CYRANO: Blessed be the moment when you...

CYRANO: Blessed be the moment when you condescend--

Remembering that humbly I exist--

To come to meet me, and to say. . .to tell?. . .

ROXANE (who has unmasked): To thank you first of all. That dandy count,

Whom you checkmated in brave sword-play

Last night,. . .he is the man whom a great lord,

Desirous of my favor. . .

CYRANO:Ha, De Guiche?

ROXANE (casting down her eyes): Sought to impose on me. . .for husband. . .

CYRANO: Ay! Husband!--dupe-husband!. . .Husband a la mode!

(Bowing): Then I fought, happy chance! sweet lady, not

For my ill favor--but your favors fair!

ROXANE: Confession next!. . .But, ere I make my shrift,

You must be once again that brother-friend

With whom I used to play by the lake-side!. . .

CYRANO: Ay, you would come each spring to Bergerac!

ROXANE: Mind you the reeds you cut to make your swords?. . .

CYRANO: While you wove corn-straw plaits for your dolls' hair!

ROXANE: Those were the days of games!. . .

CYRANO: And blackberries!. . .

ROXANE: In those days you did everything I bid!. . .

CYRANO: Roxane, in her short frock, was Madeleine. . .

ROXANE: Was I fair then?

CYRANO: You were not ill to see!

ROXANE: Ofttimes, with hands all bloody from a fall,

You'd run to me! Then--aping mother-ways--

I, in a voice would-be severe, would chide,--

(She takes his hand):

'What is this scratch, again, that I see here?'

(She starts, surprised):

Oh! 'Tis too much! What's this?

(Cyrano tries to draw away his hand):

No, let me see!

At your age, fie! Where did you get that scratch?

CYRANO: I got it--playing at the Porte de Nesle.

ROXANE (seating herself by the table, and dipping her handkerchief in a glass of water): Give here!

CYRANO (sitting by her): So soft! so gay maternal-sweet!

ROXANE: And tell me, while I wipe away the blood,

How many 'gainst you?

CYRANO: Oh! A hundred--near.

ROXANE: Come, tell me!

CYRANO: No, let be. But you, come tell

The thing, just now, you dared not. . .

ROXANE (keeping his hand): Now, I dare!

The scent of those old days emboldens me!

Yes, now I dare. Listen. I am in love.

CYRANO: Ah!. . .

ROXANE: But with one who knows not.

CYRANO: Ah!. . .

ROXANE: Not yet.

CYRANO: Ah!. . .

ROXANE: But who, if he knows not, soon shall learn.

CYRANO: Ah!. . .

ROXANE: A poor youth who all this time has loved

Timidly, from afar, and dares not speak. . .

CYRANO: Ah!. . .

ROXANE: Leave your hand; why, it is fever-hot!--

But I have seen love trembling on his lips.

CYRANO: Ah!. . .

ROXANE (bandaging his hand with her handkerchief): And to think of it! that he by chance--

Yes, cousin, he is of your regiment!

CYRANO: Ah!. . .

ROXANE (laughing): --Is cadet in your own company!

CYRANO: Ah!. . .

ROXANE: On his brow he bears the genius-stamp;

He is proud, noble, young, intrepid, fair. . .

CYRANO (rising suddenly, very pale): Fair!

ROXANE: Why, what ails you?

CYRANO: Nothing; 'tis. . . (He shows his hand, smiling):

This scratch!

ROXANE: I love him; all is said. But you must know

I have only seen him at the Comedy. . .

CYRANO: How? You have never spoken?

ROXANE: Eyes can speak.

CYRANO: How know you then that he. . .?

ROXANE: Oh! people talk

'Neath the limes in the Place Royale. . .

Gossip's chat

Has let me know. . .

CYRANO: He is cadet?

ROXANE: In the Guards.

CYRANO: His name?

ROXANE: Baron Christian de Neuvillette.

CYRANO: How now?. . .He is not of the Guards!

ROXANE: To-day

He is not join your ranks, under Captain

Carbon de Castel-Jaloux.

CYRANO: Ah, how quick,

How quick the heart has flown!. . .But, my poor child. . .

THE DUENNA (opening the door): The cakes are eaten, Monsieur Bergerac!

CYRANO: Then read the verses printed on the bags!

(She goes out):

. . .My poor child, you who love but flowing words,

Bright wit,--what if he be a lout unskilled?

ROXANE: No, his bright locks, like D'Urfe's heroes. . .

CYRANO: Ah!

A well-curled pate, and witless tongue, perchance!

ROXANE: Ah no! I guess--I feel--his words are fair!

CYRANO: All words are fair that lurk 'neath fair mustache!

--Suppose he were a fool!. . .

ROXANE (stamping her foot): Then bury me!

CYRANO (after a pause): Was it to tell me this you brought me here?

I fail to see what use this serves, Madame.

ROXANE: Nay, but I felt a terror, here, in the heart,

On learning yesterday you were Gascons

All of your company. . .

CYRANO: And we provoke

All beardless sprigs that favor dares admit

'Midst us pure Gascons--pure! Heaven save the mark!

They told you that as well?

ROXANE: Ah! Think how I

Trembled for him!

CYRANO (between his teeth): Not causelessly!

ROXANE: But when

Last night I saw you,--brave, invincible,--

Punish that dandy, fearless hold your own

Against those brutes, I thought--I thought, if he

Whom all fear, all--if he would only. . .

CYRANO: Good.

I will befriend your little Baron.

ROXANE: Ah!

You'll promise me you will do this for me?

I've always held you as a tender friend.

CYRANO: Ay, ay.

ROXANE: Then you will be his friend?

CYRANO: I swear!

ROXANE: And he shall fight no duels, promise!

CYRANO: None.

ROXANE: You are kind, cousin! Now I must be gone.

(She puts on her mask and veil quickly; then, absently):

You have not told me of your last night's fray.

Ah, but it must have been a hero-fight!. . .

--Bid him to write.

(She sends him a kiss with her fingers):

How good you are!

CYRANO: Ay! Ay!

ROXANE: A hundred men against you? Now, farewell.--

We are great friends?

CYRANO: Ay, ay!

ROXANE: Oh, bid him write!

You'll tell me all one day--A hundred men!--

Ah, brave!. . .How brave!

CYRANO (bowing to her): I have fought better since.

Edmond Rostand, Cyrano de Bergerac, 1897. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1254/1254-h/1254-h.htm#16_Scene2.VI.

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1254/1254-h/1254-h.htm