Act IV - Scene VI

The same, with all except DE GUICHE.

[The whole company starts forward to pick it up.]

[Everyone is confused and dismayed.]

[The CADETS cheer enthusiastically.]

[The CADETS applaud.]

[The CADETS applaud more. The dish passes from hand to hand.]

[Enthusiastic cries ensue. All the CADETS reach out to the platter.]

[She lays it all out on the grass, aided by the two lackeys who followed behind the carriage.]

[CHRISTIAN comes to help her. CYRANO'S uneasiness increases.]

[The CADETS tear open the cushions, laughing and shouting.]

[In an instant everything has been pushed into the tents or hidden in jackets, cloaks and hats. DE GUICHE enters hurriedly and suddenly stops, sniffing the air. There is silence.]

CHRISTIAN:
[begging] Roxane!
ROXANE:
No!
FIRST CADET:
[to the others] She stays!
ALL:
[hurrying, hustling each other, tidying themselves for her] A comb! Some soap! My uniform is torn! A needle! A ribbon! Lend me your mirror! Your mustache curler! A razor!
ROXANE:
[to CYRANO, who still pleads with her] No! Nothing shall make me move from this spot!
CARBON:
[who, like the others, has been buckling, dusting, brushing his hat, settling his plume, and drawing on his cuffs, advances to ROXANE, and speaks ceremoniously.] Since that is the case, let me present to you some of these gentlemen who are about to have the honor of dying before your eyes. [ROXANE bows, and stands leaning on CHRISTIAN'S arm, while CARBON introduces the cadets to her.] Baron de Peyrescous de Colignac!
THE CADET:
[bowing] Madame.
CARBON:
[continuing] Baron de Casterac de Cahuzac…Vidame de Malgouyre Estressac Lesbas d'Escarabiot…Chevalier d'Antignac-Juzet…Baron Hillot de Blagnac-Salechan de Castel Crabioules…
ROXANE:
But how many names do you each have?
BARON HILLOT:
Oh, too many to count!
CARBON:
[to ROXANE] Please, open the hand which holds your handkerchief.
ROXANE:
[opens her hand, the handkerchief falls] Why?
CARBON:
[quickly raising it] My company had no flag! But now they will have the most beautiful flag in all the camp!
ROXANE:
[smiling] ’Tis a little small.
CARBON:
[tying the handkerchief on the staff of his lance] But it's made of lace!
A CADET:
[to the rest] I could die happy, having seen such a sweet face, if only I had something in my stomach!
CARBON:
[indignantly] Shame on you! How can you speak of eating when such a lovely woman—
ROXANE:
I'm starving too! It must be the brisk air. I'd like some pâté, some cold chicken and some good wine. Would you please bring it to me?
A CADET:
You want all of that?
ANOTHER:
But where on the earth shall we find it?
ROXANE:
[quietly] In my carriage.
ALL:
What!
ROXANE:
All we must do is unpack it and serve it! Look a little closer at my coachman, gentlemen, and you'll recognize a most valuable man! All the sauces can be served hot, if you like!
THE CADETS:
[rushing to the carriage] It's Ragueneau! [loud cheers] Oh! Bravo!
ROXANE:
[looking after them] Poor fellows!
CYRANO:
[kissing her hand] Kind fairy!
RAGUENEAU:
[standing on the seat of the carriage and proclaiming] Gentlemen!
RAGUENEAU:
The Spaniards, feasting their eyes on such a beautiful lady, failed to notice the beautiful feast that she was hiding!
CYRANO:
[in a whisper to CHRISTIAN] Listen, Christian!
RAGUENEAU:
They were so occupied with gallantry that they overlooked… [He draws a plate from under the seat, and holds it up.] the galantine!
CYRANO:
[still whispering to CHRISTIAN] Please, let me have one word with you!
RAGUENEAU:
They were so hypnotized by Beauty that they failed to notice… [He holds up a roasted pig on a platter.] the Beast!
CYRANO:
[in a low whisper to CHRISTIAN] I must speak to you!
ROXANE:
[to the CADETS, who come down with their arms laden with food] Put it all on the ground!
ROXANE:
[to CHRISTIAN, just as CYRANO is drawing him away] Come and make yourself useful!
RAGUENEAU:
Peacock with truffles!
FIRST CADET:
[radiant, coming down with a big slice of ham] Thank God! We don't have to die without having had a gullet-full—[quickly correcting himself on seeing ROXANE] Pardon me! A civilized banquet, I mean!
RAGUENEAU:
[throwing down the carriage cushions] The cushions are stuffed with quail!
THIRD CADET:
Thank the Lord!
RAGUENEAU:
[throwing bottles of red and white wine down to the CADETS] Flasks of rubies and flasks of topaz!
ROXANE:
[throwing a folded tablecloth at CYRANO'S head] Unfold that napkin! Come, make it quick now!
RAGUENEAU:
[waving a lantern] Each of the carriage-lamps is a little pantry of its own!
CYRANO:
[in a low voice to CHRISTIAN, as they arrange the cloth together] I must speak with you before you speak to her.
RAGUENEAU:
The handle of my whip is a sausage!
ROXANE:
[pouring out wine and helping with the food] Since we're about to die, let's eat all this food ourselves. All for the Gascons! And, listen! If de Guiche comes back, we shall not invite him to our feast! [going from one to the other] There, there! You have time enough! Don't eat too fast. Here, have some wine. Why are you weeping?
FIRST CADET:
It's all so good!
ROXANE:
[playing the part of the hostess, speaking quickly to all of them in turn] Hush! Red or white? Some bread for Monsieur de Carbon! A knife, please! Pass your plate! A little of the crust? Some more? Let me help you! Some champagne? A wing?
CYRANO:
[who follows her, his arms laden with dishes, helping her to wait on everybody] How I worship her!
ROXANE:
[going up to CHRISTIAN] What would you like?
CHRISTIAN:
Nothing.
ROXANE:
Oh, you must! At least take this biscuit, soaked in wine!
CHRISTIAN:
[trying to detain her] Oh! Tell me why you came here!
ROXANE:
Wait! My first duty is to these poor men. Hush! In a few minutes—
LE BRET:
[who had gone up to pass a loaf of bread on the end of a lance to the sentry on the embankment] De Guiche is coming!
CYRANO:
Quick! Hide the bottles, plates, pie-dishes and meats! Everything! Hurry! Look as if nothing has been going on! [to RAGUENEAU] Get up on your seat! Is everything covered up?

Footnotes

  1. The word "lance" refers to a spear generally tipped with steel or other metal and used in battle by knights or soldiers.

    — Lori Steinbach