Wait for me here.
THE BLACKBIRD
Yes, much better keep out of the way.
CHANTECLER
[_Looking at him._] Wherefore?
THE BLACKBIRD
[_Quickly._] Nothing! [_Falling into fresh ecstasies._] Oh, this blessed
Cock of ours!
CHANTECLER
[_To the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] You will not be long?
THE PHEASANT-HEN
The merest moment. [_Low to him before leaving._] You see, even the
Blackbird is impressed! [_She flies off._]
SCENE FIFTH
CHANTECLER, THE BLACKBIRD
CHANTECLER
[_Coming back to the_ BLACKBIRD.] And so that habitual skeptical
sneer--?
THE BLACKBIRD
Wiped out! My satirical whistling, as the Dog called it, now expresses
pure admiration. Listen, like this: [_He whistles admiringly._]
Tew!--How is that?--Tew-tew [_Nodding soberly._] That's all right!
CHANTECLER
[_Innocently._] You are not such a bad fellow, after all. I said so to
the Dog.
THE BLACKBIRD
[_With profound conviction._] You're a wonderful old boy!
CHANTECLER
[_Modestly._] Oh!
THE BLACKBIRD
To come it over the Hens--[_He again whistles Admiringly._] make them
believe that he engineers the dawn! [CHANTECLER _starts._] A simple
idea, but it took you to get on to it! Brother, I believe you were
hatched in Columbus' egg!
CHANTECLER
But--
THE BLACKBIRD
All other Don Juans are donkeys beside you! Says he to himself: Make the
daybreak to impress little pheasant-hens! And does it, too--succeeds!
CHANTECLER
[_In a smothered voice.
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