Enter the PIPER, from the hills at back. He carries a pair of water-jars slung over his shoulders, and seems to be in high feather.
PIPER
[singing]
Out of your cage,
Come out of your cage
And take your soul on a pilgrimage!
Pease in your shoes, an if you must!—
But out and away, before you're dust:
Scribe and Stay-at-home,
Saint and Sage,
Out of your cage,
Out of your cage!—
[He feigns to be terror-struck at sight of the pipe
in Michael's hands]
Ho, help! Good Michael, Michael, loose the charm!
Michael, have mercy! I'm bewitched!—
MICHAEL
[giving him the pipe]
Cock's faith!
Still mocking!—Well ye know, it will not play
Such games for me.
PIPER
Be soothed,—'twas as I guessed,
[Unslings the jars]
All of them hungry,—and the Rainbow going;—
And Cheat-the-Devil pining in a corner.
'Twas well I went: they were for leaking out,
And then,—lopped ears for two!
MICHAEL
Oh, that will come.
PIPER
Never believe it! We have saved her, look you;
We save them all! No prison walls again,
For anything so young, in Hamelin there.
Wake her, and see.
MICHAEL
Ay, wake her. But for me,
Her sleep is gentler.
PIPER
[comfortingly]
Nay, but wait.—Good faith,
Wait. We have broke the bars of iron now;
Still there are golden!—'Tis her very self
Is caged within herself. Once coax her out,
Once set her own heart free!—
MICHAEL
Wake her, and see!
[The PIPER crosses, humming.]