ACT THREE: SCENE TWO
CADET1:
I can't sleep!
CADET2:
I'm hungry!
CADET3:
I'm famished!
CADET4:
I'm starving!!
CARBON:
If only you would sleep!
CADET4:
To think that Cardinal Richelieu has four meals a day--
CADET5:
–and we're starving to death!
CARBON:
(calling into the fort)
Cyrano! Come out here!
CYRANO:
(from within)
What?
LE BRET:
They're at it again!
CYRANO:
Mordious!
(Comes back on stage)
What is wrong now? I'm beginning to understand how Moses felt when he led the Hebrews across the desert.
Should I build a golden calf to divulge your complaints to?
No; if I did, you would try eat it, wouldn't you?
CADETS:
We're so hungry!
CYRANO:
So am I–we're all hungry, so feed yourselves with other occupations. Here, Bertrandou, come and play your flute, one of those melancholy tunes you play for your sheep at home.
(He helps BERTRANDOU to his feet, and he begins to play his flute)
Now, Gascons, turn your minds to your home.
Just picture the lush green foothills of the Pyrenees,
With sun-soaked valleys of hallowed peace.
The birds sing this song as like angels they soar
Over mist-veiled fields to Garonne's glassy shore.
The country hills guard the shepherd and his sheep
And the quaint little towns where your families sleep.
They dream of the day when you'll all return home,
The day they'll rejoice in the courage you've shown.
(CADETS are all somber)
There now. Homesickness is a more noble hunger.
CHRISTIAN:
(to CYRANO)
You're turning them into pansies, man.
CYRANO:
Oh, I don't think so.
(Drums play offstage, and the CADETS immediately rise with their arms)
You see? A round on the drums is all that it takes to reawaken a warrior.
CADET1:
What's going on?
(Looks offstage)
Ah, it is only the arrival of Count de Guiche.
CADET2:
He looks livid, too.
CYRANO:
Come, Gascons–we cannot show our weakness to him! If he appears livid, then we will be vivid! Quickly, get out your cards and dice–I will read Socrates!