Roxane

“ ROXANE (leaning over the balcony) :
Well said!
—But why so faltering? Has mental palsy
Seized on your faculty imaginative?
CYRANO (drawing Christian under the balcony, and slipping into his place) :
Give place! This waxes critical!. . .
ROXANE:
To-day. . .
Your words are hesitating.
CYRANO (imitating Christian—in a whisper) :
Night has come. . .
In the dusk they grope their way to find your ear.
ROXANE:
But my words find no such impediment.
CYRANO:
They find their way at once? Small wonder that!
For ’tis within my heart they find their home ”

“ CYRANO:
Yet never till to-night my speech has sprung
Straight from my heart as now it springs.
ROXANE:
Why not?
CYRANO:
Till now I spoke haphazard. . .
ROXANE:
What?
CYRANO:
Your eyes
Have beams that turn men dizzy!—But to-night
Methinks I shall find speech for the first time!
ROXANE:
’Tis true, your voice rings with a tone that’s new.
CYRANO (coming nearer, passionately) :
Ay, a new tone! In the tender, sheltering dusk
I dare to be myself for once,—at last!
(He stops, falters) :
What say I? I know not!—Oh, pardon me—
It thrills me,—’tis so sweet, so novel. . . ”

“ ROXANE (startled) :
What! the Guards?
DE GUICHE:
Ay, where serves your cousin, the swaggering boaster. I will find a way to
revenge myself on him at Arras.
ROXANE (choking) :
What mean you? The Guards go to Arras?
DE GUICHE (laughing) :
Bethink you, is it not my own regiment?
ROXANE (falling seated on the bench—aside) :
Christian!
DE GUICHE:
What ails you?
ROXANE (moved deeply) :
Oh—I am in despair! The man one loves!—at the war!
DE GUICHE (surprised and delighted) :
You say such sweet words to me! ’Tis the first time!—and just when I must
quit you! ”

“ VOICE OF CADETS:
No!
RAGUENEAU (standing on the top of his carriage, watches the battle over the edge of the ramparts) :
The danger’s ever greater!
CYRANO (to De Guiche—pointing to Roxane) :
I will charge!
Take her away!
ROXANE (kissing the letter—in a half-extinguished voice) :
O God! his tears! his blood!. . .
RAGUENEAU (jumping down from the carriage and rushing toward her) :
She’s swooned away!
DE GUICHE (on the rampart—to the cadets—with fury) :
Stand fast!
A VOICE (outside) :
Lay down your arms! ”

“ CHRISTIAN:
I!
ROXANE:
Who’s that?
CHRISTIAN:
Christian!
ROXANE (disdainfully) :
Oh! you?
CHRISTIAN:
I would speak with you.
CYRANO (under the balcony—to Christian) :
Good. Speak soft and low.
ROXANE:
No, you speak stupidly!
CHRISTIAN:
Oh, pity me!
ROXANE:
No! you love me no more!
CHRISTIAN (prompted by Cyrano) :
You say—Great Heaven!
I love no more?—when—I—love more and more!
ROXANE (who was about to shut the casement, pausing) :
Hold! ’tis a trifle better! ay, a trifle!
CHRISTIAN (same play) :
Love grew apace, rocked by the anxious beating. . . ”

“ Play a long time,—and play out of tune!
(To the duenna) :
. . .Whether her soul’s elected is ever the same, ever faultless!
ROXANE (coming out of the house) :
Ah! How handsome he is, how brilliant a wit! And—how well I love him!
CYRANO (smiling) :
Christian has so brilliant a wit?
ROXANE:
Brighter than even your own, cousin!
CYRANO:
Be it so, with all my heart!
ROXANE:
Ah! methinks ’twere impossible that there could breathe a man on this earth
skilled to say as sweetly as he all the pretty nothings that mean so much—
that mean all! ”

“ I would fain—seeing you thus espouse my cause, Roxane—believe it a proof
of love!
ROXANE:
’Tis a proof of love!
DE GUICHE (showing some sealed papers) :
Here are the marching orders; they will be sent instantly to each company—
except—
(He detaches one) :
—This one! ’Tis that of the Cadets.
(He puts it in his pocket) :
This I keep.
(Laughing) :
Ha! ha! ha! Cyrano! His love of battle!. . .So you can play tricks on
people?. . .you, of all ladies!
ROXANE:
Sometimes!
DE GUICHE (coming close to her) :
Oh! how I love you!—to distraction! Listen! ”

“ Roxane.
I will tell you all!
Cyrano
[who, at the sound of her voice, has stood still, rooted to the ground, afraid to raise his eyes] . My God! dare I look at her?
De Guiche.
You cannot remain here!
Roxane
[merrily] .
But I say yes! Who will push a drum hither for me? [She seats herself on the drum they roll forward.] So! I thank you. [She laughs.] My carriage was fired at [proudly] by the patrol! Look! would you not think 'twas made of a pumpkin, like Cinderella's chariot in the tale,—and the footmen out of rats. [Sending a kiss with her lips to Christian.] Good-morrow! ”

“ It is covered with mud and dust. The curtains are closed. Two lackeys behind. It stops short.)
CARBON (shouting) .
Salute!
(Drums beat.)
GUICHE.
Lower the step!
(Two men advance rapidly. The coach door opens.)
ROXANE (jumping out of coach) .
How are you all?
(On hearing a woman's voice, they all, from a profound inclination, suddenly straighten up. Stupor.)
SCENE V. The same, ROXANE.
GUICHE.
Service of the King! You?
ROXANE.
Certainly, of the only king there is: Love!
CYRANO.
Great God.
CHRISTIAN (rushing up to her) .
You, Roxane! Wherefor?
ROXANE.
Oh! this siege was entirely too long. ”

“ ROXANE:
Now serve up—carve! Look a little closer at my coachman, gentlemen, and you will recognize a man most welcome. All the sauces can be sent to table hot, if we will!
THE CADETS (rushing pellmell to the carriage) :
’Tis Ragueneau!
(Acclamations) :
Oh, oh!
ROXANE (looking after them) :
Poor fellows!
CYRANO (kissing her hand) :
Kind fairy!
RAGUENEAU (standing on the box like a quack doctor at a fair) :
Gentlemen!. . .
(General delight.)
THE CADETS:
Bravo! bravo!
RAGUENEAU:
. . .The Spaniards, gazing on a lady so dainty fair, overlooked the fare so dainty!. . . ”

“ Good!
(Murmurs of admiration in hall. Roxane has just appeared in her box. She seats herself in front, the duenna at the back. Christian, who is paying the buffet-girl, does not see her entrance.)
SECOND MARQUIS (with little cries of joy) :
Ah, gentlemen! she is fearfully—terribly—ravishing!
FIRST MARQUIS:
When one looks at her one thinks of a peach smiling at a strawberry!
SECOND MARQUIS:
And what freshness! A man approaching her too near might chance to get a
bad chill at the heart!
CHRISTIAN (raising his head, sees Roxane, and catches Lignière by the arm) :
’Tis she! ”

“ They are getting trained to climbing!
ROXANE.
The fact is that I am speaking to you from quite a height!
CYRANO.
Assuredly, and you would kill me if, from such an elevation, you allowed a sharp word to drop upon my heart!
ROXANE (moved) .
I'll come down.
CYRANO (quickly) .
No!
ROXANE (pointing to the stone bench under the balcony) .
Step upon the bench, then, and climb up here!
CYRANO (frightened and retreating) .
No!
ROXANE.
You surprise me.... Why not?
CYRANO (more and more moved) .
Let us rather improve.... this opportunity of.... speaking softly together.... without seeing each other. ”

“ One of us two! It will be you!
Christian.
One of us two! It will be you! Pray God!
[He calls.]
Roxane!
Cyrano.
Roxane! No! no!
Roxane
[coming up quickly] .
Roxane! No! no! What?
Christian.
Roxane! No! no! What? Cyrano has things
Important for your ear....
[She hastens to Cyrano. Christian goes out.]
SCENE X
Roxane, Cyrano. Then Le Bret, Carbon de Castel-Jaloux, the Cadets, Ragueneau, De Guiche, etc.
Roxane.
Important for your ear.... Important, how?...
Cyrano
[in despair. To Roxane] .
He's gone! 'Tis nought!—Oh, you know how he sees
Importance in a trifle! ”

“ Cyrano
[pushing her out] .
And come not back till the very last crumb be eaten!
[He shuts the door, comes down towards Roxane, and, uncovering, stands at a respectful distance from her.]
SCENE VI
Cyrano, Roxane.
Cyrano.
Blessed be the moment when you condescend,—
Remembering that humbly I exist—
To come to meet me, and to say ... to tell? . .
Roxane
[who has unmasked] .
To thank you first of all. That dandy count,
Whom you checkmated in brave sword-play
Last night, ... he is the man whom a great lord,
Desirous of my favour... ”

“ Roxane
[coming out on balcony] ,
Still there ?
We spoke of a . .
Cyrano.
A kiss ! The word is sweet.
I see not why your lip should shrink from it ;
If the word burns it, - what would the kiss do ?
Oh ! let it not your bashfulness affright ;
Have you not, all this time, insensibly, Left badinage aside, and unalarmed
Glided from smile to sigh, from sigh to weeping ?
Glide gently, imperceptibly, still onward -
From tear to kiss, - a moment's thrill! - a heart- beat!
Roxane.
Hush! hush!
Cyrano.
A kiss, when all is said, - what is it ? ”

“ Roxane.
Fie ! That is ill said ! But lo ! men are ever thus ! Because he is fair to see, you would have it that he must be dull of speech.
Cyrano.
He hath an eloquent tongue in telling his love ?
Roxane.
In telling his love ? why, 'tis not simple telling, 'tis dissertation, 'tis analysis ! ”

“ Roxane
[to Cyrano, who still pleads with her] .
No! Nought shall make me stir from this spot!
Carbon
[who, like the others, has been buckling, dusting, brushing his hat, settling the plume, and drawing on his cuffs, advances to Roxane, and ceremoniously] . It is perchance more seemly, since things are thus, that I present to you some of these gentlemen who are about to have the honour 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! ”

“ Roxane seems to me, after Hermione, to be the rôle in which Mademoiselle Rachel shows to most advantage, and, to judge by appearances, my opinion is shared by the greater portion of the audience. I think it unnecessary, for reasons that must be ovious, to attempt here a dissertation on Racine. I will only touch upon the powers of the actress, who interprets him. We have only to see her and hear her, to know she has studied the part. Does she exhibit less heart or less intelligence? is she feebler, less inspired, or more nervous? ”

“ Roxane.
Ay, I say it a master !
Cyrano.
Good - be it so.
The duenna
[coming down quickly] ,
Here comes Monsieur de Guiche !
[To Cyrano, pushing him towards the house.]
In with you ! 'twere best he see you not, it might perchance put him on the scent . . .
Roxane
[to Cyrano] .
Ay, of my own dear secret ! He loves me, and is powerful, and, if he knew, then all were lost ! Marry ! he could well deal a deathblow to my love !
Cyrano
[entering the house] .
Good ! good !
[De guiche appears.]
SCENE II
Roxane, De guiche, the Duenna standing a little way off. ”

“ ROXANE:
Oh, he will not importune me forever!
(Unsealing the letter) :
I love you,—therefore—
(She reads in a low voice by the aid of Ragueneau’s lantern) :
‘Lady,
The drums beat;
My regiment buckles its harness on
And starts; but I,—they deem me gone before—
But I stay. I have dared to disobey
Your mandate. I am here in convent walls.
I come to you to-night. By this poor monk—
A simple fool who knows not what he bears—
I send this missive to apprise your ear. ”

“ CHRISTIAN.
Yes, speak quickly. I tremble.
LIGNIÈRE (slowly sipping his wine) .
Magdeleine Robin, otherwise Roxane. Refined and quick. A "précieuse."
CHRISTIAN.
Alas!
LIGNIÈRE.
Independent. An orphan. Cousin of Cyrano, whom you heard mentioned just now.
(A gentleman, very finely dressed, wearing a blue ribbon crosswise from shoulder to waist, enters the box, and remains engaged in conversation with Roxane.)
CHRISTIAN (starting) .
That man?....
LIGNIÈRE (slightly intoxicated, winking) .
Ha, ha! The Count de Guiche. Very much in love with her. But he is the husband of Richelieu's niece. ”

“ On the 23rd November 1838, Rachel appeared as Roxane in Racine's tragedy of Bajazet. She had already undertaken six different classical rôles on the stage of the Théâtre Français: Camille in Les Horaces, Émilie in Cinna, Hermione in Racine's Andromaque, Aménaïde in Voltaire's Tancrède, Éryphile in Racine's Iphigénie, and Monime in Racine's Mithridate. Roxane, next to Phèdre, is the most difficult of Racine's heroines to portray. She is a slave in love with a man who despises her, and threatens him with death if he refuse to forsake her rival Atalide for her sake. ”

“ THE Friar.
'Tis here, - I'm sure of it - Madame Madeleine
Robin.
Cyrano.
Why, you said Ro-lin.
THE Friar.
No, not I.
B, i, n, bin !
Roxane
[appearing on the threshold, followed by Ragueneau who carries a lantern, and Christian] .
What is't?
THE Friar.
A letter.
Christian.
What?
The Friar
[to Roxane] .
Oh, it can boot but holy business !
'Tis from a worthy lord . . .
Roxane
[to Christian] .
De Guiche !
Christian.
He dares ? . . .
Roxane. ”

“ De Guiche
[rushing to Roxane, and carrying her away in his arms] .
Fly, and save her! So be it! Gain but time,
The victory's ours!
Cyrano.
The victory’s ours! Good.
[Calling out to Roxane, whom De Guiche, aided by Ragueneau, is bearing away in a fainting condition.] The victory’s ours! Good. Farewell, Roxane!
[Tumult. Shouts. Cadets reappear, wounded, falling on the scene. Cyrano, rushing to the battle, is stopped by Carbon de Castel-Jaloux, who is streaming with blood.] ”

“ Monsieur Le Bret!
(To Roxane) :
A word, with your permission?
(He goes to Le Bret, and in a low voice) :
True, that none
Dare to attack your friend;—but many hate him;
Yesterday, at the Queen’s card-play, ’twas said
‘That Cyrano may die—by accident!’
Let him stay in—be prudent!
LE BRET (raising his arms to heaven) :
Prudent! He!. . .
He’s coming here. I’ll warn him—but!. . .
ROXANE (who has stayed on the steps, to a sister who comes toward her) :
What is it?
THE SISTER:
Ragueneau would see you, Madame.
ROXANE:
Let him come. ”