Great rats, small rats, lean rats, brawny rats;
Brown rats, black rats, gray rats, tawny rats.
As the crowd in the room watched they uttered exclamations—"See!" "Look at that one!" "How they follow him!" "He's leading them to the river!" "In they go!" "They're drowning!" "Every one of them!" "Let's ring the bells!"
With faces of delight the townsfolk left the council chamber and from a distance came the muffled ringing of bells of joy.
The Mayor addressed them as they passed out;
"Go and get long poles,
Poke out the nests and block up the holes!
Consult with carpenters and builders,
And leave in our town not even a trace
Of the rats."
The Piper entered suddenly. "First, if you please, my thousand guilders!"
First Member of the Corporation. "A thousand guilders!"
The other members of the Corporation shook their heads in solemn refusal.
The Mayor.
"Our business was done at the river's brink;
We saw with our eyes the vermin sink,
And what's dead can't come to life, I think."
Second Member of the Corporation.
"So, friend, we're not the folks to shrink
From the duty of giving you something for drink,
And a matter of money to put in your poke—"
The Mayor.
"But as for the guilders, what we spoke
Of them, as you very well know, was in joke."
First Member.
"Besides, our losses have made us thrifty.
A thousand guilders! Come, take fifty!"
The Piper [looking serious, cried];
"No trifling! I can't wait, beside!
I've promised to visit by dinner time
Bagdat, and accept the prime
Of the Head-Cook's pottage, all he's rich in,
For having left in the Caliph's kitchen,
Of a nest of scorpions no survivor;
With him I proved no bargain-driver,
With you, don't think I'll bate a stiver!
And folks who put me in a passion
May find me pipe after another fashion."
The Mayor.
"How? D'ye think I brook
Being worse treated than a Cook?
Insulted by a lazy ribald
With idle pipe and vesture piebald?
You threaten us, fellow? Do your worst,
Blow your pipe there till you burst!"
Once more the Piper laid the pipe against his lips and blew the strange, simple tune, and from both sides of the stage there came rushing in children of all sizes, boys and girls, flaxen-haired and dark-haired, blue-eyed and brown-eyed. They crowded around him and as he slowly passed off the stage they followed him, dancing and waving their hands and with never a look behind them.