_] Woe!
THE OLD HORNED-OWL
[_Craftily._] How kill--from afar?
THE GRAND-DUKE
By means of what secret spring?
A VOICE
[_From the tree._] Duke, may I lay a plan before the assembly?
THE GRAND-DUKE
Scops! Let us hear!
ALL
[_At sight of a small_ OWL _dropping from a bough, and coming forward
with tiny hops._] Scops, dear little Scops!
SCOPS
[_Bowing before the_ GRAND-DUKE.] You are aware, mighty
Blind-by-day-and-seer-by-night, that in pleasant gardens up yonder hill
a breeder of birds--termed aviculturist, raises for exhibitions--termed
agricultural, the most magnificent Cocks of the most extraordinary
varieties. Now, that great discoverer of rare birds, the Peacock, who,
possessing a voice which pierces the ear-drum cannot abide a voice which
pierces the darkness--the Peacock, whose specialty it is to confer
celebrity upon every strange beast--
THE GRAND-DUKE
[_To his neighbour._] From every strange region!
SCOPS
Cherishes the dream of presenting these same Cocks to-morrow, in the
kitchen garden, at the--
ALL TOGETHER
[_Laughing._] Guinea-hen's!
SCOPS
And launching among her set these Birds whose glory will be the
finishing blow to the glory of Chantecler.
THE BLACKBIRD
Flatten him out like a pan cake!
THE SCREECH OWL
But those Cocks are always locked in!
SCOPS
I am coming to that. This evening, when a maid, having entered their
wire-netted close, was scattering corn in a golden shower, I started up
suddenly from the hollow of a pollard willow, and the girl--
AN OWL
[_To his neighbour.
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