Chantecler

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19. Act III Scene 2



THE SAME, THE PEACOCK.

THE GUINEA-HEN [To the PEACOCK, who enters slowly, with his head borne very stiff and high.] Master, dear Master, would you be so extremely condescending as to come and stand with your back to these sunflowers? Peacock! Sunflowers! A study for Burne-Jones!

ALL [Crowding around the PEACOCK.] Master! Master!

A CHICKEN [Low to the DUCK.] A word from him can make one's fortune in society!

ANOTHER CHICKEN [Who has succeeded in forcing his way to the PEACOCK, stammering with emotion.] Master, what do you think of my latest "cheep"? [Suspense. Religious silence.]

THE PEACOCK [Solemnly, letting the word drop slowly from his beak.] Definitive. [Sensation.]

A DUCK [Trembling.] And my "quack"? [Suspense.]

THE PEACOCK Ultimate! [Sensation.]

THE GUINEA-HEN [Delighted, to the HENS.] I may say that it is at my days most especially he throws off these specimens of a verbal art which might fairly be called--

THE PEACOCK Lapidary.

ALL THE HENS [Rolling up their eyes.] Wonderful!

A HEN [Coming forward, faint with emotion.] Master, high priest of taste, what do you think of my dress? [Suspense.]

THE PEACOCK [After a glance.] Affirmative. [Sensation.]

THE TUFTED HEN [Same business.] And my bonnet? [Suspense.]

THE PEACOCK Absolute. [Sensation.]

THE GUINEA-HEN [In a burst of emotion.] Our bonnets are absolute!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [Affecting exclusive interest in the BEES.] Ah, there is the Choir Invisible striking up again!

THE GUINEA-HEN [Presenting the young GUINEA-COCK to the PEACOCK.] My son!--What do you think of him?

THE PEACOCK Plausible.

CHORUS OF WASPS Busily buzzing--

THE GUINEA-HEN [Overjoyed, running to the PHEASANT-HEN.] Oh, he said he was plausible!

THE PHEASANT-HEN Who was?

THE GUINEA-HEN My son!

CHORUS OF BEES

When July
Too holly glows
Seek the shade
Inside the rose
;

THE GUINEA-HEN [Returning to the PEACOCK.] Does not the rhythm of that chorus impress you as--

THE PEACOCK Asunartetos!

A HEN [To the GUINEA-HEN.] Your guest, my dear, can fit an epithet!

THE GUINEA-HEN Pontiff of the Unexpected Adjective I call him!

THE PEACOCK [Distilling his words, in a discordant haughty voice.] True it is that--

THE GUINEA-HEN Ah, this is most pleasant, most pleasant! He is going to talk to us.

THE PEACOCK --a Ruskin rather more refined, I hope, than the earlier one, with a tact--

THE GUINEA-HEN Very true!

PEACOCK --a tact for which I stand largely in my own debt, I have constituted myself Petronius-Priest and Maecenas-Messiah volatile volatiliser of words, and that, jeweled judge, I love by my cameos and filigrees of speech to represent the Taste of which I am the--

PATOU Oh, my poor head!

THE PEACOCK [Nonchalantly.]--shall I say guardian?

THE GUINEA-HEN [Effervescently.] Do say guardian!

THE PEACOCK No. Thesmothetes. [Respectful murmur of delight.]

THE GUINEA-HEN [To the PHEASANT-HEN.] Now you have seen our Peacock! Aren't you excited?

THE PHEASANT-HEN [Slightly bored.] Yes,--because I know the Cock is coming.

THE GUINEA-HEN [Delighted.] To-day? He is coming to-day? [She announces to the general company, enthusiastically.] Chantecler!

THE PEACOCK [Slightly miffed.] A far greater triumph lies in store for you, fair friend.

THE GUINEA-HEN Triumph? [The PEACOCK nods mysteriously.] What triumph?

THE PEACOCK [Walking away from her.] You shall see.

THE GUINEA-HEN [Following him.] Of what triumph are you speaking?

THE PEACOCK I said, "You shall see!"

MAGPIE [Announcing.] Cock Braekel of Campine!