VERONIKA
No.
AXEL'S WIFE
[to her child]
Then run along.
And ask the Piper if he'll play again
The tune that charmed the rats.
ANOTHER
They might come back!
OLD URSULA
[calling from her window]
Piper! I want the tune that charmed the rats!
If they come back, I'll have my grandson play it.
PIPER
I pipe but for the children.
ILSE
[dropping her doll and picking it up]
Oh, do pipe
Something for Fridolin!
HANSEL
Oh, pipe at me!
Now I'm a mouse! I'll eat you up! Rr—rr!—
CHILDREN
Oh, pipe! Oh, play! Oh, play and make us dance!
Oh, play, and make us run away from school!
PIPER
Why, what are these?
CHILDREN
[scampering round him]
We're mice, we're mice, we're mice! . . .
We're mice, we're mice! We'll eat up everything!