Now were we not proceeding soberly,
Singing a godly hymn, and all in tune,
But yesterday, when we passed by--
HANS' WIFE
Don't say it!
Don't name the curseful place.
HANS the Butcher
--And my poor head,
It goes round yet;--around, around, around,
As I were new ashore from the high seas;
Still dancing--dancing--
AXEL the Smith
With 'Yes--yes!--Yes--yes!'
HANS the Butcher
Even as ye heard, the farmer's yokel found me
Clasping a tree, and praying to stand still!
AXEL the Smith
Ay, ay,--but that is nought.
PETER the Cobbler
All nought beside.
HANS' WIFE
Better we had the rats and mice again,
Though they did eat us homeless,--if we might
All starve together!--Oh, my Hans, my Hans!
PETER the Cobbler
Hope not, good souls. Rest sure, they will not come.
AXEL'S WIFE
Who will say that?
PETER the Cobbler
[discreetly]
Not I; but the Inscription,
[He points to the Rathaus wall.]
AXEL the Smith
Of our own making?
PETER the Cobbler
On the Rathaus wall!
At our own bidding it was made and graved:--
How,--on that day and down this very street,
He led them,--he, the Wonderfully-clothed,
The Strange Man, with his piping;
[They cross themselves]
And they went,--
And never came again.
HANS' WIFE
But they may come!
PETER the Cobbler
[pityingly]
Marble is final, woman;--nay, poor soul!
When once a man be buried, and over him
The stone doth say _Hic Jacet_, or Here Lies,
When did that man get up?--There is the stone.
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