Parisby moonlight is seen.) Ah! -- Paris melts
away, by night, and grows mistlike; the moon-
light flows over the slopes of her bluish roofs;
an exquisite framework is prepared for this
scene; below, under the scarf of vapors, the
Seine like a mysterious, magic mirror, trem-
bles. -- And you will see what you will see!

ALL. To the Porte de Nesle!

CYRANO (standing on the threshold). To the
Porte de Nesle! (Before he goes, turns to the
Soubrette.) Didn't you ask, mademoiselle, why
a hundred men were sent against this lone
rhymester? (He draws his sword and adds,
calmly) It is because they knew that he is
one of my friends!

(He goes out. The procession with LIGNIÈRE
staggering along at the head, -- then the Actresses
on the Officers' arms, -- then the Actors, frisking,
march into the darkness to the sound of the
violins, and the flickering light of the candles.)

Curtain falls.

-57-