_] Better it were I had folded you to my
Awakener's soul!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
To deceive me for the Dawn's sake! Very well, however much you may abhor
it, you shall for my sake deceive the Dawn.
CHANTECLER
I? How?
THE PHEASANT-HEN
[_Stamping her foot; in a capricious tone._] It is my formal and
explicit wish--
CHANTECLER
But listen, dear--
THE PHEASANT-HEN
My formal and explicit wish that you should for one whole day refrain
altogether from singing.
CHANTECLER
That I--
THE PHEASANT-HEN
I desire you to remain one whole day without singing.
CHANTECLER
But, heavens and earth, am I to leave the valley in total darkness?
THE PHEASANT-HEN
[_Pouting._] What harm will it do to the valley?
CHANTECLER
Whatever lies too long in darkness and sleep becomes used to falsehood
and consents to death.
THE PHEASANT-HEN
Leave singing for one day--[_In a tone of evil insinuation._] It will
free my mind of certain suspicions troubling it.
CHANTECLER
[_With a start._] I can see what you are trying to do!
THE PHEASANT-HEN
And I can see what you are afraid of!
CHANTECLER
[_Earnestly._] I will never give up singing.
THE PHEASANT-HEN
And what if you were mistaken? What if the truth were that Dawn comes
without help from you?
CHANTECLER
[_With fierce resolution._] I shall not know it.
THE PHEASANT-HEN
[_In a sudden burst of tears._] Could you not forget the time, for once,
if you saw me weeping?
CHANTECLER
No, I could not.
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