Roxane!
No!
She stays!
A comb! -- Soap! -- My uniform is torn! -- A needle! -- A ribbon! -- Lend your mirror! -- My cuffs! -- Your curling-iron! -- A razor!. . .
No! Naught shall make me stir from this spot!
It is perchance more seemly, since things are thus, that I present to you some of these gentlemen
Baron de Peyrescous de Colignac!
Madame. . .
Baron de Casterac de Cahuzac, -- Vidame de Malgouyre Estressac Lesbas d'Escarabiot, Chevalier d'Antignac-Juzet, Baron Hillot de Blagnac-Salechan de Castel Crabioules. . .
But how many names have you each?
Scores!
Pray, upon the hand that holds your kerchief.
Why?
[(The whole company start forward to pick it up.)]My company had no flag. But now, by my faith, they will have the fairest in all the camp!
'Tis somewhat small.
But -- 'tis of lace!
I could die happy, having seen so sweet a face, if I had something in my stomach -- were it but a nut!
Shame on you! What, talk of eating when a lovely woman!. . .
But your camp air is keen; I myself am famished. Pasties, cold fricassee, old wines -- there is my bill of fare? Pray bring it all here.
[(Consternation.)]All that?
But where on earth find it?
In my carriage.
How?
Now serve up -- carve! Look a little closer at my coachman, gentlemen, and you will recognize a man most welcome. All the sauces can be sent to table hot, if we will!
'Tis Ragueneau!
[(Acclamations)]Oh, oh!
Poor fellows!
Kind fairy!
Gentlemen!. . .
[(General delight.)]Bravo! bravo!
. . .The Spaniards, gazing on a lady so dainty fair, overlooked the fare so dainty!. . .
[(Applause.)]Hark, Christian!
. . .And, occupied with gallantry, perceived not --
[(His draws a plate from under the seat, and holds it up)]-- The galantine!. . .
[(Applause. The galantine passes from hand to hand.)]Prythee, one word!
And Venus so attracted their eyes that Diana could secretly pass by with --
[(He holds up a shoulder of mutton)]-- her fawn!
[(Enthusiasm. Twenty hands are held out to seize the shoulder of mutton.)]I must speak to you!
Put it all on the ground!
[(She lays all out on the grass, aided by the two imperturbable lackeys who were behind the carriage.)]Come, make yourself of use!
[(Christian comes to help her. Cyrano's uneasiness increases.)]Truffled peacock!
By the mass! We shall not brave the last hazard without having had a gullet-full! --
[(quickly correcting himself on seeing Roxane)]-- Pardon! A Balthazar feast!
The cushions are stuffed with ortolans!
[(Hubbub. They tear open and turn out the contents of the cushions. Bursts of laughter -- merriment.)]Ah! Viedaze!
Flasks of rubies! --
[(and white wine)]-- Flasks of topaz!
Unfold me that napkin! -- Come, come! be nimble!
Each of the carriage-lamps is a little larder!
I must speak with you ere you speak to her.
My whip-handle is an Arles sausage!
Since we are to die, let the rest of the army shift for itself. All for the Gascons! And mark! if De Guiche comes, let no one invite him!
[(Going from one to the other)]There! there! You have time enough! Do not eat too fast! -- Drink a little. -- Why are you crying?
It is all so good!. . .
Tut! -- Red or white? -- Some bread for Monsieur de Carbon! -- a knife! Pass your plate! -- a little of the crust? Some more? Let me help you! -- Some champagne? -- A wing?
How I worship her!
What will you?
Nothing.
Nay, nay, take this biscuit, steeped in muscat; come!. . .but two drops!
Oh! tell me why you came?
Wait; my first duty is to these poor fellows. -- Hush! In a few minutes. . .
De Guiche!
Quick! hide flasks, plates, pie-dishes, game-baskets! Hurry! -- Let us all look unconscious!
[(To Ragueneau)]Up on your seat! -- Is everything covered up?
[(In an instant all has been pushed into the tents, or hidden under doublets, cloaks, and beavers. De Guiche enters hurriedly -- stops suddenly, sniffing the air. Silence.)]