Chantecler eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 143 pages of information about Chantecler.

Chantecler eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 143 pages of information about Chantecler.

THE BLACKBIRD
[Touching his brow with his wing.] She is dotty!

THE GUINEA-HEN [At the back, with shrill GUINEA-HEN cries.] It’s my last day!  How do you do?  My last day until August!  Mondays in August, don’t forget!

A HEN
[Seeing cherries dropping around her.] Oh, cherries, look!

THE PHEASANT-HEN
[Looking upward.] It is the Breeze!

THE GUINEA-HEN [Fluttering forward again, excited as ever.] I have the Breeze, who now and then shakes down a cherry!  I never ask her.  She comes unasked.  What’s-his-name is here!  And What’s-her-name is here, and—­[To the back tumultuously.]

THE BLACKBIRD And Thingumbob, and Stick-in-the-mud! [He has arrived without appearance of design beneath the tree where the CAT is lying, and asks rapidly, under breath.] Cat, what about the conspiracy?

THE CAT [Who from his tree can see beyond the hedge.] It is afoot.  I see the interminable file of phenomenal Cocks approaching, headed by the Peacock who comes to present them.

A CRY
[Outside.] Ee—­yong! [The CROWD throngs toward the entrance.]

PATOU
[Grumbling.] That abominable concertina cry—­

THE MAGPIE
The Peacock!

THE PHEASANT-HEN
[To the BLACKBIRD.] Have you a fancy name for him?

THE BLACKBIRD
[Imitating the PEACOCK’S cry.] Our great Accordee-yong!

SCENE SECOND

THE SAME, THE PEACOCK.

THE GUINEA-HEN [To the PEACOCK, who enters slowly, with his head borne very stiff and high.] Master, dear Master, would you be so extremely condescending as to come and stand with your back to these sunflowers?  Peacock!  Sunflowers!  A study for Burne-Jones!

ALL
[Crowding around the PEACOCK.] Master!  Master!

A CHICKEN
[Low to the DUCK.] A word from him can make one’s fortune in society!

ANOTHER CHICKEN [Who has succeeded in forcing his way to the PEACOCK, stammering with emotion.] Master, what do you think of my latest “cheep”? [Suspense.  Religious silence.]

THE PEACOCK [Solemnly, letting the word drop slowly from his beak.] Definitive. [Sensation.]

A DUCK
[Trembling.] And my “quack”? [Suspense.]

THE PEACOCK
Ultimate! [Sensation.]

THE GUINEA-HEN [Delighted, to the HENS.] I may say that it is at my days most especially he throws off these specimens of a verbal art which might fairly be called—­

THE PEACOCK
Lapidary.

ALL THE HENS
[Rolling up their eyes.] Wonderful!

A HEN [Coming forward, faint with emotion.] Master, high priest of taste, what do you think of my dress? [Suspense.]

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Chantecler from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.