Perhaps. My vice is such. I'm pleased if I displease. Indeed, I love To gather hatred. Friend, you've never felt The thrill that's caused by walking on erect, While fifty pairs of eyes are sending shot, As if they were so many guns! And then.... How comical the spots on doublets made By envy's gall and cowardice's slaver! --Loose friendships like to those you cultivate Resemble the Italian collars, soft And open-worked, that feminize your necks. They're easy and of tranquil-going mien; Your head with them can bend to any will. Not so with me! For Hatred, every morn, Makes stiff the ruff that forces up my head! An enemy I gain's another fold That straightens me the more, perhaps, but adds A beam to my renown. The Spanish ruff, Though sitting on the neck as would a yoke, With some can be a halo 'round the head! LE BRET (_after a pause, passing his arm through Cyrano's_). Speak out aloud your pride and bitterness, But whisper to me then: she loves me not! [17] Note.--This is a Gascon oath. Like the similar oaths following, it would if translated literally (Blood of God,) lose its picturesque and really innocent character. All of these are oath-sounds rather than oaths, and somewhat oath-evading, after the fashion of "goldarn it," in America. [18] Note.--The name "Castel-Jaloux," in the original, being indicative of Gascon pride and superlativeness, it was thought better to translate it in order to preserve colour. But here arose the question: "Him" or "He" of Haughty-Hall? Both cases have their champions, with most excellent reasons. It was thought, however, that argument might be avoided and the line be made more effective by the insertion of a dash after "Carbon," thus leaving time for the imaginary interrogation: "What Carbon?" following which suspension, the answer is. "He of Haughty-Hall" is the Carbon meant. [19] Note.--The text here, justified by a current French expression, would be too broad in English. _SCENE IX._ CYRANO, LE BRET, THE CADETS, CHRISTIAN DE NEUVILLETTE. A CADET (_seated at a table in the rear, drinking_). Cyrano! (_Cyrano turns._) That narrative, please. CYRANO. Yes, presently! (_He takes the arm of Le Bret, going up and speaking in low tone to him._) THE CADET (_rising and coming down_). The details of the fight! They will make the best kind of lesson.... (_stopping near the table before which Christian is seated_) for a timid apprentice! CHRISTIAN (_looking up_). Apprentice! ANOTHER CADET. Just so, sickly northerner! CHRISTIAN. Sickly! FIRST CADET (_sneeringly_).