PATOU What?

CHANTECLER I have done them an injustice. All of them, ceasing to insult and mock me, look, gather round me, closer and closer--look!

PATOU [_Seeing them all, in fact, crowding around_ CHANTECLER, _and gazing anxiously at the sky, looks up too, and says simply._] It is the hawk!

CHANTECLER Ah! [_A dark shadow slowly sweeps over the motley crowd, who crouch and cower._]

PATOU When that great shadow falls, it is not the fine, strange c.o.c.ks we trust to keep off the bird of prey!

CHANTECLER [_Suddenly grown great of size, his wounds forgotten, stands in the midst of them, and in an authoritative tone._] Yes, close around me, all of you, all! [_All, huddled in their feathers, their heads drawn in between their wings, press against him._]

THE PHEASANT-HEN Dear, brave, and gentle heart!

CHANTECLER [_The shadow sweeps over the crowd a second time. The_ GAME c.o.c.k _makes himself small._ CHANTECLER _alone remains standing, in the midst of a heap of ruffled, trembling feathers._]

A HEN [_Looking up at the_ HAWK.] Twice the black shadow has swept over us!

CHANTECLER [_Calling to the_ CHICKS, _who come madly running._] Chicks, come here to me!

THE PHEASANT-HEN You take them under your wing?

CHANTECLER I must. Their mother is a box!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Looking upward._] He hovers over us--[_The shadow of the_ HAWK, _circling lower and lower, pa.s.ses for the third time, darker than ever._]

ALL [_In a moan of fear._] Ah!

CHANTECLER [_Shouting toward the sky._] I am here!

PATOU He has heard your trumpet cry!

THE PHEASANT-HEN He flies further.

[_All rise with a joyous cry of deliverance, "Ah!" and go back to their places to watch the end of the combat._]

PATOU Without loss of a moment they form the ring again.

CHANTECLER [_With a start._] What did you say? [_He looks. It is true, the ring has immediately formed._]

THE PHEASANT-HEN Now they want you killed to be revenged for their fine scare.

CHANTECLER But now I shall not be killed! I felt my strength come back when the common enemy flew across the sky. [_Striding boldly up to the_ WHITE PILE.] I got back my courage, fearing for the others.

THE WHITE PILE [_Amazed at being smartly attacked._] Whence has he drawn new strength?

CHANTECLER I am thrice stronger now than you. Black excites me, you see, as red excites the bull, and thrice I have stared at night in the form of a bird's shadow!

THE WHITE PILE [_Driven to bay, against the hedge, prepares to use his razors._]

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Screaming._] Look out! He has two sharp razors at his heels, the beast!

CHANTECLER I knew it!

THE CAT [_From his tree, to the_ GAME c.o.c.k.] Use your knives!

PATOU [_Ready to spring from his wheelbarrow._] If he uses those, I'll strangle him, that's all!

THE CROWD Oh!

PATOU I will! Howl you never so loud!

THE WHITE PILE [_Feeling himself lost._] No help for it!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Closely watching him._] He is getting one of his razors ready!

THE WHITE PILE [_Striking with his sharp spur._] Take that! Die! [_He utters a terrible cry, while_ CHANTECLER, _avoiding the blow, springs aside._] Ah! [_He drops to the ground. Cry of amazement._]

SEVERAL VOICES What is it?

THE BLACKBIRD [_Who has hopped up to the fallen_ c.o.c.k _and examined him._] Nothing!

Merely he has dexterously slashed his left claw with his right!

THE CROWD [_Following and hooting the_ WHITE PILE, _who, having picked himself up, limps off._] Hoo! Hoo!

PATOU _and the_ PHEASANT-HEN [_Laughing and weeping and talking, all in one, beside_ CHANTECLER, _who stands motionless, utterly spent, with closed eyes._] Chantecler!

It is we! The Pheasant-hen! The Dog! Speak to us, speak!

CHANTECLER [_Opening his eyes, looks at them and says gently._] The day will rise to-morrow!

SCENE SIXTH

THE SAME, _except the_ WHITE PILE

THE CROWD [_After seeing the_ WHITE PILE _off, return tumultuously to_ CHANTECLER, _hailing him with acclamations._] Hurrah!

CHANTECLER [_Drawing away from them, in a terrible voice._] Stand back! I know your worth! [_The crowd hastily draws back._]

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Close by his side._] Come away to the woods, where true-hearted animals live!

CHANTECLER No, I will stay here.

THE PHEASANT-HEN After finding them out?

CHANTECLER After finding them out.

THE PHEASANT-HEN You will stay here?