Cyrano de Bergerac [28]
CYRANO: Secret.
ROXANE: Not a word!
(She enters and shuts the door.)
CYRANO (when the door is shut, bowing to her): A thousand thanks!
(The door opens again, and Roxane puts her head out.)
ROXANE: Lest he prepare himself!
CYRANO: The devil!--no, no!
BOTH TOGETHER: Secret.
(The door shuts.)
CYRANO (calling): Christian!
Scene 3.IV.
Cyrano, Christian.
CYRANO: I know all that is needful. Here's occasion For you to deck yourself with glory. Come, Lose no time; put away those sulky looks, Come to your house with me, I'll teach you. . .
CHRISTIAN: No!
CYRANO: Why?
CHRISTIAN: I will wait for Roxane here.
CYRANO: How? Crazy? Come quick with me and learn. . .
CHRISTIAN: No, no! I say. I am aweary of these borrowed letters, --Borrowed love-makings! Thus to act a part, And tremble all the time!--'Twas well enough At the beginning!--Now I know she loves! I fear no longer!--I will speak myself.
CYRANO: Mercy!
CHRISTIAN: And how know you I cannot speak?-- I am not such a fool when all is said! I've by your lessons profited. You'll see I shall know how to speak alone! The devil! I know at least to clasp her in my arms! (Seeing Roxane come out from Clomire's house): --It is she! Cyrano, no!--Leave me not!
CYRANO (bowing): Speak for yourself, my friend, and take your chance.
(He disappears behind the garden wall.)
Scene 3.V.
Christian, Roxane, the duenna.
ROXANE (coming out of Clomire's house, with a company of friends, whom she leaves. Bows and good-byes): Barthenoide!--Alcandre!--Gremione!--
THE DUENNA (bitterly disappointed): We've missed the speech upon the Tender Passion!
(Goes into Roxane's house.)
ROXANE (still bowing): Urimedonte--adieu! (All bow to Roxane and to each other, and then separate, going up different streets. Roxane suddenly seeing Christian): You! (She goes to him): Evening falls. Let's sit. Speak on. I listen.
CHRISTIAN (sits by her on the bench. A silence): Oh! I love you!
ROXANE (shutting her eyes): Ay, speak to me of love.
CHRISTIAN: I love thee!
ROXANE: That's The theme! But vary it.
CHRISTIAN: I. . .
ROXANE: Vary it!
CHRISTIAN: I love you so!
ROXANE: Oh! without doubt!--and then?. . .
CHRISTIAN: And then--I should be--oh!--so glad--so glad If you would love me!--Roxane, tell me so!
ROXANE (with a little grimace): I hoped for cream,--you give me gruel! Say How love possesses you?
CHRISTIAN: Oh utterly!
ROXANE: Come, come!. . .unknot those tangled sentiments!
CHRISTIAN: Your throat I'd kiss it!
ROXANE: Christian!
CHRISTIAN: I love thee!
ROXANE (half-rising): Again!
CHRISTIAN (eagerly, detaining her): No, no! I love thee not!
ROXANE (reseating herself): 'Tis well!
CHRISTIAN: But I adore thee!
ROXANE (rising, and going further off): Oh!
CHRISTIAN: I am grown stupid!
ROXANE (dryly): And that displeases me, almost as much As 'twould displease me if you grew ill-favored.
CHRISTIAN: But. . .
ROXANE: Rally your poor eloquence that's flown!
CHRISTIAN: I. . .
ROXANE: Yes, you love me, that I know. Adieu.
(She goes toward her house.)
CHRISTIAN: Oh, go not yet! I'd tell you--
ROXANE (opening the door): You adore me? I've heard it very oft. No!--Go away!
CHRISTIAN: But I would fain. . .
(She shuts the door in his face.)
CYRANO (who has re-entered unseen): I' faith! It is successful!
Scene 3.VI.
Christian, Cyrano, two pages.
CHRISTIAN: Come to my aid!
CYRANO: Not I!
CHRISTIAN: But I shall die, Unless at once I win back her fair favor.
CYRANO: And how can I, at once, i' th' devil's name, Lesson you in. . .
CHRISTIAN (seizing his arm): Oh, she is there!
(The window of the balcony is now lighted up.)
CYRANO (moved): Her window!
CHRISTIAN: Oh! I shall die!
CYRANO: Speak lower!
CHRISTIAN (in a whisper): I shall die!
CYRANO: