(_The fife plays. The wounded rise to their feet. The Cadets form a group around Cyrano and the little flag; others climb into and upon the coach, making it look like a small fortress._) A CADET (_coming up from the outside of the embankment, backward, still fighting_). They come! they come! (_Falls down dead._) CYRANO. We'll give them a salute! (_The embankment is at once occupied by a troop of the enemy, with large flags waving._) Fire! (_General discharge._) ORDER (_from the enemy's ranks_). Fire! (_Most of the Cadets fall, either wounded or dead._) A SPANISH OFFICER (_taking off his hat_). Who are these people dying so bravely? CYRANO (_erect and proudly reciting_). Fair Gascony's cadets are they, With Carbon,--He of Haughty-Hall; They fight and lie without dismay, (_He rushes on to enemy, followed by a few surviving Cadets._) Fair Gascony's cadets.... (_The rest is lost in the noise of battle._) _CURTAIN._ [Illustration: _FOURTH ACT._] _ACT V._ CYRANO'S GAZETTE. _Fifteen years later, in 1655. The garden of the Convent of the Ladies of the Cross, in Paris._ _Beautiful shade trees. To the left, the house. Wide porch on which several doors open. In the centre of the stage, an enormous overspreading tree standing alone in a sort of open circle. To the right, first entrance, backed by high box-wood bushes, a semi-circular stone bench._ _In the rear an avenue of chestnut trees leading up to fourth entrance, right, where the door of the Chapel can be seen through the branches. Beyond the avenue, lawns, other rows of trees, shrubbery and the sky._ _The Chapel has a small side door, from which starts, running down to the right, first entrance, behind the box-wood bushes, a sort of colonnade entwined with creepers rich in hues of gold and red._ _It is Autumn. The russet leaves of the trees are in bright contrast with the green lawns, except the box-wood and yew-trees that form dark spots here and there. Yellow leaves beneath the trees; fallen leaves everywhere on the ground, on the porch and on the benches._ _Between the stone bench to the right and the tree in the centre, a tapestry frame, and in front of it a chair. Baskets full of worsted skeins and balls. On the frame, a piece of tapestry-work, unfinished._ _As the curtain rises, sisters are going and coming through the garden; some are seated on the bench, on either side of an elderly sister. Leaves are falling._ _SCENE I._ MOTHER MARGARET, SISTER MARTHA, SISTER CLAIRE, _other_ SISTERS. SISTER MARTHA (_to Mother Margaret_). Sister Claire looked at herself twice in the mirror. MOTHER MARGARET (_to Sister Claire_).