This Sentence being pronounced, I was taken away out of the Palace, richly Cloathed; but in derision, carried in a magnificent Chariot, as on a Tribunal, which four Princes in Harness drew; and in all the publick places of the Town, I was forced to make this Declaration:
"Good People, I declare to you, That this Moon here is not a Moon, but a World; and that that World below is not a World, but a Moon: This the Council thinks fit you should believe."
[1] Drumming, striking; cf. Nahum ii. 7: "And her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabouring upon their breasts."
[2] Cyrano writes all proper names by musical notation, in imitation of the language of the moon as he has described it.
[3] Possibly "field officers" here; in exact ranking, the Maréchal de Camp stands between Colonel and Lieutenant-Général, and corresponds to Brigadier-General.
[4] Fencing sword. Cf. Shakspere, Hamlet:
"If he by chance escape your venomed tuck."
[5] Cf. [P. 95, n. 1].
[6] Folly, foolishness, ridiculous belief. Cf. Shakspere. Merry Wives of Windsor: "... drove the grossness of the foppery into a received belief."