_] Ah!
THE BLACKBIRD
They were performing on the soft sod something choice in the line of
fancy dances!
CHANTECLER
[_Giving up._] I pity you! Back to your darkness, obscure Blackbird!
THE BLACKBIRD
Your obedient servant, illustrious Cock!
CHANTECLER
My course is toward the sun!
THE BLACKBIRD
Take along smoked glasses!
CHANTECLER
Blackbird, do you know the one thing upon earth worthy that one should
live wholly for its sake?
THE BLACKBIRD
There I draw the line. I won't enter the debate!
CHANTECLER
That thing is effort, Blackbird--effort, which uplifts and ennobles the
lowest! For which reason, you, contemner of every sublime aspiration, I
contemn! And that fragile roseate snail, struggling unaided to silver
over a whole fagot, I honour!
THE BLACKBIRD
[_Snapping up the snail._] I'll make him look silly!
CHANTECLER
[_With a cry of horror._] Abominable! To point a joke--put out a little
flame! An end. Here we part. You have no more heart than soul.
[_Going._]
THE BLACKBIRD
[_Hopping up on the fagot._] I have mind, however!
CHANTECLER
[_Turning, disdainfully._] That is open to discussion.
THE BLACKBIRD
[_Acidly._] Oh, very well! I was administering, in my merry little
characteristic way, a grain of antidote against lunacy. But I wash my
claws of you. Go ahead, justify the report of your enemies.
CHANTECLER
[_Returning._] Who? What?
THE BLACKBIRD
Strut about with your bill-board: "I'm the whole show!"
CHANTECLER
You associate with those who hate me?
THE BLACKBIRD
Do you object?
CHANTECLER
No, you pitiful jester! The habit has grown so strong, you can no more
be in earnest about friendship now than anything else.
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