_]
THE PHEASANT-HEN
Dear, brave, and gentle heart!
CHANTECLER
[_The shadow sweeps over the crowd a second time. The_ GAME COCK _makes
himself small._ CHANTECLER _alone remains standing, in the midst of a
heap of ruffled, trembling feathers._]
A HEN
[_Looking up at the_ HAWK.] Twice the black shadow has swept over us!
CHANTECLER
[_Calling to the_ CHICKS, _who come madly running._] Chicks, come here
to me!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
You take them under your wing?
CHANTECLER
I must. Their mother is a box!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
[_Looking upward._] He hovers over us--[_The shadow of the_ HAWK,
_circling lower and lower, passes for the third time, darker
than ever._]
ALL
[_In a moan of fear._] Ah!
CHANTECLER
[_Shouting toward the sky._] I am here!
PATOU
He has heard your trumpet cry!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
He flies further.
[_All rise with a joyous cry of deliverance, "Ah!" and go back to their
places to watch the end of the combat._]
PATOU
Without loss of a moment they form the ring again.
CHANTECLER
[_With a start._] What did you say? [_He looks. It is true, the ring has
immediately formed._]
THE PHEASANT-HEN
Now they want you killed to be revenged for their fine scare.
CHANTECLER
But now I shall not be killed! I felt my strength come back when the
common enemy flew across the sky. [_Striding boldly up to the_ WHITE
PILE.] I got back my courage, fearing for the others.
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