Scene 1.VII.

Cyrano, Le Bret. Then actors, actresses, Cuigy, Brissaille, Ligniere, the porter, the violinists.

CYRANO (falling into Le Bret's arms):
   A rendezvous . . .from her! . . .

LE BRET:
   You're sad no more!

CYRANO:
   Ah! Let the world go burn! She knows I live!

LE BRET:
   Now you'll be calm, I hope?

CYRANO (beside himself for joy):
   Calm? I now calm?
   I'll be frenetic, frantic, - raving mad!
   Oh, for an army to attack! - a host!
   I've ten hearts in my breast; a score of arms;
   No dwarfs to cleave in twain! . . .
(Wildly):
   No! Giants now!

(For a few moments the shadows of the actors have been moving on the stage, whispers are heard - the rehearsal is beginning. The violinists are in their places.)

A VOICE FROM THE STAGE:
   Hollo there! Silence! We rehearse!

CYRANO (laughing):
   We go!

(He moves away. By the big door enter Cuigy, Brissaille, and some officers, holding up Ligniere, who is drunk.)

CUIGY:
   Cyrano!

CYRANO:
   Well, what now?

CUIGY:
   A lusty thrush
   They're bringing you!

CYRANO (recognizing him):
   Ligniere! . . .What has chanced?

CUIGY:
   He seeks you!

BRISSAILLE:
   He dare not go home!

CYRANO:
   Why not?

LIGNIERE (in a husky voice, showing him a crumpled letter):
   This letter warns me . . .that a hundred men . . .
   Revenge that threatens me . . .that song, you know -
   At the Porte de Nesle. To get to my own house
   I must pass there . . .I dare not! . . .Give me leave
   To sleep to-night beneath your roof! Allow . . .

CYRANO:
   A hundred men? You'll sleep in your own bed!

LIGNIERE (frightened):
   But -

CYRANO (in a terrible voice, showing him the lighted lantern held by the porter, who is listening curiously):
   Take the lantern.
(Ligniere seizes it):
   Let us start! I swear
   That I will make your bed to-night myself!
(To the officers):
   Follow; some stay behind, as witnesses!

CUIGY:
   A hundred! . . .

CYRANO:
   Less, to-night - would be too few!

(The actors and actresses, in their costumes, have come down from the stage, and are listening.)

LE BRET:
   But why embroil yourself?

CYRANO:
   Le Bret who scolds!

LE BRET:
   That worthless drunkard! -

CYRANO (slapping Ligniere on the shoulder):
   Wherefore? For this cause; -
   This wine-barrel, this cask of Burgundy,
   Did, on a day, an action full of grace;
   As he was leaving church, he saw his love
   Take holy water - he, who is affeared
   At water's taste, ran quickly to the stoup,
   And drank it all, to the last drop! . . .

AN ACTRESS:
   Indeed, that was a graceful thing!

CYRANO:
   Ay, was it not?

THE ACTRESS (to the others):
   But why a hundred men 'gainst one poor rhymer?

CYRANO:
   March!
(To the officers):
   Gentlemen, when you shall see me charge,
   Bear me no succor, none, whate'er the odds!

ANOTHER ACTRESS (jumping from the stage):
   Oh! I shall come and see!

CYRANO:
   Come, then!

ANOTHER (jumping down - to an old actor):
   And you? . . .

CYRANO:
   Come all - the Doctor, Isabel, Leander,
   Come, for you shall add, in a motley swarm,
   The farce Italian to this Spanish drama!

ALL THE WOMEN (dancing for joy):
   Bravo! - a mantle, quick! - my hood!

JODELET:
   Come on!

CYRANO:
   Play us a march, gentlemen of the band!
(The violinists join the procession, which is forming. They take the footlights, and divide them for torches):
   Brave officers! next, women in costume,
   And, twenty paces on -
(He takes his place):
   I all alone,
   Beneath the plume that Glory lends, herself,
   To deck my beaver - proud as Scipio! . . .
    - You hear me? - I forbid you succor me! -
   One, two three! Porter, open wide the doors!
(The porter opens the doors; a view of old Paris in the moonlight is seen):
   Ah! . . .Paris wrapped in night! half nebulous:
   The moonlight streams o'er the blue-shadowed roofs;
   A lovely frame for this wild battle-scene;
   Beneath the vapor's floating scarves, the Seine
   Trembles, mysterious, like a magic mirror,
   And, shortly, you shall see what you shall see!

ALL:
   To the Porte de Nesle!

CYRANO (standing on the threshold):
   Ay, to the Porte de Nesle!
(Turning to the actress):
   Did you not ask, young lady, for what cause
   Against this rhymer fivescore men were sent?
(He draws his sword; then, calmly):
   'Twas that they knew him for a friend of mine!

(He goes out. Ligniere staggers first after him, then the actresses on the officers' arms - the actors. The procession starts to the sound of the violins and in the faint light of the candles.)

Curtain.





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