JAN [piping] Oh, wasn't that one beautiful?—Now you!
PIPER
[taking the pipe]
The rainbow-bridge by day;
—And borrow a shepherd-crook!
At night we take to the Milky Way;
And then we follow the brook!
We'll follow the brook, whatever way
The brook shall sing, or the sun shall say,
Or the mothering wood-dove coos!
And what do I care, what else I wear,
If I keep my rainbow shoes!
[He points to the little row of bright shoes. The Children scream with joy. ILSE and HANSEL run back.
CHILDREN
Oh dear! What lovely shoes! Oh, which are mine?
Oh! Oh!—What lovely shoes! Oh, which are mine?
PIPER
Try, till you see.
[Taking up a little red pair]
But these,—these are for Jan.
[JAN is perched on the tree-stump, shy and silent with pleasure.
ILSE
Oh, those are best of all! And Jan—
PIPER
And Jan
Is not to trudge, like you. Jan is to wear
Beautiful shoes, and shoes made most of all,
To look at!
[Takes up a pair of bird's wings.]
CHILDREN
[squealing]
Oh! Where did you find the wings?
Bird's wings!
PIPER
There was some hunter in the woods,
Who killed more birds than he could carry home.
He did not want these,—though the starling did,
But could not use them more! And so,—
[Fastening one to each heel]
And so,—
They trim a little boy.
[Puts them on JAN. He is radiant. He stretches out his legs and pats
the feathers.