THE CADET. Something in my heels that should not be there!.... CYRANO. What's that? THE CADET. My stomach! CYRANO. Mine's the same. What of it? THE CADET. Isn't it inconvenient? CYRANO. No, it heightens me. SECOND CADET. My teeth are very long. CYRANO. Well, you can bite off a larger piece. ANOTHER CADET. My skin sounds empty. CYRANO. We'll use it as a drum, for the charge. ANOTHER CADET. There is a humming in my ears. CYRANO. Not that; an empty stomach has no ears. Impossible! OTHER CADET. Oh! for something to eat,--with good oil! CYRANO (_taking off the helmet of the Cadet, in whose hand he places it_). Eat your salad. ANOTHER CADET. What could we find to devour? CYRANO (_throwing to him the book he holds in his hand_). The Iliad! OTHER CADET. Meanwhile, the Minister in Paris has his four meals a day! CYRANO. He ought certainly to send you at least a partridge. SAME CADET. Why not? And some wine with it too! CYRANO. Richelieu, some Burgundy, if you please! SAME CADET. By one of his capuchins! CYRANO. The Grey Eminence is so intoxicating! OTHER CADET. I'm as hungry as a bear! CYRANO. Well, bear it![23] FIRST CADET (_shrugging his shoulders_). Forever words, a point! CYRANO. A point and words! 'Tis true; and I should like to die--at eve, The sky aglow--as the defender of A noble cause, a soldier and a poet too, With, on my lips, the thrill of daring words, And in my heart a sword's ennobling point! ALL. We're hungry! CYRANO (_crossing his arms_). So--you think of naught but food! Come up here, then, Bertrandou, with your fife. Seek shepherds' notes, and let these gluttons feast Upon some old and ne'er forgotten tune Each sound of which is like a sister's voice; An air that slowly winds its way aloft, As does the smoke from lowly cottage roofs, A lay of youth, of waiting hearts and home! (_Bertrandou prepares his fife._) Let fife a while forget the battle note, Remembering that it was born a reed. (_Bertrandou begins playing some Gascony airs._)