CHANTECLER [_Calling to the_ CHICKS, _who come madly running._] Chicks, come here to me! THE PHEASANT-HEN You take them under your wing? CHANTECLER I must. Their mother is a box! THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Looking upward._] He hovers over us--[_The shadow of the_ HAWK, _circling lower and lower, passes for the third time, darker than ever._] ALL [_In a moan of fear._] Ah! CHANTECLER [_Shouting toward the sky._] I am here! PATOU He has heard your trumpet cry! THE PHEASANT-HEN He flies further. [_All rise with a joyous cry of deliverance, “Ah!” and go back to their places to watch the end of the combat._] PATOU Without loss of a moment they form the ring again. CHANTECLER [_With a start._] What did you say? [_He looks. It is true, the ring has immediately formed._] THE PHEASANT-HEN Now they want you killed to be revenged for their fine scare. CHANTECLER But now I shall not be killed! I felt my strength come back when the common enemy flew across the sky. [_Striding boldly up to the_ WHITE PILE.] I got back my courage, fearing for the others. THE WHITE PILE [_Amazed at being smartly attacked._] Whence has he drawn new strength? CHANTECLER I am thrice stronger now than you. Black excites me, you see, as red excites the bull, and thrice I have stared at night in the form of a bird’s shadow! THE WHITE PILE [_Driven to bay, against the hedge, prepares to use his razors._] THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Screaming._] Look out! He has two sharp razors at his heels, the beast! CHANTECLER I knew it! THE CAT [_From his tree, to the_ GAME COCK.] Use your knives! PATOU [_Ready to spring from his wheelbarrow._] If he uses those, I’ll strangle him, that’s all! THE CROWD Oh! PATOU I will! Howl you never so loud! THE WHITE PILE [_Feeling himself lost._] No help for it! THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Closely watching him._] He is getting one of his razors ready! THE WHITE PILE [_Striking with his sharp spur._] Take that! Die! [_He utters a terrible cry, while_ CHANTECLER, _avoiding the blow, springs aside._] Ah! [_He drops to the ground. Cry of amazement._] SEVERAL VOICES What is it? THE BLACKBIRD [_Who has hopped up to the fallen_ COCK _and examined him._] Nothing! Merely he has dexterously slashed his left claw with his right! THE CROWD [_Following and hooting the_ WHITE PILE, _who, having picked himself up, limps off._] Hoo! Hoo! PATOU _and the_ PHEASANT-HEN [_Laughing and weeping and talking, all in one, beside_ CHANTECLER, _who stands motionless, utterly spent, with closed eyes._] Chantecler! It is we! The Pheasant-hen! The Dog! Speak to us, speak! CHANTECLER [_Opening his eyes, looks at them and says gently._] The day will rise to-morrow! SCENE SIXTH THE SAME, _except the_ WHITE PILE THE CROWD [_After seeing the_ WHITE PILE _off, return tumultuously to_ CHANTECLER, _hailing him with acclamations._] Hurrah!