PRICE 35 CENTS. lOUSE ^EmoPOWAN 0pera(1( Grand Opera »<*>, m GIULIO GATTI-CASAZZA GENERAL MANAGERS 3 rm \J, IBRETIO THE ORIGINAL ITALIAN, FRENCH OR GERMAN LIBRETTO WITH A CORRECT ENGLISH ^TRANSLATION. \\ I CYRANO m MLj.5 &® .18 Published by ♦ Inc. &P$ tH^' rf& TICKET OFFICE II BROADWAY, NEWYORK. TRINITY BUILDING IREAR ARCADE) THE ONLY CORRECT AND AUTHORIZED EDITION. (HARDIVIAN PIANO USED EXCLUSIVELY.) R U L LM AN \ THEATRE TICKET OFFICE 1 1 T Broadway, New York GitY (Trinity Building, Rear Arcade) ' > , - -! OFFICIAL PUBLISHER-OF Opera Librettos AND PLAY BOpKS , V IN ALL LAPilCaUAGpS, ■ ■ TELEPHONES, REGT/C . 8817; 8818, 8819 CYRANO OPERA IN FOUR ACTS *§§& WALTER DAMROSCH WORDS BY W. J. HENDERSON After the Dnr,. by EDMOND ROSTAND English Version Cop, v&.h 1913, by FRED RULLMAN, Inc. Published by i-;;i£D RUt^MAN, Inc. ■ y. AT THE THEATRE TT^'tET "'OFFICE, 111 BROADWAY '',*"^YORK CHARACTERS Cyrano de Bergerac Baritone Roxane Soprano I/ISE- %igh Soprano ' Alio J^GiRL Soprano Superior Alio JisTian - Tenor Ragdeneau Tenor A Capet Tenot DeGdiche Bass I,E Bret Bass A Tall Musketeer " ' Bass MonTFLEUry Tenor A Priest Bass First Cavalier Bass Second Cavalier Tenor Third Cavalier Bass Chorus of Preciuses, Pages, Nuns, Cavaliers, Gas cony Cadets, Marquises, etc. VA0$ SYNOPSIS ACT I. The great hall of the Hotel de Bourgogne, in 1640. A sort of tennis-court arranged and decorated for theatrical performances. The hall is a long rectangle, seen obliquely, so that one side of it constitutes the background, which runs from the position of the front wing on the right, to the line of the furthest wing on the left, and forms an angle with the stage, which is equally seen obliquely. This stage is furnished on both sides along the wings with benches. The drop curtain is composed of two tapestry hangings, which can be drawn apart. Above a harlequin cloak, the royal escutcheon. Broad steps lead from the raised platform of the stage into the house. On either side of these steps the musicians' seats. A row of candles fills the office of footlights. Two galleries run along the side ; the lower one is divided into boxes. No seats in the pit, which is the stage proper. At the back of the pit, that is to say, at the right, in the front, a few seats raised like steps, one above the other ; and under a stairway which leads to the upper seats and of which the lower end only is visible, a stand decked with small candelabra, jars full of flowers, flagons and glasses, dishes heaped with sweatmeats, etc. In the centre of the background, under the box tier, the entrance to the theatre, large door which half opens to let in the spectators. On the panels ot this door, and in several corners, and above the sweetmeat stand, red playbills announcing La Clorise. At the rise of the. curtain the house is nearly dark and still empty The chandeliers are let down in the middle of the pit until time to light them. The audience arriving gradually. Cavaliers, burghers, lackeys, pages, the fiddlers, etc ACT II. Ragueneau's shop. Cooking place on the right of stage. Tables with prep- arations of various kinds on them. Large double door at back leading into street. Set in general in the same way as in the original. At rise of curtain several cooks are seen at work. Much bustle and movement. Ragueneau seated at a small table, left, writing with puzzled face and scanning his lines on his fingers. ACT III. (Street before the house of Roxane. Balcony with vines on the columns. House of Clomire opposite with practicable door and steps. At rise of curtain, moonlight. Soft music and chorus heard in the house of Clomire. ACT IV— Scene I. (Camp of the Gascony cadets. Arras in the distance. Earthwork in the background. Tents, etc., in the foreground. Sunrise. The cadets lie asleep about the stage. All are ragged, pale and gaunt. Le Bret on watch. Silence on stage after curtain rises. Then shots are heard outside.) ACT IV— Scene II. (The park of a neighboring convent. Shade trees. At the right the entrance to the convent. In the center a large tree.- At the left a semi-circular stone seat. Vines, flowers, etc. The stage is filled with nuns in an attitude of prayer.) CYRANO ACT I. Cavalier. We come too early; how shall we kill the time? Second Cavalier I'll sing to you my latest rhyme. A Musketeer (pursuing a flower girl). Give me one kiss, and I will call you queen. Girl. You are too bold. Take care; we shall be seen. , Another Cavalier. How stupid is this waiting. Will you have a bout with me? Fourth Cavalier. Right gladly, and I'll hit you, one, two, three. ( They fence. ) (Enter Pages.) Chorus of Pages (singing a faran- dole). The Crowd. Bring in more lights ! The play, the play begin; Bring on the actors, be they fat or thin; Let us have drama, prose or merry. verse ; Rid us of thinking, nothing could be worse. (Enter a band of Marquises ) The Marquises. What ! We enter all top early, •Are we soldiers rude and burly? Shall we tarry, sorry wights ? In the dark ? Where are the lights ? (Candle lighter enters and lights candles.) (Enter Christian and Le Bret.) Christian. You who know the stories of the town, Miladi's fan, her cloak, her glove, The very lace upon her satin gown, Oh, tell me who is she I love? Le Bret. I crave your pardon of your hand and grace ; I may not know her 'till I see her face. Christian. Oh, for the day of the grand crusade, When a soldier won by a soldier's fame; And the flashing blow of a manly blade Would carve a path to a noble dame. I am no dealer in pretty words; I cannot twitter with these fine birds ; If she's poetic, I have no tropes; If she is subtle, farewell, my hopes ! In yonder box she always sits ; There, near the end. Le Bret. Alas! Christian. Why say you so? C Y RANG S Lfi Bret. It is Ro'xane, whose wit is like a sword ; With words alone her heart you may attack, And be repelled, if by you she is bored. She's cousin to the brave de Ber- gerac. (Enter Ragueneau.) Christian. I know him not. Ragueneau. I heard a mighty name. Good masters, I am here to seek the same. (To Christian) Know you not Cyra- no, the wise, the brave, the great? His blade is half the shears of fate. His wit is quicker than a bounding ball. And he's a poet, master of us all Hat with triple feather, Doublet with a flowing skirt Cloak and sword together Sweep behind with saucy flirt While before him goes His most majestic nose. Oh, masters, what a nose is there But speak about it none may dare Save in the house and under breath; It is the very nose of death. The nose before, the sword behind — Wise men to them both are blind. Christian. An errant boaster, I'll be bound. (retires up stage). I,E Bret (looking round). Good Ragueneau, he can't be found. Ragueneau. He will be here, for he has made a bet To stop the play, and he'll not forget. Montfleury he's forbidden to appear; You'll see he will be here. (Enters Preciki'SES, followed by Roxane.) The Precieuses. The lace upon the garb of love are we By dainty hands alone caressed to be. No vulgar passion shall assail our hearts. They may be pierced alone by gentle darts. Marquises. For you our hearts are gently beating, Receive our most devoted greeting; For you we're sighing, we are kneel- ing ; Oh, ladies fair, be not unfeeling; But hearken to our vows of love. (As .Roxane enters after the Pre- cikuses, the Marquises and Cava- liers follow her with bows and adulation. She waves them all off with her fan. The Precieuses ascend the stairs to the boxes. Roxane pauses on the third step.) Roxane. Ah, messieurs, gallant and gay, We come to see the play, Not you. But spare us all your vows repeated A woman's favor is not meeted To many words, to many smiles; To win a heart you must use deeper wiles. Oh, woo a woman not with pretty graces, Nor yet with oft repeated burning vows, And woo her not with silken hose and laces, Nor yet with pretty airs and lowly bows. Dream not to win her by a melting glance, Nor with the singing of your shining blade ; For all your pride and pomp and cir- cumstance By one quick flash of wit may be dismayed. You'll not overtake the love you are pursuing With languid eyelid and a dulcet tone ; Seek for the soul of her you would be wooing, And melt it by the glory of your own. CYRANO Pages. She's pretty, but she makes too much ado, We know a quicker way than that to woo. (The Marquises crowd around Roxane, but De Guiche enters and pushes in front of them.) De Guiche (offering his hand to escort her to box). None but the brave deserve the fair. Roxane. Am I so brave? Well, then I dare. (Accepts his escort, Marquises re- tire in disgust.) (Overture by the orchestra on the stage. The play of Baro begins.) (Enter Mont^leury on the mimic stage.) Montfleury (as Phaedo). Happy the man, who freed from fash- ion's fickle sway, In exile self-prescribed whiles peace- ful hours away, And when the zephyrs sigh amid the murmuring trees — Cyrano (in the crowd). Fat one, I forbade you to appear! ( General consternation. ) Voices. , Who is it? What is this surprise? RaguenEau. Tis he, I win ! MONTSLEURY. But— Cyrano (rising in his place and draw- ing his sword). Mountain ! Remove thyself from off the plain. Monteleury (going). Excuse me, gentles, but I feel a pain. (MontFlEury goes off. General hub- bub. Cyrano comes down stage and is surrounded by the crowd.) Various Voices. This is an insult! We have paid to see the play! Who is it dares to drive our pet away? Cyrano. Be silent all. Does any one object? I have a talisman to win respect. (Lays hand on hilt.) De Guiche (who has come down from the box-) We came to hear Baro's immortal verse. Cyrano. My friend, such immortality's a curse. PRECIEUSES. To slur Baro's delightful name, How dare he? What a shame? Cyrano. Beautiful creatures, do you bloom and shine ; Be ministers of dreams, your smiles our anodyne. But though for "La Clorise" you all may weep, Baro's narcotic shall not make you sleep. De Guiche. This is too much. Sir, do you stop all shows By pushing into them your mighty nose? Cyrano. Poor wit to poorer manners wed. I'll tell you what you might have said. Although with fancy's passion not in- flamed, You could have posed and courteously declaimed ; O lordly nose, no wind so bold As dares to give the whole of you a cold. Or this: Wert thou a man or army born, That thou must carry such a bugle horn ? Or else this parody of beauteous thought, CYRANO From "Pyramus and Thisbe" neatly caught, Behold the nose that spoiled its mas- ter's face, And now is blushing at its own dis- grace. But you, monsieur, have no such words as these ; I speak more wit than you if I but sneeze. De Guiche. Buffoon ! Cyrano. Ai ! That does awake the nerve Within my rapier, it will forth to serve. (Draws.) De Guiche. A poet fight? Cyrano. I will not run away But improvise a ballad while we play. And at the last line I shall touch. De Guiche. My friend, you promise far too much (Draws.) Cyrano (declaiming). Ballade of the duel which deBergerac Fought with a noble who good sense did lack. That is the title. Now, sir, the attack. The Crowd. Aha! With eagerness we're on the rack. ( Tableau — A ring, in the pit, of those ' interested. The pages climb to good places to see. All the women stand in the. boxes. Cyrano closes his eyes a moment as if in thought, then looks up to Roxane, advances and crosses swords with DeGuiche.) Cyrano. Now gentles and ladies all fair, Look well on this noble and me ; I rhyme you a rhyme debonair And as light as the foam of the sea, Yet not all devoid of esprit ; A song of a nobleman vain, And the chime of the ballad shall be I touch as I end the refrain. (They begin to fence.) Good brother, I pri' thee despair Of stopping my ballad- or me; My sword will be into your lair Or ever my feint you may see. For I guard from my head to my knee, While blows on your falchion I rain; And the chime of my ballad shall be I touch as I end the refrain. Oh, queens of our hearts, do you see, How the sword beats the time of the strain? For the chime of my ballad shall be I touch as I end the refrain. ( With the last line Cyrano lunges and DeGuiche staggers. Cyrano bows. Applause from the crowd. Flowers are thrown from the boxes. Men congratulate Cyrano. Ragueneau dances with joy. L,E Bret is tear- fully anxious.) DeGuiche (supported by friends). Sometime, my poet, we shall meet ; And then remember that revenge is sweet. (Cyrano makes a gesture of contempt. DeGuiche is supported off. All fol- low except Cyrano and I_E Bret.) Roxane. (As she passes Cyrano after descend- ing from her box.) Cousin, your sword and wit keep well in tune But yonder gentle will not pardon soon. These dull men are the flint, you sharp ones steel Beware the fire the sparks will make. Cyrano. I kneel Before your grace. Forewarned, I am forearmed. Also I am adorned In that you smile upon mc from your skies. (Exit Roxane attended.) Cyrano. So much for fools. And yet who is the wise? I played but for the favor of her eyes. CYRANO You love? Le Best. Cyrano. You stare, and yet I am a man ; Despite this nose I dare to love Roxane. Yes, even this may smell the budding spring, And e'en my eyes may look across this mount To where, beside some clear and sunny fount, The roses blossom and the robins sing ; And if I see a lover and his lass Go hand in hand along the verdant grass, I think that I would gladly give my all If joy like this my lonely life would grace ; And then I see upon the garden wall The shadow of my face! Le Beet. My friend! (Cyrano motions him away and turns aside as if to hide his emotion. Enter Duenna.) Duenna. Most reverend and gracious sir, my mistress bids me say that she has something for your private ear. Cyrano My private ear! Duenna. There are tilings — Cyrano. Ah, my heart ! Duenna. To-morrow at the very break of day She goes into the church to pray. When that is done her cousin she will seek, Tell me where she alone with him can speak. Cyrano. With me alone? Am I the sport of fate? At Ragueneau's the pastry cook's I wait. Ensemble. Duenna. How noble, how noble his bearing, How eager the light of his eyes ; But yet for him who would be caring? His nose, what a terrible size ! Cyrano. Oh, long will the night be a-wearing E'er dawn shall encrimson the skies ; But the darkness will be not despair- ing; 'Twill flee from the light of her eyes. Le Bret. Away with your gloomy despairing, Live now in a happy surmise! To-morrow you'll early be faring To read the bright speech of her eyes. Duenna. We'll be there. Fail us not at seven. Cyrano. I shall come. 'Twill be foretaste of heaven. {Exit Duenna followed by L,E Bret. Actors appear on the stage and be- gin a rehearsal.) Cyrano. Now could I the very mountain fell With blinding .sweeps of lightning steel ! Now could I with one poetic spell The lifetime o'f a heart reveal ! Now could I hold a thousand men at bay,— My sword the key to blank oblivious gate, My arm the rhythmic pendulum of Fate — And make for every blow a ' rounde- lay ! An Actor. Silence there! Wq're trying to re- hearse. Cyrano. To hell with thee and with thy tawdry verse ! (Re-cnta Lk Bret.) CyRAno Lb Bret. Cyrano, DeGuiche is on thy track ! A hundred men await thee to attack Cyrano. Who told him that I was in the mood i A hundred ? For my blade they shall be food. Actors. Against one man a hundred ? What is this? Cyrano. Sweet friends, I'll woo them with a kiss. (Draws sword.) The sharp salute of death. Oh, bliss ! Various Actors. What a rare fight 'twill be! Let us go out to see. Cyrano. Bravo. But you may only look. No interference will I brook. And you good fiddlers, play a merry hit- To time the dancing of my happy hilt. (The actors and actresses come doxvn from the stage with the candles- The fiddlers fall into the train.) Cyrano. So, that is meet my spirit to attune And forth we fare a most important troop Of prize comedians to the lady moon But I alone shall make the final swoop. Ye, gods, I think I never have lived before ; A hundred? Give me fifty score. Come on, my friends. Throw wide the door. (Le Bret opens the door. View of Paris in the moonlight. Soft music. ) Cyrano. Lo, Paris, that sleeps and is breathless In silence and midnight mist ; Lo, Paris, immutable, deathless, Her brow by the moonbeam kissed ! The dream of the centuries round thee, The luminous guardians above ; The calm of the peace all around thee A shrine for the couch of my love; (Turns and sees the actors and Lb Bret waiting for him.) Break, silence of night ! Wake a hun- dred alarms ! Cyrano de Bergerac proclaims "To arms !" C To the sound of the violins and with the flickering of the candles, the : procession moves out, Cyrano twenty steps ahead, ht Bret fol- lozving and the actors dancing and capering in the rear.) Curtain. 10 CYRANO ACT II. Ragueneau (rising). The morning sun turns copper pan to gold And burns to silver all the pewter spoons ; The soaring Muse her fancy's wings shall fold, The lyre shall hum with useful cook- ing tunes. An Apprentice (approaching Rague- neau and showing his work). Nougat of fruit! Another Apprentice. Pound cake a la Richelieu! A Third. Pastry of cakes a la Charlemagne! A Fourth. Potpourri du Boeuf a la "Pomone" du Cambert ! An Apprentice (approaching with a candied lyre). This in your honor I have made. Ragueneau. Wit and fancy you've displayed; Take this coin and drink my health. (Enter LiSE.) My wife! Pray, hide your little wealth. (Apprentice retires.) Observe this lyre, a tribute to my fame. LlSE. Such waste of dough ! It is a shame ! Ragueneau. What have you there? The poems of my friends Made into paper bags ! To what sad ends We come at last ! LlSE. It is the only way they ever pay. (Enter Cyrano.) Cyrano. What is the hour of this long day? Ragueneau. Six o'clock. And I was there! Cyrano (impatiently walking about). Where? Ragueneau. The duel! What blows did rain! "And I touch as I end the refrain." LlSE. That seems to be his whole delight; He talks of it from morn 'till night. Ragueneau. And the chime of the ballad shall be— Cyrano (interrupting). What time is it? Ragueneau. Five minutes past six. Cyrano (going to the writing table and seating himself). Shall I plunge my heart into a sea of ink? (Enter a Tau, Musketeer.) CYRANO 11 Musketeer (to Lise). Good-morning ! Cyrano. Quiet. I cannot think. Ragueneau. A friend of my wife, most deadly and severe. ' Cyrano. What time is it? Ragueneau. A quarter past. Cyrano. Come, now, good pen, My thoughts in sober line arrayed, I'll write the dream I cannot tell, And she shall read me passing well. (He writes.) (Enter half a dozen lanky and ill-fed poets.) The Poets. Eagle of pastry cooks ! Lord of the pie ! We praise thee, we love thee, Without thee we'd die. To the fire, to the fire of thy oven We bring our Pierian flame, And chant in a festival chorus The height of thy glorious fame. (During the ensemble the poets eat , right and left.) Lise. Now that my husband is befooled and blind, You may speak freely; I'll be kind. Musketeer. Every day I come to put My valor underneath your foot. Cyrano. The light of the love that I bear thee Illumines my dreams and my days ; But never my visions can dare thee To follow their passionate ways. If that I dream, I dream of thee; If I awake, thine eyes and lips I see. Ragueneau. Oh, honor far beyond imagination! In my poor shop he has found inspira- tion. Cyrano (having finished the letter). So speed my hopes. There is no need to sign it; Into her hand myself I shall consign it. A Poet. Ragueneau, what have you writ of late. Ragueneau. A recipe for making cake. How great ! Poet. Poets. Let us hear it! Ragueneau. "How to make almond cheese cake." Eggs you get a half a dozen free from all rancidity, Break them in a pannikin and beat them 'till they're white; Lemons, too, you strain a few to get the smart acidity, Throw in milk of almonds 'till you have the mixture right. Syrup sweet as much as meet you add to make it saccharine, Pour the whole into a mold of dough as light as snow; Add a pinch of creamy cheese and sift a powdered cracker in, Put it in the oven while the cinders gently glow. Let it bake adagio and wait with calm placidity Until the crust is golden brown as Andalusian wine; Then take it out and let it cool, you'll eat it with avidity, And cheese cake a la Ragueneau you'll say is all divine! A Poet. Perfection is outdone by you. 12 CYRANO Other Poets. "Tis rubbish of the rarest make. Cyrano {looking off through center door). (To Poets). Now begins the sunlight of this happy day, Her duenna yonder comes this way. Messieurs, go warm your fancies in the sun. RaguenEau (driving them out). When he says a thing that thing is done. (Ragueneau with his hands full of paper bags with the poems on them follows them out. Cyrano ap- proaches the tall musketeer who is still talking to LjSE.) Cyrano. Your presence also I no more require. Lise (as musketeer starts to go). With rage and grief I think I shall expire. Why do you not defy him to his face ? Musketeer. Defy him to his face! His face! That face! (Exit hastily, LiSE following him angrily. ) (Bnter the Duenna.) Duenna. Sir, my mistress bids me say — (Roxane appears at the door.) Cyrano. Madame, have you taste for honeyed cakes ? Duenna. I dote upon them to the verge of death. Cyrano (filling bags). Here then within the soft melting heart Of Saint Amant's most intimate ballade, I prison for thee tarts of precious jam, And puffs of cream as white as Alpine snow. Go feed thyself to indigestion's brink, But do so in the street. Duenna. Sweet sir, I go. (Bxit into street.) (As soon as she is off Roxane comes down.) Roxane. First let me thank you for that yester- day You did rebuke a churl, who seeks to force His hand upon me in unwelcome bonds. Cyrano. I am glad I served you. Yet again I shall be glad to play your humble slave. Roxane. For this I came, but first I must dis- close — (Hesitating) I must discover — Are you still the same, As in the days when we were boy and girl? Roxane. The days are gone, the years are sped, Since we as children played to- gether ; And all the roses now are dead, That blossomed in that sunny weather. How sweet it is now to recall Those hours that come no more to cheer us; To think our forest world and all Its magic shadows yet are near us. Come back in memory to the glade, Just you and I and not another; Once more I'll be a little maid, And you shall be my elder brother. Cyrano. It comes again as if 'twere yesterday. And then — CYRANO 13 Roxane. Those were the days of long and happy games. Cyrano. And berries somewhat sour. Roxane. The time when you obeyed The sharp commands of her with whom you played. Sometimes as we two roamed the land Forgetful of the passing hours, You, seeking for me rarest flowers, Would meet with thorns and hurt your hand. And I, forgetting that you were my brother, And playing that I was your little mother, Would look severe and scold, And seize your hand to hold. (She takes his hand and stops amazed.) Why, what is this? A cut! The same ! You stupid boy, for shame, for shame ! {She sits at the table and bathes his hand with the water in the glass.) Roxane. You've been in a fight, you naughty , child! Now tell the truth at once. Cyrano ( laughing ) . 'Tis naught. Some fivescore fools a little wild By me alone were caught. 'Twas something else you thought but did not dare — Roxane. But now I know that you will really care; For with the perfume of the happy past I breathe resolve my aching heart to cast Upon your patience. There is one I love. Cyrano (aside). Now give me strength, powers above. ye holy Roxane. As yet he knows it not. Cyrano. Ah! Roxane. But soon he will. Cyrano. Ah! Roxane. Poor bo)', he dares not speak his burning thought; But from his eyes his heart streams out in fire. Cyrano. Ah! Roxane (completing the bandage on his hand). And he, too, is a Gascony cadet, And in your company. Is not that strange ? Ah! Cyrano. Roxane. He wears upon his noble brow the stamp Of intellect, of genius. And he's brave, And handsome as a young Olympian god. Cyrano (starting up). Handsome ! RoXANfi. As yet we have but spoken with. our eyes. Cyrano. His name? Roxane. Baron Christian de Neuvilette. 14 CYRANO Cyrano. Why tell you this to me? Roxane. Because I hear That all you Gascons quarrel every day, And that your dinner guests are swords and death. But you who face a hundred men and laugh To scorn the flash of every naked blade — Cyrano. Might keep your little baron safe from harm. I see. Your elder brother am I once again. Roxane. And never in a duel shall he fight? Cyrano. I swear it. Roxane. Oh, I really love you quite! (During the latter part of the above dialogue Ragueneau has appeared at the door, trying to engage the Duenna in conversation. She has eaten all her tarts and Ragueneau in pantomime tries to interest her in the poems on the bags. She is not pleased, and he gives her more tarts, which she eats. She and Ragueneau gradually come down the stage on the side opposite to Cyrano and Roxane.) Quartet. Roxane. The dream of my sorrow is broken The dawn of my hope is here ; For the word which thy lip has spoken, Has emptied my heart of fear. The world and my life grow golden In the light of a new-born day ; And I fly from the darkness olden, To sunrise I float away. Cyrano. The dream of my fancy is broken, The dawn cometh gray and drear ; For the word which thy lip has spoken, Has melted my heart to a tear. My summer is past and is over, And the sun goes out of the day, As the blossom is blown from the clover ; The world goes cold and gray. Ragueneau. Look not in the bag, but upon it, Where grow all sweets of the brain ; A triolet, ballad or sonnet, Shall make every tartlet vain. Oh, were I of poets the master, I'd fly from my shop far away ; I'd be a perennial faster, And carol my songs all day. Duenna. Oh, give me a honey-filled pastry, A well-flavored wafer or tart; A spice of confection that's tasty, Is better than your limping art. Oh, were I of poets the master, I'd drive them all far, far away; And nevermore be a pale faster, But eat all the livelong day. (At the close of the quartet Roxane and Duenna exeunt, while Cyrano stands silent and Ragueneau goes on declaiming.) Ragueneau. Into the outer darkness of the night Hurl pastries and confections vain ; Within make sunrise of eternal light With bright confections of the poet's brain. (A sudden noise is heard outside. Shouts of the cadets. Then enter the Gascony cadets, Carbon de Castle- J aloux and L,e Bret.) He is here ! Captain ! Carbon. Cyrano. CYRANO IS The Cadets. A hundred to one and the one victorious, Ventre St. Gris, but that was glorious ! (Cadets surround Cyrano and shake his hands. ) Le Bret. Be on your guard. Here comes De Guiche. (Enter De Guiche with attendants.) De Guiche. Monsieur de Bergerac, I must be frank ; You fought me fairly and you fairly won. So let that pass; for now the chance of war Decides that we shall battle side by side. I hear that I am fortunate in this, And so I come to view you at your ease. Cyrano. The Gascony cadets are ne'er at ease. Castel. Since here am I and all my good com- mand, Pray, Cyrano, present us in due form. Cyrano. We are the Gascony cadets, Who value life not at a breath, And whistle in the teeth of death. We are the Gascony cadets ; We wear our feathers curled in sets, All fighters, liars, devils we, The wild cadets of Gascony, With titled names and nameless debts. We are the Gascony cadets, We love to make our rendezvous Where foes are fierce and we are few ; For there the Gascon rapier gets The food that still its hunger whets ; Lunge and parry, cut and thrust, Like the whirlwind, gust .on gust, Charge the Gascony cadets. We are the Gascony cadets. With limb of snipe and tooth of fox, And hearts as hard as mountain rocks, Cat beards and eyes of falconets, We come, our captain's grizzled pets, To where the battle smoke is blue, And there the roads of death we hue; We are the Gascony cadets! Chorus (ad libitum). Beware the pace our anger sets ; For they that follow, they that fly, But meet the Gascon sword to die ; We are the Gascony cadets ! De Guiche. Farewell, Messieurs ! Soon your valor shall be tried. (De Guiche exit with his attendants.) (The cadets retire up the stage.) (Christian has come in and mingled with the cadets at the back. They ignore him. He comes down at the conclusion of Cyrano's song and seats himself at a small table where Lise serves him.) A Cadet. Cyrano, your story. Cyrano. Presently. (Goes up with Le Bret.) Cadet. Oh, tell the story for our novice here ; 'Twill teach him what he must expect from us. Novice ! Christian. Cadet. 'Twere best to warn you now, my pal- lid friend, There's one thing that you must not speak about. (Lays his finger on his nose.) Or else you'll have yon tiger on yOur back. Christian. It is the—? Thanks. But tell me pray 16 CYRANO When southern gentles far too boast- ful grow, What should a northern soldier find to do? Cadet. Prove that the north has courage like the south. Christian. I thank you. Cadets (in a clamor). The story, the story ! Cyrano. (Comes dozen and seats himself in the center. Cadets surround him. Christian sits a little in front and at the side.) 'Twas only an evening of sport; And the moon, fickle lady, smiled bright, Then suddenly hid, and the night Was as dark as the Pharaoh's court. I declare I could not see as far — Christian. As your nose ! ( General consternation. Cyrano rises slowly. ) Cyrano. Who is that man? Carbon. He joined this morning. Cyrano. His name? Carbon. Baron Christian de Neuvilette. Cyrano. (Aside.) Roxane! Mon dieu! (Slowly reseats himself.) (Restraining himself.) I declare I could not see as far As the lamp in the street on my right. (Consternation. All resume their ' seats.) When at once rose a cry of "A mort ! And I found myself hemmed in by steel. But I parried, I lunged and I thrust — Christian. Your nose. Cyrano (restraining himself with difficulty). I warded a blow — Christian. From your nose. Cyrano. Clear the room ! (Springs to his feet.) (The cadets rise hastily and start for the door.) Cadets (sotto voce). What shall we see when we come back? Yon idiot's dust in every crack! (All go out except Cyrano and Christian. They stand gazing at one another a moment.) Cyrano. You may embrace me. Christian. What is this you say? Cyrano. You may embrace me. Christian. But I do not understand. Cyrano. I am her cousin and she calls me now Her brother. She has told me all the tale. Christian. . Does she love me ? CYRANO 17 Cyrano. Perhaps. (Lays his hand on Chris- tian's shoulder.) How handsome ! Roxane expects a letter from you soon. Christian. Alas ! I am a fool in use of words. I love, but have no tongue to speak of love. I am a very dunce in talk. Cyrano. My wit I'll lend you if you like. Christian. What mean you ? Cyrano. Let me then explain. We two shall woo her as a single one ; You with the face of Love her eye to reach, I with the promptings of your every speech ; And in a twinkling the thing is done. Christian. And you would do this thing for me? Cyrano. For you ? For my amusement ! You agree ? • Christian. Oh, gladly. But the letter that should go at once? Cyrano (producing his letter from his bosom). The letter? Here it is. Christian. But will this letter suit Roxane ? Cyrano. As if 'twere made for her. (They stand embraced.) (Cadets one by one put their heads in at the door. They arc amazed.) Cadets. Oh, wonderful ! What means it ? They embrace ! (Cadets all come down. Also the Tall Musketeer.) (Enter LiSE and RacuenEau.) The Musketeer. Oh, now it seems there are no blows, If one presumes to talk about a nose. (Goes up to Cyrano.) Monsieur, pray tell me what can make so huge a smell? Cyrano (turning quickly and striking him ) . Thy nose, thou idiot, in the stews of hell! Cadets. Beware the pace our anger sets ; For they that follow, they that fly, But meet the Gascon sword to die ; We are the Gascony cadets ! (As they sing the refrain of the song, they dance and turn somersaults in joy at seeing Cyrano himself again.) Curtain, 18 CYRANO ACT III. Chorus. Roses are ever fair; So is love sweet; Love and roses are rare, And life is like wind fleet; Life and roses are at love's feet. Love's feet are on the hearts of kings ; Love's kisses are on the lip of death ; Love's song is mute for him who sings Songs made alone of life and breath. Love's song is strong Where life and death meet ; Love and death are long, And life is like wind fleet; Death and life are at love's feet. (Roxane and Duenna come out of the house of Ciomire.) RoxanE. So dies the music in the soul of night, Like sighs upon the rosy lips of Love. Here let us tarry while I bathe my soul In these pale fountains of most chaste delight. (Duenna retires up stage. RoxanE sits by the flower bed in the center of the stage in the moonlight.) RoxanE. Here do I let my hungry fancy pass The bolted gates of maiden secrecy, To browse upon the pastures of his wit, The scented clover blossoms of his thought Yea, on his words my soul is waxing ' great ; Oh, Christian, it must widen to the skies Ere it shall make a circle of such girth As may embrace the stature of thy mind! {At the conclusion of the solo the Duenna comes down.) Duenna. Be warned in time, for by my fickle eyes Through yonder street I see De Guiche approach, Roxane. A shadow on the silver of the moon. {Enter De Guiche.) De Guiche. Fortune favors me for once at least. I find you in the moonlight like a beam Of Cynthia's gladsome smile upon the night. I come to say adieu. RoxanE. You will depart ? De Guiche. I go to war. There is a siege around The walls of Arras. I am to command. Roxane. I wish you joy. De Guiche. It is no joy to part. When I am with my Gascony cadets — Roxane. Your what? De Guiche. My Gascony cadets. They are a portion of my new command. Your cousin Cyrano is in my power; Trust me to make him know that well. CYRANO 19 RoxanE (singing to a seat on the bench). Christian ! De Guiche. You fear for him? RoxanE. For whom? De Guiche. For Cyrano. Roxa,ne. Bah! For Cyrano! It is not he indeed ; And yet I grieve that one for whom I care Should face the danger of a dreadful war. De Guiche (astonished and pleased). At last upon the eve of going hence You speak to me in kindness. It is sweet. RoxanE. You take revenge but weakly. Cyrano Will bubble o'er with joy to go to war. If you would make him suffer, keep him here, A prisoner of inaction while you march. De Guiche. A woman's wit ! It js a keen revenge. I have the orders for the wild cadets. I'll keep them here! (Touches his pocket.) So you sometimes play tricks? RoxanE. I do, sometimes. De Guiche. I love you to distraction. I go but to return. Another day Let Arras wait for succor ; meanwhile I Pretending to have started shall abide With Capuchins near by. An hour from now With mask upon my face I shall return. When yonder orb of night shall dimly burn (Exit De Guiche.) RoxanE. Mine be the task to keep thee far away. What maters all since Christian is to stay? (RoxanE goes into the house followed by the Duenna.) (Enter Cyrano and Christian.) Cyrano. My friend, you are insane. I have not yet Rehearsed you in the speeches for to- night. You must not speak to her 'till you have learned The items of the dialogue. Christian. It wearies me To borrow all my words. 'Twas well at first, But now I feel she loves me, and alone Without your prompting will I speak to her. Cyrano. 'Twere better if you would prepare a trope — Christian. A plague upon your tropes. My two good arms Shall bind her to me in a warm em- brace, And she shall know I love her well. (The door of Roxane's house opens and she is seen at the threshold.) Do not leave me ! See, she comes ! Cyrano. My friend, I shall not meddle. Use your arms. (Retires behind the wall.) (Roxane comes out and lingers be- side the fountain.) RoxanE Thrice the icy Cynthia hath described Her orbit pale sincte that I waited here, And still he does not come. 20 CYRANO Roxane ! Christian. Roxane. Ah, you have come. Well then, we are alone; The air is mild ; the moon is clear and high. Sit here ; I'll listen while you talk to me. (Christian sits beside her on the bench and shows that he does not know zvhat to say. Finally he speaks in desperation.) Christian. I love you. Roxane. Then dilate upon your love. Christian. I love you. Roxane. That is twice I've heard your theme. Play variations on it, fast and slow. Come, improvise. You have a perfect theme. Christian. I love you very much. Roxane. Prosaic, bald. Christian. 'Twould be a joy To think that you in good return loved me. Roxane. Nay, tell me how you love me. Christian. Why, I said With all my heart. Roxane. Do better Christian. I love you just as much as I can love, Roxane. Oh, stupid! (Rises.) Christian. No, I don't. ■ Roxane. More stupid! (She moves tozvard the house.) Christian. Love makes of me a fool. Roxane. So I've observed. It irks me, sir, as if you had put off The pleasing front which nature gave to you. Go, my friend, and find your scattered wits. (She goes into the house.) Christian (following her to the door). Roxane ! Roxane ! (Re-enter Cyrano accompanied by two pages with lutes.) Cyrano. Victorious, you have driven her from the field. Christian. Help me, Cyrano, I am undone Cyrano. It wearies you to borrow all your words. Christian. Oh, do not jest. I tell you I shall die If to her favor I am not restored. (Light appears in the balcony window.) Oh, look! Cyrano. Be silent. All may yet be saved. (To the pages.) Go stand upon the corners of the street, And if a woman comes play out a tune CYRANO 21 That's merry; if a man, a sad one; (The pages go off in opposite direc- tions.) Stand you beneath the balcony, and say Verbatim every word I say to you. Now call to her. Christian. Roxane. Roxane (opening the window). Who calls? 'Tis I. Christian. Roxane. Ah, yes, you've' come to say with all your heart And very much, You do not love me more. Christian (prompted by Cyrano). How could I love you more ? There is no more Than all. Roxane. Your wit the darkness doth restore. Christian. Love makes a cradle of my sigh- rocked heart, And grows so great he tears it all apart. Roxane. Then you should smother him by slow degrees. Christian. But, madame, he's a little Hercules, Who had to struggle when he lately tried To overcome the twins Mistrust and Pride. Roxane. You are improving, but your speech doth halt; Pray tell me why your fancy is at fault. Cyrano (to Christian). It is too hard. Now let me answer straight, And you the issue of the contest wait. (Takes Christian's place). Roxane. Your words come lamely, yet you are quite near. Cyrano. They have to grope through dark- ness to your ear. Roxane. Mine have no trouble. Cyrano. Mine climb, yours do but fall; I catch them in my heart. Your ear is small ; My heart is large, for love has made it wide. Roxane. You're doing better. Now your words up ride Like soaring hawks upon the sea of night. Cyrano. Like birds they fly up to the brilliant light Like birds they 'flutter round it in their fright. Roxane. If flying is too great a burden, friend, Wait but a little and I will descend. Cyrano. No, stay; let us now have done with verbal feats ! The night is holy; let us keep it so, By letting our sweet thoughts un- jeweled go As Nature made them. Hence with guard and thrust Of cunning words. Oh, think the time supreme, The time of which all earthly lovers dream, And let us speak as only lovers must. 22 CYRANO ROXANB. Oh, say no more! I tremble at thy word; My heart is fluttering like a frightened bird. And if thou wilt, thou mayest ascend to bliss, If here thou findest it. Cyrano (pushing Christian). Go take thy kiss. (Christian climbs to the balcony and embraces Roxane.) Christian. Oh, my love ! Cyrano. Turn in my heart, thou deadly knife of woe! Dives he. I, Lazarus, below. Yet on his lips she dqth her passion wreak Upon the words that Cyrano did Speak. (The lutes are heard.) A tune that's merry and a tune that's sad. "Tis neither man nor woman; that's a monk. (He pretends to run in from a distance.) Mo, there, Roxane! Who calls? Roxane. Cyrano. 'Tis Cyrano. Is Christian there? Christian. My friend, you see me here. Roxane. I will come down. (Roxane disappears in the house. Christian descends. The Monk enters. ) Cyrano (to the Monk)., I bow before your robe. Monk. Pax vobiscum. Madeleine Robin I come to seek. Christian. 'Tis here she lives. - (Roxane comes out accompanied by page with lantern.) Roxane. What is The call? (Monk hands her a letter.) 'Tis from De Guiche. Christian. The villain dares! Roxane (motioning to him to wait). (Reading.) My regiment is marching. I am thought to have gone. I wait here at the convent and send you word by the priest. In an hour I shall be with you. Provide to receive me alone, and — (To the priest.) Know you what this letter doth con- tain? I am commanded by my lord De Guiche To let you marry me unto this man. (Pointing to Christian.) Monk. A worthy gentleman. Be reconciled. Roxane. I shall endeavor. (Page opens the house door for the priest. Roxane speaks quickly to Cyrano.) When De Guiche shall come, As this informs me that he will, do you Detain him 'till the nuptial knot is tied. Cyrano (pushing all toward the house). Go in, go in ! I shall be sentry here. (They go in.) CYRANO 23 Cyrano. Adam and Eve go into Paradise And I, the guardian angel, stay out- side. I must bestir myself. De Guiche will come. How shall I hold him here? I must devise — [The lutes are heard playing a solemn tune.) Oh, melody most dojeful! Tis the man. ( Retires behind a corner of the house. Enter De Guiche;.) (He moves toward the house, when Cyrano falls in front of him as if from a height.) De Guiche. From whence did this untimely person fall? Cyrano. From the moon! De Guiche. The man is surely mad. Cyrano. i Away up there I was and now I'm here. De Guiche. He is insane. I'll humor him. My friend— Cyrano. Where am I ? De Guiche. Let me pass! Cyrano. Am I in Venice or in Genoa? What place is this? De Guiche. ' Pray, let me pass. A lady waits me there. Cyrano. Ah, then I am in Paris ! That is good ! De, Guiche. The madman has not wholly lost his wit. (Laughs.) Cyrano. Pray, pardon me that I am travel stained ; Star dust is in my eyes, and on my sleeve, Behold a comet's hair ! (Pretends to blow a hair off his sleeve.) Sir, I wish- De Guiche. Cyrano. You wish, monsieur, to know How I ascended to yon yellQw ball. I might have clad myself in armor plate, And then a magnet hurled into the air By which I should have soon been drawn Aloft. De Guiche. Why so you might. But was that what you did? Cyrano (imitating the noise of the surf and making extravagant gestures). Iioo-ish ! Hoo-ish ! De Guiche. And what is that ? Cyrano. Why, can't you tell? De Guiche. Indeed, I cannot tell. Cyrano (solemnly). It is the tide ! 24 CYRANO The tide ! De Guiche. Cyrano. What time the lady moon doth woo the deep, I lay upon the beach as from a' bath. With water of the sea I was all wet, And when the moon began to draw it up, Of course I went. And mark, my head went first, Because my hair was fullest of the sea. And so I rose as would an angel rise To seek his habitation in the skies. And after floating up I felt a shock ; And then — De Guiche. And then? Cyrano (resuming his natural voice and manner). The time is up. Monsieur, you now are free. De Guiche. That voice! Then do I dream? (The door of Roxane's house opens and lackeys appear carrying candles.) That nose ! I am awake ! 'Tis Cyrano ! Cyrano. Cyrano. And they are man and wife. De Guiche. Who are? (He turns around and sees behind the lackeys Roxane and Christian holding hands, while the Monk stands smiling beside them. The Duenna in a robe de cambre fol- lows.) De Guiche. You! Roxane! (Bowing to Chris- tian.) You, monsieur! (To Cyrano. ) And you ! My compliments, explorer of the moon ! Your wonders never cease. I do advise That for a book you note them briskly down. Cyrano. What you advise is almost a com- mand. (Bows low.) De Guiche. And now, madame, prepare To bid adieu unto your dearest lord. Roxane. What! De Guiche. Now my command is starting for the war; ( To Christian. ) You will proceed to join your company. Roxane. To go to war ! De Guiche. Of course. That is the word. Roxane. The Gascony cadets are not to go. De Guiche (taking the order out of his pocket and handing it to Chris- tian). Oh, yes they are. And here is the command. Pray take it to the captain now your- self. Roxane (thrcwing herself into Christian's arms). Christian ! , CYRANO 25 De Guiciie (with a malignant look at Cyrano). The wedding night is somewhat far as yet. Cyrano. He thinks that he is giving me great pain ! Christian (embracing Roxane). Oh, dearest love, once more. Cyrano. Oh, come, 'tis time to start. Enough ! -x Roxane (to Cyrano). And promise me, my ever honest friend, That every day a letter he will send. Cyrano. Of that be certain. I will promise that. (Cyrano leads Christian away from Roxane, who falls into the arms of the Duenna. De Guiche stands at the back triumphantly pointing off, while the march of the regiment is heard in the distance. ) Curtain, 26 CYRANO ACT IV. SCENE I. Le Bret. God send they do not wake these weary ones. "Tis Cyrano returning from the lines. Sentry (outside). Who goes there ? Cyrano (outside). De Bergerac. Be still ! (Cyrano climbs up over the embank- ment at the back and comes down stage.) Le Bret. Thank God ! You are unwounded ? Cyrano. Know you not It is their habit not to hit me ? Le Bret. Yes; But madness 'tis your life thus to expose To send a letter for another man. You do this every day. Cyrano. I promised her that he should write, and I Will keep that promise with my very blood. (Cyrano goes toward a tent.) Le Bret. Where go you now ? Cyrano. To write another one. (He goes into a tent.) (Daybreak has passed into sunrise. Report of a gun outside. Echoing of trumpets and drums. General awakening of the camp.) Cyrano (laying has hand on Chris- tian's shoulder). My friend. Christian. . Roxane ! Cyrano. Ah, me! Roxane! Ah, me! Christian. If I had time to write a last farewell ! Cyrano. I have it written. (Takes a letter from his doublet.) Christian. Let me see it then. (Seises the letter.) What is this .? A tear ! Cyrano (hurriedly taking the letter back). It seems that I In writing made myself believe was In earnest. Poets oft are snared by fancy thus. Christian. Will fancy make you weep a real tear ? Cyrano. Yes ; to die is naught, but not to see Her face and form, ah, therein lies the pain. (Shots heard outside. Voice of senti- nel challenging.) CYRANO 27: Cyrano. What is that? Le Bret. A coach comes into camp ! (Cries out- side.) What's that? They cry "The service of the king." (De Guiche comes down. All fall in at attention. The coach comes on curtains drawn and lackeys up behind. Coach stops. The cadets uncover. Drums roll. Two soldiers let down the steps. Roxane comes out of the coach.) Roxane. Good-inorning ! (At the sound of her voice all in the act of bowing low straighten up. General sensation.) Christian and Cyrano (simultane- ously). Roxane ! Great heaven ! De Guiche. The service of the king! Christian. But this is madness ! Cyrano. Tell us why you come. Roxane. To see the man I love I sped Across the field and rippling fell, Where grasses grew and waters fled And sang the birds that knew me well. No space could keep us far apart ; No dream could bring us face to face; The hunger in my heart of heart No fonder fancy could displace. And so "To horse!" my soul pro- claimed ; Set whip to steed and onward fly, To find my love and be not shamed With him to conquer or to die. (Throws herself into Christian's arms.) Cyrano. But here you must not stay, Roxane. Why noti De Guiche. In forty minutes more or less- Cyrano. 'Tis less! Roxane, (looking around at the cadets). I see. A battle here will soon begin. De Guiche. This is the post of danger. Cyrano. By your leave. Roxane. I understand. (To De Guiche.) You wish him to be killed. (Again embraces Christian.) I will not go. De Guiche. But here you will see death. Roxane. Monsieur, we shall excuse you. Do not wait. De Guiche. I shall inspect my guns and then re- turn. (Exit.) (Cyrano goes into his tent as Rox- ane comes down to Christian. De Guiche remains at the rear giving orders. ) ' Christian. Roxane, you have not told me why you came. 28 CYRANO Roxane. Thy letters! thy dear letters writ in tears, And yet in words of fire that paled their ink; Thy thoughts that seemed the song of all the years That float to far eternity's dim brink. Each fluttering leaf a petal from thy soul That fall on mine to mark its sweet control ; Oh, love, thy letters have indeed un- masked ^ The secret beauty which I could not find, Thy face did make me to thy spirit ! blind ; But now I come to thee alone, un- asked j To crave thy pardon that I did not j see j Thy inner glory and thy poesy ; To tell thee here I love thee all and whole ; And not thy beauty masters, but thy soul. Christian. Roxane ! I would be loved a simpler way. Roxane. But think ! 'Tis now I love thee best, for were thy face — Christian. Ah, do not say it ! Roxane. If thou wert ugly, still would I be thine ! Christian. God! {A pause — then pushing her from him.) Go smile upon my com- rades ere they die. (Roxane goes to a group of cadets at the rear. Cyrano comes out of his tent equipped for battle.) Christian {to Cyrano). She loves me now no more ! 'Tis you she loves ! Cyrano. What do you mean ? Christian. She loves me for my soul ! You are my soul; 'Tis you 'she loves. And you have writ to her Not my love, but your own. Cyrano. 'Tis even so. Christian. Then tell her, for she says that she would love My soul, were 1 no handsomer than you. So let her choose between us. Tell her all! {He rushes off. Roxane comes down, as if to look for him and meets Cyrano.) Roxane. He did not, then, believe me? Cyrano. When you said — Roxane. That I should love him were he — Cyrano. Ugly. {Shots outside.) Roxane. I should love him still. Cyrano. My God! Perhaps she means it all! {Enter Le Bret hurriedly. He whispers to Cyrano.) The end has come ! My lips are sealed for aye. Roxane. What is it ? What has happened ? CYRANO 29 (Men enter bearing the dead body of Christian, which they, Le Bret and Cyrano endeavor to conceal from Roxane.) Cyrano. Nothing. RoxanE. Then What is it you conceal? Cyrano. Nay, come away. (He endeavors to draw her away. She breaks from him, rushes forward through the crowd and discovers Christian's body.) Roxane. Ah! (She stands transfixed. Trumpets and drums heard. Shots and con- fusion.) Carbon (appearing at back with drawn sword).. Now, Gascony cadets, come to your posts. (Forming of men at back.) Roxane. (Having sunk beside Christian and felt wildly for his wound, draws forth the letter.) A letter in his breast. It is for me. Cyrano. My letter! It becomes his dying word. (More shots and cries.) , Roxane, the battle rages ; you must fly. (Draws his Guiche.) sword. Enter De Roxane (kissing the letter as she puts it in her bosom). (She is fainting, when RaguenEau catches her and bears her off. ) Cyrano (watching her go). Farewell to life and light ! Now wel- come death! (Tremendous tumult. Cadets come straggling over the embankment and fall. Carbon is hit and falls.) (Above the bank suddenly appears a formidable force of Spaniards.) (Volleys are fired from both sides. Cadets fall.) Cyrano and Cadets. Like the whirlwind, gust on gust, Charge the Gascony cadets! (He leaps forward, followed by a few cadets, and sinks wounded on the embankment. ) (Dark stage and change of scene dur- ing music.) SCENE II. Chorus of Nuns. IA.doramus te, Christe, et benedicimus Tibi Quia per .sanctam crucern et pas- sionem tream redimisti mundum. Domine, miserere nobis. (Enter Roxane, accompanied by Ragueneau, pale and dishevelled.) Roxane. I crave yon shelter! Nuns. Peace be with you here ! Ragueneau. Frqm Arras battlefield all day we •led, A 'peasant led our weary footsteps here. Mother Superior. Welcome, child ; these are the gates of peace. But yet the wrecks of war have drifted here. Two fugitives, one .wounded, are within. But come with us and rest your wearied limbs. 30 CYRANO (Exeunt all into the convent. After they are all off, enter, from behind the house, Cyrano. He staggers to the stone seat and sits.) Cyrano. So runs at last the silly world away. And all of life is made into a dream From which I shall awake in some far day Beyond the furthest planet's fiery gleam. Then shall the spirit, freed from mor- tal throes, Leap out to greet its fellows face to face, And grow eternally to perfect grace: And I shall be myself — without my nose. (It begins to grow dark. Cyrano re- clines as if faint upon the seat. The chorus of nuns is heard within. Roxane slowly comes out of the convent. She does not at first see Cyrano. ) Cyrano (seeing her). Roxane! (He starts up and staggers back to the seat.) ROXANE. Who's that? You, Cyrano? You here ! You're faint ; you're wounded, cousin, are you not? Cyrano. A petty scratch, Roxane; I am but faint From long retreating. Think not ,now of me. But think of him whose glory all is yours. Roxane. I think now of naught else. Oh, Cyrano, His letters were the essence of his soul. And life and love were graven there in fire! Cyrano. Such letters wrote he ever twice a day. Roxane. You know? Cyrano. I know ; I was his closest friend. Roxane. And this, the last that never left his breast. (She draws the letter forth.) Cyrano. The letter ! Yes, I know, I know it now. (He starts up, but sinks again.) Roxane (anxiously). Your wound ! Cyrano. My friend's last writing will you let me see? (She hands it to him.) Cyrano (reads). Good-by, Roxane, I am about to die ! Roxane (turning 'quickly). My letter; you are reading it aloud! (It grozvs darker, so that he cannot read the letter.) Cyrano. (Repeating the letter without looking at it.) To-day the end of time will come for me, A time too short to tell to thee my love. No more my eyes upon thy eyes shall look — Roxane. What is this voice my memory recalls ? Cyrano. And so I cry to thee a far farewell. Farewell, my heart, my life, my very soul! CYRANO 31 ROXANE. ( Goes and stands behind him and sees that he is repeating the letter.) That voice through darkness I have, heard before. You do not read ; you know the words by heart. Cyrano. (Starts and turning round sees her beside him. Makes a gesture of surprise and hangs his head.) Roxane ! Roxane (after a pause). And so 'twas you! Cyrano. No, no, it was not I. Roxane. I see it all. The letters, they were yours. Cyrano. No! Roxane. The tender wit, the lovely folly, yours ! No! Cyrano. Roxane. The voice that spoke to me from out the dark Beneath the balcony, was also yours. Cyrano. 'Twas Christian, dear, I swear it was not I. Roxane. The soul that I have worshiped has not fled, The face was his, the mind was ever thine ; Cyrano. I loved you not; 'twas Christian all the time. Roxane. You love me. No, Roxane. Cyrano. Roxane. You love me, dear ! Cyrano. No, no, my dearest love, I love you not! (Enter L,E Bret and Ragueneau hastily.) Le Bret. 'Tis madness, monstrous madness! He should not have left the bed. His wound is bleeding fast. Roxane. My God! (She kneels beside him.) And I have hurt you, I have wrecked your life. Cyrano. Nay, do thyself no wrong. Because of thee across my life has passed The silken rustle of a woman's gown. (Moonlight.) Ragueneau. But see, your other friend, the lady moon. Cyrano. Your pardon, lady moon, Anon I come. (Suddenly he is seised with a shiver- ing and staggers to his feet.) 32 CYRANO Not there ! Not there ! Not in the lap of ease, But on my feet will I receive, fair death. {He goes and leans against the tree in center and draws his sword.) What, madame, do you mock me? Do you stare Upon this crannied peak inviolate, My nose? Thou gaunt virago, thou hast none ! What sayest thou? It is no use to fight? One does not fight because he hopes to win. A hundred to one ! I see you each and all, And know you all, my ancient enemies. Hypocrisy and Prejudice and you, Weak Compromise, I here defy you all ! {Beats the air with his sword.) {He sweeps the air with sword and stops panting. Leans against tree.) {Starting up again.) But when to-night I pass the jewelled gate Of Paradise and face the crystal throne , Of Majesty inscrutable, behold, I shall salute the Infinite on high With that which enters heaven with- out a stain. {The sword falls from his hand. He staggers and drops into the arms of Le Bret and RaguenEau.) Roxane {leaning over and kissing And that shall be ? Cyrano. My soldier's snow white plume ! {Dies.) Curtain. l Vf:BTROr>OI>ITA3? Q iPErRA H QvgE GRAND OPERA REASON 1912-19131 GIUI9IO Gatti-CaSAZZA,. General Manager, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 24th, AT 8 O'CLOCK Cykmo OPERA IN FOUR ACTS AND FIVE SCENES (in English) BOOK BY W. J. HENDERSON After the Drama by EDMOND ROSTAND MUSIC BY CYRANO ROXANE . DUENNA LISE . ... A FLOWER GIRL . MOTHER SUPERIOR CHRISTIAN RAGUENEAU DE GUICHE LE BRET . FIRST MUSKETEER SECOND MUSKETEER MONTFLEURY1 A CADET > ' A MONK FOUR CAVALIERS WALTER CONDUCTOR STAGE MANAGER. JULES SPECK TECHNICAL. DIRECTOR, EDWARD SIEDLE DAMROSCH PASQUALE AMATO FRANCES ALDA MARIE MATTFELD VERA CURTIS . LOUISE COX FLORENCE MULFORD RICCARDO MARTIN . ALBERT RE1SS PUTNAM GRISWOLD WILLIAM HINSHAW BASIL RUYSDAEL MARCEL REINER LAMBERT MURPHY ANTONIO PINI-CORSI {AUSTIN HUGHES PAOLO ANANIAN LOUIS KREIDLER MAURICE SAPIO . ALFRED HERTZ CHORUS f GIULIO SETTI ■A HANS ST! MASTERS ' •E1NER Programme Continued on Next Page Correct Librettos For Sale in the Lobby HARDMAN PIANOS USED EXCLUSIVELY EC TELEPHONES, RECTOR 88,1 7i 381 8, 881 9 The HARDMAN AUTOTONE The Player Piano Great Artists H Esteem THE world's greatest art- ists delight in playing the Autotone. Riccardo Martin says: "The Hardman Autotone is superior to all instru- ments of its kind." Write for handsomely illustrated catalogue. Terms arranged to meet the pur- chaser's convenience. 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