Cyrano de Bergerac [27]
of the shots? Nay, believe me, that were a poor vengeance--he would love such a post better than aught else! I know the way to wound his pride far more keenly!
DE GUICHE: What then? Tell. . .
ROXANE: If, when the regiment march to Arras, he were left here with his beloved boon companions, the Cadets, to sit with crossed arms so long as the war lasted! There is your method, would you enrage a man of his kind; cheat him of his chance of mortal danger, and you punish him right fiercely.
DE GUICHE (coming nearer): O woman! woman! Who but a woman had e'er devised so subtle a trick?
ROXANE: See you not how he will eat out his heart, while his friends gnaw their thick fists for that they are deprived of the battle? So are you best avenged.
DE GUICHE: You love me, then, a little? (She smiles): I would fain--seeing you thus espouse my cause, Roxane--believe it a proof of love!
ROXANE: 'Tis a proof of love!
DE GUICHE (showing some sealed papers): Here are the marching orders; they will be sent instantly to each company-- except-- (He detaches one): --This one! 'Tis that of the Cadets. (He puts it in his pocket): This I keep. (Laughing): Ha! ha! ha! Cyrano! His love of battle!. . .So you can play tricks on people?. . .you, of all ladies!
ROXANE: Sometimes!
DE GUICHE (coming close to her): Oh! how I love you!--to distraction! Listen! To-night--true, I ought to start--but--how leave you now that I feel your heart is touched! Hard by, in the Rue d'Orleans, is a convent founded by Father Athanasius, the syndic of the Capuchins. True that no layman may enter--but--I can settle that with the good Fathers! Their habit sleeves are wide enough to hide me in. 'Tis they who serve Richelieu's private chapel: and from respect to the uncle, fear the nephew. All will deem me gone. I will come to you, masked. Give me leave to wait till tomorrow, sweet Lady Fanciful!
ROXANE: But, of this be rumored, your glory. . .
DE GUICHE: Bah!
ROXANE: But the siege--Arras. . .
DE GUICHE: 'Twill take its chance. Grant but permission.
ROXANE: No!
DE GUICHE: Give me leave!
ROXANE (tenderly): It were my duty to forbid you!
DE GUICHE: Ah!
ROXANE: You must go! (Aside): Christian stays here. (Aloud): I would have you heroic--Antoine!
DE GUICHE: O heavenly word! You love, then, him?. . .
ROXANE: . . .For whom I trembled.
DE GUICHE (in an ecstasy): Ah! I go then! (He kisses her hand): Are you content?
ROXANE: Yes, my friend!
(He goes out.)
THE DUENNA (making behind his back a mocking courtesy): Yes, my friend!
ROXANE (to the duenna): Not a word of what I have done. Cyrano would never pardon me for stealing his fighting from him! (She calls toward the house): Cousin!
Scene 3.III.
Roxane, The duenna, Cyrano.
ROXANE: We are going to Clomire's house. (She points to the door opposite): Alcandre and Lysimon are to discourse!
THE DUENNA (putting her little finger in her ear): Yes! But my little finger tells me we shall miss them.
CYRANO: 'Twere a pity to miss such apes!
(They have come to Clomire's door.)
THE DUENNA: Oh, see! The knocker is muffled up! (Speaking to the knocker): So they have gagged that metal tongue of yours, little noisy one, lest it should disturb the fine orators!
(She lifts it carefully and knocks with precaution.)
ROXANE (seeing that the door opens): Let us enter! (On the threshold, to Cyrano): If Christian comes, as I feel sure he will, bid him wait for me!
CYRANO (quickly, as she is going in): Listen! (She turns): What mean you to question him on, as is your wont, to-night?
ROXANE: Oh--
CYRANO (eagerly): Well, say.
ROXANE: But you will be mute?
CYRANO: Mute as a fish.
ROXANE: I shall not question him at all, but say: Give rein to your fancy! Prepare not your speeches,--but speak the thoughts as they come! Speak to me of love, and speak splendidly!
CYRANO (smiling): Very good!
ROXANE: But secret!. . .
DE GUICHE: What then? Tell. . .
ROXANE: If, when the regiment march to Arras, he were left here with his beloved boon companions, the Cadets, to sit with crossed arms so long as the war lasted! There is your method, would you enrage a man of his kind; cheat him of his chance of mortal danger, and you punish him right fiercely.
DE GUICHE (coming nearer): O woman! woman! Who but a woman had e'er devised so subtle a trick?
ROXANE: See you not how he will eat out his heart, while his friends gnaw their thick fists for that they are deprived of the battle? So are you best avenged.
DE GUICHE: You love me, then, a little? (She smiles): I would fain--seeing you thus espouse my cause, Roxane--believe it a proof of love!
ROXANE: 'Tis a proof of love!
DE GUICHE (showing some sealed papers): Here are the marching orders; they will be sent instantly to each company-- except-- (He detaches one): --This one! 'Tis that of the Cadets. (He puts it in his pocket): This I keep. (Laughing): Ha! ha! ha! Cyrano! His love of battle!. . .So you can play tricks on people?. . .you, of all ladies!
ROXANE: Sometimes!
DE GUICHE (coming close to her): Oh! how I love you!--to distraction! Listen! To-night--true, I ought to start--but--how leave you now that I feel your heart is touched! Hard by, in the Rue d'Orleans, is a convent founded by Father Athanasius, the syndic of the Capuchins. True that no layman may enter--but--I can settle that with the good Fathers! Their habit sleeves are wide enough to hide me in. 'Tis they who serve Richelieu's private chapel: and from respect to the uncle, fear the nephew. All will deem me gone. I will come to you, masked. Give me leave to wait till tomorrow, sweet Lady Fanciful!
ROXANE: But, of this be rumored, your glory. . .
DE GUICHE: Bah!
ROXANE: But the siege--Arras. . .
DE GUICHE: 'Twill take its chance. Grant but permission.
ROXANE: No!
DE GUICHE: Give me leave!
ROXANE (tenderly): It were my duty to forbid you!
DE GUICHE: Ah!
ROXANE: You must go! (Aside): Christian stays here. (Aloud): I would have you heroic--Antoine!
DE GUICHE: O heavenly word! You love, then, him?. . .
ROXANE: . . .For whom I trembled.
DE GUICHE (in an ecstasy): Ah! I go then! (He kisses her hand): Are you content?
ROXANE: Yes, my friend!
(He goes out.)
THE DUENNA (making behind his back a mocking courtesy): Yes, my friend!
ROXANE (to the duenna): Not a word of what I have done. Cyrano would never pardon me for stealing his fighting from him! (She calls toward the house): Cousin!
Scene 3.III.
Roxane, The duenna, Cyrano.
ROXANE: We are going to Clomire's house. (She points to the door opposite): Alcandre and Lysimon are to discourse!
THE DUENNA (putting her little finger in her ear): Yes! But my little finger tells me we shall miss them.
CYRANO: 'Twere a pity to miss such apes!
(They have come to Clomire's door.)
THE DUENNA: Oh, see! The knocker is muffled up! (Speaking to the knocker): So they have gagged that metal tongue of yours, little noisy one, lest it should disturb the fine orators!
(She lifts it carefully and knocks with precaution.)
ROXANE (seeing that the door opens): Let us enter! (On the threshold, to Cyrano): If Christian comes, as I feel sure he will, bid him wait for me!
CYRANO (quickly, as she is going in): Listen! (She turns): What mean you to question him on, as is your wont, to-night?
ROXANE: Oh--
CYRANO (eagerly): Well, say.
ROXANE: But you will be mute?
CYRANO: Mute as a fish.
ROXANE: I shall not question him at all, but say: Give rein to your fancy! Prepare not your speeches,--but speak the thoughts as they come! Speak to me of love, and speak splendidly!
CYRANO (smiling): Very good!
ROXANE: But secret!. . .