CHANTECLER Hush! Come to my heart and let me thank you. Never has there been a lovelier dawn. THE PHEASANT-HEN But what will repay you for all your pains? CHANTECLER Echoes of awakening life down in the valley! [_Confused living noises are beginning to mount from below._] Tell me of them. I have not the strength to listen for myself. THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Runs to the top of the rise, and listens._] I hear a finger knocking against the rim of a brazen sky-- CHANTECLER [_With closed eyes._] The Angelus. THE PHEASANT-HEN Other strokes, which sound like a human Angelus after the divine-- CHANTECLER The forge-hammer. THE PHEASANT-HEN Lowing,--then a song-- CHANTECLER The plow. THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Continuing to listen._] Sounds as of a bird’s nest fallen into the little street-- CHANTECLER [_With growing emotion._] The school! THE PHEASANT-HEN Imps of whom I catch no glimpse buffet one another in the water-- CHANTECLER Women washing linen. 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!