The Screech-owl
You should express yourself: The Cock heralds the folding back of the pall—
The Blackbird
But the day—[Start and threatening gesture from all.]
All
[In voices of unspeakable anguish.] Not that word!
The Grand-duke
You must refer to it as “that which will be!”
The Blackbird
What difference does it make whether or not he heralds the—
All
[Stopping him.] Ha!
The Blackbird
—the folding back of the pall, since that which will be—will be!
The Grand-duke
[In tones of despair.] Simple torture it is to hear a brazen throat forever reminding you of what you know to be only too true!
All
[Writhing in pain.] Too true! Too true!
The Grand-duke
He begins while the night is still pleasant and cool—