THE PEACOCK
I said, “You shall see!”

MAGPIE
[Announcing.] Cock Braekel of Campine!

SCENE THIRD

THE SAME, then gradually the COCKS.

THE GUINEA-HEN
[Stopping short, amazed.] Braekel?  At my party?  There’s some mistake.

THE BRAEKEL COCK
[Bowing before her.] Madam—­

THE GUINEA-HEN [Breathless with emotion in the presence of this white COCK braided with black.] This unexpected pleasure—­

THE MAGPIE
[Announcing.] Cock Ramelslohe—­

THE GUINEA-HEN
Heavens!

THE MAGPIE
[Finishing.]—­of the Slate-blue Claw!

THE PEACOCK [In the GUINEA-HEN’S ear, while the startling RAMELSLOHE bows.] He is one of the most recent leucotites!

THE GUINEA-HEN
[Blankly.] A leucotite—­How interesting!

THE MAGPIE
[Announcing in a louder and louder, more and more impressive voice.]
Cock Wyandotte of the Sable Spur! [Shiver of emotion among the HENS.]

THE GUINEA-HEN
[Off her head with excitement.] Heavens and gracious powers—­my son!

THE YOUNG GUINEA-COCK
[Running to her.] Mamma!

THE GUINEA-HEN
Wyandotte!  Cock Wyandotte!

THE PEACOCK
[With a fine carelessness.] Cock with strawberry coronet, product of
Art Nouveau!

THE GUINEA-HEN
[To the newcomers who are surrounded by astonished murmurs.]
Strawberry coronet!—­Gentlemen—­

THE YOUNG GUINEA-COCK
[Who has gone to take a look outside.] Mamma!

THE GUINEA-HEN
—­so kindly condescending to honour my poor house—­

THE YOUNG GUINEA-COCK
Mamma, there are still others coming!

THE MAGPIE
His lordship, the Cock—­

THE GUINEA-HEN
Heavens, what Cock?

THE MAGPIE
Cock of Mesopotamia with the Double Comb!

THE GUINEA-HEN
Double!  Oh! [Dashing to welcome the newcomer.] Charmed, charmed indeed!

THE PEACOCK
Out upon the obsolete!  I wished to show you a few young gentlemen
slightly superlative and veritably precious.

THE GUINEA-HEN [Returning to the PEACOCK.] How shall I thank you, Peacock, dear friend? [To the PHEASANT-HEN, patronizingly.] You will excuse me, I know, you charming little thing.  You must understand, my dear, that his lordship the Cock of Mesopotamia has just arrived! [Running to the COCK, who bows his two combs.] A proud day for us!  Charmed, delighted, enchanted!

MAGPIE
Cock d’Orpington of the Feather-ringed Eye!

THE GUINEA-HEN
Feather-ringed—­Oh!

THE BLACKBIRD
The plot thickens!

THE MAGPIE
[While the GUINEA-HEN is flying toward the ORPINGTON COCK.] Bearded
Cock of Varna!