CHANTECLER No, it veiled itself. Even by daylight the stars are there.

THE PHEASANT-HEN You do not extinguish them?

CHANTECLER I extinguish nothing! But you shall see how great I am at kindling!

THE PHEASANT-HEN Oh, I see a dawning of--

CHANTECLER What do you see?

THE PHEASANT-HEN The blue is no longer blue!

CHANTECLER I told you! It is already green!

THE PHEASANT-HEN The green is turning to orange--

CHANTECLER You will have been the first this morning to see the transformation!

[_The distant plain takes on velvety purplish hues._]

THE PHEASANT-HEN It all seems to end in leagues of purple heather.

CHANTECLER [_Whose crow is beginning to tire._] c.o.c.k-a-doo--

THE PHEASANT-HEN Oh--yellow among the pine trees!

CHANTECLER Gold it ought to be,--gold!

THE PHEASANT-HEN And pearly grey--

CHANTECLER It shall be white!--I haven't done it yet! c.o.c.k-a-doodle-doo--It's very bad so far, but I won't give up!

THE PHEASANT-HEN Every hollow in every tree is pink as a wild rose--

CHANTECLER [_With growing enthusiasm._] Since love lends me strength in addition to faith, I say the Day to-day shall be more beautiful that the Day!--Do you see? Do you see the eastern sky at my voice dappling itself with light?

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Lured along and half persuaded by the madness of the_ c.o.c.k.] Such a thing might be, after all, since love is involved in the mystery!

CHANTECLER Resume, horizon, at my command, your fringe of little poplars!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Bending over the valley._] There emerges from the shadow, gradually, a world of your creation--

CHANTECLER Sacred things you are witnessing--To sacred things I am initiating you!--Define your outlines, distant hills! Pheasant-hen, do you love me?

THE PHEASANT-HEN We shall always love to be in the secret of the Makers of Dawn!

CHANTECLER You help me to sing better. Come closer. Collaborate.

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Springing to his side._] I love you!

CHANTECLER Every word you whisper in my ear shall be translated into sunshine for all the world to see!

THE PHEASANT-HEN I love you!

CHANTECLER Say it again, and I will gild that mountain suddenly!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Wildly._] I love you!--Let me see you gild it!

CHANTECLER [_In his greatest, most splendid manner._] c.o.c.k-a-doodle-doo! [_The mountain turns golden._]

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Pointing to the lower ranges, still purple._] But the hills?

CHANTECLER Each in its turn. To the highest peaks belong the earliest rays!

c.o.c.k-a-doodle-doo!

THE PHEASANT-HEN Ah!--across yonder drowsing slope a stealing gleam--

CHANTECLER [_Joyously._] I dedicate it to you!

THE PHEASANT-HEN The distant villages are coming into view.

CHANTECLER c.o.c.k-a--[_His voice breaks._]

THE PHEASANT-HEN You are weary!

CHANTECLER [_Stiffening himself._] I refuse to be! [_Wildly._] c.o.c.k-a-doodle-doo!

THE PHEASANT-HEN Exhausted!

CHANTECLER Do you see those tatters of mist still clinging? c.o.c.k-a-doodle-doo!

THE PHEASANT-HEN You will kill yourself!

CHANTECLER I only live, dear, when I am killing myself giving great splendid cries!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Pressing close to his side._] I am proud of you!

CHANTECLER [_With emotion._] Your head bows--

THE PHEASANT-HEN I listen to the Day arising in your breast! I delight to hear first in your lungs what by-and-by will be purple and gold on the mountain sides!

CHANTECLER [_While the little distant houses begin to smoke in the dawn._] I dedicate to you moreover those reawakened farmsteads. Man offers trinkets, I--wreaths and plumes of smoke!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Looking off._] I can see your work growing,--growing in the distance.

CHANTECLER [_Looking at her._] I can see it in your eyes!

THE PHEASANT-HEN Over the meadows--

CHANTECLER On your throat--[_In a smothered voice._] Oh, it is exquisite!