ieur!. . .

CYRANO (holding out his hand to him):
Ragueneau,
Weep not so bitterly!. . .What do you now,
Old comrade?

RAGUENEAU (amid his tears):
Trim the lights for Moliere's stage.

CYRANO:
Moliere!

RAGUENEAU:
Yes; but I shall leave to-morrow.
I cannot bear it!--Yesterday, they played
'Scapin'--I saw he'd thieved a scene from you!

LE BRET:
What! a whole scene?

RAGUENEAU:
Oh, yes, indeed, Monsieur,
The famous one, 'Que Diable allait-il faire?'

LE BRET:
Moliere has stolen that?

CYRANO:
Tut! He did well!. . .
(to Ragueneau):
How went the scene? It told--I think it told?

RAGUENEAU (sobbing):
Ah! how they laughed!

CYRANO:
Look you, it was my life
To be the prompter every one forgets!
(To Roxane):
That night when 'neath your window Christian spoke
--Under your balcony, you remember? Well!
There was the allegory of my whole life:
I, in the shadow, at the ladder's foot,
While others lightly mount to Love and Fame!
Just! very just! Here on the threshold drear
Of death, I pay my tribute with the rest,
To Moliere's genius,--Christian's fair face!
(The chapel-bell chimes. The nuns are seen passing down the alley at the
back, to say their office):
Let them go pray, go pray, when the bell rings!

ROXANE (rising and calling):
Sister! Sister!

CYRANO (holding her fast):
Call no one. Leave me not;
When you come back, I should be gone for aye.
(The nuns have all entered the chapel. The organ sounds):
I was somewhat fain for music--hark! 'tis come.

ROXANE:
Live, for I love you!

CYRANO:
No, In fairy tales
When to the ill-starred Prince the lady says
'I love you!' all his ugliness fades fast--
But I remain the same, up to the last!

ROXANE:
I have marred your life--I, I!

CYRANO:
You blessed my life!
Never on me had rested woman's love.
My mother even could not find me fair:
I had no sister; and, when grown a man,
I feared the mistress who would mock at me.
But I have had your friendship--grace to you
A woman's charm has passed across my path.

LE BRET (pointing to the moon, which is seen between the trees):
Your other lady-love is come.

CYRANO (smiling):
I see.

ROXANE:
I loved but once, yet twice I lose my love!

CYRANO:
Hark you, Le Bret! I soon shall reach the moon.
To-night, alone, with no projectile's aid!. . .

LE BRET:
What are you saying?

CYRANO:
I te