[26] Note.--An evident anachronism, since Molière did not open his Paris theatre until three years later (1658). Given, however, the deep knowledge of seventeenth century matters displayed throughout this drama, the anachronism must be intentional, the poet's object doubtless having been to embody the tradition according to which the "Qu'allait-il faire dans cette galère?" of Molière's "Fourberies de Scapin" (produced only in 1671) was taken from Cyrano de Bergerac's "Le Pédant Joué." [27] Note.--"It" here is Death (feminine in French). The personifying _he_ somewhat customary in English poetry, was set aside, and the _neuter_ gender was intentionally preserved, because, being more vague, it better represents the terror-striking _unknown_, and is more expressive of Cyrano's daring _contempt_ and repulsion for a loathsome _thing_. Cyrano, who put to flight one hundred men, could not be expected to fear a person, much less a personification. [28] Note.--See Introduction, Preface and Prefatory Triolets ("Le Panache"). _CURTAIN._ [Illustration: _FIFTH ACT._] Transcriber's Note Apparent printer's errors have been retained, unless stated below. Capitalization, accents and formatting markup have been normalized. Please note that although ellipses as well as punctuation around brackets appear inconsistent, these have been kept true to the text. Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). Illustration tags have been moved to the end of each Act. Page 139, "seige" changed to "siege". (That during this terrible siege he shall never be cold!) Page 139, "CHRISTIAN" changed to "CYRANO". Other editions have Cyrano speaking this line, and it only makes sense when it is spoken by him. (CYRANO (_halting_).) Page 141 and 156, "Ventrebieu" has been retained. It is believed that this may be a typo for "Ventrebleu", however, multiple volumes in both French and English use the same term. Page 150, "Decartes" changed to "Descartes". (.... and I ... will read Descartes.) Page 188, CYRANO's name appeared twice in a row without a second character speaking in between. (Once before his line, "We'll give them a salute!" and again before he said "Fire!") This redundancy was corrected. Page 192, "vail" changed to "veil". (Roxane is seen in the rear; she is in black, wearing the long veil of a widow.) Page 209, "Youé" changed to "Joué". (Given, however, the deep knowledge of seventeenth century matters displayed throughout this drama, the anachronism must be intentional, the poet's object doubtless having been to embody the tradition according to which the "Qu'allait-il faire dans cette galère?" of Molière's "Fourberies de Scapin" (produced only in 1671) was taken from Cyrano de Bergerac's "Le Pédant Joué.")