Shakespeare, following usage, perhaps, has given it as "cock-a-doodle-doo," and that is the accepted interpretation of it.

But this does not convey the proper impression.

We should say that if human syllables can tell the story they would assume some such form as: _Ooauk-auk-auk-au-au-au-auk_! It is a song that ought to be studied and glorified in print.

Think what a history it has! That identical combination of sounds which wakes and maddens the sleeping citizen of to-day was heard by Noah and his family with precisely the same cadence and accent in the ark.

It was that very crow that Peter heard when he had denied his Master.