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These lines (recited by an actor in French) are spoken by the title character in Edmond Rostand’s 1897 poetic romance Cyrano de Bergerac. Inspired by the 17th-century French author of the same name—a man famous for his prominent nose and his skill in duelling—Cyrano de Bergerac tells the story of a frustrated poet whose appearance prevents him from winning the love that he desires. Rostand wrote entertaining, well-received plays that continue to provide strong roles for generations of actors.