C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

The Poet-Duellist

From ‘Cyrano de Bergerac,’ done into English verse by Howard Thayer Kingsbury

CYRANO—“The ballade of Monsieur de Bergerac’s duel

At the Hotel de Bourgogne with a booby.”

The Viscount—What is that, if you please?

Cyrano—That is the title.

The Hall[excited to the highest pitch]—In place!—No noise!—In line!—This is amusing.

[The players and spectators form a ring round the two duellists.]

Cyrano[closing his eyes for a moment]—Wait, let me choose my rhymes—I have them now:

My hat I toss lightly away;

From my shoulders I slowly let fall

The cloak that conceals my array,

And my sword from my scabbard I call,

Like Celadon, graceful and tall,

Like Scaramouche, quick hand and brain,—

And I warn you, my friend, once for all,

I shall thrust when I end the refrain.

[The swords meet.]

You were rash thus to join in the fray;

Like a fowl I shall carve you up small,

Your ribs, ’neath your doublet so gay,

Your breast, where the blue ribbons fall,

Ding dong! ring your bright trappings all:

My point flits like a fly on the pane,

As I clearly announce to the hall

I shall thrust when I end the refrain.

I need one more rhyme for “array”—

You give ground, you turn white as the wall,—

And so lend me the word “runaway.”

There! you have let your point fall

As I parry your best lunge of all;

I begin a new line, the end’s plain,

Your skewer hold tight, lest it fall.

I shall thrust when I end the refrain.

[Announces solemnly!]

REFRAIN

Prince, on the Lord you must call!

I gain ground, I advance once again,

I feint, I lunge.[Lunging.]There! that is all!

[The Viscount staggers.Cyrano salutes.]

For I thrust as I end the refrain.