:
Wemustgivebacktheentrancefees!
CYRANO(turninghischairtowardthestage):
Bellerose,Youmakethefirstintelligentremark!
WouldIrendThespis’sacredmantle?Nay!
(Herisesandthrowsabagonthestage):
CatchthenthepurseIthrow,andholdyourpeace!
THEHOUSE(dazzled):
Ah!Oh!
JODELET(catchingthepursedexterouslyandweighingit):
Atthisprice,you’veauthorityTocomeeachnight,andstop’Clorise,’Sir!
THEPIT:
Ho!……Ho!Ho!……
JODELET:
E’enifyouchaseusinapack!……
BELLEROSE:
Clearoutthehall!……
JODELET:
Getyouallgoneatonce!
(Thepeoplebegintogoout,whileCyranolooksonwithsatisfaction。Butthecrowdsoonstoponhearingthefollowingscene,andremainwheretheyare。
Thewomen,who,withtheirmantleson,arealreadystandingupintheboxes,stoptolisten,andfinallyreseatthemselves。)
LEBRET(toCyrano):
’Tismad!……
ABORE(cominguptoCyrano):
TheactorMontfleury!’Tisshameful!
Why,he’sprotectedbytheDukeofCandal!
Haveyouapatron?
CYRANO:
No!
THEBORE:
Nopatron?……
CYRANO:
None!
THEBORE:
What!nogreatlordtoshieldyouwithhisname?
CYRANO(irritated):
No,Ihavetoldyoutwice!MustIrepeat?
No!noprotector……
(Hishandonhissword):
Aprotectress……here!
THEBORE:
Butyoumustleavethetown?
CYRANO:
Well,thatdepends!
THEBORE:
TheDukehasalongarm!
CYRANO:
ButnotsolongAsmine,whenitislengthenedout……
(Showshissword):
Asthus!
THEBORE:
Youthinknottocontend?
CYRANO:
’Tismyidea!
THEBORE:
But……
CYRANO:
Showyourheels!now!
THEBORE:
ButI……
CYRANO:
Ortellmewhyyoustaresoatmynose!
THEBORE(staggered):
I……
CYRANO(walkingstraightuptohim):
Well,whatistherestrange?
THEBORE(drawingback):
YourGracemistakes!
CYRANO:
Hownow?Is’tsoftanddangling,likeatrunk?……
THEBORE(sameplay):
Inever……
CYRANO:
Isitcrook’d,likeanowl’sbeak?
THEBORE:
I……
CYRANO:
Doyouseeawartuponthetip?
THEBORE:
Nay……
CYRANO:
Orafly,thattakestheairthere?WhatIstheretostareat?
THEBORE:
Oh……
CYRANO:
Whatdoyousee?
THEBORE:
ButIwascarefulnottolook——knewbetter。
CYRANO:
Andwhynotlookatit,anifyouplease?
THEBORE:
Iwas……
CYRANO:
Oh!itdisgustsyou!
THEBORE:
Sir!
CYRANO:
ItshueUnwholesomeseemstoyou?
THEBORE:
Sir!
CYRANO:
Oritsshape?
THEBORE:
No,onthecontrary!……
CYRANO:
WhythenthatairDisparaging?——perchanceyouthinkitlarge?
THEBORE(stammering):
No,small,quitesmall——minute!
CYRANO:
Minute!Whatnow?
Accusemeofathingridiculous!
Small——mynose?
THEBORE:
Heavenhelpme!
CYRANO:
’Tisenormous!
OldFlathead,empty-headedmeddler,knowThatIamproudpossessingsuchappendice。
’Tiswellknown,abignoseisindicativeOfasoulaffable,andkind,andcourteous,Liberal,brave,justlikemyself,andsuchAsyoucanneverdaretodreamyourself,Rascalcontemptible!ForthatwitlessfaceThatmyhandsoonwillcometocuff——isallAsempty……
(Hecuffshim。)
THEBORE:
Aie!
CYRANO:
——ofpride,ofaspiration,Offeeling,poetry——ofgodlikesparkOfallthatappertainstomybignose,(Heturnshimbytheshoulders,suitingtheactiontotheword):
As……whatmybootwillshortlycomeandkick!
THEBORE(runningaway):
Help!CalltheGuard!
CYRANO:
Takenotice,boobiesall,Whofindmyvisage’scenterornamentAthingtojestat——thatitismywont——
Anifthejester’snoble——erewepartTolethimtastemysteel,andnotmyboot!
DEGUICHE(who,withthemarquises,hascomedownfromthestage):
Buthebecomesanuisance!
THEVISCOUNTDEVALVERT(shrugginghisshoulders):
Swaggerer!
DEGUICHE:
Willnooneputhimdown?……
THEVISCOUNT:
Noone?Butwait!
I’lltreathimto……oneofmyquips!……Seehere!……
(HegoesuptoCyrano,whoiswatchinghim,andwithaconceitedair):
Sir,yournoseis……hmm……itis……verybig!
CYRANO(gravely):
Very!
THEVISCOUNT(laughing):
Ha!
CYRANO(imperturbably):
Isthatall?……
THEVISCOUNT:
Whatdoyoumean?
CYRANO:
Ahno!youngblade!Thatwasatrifleshort!
YoumighthavesaidatleastahundredthingsByvaryingthetone……likethis,suppose,……
Aggressive:’Sir,ifIhadsuchanoseI’damputateit!’Friendly:’WhenyousupItmustannoyyou,dippinginyourcup;
Youneedadrinking-bowlofspecialshape!’
Descriptive:’’Tisarock!……apeak!……acape!
——Acape,forsooth!’Tisapeninsular!’
Curious:’Howservesthatoblongcapsular?
Forscissor-sheath?Orpottoholdyourink?’
Gracious:’Youlovethelittlebirds,Ithink?
Iseeyou’vemanagedwithafondresearchTofindtheirtinyclawsaroomyperch!’
Truculent:’Whenyousmokeyourpipe……supposeThatthetobacco-smokespoutsfromyournose——
Donottheneighbors,asthefumesrisehigher,Cryterror-struck:"Thechimneyisafire"?’
Considerate:’Takecare,……yourheadbowedlowBysuchaweight……lestheado’erheelsyougo!’
Tender:’Praygetasmallumbrellamade,Lestitsbrightcolorinthesunshouldfade!’
Pedantic:’ThatbeastAristophanesNamesHippocamelelephantolesMusthavepossessedjustsuchasolidlumpOffleshandbone,beneathhisforehead’sbump!’
Cavalier:’Thelastfashion,friend,thathook?
Tohangyourhaton?’Tisausefulcrook!’
Emphatic:’Nowind,Omajesticnose,CangiveTHEEcold!——savewhenthemistralblows!’
Dramatic:’Whenitbleeds,whataRedSea!’
Admiring:’Signforaperfumery!’
Lyric:’Isthisaconch?……aTritonyou?’
Simple:’Whenisthemonumentonview?’
Rustic:’Thatthinganose?Marry-come-up!
’Tisadwarfpumpkin,oraprizeturnip!’
Military:’Pointagainstcavalry!’
Practical:’Putitinalottery!
Assuredly’twouldbethebiggestprize!’
Or……parodyingPyramus’sighs……
’BeholdthenosethatmarstheharmonyOfitsmaster’sphiz!blushingitstreachery!’
——Such,mydearsir,iswhatyoumighthavesaid,Hadyouofwitorletterstheleastjot:
But,Omostlamentableman!——ofwitYouneverhadanatom,andoflettersYouhavethreelettersonly!——theyspellAss!
And——hadyouhadthenecessarywit,ToservemeallthepleasantriesIquoteBeforethisnobleaudience……e’enso,Youwouldnothavebeenlettoutterone——
Nay,notthehalforquarterofsuchjest!
Itakethemfrommyselfallingoodpart,Butnotfromanyothermanthatbreathes!
DEGUICHE(tryingtodrawawaythedismayedviscount):
Comeaway,Viscount!
THEVISCOUNT(chokingwithrage):
Hearhisarrogance!
Acountryloutwho……who……hasgotnogloves!
Whogoesoutwithoutsleeve-knots,ribbons,lace!
CYRANO:
True;allmyelegancesarewithin。
Idonotprankmyselfout,puppy-like;
Mytoiletismorethorough,iflessgay;
Iwouldnotsallyforth——ahalf-washed-outAffrontuponmycheek——aconscienceYellow-eyed,bilious,fromitssoddensleep,Aruffledhonor,……scruplesgrimedanddull!
Ishownobraveryofshininggems。
Truth,Independence,aremyflutteringplumes。
’TisnotmyformIlacetomakemeslim,Butbracemysoulwitheffortsaswithstays,Coveredwithexploits,notwithribbon-knots,Myspiritbristlinghighlikeyourmustaches,I,traversingthecrowdsandchatteringgroupsMakeTruthringbravelyoutlikeclashofspurs!
THEVISCOUNT:
But,Sir……
CYRANO:
Iwearnogloves?Andwhatofthat?
Ihadone,……remnantofanoldwornpair,And,knowingnotwhatelsetodowithit,Ithrewitinthefaceof……someyoungfool。
THEVISCOUNT:
Basescoundrel!Rascallyflat-footedlout!
CYRANO(takingoffhishat,andbowingasiftheviscounthadintroducedhimself):
Ah?……andI,CyranoSavinienHerculedeBergerac(Laughter。)
THEVISCOUNT(angrily):
Buffoon!
CYRANO(callingoutasifhehadbeenseizedwiththecramp):
Aie!Aie!
THEVISCOUNT(whowasgoingaway,turnsback):
Whatonearthisthefellowsayingnow?
CYRANO(withgrimacesofpain):
Itmustbemoved——it’sgettingstiff,Ivow,——Thiscomesofleavingitinidleness!
Aie!……
THEVISCOUNT:
Whatailsyou?
CYRANO:
Thecramp!crampinmysword!
THEVISCOUNT(drawinghissword):
Good!
CYRANO:
Youshallfeelacharminglittlestroke!
THEVISCOUNT(contemptuously):
Poet!……
CYRANO:
Ay,poet,Sir!Inproofofwhich,Whilewefence,presto!allextemporeIwillcomposeaballade。
THEVISCOUNT:
Aballade?
CYRANO:
Belikeyouknownotwhataballadeis。
THEVISCOUNT:
But……
CYRANO(reciting,asifrepeatingalesson):
KnowthenthattheballadeshouldcontainThreeeight-versedcouplets……
THEVISCOUNT(stamping):
Oh!
CYRANO(stillreciting):
AndanenvoiOffourlines……
THEVISCOUNT:
You……
CYRANO:
I’llmakeonewhilewefight;
Andtouchyouatthefinalline。
THEVISCOUNT:
No!
CYRANO:
No?
(declaiming):
TheduelinHotelofBurgundy——foughtByDeBergeracandagood-for-naught!
THEVISCOUNT:
Whatmaythatbe,anifyouplease?
CYRANO:
Thetitle。
THEHOUSE(ingreatexcitement):
Giveroom!——Goodsport!——Makeplace!——Fairplay!——Nonoise!
(Tableau。Acircleofcuriousspectatorsinthepit;themarquisesandofficersmingledwiththecommonpeople;thepagesclimbingoneachother’sshoulderstoseebetter。Allthewomenstandingupintheboxes。Totheright,DeGuicheandhisretinue。Left,LeBret,Ragueneau,Cyrano,etc。)
CYRANO(shuttinghiseyesforasecond):
WaitwhileIchoosemyrhymes……Ihavethemnow!
(Hesuitstheactiontoeachword):
Igaylydoffmybeaverlow,And,freeinghandandheel,MyheavymantleoffIthrow,AndIdrawmypolishedsteel;
GracefulasPhoebus,roundIwheel,AlertasScaramouch,Awordinyourear,SirSpark,Isteal——
Attheenvoi’send,Itouch!
(Theyengage):
Betterforyouhadyoulainlow;
Whereskewermycock?Intheheel?——
Intheheart,yourribbonbluebelow?——
Inthehip,andmakeyoukneel?
Hoforthemusicofclashingsteel!
——Whatnow?——Ahit?Notmuch!
’TwillbeinthepaunchthestrokeIsteal,When,attheenvoi,Itouch。
Oh,forarhyme,arhymeino?——
Youwriggle,starch-white,myeel?
Arhyme!arhyme!ThewhitefeatheryouSHOW!
Tac!Iparrythepointofyoursteel;
——Thepointyouhopedtomakemefeel;
Iopentheline,nowclutchYourspit,SirScullion——slowyourzeal!
Attheenvoi’send,Itouch。
(Hedeclaimssolemnly):
Envoi。
Prince,prayHeavenforyoursoul’sweal!
Imoveapace——lo,such!andsuch!
Cutover——feint!
(Thrusting):
Whatho!Youreel?
(Theviscountstaggers。Cyranosalutes):
Attheenvoi’send,Itouch!
(Acclamations。Applauseintheboxes。Flowersandhandkerchiefsarethrowndown。TheofficerssurroundCyrano,congratulatinghim。Ragueneaudancesforjoy。LeBretishappy,butanxious。Theviscount’sfriendsholdhimupandbearhimaway。)
THECROWD(withonelongshout):
Ah!
ATROOPER:
’Tissuperb!
AWOMAN:
Aprettystroke!
RAGUENEAU:
Amarvel!
AMARQUIS:
Anovelty!
LEBRET:
Omadman!
THECROWD(pressesroundCyrano。Chorusof):
Compliments!
Bravo!Letmecongratulate!……Quiteunsurpassed!……
AWOMAN’SVOICE:
Thereisaheroforyou!……
AMUSKETEER(advancingtoCyranowithoutstretchedhand):
Sir,permit;
Naughtcouldbefiner——I’majudgeIthink;
Istamped,i’faith!——toshowmyadmiration!
(Hegoesaway。)
CYRANO(toCuigy):
Whoisthatgentleman?
CUIGY:
Why——D’Artagnan!
LEBRET(toCyrano,takinghisarm):
Awordwithyou!……
CYRANO:
Wait;lettherabblego!……
(ToBellerose):
MayIstay?
BELLEROSE(respectfully):
Withoutdoubt!
(Criesareheardoutside。)
JODELET(whohaslookedout):
TheyhootMontfleury!
BELLEROSE(solemnly):
Sictransit!……
(Totheporters):
Sweep——closeall,butleavethelights。
Wesup,butlateronwemustreturn,Forarehearsalofto-morrow’sfarce。
(JodeletandBellerosegoout,bowinglowtoCyrano。)
THEPORTER(toCyrano):
Youdonotdine,Sir?
CYRANO:
No。
(Theportergoesout。)
LEBRET:
Because?
CYRANO(proudly):
Because……
(Changinghistoneastheportergoesaway):
Ihavenomoney!……
LEBRET(withtheactionofthrowingabag):
How!Thebagofcrowns?……
CYRANO:
Paternalbounty,inaday,thou’rtsped!
LEBRET:
Howlivethenextmonth?……
CYRANO:
Ihavenothingleft。
LEBRET:
Folly!
CYRANO:
Butwhatagracefulaction!Think!
THEBUFFET-GIRL(coughing,behindhercounter):
Hum!
(CyranoandLeBretturn。Shecomestimidlyforward):
Sir,myheartmislikestoknowyoufast。
(Showingthebuffet):
See,allyouneed。Serveyourself!
CYRANO(takingoffhishat):
Gentlechild,AlthoughmyGasconpridewouldelseforbidTotaketheleastbestowalfromyourhands,Myfearofwoundingyououtweighsthatpride,Andbidsaccept……
(Hegoestothebuffet):
Atrifle!……Thesefewgrapes。
(Sheoffershimthewholebunch。Hetakesafew):
Nay,butthisbunch!……
(Shetriestogivehimwine,buthestopsher):
Aglassofwaterfair!……
Andhalfamacaroon!
(Hegivesbacktheotherhalf。)
LEBRET:
Whatfoolery!
THEBUFFET-GIRL:
Takesomethingelse!
CYRANO:
Itakeyourhandtokiss。
(Hekissesherhandasthoughshewereaprincess。)
THEBUFFET-GIRL:
Thankyou,kindSir!
(Shecourtesies):
Good-night。
(Shegoesout。)
Scene1。V。
Cyrano,LeBret。
CYRANO(toLeBret):
Nowtalk——Ilisten。
(Hestandsatthebuffet,andplacingbeforehimfirstthemacaroon):
Dinner!……
(thenthegrapes):
Dessert!……
(thentheglassofwater):
Wine!……
(heseatshimself):
So!Andnowtotable!
Ah!Iwashungry,friend,nay,ravenous!
(eating):
Yousaid——?
LEBRET:
Thesefops,would-bebelligerent,Will,ifyouheedthemonly,turnyourhead!……
AskpeopleofgoodsenseifyouwouldknowTheeffectofyourfineinsolence——
CYRANO(finishinghismacaroon):
Enormous!
LEBRET:
TheCardinal……
CYRANO(radiant):
TheCardinal——wasthere?
LEBRET:
Musthavethoughtit……
CYRANO:
Original,i’faith!
LEBRET:
But……
CYRANO:
He’sanauthor。’TwillnotfailtopleasehimThatIshouldmarabrother-author’splay。
LEBRET:
Youmaketoomanyenemiesbyfar!
CYRANO(eatinghisgrapes):
HowmanythinkyouIhavemadeto-night?
LEBRET:
Forty,noless,notcountingladies。
CYRANO:
Count!
LEBRET:
Montfleuryfirst,thebourgeois,thenDeGuiche,TheViscount,Baro,theAcademy……
CYRANO:
Enough!Iamo’erjoyed!
LEBRET:
Butthesestrangeways,Wherewilltheyleadyou,attheend?ExplainYoursystem——come!
CYRANO:
IinalabyrinthWaslost——toomanydifferentpathstochoose;
Itook……
LEBRET:
Which?
CYRANO:
Oh!byfarthesimplestpath……
Decidedtobeadmirableinall!
LEBRET(shrugginghisshoulders):
Sobeit!ButthemotiveofyourhateToMontfleury——come,tellme!
CYRANO(rising):
ThisSilenus,Big-bellied,coarse,stilldeemshimselfaperil——
Adangertotheloveoflovelyladies,And,whilehesputtersouthisactor’spart,Makessheep’seyesattheirboxes——gogglingfrog!
IhatehimsincetheeveninghepresumedToraisehiseyestohers……MeseemedIsawAslugcrawlslaveringo’eraflower’spetals!
LEBRET(stupefied):
Hownow?What?Canitbe……?
CYRANO(laughingbitterly):
ThatIshouldlove?……
(Changinghistone,gravely):
Ilove。
LEBRET:
AndmayIknow?……Youneversaid……
CYRANO:
Comenow,bethinkyou!……ThefondhopetobeBeloved,e’enbysomepoorgracelesslady,Is,bythisnoseofmineforayebereftme;
——Thislengthynosewhich,gowhere’erIwill,Pokesyetaquarter-mileaheadofme;
ButImaylove——andwho?’TisFate’sdecreeIlovethefairest——howwere’totherwise?
LEBRET:
Thefairest?……
CYRANO:
Ay,thefairestoftheworld,Mostbrilliant——mostrefined——mostgolden-haired!
LEBRET:
Whoisthislady?
CYRANO:
She’sadangermortal,Allunsuspicious——fullofcharmsunconscious,Likeasweetperfumedrose——asnareofnature,WithinwhosepetalsCupidlurksinambush!
Hewhohasseenhersmilehasknownperfection,——Instillingintotriflesgrace’sessence,Divinityineverycarelessgesture;
NotVenus’selfcanmountherconchblownsea-ward,Asshecanstepintoherchaiseaporteurs,NorDianfleetacrossthewoodsspring-flowered,LightasmyLadyo’erthestonesofParis!……
LEBRET:
Sapristi!allisclear!
CYRANO:
Asspiderwebs!
LEBRET:
Yourcousin,MadeleineRobin?
CYRANO:
Roxane!
LEBRET:
Well,butsomuchthebetter!Tellherso!
Shesawyourtriumphherethisverynight!
CYRANO:
Lookwellatme——thentellme,withwhathopeThisvileprotuberancecaninspiremyheart!
Idonotlullmewithillusions——yetAttimesI’mweak:ineveninghoursdimIentersomefairpleasance,perfumedsweet;
WithmypooruglydevilofanoseIscentspring’sessence——inthesilverraysIseesomeknight——aladyonhisarm,Andthink’Tosaunterthus’neaththemoonshine,Iwerefaintohavemylady,too,beside!’
Thoughtsoarstoecstasy……Osuddenfall!
——Theshadowofmyprofileonthewall!
LEBRET(tenderly):
Myfriend!……
CYRANO:
Myfriend,attimes’tishard,’tisbitter,Tofeelmyloneliness——myownill-favor……
LEBRET(takinghishand):
Youweep?
CYRANO:
No,never!Think,howvilelysuitedAdownthisnoseatearitspassagetracing!
Ineverwill,whileofmyselfI’mmaster,letthedivinityoftears——theirbeautyBeweddedtosuchcommonuglygrossness。
Nothingmoresolemnthanatear——sublimer;
AndIwouldnotbyweepingturntolaughterThegraveemotionthatatearengenders!
LEBRET:
Neverbesad!What’slove?——achanceofFortune!
CYRANO(shakinghishead):
LookIaCaesartowooCleopatra?
ATitotoaspiretoBerenice?
LEBRET:
Yourcourageandyourwit!——ThelittlemaidWhoofferedyourefreshmentevennow,Hereyesdidnotabhoryou——yousawwell!
CYRANO(impressed):
True!
LEBRET:
Well,howthen?……IsawRoxaneherselfWasdeath-paleasshewatchedtheduel。
CYRANO:
Pale?
LEBRET:
Herheart,herfancy,arealreadycaught!
Putittoth’touch!
CYRANO:
Thatshemaymockmyface?
ThatistheonethingonthisearthIfear!
THEPORTER(introducingsomeonetoCyrano):
Sir,someoneasksforyou……
CYRANO(seeingtheduenna):
God!herduenna!
Scene1。VI。
Cyrano,LeBret,theduenna。
THEDUENNA(withalowbow):
IwasbidaskyouwhereacertainladyCouldseehervaliantcousin——butinsecret。
CYRANO(overwhelmed):
Seeme?
THEDUENNA(courtesying):
Ay,Sir!Shehassomewhattotell。
CYRANO:
Somewhat?……
THEDUENNA(stillcourtesying):
Ay,privatematters!
CYRANO(staggering):
Ah,myGod!
THEDUENNA:
To-morrow,attheearlyblushofdawn,WegotohearmassatSt。Roch。
CYRANO(leaningagainstLeBret):
MyGod!
THEDUENNA:
After——whatplaceforafewminutes’speech?
CYRANO(confused):
Where?Ah!……but……Ah,myGod!……
THEDUENNA:
Say!
CYRANO:
Ireflect!……
THEDUENNA:
Where?
CYRANO:
At——thepastry-houseofRagueneau。
THEDUENNA:
Wherelodgeshe?
CYRANO:
TheRue——God!——St。Honore!
THEDUENNA(going):
Good。Beyouthere。Atseven。
CYRANO:
Withoutfail。
(Theduennagoesout。)
Scene1。VII。
Cyrano,LeBret。Thenactors,actresses,Cuigy,Brissaille,Ligniere,theporter,theviolinists。
CYRANO(fallingintoLeBret’sarms):
Arendezvous……fromher!……
LEBRET:
You’resadnomore!
CYRANO:
Ah!Lettheworldgoburn!SheknowsIlive!
LEBRET:
Nowyou’llbecalm,Ihope?
CYRANO(besidehimselfforjoy):
Calm?Inowcalm?
I’llbefrenetic,frantic,——ravingmad!
Oh,foranarmytoattack!——ahost!
I’vetenheartsinmybreast;ascoreofarms;
Nodwarfstocleaveintwain!……
(Wildly):
No!Giantsnow!
(Forafewmomentstheshadowsoftheactorshavebeenmovingonthestage,whispersareheard——therehearsalisbeginning。Theviolinistsareintheirplaces。)
AVOICEFROMTHESTAGE:
Hollothere!Silence!Werehearse!
CYRANO(laughing):
Wego!
(Hemovesaway。BythebigdoorenterCuigy,Brissaille,andsomeofficers,holdingupLigniere,whoisdrunk。)
CUIGY:
Cyrano!
CYRANO:
Well,whatnow?
CUIGY:
AlustythrushThey’rebringingyou!
CYRANO(recognizinghim):
Ligniere!……Whathaschanced?
CUIGY:
Heseeksyou!
BRISSAILLE:
Hedarenotgohome!
CYRANO:
Whynot?
LIGNIERE(inahuskyvoice,showinghimacrumpledletter):
Thisletterwarnsme……thatahundredmen……
Revengethatthreatensme……thatsong,youknow——
AtthePortedeNesle。TogettomyownhouseImustpassthere……Idarenot!……GivemeleaveTosleepto-nightbeneathyourroof!Allow……
CYRANO:
Ahundredmen?You’llsleepinyourownbed!
LIGNIERE(frightened):
But——
CYRANO(inaterriblevoice,showinghimthelightedlanternheldbytheporter,whoislisteningcuriously):
Takethelantern。
(Ligniereseizesit):
Letusstart!IswearThatIwillmakeyourbedto-nightmyself!
(Totheofficers):
Follow;somestaybehind,aswitnesses!
CUIGY:
Ahundred!……
CYRANO:
Less,to-night——wouldbetoofew!
(Theactorsandactresses,intheircostumes,havecomedownfromthestage,andarelistening。)
LEBRET:
Butwhyembroilyourself?
CYRANO:
LeBretwhoscolds!
LEBRET:
Thatworthlessdrunkard!——
CYRANO(slappingLigniereontheshoulder):
Wherefore?Forthiscause;——
Thiswine-barrel,thiscaskofBurgundy,Did,onaday,anactionfullofgrace;
Ashewasleavingchurch,hesawhisloveTakeholywater——he,whoisaffearedAtwater’staste,ranquicklytothestoup,Anddrankitall,tothelastdrop!……
ANACTRESS:
Indeed,thatwasagracefulthing!
CYRANO:
Ay,wasitnot?
THEACTRESS(totheothers):
Butwhyahundredmen’gainstonepoorrhymer?
CYRANO:
March!
(Totheofficers):
Gentlemen,whenyoushallseemecharge,Bearmenosuccor,none,whate’ertheodds!
ANOTHERACTRESS(jumpingfromthestage):
Oh!Ishallcomeandsee!
CYRANO:
Come,then!
ANOTHER(jumpingdown——toanoldactor):
Andyou?……
CYRANO:
Comeall——theDoctor,Isabel,Leander,Come,foryoushalladd,inamotleyswarm,ThefarceItaliantothisSpanishdrama!
ALLTHEWOMEN(dancingforjoy):
Bravo!——amantle,quick!——myhood!
JODELET:
Comeon!
CYRANO:
Playusamarch,gentlemenoftheband!
(Theviolinistsjointheprocession,whichisforming。Theytakethefootlights,anddividethemfortorches):
Braveofficers!next,womenincostume,And,twentypaceson——
(Hetakeshisplace):
Iallalone,BeneaththeplumethatGlorylends,herself,Todeckmybeaver——proudasScipio!……
——Youhearme?——Iforbidyousuccorme!——
One,twothree!Porter,openwidethedoors!
(Theporteropensthedoors;aviewofoldParisinthemoonlightisseen):
Ah!……Pariswrappedinnight!halfnebulous:
Themoonlightstreamso’ertheblue-shadowedroofs;
Alovelyframeforthiswildbattle-scene;
Beneaththevapor’sfloatingscarves,theSeineTrembles,mysterious,likeamagicmirror,And,shortly,youshallseewhatyoushallsee!
ALL:
TothePortedeNesle!
CYRANO(standingonthethreshold):
Ay,tothePortedeNesle!
(Turningtotheactress):
Didyounotask,younglady,forwhatcauseAgainstthisrhymerfivescoremenweresent?
(Hedrawshissword;then,calmly):
’Twasthattheyknewhimforafriendofmine!
(Hegoesout。Lignierestaggersfirstafterhim,thentheactressesontheofficers’arms——theactors。Theprocessionstartstothesoundoftheviolinsandinthefaintlightofthecandles。)
Curtain。
ActII。
ThePoet’sEating-House。
Ragueneau’scookandpastry-shop。AlargekitchenatthecorneroftheRueSt。HonoreandtheRuedel’ArbreSec,whichareseeninthebackgroundthroughtheglassdoor,inthegraydawn。
Ontheleft,intheforeground,acounter,surmountedbyastandinforgediron,onwhicharehunggeese,ducks,andwaterpeacocks。Ingreatchinavasesaretallbouquetsofsimpleflowers,principallyyellowsunflowers。
Onthesameside,fartherback,animmenseopenfireplace,infrontofwhich,betweenmonsterfiredogs,oneachofwhichhangsalittlesaucepan;theroastsaredrippingintothepans。
Ontheright,foregroundwithdoor。
Fartherback,staircaseleadingtoalittleroomundertheroof,theentranceofwhichisvisiblethroughtheopenshutter。Inthisroomatableislaid。
AsmallFlemishlusterisalight。Itisaplaceforeatinganddrinking。A
woodengallery,continuingthestaircase,apparentlyleadstoothersimilarlittlerooms。
Inthemiddleoftheshopanironhoopissuspendedfromtheceilingbyastringwithwhichitcanbedrawnupanddown,andbiggameishungaroundit。
Theovensinthedarknessunderthestairsgivefortharedglow。Thecopperpansshine。Thespitsareturning。Heapsoffoodformedintopyramids。Hamssuspended。Itisthebusyhourofthemorning。Bustleandhurryofscullions,fatcooks,anddiminutiveapprentices,theircapsprofuselydecoratedwithcock’sfeathersandwingsofguinea-fowl。
Onmetalandwickerplatestheyarebringinginpilesofcakesandtarts。
Tablesladenwithrollsanddishesoffood。Othertablessurroundedwithchairsarereadyfortheconsumers。
Asmalltableinacornercoveredwithpapers,atwhichRagueneauisseatedwritingontherisingofthecurtain。
Scene2。I。
Ragueneau,pastry-cooks,thenLise。Ragueneauiswriting,withaninspiredair,atasmalltable,andcountingonhisfingers。
FIRSTPASTRY-COOK(bringinginanelaboratefancydish):
Fruitsinnougat!
SECONDPASTRY-COOK(bringinganotherdish):
Custard!
THIRDPASTRY-COOK(bringingaroast,decoratedwithfeathers):
Peacock!
FOURTHPASTRY-COOK(bringingabatchofcakesonaslab):
Rissoles!
FIFTHPASTRY-COOK(bringingasortofpie-dish):
Beefjelly!
RAGUENEAU(ceasingtowrite,andraisinghishead):
Aurora’ssilverraysbegintoglinte’ennowonthecopperpans,andthou,O
Ragueneau!mustperforcestifleinthybreasttheGodofSong!Anonshallcomethehourofthelute!——now’tisthehouroftheoven!
(Herises。Toacook):
You,makethatsaucelonger,’tistooshort!
THECOOK:
Howmuchtooshort?
RAGUENEAU:
Threefeet。
(Hepassesonfarther。)
THECOOK:
Whatmeanshe?
FIRSTPASTRY-COOK(showingadishtoRagueneau):
Thetart!
SECONDPASTRY-COOK:
Thepie!
RAGUENEAU(beforethefire):
Mymuse,retire,lestthybrighteyesbereddenedbythefagot’sblaze!
(Toacook,showinghimsomeloaves):
Youhaveputtheclefto’th’loavesinthewrongplace;knowyounotthatthecoesurashouldbebetweenthehemistiches?
(Toanother,showinghimanunfinishedpasty):
Tothispalaceofpasteyoumustaddtheroof……
(Toayoungapprentice,who,seatedontheground,isspittingthefowls):
Andyou,asyouputonyourlengthyspitthemodestfowlandthesuperbturkey,myson,alternatethem,astheoldMalherbelovedwelltoalternatehislonglinesofversewiththeshortones;thusshallyourroasts,instrophes,turnbeforetheflame!
ANOTHERAPPRENTICE(alsocomingupwithatraycoveredbyanapkin):
Master,Ibethoughtmeerewhileofyourtastes,andmadethis,whichwillpleaseyou,Ihope。
(Heuncoversthetray,andshowsalargelyremadeofpastry。)
RAGUENEAU(enchanted):
Alyre!
THEAPPRENTICE:
’Tisofbriochepastry。
RAGUENEAU(touched):
Withconservedfruits。
THEAPPRENTICE:
Thestrings,see,areofsugar。
RAGUENEAU(givinghimacoin):
Go,drinkmyhealth!
(SeeingLiseenter):
Hush!Mywife。Bustle,passon,andhidethatmoney!
(ToLise,showingherthelyre,withaconsciouslook):
Isitnotbeautiful?
LISE:
’Tispassingsilly!
(Sheputsapileofpapersonthecounter。)
RAGUENEAU:
Bags?Good。Ithankyou。
(Helooksatthem):
Heavens!mycherishedleaves!Thepoemsofmyfriends!Torn,dismembered,tomakebagsforholdingbiscuitsandcakes!……Ah,’tistheoldtaleagain……OrpheusandtheBacchantes!
LISE(dryly):
AndamInotfreetoturnatlasttosomeusethesolethingthatyourwretchedscribblersofhaltinglinesleavebehindthembywayofpayment?
RAGUENEAU:
Grovelingant!……Insultnotthedivinegrasshoppers,thesweetsingers!
LISE:
Beforeyouwerethesworncomradeofallthatcrew,myfriend,youdidnotcallyourwifeantandBacchante!
RAGUENEAU:
Toturnfairversetosuchause!
LISE:
’Faith,’tisallit’sgoodfor。
RAGUENEAU:
Praythen,madam,towhatusewouldyoudegradeprose?
Scene2。II。
Thesame。Twochildren,whohavejusttrottedintotheshop。
RAGUENEAU:
Whatwouldyou,littleones?
FIRSTCHILD:
Threepies。
RAGUENEAU(servingthem):
See,hotandwellbrowned。
SECONDCHILD:
Ifitpleaseyou,Sir,willyouwrapthemupforus?
RAGUENEAU(aside,distressed):
Alas!oneofmybags!
(Tothechildren):
What?MustIwrapthemup?
(Hetakesabag,andjustasheisabouttoputinthepies,hereads):
’Ulyssesthus,onleavingfairPenelope……’
Notthatone!