Act 3 — SCENE IX.
Charles Renauld translation
CYRANO, CHRISTIAN, ROXANE.
ROXANE (coming out on the balcony).
Is it you?—Yes.... What were we speaking of?.... oh! of a.... well, of....
CYRANO.
A kiss! The word is soft. Why hesitate? The name, be sure, will not maltreat your lips, However burning be the thing itself.— Just now, you left the trifling mood, to glide, To steal from smile to sigh, and sigh to tears. Glide on!.... From tear to kiss there's but a thrill!
ROXANE.
Be silent!
CYRANO.
After all, what is a kiss? An oath that's given closer than before; A promise more precise; the sealing of Confessions that till then were barely breathed; A ruby O to spell the verb: I love![21] A secret that's confided to a mouth And not to ears; a precious moment of Infinity that buzzes like a bee; Communion with the fragrance flowers have; A gentle way for heart to breathe a heart, For soul from fervid lips to drink a soul!
ROXANE.
Be still!
CYRANO.
A kiss is oft a thing so grand That once a queen of France permitted one Unto a happy lord. I said: a queen!
ROXANE.
And then?
CYRANO (excited).
Like Buckingham, I've suffered long; Like him I love a queen, the one that's you! Like him, I'm sad and faithful....
ROXANE.
And like him You've beauty.
CYRANO (aside, abashed).
Yes.... I've beauty.... I forgot!
ROXANE.
Well, then, come up, to cull the flower....
CYRANO (pushing Christian toward the balcony).
Go!
ROXANE.
Whose fragrance....
CYRANO (to Christian).
Go!
ROXANE.
The buzzing of the bee....
CYRANO (to Christian).
Go up!
CHRISTIAN (hesitating).
But now, it really seems a crime!
ROXANE.
A moment of infinity....
CYRANO (pushing Christian).
You fool, Go up!
(Christian, by aid of bench, vines and posts, reaches the balcony and steps over the railing.)
CHRISTIAN.
Roxane!....
(He clasps her to his breast and kisses her on the lips.)
CYRANO (aside).
What pinches so my heart?.... That kiss!.... a feast where I'm the Lazarus!.... Sweet feast, from thee there falls to me a crumb, Since on the lips Roxane mistakes, alas! She drinks the words that I just now pronounced!
(Sound of instruments.)
An air that's sad, a lively air!—The Monk!
(Affecting to run as if coming from a distance. In clear tone:)
Hello!
ROXANE.
What is it?
CYRANO.
It is I, Cyrano. I was passing.... Is Christian still here?
CHRISTIAN (as if astonished).
Why! it's Cyrano!
ROXANE.
How do you do, cousin?
CYRANO.
Cousin, how do you do?
ROXANE.
I'll come down.
(She disappears into the house. By the rear, enter the Monk.)
CHRISTIAN (perceiving him).
What! he again!
(He follows Roxane.)