PIPER
So!—You had like to have hanged us.
MICHAEL
—What of that?
PIPER
All for a lily maiden.
MICHAEL
Ah,—thy pipe!
How will it save her?—Save her! Tune thy pipe
To compass that!—You do not know—
PIPER
I know.
Tell me no more.—I say it shall not be!
To heel, lad! No, I follow,—none but I!
Go,—go! [MICHAEL rushes out again.
[To CHEAT-THE-DEVIL, pointing to the Children]
Do you bide here and shepherd these.
CHILDREN
Where are you going?—Take us too!—us too!—
Oh, take us with you?—Take us!
PIPER
[distracted]
No, no, no!
You shall be kittens all. And chase your tails,
Till I come back!—So here!
[Catches HANSEL and affixes to his little jacket a long strip of leather for a tail; then whirls him about.
CHILDREN
Me too!—Me too!
CHEAT-THE-DEVIL
Let me make tails,—let me!
[Seizing shears and leather.]