CYRANO.
But for principle example too,
I think 'tis well thus to exaggerate.
LE BRET.
Oh 1 lay aside that pride of musketeer,
Fortune and glory wait you !...
CYRANO.
Ay, and then ? . . .
Seek a protector, choose a patron out,
And like the crawling ivy round a tree
That lioks the bark to gain the trunk's support,
Climb high by creeping ruse instead of force!
No, grammercy ! What ! I, like all the rest
Dedicate verse to bankers ? play buffoon
In cringing hope to see, at last, a smile
Not disapproving, on a patron's lips ?
Grarumercy, no ! What ! learn to swallow toads 1
With frame aweary climbing stairs ? a skin
Grown grimed and homy, here, about the knees ?
And, acrobat-like, teach my back to bend ?
No, grammercy ! Or, double-faced and sly
Run with the hare, while hunting with the hounds ;
And, oily-tongued, to win the oil of praise,
Flatter the great man to his very nose ?
No, grammercy ! Steal soft from lap to lap,
A little great man in a circle small,
Or navigate, with madrigals for sails,
Blown gently windward by old ladies' sigha ?
No, grammercy ! Bribe kindly editors
To spread abroad my verses! Granimercy!
Or try to be elected as the pope
Of tavern-councils held by imbeciles ?
