How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line)
Quote #1
THE PAGES (Dance in, holding hands and singing:)
Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-lère…
THE PORTER
You pages there—no nonsense!
FIRST PAGE (With wounded dignity)
Oh, monsieur!
Really! How could you?
(To the Second, the moment the Porter turns his back)
Pst!—a bit of string?
SECOND PAGE (Shows fishline with hook)
Yes—and a hook.
FIRST PAGE
Up in the gallery,
And fish for wigs! (I.19-23)
The pages set the tone for Cyrano in the first act with their frippery and zany antics.
Quote #2
FIRST MARQUIS (Seeing the hall half empty)
How now! We enter
Like tradespeople—no crowding, no disturbance!—
No treading on the toes of citizens?
Oh fie! Oh fie! (I.38-41)
Rostand satirizes the pretentiousness of noblemen by making the first marquis so concerned with appearing important. He is indignant that their entrance has not caused a stir among the little people.