Chantecler Part 52

THE PHEASANT-HEN, PATOU, _later the_ WOODp.e.c.k.e.r, RABBITS, _and, all the_ VOICES _of the awakening forest._

PATOU [_To the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] Mourn!

THE SPIDER [_In the centre of her-web which now sifts the gold dust of a sunbeam._]

Spider at morn, Cometh to warn!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Furiously, tearing down the cobweb with a brush of her wing._] Be still, hateful Spider!--Oh, may he perish for having disdained me!

THE WOODp.e.c.k.e.r [_Who from his window has been watching_ CHANTECLER'S _departure, suddenly, frightened._] The poacher has seen him!

THE OWLS [_In the trees._] The c.o.c.k is in danger!

THE WOODp.e.c.k.e.r [_Leaning out to see better._] He breaks his gun in two!

PATOU [_Alarmed._] To load it! Is that murderous fool in sheepskin gaiters going to fire upon a rooster?

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Spreading her wings to rise._] Not if he sees a pheasant!

PATOU [_Springing before her._] What are you doing?

THE PHEASANT-HEN Following my calling! [_She flies toward the danger._]

THE WOODp.e.c.k.e.r [_Seeing that in her upward swing she must touch the spring of the forgotten snare._] Look out for the snare! [_Too late. The net falls._]

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Utters a cry of despair._] Ah!

PATOU She is caught!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Struggling in the net._] He is lost!

PATOU [_Wildly._] She is--He is--

[_All the_ RABBITS _have thrust out their heads to see._]

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Crying in an ardent prayer._] Daybreak protect him!

THE OWLS [_Rocking themselves gleefully among the branches._] The gun-barrel s.h.i.+nes, s.h.i.+nes--

THE PHEASANT-HEN Dawn, touch the cartridge with your dewy wing! Trip the foot of the hunter in a tangle of gra.s.s! He is your c.o.c.k! He drove off the darkness and the shadow of the Hawk! And he is going to die. Nightingale, you, say something! Speak!

THE NIGHTINGALE [_In a supplicating sob._] He fought for a friend of mine, the Rose!

THE PHEASANT-HEN Let him live! And I will dwell in the farmyard beside the ploughshare and the hoe! And renouncing for his sake all that in my pride I made a burden and torment to him, I will own, O Sun, that when you made his shadow you marked out my place in the world!

[_Daylight grows. On all sides, rustles and murmurs._]

THE WOODp.e.c.k.e.r [_Singing._] The air is blue!

A CROW [_Cawing as he flies past._] Daylight grows!

THE PHEASANT-HEN The forest is astir--

ALL THE BIRDS [_Waking among the trees._] Good-morning! Good-morning! Good-morning!

Good-morning! Good-morning!

THE PHEASANT-HEN Everyone sings!

A JAY [_Darting past like a streak of blue lightning._] Ha, ha!

THE WOODp.e.c.k.e.r The Jay shakes with homeric laughter.

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Crying in the midst of the music of the morning._] Let him live!

THE JAY [_Again darting past._] Ha, ha!

A CUCKOO [_In the distance._] Cuckoo!

THE PHEASANT-HEN I abdicate!

PATOU [_Lifting his eyes heavenward._] She abdicates!

THE PHEASANT-HEN Forgive, O Light, to whom I dared dispute him! Dazzle the eye taking aim, and be victory awarded, O Sunbeams--

THE JAY _and the_ CUCKOO [_Far away._] Ha! Cuckoo!

THE PHEASANT-HEN --to your powder of gold--[_A shot. She gives a sharp cry, ending in a dying voice._]--over man's black powder! [_Silence._]

CHANTECLER'S VOICE [_Very far away._] c.o.c.k-a-doodle-doo!

ALL [_In a glad cry._] Saved!

THE RABBITS [_Capering gaily out of their burrows._] Let us turn somersets among the thyme!

A VOICE [_Fresh and solemn, among the trees._] O G.o.d of birds!

THE RABBITS [_Stopping short in their antics stand abruptly still; soberly._] The morning prayer!

THE WOODp.e.c.k.e.r [_Crying to the_ PHEASANT-HEN.] They are coming to examine the trap!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [_Closes her eyes in resignation._] So be it!

THE VOICE IN THE TREES G.o.d by whose grace we wake to this new day--

PATOU [_Before leaving._] Hus.h.!.+ Drop the curtain! Men folk are coming! [_Off._]

[_All the woodland creatures hide. The_ PHEASANT-HEN _is left alone, and, held down by the snare, with spread wings and panting breast, awaits the approach of the giant._]