PATOU [_Lifting his head again._] No, it is too silly and too weak! I’ll shout it if I please! [_He howls with the whole power of his lungs._] Stars!--[_Then in a tone of relief._] There, I feel better! CHICKENS [_Passing at the back, mocking._] Stars!--Ho! Stars for ours! Stars! [_They go off, fooling and giggling._] PATOU Hear them! Our pullets will be whistling soon like blackbirds! CHANTECLER [_Proudly strutting up and down._] What care I? I sing, and have on my side the Hens. PATOU Trust not to the hearts of Hens--or of crowds. You are too willing to take the price of your singing in lip-service. CHANTECLER But love--love is glory awarded in kisses! PATOU Ah! I, too, was young once, I had my wilding devil’s beauty,--an inflammatory eye, an inflammable heart. Well, I was deceived. For a handsomer dog?--No, they deceived me for a miserable cur!--[_Roaring in sudden wrath._] For whom?--For whom, do you suppose? CHANTECLER [_Retreating._] You alarm me! PATOU For a low-down dachshund who trod on his own ears! THE BLACKBIRD [_Who has overheard_ PATOU’S _last words, sticking his head between the bars of his cage._] Still harping on the dachshund, is he? What’s the odds, old chappie? You were the goat!--How does being the goat matter? PATOU But you up there, scoffing at everything, who are you, may one ask? BLACKBIRD I’m the pet of the poultry yard! PATOU Bad luck is what you’ll bring them! BLACKBIRD A prophecy-sharp?--Say, wisteria, we are twisted up with laughter! [_He comes out of his cage and hops to the ground._] PATOU [_As he approaches_] Grrrrrrr-- CHANTECLER Hush! He’s a friend! PATOU A false one. CHANTECLER [_To_ BLACKBIRD.] Fine things we learn when the talk is of you! THE OLD HEN [_Her head protruding from the basket._] Strike rotten wood, and see the wood-lice scatter! [_The basket-lid drops._] PATOU [_To_ CHANTECLER.] He laughs at you behind your back! BLACKBIRD [_To_ PATOU.] Ha, retriever, you retrieve? PATOU When you pour forth your heart in your ardent cry, giving it over and over, he calls it the same old saw that your jag-toothed red crest stands for! CHANTECLER So that’s what you say? BLACKBIRD [_Affecting simplicity._] You surely don’t mind? How can it affect you? And a joke about you is always so sure of success! PATOU [_To the_ BLACKBIRD.] Point-blank, do you admire or despise the Cock? BLACKBIRD I make fun of him in spots, but admire him in lump! PATOU You always peck two kinds of seed. THE BLACKBIRD My cage has two seed-cups, you see. PATOU I am single-minded and downright! THE BLACKBIRD You--are an old poodle of the year 48! I am an up-to-date bird! PATOU [_Gruffly._] Out of my way! lest I give your black coat red tails! [_The_ BLACKBIRD _nimbly gets out of the way,_ PATOU _goes into his kennel grumbling._] I’ll show him some up-to-date jaws! CHANTECLER Be quiet! It’s his way. The truth is that if once he stood in the presence of beauty, this very Blackbird would applaud!