Chorus.
Sh! Sh! Sh! Sh!
(The Cock pecks Dodon on the head, and he falls dead. A clap of thunder. All struck dumb. For a moment total darkness, in which is heard the quiet laugh of The Queen. When it grows light again neither Queen nor the bird is seen.)
People
(to each other, in astonishment).
Where is the Queen?
She has vanished
As if she had never been at all!
(Hopefully.)
Is the King groaning?
(Sadly.)