CHANTECLER [Collecting himself and straightening up.] When one dwells in a soul, it is better, believe me, to meet with the Dawn there, than with nothing.

THE PHEASANT-HEN
[Angrily.] No! the Dawn defrauds me of a great and undivided love!

CHANTECLER There is no great love outside the shadow of a great dream!  How should there not flow more love from a soul whose very business it is to open wide every day?

THE PHEASANT-HEN [Coming and going stormily.] I will sweep everything aside with my golden russet wing!

CHANTECLER And who are you, bent upon such tremendous sweeping [They stand rigid and erect in front of each other, looking defiance into each other’s eyes.]

THE PHEASANT-HEN The Pheasant-hen I am, who have assumed the golden plumage of the arrogant male!

CHANTECLER
Remaining in spite of all a female, whose eternal rival is the Idea!

THE PHEASANT-HEN
[In a great cry.] Hold me to your heart and be still!

CHANTECLER [Crushing her brutally to him.] Yes, I strain you to my Cock’s heart—­[With infinite regret.] Better it were I had folded you to my Awakener’s soul!

THE PHEASANT-HEN
To deceive me for the Dawn’s sake!  Very well, however much you may abhor
it, you shall for my sake deceive the Dawn.

CHANTECLER
I?  How?

THE PHEASANT-HEN [Stamping her foot; in a capricious tone.] It is my formal and explicit wish—­

CHANTECLER
But listen, dear—­

THE PHEASANT-HEN
My formal and explicit wish that you should for one whole day refrain
altogether from singing.

CHANTECLER
That I—­

THE PHEASANT-HEN
I desire you to remain one whole day without singing.

CHANTECLER
But, heavens and earth, am I to leave the valley in total darkness?

THE PHEASANT-HEN
[Pouting.] What harm will it do to the valley?

CHANTECLER
Whatever lies too long in darkness and sleep becomes used to falsehood
and consents to death.

THE PHEASANT-HEN
Leave singing for one day—­[In a tone of evil insinuation.] It will
free my mind of certain suspicions troubling it.

CHANTECLER
[With a start.] I can see what you are trying to do!

THE PHEASANT-HEN
And I can see what you are afraid of!

CHANTECLER
[Earnestly.] I will never give up singing.

THE PHEASANT-HEN
And what if you were mistaken?  What if the truth were that Dawn comes
without help from you?

CHANTECLER
[With fierce resolution.] I shall not know it.

THE PHEASANT-HEN [In a sudden burst of tears.] Could you not forget the time, for once, if you saw me weeping?

CHANTECLER
No, I could not.

THE PHEASANT-HEN
Nothing, ever, can make you forget the time?