BARBARA [bitterly] A stroller!—-oh, nought but a wandering man.
PIPER,
Well, would you have a man take root, I ask?
BARBARA
That swallows swords. . . .
PIPER
Is he a comely man?
BARBARA
That swallows swords!—
PIPER
What's manlier to swallow?
Did he but swallow pancakes, were that praise?
Pancakes and sausage, like your Hamelin yokels?
He swallows fire and swords, I say, and more.
And yet this man hath for a whole noon-hour
Guarded you while you slept;—still as a dove,
Distant and kind as shadow; giant-strong
For his enchanted princess,—even you.
BARBARA
So you bewitched me, then.
PIPER [wildly] How do I know?
BARBARA
Where are the children?
PIPER
I'll not tell you that.
You are too much of Hamelin.