Scene 5.III.

Le Bret, Ragueneau.

RAGUENEAU:
Since you are here, 'tis best she 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 window
Where he was passing--was it chance?. . .may be!
A lackey let fall a large piece of wood.

LE BRET:
Cowards! O Cyrano!

RAGUENEAU:
I ran--I saw. . .

LE BRET:
'Tis hideous!

RAGUENEAU:
Saw our poet, Sir--our friend--
Struck to the ground--a large wound in his head!

LE BRET:
He's dead?

RAGUENEAU:
No--but--I bore him to his room. . .
Ah! his room! What a thing to see!--that garret!

LE BRET:
He suffers?

RAGUENEAU:
No, his consciousness has flown.

LE BRET:
Saw you a doctor?

RAGUENEAU:
One was kind--he came.

LE BRET:
My poor Cyrano!--We must not tell this
To Roxane suddenly.--What said this leech?--

RAGUENEAU:
Said,--what, I know not--fever, meningitis!--
Ah! could you see him--all his head bound up!--
But let us haste!--There's no one by his bed!--
And if he try to rise, Sir, he might die!

LE BRET (dragging him toward the right):
Come! Through the chapel! 'Tis the quickest way!

ROXANE (appearing on the steps, and seeing Le Bret go away by the colonnade leading to the chapel door):
Monsieur le Bret!
(Le Bret and Ragueneau disappear without answering):
Le Bret goes--when I call!
'Tis some new trouble of good Ragueneau's.

(She descends the steps.)