THE GRAND-DUKE
Scops!  Let us hear!

ALL [At sight of a small OWL dropping from a bough, and coming forward with tiny hops.] Scops, dear little Scops!

SCOPS [Bowing before the GRAND-DUKE.] You are aware, mighty Blind-by-day-and-seer-by-night, that in pleasant gardens up yonder hill a breeder of birds—­termed aviculturist, raises for exhibitions—­termed agricultural, the most magnificent Cocks of the most extraordinary varieties.  Now, that great discoverer of rare birds, the Peacock, who, possessing a voice which pierces the ear-drum cannot abide a voice which pierces the darkness—­the Peacock, whose specialty it is to confer celebrity upon every strange beast—­

THE GRAND-DUKE
[To his neighbour.] From every strange region!

SCOPS
Cherishes the dream of presenting these same Cocks to-morrow, in the
kitchen garden, at the—­

ALL TOGETHER
[Laughing.] Guinea-hen’s!

SCOPS
And launching among her set these Birds whose glory will be the
finishing blow to the glory of Chantecler.

THE BLACKBIRD
Flatten him out like a pan cake!

THE SCREECH OWL
But those Cocks are always locked in!

SCOPS I am coming to that.  This evening, when a maid, having entered their wire-netted close, was scattering corn in a golden shower, I started up suddenly from the hollow of a pollard willow, and the girl—­

AN OWL
[To his neighbour.] What a bright mind, our little Scops!

SCOPS
At sight of the ill-omened bird—­

ALL
[Cackling and rocking.] Ha, ha!

THE GRAND-DUKE
[Spreading his wings.] Hush! [All suddenly still.]

SCOPS
Fled, with one arm across her eyes!  The cage was left open, and the
whole fantastic host will meet Chantecler to-morrow at the—­

ALL
[With peals of laughter.] Guinea-hen’s!

THE BLACKBIRD
He is not going.  He has refused.

SCOPS
The devil!

THE CAT
[Quietly.] Go on, Scops.  He will be there.

THE BLACKBIRD [Looking at him from a distance.] What do you know about it, pocket panther?

THE CAT
I saw a Pheasant-hen exciting his admiration, and I saw that he would
go.

THE BLACKBIRD
It’s when you’re sound asleep that you see everything!

THE GRAND-DUKE
[To SCOPS.] Very well, then, let us suppose him going.

SCOPS
Chantecler, for all his fame, has retained his bluff country squire’s
frankness.  When he sees this—­

THE BLACKBIRD
[Prompting.] Tea-fight—­

SCOPS
And the contortions of those—­

THE BLACKBIRD
[Same business.] Snobs—­

SCOPS
In the presence of those—­

THE BLACKBIRD
[Same business.] Big guns—­

SCOPS
He is sure to say things which they are equally sure to take up.