Retriever, mastiff, pointer, poodle,
hound--my soul is a whole pack, sitting in circle, musing. Cock, I am
all dogs, I have been every dog!
CHANTECLER
Then what a sum of goodness must be stored in you!
PATOU
Brother, we are framed to understand each other. You sing to the sun and
scratch up the earth. I, when I wish to do myself a good and a
pleasure--
CHANTECLER
You lie on the earth and sleep in the sun!
PATOU
[_With a pleased yap._] Aye!
CHANTECLER
We have ever had in common our love for those two things.
PATOU
I am so fond of the sun that I howl at the moon. And so fond of the
earth that I dig great holes and shove my nose in it!
CHANTECLER
I know! The gardener's wife has her opinion of those holes.--But what
are the dangers you discern? All lies quiet beneath the quiet sky.
Nothing appears to be threatening my humble sunlit dominions.
THE OLD HEN
[_Lifting the basket-lid with her head._] The egg looks like marble
until it gets smashed! [_The lid drops._]
CHANTECLER
[_To_ PATOU.] What dangers, friend?
PATOU
There are two. First, in yonder cage--
CHANTECLER
Well?
PATOU
That satirical whistling.
CHANTECLER
What about it?
PATOU
Pernicious.
CHANTECLER
In what way?
PATOU
In every way!
CHANTECLER
[_Ironical._] Bad as all that, is it? [_The_ PEACOCK'S _squall is heard
in the distance: "Ee--yong!"_]
PATOU
And then that cry, the Peacock's!
[_The_ PEACOCK, _further off: "Ee--yong!"_]
PATOU
More out of tune all by itself than a whole village singing society!
CHANTECLER
Come, what have they done to you, that whistler and that posturer?
PATOU
[_Grumbling.
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