Chantecler

THE PIGEON This Cock, now--this Cock of yours--Is it true that his song attunes, inspires, encourages, makes labour light, and keeps off birds of prey?

THE WHITE HEN [Pecking.] Perfectly true.

THE CHICK [Still hunting for his word.] Cali--Cali--

THE PIGEON White Hen, is it true that by his song, defender of the warm and sacred egg, he has frequently kept the lissome weasel from--

THE BLACKBIRD [Looking out between the bars.]--messing his shirtfront with omelette?

THE WHITE HEN Perfectly true.

THE CHICK Cali--

THE TURKEY [Helping him.] Gu?

THE CHICK Gu--

THE PIGEON Is it true--?

THE CHICK [Jumping for joy at having found.] Gula!

THE PIGEON --true that, as report says, he has a secret for his amazing singing, a secret whereby his crow becomes the brilliant burst of red which makes the poppies of the field feel themselves contemptible imitations?

THE WHITE HEN [Weary of this questioning.] Perfe