Scene 4.V.

The same. Roxane.

DE GUICHE:
   On the King's service! You?

ROXANE:
   Ay, - King Love's! What other king?

CYRANO:
   Great God!

CHRISTIAN (rushing forward):
   Why have you come?

ROXANE:
   This siege - 'tis too long!

CHRISTIAN:
   But why? . . .

ROXANE:
   I will tell you all!

CYRANO (who, at the sound of her voice, has stood still, rooted to the ground, afraid to raise his eyes):
   My God! dare I look at her?

DE GUICHE:
   You cannot remain here!

ROXANE (merrily):
   But I say yes! Who will push a drum hither for me?
(She seats herself on the drum they roll forward):
   So! I thank you.
(She laughs):
   My carriage was fired at
(proudly):
   by the patrol! Look! would you not think 'twas made of a pumpkin, like Cinderella's chariot in the tale, - and the footmen out of rats?
(Sending a kiss with her lips to Christian):
   Good-morrow!
(Examining them all):
   You look not merry, any of you! Ah! know you that 'tis a long road to get to Arras?
(Seeing Cyrano):
   Cousin, delighted!

CYRANO (coming up to her):
   But how, in Heaven's name? . . .

ROXANE:
   How found I the way to the army? It was simple enough, for I had but to pass on and on, as far as I saw the country laid waste. Ah, what horrors were there! Had I not seen, then I could never have believed it! Well, gentlemen, if such be the service of your King, I would fainer serve mine!

CYRANO:
   But 'tis sheer madness! Where in the fiend's name did you get through?

ROXANE:
   Where? Through the Spanish lines.

FIRST CADET:
    - For subtle craft, give me a woman!

DE GUICHE:
   But how did you pass through their lines?

LE BRET:
   Faith! that must have been a hard matter! . . .

ROXANE:
   None too hard. I but drove quietly forward in my carriage, and when some hidalgo of haughty mien would have stayed me, lo! I showed at the window my sweetest smile, and these Senors being (with no disrespect to you) the most gallant gentlemen in the world, - I passed on!

CARBON:
   True, that smile is a passport! But you must have been asked frequently to give an account of where you were going, Madame?

ROXANE:
   Yes, frequently. Then I would answer, 'I go to see my lover.'   At that word the very fiercest Spaniard of them all would gravely shut the carriage-door, and, with a gesture that a king might envy, make signal to his men to lower the muskets leveled at me; - then, with melancholy but withal very graceful dignity - his beaver held to the wind that the plumes might flutter bravely, he would bow low, saying to me, 'Pass on, Senorita!'

CHRISTIAN:
   But, Roxane . . .

ROXANE:
   Forgive me that I said, 'my lover!'   But bethink you, had I said 'my husband,' not one of them had let me pass!

CHRISTIAN:
   But . . .

ROXANE:
   What ails you?

DE GUICHE:
   You must leave this place!

ROXANE:
   I?

CYRANO:
   And that instantly!

LE BRET:
   No time to lose.

CHRISTIAN:
   Indeed, you must.

ROXANE:
   But wherefore must I?

CHRISTIAN (embarrassed):
   'Tis that . . .

CYRANO (the same):
    - In three quarters of an hour . . .

DE GUICHE (the same):
    - Or for . . .

CARBON (the same):
   It were best . . .

LE BRET (the same):
   You might . . .

ROXANE:
   You are going to fight? - I stay here.

ALL:
   No, no!

ROXANE:
   He is my husband!
(She throws herself into Christian's arms):
   They shall kill us both together!

CHRISTIAN:
   Why do you look at me thus?

ROXANE:
   I will tell you why!

DE GUICHE (in despair):
   'Tis a post of mortal danger!

ROXANE (turning round):
   Mortal danger!

CYRANO:
   Proof enough, that he has put us here!

ROXANE (to De Guiche):
   So, Sir, you would have made a widow of me?

DE GUICHE:
   Nay, on my oath . . .

ROXANE:
   I will not go! I am reckless now, and I shall not stir from here! - Besides, 'tis amusing!

CYRANO:
   Oh-ho! So our precieuse is a heroine!

ROXANE:
   Monsieur de Bergerac, I am your cousin.

A CADET:
   We will defend you well!

ROXANE (more and more excited):
   I have no fear of that, my friends!

ANOTHER (in ecstasy):
   The whole camp smells sweet of orris-root!

ROXANE:
   And, by good luck, I have chosen a hat that will suit well with the battlefield!
(Looking at De Guiche):
   But were it not wisest that the Count retire?
   They may begin the attack.

DE GUICHE:
   That is not to be brooked! I go to inspect the cannon, and shall return. You have still time - think better of it!

ROXANE:
   Never!

(De Guiche goes out.)





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