THE BLACKBIRD
Who--I?
THE SCREECH-OWL
Yes, you laughed at him.
ALL
[_Cackling._] Ha, ha!
THE GRAND-DUKE
[_Spreading his wings._] Hush! [_They resume their sinister stillness._]
THE SCREECH-OWL
But his song has not acted any the less directly on our gall-bladders
for the fun that has been made of him. He has grown stronger than ever
since he was found ridiculous.
ALL
What shall we do?
THE SCREECH-OWL
The Peacock, that great booby--
ALL
[_Cackling and rocking._] Ha, ha!
THE GRAND-DUKE
[_Opening his wings._] Hush! [_All instantly motionless._]
THE SCREECH-OWL
Through the Peacock, likewise working in our cause, the Cock came out of
fashion. But his song is just as inconvenient, in fashion or out of it.
He is all the more proudly uncompromising for no longer being in style.
ALL
What shall we do?
AN OWL
Cut his throat!
CRIES
Death to the Cock!
AN OWL
Death to that aristocrat posing as a democrat and socialist!
ANOTHER
With spurs on his heels, but a liberty cap on his head!
THE GRAND-DUKE
Night-birds all, arise!
[ALL, _arising with outspread wings and glaring eyes, increase
enormously in size. The night appears doubly dark._]
THE BLACKBIRD
[_With unabated lightness._] Midnight to the fore!
THE SCREECH-OWL
Kill him! But how can we, when our eyes cease to see the moment he comes
out?
ALL
[_Wailing like an ancient chorus.
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