CHANTECLER [_Going from one to the other._] Yes, Cocks affecting incongruous forms, Cocks crowned with cocoa-palm coiffures--Hear me talk like the Peacock! I lapse into alliteration! [_Finding his fun in bewildering them with cackling guttural volubility._] Yes, Cockerels cockaded with cockles, Cockatrice-headed Cockasters, cock-eyed Cockatoos! Not content to be common Cocks, your crotchet it was to be what but crack Cocks? Yes, Fashion, to be accounted of thy flock, these chuckle-headed Cocks craved to be Super-cocks. But know ye not, ye crazy Cocks, one cannot be so queer a Cock, but there may occur a queerer Cock? Let some Cock come whose coccyx boasts a more flamboyant shock, and you pass like childish measles, croup or chicken-pox! Consider that to-morrow, high Cockalorums, fancy Cocks, consider that day after to-morrow, cheese-capped goblet-crested Cocks, in spite of curly hackle and cauliflowered hocks, a more fantastic Cock than ever may creep out of a--box! For the Cock-fancier, to diversify his stock, may more fantastically still combine his Cutcutdaycuts and his Cocks, and you will be no more--sad Cuckoos made a mock!--but old rococo Cocks beside this more coquettish Cock! A COCK And how, may one learn from you, can a Cock secure himself against becoming rococo? CHANTECLER One royal way there is: to think only of crowing like a right and proper Cock! A COCK [_Haughtily._] We are well known, I beg to state, for our exceptionally fine crowing! CHANTECLER Known to whom? SCENE FIFTH THE SAME, _three_ CHICKENS, _noticeable among the rest for a certain jaunty pertness of gait and demeanour, who for a minute or so have been moving among the artificial_ COCKS. FIRST CHICKEN To us, of course! SECOND CHICKEN To us! THIRD CHICKEN To us! ALL THREE [_Bowing at once._] Good morning! FIRST CHICKEN Your voice? SECOND CHICKEN Tenor? THIRD CHICKEN Bass? SECOND CHICKEN Robusto? THIRD CHICKEN Di cortesia? CHANTECLER [_Bewildered, looking toward the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] What is this? An interlude? THE PHEASANT-HEN An interview. SECOND CHICKEN Do you take it in your chest? THIRD CHICKEN Or in your head? CHANTECLER Do I take what? FIRST CHICKEN Pray talk without reserve. We represent the Board of Investigation into the Gallodoodle Movement. CHANTECLER That’s all very well, but I--[_Attempting to pass._] FIRST CHICKEN You will find it difficult, I think, to leave, until you have answered such questions as we are pleased to ask. Is your early meal a light one? CHANTECLER But-- SECOND CHICKEN You have tendencies, no doubt-- CHANTECLER Hosts. SECOND CHICKEN What do you feel most particularly drawn to? CHANTECLER Hens. FIRST CHICKEN [_Without smiling._] Have you nothing to communicate with regard to your song? CHANTECLER I just sing. SECOND CHICKEN And when you sing--? CHANTECLER The heavens hear me. THIRD CHICKEN Have you a special method? CHANTECLER I-- FIRST CHICKEN You live--