THE PEACOCK Asunartetos! A HEN [_To the_ GUINEA-HEN.] Your guest, my dear, can fit an epithet! THE GUINEA-HEN Pontiff of the Unexpected Adjective I call him! THE PEACOCK [_Distilling his words, in a discordant haughty voice._] True it is that-- THE GUINEA-HEN Ah, this is most pleasant, most pleasant! He is going to talk to us. THE PEACOCK --a Ruskin rather more refined, I hope, than the earlier one, with a tact-- THE GUINEA-HEN Very true! PEACOCK --a tact for which I stand largely in my own debt, I have constituted myself Petronius-Priest and Maecenas-Messiah volatile volatiliser of words, and that, jeweled judge, I love by my cameos and filigrees of speech to represent the Taste of which I am the-- PATOU Oh, my poor head! THE PEACOCK [_Nonchalantly._]--shall I say guardian? THE GUINEA-HEN [_Effervescently._] Do say guardian! THE PEACOCK No. Thesmothetes. [_Respectful murmur of delight._] THE GUINEA-HEN [_To the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] Now you have seen our Peacock! Aren’t you excited? THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Slightly bored._] Yes,--because I know the Cock is coming. THE GUINEA-HEN [_Delighted._] To-day? He is coming to-day? [_She announces to the general company, enthusiastically._] Chantecler! THE PEACOCK [_Slightly miffed._] A far greater triumph lies in store for you, fair friend. THE GUINEA-HEN Triumph? [_The_ PEACOCK _nods mysteriously._] What triumph? THE PEACOCK [_Walking away from her._] You shall see. THE GUINEA-HEN [_Following him._] Of what triumph are you speaking? THE PEACOCK I said, “You shall see!” MAGPIE [_Announcing._] Cock Braekel of Campine! SCENE THIRD THE SAME, _then gradually the_ COCKS. THE GUINEA-HEN [_Stopping short, amazed._] Braekel? At my party? There’s some mistake. THE BRAEKEL COCK [_Bowing before her._] Madam-- THE GUINEA-HEN [_Breathless with emotion in the presence of this white_ COCK _braided with black._] This unexpected pleasure-- THE MAGPIE [_Announcing._] Cock Ramelslohe-- THE GUINEA-HEN Heavens! THE MAGPIE [_Finishing._]--of the Slate-blue Claw! THE PEACOCK [_In the_ GUINEA-HEN’S _ear, while the startling_ RAMELSLOHE _bows._] He is one of the most recent leucotites! THE GUINEA-HEN [_Blankly._] A leucotite--How interesting! THE MAGPIE [_Announcing in a louder and louder, more and more impressive voice._] Cock Wyandotte of the Sable Spur! [_Shiver of emotion among the_ HENS.] THE GUINEA-HEN [_Off her head with excitement._] Heavens and gracious powers--my son! THE YOUNG GUINEA-COCK [_Running to her._] Mamma! THE GUINEA-HEN Wyandotte! Cock Wyandotte! THE PEACOCK [_With a fine carelessness._] Cock with strawberry coronet, product of Art Nouveau! THE GUINEA-HEN [_To the newcomers who are surrounded by astonished murmurs._] Strawberry coronet!--Gentlemen-- THE YOUNG GUINEA-COCK [_Who has gone to take a look outside._] Mamma! THE GUINEA-HEN --so kindly condescending to honour my poor house-- THE YOUNG GUINEA-COCK Mamma, there are still others coming!