Scene 4.IX.

Christian, Cyrano. At back Roxane talking to Carbon and some cadets.

CHRISTIAN (calling toward Cyrano's tent):
   Cyrano!

CYRANO (reappearing, fully armed):
   What? Why so pale?

CHRISTIAN:
   She does not love me!

CYRANO:
   What?

CHRISTIAN:
   'Tis you she loves!

CYRANO:
   No!

CHRISTIAN:
    - For she loves me only for my soul!

CYRANO:
   Truly?

CHRISTIAN:
   Yes! Thus - you see, that soul is you, . . .
   Therefore, 'tis you she loves! - And you - love her!

CYRANO:
   I?

CHRISTIAN:
   Oh, I know it!

CYRANO:
   Ay, 'tis true!

CHRISTIAN:
   You love
   To madness!

CYRANO:
   Ay! and worse!

CHRISTIAN:
   Then tell her so!

CYRANO:
   No!

CHRISTIAN:
   And why not?

CYRANO:
   Look at my face! - be answered!

CHRISTIAN:
   She'd love me - were I ugly.

CYRANO:
   Said she so?

CHRISTIAN:
   Ay! in those words!

CYRANO:
   I'm glad she told you that!
   But pooh! - believe it not! I am well pleased
   She thought to tell you. Take it not for truth.
   Never grow ugly: - she'd reproach me then!

CHRISTIAN:
   That I intend discovering!

CYRANO:
   No! I beg!

CHRISTIAN:
   Ay! she shall choose between us! - Tell her all!

CYRANO:
   No! no! I will not have it! Spare me this!

CHRISTIAN:
   Because my face is haply fair, shall I
   Destroy your happiness? 'Twere too unjust!

CYRANO:
   And I, - because by Nature's freak I have
   The gift to say - all that perchance you feel.
   Shall I be fatal to your happiness?

CHRISTIAN:
   Tell all!

CYRANO:
   It is ill done to tempt me thus!

CHRISTIAN:
   Too long I've borne about within myself
   A rival to myself - I'll make an end!

CYRANO:
   Christian!

CHRISTIAN:
   Or union, without witness - secret -
   Clandestine - can be easily dissolved
   If we survive.

CYRANO:
   My God! - he still persists!

CHRISTIAN:
   I will be loved myself - or not at all!
    - I'll go see what they do - there, at the end
   Of the post:   speak to her, and then let her choose
   One of us two!

CYRANO:
   It will be you.

CHRISTIAN:
   Pray God!
(He calls):
   Roxane!

CYRANO:
   No! no!

ROXANE (coming up quickly):
   What?

CHRISTIAN:
   Cyrano has things
   Important for your ear . . .

(She hastens to Cyrano. Christian goes out.)





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