[13] Note.—The spelling rime seems preferable to rhyme, since rime and rhythm are two very distinct things.
[14] Note.—The miserable pun on "puits" (well) was found possible to reproduce. Needless to add that this is ambitious confectioner's verse, intentionally nonsensical.
[15] Note.—Ridicuckoldulous would be an exact translation.
[16] Note.—The Duenna, like Roxane, is a "précieuse," an euphuist.
[17] Note.—This is a Gascon oath. Like the similar oaths following, it would if translated literally (Blood of God,) lose its picturesque and really innocent character. All of these are oath-sounds rather than oaths, and somewhat oath-evading, after the fashion of "goldarn it," in America.
[18] Note.—The name "Castel-Jaloux," in the original, being indicative of Gascon pride and superlativeness, it was thought better to translate it in order to preserve colour. But here arose the question: "Him" or "He" of Haughty-Hall? Both cases have their champions, with most excellent reasons. It was thought, however, that argument might be avoided and the line be made more effective by the insertion of a dash after "Carbon," thus leaving time for the imaginary interrogation: "What Carbon?" following which suspension, the answer is. "He of Haughty-Hall" is the Carbon meant.
[19] Note.—The text here, justified by a current French expression, would be too broad in English.
[20] Note.—In this tirade, and in the following one, you, thou and she are intentionally interwoven. When Cyrano is carried by his emotion, he passes from you to thou, which latter is, in French, familiar and endearing much more than in English. Then, reclaimed by reason and fearing that he has overstepped the bounds, he returns to the (in French) more formal you, or resorts to a discreet she, only to forget himself again and to resume the caressing thou.
[21] Note.—"Un point rose qu'on met sur l'i du verbe aimer."
"A ruby O"...., as above, may prove, it is thought, a good example of equivalence, the i, impossible here in English, finding in O a good substitute, calling up, if not exactly the very same image, at least a kindred one fully as good.