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!