University of Virginia Library

Scene Second.

—Bird's-eye view of the City of Birds—King of the Birds appears on the branch of a tree.
King.
Where's Jackanoxides? I come to tell,
The city's built—

Jack.
'Tis well!

King.
I would 'twere well—

Jack.
Is't not well built?

King.
Yes.

Jack.
Well, then, what's the matter?

King.
The rooks are making a confounded clatter;
They want a rookery—

Jack.
In my new town!
By Jove, if they build one, I'll pull it down.

King.
They can't afford to live in Peacock Square;
Where can they go to?

Jack.
Go to?—anywhere!

King.
The sparrows think you at the rooks should wink.

Jack.
What can it signify what sparrows think!
What say the parrots, goldfinches, and lorys?

King.
Oh, they are all enraptured with the glories
Of their new palaces and public places,
Where little dirty birds daren't shew their faces;
But for the water-fowl the air's too dry;
The geese find out there's no grass in the sky,
And say a common's needful for their health.

Jack.
They're always cackling for a commonwealth.

King.
And there's sad grumbling 'mongst the barn-door fowls,
Their roosting snuggeries are filled with owls;
And every grain and crumb they chance to scratch up,
Some hawk or buzzard's almost sure to catch up.

Jack.
Well, that's no worse than matters were before.

King.
No; but they hoped such things would be no more.
You promised, if they went by your advice,
That it should be of birds the Paradise;
And if they find themselves deceived, I've fears
They'll pull the new built town about your ears.

Jack.
Zounds! if amongst themselves they can't agree,
Why, prithee, should the blame be cast on me?
I cannot change their nature, can I?

King.
Why
Then change the life they led that nature by?

Jack.
Because I thought them born for better things.

King.
You thought! Vain fool, know Jove, who gave them wings,
Put, in his wisdom, limits to their flight;
Marked out their food by day, their rest by night.
Think you he gave to man the power of reason
To stir inferior beings up to treason?
To snatch from out his hand the regal rod,
And make each goose believe itself a god?
Or gave to godlike man that reason's use,
That he with wings should make himself a goose?

Jack.
Hollo! how dare you talk this way to me,
King of the Birds although you chance to be?

King.
Peace, worm!—the King of gods and men behold!

(changes to Jupiter)
The scene at the same time changes and discovers Olympus, with the principal Deities enthroned.
Jack.
(falls on his knees)
Jupiter's self! By Jupiter, I'm sold!
Oh, Tomostyleseron—where, where are you?
A large Cockatoo appears at the wing.
Merciful powers! can this be—

Cock.
(in a melancholy tone)
Cockatoo!

Jup.
Observe, ye deities, these desperate fools,
Who fain would rise and push us from our stools.
These brittle things—these images of clay;
Poor shadowy shapes—mere creatures of a day,
Who born to trouble, would from trouble fly,
Yet know not how, unless they scale the sky;
Who discontented ever with their lot,
Sigh only to be something they are not.
Hence, let wild theorists a lesson take,
And see what monsters of themselves they'd make.
What dire confusion in the world 'twould breed,
If fools could follow whither knaves would lead.
Ye mortals, fear the gods, and trust the wise;
Virtue alone can waft you to the skies.
On wings forbidden seek no idle fame,
Let men be men and worthy of the name!

Finale—Chorus and Jackanoxides—“Crusaders.”
If you, our dear and constant friends, approve
The moral here, to mortals read by Jove,
Let no rude breath our new-fledged hopes destroy,
But fill each poor bird's flutt'ring heart with joy.