If I be harmed, they perish. Keep that word,
Go, go!
VERONIKA
[passionately]
My longing will bring back my Own.
PIPER
Ah, long not so.
VERONIKA
Yes, it will bring him back!
He breathes. And I will wish him home to me,
Till my heart break!
PIPER
Hearts never break in Hamelin.
Go, then; and teach those other ones to long;
Wake up those dead!
VERONIKA
Peace. I shall draw him home.
PIPER
Not till he cries for thee.
VERONIKA
Oh, that will be
Soon,--soon.
PIPER
[gently]
Remember,--if one word of thine
Set on the hounds to track me down and slay me,
They will be lost forever; they would die,--
They, who are in my keeping.
VERONIKA
Yea, I hear.
But he will come . . . oh, he will come to me,
Soon,--soon.
[She goes, haltingly, and disappears along the road to Hamelin.--The
PIPER, alone, stands spell-bound, breathing hard, and looking after
her. Then he turns his head and comes down, doggedly. Again he
pauses. With a sudden sharp effort he turns, and crosses with
passionate appeal to the shrine, his arm uplifted towards the carven
Christ as if he warded off some accusation. His speech comes in a
torrent.
PIPER
I will not, no, I will not, Lonely Man!
I have them in my hand. I have them all--
All--all! And I have lived unto this day.
You understand . . .
[He waits as if for some reply]
You know what men they are.
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