THE BLACKBIRD Must I send you a blankety carrier-pigeon with the news?--That Cock 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! CHANTECLER [_To the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] Must I go too? THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Tenderly._] No, after rising to such heights, I think you may be excused from the Guinea-hen’s at home! CHANTECLER [_With a touch of sadness._] You, however, are going? THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Gaily._] I want to show off your sunshine on my dress! I will be back directly. Wait for me here. THE BLACKBIRD Yes, much better keep out of the way. CHANTECLER [_Looking at him._] Wherefore? THE BLACKBIRD [_Quickly._] Nothing! [_Falling into fresh ecstasies._] Oh, this blessed Cock of ours! CHANTECLER [_To the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] You will not be long? THE PHEASANT-HEN The merest moment. [_Low to him before leaving._] You see, even the Blackbird is impressed! [_She flies off._] SCENE FIFTH CHANTECLER, THE BLACKBIRD CHANTECLER [_Coming back to the_ BLACKBIRD.] And so that habitual skeptical sneer--? THE BLACKBIRD Wiped out! My satirical whistling, as the Dog called it, now expresses pure admiration. Listen, like this: [_He whistles admiringly._] Tew!--How is that?--Tew-tew [_Nodding soberly._] That’s all right! CHANTECLER [_Innocently._] You are not such a bad fellow, after all. I said so to the Dog. THE BLACKBIRD [_With profound conviction._] You’re a wonderful old boy! CHANTECLER [_Modestly._] Oh! THE BLACKBIRD To come it over the Hens--[_He again whistles Admiringly._] make them believe that he engineers the dawn! [CHANTECLER _starts._] A simple idea, but it took you to get on to it! Brother, I believe you were hatched in Columbus’ egg! CHANTECLER But-- THE BLACKBIRD All other Don Juans are donkeys beside you! Says he to himself: Make the daybreak to impress little pheasant-hens! And does it, too--succeeds! CHANTECLER [_In a smothered voice._] Be still! THE BLACKBIRD Neat, the little roof which must be gilded! Complete, the ladder for the Motes! CHANTECLER [_In a spasm of pain._] Be still! THE BLACKBIRD And the access of modesty, a sweet little final touch! I kiss my hand to you! Oh, he knows how--no mistake he knows-- CHANTECLER [_Constraining himself, in a curt voice._] The Dawn? Certainly, I know her. I think I may claim that honor! THE BLACKBIRD You precious fakir! Don’t you consider you have succeeded? CHANTECLER In bringing on the day? Yes, certainly, I have succeeded admirably, in this case. THE BLACKBIRD Oh, you do it so well! How awfully well he does it! CHANTECLER Making the light? Of course, I have done it so often! I am used to it. The Sun obeys me.