Act 5 - Cyrano de Bergerac - Edmond Rostand

View our full collection of podcasts at our website: https://www.solgoodmedia.com
or YouTube channel: https://www.solgood.org/subscribe

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Act five Serrano's Gazete fifteen years laterin sixteen fifty five, Park of the
Sisters of the Holy Cross in Paris, magnificent trees. On the left the
house broad steps onto which opened severaldoors, an enormous plane tree in the
middle of the stage, standing aloneon the right, among big boxwood trees,

(00:22):
a semicircular stone bench. The wholebackground of the stage is crossed by
an alley of chestnut trees, leadingon the right hand to the door of
a chapel. Seen through the branches. Through the double row of trees of
this alley are seen lawns are thealleys, clusters of trees winding of the
park the sky. The chapel opensby a little side door on to a

(00:43):
colonnade, which is wreathed with autumnleaves and is lost to view a little
farther on in the right hand foreground, behind the boxwood, it is autumn.
All the foliages read against the freshgreen of the lawns. The green
boxwood and the ewes stand out darkunder each tree a patch of yellow leaves.
The stage is strewn with dead leaves, which rustle under foot in the

(01:07):
alleys, and after cover the stepsand benches. Between the benches on the
right hand and the tree, alarge embroidery frame in front of which a
little check has been set, basketsfull of skeins and balls of wool.
A tapestry began at the rising ofthe curtain. Nuns are walking to and
fro in the park. Some areseated on the bench around an older sister.

(01:30):
The leaves are falling. Scene oneMother Marguerite, Sister Martha, Sister
Claire, other sisters. Sister Marthato Mother Marguerite, Sister Claire glanced in
the mirror one snake twice to seeif her coft suited. To Sister Clare
tis not well. But I sawsister Martha take a plum out of the

(01:51):
chart. To Sister Martha. Thatwas ill done, my sister. A
little glance and such a little plum. I shall tell this to Monsieur Cyrano.
Nay, prithee do not he willmock. He'll say, we nuns
are vain and greedy, smiling,ay and kind. Is it not true?
Pray Mother Marguerite, that he hascome each week on Saturday for ten

(02:15):
years to the convent Aye and moreever since fourteen years ago, the day
his cousin brought here midst Our Woolenquaffs the worldly mourning of her widow's veil
like a blackbird's wing among the conventdoves. He only has the skill to
turn her mind from grief and softenedyet by time and healed. He is

(02:38):
so droll, it's cheerful when hecomes, he teases us. But we
all like him well, we makehim pastis Evangelica. But he is not
a faithful Catholic. We will converthim. Yes, yes, I forbid
my daughter, as you attempt thatsubject. Nay weary him not. He
might less oft come here, ButGod, nay never fear. God knows

(03:01):
him well. But every Saturday whenhe arrives, he tells me, sister,
i'd meet on Friday, says he'sso well. The last time he
came, food had not passed hislips for two whole days. Mother.
He's poor? Who told you so, dear mother? Monsieur Lebrey. None
help him, he permits not.In an alley at the back, Roxa

(03:25):
appears dressed in black, where thewidow's quite unveiled. De Guiche, imposing
looking and visibly aged, walks byher side. They saunter slowly. Mother
Maverie thriss, tis time we goin. Madame Madeleine walks in the garden
with a visitor to Sister Claire ina low voice. Marshal of Grammont looking

(03:46):
at him, tis he, Ithink, tis many months now since he
came to see her. He's sobusy the court, the camp, the
world. They go out. DeGuiche and Roxa come forward in silence and
stop close to the embroidery frame sceneto Rosa, the Duke Dugamo, formerly
Conde Guiche, then Debray and Dragonu. And you stay here, still,

(04:12):
ever vainly fair, ever in weeds, ever still faithful. Still. After
a pause, am I you forgivenI? Since I am here another pass?
His was a soul, you say, ah, when you knew him?
Ah? Maybe I perchance too littleknew him and his last letter.

(04:38):
Ever next, your heart hung fromthis chain, a gentle scapulary and dead.
You love him still at times,meseems he is but partly dead.
Our hearts still speak as if hislove still living, wrapped me round.
After another pause, Sirano comes tosee you often, I dear kind old

(05:02):
friend. We call him my gazette. He never fails to come beneath this
tree they place his chair. Ifit'd be fine, I wait, I
broider. The clock strikes at thelast stroke, I hear for now.
I never turn to look, toosure to hear his cane tap down the

(05:23):
steps. He seats himself with gentleraillery. He marks my tapestry. That's
never done. He tells me allthe gossip of the week. Lebre appears
on the steps. Why here's lebrelibre dis sense? How goes it with
our friend U very ill? Howto the duke? He exaggerates all that

(05:44):
I prophesied desertion. Want his littersnow make him fresh enemies attacking the sham,
noble's sham, devout sham, breathethe thieving authors all the world.
Ah, but his sword still holdssmall in check. Nne get the better
of him. Shaking his head timewill show. Ah, but I fear

(06:09):
for him, not man's attack,solitude, hunger, cold December days that
wolf like steel into his chamber,drear low the assassins that I fear for
him. Each day he tightens byone hole his belt. That poor nose

(06:29):
tinted like old ivory. He hasretained one shabby suit of surge. I
there is one who has no prizeof fortune, yet is not to be
pitied with a bitter smile, myLord Marshal, pity him not. He
has lived out his vows, freein his thoughts as in his actions,

(06:55):
free in the same dawn. MyLord True, I have all and he
has naught. Yet I were proudto take his hand. Boing de Rosa,
adieu, I go with you,the new boast de labree and goes
the Roxan toward the steps, passingwhile she goes up. Ay, True,

(07:17):
I envy him. Look you whenlife is brimful of success, though
the past hold no action foul,one feels a thousand self disgusts, of
which the sum is not remorse buta dim, vague unrest. And as

(07:38):
one mounts the steps of worldly fame, the Duke's furred mantles trail within their
folds, a sound of dead illusions, vain regrets, a rustle scarce,
a whisper like as when mounting theterrace steps by your mourning robe sweeps in

(08:00):
its train, the dying autumn leavesyou are pensive. True, I am,
as he is going out saidden lyeMonsieur le Brett to Roxin a word,
with your permission. He goes toLibris and, in a low voice,
true that none dare to attack yourfriend, but many hate him.

(08:22):
Yesterday at the Queen's Current Play,twas said that Sirano may die by accident.
Let him stay in, be prudent, raising his arms to Heaven.
Prudent. He he's coming here.I'll warn him. But Roxin, who

(08:43):
has stayed on the steps to asister, who comes toward her. What
is it? Regine would see you, Madame? Let him come to the
Duke and debris. He comes totell his troubles, having been an author,
save the mark poor fellow. Nowby turns he's singer, bathing man,
an actor, beadle wigmaker, teacherof the lute. What will he

(09:07):
be today? By chance? Raganuentering Madame, he sees Ah you here,
sir, smiling, tell all yourmiseries to him. I will return
Anon, But Madame goes out withthe duke, goes towards lebre Scene three.

(09:28):
Since you are here, tis bestshe should not know. I was
going to your friend just now,was but a few steps from the house
when I saw him go out.I hurried to him, saw him turn
the corner suddenly from out a windowwhere he was passing. Was it chance,
maybe a lackey let fall a largepiece of wood? Cowards? Oh,

(09:52):
I ran, I saw he's hideous, saw our poets, Sir,
our friend struck to the ground,a large wound in his head. He's
dead. No, but I borehim to his room. Ah, his
room, What a thing to seethat garret. He suffers. No,
his consciousness has flown. So youare doctor One was kind, he came,

(10:16):
my poor Sila. No, wemust not tell this to Roxanne.
Suddenly, what said this? Leechsaid? What I know not fever meningitis?
Ah? Could you see him allhis head bound up? But let
us haste. There was no oneby his bed, and if he tried
to rise, Sir, he mightdie. Dragging him toward the right hum

(10:39):
through the chapel tis the quickest way. Appearing on the steps and seeing Lebre
go away by the colonel leading tothe chapel door, Monsieur Lebrey, Lebre
and Dragoneu disappeared without answering. Lebregoes. When I call tis some new
trouble of good Ragoneau's She distanced thesteps scene for Rosa alone. Two sisters

(11:03):
for a moment, Ah, whata beauty in September's clothes. My sorrow's
eased, April's joy dazzled it,but Autumn wins it with her dying calm.
She seats herself at the embroidery frame. Two sisters come out of the
house and bring a large armchair underthe tree. There comes the famous arm

(11:24):
chair where he sits, dear faithfulfriend, it is the parlor's best.
Thanks sister. The sisters go,He'll be here now. She seats herself.
A clock strikes, the hour strikes, my silks, Why now the
hours struck? How strange to bebehind his time at last? Today?

(11:48):
Perhaps the portress where's my thimble here? Is preaching to him? A pause,
Yes, she must be preaching.Surely he must come. Ah,
a dead leaf. She brushes offthe leaf from her work. Nothing besides
could scissors in my bag could hinderhim? Second sister coming to the steps

(12:13):
Monsieur de bergerac scene five roxa serranoand for a moment, sister Martha,
without turning round, what was Isaying? She embroiders sirrano very pale he
sat, pulled down over his eyesappears the sister who had announced him retires.

(12:33):
He discenced the steps slowly, witha visible difficulty in holding himself upright,
bearing heavily on his cane. Roxastill works at her tapestry. Time
has dimmed the tints. How harmonizethem? Now to Sirrano with playful reproach
for the first time, late,for the first time all these fourteen years,

(12:58):
Sah, who has succeeded in reachingthe chair and has seated himself in
a lively voice, which is ingreat contrast with his pale face. Ay,
it is villainous. I raged orstayed by a bold, unwelcome visitor
absently working some creditor, I cousin, the last creditor who has a debt

(13:22):
to claim from me, and youhave paid it. No, not yet,
I put it off, said,cry you mercy. This is Saturday,
when I have get a standing rendezvous. That not the furs call in
an hour's time. Oh well,a creditor can always wait. I shall
not let you go, or twilightfalls happily perforce, I quit you ere

(13:43):
it falls. He shuts his eyesunder silent for a moment sister Martha crosses
the park from the chapel to theflight of steps. Rosa, seeing her,
signs to her to approach to Serrano. How now you have not he's
the sister, hastily opening his eyes. True. In a comically low voice,

(14:05):
sister, come here. The sisterglides up to him. Ha ha
what those bright eyes bent ever onthe ground, Sister Martha, who makes
a movement of astonishment on seeing hisface. Oh, in a whisper,
pointing to Rosa, hush tis notloudly, in a blustering voice, I

(14:26):
broke fast yesterday. Aside. Iknow, I know that's how he is
so pale. Come presently to thefactory. I'll make you drink a famous
bowl of soup. You'll come,aye, aye, fare see you are
more reasonable today. Who hears themwhispering the sister would convert you. Nay
not I old, but it's true. You preach to me no more,

(14:48):
you once so glib with holy words. I am astonished. Stay. I
will surprise you too, hark,I permit you. He pretends to be
king for something, to teaserve itand to have funded it is something new
to pray for me tonight at chapeltime. Oh, oh good, sister

(15:11):
Martha is struck dumb gently, Idid not wait your leave to pray for
you. She goes out, turningto Roxom, who is still bending over
her work. That tapestry be shrewme if my eyes will ever see it
finished. I was sure to hearthat well known jest. A light breeze
causes the leaves to fall, theautumn leaves, lifting her head and looking

(15:37):
down the distant alley, soft goldenbrown like a Venetian's hair. See how
they fall, I see how bravethey fall in their last journey downward from
the bow, Who rot within theclay, yet lovely, still hiding the
horror of the last decay, withall the wayward grace of careless flight.

(15:58):
What melank Hollie you collecting himself?Nay, nay, rock Sanne. Then
let the dead leaves fall the waythey will, and chat, what have
you nothing new to tell my courtgazette. Listen, Ah growing whiter and
whiter. Saturday, the nineteenth,having eaten to excess of pair conserve,

(16:22):
the king felt feverish. The lancetquelled this treasonable revolt, and the August
pulse beats at normal pace. Atthe Queen's ball on Sunday, thirty score
of best white waxen tapers were consumed. Our troops, they say, have
chased the Austrians. Four sorcerers werehanged. The little dog of Madame Detis

(16:48):
took a dose. I bid youhold your tongue, Monsieur de Bergerac.
Monday, not much Claire changed Protector, oh, whose face changes more and
more. Tuesday the court repaired toFontainebleau. Wednesday, the mont Glad said
to Comte de Fiesca, no,Thursday, Mancini, Queen of France.

(17:11):
Almost Friday the mon Glad to CountFiska said yes. And Saturday, the
twenty sixth, he closes his eyes, he said, falls forward silence,
surprised that his voice seizing, turnsaround, looks at him and rising terrified,
he swoons. She runs toward him, crying. Sarah now opening his

(17:33):
eyes in an unconcerned voice. Whatis this? He sees Roquesa bending over
him, and he's steely, pressinghis hat on his head and shrinking back
in his chair. Nay, onmy word, tis nothing. Let me
be but that old wound of arras. Sometimes, as you know, dear
friend, tis nothing to pass soon, he smiles with an effort. See

(17:57):
it has passed. Each of ushas his wound. I I have mine,
never healed up, not healed yet, my old wound. She puts
her hand on her breast. Tishere beneath this letter, brown with age,
all stained with tear drops, andstill stained with blood. Twilight begins

(18:19):
to fall his letter. Ah,you promised me one day that I should
read it. What would you hisletter? Yes, I would feign today.
Giving the bag hung at her neck, see here it is taking it.
Have I your leave to open?Open? Read? She comes back

(18:41):
to a tapestry theme, holds itup, salts her wolves, reading rocks.
An I do. I soon mustdie this very night, beloved,
and I feel my soul heavy withlove. Untold, I die no more
as in days of old. Myloving, longing eyes will feast on your

(19:03):
least gesture. I the least.I mind me the way you touch your
cheek with your finger softly as youspeak. Ah me, I know that
gesture. Well. My heart criesout. I cry very well. But
how you read that letter? Onewould think, continuing to read my life,

(19:29):
my love, my jewel, mysweet, my heart has been yours
and heavy beat, the shades ofevening fall imperceptibly. You read in such
a voice, so strange, andyet it is not the first time I
hear that voice. She comes nearer, very softly, without his perceiving it,

(19:53):
passes behind his chair and noiselessly,leaning over him, looks at the
letter. The must deepense, heredying and there in the land on high.
I am he who loved, wholoves you, I, putting her
hand on his shoulder. How canyou read? It is too dark to

(20:14):
see? He starts duns Caesar closeto him. Suddenly alarmed, he holds
his head down. Then, inthe dusk which has now completely enfolded them,
she says, very slowly, withclasped hands, and fourteen years long
he has played this part of thekind old friend who comes to laugh and

(20:36):
chat. Roxanne, twas you.No, never, Roxanne, No,
I should have guessed each time hesaid my name. No, it was
not I. It was you.I swear I see through all the generous
counterfeit, the letters you know,the sweet mad love words you no,

(21:00):
the voice that thrilled the night youyou, I swear you air the soul
It was your soul. I lovedyou. Not you loved me, not
twas he you loved me. No, see how you falter now? No,

(21:21):
my sweet love, I never lovedyou. Things dead, long dead,
see how they rise again? Whywhy keith silence all these fourteen years
when on this letter which he neverwrote, the tears were your tears holding
out the letter to her, thebloodstains were his. Why then, that

(21:47):
noble silence kept so long broken todayfor the first time? Why why Lubre
and Ragoneau end a running scene sixthe scene Lebre and Draganon. What a
madness here? I knew it well, smiling, I'm sitting up. What

(22:07):
now he has brought his death bycoming? Madame God? Ah, then
that faintness of a moment? Sincewhy true? It interrupted The Gazette,
Saturday twenty six at dinner time,assassination of du Bougera. He takes off
his hat, de see his headbandaged? What says he? Sarah?

(22:30):
No, his head all bound?Oh what has chanced? How who to
be struck down pierced by sword ofthe heart from a hero's hand that I
had dreamed? Oh, mockery offate killed I of all men? In
Ambuscade struck from behind and by alackey's hand. Is very well. I

(22:56):
am foiled, foiled in all,even in my death, ah, Monsieur,
holding up his hand to him.No, weep, not so bitterly.
What do you now, old,comrade trim the lights for Moliere's stage.
Moliere, Yes, but I shallleave tomorrow. I cannot bear it.

(23:18):
Yesterday they played Escaping. I sawhe thieved a scene from you.
What the whole scene? Oh yes, indeed, Monsieur, the famous one
could fair Moliere has stolen that cut. He did well. I went the
scene it told I think it toldsobbing aha, they laughed. Look you,

(23:41):
it was my life to be theprompter. Everyone forgets that night whenneath
your window Christian spoke under your balcony, you remember, well, there was
the allegory of my whole life.I in the shadow at the latter's foot,
well others lightly mount to love andfame, just very just here on

(24:04):
the threshold drear of death. Ipay my tribute with the rest to Moliere's
genius, Chris Jan's fair face.The chapel bell chimes. The nuns are
seen passing down the alley at theback to say their office. Let them
go, pray, go pray.When the bell rings, rising and calling

(24:27):
sister, sister, holding her fast, call no one leave me, not
when you come back, I shouldbe gone for I. The nuns have
all entered the chapel. The organsounds. I was somewhat fain for music.
Hark tis come live, for Ilove you. No. In fairy

(24:48):
tales, when to the ill starredprince, the lady says, I'd love
you all. His ugliness fades fast, but I remain the same up to
the last. I have marred yourlife. I I you blessed my life.
Never on me had rested woman's love. My mother even could not find

(25:11):
me fair. I had no sister, and when grown a man, I
feared the mistress who would market me. But I have had your friendship.
Grace to you. A woman's charmhas passed across my path. Pointing to
the moon, which is seeing betweenthe priests. Your other lady love is
come smiling. I see I loved, But once yet twice I lose my

(25:37):
love. Hark you, librey.I soon shall reach the moon tonight alone
with no projectile's aid. What areyou saying? I tell you it is
there there that they send me formy paradise. There I shall find at
last the souls I love in exile. Galileo Socrates. No, no,

(26:00):
it is too clumsy, too unjust, so great a heart, so great
a poet die like this? Whatdie? Hark to Librey whose golds,
dear friend starting up his eyes wild? What hoe cadets of Gascony, the

(26:22):
elemental mass Ah Yes, the episidestool he raves. Copernicus said, Oh
may could diablaid Latil fair couldable Latilfair Ton, said Gallaire, philosopher,
metaphysician, rhymer, brawler and musician, famed for his lunar expedition and the

(26:45):
outnumbered duels he fought and love her. Also by interposition, here lies accused
Savienne Desier Renauld de Bergerac, whowas everything yet was not. I cry
your pardon, but I may notstay see the moonway that comes to call
me. Hence he has fallen backin his chair. The sobs of Rosa

(27:07):
recall him to reality. He lookslong at her, untouching her veil.
I would not bid you more andless faithfully, that good brave Christ John.
I would only ask that when mybody should be cold and clay.
You wear those sable mourning weeds fortwo and more in a while for me
in mourning him, I swear atyou, shivering violently, then suddenly rising,

(27:32):
not there what seated? No?They spring toward him. Let no
one hold me up. He propshimself against the tree, only the tree.
Silence it comes even now My feethave turned a stone. My hands
are gloved with lead. He standserect. But since death comes, I

(27:52):
meet him still afoot. He drawshis sword and sword in hand. Sur
no, ha fainting Sarah, No, I'll shrink back in terror. Why
I well believe he dares to mockmy nose? Oh, insolent? He
raises his sword. What say you? It is useless? Aye? I

(28:15):
know, but who fights ever hopingfor success? I fought for lost cause
and for fruitless quest. You there, who are you? You are thousands?
Ah? I know you now,old enemies of mine? Falsehood.
He strikes an air with his sword. Have at you, ah, and
compromise, prejudice, treachery. Hestrikes surrender. I parley no, never,

(28:41):
you too, folly you. Iknow that you will lay me low
at last. Let be yet Ifall, fighting fighting still, he makes
basses in the air and stops breathless. You strip from me, the laurel
and the rose take all despite you. There is yet one thing I hold
against you all. And when tonightI entered Christ's fair courts and lowly bowed

(29:07):
sweet with daft cask, the heavensthreshold blue, one thing is left,
that void of Stainer's much I bearaway despite you. He springs forward,
is so raised it falls from hishand. He staggers, falls back into
the arms of Lebrey and Dragon Rosa, bending and kissing his forehead, opening

(29:33):
his eyes, recognizing her and smiling. My panache curtain. End of Act
five, end of Serrano the Bergerac