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CHANTECLER [_To the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] Must I go too?
THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Tenderly._] No, after rising to such heights, I think you may be excused from the Guinea-hen's at home!
CHANTECLER [_With a touch of sadness._] You, however, are going?
THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Gaily._] I want to show off your suns.h.i.+ne on my dress! I will be back directly. Wait for me here.
THE BLACKBIRD Yes, much better keep out of the way.
CHANTECLER [_Looking at him._] Wherefore?
THE BLACKBIRD [_Quickly._] Nothing! [_Falling into fresh ecstasies._] Oh, this blessed c.o.c.k of ours!
CHANTECLER [_To the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] You will not be long?
THE PHEASANT-HEN The merest moment. [_Low to him before leaving._] You see, even the Blackbird is impressed! [_She flies off._]
SCENE FIFTH
CHANTECLER, THE BLACKBIRD
CHANTECLER [_Coming back to the_ BLACKBIRD.] And so that habitual skeptical sneer--?
THE BLACKBIRD Wiped out! My satirical whistling, as the Dog called it, now expresses pure admiration. Listen, like this: [_He whistles admiringly._]
Tew!--How is that?--Tew-tew [_Nodding soberly._] That's all right!
CHANTECLER [_Innocently._] You are not such a bad fellow, after all. I said so to the Dog.
THE BLACKBIRD [_With profound conviction._] You're a wonderful old boy!
CHANTECLER [_Modestly._] Oh!
THE BLACKBIRD To come it over the Hens--[_He again whistles Admiringly._] make them believe that he engineers the dawn! [CHANTECLER _starts._] A simple idea, but it took you to get on to it! Brother, I believe you were hatched in Columbus' egg!
CHANTECLER But--
THE BLACKBIRD All other Don Juans are donkeys beside you! Says he to himself: Make the daybreak to impress little pheasant-hens! And does it, too--succeeds!
CHANTECLER [_In a smothered voice._] Be still!
THE BLACKBIRD Neat, the little roof which must be gilded! Complete, the ladder for the Motes!
CHANTECLER [_In a spasm of pain._] Be still!
THE BLACKBIRD And the access of modesty, a sweet little final touch! I kiss my hand to you! Oh, he knows how--no mistake he knows--
CHANTECLER [_Constraining himself, in a curt voice._] The Dawn? Certainly, I know her. I think I may claim that honor!
THE BLACKBIRD You precious fakir! Don't you consider you have succeeded?
CHANTECLER In bringing on the day? Yes, certainly, I have succeeded admirably, in this case.
THE BLACKBIRD Oh, you do it so well! How awfully well he does it!
CHANTECLER Making the light? Of course, I have done it so often! I am used to it.
The Sun obeys me.
THE BLACKBIRD So, worthy Joshua! You feel the dawn coming, and then you crow! For lightness of touch and richness of invention, give us a lyric poet!
CHANTECLER [_Bursting forth._] Wretch!
THE BLACKBIRD [_Surprised._] Are you keeping it up with me? [_Winking._] Oh, we know how the thing is done!
CHANTECLER You may know,--not I! I just open my heart and sing!
THE BLACKBIRD [_Hopping about._] That's the idea!
CHANTECLER Blackbird, laugh at everything besides, but not at that, if you love me!
THE BLACKBIRD I love you!
CHANTECLER [_Bitterly._] With half a heart!
THE BLACKBIRD Can't say a word about his _Fiat Lux?_
CHANTECLER Not that! Not that!
THE BLACKBIRD Old man, it's not my fault that I'm no gull.
CHANTECLER [_Looking after him as he hops about._] He cannot keep still long enough, I suppose, to let the sacred truth sink in. [_Trying to stop him in his hopping._] You behold the agony of emotion shaking me. No more baffle and keep me off with words!
THE BLACKBIRD [_Hopping past him._] Catch, if you can, and convince me!
CHANTECLER [_Imploring._] It's a matter of life--my profoundest life! Oh, convince you I must, if only for a second! I feel the holy impulse to struggle with your soul!
THE BLACKBIRD [_Hopping past him._] Do you!
CHANTECLER In solemn earnest, at the bottom of your heart, you did--did you not?--believe me?
THE BLACKBIRD I believe you!
CHANTECLER [_With pressing anguish._] You must in some manner be aware of the dreadful cost to me of that song? Come, use your reason. To sing as you heard me sing, you must realise that I needed--
THE BLACKBIRD A whopping muscle and a tolerable nerve!
