CYRANO, LE BRET. Then ACTORS, ACTRESSES, CUIGY, BRISSAILLE, LIGNIERE, the PORTER, the VIOLINISTS.

[For a few moments the shadows of the actors have been moving on the stage, whispers are heard, the rehearsal is beginning. The VIOLINISTS are in their places.]

[He moves away. By the big door enter CUIGY BRISSAILLE, and some OFFICERS, holding up LIGNIERE, who is drunk.]

[The ACTORS and ACTRESSES, in their costumes, have come down from the stage, and are listening.]

[He goes out. LIGNIERE staggers first after him. The ACTRESSES then go out on the OFFICERS’ arms, and then the actors go out. The procession starts to the sound of the violins and in the faint light of the candles.]

CURTAIN.

CYRANO:

[falling into LE BRET'S arms] A Rendezvous! From her!

LE BRET:

You're sad no more!

CYRANO:

Ah! Whatever happens, at least she knows that I exist!

LE BRET:

Now you'll be calm, I hope?

CYRANO:

[beside himself with joy] Calm? You think I can be calm now? I'll be frenetic, frantic, raving mad! Oh, for an army to attack! I've got ten hearts in my breast and twenty arms at my sides. No more fighting with dwarfs! [gesturing wildly] No, I must fight giants now!

A VOICE:

Hello there! Silence, please! We're rehearsing now!

CYRANO:

[laughing] We shall go!

CUIGY:

Cyrano!

CYRANO:

What is it?

CUIGY:

We've brought your friend, the drunken songbird.

CYRANO:

[recognizing him] Ligniere! What has happened?

CUIGY:

He's been looking for you.

BRISSAILLE:

He doesn't dare to go home!

CYRANO:

Why not?

LIGNIERE:

[in a husky voice, showing him a crumpled letter] This letter warns me—a hundred men out for me—revenge for that song I wrote—waiting for me at the Porte de Nesle—I must pass there in order to get home—I dare not!—Please, let me sleep under your roof tonight!

CYRANO:

A hundred men? You'll sleep in your own bed tonight!

LIGNIERE:

[frightened] But—

CYRANO:

in a fierce voice, showing him the lighted lantern held by the PORTER, who is listening curiously] Take the lantern. [LIGNIERE grabs it.] Let us start! I swear that I will make your bed tonight myself! [to the OFFICERS] Follow us! But stay behind—I only need you as witnesses!

CUIGY:

A hundred men!

CYRANO:

Any less would be too few!

LE BRET:

But why get yourself involved in this mess?

CYRANO:

Le Bret scolds again!

LE BRET:

Why risk your life for that worthless drunkard?

CYRANO:

[slapping LIGNIERE on the shoulder] I'll tell you why. This wine-barrel of a man, this walking cask of Burgundy, did an action one day that was full of grace. As he was leaving church, he saw his love taking holy water. He, who can't even stand the sight of water, ran quickly to the basin, and drank it all, to the last drop!

AN ACTRESS:

Oh, what a graceful thing to do!

CYRANO:

Indeed, was it not?

ACTRESS:

[to the others] But why a hundred men against one poor poet?

CYRANO:

Let's go! [to the OFFICERS] Gentlemen, when you see me charge, give me no help, no matter what the odds!

ANOTHER ACTRESS:

[jumping from the stage] Oh! I shall come and see!

ANOTHER:

[to an older ACTOR, while jumping down from the stage] And you?

CYRANO:

Come all—the Doctor, Isabel, Leander—everyone must come! You'll form a madcap and motley group to add a little Italian farce to this Spanish drama!

ALL THE WOMEN:

[dancing for joy] Bravo!—Let's go!—My cloak!—Quick, my hood!

JODELET:

Come on!

CYRANO:

Play us a march, gentlemen of the band! [The VIOLINISTS join the procession, which is forming. They take the footlights, and divide them for torches.] Brave officers first! Next, women in costume! And twenty paces in front [He takes his place.] I alone! I, beneath my hat which glory itself has decorated, proud as Scipio! Remember now, I forbid you to give me any aid! One, two, three! Open wide the doors! [The PORTER opens the doors; a view of old Paris in the moonlight is seen.] Ah! Paris wrapped in night, half nebulous, the moonlight streaming over the rooftops! What a lovely frame for this wild battle scene! Beneath the haze, the Seine trembles, mysterious, like a magic mirror. Soon you shall see what you shall see!

ALL:

To the Porte de Nesle!

CYRANO:

[standing on the threshold] Yes, to the Porte de Nesle! [turning to the ACTRESS] Did you not ask, young lady, why one hundred men are after this one poet? [He draws his sword and then speaks calmly.] It's because they know he's a friend of mine.