Chantecler
[Looking after him as he hops about.] He cannot keep still long enough, I suppose, to let the sacred truth sink in. [Trying to stop him in his hopping.] You behold the agony of emotion shaking me. No more baffle and keep me off with words!
The Blackbird
[Hopping past him.] Catch, if you can, and convince me!
Chantecler
[Imploring.] It’s a matter of life—my profoundest life! Oh, convince you I must, if only for a second! I feel the holy impulse to struggle with your soul!
The Blackbird
[Hopping past him.] Do you!
Chantecler
In solemn earnest, at the bottom of your heart, you did—did you not?—believe me?
The Blackbird
I believe you!
Chantecler
[With pressing anguish.] You must in some manner be aware of the dreadful cost to me of that song? Come, use your reason. To sing as you heard me sing, you must realise that I needed—
The Blackbird
A whopping muscle and a tolerable nerve!
Chantecler
No, let us not make light of serious things, responsible winged creatures that we are!
The Blackbird
Let us go in for heavy-weight truths, by all means!