PIPER
You know, you know, that not one dared, save you,--
Dared all alone, to search this devil's haunt.
VERONIKA
They would have died--
PIPER
But never risked their _souls_!
That knew I also.
VERONIKA
Ah!
PIPER
'Young faces,' sooth,
The old ones prate of!--Bah, what is't they want?
'Some one to work for me, when I am old;
Some one to follow me unto my grave;
Some one--for me!' Yes, yes. There is not one
Old huddler-by-the-fire would shift his seat
To a cold corner, if it might bring back
All of the Children in one shower of light!
VERONIKA
The old, ah, yes! But not--
PIPER
The younger men?
Aha! Their pride to keep the name alive;
The name, the name, the little Hamelin name,
Tied to the trade;--carved plain upon his gravestone!
Wonderful! If your name must chain you, live,
To your gaol of a house, your trade you love not,--why,
Best go without a name, like me!--How now?
Woman,--you suffer?
VERONIKA
Ah, yet could I laugh,
Piper, yet could I laugh, for one true word,--
But not of all men.
PIPER
Then of whom?
VERONIKA
Of Kurt.
PIPER
Bah, Kurt the Councillor! a man to curse.
VERONIKA
He is my husband.
PIPER
[shortly]
Thine? I knew it not.
Thine? But it cannot be. He could not father
That little Jan,--that little shipwrecked Star.
VERONIKA
Oh, then you love him? You will give him back?
PIPER
The son of Kurt?
VERONIKA
No, not _his_ son! No, no.
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