But I liked the mule.--
Now am I safe!--Now am I home at last!
PIPER
'St.--Met you any people on the way,
Singing?
CHEAT-THE-DEVIL
No, growling,--growling dreary psalms
All on a sunny day! Behind the hedges,
I saw them go. They go from Hamelin, now;
And I know why!--
[The PIPER beckons him away from the Children.
The mayor's Barbara
Must go to Rudersheim, to be a Nun!
PIPER
To be a Nun!
CHEAT-THE-DEVIL
A penance for them all.
She weeps; but she must go! All they, you see,
Are wroth against him.--He must give _his_ child--
PIPER
A nun!
CHEAT-THE-DEVIL
[nodding]
Forever!--She, who smiled at Michael.
Look you, she weeps! They are bad people all;--
Nothing like these. [Looking at the Children.
These are all beautiful.
PIPER
To lock her up! A maiden, shut away
Out of the light. To cage her there for life,
Cut off her hair; pretend that she is dead!--
Horrible, horrible! No, I'll not endure it.
I'll end this murder.--He shall give up his;
But never so!--Not so!--While I do live
To let things out of cages!--Tell me, quick!--
When shall it happen?
CHEAT-THE-DEVIL
Why, it falls to-day.
I saw two herds of people going by,
To be there well aforetime, for the sight.
And she is going last of all, at noon;
All sparkling, like a Bride.--I heard them tell.
PIPER
No, never, never!--No, it shall not be!
Hist!--
[Steps heard scrambling down the entrance-way.
Pages:
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41