Takes De Guiche's white scarf in the middle of a battle

DE GUICHE:
Is that so? Fine, then. [addressing himself to the cadets] I am above your taunts, because it's well
known how I've shown myself in this war. Just yesterday, at Bapaume, I beat back the Count of
Bucquoi. I assembled my men and we charged on him three separate times!
CYRANO:
[without lifting his eyes from his book] Yes, and don't forget the part about your white scarf.
DE GUICHE:
[surprised and gratified] Oh, you've heard that detail? It's true! I'll tell you how it happened. While
turning about to recall the troops for the third charge, I was swept up with a band of fugitives. They
bore me with them, and we came dangerously close to the enemy. I was in peril of capture or sudden
death! I quickly had the idea to loosen the scarf which told my military rank and I let it fall. This way,
I was unnoticed and was able to leave the swarm. I went back, rallied my men, and we charged and
scattered them! What do you say to that, Sir?
[The CADETS pretend not to be listening, but the cards and the dice-boxes remain suspended in their hands,
the smoke of their pipes in their cheeks. They wait.]
CYRANO:
I say that Henry the Fourth would never have stripped himself of his scarf, no matter the danger.
[There is silent delight among the cadets. The cards fall, the dice rattle, the smoke is puffed.]
DE GUICHE:
But it was a good trick! And it worked!
[The CADETS again suspend their movements and wait.]
CYRANO:
Oh, that may be true! But I don't believe in lightly abdicating the honor of being the enemy's target.
[Cards and dice fall again, and the cadets smoke with delight.] We have very different ideas of what
courage is, Sir. If I had been there when your scarf fell, I would have picked it up and put it on
myself.
DE GUICHE:
Oh, that's just Gascon bragging!
CYRANO:
Bragging? Give the scarf to me. I promise that tonight I will lead the assault while wearing it across
my chest.
DE GUICHE:
Another Gascon boast! You know very well that my scarf now lies on the river bank in enemy
territory. The place is riddled with gunfire! No one can bring it back!
CYRANO:
[drawing the scarf from his pocket, and holding it out to him] Here it is.

(Scene IV, Page 121)