PIPER
'St.—Met you any people on the way,
Singing?
CHEAT-THE-DEVIL
No, growling,—growling dreary psalms
All on a sunny day! Behind the hedges,
I saw them go. They go from Hamelin, now;
And I know why!—
[The PIPER beckons him away from the Children.
The mayor's Barbara
Must go to Rudersheim, to be a Nun!
PIPER
To be a Nun!
CHEAT-THE-DEVIL
A penance for them all.
She weeps; but she must go! All they, you see,
Are wroth against him.—He must give his child—
PIPER
A nun!
CHEAT-THE-DEVIL
[nodding]
Forever!—She, who smiled at Michael.
Look you, she weeps! They are bad people all;—
Nothing like these. [Looking at the Children.
These are all beautiful.
PIPER
To lock her up! A maiden, shut away
Out of the light. To cage her there for life,
Cut off her hair; pretend that she is dead!—
Horrible, horrible! No, I'll not endure it.
I'll end this murder.—He shall give up his;
But never so!—Not so!—While I do live
To let things out of cages!—Tell me, quick!—
When shall it happen?
CHEAT-THE-DEVIL
Why, it falls to-day.
I saw two herds of people going by,
To be there well aforetime, for the sight.
And she is going last of all, at noon;
All sparkling, like a Bride.—I heard them tell.
PIPER
No, never, never!—No, it shall not be!
Hist!—
[Steps heard scrambling down the entrance-way. [Enter MICHAEL in mad haste. They rush upon him with exultation and relief. He shakes them off, doggedly.