THE TOADS
[_Retreating, overcome by the conquering song._] Croak! croak!
CHANTECLER
Their fate to seethe in the cauldron of a witch! But you, the creatures
of the forest come to slake the thirst of their hearts at your song. See
them creeping to the lure--
THE TOADS
[_From the underbrush._] Croak! croak!
CHANTECLER
A doe, look! tiptoeing on delicate hoofs, followed by a wolf who has
forgotten to be a wolf--
THE TOADS
[_Lost among the grass._] Croak!
CHANTECLER
The squirrel steals down from the lofty tree-tops. The whole vast forest
is stirred by a thrill of brotherliness.
THE TOADS
[_Out of sight._]--roak!
CHANTECLER
The echo alone now repeats--
FAINT DISTANT VOICE
--oak!
CHANTECLER
Gone! Gone are the Toads!
[_Music holds the night: a song without words, delicate volleys of
rapturous notes._]
CHANTECLER
The Glow-worms have lighted their small, green lamps. All that is good
comes forth, while hate shrinks back to its lair. Now they that shall be
eaten lay themselves down in the grass by the side of them that shall
eat them. The Star of a sudden looks nearer to earth, and forsaking her
web the Spider draws herself up toward your song, climbing by her own
silken thread.
ALL THE FOREST
[_In a moan of ecstasy._] Ah!
[_And the forest lies as if under a spell; the moonlight is softer, the
tender green fire of the glow-worm shines blinking among the moss; on
all sides, between the tree-boles creep, shadow-like, the charmed
beasts; eyes shine, moist muzzles point toward the source of the music.
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