her he loves her. Yes, he will do it! Rageuneau then enters in terrible condition and falls to the floor. It appears that a hundred men were chasing him just because he wrote a poem that offended them. He can't go home. Cyrano tells him that he should carry on his life as usual. Cyrano will help him out and fight the one hundred men at the Port de Nesle - alone. With Roxana in love with him, there is nothing he can't do. At seven o'clock the next morning at Ragueneau Bakery, Ragueneau re-enacts his imagined version of Cyrano's encounter with the one hundred men at the Porte de Nesle. The workers there are not too amused as they watch their boss simulate a fight and create a new poem. A wounded Cyrano enters, but he is more concerned about his appearance than he is to attending to the wound on his head - he is about to meet Roxana for their scheduled encounter. As Cyrano nervously scrolls a letter to Roxana in case he can't face her, bakery apprentices enter to tell of the mad fighting that occurred at the Porte de Nesle. Eight men were killed, and ninety-two ran off screaming like cats. Cyrano obviously did his work. Roxana does come to meet her cousin, Cyrano, and the two recall a time gone by when they were children spending summers together playing in Bergerac. Roxana attend to Cyrano's wounded head and tells him of the real reason for her visit. It appears that she is in love with someone whom she has never met. She has only seen him at the theatre. He is a soldier just like Cyrano, and in fact, is in his regiment. His name is Baron Christian de Neuvillette and she is afraid for him. He is new in the guards, but is not a Gascon. She fears that he will be picked on. She knows that everyone is afraid of Cyrano, and after what she saw him do last night fighting in the street, she knows that he can protect Christian. She asks Cyrano to promise to be Christian's friend and make certain that he, Christian, writes to her. Cyrano agrees and Roxana leaves. This is hardly the meeting that Cyrano had in mind; however, before he gets too distraught, Le Bret and all the other cadets enter to celebrate Cyrano's victory over the one hundred men at the port. The fight apparently was tremendous. Everyone wants to meet Cyrano. De Guiche enters and tells Cyrano that even Cardinal Richelieu would like Cyrano to join his retinue. Cyrano turns down all interviews and even sends word to Cardinal Richelieu that he "does not join retinues." He is indeed too proud. De Guiche leaves insulted and ready for revenge. This was a chance for Cyrano, but he didn't take it. Le Bret reminds Cyrano that all he does is make enemies. Yes, Cyrano loves hatred! He wants everything to be on his own terms. Le Bret tells Cyrano that he may enjoy being bitter and proud; however, the real reason he is upset is that Roxana doesn't love him. With that, Roxana's secret love, Baron Christian de Neuvillette, enters and is questioned by the other cadets who learn that he comes from the north. The soldiers trick him into mocking Cyrano's nose as Cyrano tells the story of his fight with one hundred men the night before. At first, Cyrano is angry that Christian would dare to insult him; however, after learning his identity lets him continue with his insults. Cyrano finally tells everyone to leave - they all do though they are rather confused. He sits and talks with Christian and tells him who he is and that Roxana is his cousin. Christian is overjoyed to hear this and apologises for insulting Cyrano. Cyrano informs Christian that Roxana is expecting a letter from him - tonight. This terrifies Christian since he is, in fact, terrible when it comes to words. Cyrano volunteers to write the letters for Christian and romance Roxana on his behalf. Grateful, Christian embraces Cyrano and the two go off to begin their newfound collaboration. Act II Cyrano and Christian stand outside Roxana's house as Cyrano coaches Christian in a song he will sing to her. Tonight is the first time she hears his voice. Christian sings the song; unfortunately Duenna hears it instead. Cyrano tells Christian to go off and wait for his signal. Roxana comes down and talks to Cyrano telling him how marvellous Christian's writings are. In fact, she has memorised them all. Just as Cyrano is ready to go and get Christian, Duenna enters with news that De Guiche has arrived. Cyrano informs her that with the help of his uncle, Cardinal Richelieu, he has had his wife put away. Before anything else can happen, Roxana needs to get rid of him. Cyrano leaves for a short time. De Guiche talks with Roxana, and tells her that he has been promoted to colonel of the Gascons and is off to battle to fight the Spaniards. Upon hearing the news, Roxana is distraught thinking of the possibility that Christian could be injured in battle. She reminds De Guiche that he wants revenge on Cyrano for snubbing him not that long ago and convinces him that the ultimate revenge would be to leave Cyrano's company behind while the rest go off to battle. Cyrano loves danger and would be devastated at not being able to go.
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