THE GRAND-DUKE After cock-crow an Owl is no longer in his normal state-- THE SCREECH-OWL He does evil in a hurry! THE GRAND-DUKE And bungles it in consequence! THE OLD HORNED-OWL As soon as the Cock has crowed all becomes temporary provisional-- THE BARN-OWL Though the Night be still black, we are painfully aware of it growing less and less black! THE SCREECH-OWL When his metallic voice has cleft the night, we squirm like a worm in a fruit that is cut in two. THE BLACKBIRD [_On his fagot, mystified._] The other Cocks, however-- THE GRAND-DUKE Their song creates no uneasiness. It is his song which must be silenced. ALL THE NIGHT-BIRDS [_Flapping their wings, in a long lament._] Silenced! Silenced! AN OWL How can it be accomplished? THE SCREECH-OWL The Blackbird here has worked in our cause. THE BLACKBIRD Who--I? THE SCREECH-OWL Yes, you laughed at him. ALL [_Cackling._] Ha, ha! THE GRAND-DUKE [_Spreading his wings._] Hush! [_They resume their sinister stillness._] THE SCREECH-OWL But his song has not acted any the less directly on our gall-bladders for the fun that has been made of him. He has grown stronger than ever since he was found ridiculous. ALL What shall we do? THE SCREECH-OWL The Peacock, that great booby-- ALL [_Cackling and rocking._] Ha, ha! THE GRAND-DUKE [_Opening his wings._] Hush! [_All instantly motionless._] THE SCREECH-OWL Through the Peacock, likewise working in our cause, the Cock came out of fashion. But his song is just as inconvenient, in fashion or out of it. He is all the more proudly uncompromising for no longer being in style. ALL What shall we do? AN OWL Cut his throat! CRIES Death to the Cock! AN OWL Death to that aristocrat posing as a democrat and socialist! ANOTHER With spurs on his heels, but a liberty cap on his head! THE GRAND-DUKE Night-birds all, arise! [ALL, _arising with outspread wings and glaring eyes, increase enormously in size. The night appears doubly dark._] THE BLACKBIRD [_With unabated lightness._] Midnight to the fore! THE SCREECH-OWL Kill him! But how can we, when our eyes cease to see the moment he comes out? ALL [_Wailing like an ancient chorus._] Woe! THE OLD HORNED-OWL [_Craftily._] How kill--from afar? THE GRAND-DUKE By means of what secret spring? A VOICE [_From the tree._] Duke, may I lay a plan before the assembly? THE GRAND-DUKE Scops! Let us hear! ALL [_At sight of a small_ OWL _dropping from a bough, and coming forward with tiny hops._] Scops, dear little Scops!