Act 3 — SCENE XII.
Charles Renauld translation
The same. ROXANE, CHRISTIAN, THE MONK, RAGUENEAU, LACKEYS, THE DUENNA.
GUICHE (to Roxane).
You, Roxane!
(Astounded on recognising Christian) and he?
(Bowing admiringly to Roxane.)
You are admirably shrewd!
(To Cyrano) My compliments to you, Sir, as an inventor. Your narrative would have stopped a saint at the gate of heaven! Do not forget to write that book!
CYRANO (bowing).
I promise, Sir, to follow your advice.
THE MONK (with an air of satisfaction calling Guiche's attention to the two lovers).
A beautiful couple, my son, and good work of yours!
GUICHE (very coldly).
Yes.
(to Roxane) Be good enough to bid farewell, Madam, to your husband.
ROXANE.
How so?
GUICHE (to Christian).
Your regiment is about to march. Join it immediately!
ROXANE.
Is it going to the war?
GUICHE.
Of course it is.
ROXANE.
But you said, Sir, that the Cadets were not going!
GUICHE.
They shall go!
(Drawing from his pocket the paper he had put into it.)
Here is the order.
(to Christian) Bear it yourself, Baron.
ROXANE (throwing herself into the arms of Christian).
Oh! dear Christian!
GUICHE (chuckling, to Cyrano).
A still very distant honeymoon!
CYRANO (aside).
A fact not so annoying to me as he thinks!
CHRISTIAN (to Roxane).
Another kiss! Your lips again!
CYRANO.
Come, that is enough! enough!
CHRISTIAN (still kissing Roxane).
It is very hard to leave her.... You do not know....
CYRANO (endeavouring to draw him away).
Oh! yes, I do!
(Drums beating a march, in the distance.)
GUICHE (who has gone up to the rear).
The troops are leaving!
ROXANE (to Cyrano, who is drawing away Christian while she is trying to hold him back).
Oh!.... I entrust him to you! Promise me that nothing shall endanger his life!
CYRANO.
I shall do my best.... but I can hardly promise....
ROXANE (still holding on to Christian).
Promise me that he shall be very prudent!
CYRANO.
I'll try, but as to promising....
ROXANE (still holding on).
That during this terrible siege he shall never be cold!
CYRANO.
If it is at all possible, but....
ROXANE (still holding on).
That he shall remain true to me!
CYRANO.
Yes! of course! But I cannot....
ROXANE (still holding on).
That he shall write to me often!
CYRANO (halting).
Oh! that—I promise you!
CURTAIN.
THIRD ACT.
