Act IV - Scene VII

[All the food and drink reappears as if by magic.]

[The CADETS shout and dance in delight.]

[He points to a row of pikes, the tops of which are seen over the ridge.]

[She takes it and they go up toward the embankment. All the CADETS take off their hats and follow them.]

[As ROXANE appears on the ridge, the tops of the lances disappear, lowered for the salute, and a shout is raised. She bows.]

[He goes hurriedly into his tent.]

DE GUICHE:
Something smells good here.
A CADET:
[singing casually] La, la, la…
DE GUICHE:
[looking at him] What's the matter with you? Your cheeks are flushed.
CADET:
Nothing's the matter! It's just my blood boiling at the thought of the coming battle!
ANOTHER:
Poom, poom-poom…
DE GUICHE:
[turning around] What's that?
CADET:
[slightly drunk] Oh, nothing! Just a little song!
DE GUICHE:
Well, aren't you in a merry mood!
CADET:
It's just that the approach of danger is intoxicating!
DE GUICHE:
[calling CARBON DE CASTEL-JALOUX, to give him an order] Captain! I— [He stops short on seeing him.] By God! You too! How strangely happy you look!
CARBON:
[red in the face, hiding a bottle behind his back with an evasive movement] Oh! I…
DE GUICHE:
Listen. I have one cannon left, and I've carried it over there. [He points.] Your men can use it in case they need it.
A CADET:
[reeling slightly] What a thoughtful action!
ANOTHER:
[with a gracious smile] How sweet of you to think of us!
DE GUICHE:
Good Lord! Have they all gone crazy? [curtly] Since you're not used to cannons, beware of the recoil on this one.
FIRST CADET:
Pooh!
DE GUICHE:
[furious, going up to him] Look here, you—!
CADET:
Gascon cannons never recoil!
DE GUICHE:
[taking him by the arm and shaking him] You're drunk! But with what?
CADET:
[loftily] The smell of gunpowder!
DE GUICHE:
[shrugging his shoulders and pushing him away, then going quickly to ROXANE] Quickly, Madame, have you made your decision?
ROXANE:
Yes, I'm staying here.
DE GUICHE:
No, you must go!
ROXANE:
No! I'm staying.
DE GUICHE:
If this is the way it's going to be, someone give me a musket.
CARBON:
Why?
DE GUICHE:
Because I, too, am staying.
CYRANO:
At last! This is true bravery, Sir!
FIRST CADET:
Then you are a Gascon after all, despite your lace collar!
ROXANE:
What's all this about?
DE GUICHE:
I will never leave any woman in danger.
SECOND CADET:
[to the first] Listen! Don't you think we ought to give him something to eat?
DE GUICHE:
[eyes sparkling] Food!
THIRD CADET:
Yes, you'll see it appear from under every hat and coat!
DE GUICHE:
[controlling himself, proudly] Do you think I'll eat your leftovers?
CYRANO:
[saluting him] You're making progress.
DE GUICHE:
[proudly, with a light touch of Gascon accent] I will fight without breaking my fast!
FIRST CADET:
[with wild delight] Spoken like a true Gascon!
DE GUICHE:
[laughing] I am a Gascon!
CADET:
He's one of us!
CARBON:
[who had disappeared behind the embankment, reappearing on the ridge] I've lined up my pikemen. They're prepared to fight until the end.
DE GUICHE:
[bowing to ROXANE] Will you accept my hand, and accompany me while I inspect them?
CHRISTIAN:
[going over to CYRANO] Tell me quickly!
PIKEMEN:
[from outside] Hurrah!
CHRISTIAN:
What is this secret?
CYRANO:
If Roxane should—
CHRISTIAN:
Should what?
CYRANO:
If she should speak of the letters—
CHRISTIAN:
Yes, go on!
CYRANO:
Don't spoil it all by seeming surprised—
CHRISTIAN:
Surprised at what?
CYRANO:
I must explain to you! It's quite a simple matter. I was reminded of it just today upon seeing her. You've written—
CHRISTIAN:
Tell me quickly!
CYRANO:
You've written to her more often than you think.
CHRISTIAN:
How so?
CYRANO:
I took it upon myself to express your passion for you! At times I wrote to her without telling you!
CHRISTIAN:
Ah, I see.
CYRANO:
It's quite simple! No great matter!
CHRISTIAN:
But we've been blockaded. How did you get the letters across?
CYRANO:
Oh! I was able to get through before dawn.
CHRISTIAN:
[folding his arms] And was that a simple matter too? Tell me, how often have “I” written? Twice a week? Three times? Four?
CYRANO:
More often still.
CHRISTIAN:
What! Every day?
CYRANO:
Yes. Every day, twice a day.
CHRISTIAN:
[violently] And you became so caught up in the mad joy of it that you risked your life—
CYRANO:
[seeing ROXANE returning] Hush! Not in front of her!

Footnotes

  1. The word "blockaded" means to be shut off from the outside world, especially during war. In a blockade, no supplies or people can enter.

    — Lori Steinbach
  2. The word "intoxicating" means exhilarated or excited—a sense generally caused by excessive drinking and loss of control.

    — Lori Steinbach
  3. The word "recoil" refers to the jerk that a gun or cannon makes upon firing.

    — Owl Eyes Reader