Can we come in?
Yes. . .
[(Ragueneau signs to his friends, and they come in. At the same time, by door at back, enters Carbon de Castel-Jaloux, in Captain's uniform. He makes gestures of surprise on seeing Cyrano.)]Here he is!
Captain!. . .
Our hero! We heard all! Thirty or more Of my cadets are there!. . .
But. . .
Come with me! They will not rest until they see you!
No!
They're drinking opposite, at The Bear's Head.
I. . .
He won't come! The hero's in the sulks!
Ah! Sandious!
[(Tumult outside. Noise of boots and swords is heard approaching.)]They are running 'cross the street!
Mille dious! Capdedious! Pocapdedious!
Gentlemen, are you all from Gascony?
All!
Bravo!
Baron!
Vivat!
Baron!
Come! I must embrace you!
Baron!
We'll embrace Him, all in turn!
Baron!. . .Baron!. . .I beg. . .
Are you all Barons, Sirs?
Ay, every one!
Is it true?. . .
Ay -- why, you could build a tower With nothing but our coronets, my friend!
They're looking for you! Here's a crazy mob Led by the men who followed you last night. . .
What! Have you told them where to find me?
Yes!
Sir, all the Marais is a-coming here!
[(Outside the street has filled with people. Chaises a porteurs and carriages have drawn up.)]And Roxane?
Hush!
Cyrano!. . .
[(A crowd rush into the shop, pushing one another. Acclamations.)]Lo! my shop Invaded! They break all! Magnificent!
My friend!. . .my friend. . .
Meseems that yesterday I had not all these friends!
Success!
My friend, Didst thou but know. . .
Thou!. . .Marry!. . .thou!. . .Pray when Did we herd swine together, you and I!
I would present you, Sir, to some fair dames Who in my carriage yonder. . .
Ah! and who Will first present you, Sir, to me?
What's wrong?
Hush!
A few details?. . .
No.
'Tis Theophrast, Renaudet,. . .of the 'Court Gazette'!
Who cares?
This paper -- but it is of great importance!. . . They say it will be an immense success!
Sir. . .
What, another!
. . .Pray permit I make A pentacrostic on your name. . .
Pray, Sir. . .
Enough! Enough!
[(A movement in the crowd. De Guiche appears, escorted by officers. Cuigy, Brissaille, the officers who went with Cyrano the night before. Cuigy comes rapidly up to Cyrano.)]Here is Monsieur de Guiche?
[(A murmur -- every one makes way)]He comes from the Marshal of Gassion!
. . .Who would express his admiration, Sir, For your new exploit noised so loud abroad.
Bravo!
The Marshal is a judge of valor.
He could not have believed the thing, unless These gentlemen had sworn they witnessed it.
With our own eyes!
But. . .you. . .
Hush!
But. . .You suffer?
Before this rabble? -- I?. . .
[(He draws himself up, twirls his mustache, and throws back his shoulders)]Wait!. . .You shall see!
In feats of arms, already your career Abounded. -- You serve with those crazy pates Of Gascons?
Ay, with the Cadets.
With us!
Ah!. . .All these gentlemen of haughty mien, Are they the famous?. . .
Cyrano!
Ay, Captain!
Since all my company's assembled here, Pray favor me, -- present them to my lord!
My Lord de Guiche, permit that I present --
[(pointing to the cadets)]A poet! 'Tis the fashion of the hour! -- Will you be mine?
No, Sir, -- no man's!
Last night Your fancy pleased my uncle Richelieu. I'll gladly say a word to him for you.
Great Heavens!
I imagine you have rhymed Five acts, or so?
Your play! -- your 'Agrippine!' You'll see it staged at last!
Take them to him.
In sooth, -- I would. . .
He is a critic skilled He may correct a line or two, at most.
Impossible! My blood congeals to think That other hand should change a comma's dot.
But when a verse approves itself to him He pays it dear, good friend.
He pays less dear Than I myself; when a verse pleases me I pay myself, and sing it to myself!
You are proud.
Really? You have noticed that?
See, Cyrano, -- this morning, on the quay What strange bright-feathered game we caught! The hats O' the fugitives. . .
'Spolia opima!'
Ah! ah! ah!
He who laid that ambush, 'faith! Must curse and swear!
Who was it?
I myself.
[(The laughter stops)]I charged them -- work too dirty for my sword, To punish and chastise a rhymster sot.
[(Constrained silence.)]What do with them? They're full of grease! -- a stew?
Sir, pray be good enough to render them Back to your friends.
My chair there -- quick! -- I go!
[(To Cyrano passionately)]As to you, sirrah!. . .
Porters for my lord De Guiche!
Have you read 'Don Quixote'?
I have! And doff my hat at th' mad knight-errant's name.
I counsel you to study. . .
My lord's chair!
. . .The windmill chapter!
Chapter the Thirteenth.
For when one tilts 'gainst windmills -- it may chance. . .
Tilt I 'gainst those who change with every breeze?
. . .That windmill sails may sweep you with their arm Down -- in the mire!. . .
Or upward -- to the stars!
[(De Guiche goes out, and mounts into his chair. The other lords go away whispering together. Le Bret goes to the door with them. The crowd disperses.)]