CYRANO (_to the noisy ones around him_). Have pity on my scabbard! If you continue thus, it will lose control of its blade. (_The circle around him widens._) (_to Montfleury_). Get off the stage! (_The crowd closes in on him, muttering._) (_Turning suddenly_). Any objection made? (_Crowd falls back again._) A VOICE (_in the rear_). Monsieur de Cyrano is a tyrant. "La Clorise" shall be played. THE AUDIENCE. "La Clorise!" "La Clorise!" CYRANO. If I hear that again, I'll slaughter you all. TRADESMAN. You are not Samson! CYRANO. I will be, my dear Sir, if you'll lend me your jaw. A LADY (_in one of the boxes_). Disgraceful disturbance! A GENTLEMAN. Scandalous! A PAGE. Oh! What fun! THE PIT. Kss! Kss! Montfleury! Cyrano! CYRANO. Silence! Such is my order. I challenge the whole pit! Now for the names! Come up here, young heroes. Take the line, please; I'll distribute numbers. Well, who'll be number one? You, Sir? No! You, then? No! I'll favour number one by prompt attendance. Let any one who desires to die hold up a hand. (_Silence around him._) Oh! I see. You are prudish and would not like to see a blade naked. Not a name? Not a hand?--Very well, then, I continue. (_Turning again to the stage, on which Montfleury is waiting in agony_). I desire to see the stage cured of a monstrous tumor. And, if necessary, I'll use ... (_putting his hand to his sword_) a lancet! MONTFLEURY. But I .... CYRANO (_gets off his chair and sits down on it, comfortably, with a wide circle around him_). Attention, full moon! I'll clap my hands thrice. The third time, there must be an eclipse. THE PIT (_amused_). Ah! Good! CYRANO (_striking his hands together_). One! MONTFLEURY. But I .... A VOICE (_from the boxes_). Stay, Montfleury! THE PIT. Will stay, will not! Will stay, will not! MONTFLEURY. I believe, gentlemen .... CYRANO. Two! MONTFLEURY. It would be far better .... CYRANO. Three! (_Montfleury disappears as if by magic. General laughter, whistling, etc._) CYRANO (_leaning back in his chair, and crossing his legs_). Let him return if he dares! THE AUDIENCE. The company's orator!