[Scene 2.IX.]
Cyrano, Le Bret, the cadets, Christian de Neuvillette.
A CADET (seated at a table, glass in hand):
Cyrano!
(Cyrano turns round):
The story!
CYRANO:
In its time!
(He goes up on Le Bret’s arm. They talk in low voices.)
THE CADET (rising and coming down):
The story of the fray! ’Twill lesson well
(He stops before the table where Christian is seated):
This timid young apprentice!
CHRISTIAN (raising his head):
’Prentice! Who?
ANOTHER CADET:
This sickly Northern greenhorn!
CHRISTIAN:
Sickly!
FIRST CADET (mockingly):
Hark!
Monsieur de Neuvillette, this in your ear:
There’s somewhat here, one no more dares to name,
Than to say ‘rope’ to one whose sire was hanged!