age his hand, which Roxane on her knees is holding):
But, Roxane, hark, they fight!

ROXANE (detaining him):
Stay yet awhile.
For he is dead. You knew him, you alone.
(Weeping quietly):
Ah, was not his a beauteous soul, a soul
Wondrous!

CYRANO (standing up--bareheaded):
Ay, Roxane.

ROXANE:
An inspired poet?

CYRANO:
Ay, Roxane.

ROXANE:
And a mind sublime?

CYRANO:
Oh, yes!

ROXANE:
A heart too deep for common minds to plumb,
A spirit subtle, charming?

CYRANO (firmly):
Ay, Roxane.

ROXANE (flinging herself on the dead body):
Dead, my love!

CYRANO (aside--drawing his sword):
Ay, and let me die to-day,
Since, all unconscious, she mourns me--in him!

(Sounds of trumpets in the distance.)

DE GUICHE (appearing on the ramparts--bareheaded--with a wound on his
forehead--in a voice of thunder):
It is the signal! Trumpet flourishes!
The French bring the provisions into camp!
Hold but the place awhile!

ROXANE:
See, there is blood
Upon the letter--tears!

A VOICE (outside--shouting):
Surrender!

VOICE OF CADETS:
No!

RAGUENEAU (standing on the top of his carriage, watches the battle over the
edge of the ramparts):
The danger's ever greater!

CYRANO (to De Guiche--pointing to Roxane):
I will charge!
Take her away!

ROXANE (kissing the letter--in a half-extinguished voice):
O God! his tears! his blood!. . .

RAGUENEAU (jumping down from the carriage and rushing toward her):
She's swooned away!

DE GUICHE (on the rampart--to the cadets--with fury):
Stand fast!

A VOICE (outside):
Lay down your arms!

THE CADETS:
No!

CYRANO (to De Guiche):
Now that you have proved your valor, Sir,
(Pointing to Roxane):
Fly, and save her!

DE GUICHE (rushing to Roxane, and carrying her away in his arms):
So be it! Gain but time,
The victory's ours!

CYRANO:
Good.
(Calling out to Roxane, whom De Guiche, aided by Ragueneau, is bearing away in
a fainting condition):
Farewell, Roxane!

(Tumult. Shouts. Cadets reappear, wounded, falling on the scene. Cyrano,
rushing to the battle, is stopped by Carbon de Castel-Jaloux, who is streaming
with blood.)

CARBON:
We are breaking! I am wounded--wounded twice!

CYRANO (shouting to the Gascons):
GASCONS! HO, GASCONS! NEVER TURN YOUR BACKS!
(To Carbon, whom he is supporting):
Have no fear! I have two deaths to avenge:
My friend who's slain;--and my dea