What will all this lead you to? What system is yours? CYRANO. I was really meandering, and I found so many conclusions to adopt, through so many complications, that I came to this decision.... LE BRET. Which is?.... CYRANO. Oh! the simplest of all, by far. I decided to show myself admirable in all, and for all! LE BRET (_shrugging his shoulders_). So be it!.... But come now, tell me, tell _me_, the true reason of your hatred for Montfleury. CYRANO (_rising_). This Silenus, with a stomach like a hogshead, still believes himself a danger to womankind. See him, while he stammers on the stage, ogling like a carp, with his frog's eyes! I hate him since he dared, once, to set those eyes of his upon her.... Oh! I felt as if I saw a long slug crawling over a flower! LE BRET (_astounded_). What, is it possible?.... CYRANO (_with a bitter laugh_). That I love? (_changing to a solemn tone_). I do love. LE BRET. Whom? May I enquire? You never told me. CYRANO. Whom I love? Come now, reflect. The dream of being loved, even by a homely girl, is one forbidden me. Forbidden by this nose of mine that precedes me everywhere by fifteen minutes. So, then, I love .... Whom? Why! it is most natural! I love .... it could not be otherwise, the loveliest of the lovely! LE BRET. The loveliest?.... CYRANO. Exactly .... in the world! The most brilliant, the most exquisite, (_crushed_) the blondest! LE BRET. This woman is?.... CYRANO. A deadly danger, though She knows it not; a snare that Nature made Unconscious, like a sweetly budding rose Whose leaves conceal,--in ambush lurking, love. Who sees her smile knows what perfection is: Her slightest touch engenders loveliness; She moves as if all heaven's grace were hers, And Venus ne'er embarked in any shell, Nor did Diana tread the sylvan paths As my adored can step into a chair! LE BRET. I understand! Quite clear. CYRANO. Transparent, say. LE BRET. It's Magdeleine, your cousin? CYRANO. Yes, Roxane. LE BRET. Well, where's the harm? You love her? Tell her so! She witnessed here just now your valiant deed! CYRANO.