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!