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ROXANE:

I'll walk you out.

[The DUKE bows to LE BRET and goes with ROXANE toward the steps.]

DUKE:

[pausing, while she goes up] It's true. I do envy him sometimes. When a man's life is full of success, even though he hasn't acted wrongly, he still feels a thousand self-disgusts. It's not necessarily remorse he feels, but a dim, vague uneasiness. And, as he mounts the steps of worldly fame, he sometimes hears the sounds of dead illusions and vain regrets whispering and rustling among the folds of his fur-lined cloak, just as your mourning robe sweeps the dying autumn leaves in its train as you mount the terrace steps.

ROXANE:

[ironically] My, you're in a thoughtful mood!

DUKE:

I am. [suddenly, as he is going out] Monsieur Le Bret! [to ROXANE] Will you excuse me for a moment while I have a word with him? [He goes to LE BRET and speaks in a low voice.] It's true that no one dares to attack your friend, but many do hate him. Yesterday, during a card game at court, I heard someone say, “That Cyrano may die by accident someday soon!” Tell him to be prudent and stay indoors!

LE BRET:

[raising his arms to heaven] Prudent! Him? He's coming here today. I'll warn him, but—

ROXANE:

[who has stayed on the steps, to a SISTER who comes toward her] What is it?

SISTER:

Ragueneau would like to see you, Madame.

ROXANE:

Let him in. [to the DUKE and LE BRET] He comes to tell me his troubles. Ever since he became an author, he's had to take jobs as a singer…

LE BRET:

A bathhouse attendant…

ROXANE:

An actor…

LE BRET:

A beadle…

ROXANE:

Wig-maker…

LE BRET:

Lute-teacher…

ROXANE:

I wonder what he'll be today.

RAGUENEAU:

[entering hurriedly] Ah! Madame! [He sees LE BRET.] Ah! And you, Sir!

ROXANE:

[smiling] Tell Le Bret all your troubles. I shall return shortly.

RAGUENEAU:

But, Madame…

[ROXANE goes out with the DUKE. RAGUENEAU goes toward LE BRET.]

• sensible, wise
• one who delivers public announcements; a town crier

1. Notes
2. Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights
3. Dedication
4. Dramatis Personae
5. Act I
   1. A Performance at the Hotel de Bourgogne
   2. Scene I
   3. Scene II
   4. Scene III
   5. Scene IV
   6. Scene V
   7. Scene VI
   8. Scene VII
6. Act II
   1. The Poet's Eating-House
   2. Scene I
   3. Scene II
   4. Scene III
   5. Scene IV
   6. Scene V
   7. Scene VI
   8. Scene VII
   9. Scene VIII
   10. Scene IX
   11. Scene X
   12. Scene XI
7. Act III
   1. Roxane's Kiss
   2. Scene I
   3. Scene II
   4. Scene III
   5. Scene IV
   6. Scene V
   7. Scene VI
   8. Scene VII
   9. Scene VIII
   10. Scene IX
   11. Scene X
   12. Scene XI
   13. Scene XII
8. Act IV
   1. The Cadets of Gascony
   2. Scene I
   3. Scene II
   4. Scene III
   5. Scene IV
   6. Scene V
   7. Scene VI
   8. Scene VII
   9. Scene VIII
   10. Scene IX
   11. Scene X
9. Act V
   1. Cyrano's Gazette
   2. Scene I
   3. Scene II
   4. Scene III
   5. Scene IV
   6. Scene V
   7. Scene VI
10. Copyright