All
[Looking at one another and blinking.] What is it? What was that? [They hastily spread their wings and call to one another for flight.] Grand-Duke! Minor! Minimus!
The Blackbird
[Hopping from one to the other.] Going? So soon? Why, what’s your hurry?
Voice
[Of one of the Night-birds calling to another.] Nyctalis!
The Blackbird
It’s hours before daybreak. Oceans of time, you have!
An Owl
Asio, are you coming?
Another Owl
[Calling.] Nictea!
Another
[Fluttering up to him.] Yes, my dear! [They all stagger and trip over their wings.]
The Blackbird
What makes them stumble?
The Night-birds
[Winking and blinking with marked evidences of pain.] Oh, how it hurts! Ow! Ow!
The Blackbird
Lightning opthalmia, I declare! [One by one the Owls fly off.]