How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line)
Quote #10
CYRANO
Captain?
CARBON
Our troop being all present, be so kind
As to present them to the Comte de Guiche!
CYRANO
The Cadets of Gascoyne—the defenders
Of Carbon de Castel-Jaloux:
Free fighters, free lovers, free spenders—
The Cadets of Gascoyne—the defenders
Of old homes, old names, and old splendors—
A proud and a pestilent crew!
The Cadets of Gascoyne, the defenders
Of Carbon de Castel-Jaloux.
Hawk eyed, they stare down all contenders—
The wolf bares his fangs as they do—
Make way there, you fat money-lenders!
(Hawk eyed, they stare down all contenders)
Old boots that have been to the menders,
Old cloaks that are worn through and through—
Hawk eyed, they stare down all contenders!—
The wolf bares his fangs as they do!
Skull-breakers they are, and sword-benders;
Red blood is their favorite brew;
Hot haters and loyal befrienders,
Skull-breakers they are, and sword-benders.
Wherever a quarrel engenders,
They’re read and waiting for you!
Skull-breakers they are, and sword-benders;
Red blood is their favorite brew!
Behold them, our Gascon defenders
Who win every woman they woo!
There’s never a dame but surrenders—
Behold them, our Gascon defenders!
Young wives who are clever pretenders—
Old husbands who house the cuckoo—
Behold them—our Gascon defenders
Who win every woman they woo! (II.296-329)
This whole scene has an aura of artifice in it because Cyrano makes up a perfectly rhymed song in the moment. Again, even the most impromptu of moments seems overblown and scripted in the "reality" we see up onstage.
Quote #11
CYRANO
I marched on, all alone
To meet those devils. Overhead, the moon
Hung like a gold watch at the fob of heaven,
Till suddenly some Angel rubbed a cloud,
As it might be his handkerchief, across
The shining crystal, and—the night came down.
No lamps in those back streets—It was so dark— (II.483-489)
Cyrano’s recounting of his adventures the night before is presented in overwrought, poetical language. Perhaps this is part of the reason why Christian begins to insult Cyrano so doggedly; he is sick of hearing such pretentious stories lionized.
Quote #12
CYRANO (passionately, moves nearer.)
How should it be?
I have another voice—my own,
Myself, daring—
(he stops, confused; then tries to recover himself.)
Where was I?... I forget!...
Forgive me. This is all sweet like a dream…
Strange—like a dream…
ROXANE
How, strange? (III.263-268)
Cyrano’s passion is so feverish that he feels as if he is living a dream. This whole passage evokes a languid and surreal feeling that renders it decidedly unrealistic.