Cyrano De Bergerac Part 23

RAGUENEAU [entering precipitately] [entering precipitately] Ah, Madame! [He sees LE BRET.] Monsieur! Ah, Madame! [He sees LE BRET.] Monsieur!

ROXANE [smiling] Begin telling your misfortunes to Le Bret. I am coming back.

RAGUENEAU But, Madame ... [ROXANE [ROXANE leaves without listening, with the DUKE. RAGUENEAU goes to leaves without listening, with the DUKE. RAGUENEAU goes to LE BRET] LE BRET]

SCENE III.

Le Bret, Ragueneau

RAGUENEAU It is better so. Since you are here, I had liefer not tell her! Less than half an hour ago, I was going to see your friend. I was not thirty feet from his door, when I saw him come out. I hurried to catch up with him. He was about to turn the corner. I started to run, when from a window below which he was pa.s.sing-was it pure mischance? It may have been!-a lackey drops a block of wood ...

LE BRET Ah, the cowards! ... Cyrano!

RAGUENEAU I reach the spot, and find him ...

LE BRET Horrible!

RAGUENEAU Our friend, Monsieur, our poet, stretched upon the ground, with a great hole in his head!

LE BRET He is dead?

RAGUENEAU No, but ... G.o.d have mercy! I carried him to his lodging ... Ah, his lodging! You should see that lodging of his! LE BRET Is he in pain?

RAGUENEAU No, Monsieur, he is unconscious.

LE BRET Has a doctor seen him?

RAGUENEAU One came ... out of good nature.

LE BRET My poor, poor Cyrano! ... We must not tell Roxane outright. And the doctor?

RAGUENEAU He talked ... I hardly grasped ... of fever ... cerebral inflammation! Ah, if you should see him, with his head done up in cloths! ... Let us hurry ... No one is there to tend him ... And he might die if he attempted to get up!

LE BRET [dragging RAGUENEAU RAGUENEAU off at the right off at the right] This way. Come, it is shorter through the chapel.

ROXANE [appearing at the head the head of the of the steps, catching sight steps, catching sight of of LE BRET hurrying LE BRET hurrying off off through the colonnade which leads to the chapel side-door] Monsieur Le Bret! [LE BRET through the colonnade which leads to the chapel side-door] Monsieur Le Bret! [LE BRET and and RAGUENEAU make their escape RAGUENEAU make their escape without answering. without answering.] Le Bret not turning back when he is called? ... Poor Ragueneau must be in some new trouble! [She comes down the steps.]

SCENE IV.

Roxane, alone, then briefly two Sisters

ROXANE How beautiful ... how beautiful, this golden-hazy waning day of September at its wane! My sorrowful mood, which the exuberant gladness of April offends, Autumn, the dreamy and subdued, lures on to smile ... [She sits down at her embroidery frame. Two NUNS come from the house bringing a large armchair which they place under the tree. [She sits down at her embroidery frame. Two NUNS come from the house bringing a large armchair which they place under the tree.] Ah, here comes the cla.s.sic armchair in which my old friend always sits!

SISTER MARTHA The best in the convent parlor!

ROXANE I thank you, sister. [The nuns withdraw.] He will be here in a moment. nuns withdraw.] He will be here in a moment. [She adjusts the embroidery frame before her.] [She adjusts the embroidery frame before her.] There! The clock is striking ... My wools! ... The clock has struck? ... I wonder at this! ... Is it possible that for the first time he is late? ... It must be that the sister who keeps the door ... my thimble? ah, here it is! ... is detaining him to exhort him to repentance ... [ There! The clock is striking ... My wools! ... The clock has struck? ... I wonder at this! ... Is it possible that for the first time he is late? ... It must be that the sister who keeps the door ... my thimble? ah, here it is! ... is detaining him to exhort him to repentance ... [A pause.] She exhorts him at some length! ... He cannot be much longer ... A withered leaf! [She brushes away the dead leaf which has dropped on the embroidery.] [She brushes away the dead leaf which has dropped on the embroidery.] Surely nothing could keep ... My scissors? ... in my workbag! ... could keep him from coming! Surely nothing could keep ... My scissors? ... in my workbag! ... could keep him from coming!

A NUN [appearing at the head of the steps] [appearing at the head of the steps] Monsieur de Bergerac! Monsieur de Bergerac!

SCENE V.

Roxane, Cyrano, briefly Sister Martha

ROXANE [without turning round] [without turning round] What was I saying? ... What was I saying? ... [She begins to embroider. [She begins to embroider. CYRANO CYRANO appears, exceedingly pale, his hat drawn down over his eyes. The NUN who has shown him into the garden, withdraws. He comes down the steps very slowly, with evident difficulty to keep on his feet, leaning heavily on his cane. appears, exceedingly pale, his hat drawn down over his eyes. The NUN who has shown him into the garden, withdraws. He comes down the steps very slowly, with evident difficulty to keep on his feet, leaning heavily on his cane. ROXANE ROXANE proceeds with her sewing.] proceeds with her sewing.] Ah, these dull soft shades! ... How shall I match them? [To CYRANO, in Ah, these dull soft shades! ... How shall I match them? [To CYRANO, in a a tone tone of friendly of friendly chiding.] After fourteen years, for the first time you are late! chiding.] After fourteen years, for the first time you are late!

CYRANO [who has reached the armchair and seated himself, in a jolly voice which contrasts with his face.] [who has reached the armchair and seated himself, in a jolly voice which contrasts with his face.] Yes, it seems incredible! I am savage at it. I was detained, spite of all I could do! ... Yes, it seems incredible! I am savage at it. I was detained, spite of all I could do! ...

ROXANE By? ...

CYRANO A somewhat inopportune call.

ROXANE [absent-minded, sewing] Ah, yes ... some troublesome fellow!

CYRANO Cousin, it was a troublesome Madam.

ROXANE You excused yourself?

CYRANO Yes. I said, "Your pardon, but this is Sat.u.r.day, on which day I am due in certain dwelling. On no account do I ever fail. Come back in an hour!"

ROXANE [lightly] Well, she will have to wait some time to see you. I shall not let you go before evening.

CYRANO Perhaps ... I shall have to go a little earlier. [He closes his eyes and is silent a moment. eyes and is silent a moment.] [SISTER MARTHA is seen crossing the park from the chapel to the terrace. ROXANE sees her and beckons to her by a slight motion of her head.] [SISTER MARTHA is seen crossing the park from the chapel to the terrace. ROXANE sees her and beckons to her by a slight motion of her head.]

ROXANE [to CYRANO] Are you not going to tease Sister Martha to-day?

CYRANO [quickly, opening his eyes] I am indeed! [In a comically gruff a comically gruff voice.] Sister Martha, come nearer! [The NUN demurely comes voice.] Sister Martha, come nearer! [The NUN demurely comes toward him toward him.] Ha! ha! ha! Beautiful eyes, ever studying the ground!

SISTER MARTHA [lifting her eyes her eyes and and smiling] But ... [ smiling] But ... [She sees his his face and makes a gesture of surprise] face and makes a gesture of surprise] Oh! Oh!

CYRANO [low, pointing at ROXANE] Hush! ... It is nothing! [ ROXANE] Hush! ... It is nothing! [In a swaggering voice, aloud.] Yesterday, I ate meat! Yesterday, I ate meat!

SISTER MARTHA I am sure you did! [Aside.] That is why he is so pale! [Quickly, low.] [Quickly, low.] Come to the refectory presently. I shall have ready for you there a good bowl of broth ... You will come! Come to the refectory presently. I shall have ready for you there a good bowl of broth ... You will come!

CYRANO Yes, yes, yes.

SISTER MARTHA Ah, you are more reasonable t-day!

ROXANE [hearing them whisper] [hearing them whisper] She is trying to convert you? She is trying to convert you?

SISTER MARTHA Indeed I am not!

CYRANO It is true, you, usually almost discursive in the holy cause, are reading me no sermon! You amaze me! [With comical fury.] I will amaze you, too! Listen, you are authorized ... [With the air of casting about in his mind, and finding the jest he wants.] [With the air of casting about in his mind, and finding the jest he wants.] Ah, now I shall amaze you! to ... pray for me, this evening ... in the chapel. Ah, now I shall amaze you! to ... pray for me, this evening ... in the chapel.

ROXANE Oh! oh!

CYRANO [laughing] [laughing] Sister Martha ... lost in amazement! Sister Martha ... lost in amazement!

SISTER MARTHA [gently] [gently] I did not wait for your authorization. I did not wait for your authorization. [She goes in. [She goes in.]

CYRANO [turning to [turning to ROXANE, ROXANE, who is bending over her embroidery] who is bending over her embroidery] The devil, tapestry ... the devil, if I hope to live to see the end of you! The devil, tapestry ... the devil, if I hope to live to see the end of you!

ROXANE I was waiting for that jest. [A slight gust of wind makes the leaves fall. [A slight gust of wind makes the leaves fall.]

CYRANO The leaves!

ROXANE [looking up from her work and gazing off toward the avenues [looking up from her work and gazing off toward the avenues] They are the russet gold of a Venetian beauty's hair ... Watch them fall!

CYRANO How consummately they do it! In that brief fluttering from bough to ground, how they contrive still to put beauty! And though foredoomed to moulder upon the earth that draws them, they wish their fall invested with the grace of a free bird's flight!

ROXANE Serious, you?

CYRANO [remembering himself] Not at all, Roxane!

ROXANE Come, never mind the falling leaves! Tell me the news, instead ... Where is my budget?70 CYRANO Here it is!

ROXANE Ah!

CYRANO [growing paler and paler, and struggling with pain] [growing paler and paler, and struggling with pain] Sat.u.r.day, the nineteenth: The king having filled his dish eight times with Cette Sat.u.r.day, the nineteenth: The king having filled his dish eight times with Cette71 preserves, and emptied it, was taken with a fever; his distemper, for high treason, was condemned to be let blood, and now the royal pulse is rid of febriculosity! On Sunday: at the Queen's great ball, were burned seven hundred and sixty-three wax candles; our troops, it is said, defeated Austrian John; four sorcerers were hanged; Madame Athis's little dog had a distressing turn, the case called for a ... preserves, and emptied it, was taken with a fever; his distemper, for high treason, was condemned to be let blood, and now the royal pulse is rid of febriculosity! On Sunday: at the Queen's great ball, were burned seven hundred and sixty-three wax candles; our troops, it is said, defeated Austrian John; four sorcerers were hanged; Madame Athis's little dog had a distressing turn, the case called for a ...

ROXANE Monsieur de Bergerac, leave out the little dog!

CYRANO Monday, ... nothing, or next to it: Lygdamire took a fresh lover.

ROXANE Oh!

CYRANO [over whose face is coming a change more and more marked] Tuesday: the whole Court a.s.sembled at Fontainebleau. Wednesday, the fair Monglat said to Count Fiesco "No!" Thursday, Mancini, Queen of France, ... or little less. Twenty-fifth, the fair Monglat said to Count Fiesco "Yes!" And Sat.u.r.day, the twenty-sixth ... [He closes his eyes. His head drops on his breast. Silence. Silence. ] ]

ROXANE [surprised at at hearing hearing nothing further, nothing further, turns, looks turns, looks at at him him and and starts to her feet in starts to her feet in alarm] alarm] Has he fainted? [She runs to him, Has he fainted? [She runs to him, calling.] calling.] Cyrano! Cyrano!

CYRANO [opening his eyes, in a faint a faint voice] What is it? ... What is the matter! [He sees ROXANE bending over voice] What is it? ... What is the matter! [He sees ROXANE bending over him, hurriedly him, hurriedly readjusts his readjusts his hat, hat, pulling it more closely over his head, pulling it more closely over his head, and shrinks and shrinks back in his back in his armchair armchairr in terror] No! no! I a.s.sure you, it is nothing! ... Do not mind me!

ROXANE But surely ...

CYRANO It is merely the wound I received at Arras ... Sometimes ... you know ... even now ...

ROXANE Poor friend!

CYRANO But it is nothing ... It will pa.s.s ... [He smiles with effort] [He smiles with effort] It has pa.s.sed. It has pa.s.sed.

ROXANE Each one of us has his wound: I too have mine. It is here, never to heal, that ancient wound ... [She places her hand on her breast. [She places her hand on her breast.] It is here, beneath the yellowing letter on which are still faintly visible tear-drops and drops of blood! [The light is beginning to grow less] [The light is beginning to grow less]

CYRANO His letter? ... Did you not once say that some day ... you might show it to me?

ROXANE Ah! ... Do you wish? ... His letter?

CYRANO Yes ... to-day ... I wish to ...

ROXANE [handing him the little bag from her neck] [handing him the little bag from her neck] Here! CYRANO I may open it? Here! CYRANO I may open it?

ROXANE Open it ... read! [She goes back to her embroidery frame, folds it up, orders her wools.] [She goes back to her embroidery frame, folds it up, orders her wools.]

CYRANO "Good-bye, Roxane! I am going to die!"

ROXANE [stopping in astonishment] [stopping in astonishment] You are reading it aloud? You are reading it aloud?

CYRANO [reading] [reading] "It is fated to come this evening, beloved, I believe! My soul is heavy, oppressed with love it had not time to utter ... and now Time is at end! Never again, never again shall my worshipping eyes ..." "It is fated to come this evening, beloved, I believe! My soul is heavy, oppressed with love it had not time to utter ... and now Time is at end! Never again, never again shall my worshipping eyes ..."

ROXANE How strangely you read his letter!

CYRANO [continuing] [continuing] "... whose pa.s.sionate revel it was, kiss in its fleeting grace your every gesture. One, usual to you, of tucking back a little curl, comes to my mind ... and I cannot refrain from crying out ... "... whose pa.s.sionate revel it was, kiss in its fleeting grace your every gesture. One, usual to you, of tucking back a little curl, comes to my mind ... and I cannot refrain from crying out ...

ROXANE How strangely you read his letter! ... [The darkness gradually increases] [The darkness gradually increases]

CYRANO "and I cry out: Good-bye!"

ROXANE You read it ...

CYRANO "my dearest, my darling, ... my treasure ..."

ROXANE ... in a voice ...

CYRANO "... my love! ..."

ROXANE ... in a voice ... a voice which I am not hearing for the first time! [ROXANE comes quietly nearer to him, without his seeing it; she steps behind his armchair, bends noiselessly over his shoulder, looks at the letter. The darkness deepens.] [ROXANE comes quietly nearer to him, without his seeing it; she steps behind his armchair, bends noiselessly over his shoulder, looks at the letter. The darkness deepens.]

CYRANO "... My heart never desisted for a second from your side ... and I am and shall be in the world that has no end, the one who loved you without measure, the one ..."

ROXANE [laying her hand on his shoulder] [laying her hand on his shoulder] How can you go on reading? It is dark. [CYRANO How can you go on reading? It is dark. [CYRANO starts, and turns round; sees her close to him, makes a gesture of dismay and hangs his head. Then, in the darkness which has completely closed round them, she says slowly, clasping her hands.] starts, and turns round; sees her close to him, makes a gesture of dismay and hangs his head. Then, in the darkness which has completely closed round them, she says slowly, clasping her hands.] And he, for fourteen years, has played the part of the comical old friend who came to cheer me! And he, for fourteen years, has played the part of the comical old friend who came to cheer me!

CYRANO Roxane!

ROXANE So it was you.

CYRANO No, no, Roxane!

ROXANE I ought to have divined it, if only by the way in which he speaks my name!