Cyrano de Bergerac Read online

  RAGUENEAU, in a sort of livery, stands near the DUENNA; he is finishing the tale of his misfortunes, drying his eyes.

  SCENE I

  Ragueneau, the Duenna, then Roxane, Cyrano, and two Pages

  RAGUENEAU And then, she eloped with a mousquetaire! Ruined, forsaken, I was hanging myself. I had already taken leave of earth, when Monsieur de Bergerac happening along, unhanged me, and proposed me to his cousin as her steward...

  THE DUENNA But how did you fall into such disaster?

  RAGUENEAU Lise was fond of soldiers, I, of poets! Mars ate up all left over by Apollo. Under those circumstances, you conceive, the pantry soon was bare.

  THE DUENNA [rising and calling toward the open window] Roxane, are you ready? ... They are waiting for us! ...

  ROXANE’ S VOICE [through the window] I am putting on my mantle!

  THE DUENNA [to RAGUENEAU, pointing at the door opposite] It is over there, opposite, we are expected. At Clomire’s. She holds a meeting in her little place. A disquisition upon the Softer Sentiments is to be read.50

  RAGUENEAU Upon the Softer Sentiments?

  THE DUENNA [coyly] Yes! ... [Calling toward the window.] Roxane, you must make haste, or we shall miss the disquisition upon the Softer Sentiments!

  ROXANE’S VOICE I am coming! [A sound of string-instruments is heard, drawing nearer.]

  CYRANO’S VOICE [singing in the wings] La! la! la! la! la! ...

  THE DUENNA [surprised] We are to have music?

  CYRANO [enters followed by two PAGES with theorbos]51 I tell you it is a demi-semi-quaver! ... you demi-semi-noddle!

  FIRST PAGE [ironically] Monsieur knows then about quavers, semi and demi?

  CYRANO I know music, as do all Gassendi’s disciples!‡

  THE PAGE [playing and singing] La! la!

  CYRANO [snatching the theorbo from him and continuing the musical phrase] I can carry on the melody.... La, la, la, la, ...

  ROXANE [appearing on the balcony] It is you?

  CYRANO [singing upon the tune he is continuing] I, indeed, who salute your lilies and present my respects to your ro-o-oses! ...

  ROXANE I am coming down! [She leaves the balcony.]

  THE DUENNA [pointing at the PAGES] What is the meaning of these two virtuosi?

  CYRANO A wager I won, from D’Assoucy. We were disputing upon a question of grammar. Yes! No! Yes! No! Suddenly pointing at these two tall knaves, expert at clawing strings, by whom he constantly goes attended, he said, “I wager a day long of music!” He lost. Until therefore the next rise of the sun, I shall have dangling after me these arch-lute players, harmonious witnesses of all I do! ...At first I liked it very well, but now it palls a little. [To the musicians] Hey! ... Go, from me, to Montfleury, and play him a pavane! ... [The PAGES go toward the back. To the DUENNA.] I have come to inquire of Roxane, as I do every evening.... [To the PAGES who are leaving.] Play a long time... and out of tune! [To the DUENNA] ... whether in the friend of her soul she can still detect no fault?

  ROXANE [coming out of the house] Ah, how beautiful he is, what wit he has, how deeply I love him!

  CYRANO [smiling] Christian has so much wit? ...

  ROXANE Cousin, more than yourself!

  CYRANO I grant you.

  ROXANE There is not one alive, I truly believe, more apt at turning those pretty nothings which yet are everything.... Sometimes he is of an absent mood, his muse is wool-gathering, then, suddenly, he will say the most enchanting things!

  CYRANO [incredulous] Come!...

  ROXANE Oh, it is too bad! Men are all alike, narrow, narrow: because he is handsome, he cannot possibly be witty!

  CYRANO So he talks of the heart in acceptable fashion? ROXANE Talks, cousin, is feeble.... He dissertates!

  CYRANO And writes? ...

  ROXANE Still better! Listen now to this ... [Declaiming.] “The more of my heart you steal from me, the more heart I have!” [Triumphantly to CYRANO]. Well? ...

  CYRANO Pooh!

  ROXANE And to this: “Since you have stolen my heart, and since I must suffer, to suffer with send me your own!”

  CYRANO Now he has too much heart, now he has not enough, ... just what does he want, in the matter of quantity?

  ROXANE You vex me! You are eaten up with jealousy....

  CYRANO [starting] Hein?

  ROXANE Author’s jealousy! And this, could anything be more exquisitely tender? “Unanimously, believe it, my heart cries out to you, and if kisses could be sent in writing, Love, you should read my letter with your lips....”

  CYRANO [in spite of himself smiling with satisfaction] Ha! Ha! Those particular lines seem to me ... ho! ... ho! ... [Remembering himself, disdainfully] ... puny, pretty...

  ROXANE This, then...

  CYRANO [delighted] You know his letters by heart?

  ROXANE All!

  CYRANO It is flattering, one cannot deny.

  ROXANE In this art of expressing love he is a master!

  CYRANO [modest] Oh, ... a master!

  ROXANE [peremptory] A master!

  CYRANO As you please, then... a master!

  THE DUENNA [who had gone toward the back, coming quickly forward] Monsieur de Guiche! [To CYRANO, pushing him toward the house] Go in! It is perhaps better that he should not see you here! it might put him on the scent...

  ROXANNE [to CYRANO] Yes, of my dear secret! He loves me, he is powerful, ... he must not find out! He might cut in sunder our loves... with an axe!

  CYRANO [going into the house] Very well, very well. [DE GUICHE appears.]

  SCENE II

  Roxane, De Guiche, the Duenna in the background

  ROXANE [to DE GUICHE, with a curtsey] I was leaving the house.

  DE GUICHE I have come to bid you farewell.

  ROXANE You are going away?

  DE GUICHE To war.

  ROXANE Ah!

  DE GUICHE I have my orders. Arras is besieged.

  ROXANE Ah!... it is besieged?

  DE GUICHE Yes.... I see that my departure does not greatly affect you.

  ROXANE Oh!...

  DE GUICHE As for me, I own it wrings my heart. Shall I see you again? ... When? ... You know that I am made commander-in-general?

  ROXANE [uninterested] I congratulate you.

  DE GUICHE Of the Guards.

  ROXANE [starting] Ah,... of the Guards?

  DE GUICHE Among whom your cousin serves, ... the man of the boasts and tirades. I shall have opportunity in plenty to retaliate upon him down there.

  ROXANE [suffocating] What? The Guards are going down there? DE GUICHE Surely. It is my regiment.

  ROXANE [falls sitting upon the bench; aside] Christian!

  DE GUICHE What is it troubles you?

  ROXANE [greatly moved] This departure... grieves me mortally. When one cares for a person... to know him away at the war!

  DE GUICHE [surprised and charmed] For the first time you utter a kind and feeling word, when I am leaving!

  ROXANE [in a different tone, fanning herself] So ... you are thinking of revenge upon my cousin?

  DE GUICHE [smiling] You side with him?

  ROXANE No... against him.

  DE GUICHE Do you see much of him?

  ROXANE Very little.

  DE GUICHE He is everywhere to be met with one of the cadets... [trying to remember] that Neu ...villen ... viller ...

  ROXANE A tall man?

  DE GUICHE Light haired.

  ROXANE Red haired.

  DE GUICHE Good looking.

  ROXANE Pooh!

  DE GUICHE But a fool!

  ROXANE He looks like one. [In a different tone.] Your vengeance upon Cyrano is then to place him within reach of shot, which is the thing of all he loves! ... A miserable vengeance! ... I know, I do, what would more seriously concern him!

  DE GUICHE And that is?

  ROXANE Why... that the regiment should march, and leave him behind, with his beloved cadets, arms folded, the whole war through, in Paris! That is the only way to cast down a man like h
im. You wish to punish him? Deprive him of danger.

  DE GUICHE A woman! A woman! None but a woman could devise a vengeance of the sort!

  ROXANE His friends will gnaw their fists, and he his very soul, with chagrin at not being under fire; and you will be abundantly avenged! DE GUICHE [coming nearer] Then you do love me a little? [ROXANE smiles.] I wish to see in this fact of your espousing my grudge a proof of affection, Roxane ...

  ROXANE ... You may!

  DE GUICHE [showing several folded papers] I have here upon me the orders to be transmitted at once to each of the companies... except... [he takes one from among the others.] This one! ... the company of the cadets... [He puts it in his pocket.] This, I will keep. [Laughing] Ah, ah, ah! Cyrano! his belligerent humor! ... So you sometimes play tricks upon people, you? ...

  ROXANE Sometimes.

  DE GUICHE [very near her] I love you to distraction! This evening... listen, ... it is true that I must be gone. But to go when I feel that it is a matter for your caring! Listen! ... There is, not far from here, in Rue Orléans, a convent founded by the Capuchins. Father Athanasius. A layman may not enter. But the good fathers... I fear no difficulty with them! They will hide me up their sleeve... their sleeve is wide. They are the Capuchins that serve Richelieu at home. Fearing the uncle, they proportionately fear the nephew. I shall be thought to have left. I will come to you masked. Let me delay by a single day, wayward enchantress!

  ROXANE But if it should transpire... your fame...

  DE GUICHE Bah!

  ROXANE But... the siege... Arras! ...

  DE GUICHE Must wait! Allow me, I beg...

  ROXANE No!

  DE GUICHE I beseech!

  ROXANE [tenderly] No! Love itself bids me forbid you!

  DE GUICHE Ah!

  ROXANE You must go! [Aside.] Christian will stay! [Aloud.] For my sake, be heroic ... Antony!52

  DE GUICHE Ah, heavenly word upon your lips! ... Then you love the one who...

  ROXANE Who shall have made me tremble for his sake...

  DE GUICHE [in a transport of joy] Ah, I will go! [He kisses her hand.] Are you satisfied with me?

  ROXANE My friend, I am.

  [Exit DE GUICHE]

  THE DUENNA [dropping a mocking curtsey toward his back] My friend, we are!

  SCENE III

  Roxane, the Duenna, Cyrano

  ROXANE [to the DUENNA] Not a word of what I have done: Cyrano would never forgive me for defrauding him of his war! [She calls toward the house.] Cousin! [CYRANO comes out.] We are going to Clomire’s. [She indicates the house opposite.] Alcandre has engaged to speak, and so has Lysimon.

  THE DUENNA [putting her little finger to her ear] Yes, but my little finger tells me that we shall be too late to hear them!

  CYRANO [to ROXANE] Of all things do not miss the trained monkeys! [They have reached Clomire’s door]

  THE DUENNA See!... See! they have muffled the doorknocker! [To the door-knocker.] You have been gagged, that your voice should not disturb the beautiful lecture, ... little brutal disturber! [She lifts it with infinite care and knocks softly]

  ROXANE [seeing the door open] Come! [From the threshold to CYRANO.] If Christian should come, as probably he will, say he must wait!

  CYRANO [hurriedly, as she is about to disappear] Ah! [She turns.] Upon what shall you, according to your custom, question him to-day?

  ROXANE Upon...

  CYRANO [eagerly] Upon?...

  ROXANE But you will be silent...

  CYRANO As that wall!

  ROXANE Upon nothing! I will say: Forward! Free rein! No curb! Improvise! Talk of love! Be magnificent!

  CYRANO [smiling] Good.

  ROXANE Hush!

  CYRANO Hush!

  ROXANE Not a word! [She goes in and closes the door.]

  CYRANO [bowing, when the door is closed] A thousand thanks! [The door opens again and ROXANE looks out]

  ROXANE He might prepare his speeches...

  CYRANO Ah no!... the devil, no!

  BOTH [together] Hush!...

  [The door closes]

  SCENE IV

  Cyrano, Christian

  CYRANO [calling] Christian! [Enter CHRISTIAN.] I know all that we need to. Now make ready your memory. This is your chance to cover yourself with glory. Let us lose no time. Do not look sullen, like that. Quick! Let us go to your lodgings and I will rehearse you...

  CHRISTIAN No!

  CYRANO What?

  CHRISTIAN No, I will await Roxane here.

  CYRANO What insanity possesses you? Come quickly and learn...

  CHRISTIAN No, I tell you! I am weary of borrowing my letters, my words... of playing a part, and living in constant fear.... It was very well at first, but now I feel that she loves me. I thank you heartily. I am no longer afraid. I will speak for myself... CYRANO Ouais? ...

  CHRISTIAN And what tells you that I shall not know how? I am not such an utter blockhead, after all! You shall see! Your lessons have not been altogether wasted. I can shift to speak without your aid! And, that failing, by Heaven! I shall still know enough to take her in my arms! [Catching sight of ROXANE who is coming out from Clomire’s.] She is coming! Cyrano, no, do not leave me! . . .

  CYRANO [bowing to him] I will not meddle, Monsieur. [He disappears behind the garden wall]

  SCENE V

  Christian, Roxane, briefly the Duenna, several Prieux and Précieuses

  ROXANE [coming from CLOMIRE’s house with a number of people from whom she is taking leave. Curtseys and farewells.] Barthénoide!... Alcandre! ... Grémione! ...

  THE DUENNA [comically desperate] We missed the disquisition upon the Softer Sentiments! [She goes into ROXANE’s house.]

  ROXANE [still taking leave of this one and that] Urimédonte! ... Good-bye! [All bow to ROXANE, to one another, separate and go off by the various streets. ROXANE sees CHRISTIAN.]

  ROXANE You are here! [She goes to him.] Evening is closing round.... Wait! ... They have all gone.... The air is so mild.... Not a passer in sight.... Let us sit here.... Talk! ... I will listen.

  CHRISTIAN [sits beside her, on the bench. Silence.] I love you.

  ROXANE [closing her eyes] Yes. Talk to me of love.

  CHRISTIAN I love you.

  ROXANE Yes. That is the theme. Play variations upon it.

  CHRISTIAN I love...

  ROXANE Variations!

  CHRISTIAN I love you so much...

  ROXANE I do not doubt it. What further? ...

  CHRISTIAN And further. I should be so happy if you loved me! Tell me, Roxane, that you love me ...

  ROXANE [pouting] You proffer cider to me when I was hoping for champagne! ... Now tell me a little how you love me?

  CHRISTIAN Why... very, very much.

  ROXANE Oh!... unravel, disentangle your sentiments!

  CHRISTIAN Your throat! ... I want to kiss it! ...

  ROXANE Christian!

  CHRISTIAN I love you! ...

  ROXANE [attempting to rise] Again! ...

  CHRISTIAN [hastily, holding her back]. No, I do not love you! ...

  ROXANE [sitting down again] That is fortunate!

  CHRISTIAN I adore you!

  ROXANE [rising and moving away] Oh!...

  CHRISTIAN Yes,... love makes me into a fool!

  ROXANE [drily] And I am displeased at it! as I should be displeased at your no longer being handsome.

  CHRISTIAN But . . .

  ROXANE Go, and rally your routed eloquence!

  CHRISTIAN I...

  ROXANE You love me. I have heard it. Good-evening. [She goes toward the house.]

  CHRISTIAN No, no, not yet! ... I wish to tell you...

  ROXANE [pushing open the door to go in] That you adore me. Yes, I know. No! No! Go away! ... Go! ... Go! ...

  CHRISTIAN But I ... [She closes the door in his face.]

  CYRANO [who has been on the scene a moment, unnoticed] Unmistakably a success.

  SCENE VI

  Christian, Cyrano, briefly the Pages

  CHRIS
TIAN Help me!

  CYRANO No, sir, no.

  CHRISTIAN I will go kill myself if I am not taken back into favor at once... at once!

  CYRANO And how can I ... how, the devil? ... make you learn on the spot...

  CHRISTIAN [seizing him by the arm] Oh, there! ... Look! ... See! [Light has appeared in the balcony window.]

  CYRANO [with emotion] Her window!

  CHRISTIAN Oh, I shall die!

  CYRANO Not so loud!

  CHRISTIAN [in a whisper] I shall die!

  CYRANO It is a dark night....

  CHRISTIAN Well?

  CYRANO All may be mended. But you do not deserve.... There! stand there, miserable boy! ... in front of the balcony! I will stand under it and prompt you.

  CHRISTIAN But...

  CYRANO Do as I bid you!

  THE PAGES [reappearing at the back, to CYRANO] Hey! CYRANO Hush! [He signs to them to lower their voices.]

  FIRST PAGE [in a lower voice] We have finished serenading Montfleury!

  CYRANO [low, quickly] Go and stand out of sight. One at this street corner, the other at that; and if any one comes near, play! ...

  SECOND PAGE What sort of tune, Monsieur the Gassendist?

  CYRANO Merry if it be a woman, mournful if it be a man. [The pages disappear, one at each street corner. To CHRISTIAN.] Call her!

  CHRISTIAN Roxane!

  CYRANO [picking up pebbles and throwing them at the window-pane] Wait! A few pebbles...

  SCENE VII

  Roxane, Christian, Cyrano, at first hidden under the balcony

  ROXANE [opening the window] Who is calling me?

  CHRISTIAN It is I ...

  ROXANE Who is ... I?

  CHRISTIAN Christian!

  ROXANE [disdainfully] Oh, you!

  CHRISTIAN I wish to speak with you.

  CYRANO [under the balcony, to CHRISTIAN] Speak low! ...

  ROXANE No, your conversation is too common.You may go home!

  CHRISTIAN In mercy! ...

  ROXANE No... you do not love me any more!