Note 27 — SCENE VI.

Note.—"It" here is Death (feminine in French). The personifying he somewhat customary in English poetry, was set aside, and the neuter gender was intentionally preserved, because, being more vague, it better represents the terror-striking unknown, and is more expressive of Cyrano's daring contempt and repulsion for a loathsome thing. Cyrano, who put to flight one hundred men, could not be expected to fear a person, much less a personification.