Chapter 3

A great, dim-lighted, cavernous place, which shows signs of masonry. It is part cavern and part cellarage of a ruined, burned-down and forgotten old monastery in the hills.--The only entrance (at the centre rear), a ramshackle wooden door, closes against a flight of rocky steps.--Light comes from an opening in the roof, and from the right, where a faggot-fire glows under an iron pot.--The scene reaches (right and left) into dim corners, where sleeping children lie curled up together like kittens.

By the fire sits the PIPER, on a tree-stump seat, stitching at a bit of red leather. At his feet is a row of bright-colored small shoes, set two and two. He looks up now and then, to recount the children, and goes back to work, with quizzical despair.

Left, sits a group of three forlorn Strollers. One nurses a lame knee; one, evidently dumb, talks in signs to the others; one is munching bread and cheese out of a wallet. All have the look of hunted and hungry men. They speak only in whispers to each other throughout the scene; but their hoarse laughter breaks out now and then over the bird-like ignorance of the children.

A shaft of sunlight steals through the hole in the roof. JAN, who lies nearest the PIPER, wakes up.

JAN Oh!

[The PIPER turns] Oh, I thought. . . I had a dream!

PIPER [softly] Ahe?

JAN I thought. . . I dreamed. . . somebody wanted me.

PIPER Soho!

JAN [earnestly] I thought. . . Somebody Wanted me.

PIPER How then? [With watchful tenderness.]

JAN I thought I heard Somebody crying.

PIPER Pfui!--What a dream.--Don't make me cry again.

JAN Oh, was it you?--Oh, yes!

PIPER [apart, tensely] No Michael yet!

[JAN begins to laugh softly, in a bewildered way; then grows quite happy and forgetful. While the other children waken, he reaches for the pipe and tries to blow upon it, to the PIPER'S amusement. ILSE and HANSEL, the Butcher's children, wake.

ILSE Oh!

HANSEL --Oh!

PIPER Ahe?

ILSE I thought I had a dream.

PIPER Again?

ILSE . . . It was some lady, calling me.

HANSEL Yes, and a fat man called us to come quick; A fat man, he was crying--about me! That same fat man I dreamt of, yesterday.

PIPER Come, did you ever see a fat man cry, About a little Boy?

[The Strollers are convulsed with hoarse mirth.

HANSEL No,--Never.

ILSE Never! Oh, what a funny dream!

[They giggle together.] [The PIPER silences the Strollers, with a gesture of warning towards the rocky door.

PIPER [to himself] 'T is Hans the Butcher. [To the Children] Well, what did he say?

HANSEL '_Come home, come home, come home_!' But I didn't go. I don't know where. . . Oh, what a funny dream!

ILSE Mine was a bad dream!--Mine was a lovely lady And she was by the river, staring in.

PIPER You were the little gold-fish, none could catch. Oh, what a funny dream! . . . [Apart, anxiously] No Michael yet. [Aloud] Come, bread and broth! Here--not all, three at a time; 'T is simpler. Here, you kittens. Eat awhile; Then--

[RUDI wakes.]

RUDI Oh! I had a dream,--an awful dream!

[The PIPER takes JAN on his knee and feeds him, after ladling out a big bowl of broth from the kettle for the Children, and giving them bread.

PIPER Oh! oh! I had a dream!

CHILDREN Oh, tell it to us!

PIPER I dreamed. . . a Stork. . . had nested in my hat.

CHILDREN Oh!

PIPER And when I woke--

CHILDREN You had--

PIPER _One hundred children_!

CHILDREN Oh, it came true! Oh, oh; it all came true!

THE STROLLERS Ah, ho, ho, ho! [The dumb one rises, stretches, and steals toward the entrance, stopping to slip a blind-patch over one eye. The PIPER goes to him with one stride, seizing him by the shoulder.

PIPER [to him, and the others, apart] Look you.--No Michael _yet_!--And he is gone Full three days now,--three days. If he be caught, Why then,--the little ravens shall be fed! [Groans from the three] Enough that Cheat-the-Devil leaked out too;-- No foot but mine shall quit this fox-hole now! And you,--think praise for once, you have no tongue, And keep these magpies quiet. [Turns away. [To himself] Ah, that girl. The Burgomeister's Barbara! But for her, And moon-struck Michael with his 'one more look'! Where is he now?--And where are we? [Turning back to the Children] So, so.

[The Strollers huddle together, with looks of renewed anxiety and wretchedness.--Their laughter at the Children breaks out forlornly now and then.--The PIPER shepherds the Children, but with watchful eyes and ears toward the entrance always. --His action grows more and more tense.

RUDI [over his broth] Oh, I remember now!--Before I woke. . . Oh, what an awful dream!

ILSE Oh, tell us, Rudi,-- Oh, scare us,--Rudi, scare us!--

RUDI [bursting into tears] . . . _Lump was dead_! Lump, Lump!-- [The Children wail.

PIPER [distracted] Who's Lump?

RUDI Our Dog!

PIPER [shocked and pained] The Dog!--No, no. Heaven save us--I forgot about the dogs!

RUDI He Wanted me;--and I always wasn't there! And people tied him up,--and other people Pretended that he bit.--He never bites! He Wanted me, until it broke his heart, And he was dead!

PIPER [struggling with his emotion] And then he went to heaven, To chase the happy cats up all the trees;-- Little white cats! . . . He wears a golden collar . . . And sometimes--[Aside]--I'd forgot about the dogs! Well, dogs must suffer, so that men grow wise. 'T was ever so.

[He turns to give JAN a piping lesson]

CHILDREN

Oh, what a funny dream! [Suddenly he lifts his hand. They listen, and hear a dim sound of distant chanting, going by on some neighboring road. The PIPER is puzzled; the Strollers are plainly depressed.

JAN What is it?

PIPER People; passing down below, In the dark valley. [He looks at the Children fixedly] Do you want to see them?

CHILDREN Don't let them find us! What an ugly noise.-- No, no--don't let them come!

PIPER Hark ye to me. Some day I'll take you out with me to play; High in the sun,--close to the water-fall . . . . And we will make believe--_We'll make believe We're hiding_! . . .

[The Strollers rock with mirth.]

CHILDREN Yes, yes! Oh, let us make believe!

STROLLERS Oho, ho, ho!--A make-believe!--Ho, ho!

PIPER But, if you're good,--yes, very, very soon I'll take you, as I promised,--

CHILDREN --Gypsies, oh!

PIPER Yes, with the gypsies. We shall go at night, With just a torch-- [Watching them.]

CHILDREN Oh!

PIPER Like fire-flies! Will-o'-the-wisps! And make believe we're hiding, all the way, Till we come out into a sunny land,-- All vines and sunlight, yes, and men that sing! Far, far away--forever. [Gives ILSE a bowl to feed the other children] [JAN pipes a measure of the Kinder-spell, brokenly. The PIPER turns. So! Thou'lt be My master, some day. Thou shalt pipe for me.

JAN [piping] Oh, wasn't that one beautiful?--Now you!

PIPER [taking the pipe] The rainbow-bridge by day; --And borrow a shepherd-crook! At night we take to the Milky Way; And then we follow the brook!

We'll follow the brook, whatever way The brook shall sing, or the sun shall say, Or the mothering wood-dove coos! And what do I care, what else I wear, If I keep my rainbow shoes!

[He points to the little row of bright shoes. The Children scream with joy. ILSE and HANSEL run back.

CHILDREN Oh dear! What lovely shoes! Oh, which are mine? Oh! Oh!--What lovely shoes! Oh, which are mine?

PIPER Try, till you see. [Taking up a little red pair] But these,--these are for Jan. [JAN is perched on the tree-stump, shy and silent with pleasure.

ILSE Oh, those are best of all! And Jan--

PIPER And Jan Is not to trudge, like you. Jan is to wear Beautiful shoes, and shoes made most of all, To look at! [Takes up a pair of bird's wings.]

CHILDREN [squealing] Oh! Where did you find the wings? 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.

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.

CHILDREN Where are you going?--Take us too!--us too!-- Oh, take us with you?--Take us!

PIPER [distracted] No, no, no! You shall be kittens all. And chase your tails, Till I come back!--So here!

[Catches HANSEL and affixes to his little jacket a long strip of leather for a tail; then whirls him about.

CHILDREN Me too!--Me too!

CHEAT-THE-DEVIL Let me make tails,--let me! [Seizing shears and leather.]

PIPER [wildly] Faith, and you shall. A master tailor!--Come, here's food for thought. Think all,-- [To the Strollers] And hold your tongues, there!-- If a Cat-- If a Cat have--as all men say--Nine Lives, And if Nine Tailors go to make a Man, How long, then, shall it take one Man turned Tailor To keep a Cat in Tails, until she die? [CHEAT-THE-DEVIL looks subdued; the children whirl about. But here's no game for Jan.--Stay! Something else.-- [He runs to a wooden coffer, rear, and takes out a long crystal on the end of a string, with a glance at the shaft of sunlight from the roof. The Children watch.

Be quiet, now.--Chase not your tails too far, Till I come home again.

CHILDREN Come home--come home!

PIPER And you shall see my--

CHILDREN Something Beautiful! Oh, oh, what is it?--Oh, and will it play? Will it play music?

PIPER Yes. [He hangs the crystal in the sun. A Rainbow strikes the wall. --The best of all!

CHEAT-THE-DEVIL, JAN, CHILDREN Oh, oh, how beautiful,--how beautiful!

PIPER And hear it pipe and call, and dance, and sing. Heja!--And hark you all. You have to mind-- The Rainbow!

[He climbs out, pipe in hand. The Children whirl about after their tails.--CHEAT-THE-DEVIL, and JAN on his tree-stump, open-mouthed with happiness, watch the Rainbow.

Curtain