Pay your five sous!

French ecu coin worth 5 sous

The play Cyrano de Bergerac begins with a loud argument at the door of the theater.

PORTER (pursuing them): Hey there! Pay your five sous!

A PALACE GUARD: I get in free!

PORTER: And why is that?

A PALACE GUARD: I am a Palace Guard!

PORTER (to another pair of gentlemen who enter): You?

FIRST MUSKETEER: I don’t pay!

PORTER: But…

FIRST MUSKETEER: I’m a musketeer.

The sous coin was also called a sol in 17th century France. Here is a photograph of 1/12 Ecu coin (worth 10 sol ) from the reign of (1643-1715). This would have been the perfect payment for yourself and friend to enjoy a night at the theater at the Hôtel Bourguignon where the first act of Cyrano takes place.

#Cyrano Sundays #CyranoScottishRite2019