CHANTECLER
[Sadly.] I was never anything but kind!

PATOU [Showing the ring which has formed, the faces lighted with hateful eagerness.] Look at them! [All necks are craned, all eyes shine; it is hideous. CHANTECLER looks, understands, and bows his head.]

THE PHEASANT-HEN
[With a cry of rage.] It’s a disgrace!  A disgrace to the name of fowl!

CHANTECLER [Raising his head again.] So be it.  But they shall at least learn to-day who I was, and my secret—­

PATOU
No, don’t tell them, if it’s what my old dreamer’s heart has apprehended!

CHANTECLER [Addressing the multitude, in a loud voice, solemnly, like one confessing his faith.] Know, all of you, that it is I—­[Deep silence falls.  To the WHITE PILE, who has given a sign of impatience.] Your pardon, excellent duellist, but I have a mind, before getting myself killed, to do something brave—­

THE WHITE PILE
[Surprised.] Ah?

CHANTECLER
Yes,—­get myself laughed at!

THE PHEASANT-HEN
No, dearest, no!  Don’t do it!

CHANTECLER I wish to perish amid salvos of laughter! [To the crowd.] Riot, spirit of Mockery!  Disciples of the Blackbird, prepare! [In a still louder voice, hammering home every word.] It is I, who, by my song, bring back the light of day! [Amazement, then vast laughter shakes the multitude.] Is the merriment well under way?  On guard!

THE GOLDEN PADUA COCK
[Nodding his plume.] Gentlemen, engage!

VOICES [Amid storms of laughter.] Funny!  Side-splitting!  Was anything ever so droll?  I shall die laughing!

THE BLACKBIRD
The old Gallic love of a joke is not dead!

A CHICKEN
He sings light into the sky!

A DUCK
The Sun gets up to hear him!

CHANTECLER [Avoiding the blows which the WHITE PILE is beginning to aim at him.] Yes, it is I who give you back the Day!

A CHICK
And a jolly fine day it is!

CHANTECLER [While parrying and attacking.] The crowing of other Cocks, able neither to make nor mar, is no better nor worse than sonorous sneezing!  Mine—­[He is wounded.]

A VOICE
Biff!  In the neck!

CHANTECLER
—­mine makes—­[He is again wounded.]

THE TURKEY
Insufferable self-sufficiency!

CHANTECLER
—­the light—­[Again he is struck.]

A VOICE
Biff!  On the neb!

CHANTECLER
—­the light appear!

A VOICE
Biff!  In the eye!

CHANTECLER
[Blinded with blood.] Yes, the light!

A VOICE
[Sneering.] Better have let sleeping darkness lie!

CHANTECLER [Automatically repeating beneath his adversary’s blows.] It is I who make the dawn appear!

PATOU
[Barking.] Aye!  Aye!  Aye!