]
CHILDREN
Oh!
PIPER
Like fire-flies! Will-o'-the-wisps!
And make believe we're hiding, all the way,
Till we come out into a sunny land,--
All vines and sunlight, yes, and men that sing!
Far, far away--forever.
[Gives ILSE a bowl to feed the other children]
[JAN pipes a measure of the Kinder-spell, brokenly. The PIPER turns.
So! Thou'lt be
My master, some day. Thou shalt pipe for me.
JAN
[piping]
Oh, wasn't that one beautiful?--Now you!
PIPER
[taking the pipe]
The rainbow-bridge by day;
--And borrow a shepherd-crook!
At night we take to the Milky Way;
And then we follow the brook!
We'll follow the brook, whatever way
The brook shall sing, or the sun shall say,
Or the mothering wood-dove coos!
And what do I care, what else I wear,
If I keep my rainbow shoes!
[He points to the little row of bright shoes. The Children scream with
joy. ILSE and HANSEL run back.
CHILDREN
Oh dear! What lovely shoes! Oh, which are mine?
Oh! Oh!--What lovely shoes! Oh, which are mine?
PIPER
Try, till you see.
[Taking up a little red pair]
But these,--these are for Jan.
[JAN is perched on the tree-stump, shy and silent with pleasure.
ILSE
Oh, those are best of all! And Jan--
PIPER
And Jan
Is not to trudge, like you. Jan is to wear
Beautiful shoes, and shoes made most of all,
To look at!
[Takes up a pair of bird's wings.
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