_]--ens that those unnatural Cocks will
lightly take themselves away, back to the gilded mangers of their sole
affection, the moment they hear the cry of Chick-chick-chick-chick-chick!
[_Imitating a servant girl calling_ CHICKENS _to feed._] For all those
charlatans are stalking appetites, and nothing more!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
[_Trying to lead him off._] Come! Come!
A HEN
She is eloping with him.
CHANTECLER
I am coming! But--[_Coming forward again._] I must first say to this
Peacock, in the presence of that Addlepate--[_Indicating the_
GUINEA-HEN.]
THE GUINEA-HEN
He insults me in my own house. Sensational!
CHANTECLER
False hero whom Fashion has taken for leader, you walk in such terror of
appearing behindhand to the eyes of your own tail that your throat is
blue with it! But, urged forward, on and on, by every staring eye upon
it, you will fall at last, breathless for good and all, and end in the
false immortality bestowed, false artist, by the--[_Imitating the manner
of the_ PEACOCK.] shall I say bird-stuffer?
THE GUINEA-HEN
[_Mechanically._] Yes!
CHANTECLER
No. Taxidermist,--to use the word you would prefer. That, my dear
Peacock, is what I wished to say.
THE BLACKBIRD
Bang!
CHANTECLER
[_Turning toward him._] As for you--
THE BLACKBIRD
Fire away!
CHANTECLER
I will! You became acquainted one grey morning with a city sparrow, did
you not tell us so? That was your ruin.
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