* * * * *
I save the children.—Yes, I save them, so,
Save them forever, who shall save the world!—
Yes, even Hamelin.—
But for only you,
What do they know of Children?—Pfui, their own!
Who knows a treasure, when it is his own?
Do they not whine: 'Five mouths around the table;
And a poor harvest. And now comes one more!
God chastens us!'—Pfui!—
VERONIKA [apart, dully] . . . But I must be patient.
PIPER
You know, you know, that not one dared, save you,—
Dared all alone, to search this devil's haunt.
VERONIKA
They would have died—
PIPER
But never risked their souls!
That knew I also.
VERONIKA
Ah!
PIPER
'Young faces,' sooth,
The old ones prate of!—Bah, what is't they want?
'Some one to work for me, when I am old;
Some one to follow me unto my grave;
Some one—for me!' Yes, yes. There is not one
Old huddler-by-the-fire would shift his seat
To a cold corner, if it might bring back
All of the Children in one shower of light!
VERONIKA
The old, ah, yes! But not—
PIPER
The younger men?
Aha! Their pride to keep the name alive;
The name, the name, the little Hamelin name,
Tied to the trade;—carved plain upon his gravestone!
Wonderful! If your name must chain you, live,
To your gaol of a house, your trade you love not,—why,
Best go without a name, like me!—How now?
Woman,—you suffer?