Scene: A hollow tree in the woods .
Time: December evening .
M R . Owl .
M R . Sparrow .
M R . B EAR .
M R . Owl
H EIGHO ! It's dark!
How fast the daylight goes!
I must have overslept. It's time I rose
And went about my breakfast to prepare.
I should keep better hours; I declare,
Before I got to bed 'twas broad daylight!
That must be why I'm getting up to-night
With such a sleepy feeling in my head.
Heigho! Heigho!
Enter M R . Sparrow .
M R . Sparrow : Why don't you go to bed,
If you're so very sleepy? — it's high time!
The sun has set an hour ago, and I'm
Going home myself as fast as I can trot.
Night is the time for sleep.
M R . Owl : The time for what?
The time for sleep , you say?
M R . Sparrow : That's what I said.
M R . Owl :
Well, my dear bird, your reason must have fled!
M R . Sparrow :
I do not catch your meaning quite, I fear.
M R . Owl :
I mean you're talking nonsense. Is that clear?
M R . Sparrow :
Say that again — again, sir, if you dare!
Say it again!
M R . Owl : As often as you care.
You're talking nonsense — stuff and nonsense — there!
M R Sparrow You are a coward, sir, and impolite !
And if you weren't beneath me I would fight.
M R . Owl :I am beneath you, true enough, my friend,
By just two branches. Will you not descend?
Or shall I —
M R Sparrow No, don't rise. Tell me instead
What was the nonsense that you thought I said.
M R . Owl :
It may be wrong, but if I heard aright,
You said the proper time for sleep was night.
M R . Sparrow :
That's what I said, and I repeat it too!
M R . Owl :
Then you repeat a thing that is not true
Day is the time for sleep, not night .
M R . Sparrow : Absurd!
Who's talking nonsense now?
M R . Owl : Impudent bird!
How dare you answer back, you upstart fowl!
M R . Sparrow : How dare you call me upstart — you — you — Owl!
M R . Owl : This is too much! I'll stand no more, I vow!
Defend yourself!
M R . B EAR :
Come, neighbours, stop that row!
What you're about I'm sure I cannot think
I only know I haven't had one wink
Of sleep. Indeed, I've borne it long enough,
'Twould put the mildest temper in a huff;
And I am but a bear. Why don't you go
To bed like other folks, I'd like to know?
Summer is long enough to keep awake —
Winter's the time when honest people take
Their three months' sleep
M R . Sparrow : That settles me! I fly!
Dear Mr. Owl and Mr. Bear, good-bye!
M R . Owl :
I must go too, to find another wood
Every one's mad in this queer neighbourhood!
It is not safe such company to keep.
Good evening, Mr. Bear.
M R . B EAR : Now I shall sleep.
Time: December evening .
M R . Owl .
M R . Sparrow .
M R . B EAR .
M R . Owl
H EIGHO ! It's dark!
How fast the daylight goes!
I must have overslept. It's time I rose
And went about my breakfast to prepare.
I should keep better hours; I declare,
Before I got to bed 'twas broad daylight!
That must be why I'm getting up to-night
With such a sleepy feeling in my head.
Heigho! Heigho!
Enter M R . Sparrow .
M R . Sparrow : Why don't you go to bed,
If you're so very sleepy? — it's high time!
The sun has set an hour ago, and I'm
Going home myself as fast as I can trot.
Night is the time for sleep.
M R . Owl : The time for what?
The time for sleep , you say?
M R . Sparrow : That's what I said.
M R . Owl :
Well, my dear bird, your reason must have fled!
M R . Sparrow :
I do not catch your meaning quite, I fear.
M R . Owl :
I mean you're talking nonsense. Is that clear?
M R . Sparrow :
Say that again — again, sir, if you dare!
Say it again!
M R . Owl : As often as you care.
You're talking nonsense — stuff and nonsense — there!
M R Sparrow You are a coward, sir, and impolite !
And if you weren't beneath me I would fight.
M R . Owl :I am beneath you, true enough, my friend,
By just two branches. Will you not descend?
Or shall I —
M R Sparrow No, don't rise. Tell me instead
What was the nonsense that you thought I said.
M R . Owl :
It may be wrong, but if I heard aright,
You said the proper time for sleep was night.
M R . Sparrow :
That's what I said, and I repeat it too!
M R . Owl :
Then you repeat a thing that is not true
Day is the time for sleep, not night .
M R . Sparrow : Absurd!
Who's talking nonsense now?
M R . Owl : Impudent bird!
How dare you answer back, you upstart fowl!
M R . Sparrow : How dare you call me upstart — you — you — Owl!
M R . Owl : This is too much! I'll stand no more, I vow!
Defend yourself!
M R . B EAR :
Come, neighbours, stop that row!
What you're about I'm sure I cannot think
I only know I haven't had one wink
Of sleep. Indeed, I've borne it long enough,
'Twould put the mildest temper in a huff;
And I am but a bear. Why don't you go
To bed like other folks, I'd like to know?
Summer is long enough to keep awake —
Winter's the time when honest people take
Their three months' sleep
M R . Sparrow : That settles me! I fly!
Dear Mr. Owl and Mr. Bear, good-bye!
M R . Owl :
I must go too, to find another wood
Every one's mad in this queer neighbourhood!
It is not safe such company to keep.
Good evening, Mr. Bear.
M R . B EAR : Now I shall sleep.