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.

Piper
No, never, never!—­No, it shall not be! 
Hist!—­

[Steps heard scrambling down the entrance-way. [Enter Michael in mad haste.  They rush upon him with exultation and relief.  He shakes them off, doggedly.

Piper
So!—­You had like to have hanged us.

Michael
  —­What of that?

Piper
All for a lily maiden.

Michael
Ah,—­thy pipe! 
How will it save her?—­Save her!  Tune thy pipe
To compass that!—­You do not know—­

Piper
  I know. 
Tell me no more.—­I say it shall not be! 
To heel, lad!  No, I follow,—­none but I! 
Go,—­go! [Michael rushes out again.
[To cheat-the-devil, pointing to the Children]
  Do you bide here and shepherd these.