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-