Chantecler
Yes,—get myself laughed at!
The Pheasant-hen
No, dearest, no! Don’t do it!
Chantecler
I wish to perish amid salvos of laughter! [To the crowd.] Riot, spirit of Mockery! Disciples of the Blackbird, prepare! [In a still louder voice, hammering home every word.] It is I who, by my song, bring back the light of day! [Amazement, then vast laughter shakes the multitude.] Is the merriment well under way? On guard!
The Golden Padua Cock
[Nodding his plume.] Gentlemen, engage!
Voices
[Amid storms of laughter.] Funny! Side-splitting! Was anything ever so droll? I shall die laughing!
The Blackbird
The old Gallic love of a joke is not dead!
A Chicken
He sings light into the sky!
A Duck
The Sun gets up to hear him!
Chantecler
[Avoiding the blows which the White Pile is beginning to aim at him.] Yes, it is I who give you back the Day!
A Chick
And a jolly fine day it is!