Cries
Death to the Cock!
An Owl
Death to that aristocrat posing as a democrat and socialist!
Another
With spurs on his heels, but a liberty cap on his head!
The Grand-duke
Night-birds all, arise!
[All, arising with outspread wings and glaring eyes, increase enormously in size. The night appears doubly dark.]
The Blackbird
[With unabated lightness.] Midnight to the fore!
The Screech-owl
Kill him! But how can we, when our eyes cease to see the moment he comes out?
All
[Wailing like an ancient chorus.] Woe!
The Old Horned-owl
[Craftily.] How kill—from afar?
The Grand-duke
By means of what secret spring?