I don't know anything about fencing. I read somewhere that Ferrer was an accomplished fencer.
A review somewhere said that Cyrano probably had to be the best swordsman in Paris so that he could keep his nose from being "shortened" during a duel. I think his skill with the sword -- and his readiness to use it -- is part of his compensating for his lack of confidence in his appearance.
I thought the men were skilled. In the first duel, where Cyrano battles the theater dandy, I expected camerawork to change during the complicated scenes to hide the use of stand-ins. But it looked like the men had their own roles.
I thought it was decently realistic. When Cyrano was battling the 100 ruffians, he stabbed at one in the neck and apppeared to give him quite a poke. Hope those were dull pieces.
OK, so I adore the duel in rhyme. And just because I do, here you go:
Lightly I toss my hat away, Languidly over my arm let fall The cloak that covers my bright array-- Then out swords, and to work withal! A Lancelot, in his Lady's hall... A Spartacus, at the Hippodrome!... I dally awhile with you, dear jackal, Then, as I end the refrain, thrust home!
Where shall I skewer my peacock?...Nay, Better for you to have shunned this brawl!-- Here, in the heart, thro' your ribbons gay? --In the belly, under your silken shawl? Hark, how the steel rings musical! Mark how my point floats, light as the foam, Ready to drive you back to the wall, Then, as I end the refrain, thrust home!
Ho, for a rime!...You are white as whey-- You break, you cower, you cringe, you crawl! Tac!--and I parry your last essay: So may the turn of a hand forestall Life with its honey, death with its gall; So may the turn of my fancy roam Free, for a time, till the rimes recall, Then, as I end the refrain, thrust home!
Refrain: Prince! Pray God, that is Lord of all, Pardon your soul, for your time has come! Beat--pass--fling you aslant, asprawl-- Then, as I end the refrain... --Thrust home!
5 comments:
I don't know anything about fencing. I read somewhere that Ferrer was an accomplished fencer.
A review somewhere said that Cyrano probably had to be the best swordsman in Paris so that he could keep his nose from being "shortened" during a duel. I think his skill with the sword -- and his readiness to use it -- is part of his compensating for his lack of confidence in his appearance.
"I think his skill with the sword -- and his readiness to use it -- is part of his compensating for his lack of confidence in his appearance."
Oooh. Well said, Erin.
I thought the men were skilled. In the first duel, where Cyrano battles the theater dandy, I expected camerawork to change during the complicated scenes to hide the use of stand-ins. But it looked like the men had their own roles.
I thought it was decently realistic. When Cyrano was battling the 100 ruffians, he stabbed at one in the neck and apppeared to give him quite a poke. Hope those were dull pieces.
OK, so I adore the duel in rhyme. And just because I do, here you go:
Lightly I toss my hat away,
Languidly over my arm let fall
The cloak that covers my bright array--
Then out swords, and to work withal!
A Lancelot, in his Lady's hall...
A Spartacus, at the Hippodrome!...
I dally awhile with you, dear jackal,
Then, as I end the refrain, thrust home!
Where shall I skewer my peacock?...Nay,
Better for you to have shunned this brawl!--
Here, in the heart, thro' your ribbons gay?
--In the belly, under your silken shawl?
Hark, how the steel rings musical!
Mark how my point floats, light as the foam,
Ready to drive you back to the wall,
Then, as I end the refrain, thrust home!
Ho, for a rime!...You are white as whey--
You break, you cower, you cringe, you crawl!
Tac!--and I parry your last essay:
So may the turn of a hand forestall
Life with its honey, death with its gall;
So may the turn of my fancy roam
Free, for a time, till the rimes recall,
Then, as I end the refrain, thrust home!
Refrain:
Prince! Pray God, that is Lord of all,
Pardon your soul, for your time has come!
Beat--pass--fling you aslant, asprawl--
Then, as I end the refrain...
--Thrust home!
I'll bet this poem (and the whole play) is magnificent in French.
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