THE WOOD-OWL
The witches’ routs where we ride perched on the fist of a hag!

THE GRAND-DUKE
After cock-crow an Owl is no longer in his normal state—­

THE SCREECH-OWL
He does evil in a hurry!

THE GRAND-DUKE
And bungles it in consequence!

THE OLD HORNED-OWL
As soon as the Cock has crowed all becomes temporary provisional—­

THE BARN-OWL
Though the Night be still black, we are painfully aware of it growing
less and less black!

THE SCREECH-OWL
When his metallic voice has cleft the night, we squirm like a worm in a
fruit that is cut in two.

THE BLACKBIRD
[On his fagot, mystified.] The other Cocks, however—­

THE GRAND-DUKE
Their song creates no uneasiness.  It is his song which must be silenced.

ALL THE NIGHT-BIRDS
[Flapping their wings, in a long lament.] Silenced!  Silenced!

AN OWL
How can it be accomplished?

THE SCREECH-OWL
The Blackbird here has worked in our cause.

THE BLACKBIRD
Who—­I?

THE SCREECH-OWL
Yes, you laughed at him.

ALL
[Cackling.] Ha, ha!

THE GRAND-DUKE
[Spreading his wings.] Hush! [They resume their sinister stillness.]

THE SCREECH-OWL But his song has not acted any the less directly on our gall-bladders for the fun that has been made of him.  He has grown stronger than ever since he was found ridiculous.

ALL
What shall we do?

THE SCREECH-OWL
The Peacock, that great booby—­

ALL
[Cackling and rocking.] Ha, ha!

THE GRAND-DUKE
[Opening his wings.] Hush! [All instantly motionless.]

THE SCREECH-OWL
Through the Peacock, likewise working in our cause, the Cock came out of
fashion.  But his song is just as inconvenient, in fashion or out of it. 
He is all the more proudly uncompromising for no longer being in style.

ALL
What shall we do?

AN OWL
Cut his throat!

CRIES
Death to the Cock!

AN OWL
Death to that aristocrat posing as a democrat and socialist!

ANOTHER
With spurs on his heels, but a liberty cap on his head!

THE GRAND-DUKE
Night-birds all, arise!

[ALL, arising with outspread wings and glaring eyes, increase enormously in size.  The night appears doubly dark.]

THE BLACKBIRD
[With unabated lightness.] Midnight to the fore!

THE SCREECH-OWL
Kill him!  But how can we, when our eyes cease to see the moment he comes
out?

ALL
[Wailing like an ancient chorus.] Woe!

THE OLD HORNED-OWL
[Craftily.] How kill—­from afar?

THE GRAND-DUKE
By means of what secret spring?

A VOICE
[From the tree.] Duke, may I lay a plan before the assembly?