Page:The life of the insects by Čapek brothers.pdf/51

 Insec’s won’t work together. Man

Will. ’E can form a general plan.

There ’s something great in ’im what fights

And perishes for the nation’s rights. [Sits down.

Chrysalis. My wings are coming. See, they spread

Beyond the vast suns overhead!

Tramp. I’ve ’it it! That ’s what makes men great—

Givin’ their lives up for the State!

Man’s not ’alf noble—put it straight!

’Ere what ’s that bitin’ me? Blimey, there ’s another of ’em—S’truth, I’ve sat on an Ant heap—’undreds and thousands—that ’s what they are playing at—’undreds and thousands!

[''In the meanwhile the Curtain rises and displays the Ant Heap. In the Centre sits a'' who counts continuously: with sacks, beans, shovels, &c., run across in time to his counting.

Blind Ant. One, two, three, four—one, two, three, four.

Tramp. What ’s that? What yer counting for, old boy?

Blind Ant. One, two, three, four—

Tramp. What ’s this ’ere? A, warehouse or a factory, isn’t it? Hi, what ’s it for?

Blind Ant. One, two, three, four—

Tramp. What ’s this factory for, I’m asking—why ’s this blind feller countin’? Ah, he ’s giving them the time. They all move in time as he counts,