
In a tangled garden where ivy clings to a crumbling wall, two young people from rival families steal moments together. Sylvette, the daughter of Pasquinot, and Percinet, son of Bergamin, meet under the shade of leafy arches, sharing verses that echo the loves of Romeo and mythic muses. Their conversation drifts between playful teasing and the bittersweet ache of a love caught between duty and desire.
Rostand’s comedy unfolds in sparkling rhymed dialogue, letting the characters’ wit sparkle as they argue about poetry, family grudges, and the very idea of fleeing together. The verse format gives the play a lyrical charm, while the banter remains lively and accessible, inviting listeners to feel the tension and humor of a classic lovers’ quarrel.
A colorful cast of parents, servants, and townsfolk looms just beyond the wall, ready to intervene and complicate the budding romance. As the first act closes, the audience is left anticipating whether the lovers’ words will bridge the chasm that separates their worlds.
Language
fr
Duration
~1 hours (76K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Laurent Vogel (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr)
Release date
2018-09-03
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1868–1918
Best known for the swashbuckling wit and romance of Cyrano de Bergerac, this French playwright brought poetic drama roaring back to life at the end of the 19th century. His work mixes sparkling language, big feelings, and theatrical flair in a way that still feels vivid today.
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