THE BLACK HEN [_As promptly._] No, he has not! THE BLACKBIRD [_Thrusting out his head._] Hush!--An aÎrial drama! The Butterfly, absorbed in his head of blossom, banquets, all oblivious of-- [_A great green gauze butterfly-net appears above the wall, softly coming towards the_ BUTTERFLY _settled on one of the flowers._] A HEN What is that? THE TURKEY [_Solemnly._] Fate! THE BLACKBIRD In a thin disguise of gauze! THE WHITE HEN Oh, a net--at the end of a cane! THE BLACKBIRD No harm in the cane--it’s the kid at the other end of the cane! [_Half aloud, watching the_ BUTTERFLY.] You neat little fop, sailing from rose to rose, to-night you’ll be neat as a pin can make you! ALL [_Watching the cautious approach of the net beyond the wall._] Nearer--Nearer--Hush! He’ll catch it!--No he won’t!--Yes, he will! SUDDENLY OUTSIDE Cock-a-doodle-doo! [_At the sound, the_ BUTTERFLY _flies off. The_ NET _wavers a moment, with an effect of disappointment, then disappears._] SEVERAL HENS What?--Eh?--What was it? A HEN [_Who having hopped up on a wheelbarrow can follow the flight of the_ BUTTERFLY.] He is off and away, over the meadow. THE BLACKBIRD [_With ironical emphasis._] It’s Chantecler, practicing knight-errantry! THE PIGEON [_With emotion._] Chantecler! A HEN He is coming! ANOTHER HEN He is just outside-- THE WHITE HEN [_To the_ PIGEON.] Now you will see. He’s a very fine bird indeed. THE BLACKBIRD [_Thrusting his head between the bars._] Easy as possible to make, a Cock! THE TURKEY [_Admiringly._] Admirable amenity! THE BLACKBIRD You take a melon--a fine specimen, I will grant,--for the trunk. For the legs, two sticks of asparagus,--prize sticks, of course. For the head, a red pepper,--as handsome as you may find. For the eye, a currant,--exceptionally clear and light. For the tail, a sheaf of leeks, with luxuriant blue-green flags. For the ear, a dainty kidney-bean, --extra, superfine!--And there you have him, there’s your Cock! THE PIGEON [_Gently._] One thing you have omitted--His heavenly clarion call! THE BLACKBIRD [_Indicating_ CHANTECLER, _who now appears upon the wall._] Yes, but with the exception of that--slight detail, you must own my portrait is a likeness. THE PIGEON Not at all. Not in the very least. [_Contemplating_ CHANTECLER _with a very different eye from the_ BLACKBIRD’S.] What I see, beneath that quivering helmet, is Summer’s glorious and favoured knight, who, from a groaning wain at evening borrowing its golden harvest-robe has arrayed himself in this, and lifts it from the dust with a gleaming sickle! CHANTECLER [_On the wall, in a long guttural sigh._] Coa-- THE BLACKBIRD When he makes that noise in his throat, he either is in love, or preparing some poetic outburst. CHANTECLER [_Motionless on the wall, with head high._] Blaze forth in glory!--Dazzle-- THE BLACKBIRD He’s letting off hot air! CHANTECLER Irradiate the world! A HEN Now he pauses--one claw lifted--