[_Going nearer to
him._] Who are my enemies?
THE BLACKBIRD
The Owls.
CHANTECLER
You sorry fool! Can't you see that to believe in my destiny becomes all
too easy if the Owls are against me?
THE BLACKBIRD
Rest happy, then. They have a deal on--your lighting of the world being
a trifle flashy for their taste--a deal on for cutting your throat.
CHANTECLER
Through whom?
THE BLACKBIRD
A brother bird.
CHANTECLER
A Cock?
THE BLACKBIRD
A Saint George of a Cock, who is to meet you--
CHANTECLER
Where?
THE BLACKBIRD
At the Guinea-hen's.
CHANTECLER
What a farce!
THE BLACKBIRD
Wait! It's one of those Cocks bred and trained for fighting, who would
make just two bites of either you or me. [_As_ CHANTECLER _abruptly
starts toward the back._] Where are you going?
CHANTECLER
To the Guinea-hen's.
THE BLACKBIRD
Ha! I forgot our knightly spurs and helmet! [_He makes a feint of
preventing him._] Take my advice, don't go!
CHANTECLER
But I will go!
THE BLACKBIRD
Hold on!
CHANTECLER
[_Stopping beside the flower-pot, as if amazed._] How singular!
THE BLACKBIRD
What?
CHANTECLER
Did I understand you to say you came out of that flower-pot?
THE BLACKBIRD
You did.
CHANTECLER
[_Incredulous._] But how could you possibly have got into it?
THE BLACKBIRD
[_Getting into the pot._] I told you, and tell you again! Through that
little black hole I was looking at the--[_He thrusts his bill through
the hole at the bottom.
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