Act III. Scene 5
Christian, Roxane, the duenna.
ROXANE (coming out of Clomire's house, with a company of friends, whom she leaves. Bows and good-byes): Barthenoide! — Alcandre! — Gremione! —
THE DUENNA (bitterly disappointed): We've missed the speech upon the Tender Passion!
(Goes into Roxane's house.)
ROXANE (still bowing): Urimedonte — adieu! (All bow to Roxane and to each other, and then separate, going up different streets. Roxane suddenly seeing Christian): You! (She goes to him): Evening falls. Let's sit. Speak on. I listen.
CHRISTIAN (sits by her on the bench. A silence): Oh! I love you!
ROXANE (shutting her eyes): Ay, speak to me of love.
CHRISTIAN: I love thee!
ROXANE: That's The theme! But vary it.
CHRISTIAN: I . . .
ROXANE: Vary it!
CHRISTIAN: I love you so!
ROXANE: Oh! without doubt! — and then? . . .
CHRISTIAN: And then — I should be — oh! — so glad — so glad If you would love me! — Roxane, tell me so!
ROXANE (with a little grimace): I hoped for cream, — you give me gruel! Say How love possesses you?
CHRISTIAN: Oh utterly!
ROXANE: Come, come! . . . unknot those tangled sentiments!
CHRISTIAN: Your throat I'd kiss it!
ROXANE: Christian!
CHRISTIAN: I love thee!
ROXANE (half-rising): Again!
CHRISTIAN (eagerly, detaining her): No, no! I love thee not!
ROXANE (reseating herself): 'Tis well!
CHRISTIAN: But I adore thee!
ROXANE (rising, and going further off): Oh!
CHRISTIAN: I am grown stupid!
ROXANE (dryly): And that displeases me, almost as much As 'twould displease me if you grew ill-favored.
CHRISTIAN: But . . .
ROXANE: Rally your poor eloquence that's flown!
CHRISTIAN: I . . .
ROXANE: Yes, you love me, that I know. Adieu.
(She goes toward her house.)
CHRISTIAN: Oh, go not yet! I'd tell you —
ROXANE (opening the door): You adore me? I've heard it very oft. No! — Go away!
CHRISTIAN: But I would fain . . .
(She shuts the door in his face.)
CYRANO (who has re-entered unseen): I' faith! It is successful!
