How now? What all!—
[The crowd parts to admit the PIPER, haled hither with shouts and pelting, by MARTIN the Watch and other men, all breathless. His eyes burn.
MICHAEL [apart] Save us!—They have him.
MARTIN
[gaspingly]
Help!
Mark ye—I caught him!—Help,—and hold him fast!
PIPER
I came here,—frog!
MARTIN
Ay, he were coming on;
And after him a squirrel, hopping close!
SECOND MAN
As no man ever saw a squirrel hop—
Near any man from Hamelin! And I looked—
MARTIN
And it was he; and all we rush upon him—
And take him!
PIPER
Loose thy claws, I tell thee I—
ALL
( 'Ware!
( Mercy!
( Let him go!