Act III - Scene V

CHRISTIAN, ROXANE, the DUENNA

[She goes into ROXANE'S house.]

[She goes toward her house.]

[She shuts the door in his face.]

ROXANE:
[coming out of Clomire's house with a group of friends, bowing and saying goodbye to them] Goodbye, Barthenoide! Alcandre! Gremione!
DUENNA:
[bitterly disappointed] We missed the speech on “The Tender Passion.”
ROXANE:
[still bowing to her friends] Goodbye, Urimedonte! [They all bow to ROXANE and to each other, and then separate, going up different streets. ROXANE suddenly sees CHRISTIAN] It's you! [She goes to him.] Night is falling and no one is around. Let's sit. Please speak, and I will listen.
CHRISTIAN:
[sits by her on the bench; there is a silence.] Oh! I love you!
ROXANE:
[shutting her eyes] Yes, speak to me of love.
CHRISTIAN:
I love you!
ROXANE:
Yes, that's the theme, but elaborate on it.
CHRISTIAN:
I…
ROXANE:
Go on, elaborate!
CHRISTIAN:
I love you so!
ROXANE:
Oh, without a doubt! But what else?
CHRISTIAN:
And I would be—Oh!—I would be so glad—so glad—if you would love me! Oh, Roxane, tell me so!
ROXANE:
[with a little grimace] I hoped for cream, but you're giving me water! Explain to me how you love me!
CHRISTIAN:
Oh, utterly!
ROXANE:
Come, come! Untangle those knotted thoughts!
CHRISTIAN:
I'd love to kiss your throat!
ROXANE:
Christian!
CHRISTIAN:
I love you!
ROXANE:
[half-rising] You've already said that!
CHRISTIAN:
[eagerly, trying to detain her] No, no! I don't love you!
ROXANE:
[reseating herself] Well, at least that's a change.
CHRISTIAN:
I adore you!
ROXANE:
[rising and going further away] Oh!
CHRISTIAN:
Oh, I'm growing foolish!
ROXANE:
[dryly] And that displeases me—almost as much as it would displease me if you grew ugly.
CHRISTIAN:
But—
ROXANE:
Find your eloquence that seems to have flown away!
CHRISTIAN:
I…
ROXANE:
Yes, you love me. I already know that. Good night!
CHRISTIAN:
Oh, don't go yet! I shall tell you—
ROXANE:
[opening the door] That you adore me? I've heard that enough. Go away!
CHRISTIAN:
But I—
CYRANO:
[who has re-entered unseen] Well, what a success that was!