The Piper Part 10

Bird's wings!

PIPER There was some hunter in the woods, Who killed more birds than he could carry home.

He did not want these,--though the starling did, But could not use them more! And so,-- [Fastening one to each heel]

And so,-- They trim a little boy.

[Puts them on JAN. He is radiant. He stretches out his legs and pats the feathers.

CHILDREN [trying on theirs and capering]

O Jan!--O Jan!

Oh! see my shoes!

[The PIPER looks at JAN.]

PIPER Hey day, what now?

JAN I wish. . .

PIPER What do you wish? Wish for it!--It shall come.

[JAN pulls him closer and speaks shyly.]

JAN I wish--that I could show them--to the Man, The Lonely Man.

[The PIPER looks at him and backs away; sits down helplessly and looks at him again.

Oh, can I?--

PIPER Thou!--'T would make me a proud man.

JAN Oh! it would make Him smile!

[The Children dance and caper. TRUDE wakes up and joins them. Sound of distant chanting again.

TRUDE I had a dream!

PIPER A dream!

[Pretending to be amazed. Reflects, a moment]

I know!--Oh, what a funny dream!

[The Children all fall a-laughing when he does.--Noise without.

Cheat-the-Devil's voice crying, 'Cuckoo--Cuckoo!'

CHEAT-THE-DEVIL Quick, quick!--I've something here.

[The others roll away a big stone, and enter by the wooden door (rear), CHEAT-THE-DEVIL. He does not wear his red hood. He has a garland round his neck, and a basket on his arm.

PIPER [sharply to himself]

No Michael yet!

[To CHEAT-THE-DEVIL]

Michael!--Where's Michael?

CHEAT-THE-DEVIL Look you,--you must wait.

We must be cunning.--There's a squirrel, mark you, Hopped after me! He would have found us out.

I wanted him; I loved him. But I ran.

For once a squirrel falls a-talking.--Ah!

Look what I have.--Guess, guess!

[Showing his basket to the Children.']

CHILDREN Cakes!

[He is sad]

Shoes!

[He is sadder]

Then--honey!

[He radiantly undoes his basket, and displays a honeycomb. The Strollers, too, rush upon him.

PIPER Ah, Cheat-the-Devil! They would crop your ears.

Where had you this?

CHEAT-THE-DEVIL Why, such a kind old farmer!

He'd left his bee-hives; they were all alone; And the bees know me. So I brought this for you; I knew They 'd like it.--Oh, you're happy now!

PIPER But Michael,--have they caught him?

CHEAT-THE-DEVIL Oh, not they!

I heard no word of Michael; Michael's safe!

Once on the road I met a countryman, Asked me the way. And not a word I spoke!

'Tis far the wisest. Twenty riddles he asked me.

I smiled and wagged my head. Anon cries he, This Fool is deaf and dumb!'--That made me angry, But still I spoke not.--And I would not hurt him!

He was a bad man. But I liked the mule.-- Now am I safe!--Now am I home at last!

PIPER 'St.--Met you any people on the way, Singing?

CHEAT-THE-DEVIL No, growling,--growling dreary psalms All on a sunny day! Behind the hedges, I saw them go. They go from Hamelin, now; And I know why!-- [The PIPER beckons him away from the Children.

The mayor's Barbara Must go to Rudersheim, to be a Nun!

PIPER To be a Nun!

CHEAT-THE-DEVIL A penance for them all.

She weeps; but she must go! All they, you see, Are wroth against him.--He must give _his_ child--

PIPER A nun!

CHEAT-THE-DEVIL [nodding]

Forever!--She, who smiled at Michael.

Look you, she weeps! They are bad people all;-- Nothing like these. [Looking at the Children.

These are all beautiful.

PIPER To lock her up! A maiden, shut away Out of the light. To cage her there for life, Cut off her hair; pretend that she is dead!-- Horrible, horrible! No, I'll not endure it.

I'll end this murder.--He shall give up his; But never so!--Not so!--While I do live To let things out of cages!--Tell me, quick!-- When shall it happen?

CHEAT-THE-DEVIL Why, it falls to-day.

I saw two herds of people going by, To be there well aforetime, for the sight.

And she is going last of all, at noon; All sparkling, like a Bride.--I heard them tell.