CHANTECLER Fire away, I think you said. I hope you don’t mind my air-gun? THE BLACKBIRD I-- CHANTECLER The Grand Master of Illuminations is entirely at your service. What do you say? THE BLACKBIRD [_Hastily._] Nothing! [_He tries to get away._] CHANTECLER You wish to ape the sparrow of city streets! But his impudence is not a manner of prudence, an art of remaining vague, an elegant method of having no opinion. His eyes always express either wrath or delight. Do you care to know the secret by which the little beggar, with his “Chappie” and his “See” can steal away our hearts? It is that he is frank and fearless that he believes, that he loves, that the railings of a balcony where some child strews crumbs for him are the only cage he ever knew! It is that one can be sure of his gaiety of soul, since he is gay when he is hungry! But you who, void of gaiety because void of love, have imagined that evil wit can take the place of good humour, and that one can play the sparrow when he is a sleek and vulgar trimmer, sniggering behind his wing, what I say to you is, “Guess again, Mock-sparrow, guess again!” THE GUINEA-HEN [_Always applauding everything that is said at her receptions._] Good! That was extremely good! A CHICKEN [_To the crestfallen_ BLACKBIRD.] You will make him smart for this? THE BLACKBIRD [_Prudently._] No. I will take it out on the Turkey. [_At this point a_ VOICE _calls, “Chick-chick-chick-chick-chick!” and all the_ FANCY COCKS, _rushing toward the irresistible call to food, hurry out, tumbling over one another in their haste._] THE GUINEA-HEN [_Running after them._] Are you going? A PADUA COCK [_The last to leave._] I beg to be excused! [_Disappears._] THE GUINEA-HEN [_In the midst of the hubbub._] Are you going? Must you go? Oh, don’t go yet! CHANTECLER [_To the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] Come, my golden Pheasant! THE GUINEA-HEN [_Running to_ CHANTECLER.] Are you running away? CHANTECLER To save my song! THE GUINEA-HEN [_Running to the_ YOUNG GUINEA-COCK.] My son, I am in such a state--I am in such-- A HEN [_Calling after_ CHANTECLER.] And when shall we see you again? CHANTECLER [_Before going._] When you have grown teeth! [_Off with the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] THE GUINEA-HEN [_To the_ YOUNG GUINEA-COCK.] This has been quite the finest affair of the season! [_Darting madly about among the departing guests._] Au revoir! Mondays in August! Don’t forget! THE MAGPIE [_Announcing._] The Tortoise! ACT FOURTH THE NIGHT OF THE NIGHTINGALE