ve now effaced
That beauty that so won me at the outset.
Now I see clearer--and I no more see it!

CHRISTIAN:
Oh!. . .

ROXANE:
You are doubtful of such victory?

CHRISTIAN (pained):
Roxane!

ROXANE:
I see you cannot yet believe it.
Such love. . .?

CHRISTIAN:
I do not ask such love as that!
I would be loved more simply; for. . .

ROXANE:
For that
Which they have all in turns loved in thee?--
Shame!
Oh! be loved henceforth in a better way!

CHRISTIAN:
No! the first love was best!

ROXANE:
Ah! how you err!
'Tis now that I love best--love well! 'Tis that
Which is thy true self, see!--that I adore!
Were your brilliance dimmed. . .

CHRISTIAN:
Hush!

ROXANE:
I should love still!
Ay, if your beauty should to-day depart. . .

CHRISTIAN:
Say not so!

ROXANE:
Ay, I say it!

CHRISTIAN:
Ugly? How?

ROXANE:
Ugly! I swear I'd love you still!

CHRISTIAN:
My God!

ROXANE:
Are you content at last?

CHRISTIAN (in a choked voice):
Ay!. . .

ROXANE:
What is wrong?

CHRISTIAN (gently pushing her away):
Nothing. . .I have two words to say:--one second. . .

ROXANE:
But?. . .

CHRISTIAN (pointing to the cadets):
Those poor fellows, shortly doomed to death,--
My love deprives them of the sight of you:
Go,--speak to them--smile on them ere they die!

ROXANE (deeply affected):
Dear Christian!. . .

(She goes up to the cadets, who respectfully crowd round her.)

Scene 4.IX.

Christian, Cyrano. At back Roxane talking to Carbon and some cadets.

CHRISTIAN (calling toward Cyrano's tent):
Cyrano!

CYRANO (reappearing, fully armed):
What? Why so pale?

CHRISTIAN:
She does not love me!

CYRANO:
What?

CHRISTIAN:
'Tis you she loves!

CYRANO:
No!

CHRISTIAN:
--For she loves me only for my soul!

CYRANO:
Truly?

CHRISTIAN:
Yes! Thus--you see, that soul is you,. . .
Therefore, 'tis you she loves!--And you--love her!

CYRANO:
I?

CHRISTIAN:
Oh, I know it!

CYRANO:
Ay, 'tis true!

CHRISTIAN:
You love
To madness!

CYRANO:
Ay! and worse!

CHRISTIAN:
Then tell her so!

CYRANO:
No!

CHRISTIAN:
And why not?

CYRANO:
Look at my face!--be answered!

CHRISTIAN:
She'd love me--were I ugly.

CYRANO:
Said she so?

CHRISTIAN:
Ay! in those words!

CYRANO:
I'm glad she told you that!
But pooh!--believe it not! I am well please