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Rostand, Edmond, 1868-1918

"Chantecler Play in Four Acts"

_]
With a waterfall on his head!
THE BLACKBIRD
And a suspension bridge!
THE GUINEA-HEN
[_No longer conscious of what she is saying._] And a suspension bridge!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
[_To_ PATOU.] Poor Guinea-hen, she will say anything after anybody!
THE MAGPIE
[_Announcing in a louder and louder tone ever more extraordinary_
COCKS.] Bagdad Cock!
THE PEACOCK
[_Dominating the tumult._] Consummately Arabian Nights.
THE GUINEA-HEN
Did you hear? Consummately Arabian Nights!
ALL THE HENS
To be sure! Awfully Arabian Nights!
THE PEACOCK
Kamaralzaman himself is hardly more so.
THE MAGPIE
Bantam Cock with ruffles!
THE GUINEA-HEN
[_Transported._] How eighteenth century this is! Look, oh, look! A
dwarf! A dwarf! Dwarfs! Little cunning bits of dwarfs!
THE YOUNG GUINEA-COCK
[_Low._] Mamma, do control yourself!
THE GUINEA-HEN
[_Screaming in the midst of the_ COCKS.] No, no, I can't and won't! That
is Kamaralzaman! I don't really know which I prefer, which I--
THE MAGPIE
Guelder Cock!
THE GUINEA-HEN
[_Rushing to the newcomer._] This is truly a treat! Another Belgian!
THE MAGPIE
Serpent-necked Cock!
THE GUINEA-HEN
[_Rattled._] To you, dear Seacock, I owe this Perpentneck!
THE MAGPIE
Duck-sided Cock! Crow-billed Cock! Hawk-footed Cock!
THE GUINEA-HEN
[_Who has fallen upon the new arrivals, bursts into shrill volubility
before the last of them.


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