Part 16 (2/2)

Ow!... That's a kick.... The a.s.s has broken two of my teeth....

TYLTYL I'm done for, Tylo!... Ah!... That was a blow from the Elm.... Look, my hand's bleeding.... That's the Wolf or the Pig....

THE DOG Wait, my little G.o.d.... Let me kiss you.... There, a good lick.... That will do you good.... Keep behind me.... They dare not come again.... Yes, though.... Here they are coming back!... This time, it's serious!.... We must stand firm!...

TYLTYL (_dropping to the ground_) No, I can hold out no longer!...

THE DOG (_listening_) They are coming!... I hear them, I scent them!...

TYLTYL Where?... Who?...

THE DOG There! There!... It's Light!... She has found us!... Saved, my little king!... Kiss me!... We are saved!... Look!... They're alarmed!... They're retreating!... They're afraid!...

TYLTYL Light!... Light!... Come quick!... Hurry!... They have rebelled!... They are all against us!...

_Enter_ LIGHT. _As she comes forward, the dawn rises over the forest, which becomes light_.

LIGHT What is it?... What has happened?... But, my poor boy, didn't you know?...

Turn the diamond!... They will return into silence and obscurity; and you will no longer perceive their hidden feelings....

(TYLTYL _turns the diamond. Immediately, the souls of all the_ TREES _rush back into the trunks, which close again. The souls of the_ ANIMALS _also disappear; and a peaceful_ COW _and_ SHEEP, _etc., are seen browsing in the distance. The Forest becomes harmless once more_, TYLTYL _looks around him in amazement_.)

TYLTYL Where are they?... What was the matter with them?... Were they mad?...

LIGHT No, they are always like that; but we do not know it because we do not see it.... I told you so before; it is dangerous to wake them when I am not there....

TYLTYL (_wiping his knife_) Well, but for the Dog and if I had not had my knife!... I would never have believed that they were so wicked!...

LIGHT You see that Man is all alone against all in this world....

THE DOG Are you very badly hurt, my little G.o.d?...

TYLTYL Nothing serious.... As for Mytyl, they have not touched her.... But you, my dear Tylo?... Your mouth is all over blood and your paw is broken!...

THE DOG It is not worth speaking of.... It won't show to-morrow.... But it was a tough fight!...

THE CAT (_appearing from behind a thicket, limping_) I should think so!... The Ox caught me a blow with his horns in the stomach.... You can't see the marks, but it's very painful.... And the Oak broke my paw....

THE DOG I should like to know which one....

MYTYL (_stroking the_ CAT) My poor Tylette, did he really?.... Where were you?... I did not see you....

THE CAT (_hypocritically_) Mummy dear, I was wounded at the first, while attacking that horrid Pig, who wanted to eat you.... And then the Oak gave me a great blow which struck me senseless....

THE DOG (_to the_ CAT, _between his teeth_) As for you, I want a word with you presently.... It will keep!...

THE CAT (_plaintively, to_ MYTYL) Mummy dear, he's insulting me.... He wants to hurt me....

MYTYL (_to the_ DOG) Leave him alone, will you, you ugly beast?...

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