CHRISTIAN, CYRANO. At the back of the stage, ROXANE is speaking to CARBON and some CADETS.

[She rushes over to CYRANO. CHRISTIAN goes out.]

CHRISTIAN:

[calling toward CYRANO'S tent] Cyrano!

CYRANO:

[reappearing, fully armed] What's the matter? Why are you so pale?

CHRISTIAN:

She does not love me!

CYRANO:

What?

CHRISTIAN:

It is you she loves!

CYRANO:

No!

CHRISTIAN:

She loves me only for my soul!

CYRANO:

Truly?

CHRISTIAN:

Yes! And that soul is you! Therefore it's you she loves—and you love her!

CYRANO:

I?

CHRISTIAN:

It's true! I know it!

CYRANO:

Yes, it's true.

CHRISTIAN:

You love her madly!

CYRANO:

Yes, and even more than that!

CHRISTIAN:

Then tell her so!

CYRANO:

No!

CHRISTIAN:

Why not?

CYRANO:

Look at my face! You'll find your answer there!

CHRISTIAN:

She told me she would love me even if I were ugly.

CYRANO:

She said that?

CHRISTIAN:

Yes! In those words!

CYRANO:

I'm glad she told you that, but those are only words. Believe them if you want to, but I wouldn't. Take my word for it: never grow ugly. She'd be upset with me then!

CHRISTIAN:

We'll see about that.

CYRANO:

No! I'm begging you!

CHRISTIAN:

Yes! Let her choose between us! Tell her everything!

CYRANO:

No, no! I will not have it! Spare me this torment!

CHRISTIAN:

Do you really believe that just because my face is handsome by chance, that your chance of happiness should be destroyed? That would be too unjust!

CYRANO:

But do you think that just because I happen to have the gift of eloquence, I should let it kill your chance of happiness?

CHRISTIAN:

Tell her everything!

CYRANO:

You must not tempt me this way!

CHRISTIAN:

I'm tired of being my own rival! I'll put an end to it!

CYRANO:

Christian! Enough!

CHRISTIAN:

Our marriage was made in secret. It can be easily dissolved if we survive.

CYRANO:

My God! You still persist!

CHRISTIAN:

I want to be loved for myself or not at all! I'm going over to the other side of the camp. While I'm gone, you must speak to her. Let her choose between the two of us!

CYRANO:

It will be you.

CHRISTIAN:

I pray that it will! [He calls out.] Roxane!

CYRANO:

No! No!

ROXANE:

[coming up quickly] Yes?

CHRISTIAN:

Cyrano has something important to tell you.