Cyrano de Bergerac (1990) - full transcript

15 sols!
I get in free.

Royal Household Cavalry.
You?

I don't pay!

I'm a musketeer.

It's the last time. Stay in the pit!

Come on.

You'll see great actors...

Montfleury, Bellerose...

The chandeliers!

What's the play?

Clorise.



Who's it by?

Baltazar Baro.

A masterpiece!

To think I saw them play Rotrou here.

And Corneille.

Le Cid.
I was over there for the premiere.

Just give one snip to the lace.

Ragueneau! My friend!

Pastry cook to poets!

You're too kind.
Quiet, you patron of the arts.

He supplies all of us on credit.

Being a poet myself...

Some have said it.

For a little ode or sonnet, I pay...



A tart?

A tartlet, say.

What did it cost you
to come here tonight?

4 fruit flans, 15 cream puffs.

Cyrano's absent. I'm surprised.

Why?

Montfleury's performing.
That ton of truffled pork?

He's playing Phedon.

Does it concern Cyrano?

Surely you know.
Cyrano warned him to quit the stage.

He's not playing?
He is.

Mr. Cyrano will not come?

I'm betting on it.

You're going?

Yes, I'm thirsty.

Stay a while longer. She'll come.

The lady's not coming today.
The bottle calls, I'm on my way.

I'm a stranger in Paris.
I must know her name.

Ask her then.

I daren't. The shame,
the embarrassment...

O God, there she is!

Madeleine Robin or Roxanne.
Refined, Precieuse...

One of these preciouses...

Oh no!

An orphan and cousin
to the notorious Cyrano.

A strawberry mouth in peach-flesh.

So fresh,
she'd give one cardiac rheumatism.

Who's that? Tell me, I scared.

That's the Comte de Guiche.

Her lover?

He wants to be.
But one thing stands in his way.

What thing?

He's married to Richelieu's niece.

So he wants to see her married
to that grim monsieur.

The viscount Valvert, so indulgent.

Roxane says no but de Guiche is potent.

He tortures the poor bourgeois.

I wrote a poem Showing
what an evil swine he is.

He must hate me for it.

The ending was cruel.

You're going?

Good night.

The play! The play! The play!

The French Academy.

Look! Porcheres, Colomby
Bourzeys, Bourdon...

Arbaud.

Many an eternal name
in the hall of fame.

Let me go, I'll tell you a secret.

Well?

Ligniere, your friend.

Yes?

His life nears its end.

The victim of his song
sends 100 men to do him wrong.

A hundred?

Against one.

One poor poet.

Go and warn him!

Where will they be?
At the Porte de Nesles.

No Cyrano. I lose my bet.

So much the better.

Montfleury! Montfleury!

Happy he...

Who far from court and city...

Ah, how good...

Breathes the essence of the vernal wood

And who,
when the breeze sings melodies

Rogue! Didn't I order you off
for a month?

What?
Who's that?

Cyrano!
I win!

King of fools...

Off the stage!

Monsieur...

You hesitate?

Play on!
Worry not.

Happy he who far from court and city...

Well? Do I have to
take my stick, you clown

and plant a wood over your gown?

Happy he...

Get off the stage!

Happy he who far from court...

I'm losing my temper.

Help me, gentlemen.

Carry on acting.

One word more, and I'll lambast
your fat cheeks!

Enough!

Gentlemen, quiet please
or my cane will take its ease.

Montfleury! Continue!

Discontinue,
unless he needs disemboweling!

Off with him!

Monsieur...

Lug your guts away, salami, or stay...

And I'll remove you slice by slice.

In insulting me
you insult the Tragic Muse.

Montfleury! Montfleury!
Throw Cyrano out!

Consider my scabbard, pray.
She loves my sword, begs him stay.

Leave the stage!

Does anyone have anything to say?

Clorise! Play on!

Bards play!

Sing the again
and there'll be a massacre!

You're no Samson!

Fall silent!

I hereby challenge you all.

I'll take names.

Step forward
young heroes, each in turn.

Come along...

Who wishes to head the list?

You, sir? No?

You?

No?

I'll give the first a funeral
as his due.

Raise your right hand
all who wish to die.

My naked blade offends your eye?

No names?

No hands?

Good. Let me speak then.

I wish to see theatre cured...

Of this inflammation.

Here's the lancet!

My lords...ladies and gentlemen!

Flock of muttonheads!

Bravo! Good! Bravo!

Let's have no bravos.

The famed thespian whose paunch
you love so much felt sick.

He had to leave.

Bring him back.

No!
Yes!

What's your reason, sir?
Why show such enmity to Montfleury?

Two reasons, one will suffice.

Firstly, he's a terrible screamer

grunter, grimacer and posturer
who weighs down heavy on his lines.

Secondly, well that's my secret

You deprive us without a scruple
of a great play!

Old mule!

The work is worth less than nought.
I silenced it without a thought.

Lord in heaven! Our Baro!

What of the money to pay back?

Bellerose, those are wise words.

I do not wish to see Thespis' robe
full of tatters. Take this and go.

You're mad! That famous actor
has the Duc de Candale as protector.

Do you have a patron?

No patron?

No name to protect you?

I said no twice. Must it be a third?

My patronness here keeps her word.

Turn and walk!

But...

Why are you looking at my nose?
Does it disgust you?

Not at all.

Is it soft and dangling?

I did not look at it.

And why did you not look at it?

Sickened you, did it?

Is the colour all wrong?

Is it obscene?
Not at all.

Why then do you criticize?
Do you find it too large in size?

It's terribly small, minuscule.

What was that?

Is that an insult? My nose is small, eh

Oh, God!

My nose, sir, is enormous!

Cretinous moron
a man ought to be proud

proud of such an appendix.

A great nose may be an index
of a great soul - kind, endowed

with liberality and courage...

Like mine, you rat-brained dunce
unlike yours, all rancid porridge.

It would be grotesque to fist
your wretched mug...

So lacking as it is...

In pride, genius
the lyrical and picturesque

in spark, spunk, in brief: in nose.

So take a boot instead to your backside

Help! Call the Guard!

A warning...

To you who find my countenance
a source of sport.

Be you noble, my swift response
is different altogether.

I strike with steel...and not leather!

He's a bit of a bore.

A braggart.

Who shall it be, gentlemen?

Nobody? Wait, you can leave it to me.

You...

That thing of yours...

Is...

Very big.

Very.

That's all?

Yes.

Nothing more? There are fifty score
varieties of comment. Nay, more.

Just change the tone. For example:

Aggressive: "A nose in such a state
I'd amputate."

Friendly: "It must dip in your cup
You need a crane to hoist it up."

Descriptive: "A rock, a bluff, a cape!"

"No, a peninsula in size and shape!"

Curious: "What is that oblong?

"A writing desk or am I wrong?"

Gracious: "Are you food of birds?

"You provide a gothic perch
for them..."

"to rest their feet."

Truculent: "A smoker? I suppose..."

The fumes gush out from that nose
like a chimney on fire."

Kind: "it will drag you in the mire
head-first with its weight."

Tender: "I'll have an umbrella made
to give it some summer shade."

Pedant: "The beast of Aristophanes
the hippocampocamalelephant..."

"had flesh and bone like that up front"

Drama: "It bleeds like the Red Sea."

Impressed:
"What a sign for a perfumery."

Lyric:
"Ah, Triton rising from the waters."

"How much to view the monument?"

Warlike: "Train it on the cavalry!"

Practical: "Put that in a lottery
for noses and it'll be first prize."

And finally, with sighs and cries...

In language deeply felt:
"O that this too too..."

"solid nose would melt."

That is what you could have said

or had an ounce of wit in your head.
But you've no letters

save the three
required to describe you: S.O.T.

Had you the wit required...

To serve me before the crowd
a dish of words...

So proud...

Not a phrase
would have passed your lips.

For although the words may fit
I'd never let you get away with it.

Valvert, leave him!

Arrogant, base nonentity
without even a pair of gloves

let alone the ribbons and lace
a noble loves!

My elegance is interior.

I do not go out feeling inferior
from an insult...

Which on the exterior
leaves its mark of warning

in libel and scruples in mourning.
I step out...

Smelling of scrubbed liberty
and polished independence. Come see!

Let him be!

About gloves, you have me there.
I had one left over from a pair,

which a was very attached to.

I left it planted
on someone's cheek.

Cad, villain, clod...flatfooted fool!

And I'm Cyrano Savinien Hercule
de Bergerac.

Buffoon!

What is it now?

I must...relieve these cramps.
It's lack of exercise.

Are you all right?

My sword has gone to sleep.

So be it!

With what joy...
she wakens to that sound.

Poet, eh?
Yes, a poet.

Even when rattling ironmongery

I'll compose a ballade extempore.

A ballade?

I'll hit you on the final line.

No!
No?

"Ballade of a Fencing Bout...

"Between de Bergerac
and a Foppish Lout."

What is that doggerel?

It's the title.

Silence!
Quiet!

Wait. Let me choose my rhymes.

Good. Ready.

O bare my head from crown to nape
and slowly...

Abandon my cape

Then finally I strip my steel.

A thoroughbred...from head to heel.

Disdainful of the rein or bit.

I pull a lyric wheel
but at the poem's end...

I hit!

Come, be burst...you purple grape.

Come and lose your peel.

Show, you ribboned ape
the fat your folderols conceal.

A pretty peal.

Is that a fly?

Your blood will congeal.

For, when the poem ends, I hit.

I need a rhyme to hole the shape.

I'm going to wind the reel.
My rod is ready to rape.

The sharp tooth awaits its meal.

Not yet.

I stop a bit...

Awaiting the deal.
The poem ends and I hit.

Envoy!

Prince, pray to God and kneel.

Will you quit?

I cut, parry. . .

Off you reel!

The poem ended...

And I hit!

Where will your life lead you?
You've so many enemies.

Wonderful.

You gave your gold away.

A year's pay.

All spent on one glorious day.

How will you live now?

I don't know.

A stupid action.
But a glorious gesture.

What rules the life you lead?

I forced myself to play many parts.
That was my way.

And now?

I'll take the simplest
excel in everything, be the best.

So be it. Now tell me
why you hate Montfleury so much.

That paunch!

One night I saw him touch a lady
with his eyes.

Like a slug slithering over a rose.

What? How can that be?

The one I loved.

The one I love.

You never said anything before.

Whom I love?

Just think a moment.

I can never be loved
even by the ugliest.

My nose preceeds me
by fifteen minutes. Whom do I love?

It should be clear.

I love the prettiest far and near.

The prettiest?

The finest, the wittiest,
the sweetest, the wiset.

It's clear now.

Diaphanously.

Your cousin?

Yes.

Roxane.

Wonderful! Tell her you love her!

Tonight you're with glory covered.

Look and tell me what exuberance
I have with this protuberance.

I'm under no illusion.

True sometimes, bemused by the night

I see fr off in the silver light
a lady on the arm of her knight.

I dream of walking out
in the silver glow

with a lady so.

I get carried away.

I pray.

I forget all
then see my shadow on the wall.

My friend...

My friend...

Why should Fate allot
such ugliness, such loneliness?

You cry?

Oh no, that would be intolerable.

A tear on this nose, horrible!

I saw Roxane's face tonight.
For your duel it was ghostly white.

Your skill and courage ravished her.
Now dare to speak.

So she can laugh at me?

There's nothing I fear more.

Do they want you?

Her maid!

Sir, your cousin wishes to know

if you can meet in private tomorrow.
She has things to say.

To me? Oh, my God.

After mass, where could you talk?

Where? I...er...Oh, my God.

Quickly please.

Patience!
Where?

At Ragueneau's...the pastry cook.

Where?

In...oh, my God...
in the rue Saint-Honore.

She'll be there. You be there. At seven

I'll be there.

She wants to see me!

So goodbye to sorrow?

It means I exist for her.

Are you calm?

Calm? I'm gripped
by lightning and thunder!

I need an army to tear asunder!

So much power, so much defiance
take off the dwarfs

and bring on the giants!

What?

We're trying to sleep! Less noise!

Grumblers, eh?

Why do they complain?

Ligniere!

Cyrano!

What's wrong?

He's afraid to go home.
Fancy that! Why?

A warning...a hundred men...

Because of a song I wrote...
Going to get me when

I go through the Porte de Nesles.
It's no my way.

I'm hiding here. They've let me stay.

A hundred? You'll sleep at home.

Come on. Follow and witness my deeds.

A hundred men?

That's what my force needs.

Why do they mount this attack?

He's a friend of de Bergerac!

Silence the God within you, Ragueneau.

The oven beckons.

Well, it must be so.

Your rolls are like an ill-tuned fiddle

Place the caesura right in the middle.

Your crusty house needs a roof on it.

Arrange your poultry
on the endless spit...

In neat alternatives:
the chickens there...

The lordly turkeys here.

Make a pair
of rhymes in opposition sweetly set.

Poultry can be poetry. Don't forget.

Crust is the body, sugar the wire.
I thought of you.

A heavenly lyre!

Drink to my health.

Here comes my wife! Hide the money!

Do you like it?

It's ridiculous.

Paper bags? Well...

Thank you.

Heavens!

You've torn my books apart!

My friends' poetry, rent from my heart!

I put the rubbish to use.

Sacrilege, woman!
You insult our poetic Muse.

You defile verse.
it's all it's good for!

What would you do with prose?

Ah, my boy.

What do you want?
Three pies.

Here we are, good and hot.

Please...wrap them up.

In a bag?

Well of course.

"Like Ulysse,
the day he left Penelope..."

Not that one.

"Blond Phoebus..." No!

Make your mind up.

All right, all right!

Children...

Give me the poem
and you'll take six pies home.

"Phyllis!"

Butter has smeared her sweet name.

"Phyllis"

What time is it?
Oh, my God!

Seven o'clock.

What a fight that was last night.

Which one?
In verse!

Ah, the duel.
In verse!

He's obsessed.
"At the poem's end..."

Not again!

"l hit. At the poem's end..."

Lovely! "At the poem's end..."

The time?
Seven o'clock.

"I hit". What a ballade!

Have you hurt your hand?
It's just a graze.

Some trouble or other?
No trouble.

I think you're lying.

Can I be alone with someone here?

I'm afraid not. My poets are coming.

For their first meal!

You'll be all right here.

Here they are!

Brother poet!

Tell her, I can't...

Write to her then?

That's it. Write a letter and leave.

Eat your fill.

The lyre sustains the poet!

A recipe in verse. Listen my friends!

Yes, yes, we're listening.

Breakfast?
Dinner.

"A Recipe for Making Almond Tarts".

Poised on steady legs
your poet begs several eggs.

Froth them to a mousse
and introduce lemon juice.

Add milk of almonds sent down by Zeus.

Place your pastry, not too hasty
in your tart plate.

Lightly glide around the side.

Slowly pour your mousse
into the pastry base.

Bake in the oven till blond.
Melting mouths and hearts

you have...

Your almond tarts!

Do you like cakes?
Terribly so.

Good. Take a couple of sonnets
and fill them with eclairs.

Do you like cream puffs?

Yes!

Fresh pastries?
I love them.

Now go and eat outside.

But...

Come back when you finish.

Roxane. ..

This is indeed a blessed moment.

Often you ignore
whether I still breathe or not.

But now you've come to say what?

First, thank you.

For what?

That viscount, that fop
from whom you made a pretty crop.

A lord in love with me...

De Guiche?

Wanted me to marry.

A feeble disguise.

I fought then, cousin
against such lies...

Not for my nose but your bright eyes.

The other thing is...

But before I mention it...

I have to rediscover the almost brother
of our games way back.

When you spent the summer in Bergerac.

Little Roxane was called Magdeleine.

Was I pretty then?

You weren't plain.

You'd hurt your hand up a tree

I'd play mother and gruffly say:
"What's this scratch, pray?"

Oh, what's this?

No! Put your hand flat.

Still, at your age?
Where did you do that?

At play, near the Porte de Nesles.

A fight?

Hardly, it was just an argument.

Tell me, while I clean the wound
how many were they?

Almost a hundred.

Tell me!

No. You tell me your story
if you dare tell it now.

Now, I dare.

I breathe the perfume of the past.

Yes, now I dare.

I'm in love with someone.

He doesn't know.

Well, not yet.

But he will know very soon.

And he loves me too, but timidly
from afar, without a word.

Give me your hand. How hot it is.

Love is on those lips of his.

And just think, dear cousin

he's a soldier too
and in your regiment.

He's a cadet in your company!

He seems so intelligent and clever.

He's proud, young, brave and handsome.

Handsome?

What's wrong?

Nothing.

It's just...

Just...my hand hurts.

Have you spoken?
Never.

He's a cadet?
In the Guards.

What's his name?

Christian de Neuvillette.

He's not in the Guards.

He is. From today on.

I've finished, sir.

Read the wrappers then!

My dear girl, you who love
elegance and fine language

what if he's a brute or savage?

His curls are those of a classical hero

His brains may be curly too, you know.

What if he's a fool?

I'll die on the spot.

I came here to be told this?

I don't see how it concerns me.

No. ..Listen.

Someone told me
about the Gascons in your company

And how we treat greenhorns such as he?

I'm scared for him.

So you should be.

When I saw you
calm those brutes last night

strong and proud with all your might

I knew you'd frighten anyone.

All right I'll protect
your little baron.

You'll take care of him then?
You're such a dear friend!

You'll be his friend?
Yes.

He'll never fight a duel?

I swear it.

Oh, how I love you!

I have to go now.

You didn't tell me your story.
It must be incredible.

Tell him to write to me.

Oh, how I love you!

A hundred men?

Farewell. We're friends, aren't we?

He must write. A hundred men!
You must tell me about it.

A hundred! What courage!

I've been braver since then.

He's here!

Incredible!

Wonderful!

Unbelievable!

Thirty wounded!

It was worthy of an epic poem!

Brilliant!

Unheard of!
Homeric!

Our hero.

He's wounded!
Just grazed!

No!
Just scuffed.

Hug me!
Tell us the tale!

The tale of the fight!
The tale!

Enough!

What's the matter?

Nothing.

She spoke to you?

Is that true?

Bravo for this new feat.
The word's spread wide.

There speaks an expert.

These gentlemen
confirm the truth of it.

We were there.

A hundred against one.
Are you one of these mad Gascons?

A cadet.
One of us!

These young men are the notorious

Captain?

Would you present
the company to the count?

He's in a foul temper. Well?

Not today.

I'll do it in his place.

Go on then.

The Gascon cadets of Castel-Jaloux.
Liars and gamblers

Gamblers and liars unashamed...
more noble than..

Their lines are long

Their tempers short.
The Gascon cadets of Castel-Jaloux.

Eagle-eyed, always game
Cat's whiskers, lion's might

nearer they came
in boots to make them lame

but with a heart so light
for they thirst for fame.

Sweet is their name in the great fight.

Ever ready to main
they put foes to flight.

The Gascon cadets
make cuckolds every night!

A gentleman's retinue needs a poet.
Will you be mine?

I don't join retinues.

My uncle, Richelieu, would approve.
I could help you.

Good God!

I suppose you've written a play?

Yes, a tragedy.

The title?
Agrippian.

Take it to him.

Really?

He'll only change a few lines of it.

Never, sir. My blood runs cold
to think one could be so bold.

You're proud.

You've noticed, have you?

Look, Cyrano.

We found this on our way
feathers of the fowl you sent away.

The victims' remains!

Their employer must be in a fury!

But who was he?

It was I.

They were to do the lowly task
of punishing a drunken rhymer.

A true epic poet!

You dared...

Would you like to return these
to your friends?

You thwarted the plans I made...

To murder?

Insolencel

Swords up! We're leaving!

Out of here! All of you!

Monsieur, have you read Don Quixote?

I've practically lived it.

Meditate on the windmill chapter.

Chapter thirteen.

If you fight with windmills...

Are my foes like the wind?

Their heavy spars
may spin you down to the mud.

Or lift me to the stars.

You must admit...

I shall never be sated!
I like to displease and be hated.

With more calm, fortune and fame

What should I do?

Seek out a powerful patron to pursue?

Cling to him like a vine?

Wind around him to fawn and whine?

And rise through ruse instead of merit?

No thank you!

Compose, as a rule
poems for usurers?

Play the fool
hoping to see some minister

give a smile that's not sinister?

No thank you!

Breakfast off a toad?
Grovel on the dirty road?

Wear the knees of my breeches through?

And kiss feet too?

No thank you!

Find genius in imbeciles?

And let out squeals
of regret

when my name is missing
from some gazette?

No thank you!

Be scared of being thought paltry?

Prefer social visits to poetry?

Write petition and be introduced?

No thank you! No thank you!

But sing, dream...laugh...

move on. . .

Be alone...

Have a choice...

Have a watchful eye
and a powerful voice

wear my hat awry...

Fight for a poem if I like

and perhaps even die.

Never care about fame or fortune
and even travel to the moon!

Triumph by chance on my own merit.

Refuse to be the clinging ivy nor even
the oak or the lime.

Perhaps I'll not get far.

But I'll get there alone.

You act proud and bitter.

But I know that she refused your love.

Quiet.

The tale of the fight!

Later.
No, now!

There's a thing
you should never mention

like a rope in a house
where a man has hanged himself.

Look at me.

You understand?

Oh, his...

A word not to say
if you wish to live another day.

Even a gesture can anger him.

Using a handkerchief
puts you in a coffin!

Captain!

How do we tackle boastful Gascons?

Show them Northern courage.

The tale at last.

Well, towards midnight,
I was on my way to meet them.

The moon was like a watch up in heaven.

But, suddenly
a watchmaker long forgotten

pushed a light could of cotton

over the silvery case
of the round clock

Darkest darkness fell on the dock.

The gloom was hiding my foes.

You could see...no further...

Than your nose.

Who is that man?

He arrived this morning.
Really?

Baron Christian de Neuvil...

Good...

Good...

Where was I?

Goddamn!

You couldn't see your toes.

I was thinking that
for some drunken poet

I was about to hit a great man...

On the nose.

In the teeth...

Tooth for tooth!

Why should I stick my...

Nose.

Finger...in that pie?

For a man so great could break my...

Nose.

My fingers!

I thought: "On, son of Gascony."

I then found myself...

Nose to nose.

Face to face!

With a hundred angry louts
stinking of...

Nose-herb!

Onions and stale wine!

I pounced...
Nose down!

I disemboweled two!

Impaled a third!

A sword went "sneet". I replied...

"Snout!"

Damnation!

Everyone out!

The tiger awakes!

Leave me alone with him!

He'll hack him to bits!

Terrifying!

Crumbs of cadet.

Hideous!

Come to my arms!

You're brave.

Very brave. Good.

Come on. I'm her brother.

Whose?
Hers!

Roxane's!

Her brother?

Well, a fraternal cousin really.

Has she...
Told me? Yes.

Does she love me?

Perhaps.

I'm so happy!

This is a change of heart.

Forgive me...

He is a handsome devil!

She wants a letter...from you.

Oh, no! It's impossible.

Impossible? Why?

Because I'm a brainless fool.

The way you tackled me
was not brainless.

I can find words for an attack.

It's simple, military wit.

But...with women I become tongue-tied.

Their eyes look kindly on me.

But your words destroy you.

I can't talk.

I Can.

But it's the looks I lack, see?

Oh, to speak with elegance.

Oh, to be a handsome musketeer.

Roxane is precieuse, demanding
charming. I need wit...and eloquence.

I'll lend you it!

And I'll borrow your good looks.

We'll be a hero for storybooks.

What?

Can you learn by heart what I teach?

You mean . . .

You fear chilling her heart...

Will you or won't you?

Your look scares me.

Will you?

What's in it for you?

It...

It...would amuse me!

A tempting challenge for a poet.

Together as one, we can do it.

I'll be at your side you my beauty,
me your guide.

That letter she wants! I can't...

Here it is! It just needs signing.

Don't worry. You can send it.

In a poet's pocket, you often find
the product of an active mind.

Take it, you'll see. Take it.
it's very eloquent.

Will it suit her?

Like a pair of gloves.

Her love is such that
she'll believe this is for her.

Dear friend!

Well?

Most surprising.

We can mention your nose now?

A letter of love composed
in my mind to you...

A lady so kind.
My soul next to the paper I sit.

All I have to do is copy it.

I'm in your hands.

This paper is my voice.

This ink, my blood.

This letter...is me.

In your presence confusion grips...
my heart.

My tongue is in a fetter.

If kisses could be sent by letter

You cold read my words...with you lips.

Far from this world...of brutal lies

is a land for lovers who despise

violence, weeping for the lost
the lonely.

A land for lovers and for lovers only.

Roxane!

We have to go! We'll be late!

We'll miss the talk on the Tendre.

Stay outside!

I came to say goodbye.

You're leaving?
For the war.

This evening.

For the siege of Arras.

There's a siege?

My going leaves you cold.

Not at all.

I'm afraid it does.

Shall I see you again? And when?

Did you know I'm now colonel?

Of the guards.
The guards?

Your boastful cousin's regiment.
I'll avenge myself there.

The guards are going?

Of course.

What is it?

Sadness. Someone leaves for war. ..
someone one holds dear.

You never said such words before.

You say them as I go!

You want revenge on Cyrano?

Are you for him?
No, against.

Do you see him?
Seldom.

I see him everywhere.

Your revenge is to send him
to the war he loves!

That's banal.

I know what would hurt him more.

What?

Leave him to rot in his barracks

while the others go off to war.

The only way to hurt a man like him

is to strike at his pride.

Oh, woman!

Only a woman could dream up
a scheme like that!

He'll eat his heart out in frustration.

You'll be avenged!

You love me then!

I should like to see this
as a sign of love, Roxane.

It is.

I have sealed orders
to be given to the companies

within the hour.

This one for the cadets, I'll keep.

Ah, the battle-loving swine.

You play games then?

Sometimes.

I'm mad about you!

Tonight, I must be gone.
But leave one so dear

Near here,
there's a convent to which I'll flee.

The Capucins will hide me.

People will think I've left.
But, in disguise

I'll come back to you, sun of my skies!

But your reputation...

And the siege...

Who cares? Say yes.

No!
Say it!

You have your duty.

Go now.

Christian stays.

I want you for my hero, Antoine!

Heavenly words!

You love...
I'm trembling.

I'm going.

Happy?

Yes, dear friend.

We're going to be late!

Don't worry. They'll wait.

Cousin!

Ah, Cyrano. ..

Who are you looking for?

What?

Are you looking for someone?

Yes, I'm looking...for Christian.

He writes all day
but, on seeing me, runs away.

Oh, help me, please.

What does he write about?

His passion stirs my mind.
His words leave me blind.

Come, quickly.

Coming.

Oh, how I love him!

Is he so eloquent?
More than you.

An expert in words of love?

An expert, sir, inspired from above.

Lysimon!

Oh, Felixerie.

Barthenoide!

Dearest Uranie!

Go and find him!

I want to hear words to charm my ear.

I want to hear him say
the sweet words he wrote today.

Come on!

I must go.

The monkeys are waiting.

Look, the knocker's muffled.

It's silenced so its bevel
won't disturb us...

The little devil.

Ready your memory
to be wreathed in glory.

What's that?

The words you'll say.

She wishes to hear you.

There's no time to waste.
Learn this. Make haste.

Learn it!

I won't learn a thing!

I'm tired of using your words.
I know she loves me.

I'll speak alone.

Really?

I can do it. I'm not stupid!

You've taught me a lot. I'll manage.

Anyway,
I know enough to take her in my arms.

You're on your own!

Wait! Don't go!

Mouth, a marvel when you smile.

Mouth, whose words are honey-cake.

Leave the admiring world awhile.

Kiss the dreaming gods awake.

Lovely eyes whose precious glance
Sets hearts shimmering like a lake.

Mirror of the stellar dance,

Lips, the marvel of all lips

Flowers that the bee-mouth sips.

Mouth whose breath is summer bliss.

Store of pearled perfection, this

Was made to kiss, to kiss, to kiss

Are you there?

It's me.

No, wait...

The air is sweet.

Night is here.

We're alone.

Come on.

Sit down.

Speak.

I'll listen.

I love you.

Yes. Talk to me of love.

I love you.

That's your theme.

Embroider it.

I love you so much.

Yes. And then?

And then...

I'd love you to love me.

Tell me you love me.

You give me milk instead of cream.

Say how you love me.

I love you...so much.

Unravel your feelings!

Your throat! I want to kiss it!

I love you!
Again!

No...

I don't love you.

That's better.

I worship you!

Oh, no!

Sorry! I'm so stupid!

It displeases me
as much as if you were ugly!

Recover your eloquence.

Yes, I know.
Please...

You love me. I know. Now go!

Bravo!

Good night.

Who's there?

Who's throwing stones?

It's me.

Who?

I wanted to...
Oh, you...

I want a word.

You have no words.

I beg you...

That would be fatal to our love!

You love me no more.

Heavens, you say that...
when I love more.

That's better!

Love grows, rocked in my soul as I fret

And that cruel child too it for...

A bassinet!

That's better!

But since it's cruel...

Should you not have
stifled it in its cot?

I did try...the young child to seize.

But the new-born babe is a little...

Hercules.

Much better!

His first act was to hound
out two snakes...

Pride and...

Doubt.

That's excellent.

But why are your words
so hesitant? Why?

It's dark...

They grope in the darkness...
looking for...your ear.

My words have not that problem.

It's normal they should find their way.

For it's upon my heart they prey.

My heart is large
whereas your ear is small.

Besides, your words slip down
speedily along the wall.

Mine are heavy like fruit on a bough.

They're arriving faster now.

They're used to the exercise.

I'm standing here in the skies!

One harsh word from so high
could make my heart die.

I'll come down.
No!

Climb up here!

No!
Why...no?

Let us stay near...

But talk without seeing each other...

Without seeing?

It's quite wonderful...in darkness.

You see a cloak of blackness.

I see a dress of summer white.

I'm but a shadow. You are a light.

I'm using my true voice.

Indeed, it is altered.

In this dark night...

Which protects me, I can be myself.

And I dare...

Where was I?

I don't know...all this...

Forgive my emotion.

It's this sweet, new sensation.

New, you say?

Yes, new. I can be honest.

Fear of mockery gripped my breast.

Mockery?

For my feelings!

My heart
in modesty, cloaks itself in art!

Ah, "art". How I hate that in love!

It's a crime,
in love, to play this pantomime.

There always has to come a moment...

And I pity those who know it not.

When we a noble love attain

but each pretty word causes pain.

So what word will you find for us
when that moment comes?

All those, all those...

Which come. Everything, I throw away.

I'm stifling!

I love you. This is no game!

My heart cries your name!

I've loved you every passing pay.

Last year, on the twelfth of May
you changed the style of your hair.

I was dazzled...by its bright flare.

Do you feel my soul
rise up through the darkness?

Everything tonight is so wonderful
so sweet.

I speak, you listen.

Me, at your feet!

Even in my sweetest dreams,
I never planned on this.

My purpose is fullfilled.
Now I can die.

My poem
makers her tremble in the boughs.

I can feel the shaking of your hand
come down along...

This jasmine strand.

I tremble and weep.

I love you.

You have bewitched me.

Death may come for me.

This bewitchment is my doing.

I have done this!

I ask only one thing...

A kiss!

What? What do you ask?

Yes...I...

Too hasty!

Make the most of it!

Yes, true, I did ask...

For heaven's sake!

I know now I was too bold.

So. ..No!

Grant me not a kiss.

Why?
Quiet, Christian!

What did you say?

I'm grumbling at myself
for going so far. I said:

"Quiet, Christian."

Wait.

Get that kiss!

Patience!

Where are you?

We were talking of a kiss.

Yes, the word is so sweet.

Be silent!

How shall we define a kiss?

The seal set on a promise.
A promissory note...

On the bank of love.

The O of love on waiting lips.

A secret with the mouth as its ear.

Eternity in the instant the bee sips.

A flower-scented host.

A way to know the ether's heart
and touch the portals...

Of his soul!

Stop, please!

Yes, I shall stop, madam.

Up you go!

I don't think I should...

Are you still there?

Mount, you animal!

Yes? What?

Magdeleine Robin...Does she live here?

Yes, I'm her cousin. What is it?

I have a letter for her.

What is it?

A letter.

You, here?

Who could write so late?

A sacred matter no doubt
as a holy man...

De Guiche!

He dares?

I've stayed here
for this night with you, my dear.

I'll come in secret. Wait...

I hope the lips which smiled of late...

Father!

Listen carefully to this

Richelieu must be obeyed
whatever you may say or do.

That is why I send this note to you

with this holy, intelligent
and discreet brother.

He is to perform
the marriage ceremony at once.

Marriage? To whom?

At once.
What is this?

Idiot. She's making it up.

You must marry Christian.

I know you don't like him.
Try to be brave.

Courage, child!

I was right not to be worried.

It was indeed a holy matter.

It's terrible!

Is it you?
Him.

He doesn't seem so terrible.
Are you sure?

Postscript:
Give the convent 120 pistoles.

What a holy man!

Resign yourself!

I am resigned.

We must marry.

We must obey.

Do you so wish it?

Yes or no?

I think so.

Hurry. De Guiche is coming.

You've fifteen minutes
to do the wedding!

You'll be my witness. Hurry.

On your feet!

Witness to what?

Hurry! Candles! A cloth!

A crucifix!

The rings!

What rings?

And blessed laurel!

Who is this? Where did he fall from?

The moon!

What time is it, earthman?

Who is it? I can't see. Is he mad?

What time? What land?
What day? What season?

I'm confused.

I fell down from the moon!

Really!

I fell.

If you say so.

A madman, perhaps.

I don't mean metaphorically.

A century or a minute withal
how long was my fall?

I was in that saffron-coloured ball.

What continent is this?

Be honest. Keep nothing from me.

God in Heaven!
Are you all black down here?

What?

Is this Algeria?
This is a mask.

So I'm in Venice, or Genoa!

A lady awaits me.
This is Paris then!

Amusing, isn't he?

You laugh.

Yes, but I want to pass.

So here I am in Paris.

I was brought by the rain to this.

I came through ether to get here.

My eyes are full of star-dust.

My spurs bear some planet's crust.

Here, on my doublet
a hair from a comet's tail!

I slipped by Neptune's fork...

And fell onto Libra's scales.
See? They point to my weight!

Go to hell, sir!

By heaven, do you doubt my word?

He's here!

Oh, my God!

Hurry father!

Why should we hurry a prayer.

That's enough!

Take that off!

My mask!

No more mask!

I'll tell you about the moon
and the inhabitants of its rotundity.

Can you tell how I got there
by means lighter than air?

Guess!

He's a madman.

The tide!

The moon pulls the sea so wide!

I lay on the sand after a dip.

The moon had my head in its grip
for the air holds water in.

I rose straight up in the air
like a cherubin.

I know that voice!

I must be drunk!

Fifteen minutes are over
I'll let you go.

The weddings done.

Open up, it's Cyrano!

They've just exchanged rings.

A fine couple, my son, tanks to you.

Take leave of your husband.

What?

Your regiment's about to go.

For war?

Doubtless.

Not the cadets.

They're going.

Here's the order.
Run and deliver it, baron.

Obey, sir!

What are you waiting for?

Hurry up.

The wedding night can wait!

My sorrow is not as great
as he believes.

You're leaving too!

Promise me
you'll keep him out of danger.

I'll try...

Make sure he doesn't catch cold.

I'll do my best.

Make him faithful.
Well...

Make him write to me.

That, I can promise.

Wounded?

No. They're used to missing me
every morning.

You're mad to risk death
every day for a letter.

I promised he'd write.

But don't tell him.

If she knew he's starving...
but still handsome.

Go and sleep.

Don't grumble. I told you:

I cross the Spanish lines
when they're drunk.

You could bring back food.

I can't. I have to travel light.

We, the besiegers, are now the besieged

The shame of it!

Will you get some sleep?

When I finish.

What?

Another letter.

Calm down, lads!

Stop it! That's enough!

What is it?
They're hungry.

So am I.

My ears are rumbling.

Your stomach has no ears!

Richelieu feasts in Paris.

Send for a partridge.

I'll have veal!

Stewed mutton!

Braised beef!

Black pudding!

Duck pate!

Beans!
Pancakes!

With ham and mushrooms!

I'm hungry!

Food! That's all you think about.

Come here, Bertrandou
shepherd that you were.

Play a tune from back home, just for me

A tune to set memories free.

Listen, Gascons...

With the pipe to his mouth
he takes us...back to the South!

It's he tune the goatherd fingers

The hill where mist still lingers

Listen...

There's the glade
the heath, the forest way...

The little shepherd with his red beret.

The green of spring on the Dordogne.

Listen, Gascons.

It is all Gascogne.

You're making them cry.

Homesickness! A nobler hunger...
than the hunger of the flesh!

You'll weaken them.

Really?

See? A roll on the drums is enough.

Alas, a Gascon.

A false one.
Gascons are supposed to be mad.

A sane Gascon is dangerous.

He's pale.
He's hungry, poor devil.

He's not suffering though!

Take your cards, pipes and dice.
I'll read Descartes.

He's green.

Skin and bones.

I'm mocked here. I know it, gentlemen.

You southern petty seigneurs
have no respect for commanders.

Enough! I scorn your renown.

My battle tactics are known.
Yesterday with my men...

I charged three times.

And your scarf?

You heard then?

At the third charge
I was forced towards enemy lines.

I was in danger of being musketted.

When I had the idea
of dropping the scarf...

Showing my rank.

Thus, I was able, unnoticed
to leave the Spaniards

attack again and beat them with my men.

What do you say to that?

That Henri IV would never
against such odds, have let fall

his white panache.

The attack was a success.

But you gave up
the honour of being a target.

Had I been there
but our courage is different

I'd have taken the scarf up myself.

A vain Gascon boast!

A boast?

Lend it to me
and I'll charge with it tonight.

A vain offer.

You know the scarf was left
in the gun-blasted enemy sector.

Where no one...

Can fetch it!

Here it is.

Thank you!

I can give the signal
I was reluctant to send.

Who is it?

A Spaniard, my spy
who'll tell them by and by.

He's most useful and, indeed...

This very night, I'll lead
my men to Dourlens for supplies.

You will stay.

But the Spanish...

They know. And at dawn...they'll attack

Hold them back for us an hour or two.

But to do that...

Kindly lay down your lives.

So this is revenge?

Take it to mean
I serve my king and vent my spleen.

Thanks for such candour.

You fight a hundred singlehanded.
You should be delighted.

Gascony cadets, farewell.

What's that?

Nothing.

You're lying. Show me.

Really?

Yes, show me!

It's your final letter.

To Roxane?

Who else?

Oh yes!

You've a winged messenger?

You can cross as far as Vimy.

Impossible.

You've been?

Yes...At night.

Often?

More than you think.

Every day?

Answer me!

Yes, every day.

Twice.

It so excites you, you risk death...

For you.

No! For her!

You never told me!

I understand...

You don't. You're wrong, Christian.

What's that circle?

A circle?

It's a tear!

The poet charms himself.

This letter, it was so moving.
I cried as I wrote it.

Where are you going?

We need a gun.
Take Le Bret and four or five men.

Where are you going?
Vimy.

He's mad.

During mass, we'll steal their food.

We'll die, but not of hunger.

Take this.

Hey, it's hot!

We've got the roast.

Coming?
Go without me.

How did you get here?

Via Vimy and the forest.

Madness!

The siege is so long.

You can't stay.
Why not?

He's right. Don't stay.
Spain is coming this way.

Let's fight!
You must go.

I want to see a battle.

I'm hungry.

The air is sharp.

What is there to eat?

Chicken, wine and pies.
Could you bring me that?

We have none.

All right.
Quail, trout, ham...Anything.

But where from?

My coach.

We must serve and carve.

I have a valued man with me.

Go closer, gentlemen
go and see.

The bundles...
are full of partridges! Catch!

Each case is a little larder.

Red or white wine?

Please
Have a little bread and wine.

Why are you crying?

It's too good.

Is our precieuse a heroine?

Monsieur de Bergerac, I am your cousin.

Where are the cadets?

Unbelievable! Have they deserted?

To your stations!

What's wrong with you?

It's the though of battle.

They're drunk!

Who? Us?

Get up! Battle stations!

Thank you, sir...
So kind...

What have they drunk? They're all mad!

Shoulder arms! Attention!

Greetings monsieur De Guiche.

There they are!

Leave at once!

Never!

Will you stay?

Very well. Bring me a musket.

What?

This lady is in danger!

Give him something to eat!

Food?

We've all had some.

I won't eat your leftovers!

You're improving.

I'll fight hungry.

Hear that Gascon accent?

Me?

He's one of us!

Stay here.
Where are you going?

Wait for me.

Why did you come?

Your letters.
A few words...

Quiet. You wrote so many.
Beautiful ones, deny it you might.

God, I love you since that night
when, in a voice unknown...

Your soul came forth.

Those letters this month, you see,
were you talking to me.

I read them and swooned.

I was yours. Your love burned.

Forgive my frivolity
of loving first your beauty.

Later, your spirit charmed me
and I loved both.

And now?

One side has beaten the other.

I love you for your soul.

Your beauty drew me
towards the true reality.

Can't you see this as a victory?

You just can't believe it.

I just want to be loved for...

For what you've always been loved.
This is better.

It used to be.

You don't understand.
I love you for what you are.

Less handsome...

I'd love you still. Even without beauty

Don't!

I mean it.

What? Ugly?

Ugly, I swear.

You're pale!

She loves me no more.

What?

It's you she loves.

All she loves is my soul.

That means you. And you love her.

Me?

You do.

It's true.

Madly.

More than madly.

Tell her!
No!

Why?
Look at me.

Tell her!
No!

Stop tempting me!

I'm tired of being my own rival.

I want her to choose one of us.

You.
I hope so.

What is it?

Nothing. Get inside!

What did he say? He's going!

Perhaps he thought I lied.

And did you?

No. I'd love him...

Are you afraid to say it?

I don't mind. If he were ugly?

Even if he were ugly.

Even deformed?

Even deformed.

Were he ridiculous and grotesque
would you love him?

More than ever.

My God.

So, perhaps, after all, happiness...

What?

Listen, Roxane...l want to...

He's not dead.

Roxane. ..

I told her everything.
It's you she loves.

No, Christian

Get her away!

Stay with me!

The fight is on!

His letter...

You alone knew him.

Wasn't he a marvellous spirit?
Yes, Roxane.

A supreme, lovable poet?
Yes, Roxane.

A sublime being?
Yes, Roxane.

A deep, saintly heart
a magnificent and pure soul?

Farewell Roxane.

He's a duke now.

And a marshal.

He hasn't been for months.

Still in mourning?

As ever.

Still faithful?

That too.

Have you forgiven me?

I'm here.

Sister Marthe stole a plum this morning

That's very wrong.

Calumny is a sin.

It was tiny.

I'll tell monsieur Cyrano.

I've made him an angel cake.

He's a bad Catholic.

We'll convert him.

I forbid you to meddle with that matter

Don't torment him. He may stop coming.

But God...

Don't worry. God knows all about him.

He says, every Saturday:
"Sister, I ate meat yesterday."

He says that?
Every time.

Last Saturday
he hadn't eaten for two whole days.

Even dead, you love him?

It seems only part of him is dead.

Our hearts are together.

His love is alive, around me.

Ah, here's Le Bret.

Does he come often?

Your grace...

He won't be here until seven.

Who won't?
Cyrano.

Oh...him.

How is he?

Not well.
Really?

He exaggerates.

I foresaw it all: loneliness, misery!

His pamphlets make new enemies.

He attacks snobs and hypocrites
cowards and fools.

Everyone in fact!

His sword inspires terror.

Don't pity him.

He knew no allegiance
a free man in thought and deed.

I know. I have everything, he nothing.

But I'd gladly shake his hand.

Farewell.
I'll show you out.

Sometimes, I envy him.

When your life has been a success
without having any real sins

you feel a slight disgust within
but no real remorse.

Just a faint discomfort.

The ducal robes of fur sweep up
the stairs of state

with a rustle of lost illusions
and regret.

You're philosophical.

Monsieur Le Bret. May I have a word?

No one dares attack him, but he's hated

Someone said to me yesterday:
"Cyrano could die by accident."

Warn him to be careful and stay indoors

A doctor, monsieur! Get a doctor!

Will you stay with him?

I'll be back.

The clock's struck. He should be here.

He'll come. He always does.

There he is!

I'm running out of wool.

These faded colours!
How can I match them?

Late for the first time
in fourteen years.

I know. It makes me mad.

I was delayed, in fact
by an importunate visitor.

An annoying one?

Yes, but not unexpected.

You sent him away?

Yes, I said:

"Sorry but today is Saturday.

"I have a regular appointment to keep.

"I dare not miss it.
Come back in an hour."

He'll have to wait. I won't let you go

until it's dark.

I may have to leave earlier.

No teasing Sister Marthe?

Sister Marthe, come here!

Those lovely downcast eyes!

What's wrong?

Nothing.

I ate meat yesterday.

I know.

Yet you're so pale.

Come to the refectory
later for a bowl of soup.

You will?

Is she converting you?

Oh, no. I promise I'm not.

Tell me the news of the week.

It's time for my gazette.

Saturday the nineteenth...

After eight helpings of ginger

the King, by the lancet
was put out of danger.

Sunday,
the Queen gave a ball and burned

seven hundred and sixty-three
white wax candles.

Our troops vanquished
John of Austria on Monday

Four witches were hung.

The same day,
Madame d'Athis's dog had an enema

That will do!

Tuesday. . .nothing

Lygdamire has a new lover.

Thursday:
the court was in Fontainebleau.

Friday the twenty-fifth...

La Mancini, the dark one...

Said "no" at dawn and "yes" at dusk.

And Saturday...the twenty-sixth...

Don't worry, it's nothing.

Come on.

It's my wound from Arras...
sometimes. . .you know...

My poor friend!

It's nothing.

It will go.

It's over.

We all have our wounds.

I have mine.

The old wound is still here, so keen.

The paper of
his last letter has yellowed

but still bears his tears and blood.

His letter!

Didn't you say that one day
you'd let me read it?

You really want to? His letter?

I want to...Today...

Here you are.

Can I open it?

Open it.

Read it.

Roxane, farewell, for I must die.

Out loud?

Later today, I think, my dove.

My heart is heavy with unexpressed love

And I'm dying!

Never more, never more
will my captivated eyes...

That gaze...

How you read it!

Which adored such moments
will no longer embrace

your every movement.

I can see one now you often make

when you hruch your hair away.

I cry out...

You read it in such a way

And now I cry out: "Goodbye".

You read it...

My dear, my darling...
with a voice...

My love...

With a voice...

Which I've heard somewhere before.

My heart never left you.

I am and will be in the next world

the one who loved you
with all this soul.

The one...

How can you read now? It's dark.

It's dark...

It was you.

No, Roxanne, no...

The way you said my name...

No! It wasn't me!

It was you!

I swear. . .

I can see your generous imposture.

The letters were yours.
No!

The dear, mad words, yours.

The night voice.

I swear not!

That soul was yours!

I didn't love you!
You did!

It was him.
You loved me!

You're less sure now.

No, no, my dear love, I never loved you

So many things fade way to be reborn.

Why keep silent for fourteen years
since on that letter

the tears were yours?

The blood was his

Cyrano! You're here!

Good evening, my friends!

He killed himself to come.

That weakness earlier?

That's right,
I didn't finish my gazette.

On Saturday the twenty-sixth
one hour before dinner

Monsieur de Bergerac was fouly
and ignobly murdered.

What have they done to you?

Fate's a jester.

I always wanted to die in battle.

And here I am killed in an ambush
from behind, by lackeys...with a beam.

So be it
I made a mess of everything

Even my own death.

Don't cry so, Ragueneau.

Go and get help!

No, no. Don't go. When you...
come back, I'll be gone.

What do you do now, fellow poet?
No more cakes?

No, I work for Moliere.
My friends ruined me...

And your wife left you.

Moliere?

What do you do for him?

I snuff out the candles.

I'm leaving him though.

I'm so angry!

Yesterday, during Scapin
a scene was by you.

All of it!

Yes, the famous monologue.

Moliere stole it!

He did well...

Was the scene a success?

They laughed and laughed!

My life's work
has been to prompt others

and be forgotten.

Remember that night when Christian
came to your balcony?

That moment sums up my life.

While I was below in the dark shadows

others climbed up
to kiss the sweet rose.

It's only fair.

I say, as death has me in its hooks

Moliere has genius

and Christian was handsome.

Sister! Sister! Help!

No! Don't call anyone!

Let them pray. The bell is ringing.

I've made you so unhappy.

I have! I have!

You? Of course you haven't.

I knew not womanly sweetness.

My mother found me ugly.

I had no sisters.

Later, I feared the mistress
with mockery in her eye.

But thanks to you, I have had
a female friend.

Thanks to you
a dress crossed my life's path.

I love you!

Live!

It's too late, cousin.

I must go up...to the opaline moon.

Many of those I love
are in exile up there.

I'll see Scorates...and Galileo.

Philosopher and scientist
poet, musician and duellist

and traveller in space.

Witty conversationalist
and lover too, too unlucky in love

Here lies Hercule-Savinien
de Cyrano de Bergerac

who was all...and who was nothing.

I'm leaving now.

Sorry...

I can wait no more.

See?

The moon beam is here at my door.

No one must help me!

Only...

Only the trees!

He's coming.

I feel myself shod in marble.

Gloved in lead

As he's on his way
I shall go to meet him...

Sword in hand!

What?

It's useless? I know.

A man doesn't fight to win.

It's better when the fight is in vain.

Who are they all?

There's a horde of them.

Ah, I know you. All my old enemies!

Falsehood.

Cowardice.

Compromise.

I know you'll get the upper hand.

Never mind.

I'll fight on, and on, and on!

You take everything...
the laurel and the rose too!

Go on, take them!

But, in spite of you
one thing goes with me now

And tonight, when I at last God behold
my salute will sweep his blue threshold

with something spotless,
a diamond in the ash...

Which I take in spite of you
and that's...

My panache.