THE GUINEA-HEN
[To a HEN.] My dear, now we shall see something worth while!

THE MAGPIE
Japanese Cocks—­Cock Splendens!

THE GUINEA-HEN [At sight of this COCK whose tail is eight yards long.] Oh!—­In a swallow tail!

THE MAGPIE
Clump-backed—­

THE BLACKBIRD [Perceiving that this COCK is absolutely flat at the back.] In a monkey-jacket!

THE MAGPIE
[Finishing.]—­or Tailless Cock!

THE GUINEA-HEN [Beside herself.] He has nothing whatever behind!  This is the crowning moment of my career! [To the newcomer, effusively.] Charmed!  No tail!  This is—­

THE BLACKBIRD
I like his cheek!

THE MAGPIE [While more and more heterogeneous COCKS appear.] Cock Walikikili, called Choki-kukullo!  Pseudo-Chinese Cuculicolor!

THE GUINEA-HEN
What a choice gathering!

THE PEACOCK
Kaleidoscopically cosmopolitan.

THE MAGPIE
Blue Java!  White Java!

THE BLACKBIRD
[Losing all shame.] Won’t Java cup o’ coffee?

THE GUINEA-HEN
[Falling upon the JAVA COCKS.] Charmed, charmed!

THE MAGPIE
Brahma Cock!  Cochin Cock!

THE PEACOCK
[Proudly.] The great vicious Cocks, representatives of the corrupt
East, the putrescent Orient!

THE GUINEA-HEN
[Intoxicated.] Putrescent!

THE PEACOCK
Unwholesome, morbid grace!

THE GUINEA-HEN
[To the COCHIN COCK.] Charmed!  Charmed!—­Do notice his obscene eye!

THE MAGPIE [Announcing wildly, infected with the general delirium.] Chili Cock, curled hindside fore!  Antwerp Cock, curled inside out!

ALL THE HENS
[Fighting for the newcomers.] Oh, putrescent!—­Oh, hindside fore!

THE GUINEA-HEN
Inside out!

THE MAGPIE
Shankless Jumping-cock!

A HEN
[Fainting with emotion.] I suppose he jumps with his stomach!

THE GUINEA-HEN
An India-rubber Cock!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [To PATOU, who from his wheelbarrow is looking off into the distance.] And Chantecler?

PATOU
Will be here soon.

THE PHEASANT-HEN
Can you see him?

PATOU
Yes, off there, scratching up the earth.  Now he is on his way.

THE MAGPIE
Ghoondook Cock with Umbrella Topknot!

CRY OF ENTHUSIASM
Oh!

THE MAGPIE
Iberian Cock with Lint Side Whiskers!

CRY OF ENTHUSIASM
Oh!

THE MAGPIE
Cock Bans Backin or Fat Cheek of Thuringia!

CRY OF ENTHUSIASM
Oh!

THE MAGPIE
Yankee Cochin of Plymouth Rock!

[Sudden silence. CHANTECLER has appeared at the entrance, just behind the COCK last announced.]

CHANTECLER
[To the MAGPIE.] Pray simply say, “The Cock!”