Post occupied by company of Carbon de Castel-Jaloux at the siege of Arras.
In the background an embankment across the whole stage. Beyond, view of plain
extending to the horizon. The country covered with intrenchments. The walls of
Arras and the outlines of its roofs against the sky in the distance. Tents. Arms
strewn about, drums, etc. Day is breaking with a faint glimmer of yellow sunrise
in the east. Sentinels at different points. Watch-fires. The cadets of Gascony,
wrapped in their mantles, are sleeping. Carbon de Castel-Jaloux and Le Bret are
keeping watch. They are very pale and thin. Christian sleeps among the others in
his cloak in the foreground, his face illuminated by the fire. Silence.
Christian, Carbon de Castel-Jaloux, Le Bret, the cadets, then Cyrano.
CARBON:
Not a morsel left.
CARBON (making a sign that he should speak lower):
Curse under your breath. You will awake them.
(To the cadets):
Hush! Sleep on. (To Le Bret):
He who sleeps, dines!
LE BRET:
But that is sorry comfort for the sleepless!. . .
What starvation!
(Firing is heard in the distance.)
CARBON:
Oh, plague take their firing! 'Twill wake my sons.
(To the cadets, who lift up their heads):
Sleep on!
