Cyrano de Bergerac, Act V, Scene V, by Edmond Rostand
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Cyrano, having a mortal wound, visits his love Roxane for the last
time, but does not let her see his wound or let her guess that he will shortly
die…
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CYRANO: [He has succeeded in reaching the chair, and
has seated himself, and speaks in a lively voice which is in great contrast to
his pale face.] Yes, yes - maddening! I was detained by…
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ROXANE: Well?
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CYRANO: A
visitor, most unexpected.
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ROXANE: was
your visitor tiresome?
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CYRANO: Why,
hardly that – inopportune, let us say – an old friend of mine – at least a very
old acquaintance.
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ROXANE: Did
you tell him to go away?
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CYRANO: For
the time being, yes. I said: “Excuse me – this is Saturday – I have a previous
engagement, one I cannot miss, even for you – Come back an hour from now.”
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ROXANE: Your
friend will have to wait: I shall not let you go till dark.
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CYRANO: Perhaps,
a little before dark, I must go…
[He leans back in the chair, and
closes his eyes. SISTER MARTHA
crosses above the stairway. ROXANA sees her, motions her to wait, then turns
to CYRANO.]
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ROXANE: Look
– somebody waiting to be teased.
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CYRANO: [quickly opening his eyes] Of
course! [in a comically loud voice]
Sister, approach! [The SISTER glides toward him.] Beautiful
downcast eyes! So shy…
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SISTER MARTHA:
You…[who
makes a movement of astonishment upon seeing his face] Oh!
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CYRANO: [in a whisper, pointing to ROXANE] Sh! It's nothing! [loudly, in a blustering voice] I
ate meat yesterday!
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SISTER MARTHA: Yes, I know. [aside] That is why he looks so
pale! [to CYRANO, in a whisper] In the refectory,
before you go – come to me there – I’ll make you a great bowl of soup! Will you
come?
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CYRANO: Ah
– will I come!
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SISTER MARTHA:
you are quite reasonable today!
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ROXANE: Has
she converted you?
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SISTER MARTHA:
Oh, no – not in the world!
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CYRANO: Why,
now I think of it, that is so – You bursting with holiness, and yet you never
preach! Astonishing I call it… [with
burlesque ferocity] Ah – now I’ll astonish you… I am going to – [with the air of seeking for a good joke and
finding it] –Let you pray for me
tonight at vespers!
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ROXANE: Aha!
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CYRANO: Look at her – absolutely struck dumb!
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SISTER MARTHA:
[gently]
I did not wait for you to say I might.
