Cyrano de Bergerac

From Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac (1990, use only by permission)

I bare my head from crown to nape

And slowly, leisurely reveal

The fighting trim beneath my cape

Then finally I strip my steel.

A thoroughbred from head to heal

Disdainful of the rein or bit,

Tonight I draw a lyric wheel

But, when the poem ends, I hit

Come be burst, you purple grape

Spurt out the juice beneath your peel

Jibber and show you rib boned ape

The fat your folderols conceal

Let’s ring your bells – a pretty peal

Is that a fly? I’ll see to it.

Ah, soon you’ll feel your blood congeal

For when the poem ends, I hit.

I need a rhyme to hold the shape

Gape, fish I’m going to wind the reel.

My rod is lusting for its rape

This sharp tooth slavers for its meal

There, let it strike. Ah, did you feel the bite?

Not yet.

The vultures sit until the closing of the deal.

The poem ends, and then I hit.

Envoy

Prince, drop your weapon. Humbly kneel,

Seek grace from God in requisite

The poem ended – and I hit.