Chantecler: Play in Four Acts

by Edmond Rostand

CHANTECLER

Play in Four Acts

By
EDMOND ROSTAND

Translated
By
GERTRUDE HALL

1910

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Chantecler
Patou
The Blackbird
The Peacock
The Nightingale
The Grand-duke
The Screech-owl
Little Scops
The Game-cock
The Hunting Dog
A Carrier-pigeon
The Wood-pecker
The Turkey
The Duck
The Young Guinea-cock
The Pheasant-hen
The Guinea-hen
The Old Hen
The White Hen
The Grey Hen
The Black Hen
The Speckled Hen
The Tufted Hen
A Gander. A Capon. Chickens. Chicks. A Cockerel.
A Swan. A Cuckoo. Night-birds. Fancy Cocks.
Toads. A Turkey-hen. A Goose. A Garden Warbler.
A Woodland Warbler. A Spider. A Heron. A Pigeon.
A Guinea-pig. Barnyard animals. Woodland Creatures.
Rabbits. Birds. Bees. Cicadas. Voices.

PROLOGUE

The customary three knocks are heard. The drop-curtain wavers and is rising, when a voice rings out, “Not yet!” and the Manager, a gentleman of important mien in evening dress, springing from his proscenium box, hurries toward the stage, repeating, “Not yet!”

The curtain is again lowered. The Manager turns toward the audience, and resting one hand on the prompter’s box, addresses them: