And a breaking the hoops of butter casks; Sweeter far than by harp or by psaltery Just as methought it said, "Come, bore me!" You should have heard the Hamelin people With a "First, if you please, my thousand guilders!" A thousand guilders! The Mayor looked blue, For council dinners made rare havock With Claret, Moselle, Vin-de-Grave, Hock; "Besides," quoth the Mayor, with a knowing wink, "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. So friend, we're not the folks to shrink From the duty of giving you something to drink, Of them, as you very well know, was in joke— " The piper's face fell, and he cried, Of the head cook's pottage, all he's rich in, "How?" cried the Mayor, "d'ye think I'll 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 he stepped into the street, Laid his long pipe of smooth, straight cane; There was a rustling that seemed like a bustling All the little boys and girls, With rosy cheeks and flaxen curls, And sparkling eyes and teeth like pearls, Tripping and skipping, ran merrily after The wonderful music with shouting and laughter. The Mayor was dumb, and the Council stood As if they were changed into blocks of wood, "To Koppelberg Hill his steps addressed, And after him the children pressed." The Pied Piper of Hamelin. To the children merrily skipping by- Right in the way of their sons and daughters! When, lo! as they reached the mountain's side, As if a cavern was suddenly hollowed; And the piper advanced, and the children followed; And when all were in to the very last, The door in the mountain side shut fast. Did I say all? No! One was lame, And could not dance the whole of the way: And in after years, if you would blame His sadness, he was used to say, "It's dull in our town since my playmates left! I can't forget that I'm bereft Of all the pleasant sights they see, Which the piper also promised me : For he led us, he said, to a joyous land, Joining the town and just at hand, Where waters gushed and fruit trees grew, And flowers put forth a fairer hue, And everything was strange and new; The sparrows were brighter then peacocks here, And their dogs outran our fallow-deer, And honey-bees had lost their stings, And horses were born with eagles' wings; And just as I became assured My lame foot would be speedily cured, The music stopped and I stood still, |