THE PHEASANT-HEN And suddenly, on all sides, what are they--iron locusts rubbing their wings together?

CHANTECLER [_Half rising, in the fullness of pride._] Ah, if scythes are whetting, the reapers will soon be harvesting the golden grain! [_The sounds increase and mingle: bells, hammers, washer-women's wooden spades, laughter, singing, grinding of steel, cracking of whips._] All at work!

And I have done that!--Oh, impossible!--Pheasant-hen, help me! This is the dreadful moment! [_He looks wildly about him._] I made the sunrise!

I did! Wherefore And how? And where? No sooner does my reason return--than I go mad! For I who believe I have power to rekindle the celestial gold--I--well--oh, it is dreadful--

THE PHEASANT-HEN What is?

CHANTECLER I am humble-minded, modest! You will never tell?

THE PHEASANT-HEN No, no!

CHANTECLER You promise? Ah! let my enemies never know!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Moved._] Chantecler!

CHANTECLER I feel myself unworthy of my glory. Why was I chosen, even I, to drive out black night? No sooner have I brought the heavens to a white glow, than the pride which lifted me aloft drops dead. I fall to earth. What, I, so small, I made the immeasurable dawn? And having done this, I must do it again? Nay, but I cannot! Nay, it would be vain! Never need I attempt it! Despair overtakes me--Comfort me, love!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Tenderly._] My own!

CHANTECLER Such a burden of responsibility resting upon me! That inspiring breath which I await when I scratch in the sand, will it come again? I feel the whole future depending upon an incomprehensible something which might perchance fail me! Do you understand now the anguish gnawing me? Ah, the swan is certain, by bending his neck, to find under water the gra.s.ses he delights in; the eagle, when he swoops from the blue, sure of falling upon his prey; and you are ever sure of finding in the earth the well supplied nests of the ants,--but I, for whom my own work remains a mystery, I, possessed ever by the fear of the morrow, am I sure of finding my song in my heart?

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Clasping him with her wings._] Surely, you will find it, surely!

CHANTECLER Yes, talk to me like that. I listen, I heed you. You must believe me when I believe, and not when I doubt. Tell me again--

THE PHEASANT-HEN You are beautiful!

CHANTECLER About that I care very little.

THE PHEASANT-HEN And you sang beautifully!

CHANTECLER Say that I sang badly, but tell me that it is I who make--

THE PHEASANT-HEN Indeed, indeed, I admire you beyond all bounds and measure!

CHANTECLER No,--tell me that what I told you is true--

THE PHEASANT-HEN What?

CHANTECLER That it is I who make--

THE PHEASANT-HEN Yes, my glorious Beloved, yes, it is you who make the dawn appear!

THE BLACKBIRD [_Suddenly appearing._] Well, well, old man!

SCENE FOURTH

THE SAME, THE BLACKBIRD

CHANTECLER The Blackbird!--My secret!

THE BLACKBIRD [_Bowing with every sign of admiration._] Allow me to--

CHANTECLER That inveterate mocker! [_To the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] Leave us not alone! My soul is still open--his mockery would enter in!

THE BLACKBIRD Ripping!

CHANTECLER Where have you come from?

THE BLACKBIRD [_Indicating an empty overturned flower-pot._] From that flower-pot.

CHANTECLER But how--?

THE BLACKBIRD I was having my early snack cozily in the earthenware retreat you see, when suddenly--oh, allow me to express at once the amazement, the admiration--

CHANTECLER Eavesdropping inside a pot! How can you stoop to--

THE BLACKBIRD Hang the pot! I've had a sensation! I tell you I was wild! My feet were doing such a horn-pipe I had trouble to keep my eye steady at the peep-hole.

THE PHEASANT-HEN You could see us?

THE BLACKBIRD [_Showing the hole at the bottom of the flower-pot._] Could I see you!

Yonder stump of red cone has exactly the black hole to let through my yellow bill. Apologies,--but it was too tempting! A bird of taste, I am.

THE PHEASANT-HEN For the sake of this sincere tribute, I forgive you all the rest!

CHANTECLER But--

THE BLACKBIRD [_Coming and going in excitement._] Oh, wonderful, and again wonderful, and then again wonderful!--Hear me rant!

CHANTECLER [_Amazed._] What, is it possible that you--?

THE BLACKBIRD Am I given to gush? This time, old man, it's the genuine article, Enthusiasm with a capital E!

CHANTECLER Are you in earnest?

THE BLACKBIRD Must I send you a blankety carrier-pigeon with the news?--That c.o.c.k and that crow,--oh, my soul!--And then the day breaking,--oh, my stars!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_To_ CHANTECLER.] There seems to be no reason, dear, why I should not leave you alone together.

CHANTECLER But where are you going?

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Slightly ashamed of her own frivolity._] I am going to the--

THE BLACKBIRD The Guinea-hen's Day he's just given the finishing touches to!