_]
PATOU
[_As he approaches_] Grrrrrrr--
CHANTECLER
Hush! He's a friend!
PATOU
A false one.
CHANTECLER
[_To_ BLACKBIRD.] Fine things we learn when the talk is of you!
THE OLD HEN
[_Her head protruding from the basket._] Strike rotten wood, and see the
wood-lice scatter! [_The basket-lid drops._]
PATOU
[_To_ CHANTECLER.] He laughs at you behind your back!
BLACKBIRD
[_To_ PATOU.] Ha, retriever, you retrieve?
PATOU
When you pour forth your heart in your ardent cry, giving it over and
over, he calls it the same old saw that your jag-toothed red crest
stands for!
CHANTECLER
So that's what you say?
BLACKBIRD
[_Affecting simplicity._] You surely don't mind? How can it affect you?
And a joke about you is always so sure of success!
PATOU
[_To the_ BLACKBIRD.] Point-blank, do you admire or despise the Cock?
BLACKBIRD
I make fun of him in spots, but admire him in lump!
PATOU
You always peck two kinds of seed.
THE BLACKBIRD
My cage has two seed-cups, you see.
PATOU
I am single-minded and downright!
THE BLACKBIRD
You--are an old poodle of the year 48! I am an up-to-date bird!
PATOU
[_Gruffly._] Out of my way! lest I give your black coat red tails!
[_The_ BLACKBIRD _nimbly gets out of the way,_ PATOU _goes into his
kennel grumbling._] I'll show him some up-to-date jaws!
CHANTECLER
Be quiet! It's his way. The truth is that if once he stood in the
presence of beauty, this very Blackbird would applaud!
PATOU
Not with both wings! What can you expect of a bird who, with woodbine
and juniper full in sight, prefers to go inside and peck at a
musty biscuit?
BLACKBIRD
He never seems to suspect that the poacher is a blackguardly sort of
brute!
PATOU
What I know is that the underbrush is all a delicate golden gloom--
THE BLACKBIRD
Yes, but leaden shot can cleave your delicate gold.
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