_Mrs. Beetle._ Oh dear, oh dear. That's somebody's house, that is--We can't put you there, my jewel. Oh, where's it gone to? Where's it gone to? My little pile--where's it gone to?
_Mrs. Beetle._ (_Rushing at him_) Thief--thief--What 'ave you done with my pile?
_Mrs. Beetle._ Here, give it back--yer wretch.
_Tramp._ Just this minute a gentleman rolled it away over there.
_Tramp._ A pot-bellied fellow, a fat, round chap.
_Tramp._ A feller with an ugly mug and crooked feet.
_Mrs. Beetle._ That's him--he must have found a hole--Husband--My precious--Darling! Where is the blasted fool?
_Mrs. Beetle._ Coo-eh! Couldn't he have called me? Husband, my precious! I'll learn yer--Our capital--our all--our little pile. [_Exit._
_Tramp._ Them butterflies was gay And foolish, yer might say: But these 'ere beetles--lumme, They _do_ work, anyway! So, 'ere's to wish 'em luck-- Though gatherin' balls of muck Is jest about as rummy As anythink I've struck.
_Chrysalis._ O universe, prepare! O space, expand! The mightiest of all happenings is at hand.
_Tramp._ That's good--And what are you going to be?
_Chrysalis._ I don't know--I don't know--Something great.
_Chrysalis._ I'll do something extraordinary--I'm being born.
_Chrysalis._ When half a minute's gone, Something immense, unbounded, Will happen here. _Tramp._ Go on!
_Chrysalis._ When I change my state, The world will be astounded!
[_Enter_ ICHNEUMON FLY, _dragging the corpse of a_ CRICKET _to its lair_.
_Ichneumon Fly._ Look, larva, daddy's bringing you something nice.
_Chrysalis._ (_Shouting_) The torment of my birth Is tearing the whole earth. She groans to set me free----
_Ichneumon Fly._ (_Returning_) No, no, daughter, you must eat. You mustn't come out--it wouldn't do at all. Daddy'll soon be back and he'll bring you something nice. What would you like, piggywiggy?
_Ichneumon Fly._ Ha, ha! That's a nice thing to say. Give daddy a kiss--Daddy'll bring you something tasty. Would you like a follow of cricket? Ha, ha--not a bad idea.
_Larva._ I'd like--I don't know what I'd like.
_Ichneumon Fly._ She doesn't know what she'd like, bless her little heart. I'll find something you'll like--Ta-ta! Daddy must go to work now--Daddy must go a hunting and fetch something for his popsy-wopsy. Ta-ta! Go back now, poppet, and wait for your din-din. Ta-ta! [_Exit_ LARVA.