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 THE PIED PIPER.
 
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 OF H^MSLi:?^ 
 
 J FJ^TJSTIC OTei^J 
 
 In Two JlSls 
 
 "By TiP'BeiiT 'BUCH^:Hj^S^ 
 
 tVith Illustrations by 
 
 HUGH THOMSON' 
 
 LONDON: H^ ILL I AM HEINEMANN 
 
 MDCCCxcnr
 
 *^* The Legend of the Pied Piper appears 
 in the folk-lore of se veral countries, and has 
 been localized even in England, on the banks 
 of the Solent. It has been thought ad'visable, 
 hoive'ver, to keep the scene of the present opera 
 in Germany. While the plot of the first a£l 
 folloivs to a great extent the ivell-knoavn 
 legend -versified by Broivning, the scheme of 
 the second ail, including the restoration of the 
 children, is entirely nenv and original. 
 
 R. B.
 
 P f^ SANTA BAiiiJAilA 
 
 The Burgomaster of Hamelin. 
 
 Conrad the Cooper. 
 
 Citizen Sauerkraut. 
 
 Citizen. 
 
 Other Citizens, 
 
 The Town Crier. 
 
 The Pied Piper. 
 
 Chorus of Citizens, Handicraftsmen, etc. 
 
 Liza, the Burgomaster's Daughter. 
 Martha, his Servant. 
 Hans, a little lame Boy. 
 Deborah Meerschaum. 
 An old Woman. 
 A Widow. 
 
 Chorus of Market-girls and of Children. 
 
 Act I. — The Market-Place of Hamelin, in Brunswick. 
 Act II. — Mountain-side near the Town. 
 
 Time — Fifteenth century.
 
 THE PIPER OF HAMELIN. 
 ACT I. 
 
 Scene. The Market-place of Hamelin, with view A6t I, 
 of Clock Tower and Bridge. Very quaint^ old- ^' ^' 
 fashioned town. Up stage^ R., the Bridge^ with 
 river winding beneath it^ and beyond^ on cloth^ the 
 town on a hill^ with an old-fashioned church. 
 Down L., the Town-hall^ looking on Market-place. 
 Stalls covered with wares of all kinds extend right 
 up to Bridge. Market girls and men discovered 
 selling flowers^ fish^ pipes ^ etc. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Who'll buy ? who'll buy ? 
 Here's ware for all wishes, 
 Fresh capons, fishes. 
 To boil or fry ! 
 New plates, new dishes. 
 Come buy ! come buy ! 
 
 A Voice. Here's a flower for the lady ! 
 A Voice. And a coral for the baby ! 
 
 7
 
 Aft I. A Voice. And a pipe for the Herr Papa ! 
 
 ^' Chorus. And a pipe for the Herr Papa ! 
 
 Come buy ! come buy ! 
 Here's ware of all prices, 
 Of all devices, 
 For low and high. 
 Here's whatever nice is ' 
 Come buy ! come buy ! 
 
 A Voice. Here's a ring for the lady ! 
 A Voice. And a cradle for the babv ! 
 A Voice. And a pipe for the Herr Papa ! 
 A Voice. And a pipe for the Herr Papa ! 
 
 Enter Conrad. 
 
 {Recitative?) 
 
 Con. How dreary seem the many cries around me ! 
 I have search'd from street to street and cannot find her. 
 There by the church my darling vow'd to meet me, 
 For hours I've waited, and alas ! she lingers. 
 Yonder her door is — if I dared but venture. 
 Softly Fd knock, and tell her I await her ! 
 But ah ! Fm poor, and she's the great Mayor's 
 
 daughter, 
 And much I fear her purse-proud father's anger. 
 
 Ballad. 
 
 Sweet Star up yonder, 
 O'er which I ponder. 
 Made ever fonder 
 8
 
 As fleet hours fly ; Aft I. 
 
 Though far above me, ^^' ^• 
 
 Your light doth move me, 
 For ah ! you love me, 
 
 Though set so high ! 
 
 Chorus. (Pianissimo.) Come buy! come buy ! 
 
 Con. Ah yes, you love me. 
 
 Though set so high ! 
 
 Chorus. Come buy ! 
 
 jf Girl. Here's a ring for the lady ! 
 y^n. Come buy ! 
 
 j4 Girl. And a cradle for the baby ! 
 Chorus. Come buy ! 
 
 ^ Man. And a pipe for the Herr Papa ! 
 Chorus of Men. Ha, ha ! Ha, ha ! 
 
 Con. {Petulantly^ But I'm not a Herr Papa ! 
 Chorus. {Laughing.') Ha, ha ! 
 
 He's not a Herr Papa ! 
 
 Enter Martha, with market basket. 
 
 Con. Ah, Martha, good morning ! 
 
 Mar, Good morning. Master Conrad. 
 
 Con. Marketing, eh ? 
 
 Mar. Getting in provision for the old cormorant, 
 my master. Dear, dear, w^hat an appetite he has ! 
 Capons, carrots, turnips, fish — but there, all's fish that 
 comes to his gobble ! I w^ish it w^ould choke him, I 
 do, indeed ! 
 
 9 B
 
 A61 1. Con. Isn't he a good master ? 
 
 Sc. I. Mar. Good? I'd as lief serve the — hem! It isn't 
 
 for myself I care, though flesh and blood couldn't stand 
 such treatment long, but I grieve for the sweet Fraulein, 
 my mistress. You know what a life he leads her ? 
 
 Con. I do indeed ! 
 
 Mar. Grudges her the very clothes she wears — the 
 very morsel she eats. 
 
 Con. Well, tell her 
 
 Mar. Yes ? 
 
 Con. Tell her — by the bye, where is he now ? 
 
 Mar. The Mayor ? Yonder in the Town-hall, dis- 
 cussing the great plague of rats with which the town 
 is infested. You see, it all comes through his stingi- 
 ness. If he had employed a proper rat-killer at first, at 
 a proper price, they would have been exterminated ; 
 but now they're grown to such a pest, that I fear 
 they'll eat us out of house and home. 
 
 Con. {Up., looking off.) Liza ! . . . There she is, 
 looking as bright and happy as if there were no trouble 
 in the world ! 
 
 [^Signals to Martha and moves behind house l., as 
 Liza enters over bridge. 
 
 Song, *' Liza " (with obligato violin accompaniment). 
 
 I. 
 
 A youth there was who loved a little maiden. 
 
 And whisper'd " Sweet, how dear thou art to me ! " 
 
 She laugh'd, and ran away into the greenwood. 
 Where birds were singing loud from every tree. 
 
 10
 
 *' Now May is near ! " they sang so clear, Aft I. 
 
 " And May's the merry time of wooing ! " ^*^- *• 
 
 The simple maiden blush'd to hear, 
 
 But hoped — the youth was still pursuing ! 
 Her cheeks like roses were, her eyes 
 The same soft blue as the blue skies. 
 She was very simple, very simple, very simple, 
 
 O so simple ! 
 And yet within her heart began to sound 
 The same glad song the birds were singing round ! 
 Though she was but a simple country maiden 
 
 She loved that song, " How dear thou art to me ! " 
 And she beckon'd to her lover through the green- 
 wood. 
 
 While the birds were singing loud on every tree. 
 
 II. 
 
 The happy youth came running to the maiden, 
 
 And kiss'd her on the lips with kisses three ! 
 She hid her blushing face upon his bosom. 
 
 And who in all the world was glad as he ? 
 Afar and near the birds sang clear, 
 
 " May is the merry time of wooing ! " 
 The happy lovers laugh'd to hear, 
 
 And kiss'd again, their bliss renewing. 
 They were very simple, very simple, very simple, 
 
 O so simple ! 
 And yet the wisest man alive that day 
 Could not be wiser in love's ways than they. 
 
 II
 
 Aft I. Though she was but a simple country maiden, 
 ^^- ^- And he a simple swain of low degree, 
 
 They understood the message of the May-time, 
 
 Which the birds were singing loud from every 
 tree ! 
 
 Con. Liza ! 
 
 Liza. Conrad ! How you frightened me ! I 
 thought 
 
 Con. [Laughing.) That one of those precious rats 
 had pounced upon you ? There, don't be afraid, / 
 shan't eat you ! [Cries off". Children run in. 
 
 Liza. What is it, little ones ? 
 
 A Little Girl. The rats ! the rats ! They came out 
 of their holes while we were at school, and they're 
 eating up all the books. 
 
 Enter Hans, a little lame boy with crutch. 
 
 Hans. Help ! help ! [Runs to Liza.) O Liza, I'm 
 so frightened ! 
 
 Liza. At what, dear ? [Children surround them. 
 
 Hans. The rats ! They've stolen my dinner, and I 
 thought they would have eaten ?ne^ for though I fought 
 them with my crutch, they didn't mind. 
 
 Liza. You're safe here, at any rate. [Aside to 
 Conrad.) Poor little fellow, his mother is dead, and 
 his father has married again. You know what that 
 means ! 
 
 12
 
 " I was silling alone at the top of ihe stair."
 
 Sc. I. 
 
 Hans. {Nestling to and looking up at Liza.) I'm not A(5l I 
 afraid now^ Liza ! 
 
 Liza. That's right. Now tell us how it all 
 happened ! 
 
 Rat-a-pat Song. Hans, Liza and Chorus. 
 
 Hans. I was sitting alone at the top of the Stair, 
 
 Eating my dinner of dry, black bread, 
 Stepmother had whipt me and sent me there, 
 
 Because I was ugly and bad, she said. 
 And I said my prayers, for I felt afraid 
 
 Of the great black lonely place. 
 And I thought as I pray'd that I saw in the shade 
 
 My own dear mother's face. 
 Liza. [Smoothing his hair.) Poor child ! poor child ! 
 Hans. [Mysteriously.) Then I heard a sound 
 Upstairs, downstairs, and all around, 
 Rat-a-pat ! . . . . rat-a-pat ! . . . . 
 And I saw from the corner where I sat 
 The rats were running this way and that. 
 With a rat-a-pat, and a rat-a-pat ! 
 And some were lean and some were fat, 
 And they show'd their teeth and seem'd to say, 
 " We'll make a meal of this boy to-day." 
 And then one great big monster rat 
 Came climbing up to where I sat. 
 With a rat-a-pat and a rat-a-pat. 
 
 And I scream'd, and ran away ! 
 [Chorus repeat. Children y^oci together terrified, 
 
 13
 
 Aft I. Conrad^ recitative. 
 
 Bolder and bolder are the rascals growing, 
 
 Soon in broad day they'll throng and overpower us, 
 
 Where they will stop their ravage, there's no knowing, 
 Unless some help comes quickly, they'll devour us. 
 \_A scream up stage. Women run down. 
 
 Liza. What's that ? what's that ? 
 
 Children. A rat ! a rat ! 
 
 See where he crawls 
 
 Among the stalls ! 
 [Women scream and gather up their petticoats in 
 horror. 
 Children. [Retreating.) Look, there's another. 
 
 His great big brother ! 
 
 A monster rat. 
 
 As big as a cat ! 
 Con. Where is he, where ? 
 Men and Girls, hook there f [^Girh scream. 
 
 Conrad, recitative. 
 
 Such impudence is not to be endured ! 
 
 In broad daylight — the very devil's in it ! 
 Keep back, and you shall see the rascal skewer 'd 
 
 Upon my glittering sword's point in a minute ! 
 Take that ! and that ! [Thrusting under stalls. 
 
 Chorus. He has kill'd the rat. 
 
 Con. Yes, friends, 'tis done, 
 
 His race is run.
 
 Men. Now kill the other, Aft I. 
 
 His great big brother. ^*^- '• 
 
 Con. Take that ! and that ! 
 
 Men. He has done it pat ! 
 
 All. He has kill'd the rat ! 
 
 Con. (To Liza.) Come, have no fear — 
 
 They're here ! 
 [Showing rats on sword. General murmurs of 
 horror. 
 Liza. Horrible monsters ! 
 
 Con. Courage, Liza, dearest I 
 
 I will protedl thee from the swarms thou fearest. 
 Trust to my prowess, calm this wild pulsation ! 
 
 Crier. [Without.) Room for the Mayor — the Mayor 
 and Corporation ! 
 [^Murmurs without. Bells ring^ crowd gathers up, 
 and during following scene many of the stalls 
 are cleared and carried off] clearing the stage. 
 
 Chatter-Chorus. 
 
 Why this clatter ? what's the matter ? 
 
 Why that loud vociferation ? 
 Something stirring is occurring 
 
 To the Mayor and Corporation. 
 Heaven defend us ! some stupendous 
 
 Terror in the Town-hall's found them ! 
 From some shocking sight they're flocking, 
 
 Casting frighten'd looks around them ! 
 
 15
 
 Aft I. Enter Town Crier, on steps of Town-hall. 
 
 Sc. I. 
 
 Crier. Good people all, of every occupation, 
 
 Make room there for the Mayor and Corporation ! 
 
 Enter^from Town-hall^ Mayor and A\Atr men. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Why this clatter ? what's the matter ? 
 Pray what means this acclamation ? 
 Cease your chatter ! cease your chatter ! 
 How his heart goes patter patter ! — 
 He is driven to desperation. 
 
 Song. The Mayor. 
 
 Alas ! alas ! for Hamelin city, 
 
 Will no one help us and take pity ? 
 
 By a pest more dire than snake or locust. 
 
 We're driven distrained and hocus-pocus 'd ; 
 
 The rats, the rats, are coming to win 
 
 The beautiful city of Hamelin. 
 
 Chorus. The rats, etc. 
 
 As there in council we sat inditing 
 Civic matters of draining and lighting, 
 Judging causes, arranging your rates. 
 Discussing problems of tithes and poor rates. 
 The rats, the rats, came swarming in. 
 Affrighting us burghers of Hamelin. 
 
 Chorus. The rats, etc. 
 i6
 
 fi: 
 
 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 "The rat?, the rats, came su arming in, 
 Affrighting lis hur^diers of Ilamelin."
 
 Without so much as a word of warning, A61 1. 
 
 All our arts to appal them scorning ! ^^- ^• 
 
 Though ink and paper we scattered at them, 
 Nothing would fright them off^ Od rat them ! 
 They took possession, despite our skin, 
 Of the very Town-hall of Hamelin. 
 
 Chorus. They took, etc. 
 
 We call'd the clergy with book and candle. 
 To curse the vermin and end the scandal, 
 They frighten'd the clergy and overpower'd them, 
 They seized the candles, and they devour'd them, 
 They gnaw'd the principal parson's shin, 
 These terrible rats of Hamelin. 
 
 Chorus. They gnaw'd, etc. 
 
 Alas ! alas ! for Hamelin city, 
 Doom'd to be eaten, the more's the pity ! 
 By a pest more dire than snake or locust, 
 Your Mayor's distrafted and hocus-pocus'd. 
 The rats, the rats, are coming to win. 
 The beautiful town of Hamelin. 
 
 Chorus. The rats, the rats, etc. 
 
 Chatter-Chorus. 
 
 Sad disaster ! thicker, faster. 
 
 To destroy men's occupation. 
 Come the ermine-eating vermin, 
 
 Frighting Mayor and Corporation. 
 Heaven defend us ! this tremendous 
 
 Plague will end in desperation. 
 
 17 c
 
 A6i I. Mayor. {Loudly and angrily.) Stop that ringing from 
 
 ^^- ^' the steeple ! 
 
 Clear the square of all the people ! 
 Here'll we'll sit in consultation. 
 Chorus. Here they'll sit in consultation. 
 Crier. Clear the square ! 
 
 Obey the Mayor ! 
 [^During following^ trestle-table is brought outy and 
 forms for the Aldermen to sit on. 
 
 Chorus of Girls. Clear the square, 
 
 Well I declare ! 
 Crier. Obey the Mayor ! 
 
 (^Ensemble.) 
 
 Mayor and Council. Citizens. Conrad and Liza. 
 
 We're the Mayor and Corporation, They're the Mayor 
 
 We must try in consultation, and Corporation, 
 
 To devise some lawful measures etc. 
 
 How to save our lives and treasures. 
 
 Our provisions are decreasing 
 
 Through this pest of rats unceasing': 
 
 Oil and tallow, eggs and bacon. 
 
 Fowl, fish, flesh, have all been taken ; 
 
 When the city's stores are eaten. 
 
 We shall be completely beaten — 
 
 Then, perchance (O sad refledlion !) 
 
 They'll conclude their fierce refedlion 
 
 With a horrid cold collation 
 
 Of the Mayor and Corporation !
 
 Crier. Clear the square ! A6t I. 
 
 [Flourish. Table and forms having been brought ^^' ^• 
 outjthe Mayor, the Town Clerk, and.others, 
 sit pompously. Crier stands attending. 
 
 Mayor. Bring me the town records. 
 
 [Clerk, brings an enormous volume half eaten away. 
 
 Clerk. Please, your worship, that's all that's left of 
 them ! 
 
 Crier. O — yes, that's all that's left of them ! 
 
 Mayor. Silence, idiot ! 
 
 Crier. Silence, id . . . [correSiing himself). Beg 
 pardon, your worship ! 
 
 Mayor. {Examining book.) You see, gentlemen, even 
 the town records are nearly eaten away — through no 
 fault of mine. Clerk, produce the old bell-rope ! [Rope 
 produced.) Gnawed, you see, into pieces. If we had 
 not had the foresight to provide a new rope, the great 
 bell would have come down — through no fault of 
 mine. 
 
 Sauerkraut. No fault of yours ! Why, these rats 
 have destroyed the boots in my shop. 
 
 15/ Citizen. And all the dry goods in my store ! 
 Unless something is done there won't be a piece of 
 toffee left in the town. 
 
 Jll. Shame ! Shame ! 
 
 Mayor. Gentlemen, I agree with all you say. In 
 the whole course of my civic experience I have never 
 encountered so grave a calamity. But it arises, as I 
 have explained, through no fault of mine. Has anyone 
 anything to suggest ? 
 
 19
 
 Aft I. Crter. Oh yes ! oh yes ! Has anyone anything to 
 
 ^^' ^' suggest ? 
 
 Sauerkraut. Well, I'm a plain man 
 
 Mayor. Stop a minute, Brother Sauerkraut ! Be good 
 enough to address your observations to the Mayor and 
 the Chair. 
 
 Sauerkraut. Oh, all right ! As I was saying 
 
 Mayor. Address your remarks to ?ne^ sir ! 
 
 Crier. Oh yes ! oh yes ! Address your remarks to 
 me. 
 
 Sauerkraut. I say I'm a plain man 
 
 Mayor. You are a very plain man — through no fault 
 of mine. Ha! ha ! But be careful; as the Mayor of 
 this town 
 
 \st Citizen. Oh, bother him ! 
 
 Jll. Yes, bother the Mayor ! 
 
 Mayor. Gentlemen, am I right in supposing that 
 observation was addressed to me ? 
 
 Sauerkraut. Certainly ; you've bothered us long 
 enough, why shouldn't we bother you ? 
 
 1st Citizen. If you put that motion I'll second it. 
 
 Jll. Hear ! hear I 
 
 Mayor. Gentlemen, you astound me I I should be 
 sorry to think I'd lost your confidence. 
 
 Sauerkraut. You haven't. 
 
 Mayor. Ah I 
 
 Sauerkraut. You couldn't lose what you never pos- 
 sessed. 
 
 Mayor. I regret to see, gentlemen, that you under- 
 rate my value. 
 
 20
 
 Sauerkraut. No, we don't. A£l I. 
 
 Mayor. Ah ! S<^- ^• 
 
 Sauerkraut. We can't underrate what never existed. 
 
 1st Citizen. Bravo, Sauerkraut ! 
 
 Mayor. Enough ; the meeting is dismissed. Crier, 
 dismiss the meeting. 
 
 Crier. Oh yes ! oh yes ! 
 
 Sauerkraut. But I say, Oh no ! oh no ! Citizens, 
 the hour has come to strike a blow for freedom ! 
 
 Mayor. What, a blow ? 
 
 Sauerkraut. Sit down ! The fa<Sl of the matter is, 
 we owe our misfortunes to you. Trade has dwindled 
 and declined. 
 
 Mayor. Through no fault of mine. 
 
 Sauerkraut. I beg your pardon ; there were no taxes 
 till you turned them into turtle. Our goods were free 
 of duty till you neglefted yours. False economy ! 
 
 1st Citizen. Gluttonous gastronomy ! 
 
 Sauerkraut. Muddling ! 
 
 1st Citizen. And fuddling ! 
 
 Sauerkraut. Have brought us to this pass. In order 
 to save a few guilders, which you have wasted in 
 guzzling, you dismissed Hans Breitman, the town rat- 
 catcher, and when he went our troubles began — this 
 plague of rats. 
 
 Mayor. I admit there is a rat or two. 
 
 Sauerkraut. A rat or two ! the place swarms with 
 them ! And the long and the short of it is that either 
 you consent to sign this proclamation or forthwith 
 cease to be Mayor of Hamelin. 
 
 21
 
 Aft I. Mayor. Gentlemen, you'll excuse me, but I've an im- 
 
 Sc. I. portant appointment. 
 
 Sauerkraut. That won't do for us ! Either sign or 
 resign. Crier, read the proclamation. 
 
 Crier. Oh yes ! oh yes! I, the Mayor of Hamelin, offer 
 a reward of a thousand guilders to whosoever shall rid 
 the town of the plague of rats that now infests our 
 city. 
 
 Sauerkraut. Your signature. 
 
 Mayor. Never ! 
 
 Sauerkraut. Then by the unanimous decree of the 
 
 Corporation 
 
 Mayor. I don't care a fig for the Corporation j I've 
 an excellent corporation of my own. 
 
 Sauerkraut {and the others threaten him). What ! 
 Mayor. Give me a pen. 
 
 \^He signs^ and the Crier goes out shouting the 
 proclamation^ the crowd following with cheers. 
 Mayor. (^Jlone.) And this is civic gratitude. I could 
 cry with vexation. So humiliating; and before all the 
 servants too. But Frederick SchofFerganger will be a 
 match for them yet. Where are they going to find 
 their ratcatcher ? and where is the ratcatcher going 
 to find his thousand guilders ? Not in this part of the 
 town, I think, {Slaps his pocket.) But it's awkward. 
 However, I'll cool my head under the town pump and 
 think it out. Hey, what's this ? 
 
 [Goes up, then pauses, watching, as enter CoNRAD 
 and Liza. 
 Con. At last, darling, we are alone. 
 22
 
 Liza. But I still feel terribly frightened. A6t I. 
 
 Con. There is no occasion. If the worst comes to ^'^- ^' 
 the worst we will fly together. 
 
 Liza. But whither ? 
 
 Con. Anywhere — where the rats cannot follow us. 
 
 Liza. But my father ? 
 
 Con. Young birds leave the nest — so do young 
 maidens. Leave the old fellow to his money-bags ; 
 he'll never miss you. 
 
 Mayor. {Up.) What's this I hear ? 
 
 Duet. 
 I. 
 
 Con. When its wings are grown the young thrush 
 
 flies. 
 Both. Sing hey ! the sweet spring weather. 
 Con. It seeks its mate 'neath the sunny skies, 
 And they make their home together. 
 Both. They build their nest together. 
 Con. They build their nest, and they warble free, 
 On the leafy bough of the greenwood tree, 
 " I love my love, and my love loves me ! " 
 
 They sing in the sun together. [^Repeat. 
 
 II. 
 
 Con. The young maid flies from the parent nest. 
 Both. Sing hey ! the wind and the weather. 
 Con. She chooses the partner she loves the best, 
 And for others cares not a feather. 
 
 23
 
 A£l I. The lover wooeth as / woo thee^ 
 
 ^^' ^' The young maid smiles and they both fly free, 
 
 *' I love my love, and my love loves me ! " 
 
 They sing in the sun together. {^Repeat. 
 
 Mayor. [Coming down. ^ Hem! w^hen you have y«/V^ 
 finished. 
 
 Liza. My father ! 
 
 Con. The Mayor ! 
 
 Mayor. Sorry to interrupt you, I am sure. May I 
 ask you your name ? 
 
 Con. Conrad. 
 
 Mayor. Who and what are you ? 
 
 Con. Conrad the Cooper ; a simple handicrafts- 
 man, of this town. 
 
 Liza. O, father, don't be angry ! He loves me ! 
 
 Mayor. Very pretty ! And you 
 
 Liza. And I love him. Ah, yes ! 
 
 Mayor. Stop ! No embracing in my presence. 
 Young man, if I understand you, you are a pauper ? 
 
 Liza. No, no ! 
 
 Con. I am poor, it is true. 
 
 Mayor. Poor but virtuous, I suppose. Oh yes, we 
 have heard all that before ; so off with you to your 
 hoops and staves, and never dare to address my 
 daughter again ! 
 
 Liza. Oh no, no ! Father, don't drive him away. 
 
 Mayor, If he doesn't go at once, I'll send for the 
 watch and have him locked up in the town prison. 
 
 Con. What is my offence ? That I love your 
 24
 
 fCf coat rr\y Ae'ac/ u-yu^ev the ^oujv^ {Lmp ■ 
 
 "I'll cool my head under the town pump and think it out ! '
 
 daughter is true ; that I am not her equal in rank is A61 1, 
 also true ; but she has overlooked the disparity between ^^' ^' 
 us, and I will not give her up without a struggle. 
 Mayor. You won't, eh ? 
 Con. Certainly not. 
 Mayor. You defy me ? 
 Con. If you put it that way, yes. 
 Mayor. And you, Liza ? 
 Liza. Father, I implore you. 
 
 Mayor. Home, at once, or I'll cut you off without a 
 groschen. \_Laughter and cries off". 
 
 Mayer. What sounds are those ? 
 Crier. [Entering.) So please your worship, the towns- 
 people following one who looks like a beggar or street 
 musician. [Music off; then laughter. 
 
 Mayor. What's that ? 
 
 Crier. He is playing upon a pair of miserable bag- 
 pipes. Look, he comes this way. 
 
 [Music and jeers continued. Enter Men and 
 Women, laughing^ shouting^ then the Piper. 
 He is a quaint looking figure in piebald 
 costume^ decorated with skins of moles., birds., 
 rats., ?nice, snakes^ etc., very ragged and wild. 
 Hideous music People jeer. 
 Mayor. [Stopping his ears.) Silence ! Silence, I say ! 
 Call the watch ! How dare you make such an infernal 
 noise in the public streets ! Who are you ? 
 Crier. Oh yes ! Who are you ? 
 Piper. A poor wandering musician, at your service. 
 Mayor. A vagrant and a beggar, by your own con- 
 25 D
 
 ASi I. fession. I commit you as a public nuisance. Arrest 
 ^^' '• him ! \_Movement. 
 
 Piper. Stop a minute ! I've come in answer to the 
 proclamation. 
 
 Mayor. Eh? 
 
 Piper. You ofFer a reward of a thousand guilders to 
 anyone who will relieve the town of its vermin. 
 
 Mayor. We do ; but there 
 
 Piper. I'm a musician by nature, and a vermin- 
 killer by profession. Say the word, and I'll do the job 
 for you. 
 
 Mayor. You ! Pooh ! \_All laugh. 
 
 Piper. Yes, me ! 
 
 Mayor. Fiddlededee ! Pray how do you propose to 
 set about it ? 
 
 Piper. I'll tell you. I'll charm anything under the 
 sun by my beautiful music. 
 
 [Blows on pipes. Discordant music. All stop their 
 ears. 
 
 Mayor. This is hideous. Away with him ! 
 
 Piper. Stop ! P'r'aps you don't know who I am. 
 Listen, and I'll tell you ! 
 
 Song. « The Piper:' 
 
 Good people all, give heed to me, for I'm the Piper of 
 
 Pipers, 
 I charm all things on land or sea, rats, mice, jackdaws, 
 
 and vipers. 
 
 26
 
 I've but to blow in my pipes — just so ! [Afusic^ they A6i I. 
 
 stop their ears'] — and they'll follow the sound ^^* '• 
 
 with pleasure : 
 Dogs and cats, bats, snakes and rats, will dance away 
 
 to the measure. 
 
 As a Piper of fame they know my name in every town 
 
 and nation ! 
 My terms are low, for you must know, I delight in my 
 
 occupation. 
 At Timbu6loo King Kalabaloo was plagued with huge 
 
 Bluebottles — 
 They darken'd the street, they spoil'd the meat, they 
 
 stuck in the people's throttles ! 
 
 Buzz ! boom ! 
 
 In every room 
 
 Coming and going. 
 
 Indoors and out. 
 
 They swarm'd about. 
 
 Buzz ! boom ! 
 
 Fuzzing and buzzing and blowing. 
 
 During this the 
 people are spell- 
 bound^ and have 
 business of see- 
 ing and catch- 
 ing bluebottles. 
 Chordj and the 
 ballad is re- 
 newed. 
 
 Well, I play'd a tune on my pipes, and soon the pest 
 
 was exterminated ; 
 So I took my pay and I stroll'd away, much honour'd 
 
 and decorated : 
 
 27
 
 A61I. 
 Sc. I. 
 
 And I cross'd the sea to Tartaree with little procrasti- 
 nation, 
 
 And I found the Khan was a wretched man, for the 
 Daws were a sad vexation. 
 
 Daws ! 
 Jenny-daws, jackdaws, 
 Grey daws, black daws. 
 Not a nook in the realm did lack 
 
 daws ! 
 Wherever you went you heard 
 
 their caws. 
 They ate the corn and they left 
 
 the straws, 
 They wrangled and jangled with- 
 out a pause. 
 They swarm'd about with their 
 
 goblin jaws. 
 They darken'd the air, they defied 
 
 the laws, 
 With a fluent vociferation. 
 They had ravenous claws and teeth 
 
 like saws, 
 Everything nice went into their 
 
 maws. 
 From sugar and spice to hips and 
 
 haws. 
 Till nothing was left in the 
 
 nation 1 
 
 28 
 
 Daw music. People 
 gape, look upy 
 stop ears, etc. 
 End on chord 
 as before.
 
 Well, I play'd a tune on my pipes, and soon, to the 
 
 joy of the starving people. 
 Of those birds unclean not one was seen on tree, or 
 
 house, or steeple ; 
 Andlsailedawayinto Indi-ay,with little procrastination. 
 And found the folk in a frightful way, for the Snakes 
 
 were abomination. 
 
 Aft I. 
 Sc. I. 
 
 Snakes ! 
 Hissing and crawling 
 In a way appalling, 
 From woods and brakes : 
 Red snakes, green snakes. 
 Fat snakes, lean snakes ! 
 Vipers and cobras 
 All the unclean snakes ! 
 Rustling and creeping 
 With venomous heads ; 
 Coil'd up, and sleeping 
 In cupboards, in beds ! 
 With horrible stings and slimy 
 
 eye-sockets. 
 Creeping up petticoats, crawling 
 
 in pockets. 
 Strangling the babies, hissing, and 
 
 clinging, 
 When least expected, upspringing 
 
 and stinging. 
 Scattering death in a brace of shakes. 
 Ugh ! Snakes ! 
 
 29 
 
 Snake - 
 among 
 
 business 
 crowd. 
 
 Women fry, 
 and jump on 
 benches^ etc.
 
 Aft I. But I play'd a tune on my pipes and soon cobra and 
 • '• serpent and viper 
 
 Came wriggling out, and went dancing about, in the 
 
 wake of the wondrous Piper. 
 And I led them away to an ocean bay, and play'd 
 
 them into the water. 
 And there they were drown'd, and the shores around 
 for leagues were black with the slaughter. 
 
 So now you know, though I'm poor and low, that I'm 
 
 the Piper of Pipers. 
 I charm and slay, wherever I stray, rats, crickets, daws 
 
 and vipers, 
 I've but to blow in my pipes — ^just so ! [BlowSj they stop 
 
 their ears] — and they follow the sound with 
 
 pleasure. 
 Daws, dogs and rats, bats, snakes and cats, will dance 
 
 away to the measure ! 
 
 That's the sort of man I am. 
 
 Mayor. Is it possible that you can help us ? 
 
 Piper. [Drily.) What's your poison ? 
 
 Mayor. Eh ? 
 
 Piper. What are you plagued with ? Cats, dogs, 
 cobras, fleas, earwigs, beetles, locusts, bees, wasps, 
 hornets, moles, crocodiles, armadilloes, centipedes, 
 cockchafers, or daddy-longlegs ? 
 
 Mayor. No, rats. 
 
 All. Yes, rats ! 
 
 30
 
 Piper. Then it's lucky I came your way. I'm Aft I. 
 death on that kind of vermin. Sc. i. 
 
 Mayor. But our rats are not ordinary rats, they're a 
 race of monsters. 
 
 Piper. So much the better. All rats are fond of 
 music. 
 
 Mayor. {Scornfully.) O^ your music ? 
 
 Piper. Of mine particularly. Oh, rats have ex- 
 cellent taste, your vi^orship, I assure you ! What's the 
 reward ? 
 
 Mayor. A thousand golden guilders. 
 
 Piper. Pay the money, and it's done ! 
 
 Mayor. Excuse me, good payers never pay before- 
 hand. 
 
 Piper. Then sign a little agreement. 
 
 Mayor. What ! {Pompously) I am the Mayor of 
 Hamelin, and my word is my bond. 
 
 Piper. {Doubtfully.) I suppose I can trust your 
 worship ? 
 
 Mayor. On the honour of a magistrate ! 
 
 Piper. Humph ! Well, it's a bargain. I'll kill the 
 rats. 
 
 Jll. He'll kill the rats 
 
 Mayor. When will you begin, fellow ? 
 
 Piper. No time like the present. 
 
 Mayor. I'm afraid you'll find it a long job. 
 
 Piper. Oh dear, no — a bagatelle I 
 
 31
 
 A6t I. Song. Piper and Chorus. 
 
 Sc J 
 
 Now, clear the way while I essay 
 
 A charm of strange device ! 
 With hands so bold I weave (behold !) 
 
 A circle round me thrice. 
 Attend ! give heed, ye hideous breed, 
 Wherever ye creep and crawl and feed. 
 Attend ! appear ! 
 
 Rats. [Squeak off.) We hear ! We hear ! 
 Piper. I'll fix them in a trice. 
 M. He'll fix them in a trice ! 
 Piper. First, to make the charm complete. 
 Hear me your royal names repeat. 
 
 Abracadabra ! {^Squeak. 
 
 Smellfungus ! [^Squeak. 
 
 Salamander I [Squeak. 
 
 Sanerteig ! [Squeak. 
 
 Hearken, hearken, one and all. 
 Ye kings of ratland, while I call. 
 Attend I appear I [Loud squeaking off. 
 
 Citizen. Oh, hark ! they hear ! 
 Voices. We hear ! 
 
 Invocation. The Piper. 
 
 Attend, ye rats ! 
 Come from your nests in greasy vats, 
 Forsake your feasts of salted sprats. 
 Leave cheese to mice, and flesh to cats ! 
 32
 
 ■ Give ear, give eai- ! O rats, appear ! 
 And follow, follow me ! "
 
 Where'er ye crawling be ! Aft I. 
 
 Give ear, give ear ! O rats, appear ! '^^ '• 
 
 And follow, follow me ! 
 ^He goes up playing and stands on bridge. Wild 
 music. A great squealing and squeaking is 
 heard off^ l. 
 
 Chatter-Chorus (with rat music in orchestra). 
 
 Sight appalling ! see them crawling 
 Out of every door and dwelling; 
 Tails they're whisking, gladly frisking. 
 
 Never pausing or rebelling. 
 Faster, thicker ! quicker, quicker ! 
 Wild and glad as men in liquor. 
 Cocking ears and twirling whiskers, 
 Ancient rats and gay young friskers. 
 Baby ratlings, he rats, she rats 
 Leading young and giving suction, 
 Everywhere we gaze we see rats 
 Trotting on to their destruftion. 
 [During above Chorus swarms of rats are seen to 
 cross stage and follow Piper over the bridge. 
 People look on in wonder. All gradually disappear 
 except the Mayor. 
 Mayor. Thank heaven my weary burthen is up- 
 lifted. I should like to know what Mayor Bum- 
 melzug will say now. My office is safe for another 
 year. 
 
 [_Music. Wild squealing heard off". Then shouts 
 « Hurrah ! " 
 
 33 E
 
 Aft I. Enter Conrad with Liza. 
 
 Sc. 1. 
 
 Con. Hurrah ! I bring you good news — the rats are 
 all destroyed ! 
 
 Mayor. Destroyed ? 
 
 Con. Drowned in the river. The Piper stood on 
 one side, they entered it on the other, and every one 
 was drowned. 
 
 Mayor. Hurrah ! Ring the bells ! We'll have a 
 civic banquet on the spot. 
 
 \_BeUs ring joyfully. 
 
 Enter Corporation. 
 
 Recitative. 
 
 Mayor. [Pompously.) Well, gentlemen, you see I've 
 kept my promise. 
 The rats are totally exterminated ; 
 I hope you now regret your hasty language. 
 
 Citizens. Oh, yes, we now regret our hasty lan- 
 guage. 
 Mayor. And all will join me at a civic banquet. 
 Which will be paid for by the public pocket. 
 
 Citizens. Good ! 'twill be paid for by the public 
 pocket. \_Shake hands. 
 
 Song. Mayor and Chorus. 
 
 Come, haste away, this very day. 
 
 To celebrate with jollity 
 This happy news, which will excuse 
 
 A little gay frivolity. 
 
 34
 
 We'll gaily dine and end in wine Aft I. 
 
 The fears we felt so chillingly ; Sc. i. 
 
 The ratepayers will think it fine 
 
 To pay the Piper willingly. 
 
 Chorus. [Chuckling.) Ha, ha ! 
 They'll pay the Piper willingly ! 
 
 j^s they are going off"^ enter Piper. 
 
 Piper. [Wiping brow.) Well, it's all right, governor. 
 
 Mayor. [Coldly.) Ah ' How d'ye do ! 
 
 Piper. I've done the job, your v/orship. 
 
 Mayor. What ! the rats ! — 
 
 Piper. All drowned — exterminated. 
 
 Mayor. You are sure ? All dead ? 
 
 Piper. Every one. 
 
 Mayor. Can't come to life again ? 
 
 Piper. No. Dead as nails. 
 
 Mayor. Then I think I'll go to dinner. Come, 
 gentlemen. 
 
 Piper. Stop I [Chord. 
 
 Mayor. Eh ? 
 
 Piper. My little fee — the thousand guilders. 
 
 Mayor. Call to-morrow at the Town-hall. 
 
 Piper. I leave for Seringapatam this evening. 
 
 Mayor. Well, send in your little bill, and it shall be 
 attended to. 
 
 Piper. Can't wait. Come, pay up ! 
 
 Mayor. [Jside.) What do you say, gentlemen ? I 
 suppose the man has earned his money ? 
 
 35
 
 Aft I. Sauerkraut. That's your affair. 
 
 ^^* ^- Citizens. Of course! 
 
 Mayor. Mine ? It's yours also. He will be paid 
 out of the public treasury. 
 
 Sauerkraut. Certainly not. 
 
 Citizens. Certainly not. 
 
 Sauerkraut. It was your bargain ; pay the man, and 
 let him go. 
 
 Mayor. I shall do nothing of the sort. It is 
 preposterous ! 
 
 Piper. I can't wait here all day, I get my living by 
 the sweat of my brow, and I'm due at Seringapatam. 
 Come, do you refuse to pay me ? 
 
 Mayor. You see, my man, you grossly exaggerated 
 the difficulty of the job. It was a mere trifle ! 
 
 Piper. To me^ yes. To you.^ no ! 
 
 Mayor. I tell you what I'll do. Here's a couple of 
 guilder. I'll give you that as drink money, and 
 promise to recommend you to all the Mayors of my 
 acquaintance. 
 
 Piper. Thunder and fury ! \Chord — all start. 
 
 Mayor. Come, don't be insolent ! 
 
 Piper. I'll have my money, or — beware ! 
 
 Mayor. Threatening a public fundlionary — the 
 Watch there ! 
 
 Piper. You'd better refledl in time. Come, you I 
 Will you pay me ? 
 
 Sauerkraut. We can't. It's a private matter be- 
 tween yourself and the Mayor. 
 
 Piper. Cheats ! Rascals ! 
 36
 
 "A sweet voice calls, we must obey."
 
 Mayor. Come, be ofF ! Aft I. 
 
 Piper. You old gourmandizing villain ! Give me ^^- ^• 
 my money ! 
 
 Mayor. If you're not out of the town in half-an- 
 hour, I'll have you committed as a rogue and vaga- 
 bond. 
 
 Liza. O, sir, I'm so sorry — it's really disgraceful. 
 
 Con. It is infamous. Look here, friend, I'm only a 
 poor man, but there's all I have, and you're freely 
 welcome to it. [^Offers money. 
 
 Piper. I don't want your money. I'll have revenge I 
 But I thank you all the same, and your sweetheart. 
 She is your sweetheart ? 
 
 Con. Yes. 
 
 Piper. Any little sisters or brothers ? 
 
 Liza. None. 
 
 Con. Why do you ask ? 
 
 Piper. Oh, nothing ; only my music has no effect 
 on any human beings over fourteen years of age j but 
 all under that age 
 
 Liza. What do you mean ? 
 
 Piper. Mischief ! mischief ! the pied Piper is not to 
 be trifled with ! 
 
 Trio. 
 
 Liza. O look ! O look ! I'm really afraid — 
 He foams at the mouth like a dog with rabies. 
 Con. It's really a shame that he hasn't been paid. 
 Piper. {Fiercely.) Now for the httle boys, girls, and 
 babies ! 
 
 37
 
 Aft I. All that can toddle and talk and run aoout, 
 be. I. ^11 j.j^^|. ^j-g fourteen years old and under, 
 
 All that prattle and play in the sun about I 
 I'll coax away, till there isn't one about — 
 I will, I will, by thunder ! 
 [Chord and thunder crash. All repeat^ " All that 
 can toddle ^^ etc. 
 
 Liza. O dear ! He's now in a terrible state. 
 He rolls his eyes as he utters his snarlings. 
 
 Con. His temper's bad, but his wrong is great ! 
 
 Piper. Now for the little duckies and darlings ! 
 Dark-hair'd, golden-hair'd, sickly and healthy ones ; 
 The father's treasure, the mother's wonder ; 
 Honest and open ones, sly and stealthy ones, 
 Ugly and pretty, poor or wealthy ones, 
 I'll have them all, by thunder ! 
 
 [Chord and thunder crash. He rushes off". 
 
 Lixa. What can he mean ? 
 
 Con. I'm almost afraid to guess. 
 
 Lixa. Oh, Conrad, I was sure he was no piper. 
 He's some wicked fiend. 
 
 Con. What? 
 
 Liza. I'm sure of it ? I seemed to smell brimstone 
 in his very breath. 
 
 [Music. Cries without. 
 
 Enter Martha. Recitative. 
 
 Mar. O woe ! O horror ! 
 Liza. Martha, what's the matter ? 
 38
 
 Mar. That terrible Piper. On his pipe he's playing, Aft I. 
 And out of every door and every gateway ^^- ^• 
 
 The little children flock and gladly follow ! 
 He comes this way ! 
 
 Liza. Oh, now I understand him ! 
 Alas ! he's luring them to their destrudlion. 
 
 \_Music swells. Enter the Piper playing a beau- 
 tiful melody. As he goes, swarms of little 
 children follow behind him, of all ages up to 
 fourteen^ some lame^ some blind^ all looking at 
 vacancy^ and following the sound. As they sing 
 the following^ the Piper's music accompanies 
 them., piano. 
 Children. Children, children, do not stay, 
 
 A sweet voice calls, we must obey ! 
 [Voices off.) Come away ! 
 Children. Where the summer roses blow. 
 
 Ripe grapes cluster, fountains flow. 
 Pretty fairies white as snow. 
 
 Come and go. 
 In a bright and golden day ! 
 
 Come away. 
 [Voices.) Come away ! come away ! 
 
 Enter Citizens, in terror. 
 Chatter-Chorus. 
 Sight most shocking ! how they're flocking 
 Out of every door together. 
 Stop them, stay them, he will slay them ! 
 Annchen ! Bertha ! Hans ! come hither ! 
 
 39
 
 A£l I. Children^ to Piper's Music. 
 
 Sc I. 
 
 Hasten, hasten, do not stay ! 
 
 In the golden fields we'll play, 
 (Voices.) Come away ! 
 Children. See they beckon all in white, 
 Down the meadows, up the height. 
 In the golden summer light. 
 
 Ah, so bright ! 
 Hasten, hasten, do not stay. 
 
 Come away ! 
 [Voices.) Come away ! come away ! 
 
 Recitative. 
 
 Mayor. Stop him, arrest him. Murder ! Help ! 
 
 Despair ! 
 Piper. Back! He who stirs a finger dies. (-Mw^w^w/.) 
 
 Beware ! 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Sight of sadness ! full of gladness 
 How they flock in swarms behind him ! 
 Stop them, stay them, he will slay them ! 
 Children ! Children ! Do not mind him. 
 
 Lixa^ Aria. 
 
 O hearken to our pleading and our sighing, 
 Spare the children, they are innocent of guile. 
 
 The houses will be empty of their crying. 
 
 And the mothers will look vainly for their smile. 
 40
 
 m-i 
 
 
 
 y. 
 
 
 
 'Thai leniblc Piper. On his pipe he's playing."
 
 Take the strongest and the bravest of the city, Aft I. 
 
 Take the fairest, they will follow anywhere ! Sc. i. 
 
 But spare the little children, O for pity, 
 
 For the sake of those who love them, spare, O spare ! 
 Chorus. Spare them, O spare ! 
 Piper. Too late your prayer. 
 Chorus. They're lost ! Despair! 
 
 Piper. No power can stay 
 Or set them free ! 
 They go with me 
 Far, far away ! 
 No more you'll hear their happy cries. 
 No more you'll look into their eyes ! 
 Henceforth with me their souls shall dwell ! 
 Bid them farewell ! a last farewell ! 
 
 Recitative. 
 
 Liza. {To little Hans.) Hans, is it thou ? Come 
 hither, dear, come hither ! 
 Heed not the voice that summons you away. 
 Alas ! he wanders on, he knows not whither, 
 His eyes are fixed in dream ! he will not stay 
 
 Little Hans. {In trance.) See ! see ! 
 The beautiful bright Land, 
 Where the angels stand 
 Beckoning and smiling to me ! 
 Hark, can you not hear ? 
 Such sweet, sweet singing ! 
 And the sun shines clear, 
 
 41 F
 
 Act I, Glad birds are winging, 
 
 Sc. I. And flowers springing. 
 
 How beautiful it seems ! 
 And my mother's face shines bright, 
 Just as it does in dreams 
 When I lie asleep at night. 
 
 ^Struggling in Liza's arms. 
 She calls, she calls, I cannot stay. 
 Voices. Come away ! come away ! 
 Children. Children, children, come away, 
 
 A sweet voice calls, we must obey. 
 
 Piper. {In a loud voice.) Come away ! 
 
 Voices. {Off-, very piano.) Come away ! come away ! 
 
 \^As the Children y^//(jzf; the Piper up and surround 
 
 him, he stands towering over them in triumph^ 
 
 with a wild laugh. The people stand amazed 
 
 and wringing their hands. To the last dying 
 
 sound of the voices the A£i-drop slowly descends. 
 
 42
 
 Hans, is it thou ? Come hither, dear, come hitlier ! "
 
 ACT 11. 
 
 Scene I. The interior of the Piper's cave among the A61 II. 
 mountains. As curtain rises the plaintive music of • ^' 
 the intermezzo blends into opening notes of the Sleep- 
 ing Chorus^ and the scene^ gradually revealed through 
 a transparency^ discloses groups of sleeping Children^ 
 in whose midst sits the Piper with a weird red 
 light on him^ while looking up in his face^ as if 
 fascinated^ is little Hans. Dim moonlight effe^ 
 on children. 
 
 Chorus of Children^ sleeping. 
 
 We are weary of straying 
 
 We know not whither, 
 To the sound of the playing 
 
 Which drew us hither. 
 It is dark and dreary 
 
 In these caverns deep, 
 But we feel so weary 
 
 We fain must sleep ! 
 
 43
 
 Aair. 
 
 Sc. I. 
 
 Piper. 
 
 Sleep on ! still sleep ! 
 Be your slumbers deep ! 
 Ye are mine to keep, 
 Though ye wake or sleep ! 
 
 Children. 
 
 In our sleep we're dreaming 
 
 That still we hear him ! 
 His eyes are gleaming — 
 
 We see and fear him ! 
 Though he pinch and pain us, 
 
 In vain we weep, 
 For he who hath ta'en us 
 
 Still haunts our sleep. 
 
 Piper. 
 
 I haunt their sleep ! 
 
 Through their dreams I creep ! 
 They are mine to keep, 
 
 Though they wake or sleep ! 
 
 Children. [Together. 
 
 He haunts our sleep ! 
 
 Througn our dreams doth creep ! 
 We are his to keep, 
 
 Though we wake or sleep! 
 
 {Music of Chorus dies away^ and as the vision 
 fades the scene changes to 
 44
 
 "We are weary of straying 
 We know not whither."
 
 Scene II. Exterior of the Piper's cave among the ASt II. 
 mountains^ with a distant view of Hamelin seen in ^^- *• 
 the faint light of dawn. 
 
 Enter down path Liza and Men and Women. 
 Chorus ^Men and Women, entering. 
 
 Sad is the home where no little feet are falling, 
 
 Dark is the hearth where no children gather round, 
 Far, far away, we hear them faintly calling, 
 
 All through the night we have listen'd to the sound. 
 Children ! children ! come once more to bless us, 
 
 Children ! children ! smile and come again ! 
 Twine your arms around us, kiss us and caress us. 
 
 Bring us back the gladness we weary for in vain. 
 
 Liza. 
 
 Look ! now the Day shines o'er the mountains yonder, 
 
 Happy and bright now the sun begins to burn. 
 Still far away the little children wander, 
 
 Or sleep in the darkness, never to return ! 
 Children ! children ! come again to bless us, etc. 
 
 Chorus. Children ! children ! etc., etc. 
 
 [Sad music. 
 
 Enter down path Conrad. 
 
 Con. Liza, what news ? 
 
 Liza. Recitative. 
 
 None, Conrad ! All night long. 
 We've watch'd and listen'd, but have seen no sign. 
 Hither they came, lured by the Piper's playing, 
 
 45
 
 Aft II. Into the cavern, open'd to receive them, 
 • *• They enter'd, and the mountain closed upon them. 
 
 [Chorus " Children ! children ! " repeated. 
 
 Con. There is no hope, then ! The little ones are 
 lost for ever ! lost and dead ! 
 
 Liza. No, not dead ! All night long we have heard 
 the faint sounds of their voices issuing from the 
 mountain. Listen! [The children's voices are faintly 
 heard in the cavern.) They are prisoned there in a 
 living tomb. 
 
 Con. Had your father a(Sted like an honourable man, 
 this calamity would never have taken place. It is all 
 his doing. Look where he comes ! 
 
 Sauerkraut. Yes, there he comes. Truly, a pretty 
 Mayor for a city like Hamelin ! 
 
 Enter Mayor. 
 Men. Wretch ! 
 
 Women. Cheat ! rogue ! Bring us back our children, 
 or we will tear you limb from limb. 
 
 \All advance upon htm. 
 Mayor. Help ! help ! 
 
 Sauerkraut. Yes, we'll help you ! If I had my way 
 you should be sewn up in a sack, and thrown into the 
 river. 
 
 All. Bring us back our children ! 
 Mayor. Give me time ! I admit my fault, but I 
 did not suspedl: I was dealing with a fiend. 
 
 [Low subterranean thunder^ and laughter off. All 
 shrink away in terror. 
 46
 
 Mayor. Help ! help ! \^Falls on his knees. Aa II. 
 
 Con. Silence ! There is but one way to save the Sc. 2. 
 little ones. In the name of the whole city, you must 
 interview this mysterious being, and offer him com- 
 pensation. 
 
 Mayor. I interview him ! All the saints forbid. 
 
 [ Going. 
 
 Men. {Seizing him). Stay ! 
 
 Con. What, are you afraid ? Then, by heaven, I'll 
 do it. 
 
 Mayor. Do ! and if you succeed, you shall have my 
 blessing and my daughter into the bargain. 
 
 Con. That you promise ? 
 
 Mayor. That I promise. 
 
 ^Laughter off repeated. All shrinking and crying. 
 
 Con. Cowards, what is there to fear ? If this being 
 is the very Prince of Evil himself, I'll confront him. 
 [Going up and knocking at rock.') Within there ! 
 
 Voice. [Within.) Who knocks ? 
 
 Con. I, Conrad the Cooper, of Hamelin ! 
 
 Voice. What seek you ? 
 
 Con. The wretch who robbed the city of its chil- 
 dren ' The evil spirit who has made our homes 
 desolate. 
 
 Voice. Beware ! \^Low thunder. 
 
 Liza. {Rushing to Conrad.) Conrad ! come back ! 
 he will destroy you ! 
 
 Con. {Embracing her.) Hush, dearest. Let him 
 destroy me if he wills ! What is my life worth com- 
 pared to the happiness of a whole city ? {Knocking 
 47
 
 Aft ir. again). Within there, I say ! Man, spirit, devil — 
 '^' *• whatever you are — answer and come forth ! 
 
 [Crash and chord. The Piper appears on the 
 threshold of the cavern. All shrink back crying 
 hut Conrad and Liza, who embrace and stand 
 facing him. 
 Piper. {Smiling diabolically). Good morning ! 
 Mayor. 1L'\X3.^ my child, come hither. 
 Piper. Who speaks ? The wretch who broke his 
 word and refused me the wages I had fairly earned ! 
 Mayor. Sir, on my honour. 
 
 Piper. Your honour ? The honour of a Mayor ! 
 Swindler, for all that has taken place, you only are to 
 blame. 
 
 Sauerkraut. He is, the scoundrel ! 
 All. He is ! He is ! The villain ! 
 
 [Threatening Mayor. 
 
 Piper. Then why don't you throw him after the 
 
 rats into the river Weser ? [They groan. 
 
 Sauerkraut. Do you hear that ? Come, friends, let's 
 
 make a job of it. 
 
 All. We will ! we will ! 
 
 Mayor. No ! no ! Help ! Mercy ! {Falls on his 
 knees). Liza, plead for me. Tell them I repent. 
 Piper. Too late ! 
 
 Women. Give us back our children, and this old 
 man shall be punished as he deserves. 
 
 Sauerkraut. Yes, we'll look after that. Give us 
 back the Httle ones, and we'll soon polish off the 
 Mayor. 
 
 48
 
 Jll. We will. Aft II. 
 
 Piper. No ; a bargain's a bargain. I shall keep the ^^- ^• 
 little ones, unless 
 
 Con. Unless 
 
 Piper. Unless {looking at Liza) the Mayor can 
 offer me a quid pro quo. 
 
 Mayor. Anything — everything — except myself. 
 
 Piper. Ha ha ! I want something infinitely younger 
 and more charming. The fa6l is, I'm looking for a 
 wife. [^Laughter off". 
 
 Mayor. A wife ? Is that all ? You shall have a 
 thousand. 
 
 Piper. Thanks ! One's good enough for me. Bring 
 me an acceptable bride, and you shall have back your 
 brats ! But mind, I'm very particular. The wife I 
 want must be a perfect maiden — pretty, of course — 
 young and good-tempered, a first-rate cook, a good 
 needlewoman — in short, a paragon ! 
 
 \_Crash. He vanishes. 
 
 Con. You hear ? 
 
 A Woman. Of course we hear ; but it's out of the 
 question. 
 
 Con. Will no one volunteer ? It will only be one 
 woman the less, and the little ones will be saved. 
 
 A very ugly old Crone. Well, I haven't long to live, 
 
 and if the gentleman really wants to marry 
 
 [All laugh. 
 
 Con. Absurd! You're seventy, ' if you're a day! 
 Come, girls, won't one of you save the city ? Annchen, 
 what do you say ? 
 
 49 G
 
 ASt II. Annchen. I'd rather drown myself than marry a 
 
 ^*^* ^- monster hke that ! 
 
 Girls. And I ! and I ! 
 
 J Man. Besides, they've all got sweethearts. 
 
 Girls. Yes, yes ! 
 
 Con. So you all refuse ? 
 
 Girls. Of course we do. 
 
 J Girl. If you're so anxious to save the children, 
 why don't you offer him your own sweetheart ? 
 
 Con. My Liza ! Heaven forbid ! [To Liza, who 
 has sunk on stone, hiding her face.) Courage, dearest ! 
 There is nothing to fear ! I will speak to this demon 
 again, and [Going up. 
 
 Mayor. Stay, one moment ! Will you leave this 
 little affair to me ? 
 
 Con. No, no ; we've had enough of your meddling ! 
 
 Sauerkraut. Yes, we've done with you till we put 
 you in that sack. 
 
 Mayor. But suppose I can get you out of the diffi- 
 culty.'' I always had a winning way with ladies. 
 [Goes to 1st Girl.) Now look here, my dear, a man of 
 that kind often makes a good husband, and he's very 
 musical. 
 
 1st Girl. Thank you, I don't care about that sort of 
 music. 
 
 Mayor. Then you, my love. [Addressing another.) 
 They tell me he's got a beautiful place in Seringa- 
 patam. 
 
 7.nd Girl. I prefer to stay in Hamelin. 
 
 Mayor. [Going to another.) What do you say, dear ? 
 50
 
 SC. 2. 
 
 You're not so young as you were, and it's a great Aft II 
 thing to be comfortably settled. 
 
 yd Girl. Go away, or I'll scratch you ! 
 
 Crash. The Piper reappears. 
 
 Piper. Well, what have you decided ? 
 
 Con. Nothing ; no girl in her senses would marry 
 you ! 
 
 Piper. What is the objedlion ? I am not exaftly 
 beautiful, but I have pleasant manners ; and, above all, I 
 am rich. If you really want the children back 
 
 Women. Yes, yes — give us our children ! 
 
 Piper. Not till you bring me a bride of whom I 
 approve. 
 
 Mayor. My dear sir, you may choose for yourself. 
 We have a large assortment of every kind of bride on 
 hand. May I recommend you this one, warranted to 
 wear beautifully ? \Leads forward one of the women. 
 
 Piper. Take her away ! She's too fat ! 
 
 Mayor. Here is another, less open to that objediion. 
 
 Piper. Pshaw ! a broomstick ! 
 
 Mayor. Then what do you say to this charming 
 person ? 
 
 Piper. Humph ! not so bad. Step forward, young 
 woman. Have you ever been married before ? 
 
 Mayor. [Whispering.^ Say "never." 
 
 Girl. Never ! 
 
 Piper. Let me look at you. [Laughs.) Ha, ha, 
 ha ! Why, you've had two husbands, and one of them, 
 
 51
 
 Aft II. poor wretch, is still alive. (Girl screams and runs away.) 
 Sc. 2. Af jQ^^ tricks again, Mayor ! Don't try to impose 
 
 on me 
 
 Girl. {To other Girls, aside.) I don't care. I'm not 
 afraid. [Stepping forward.) If you really want to get 
 married 
 
 Piper. I do. What's your name ? 
 
 Girl. Deborah. 
 
 Piper. Can you sew ? 
 
 Girl. Yes. 
 
 Piper. And cook ? 
 
 Girl. Plain cooking. 
 
 Piper. Amiable ? 
 
 Girl. [Tossing head.) Oh^ very/ \_Laugh. 
 
 Piper. [Laughing.) Ha, ha, ha ! Deborah Meer- 
 schaum, the greatest slattern and the sharpest shrew in 
 Hamelin ! Away with you ! You won't suit me ! 
 
 Girl. [Tossing her head and retiring.) Well, I'm 
 sure ! 
 
 Mayor. My dear sir, you're very difficult to please ! 
 
 Piper. I am. Listen, and you shall hear the sort of 
 wife I want. 
 
 Piper's Song. 
 I. 
 
 I want to marry, if you please, 
 
 If you please, if you please; 
 And night and day my fancy sees 
 
 The maid I mean to marry ! 
 52
 
 I hate your widows, fat and round, Aft II. 
 
 Waddling like geese upon the ground, ^^' ** 
 
 Though they in beauty may abound, 
 
 They've too much flesh to carry ! , . . 
 I'll have a bride that's not too thin. 
 
 Not too fat, not too thin ; 
 With clear bright eyes and dimpled chin 
 
 And cheeks where roses tarry. 
 No slut and slattern, with her shoe 
 Down at the heel, will ever do ! 
 And from a snapping, scolding shrew 
 
 Heaven save me, when I marry ! 
 
 II. 
 
 I want to marry, if you please. 
 
 If you please, if you please ; 
 But no ill-temper'd sulking tease 
 
 Will ever make me marry ! 
 Your prude, moreover, I despise, 
 Who walks along with downcast eyes, 
 Blushes and simpers, smirks and sighs — 
 
 May all her arts miscarry ! 
 My bride must not be over shy. 
 
 Not too bold, not too shy ; 
 Though from her tender eyes must fly 
 
 Love's shafts, which few can parry ! 
 Nor must she be a maiden pert. 
 With tossing head and flouncing skirt — 
 Of all the sex I loathe a flirt. 
 
 And such I'll never marry ! 
 
 53
 
 A£l II. Piper. Nothing but perfe6lion will content me. And 
 
 Sc. 2. besides, between ourselves, I've taken a fancy. Give 
 
 me your own daughter^ and it's a bargain. 
 
 Liza. {^Springing up.) Me ? O Conrad ! 
 
 Con. Fear not, Liza. 
 
 Mayor. My good man, what you ask is impossible ! 
 My daughter is engaged! 
 
 Piper. To Conrad the Cooper, to whom you your- 
 self have shown the door ? Be it so. You've heard 
 my ultimatum. Either I marry your daughter, or the 
 children remain with me for ever. 
 
 jill. Mercy ! mercy ! 
 
 Piper. And remember, not one of them will be able 
 to escape me. I can tease them and weary them, pinch 
 them black and blue, feed them on black bread and 
 cold water, or starve them altogether ; send spiders, 
 rats, and daddy-longlegs to frighten them, and make 
 them study such hard lessons that they'll cry their eyes 
 out. If you refuse me your daughter's hand the 
 children will be mine for ever ! 
 
 All. Mercy ! mercy ! 
 
 Piper. My mind's made up. It remains for the old 
 man and the girl herself to decide. And observe : I 
 won't take her without a dowry, and that dowry must 
 be the one thousand guilders of which you robbed me 
 yesterday. 
 
 54
 
 Children's Chorus^ off". A£l II. 
 
 Father, mother, we are weary, 
 
 All the golden light has fled ; 
 In the dark it is so dreary. 
 
 And the cold earth is our bed. 
 
 Piper. You hear ? They call as from the grave, 
 'Tis yours to slay them or to save. 
 
 First Chorus^ repeated. 
 
 Children, children, come once more to bless us ! 
 Children, children, come once more again ! 
 
 Children^ off". 
 
 Father, mother, kiss us and caress us. 
 
 Take us back, nor let us plead and cry in vain ! 
 
 Piper. For the last time, decide. You refuse ? 
 Then 
 
 Li%a. [With a cry.) Stay, I will consent ! 
 
 Con. No, no, you shall not I 
 
 Liza. I must. What you said was true. It will be 
 only one woman the less, and the little ones will be 
 spared. {To Piper.) I am ready j take me^ I will be 
 yours ! 
 
 Piper. Agreed. What say you. Mayor ? 
 
 Mayor. [Trembling.) If my daughter is willing 
 
 Piper. You've heard her say so. Now, away with 
 you ! Fetch the dowry — good sound golden guilders, 
 
 55
 
 Aft II. mind, no paper money — and we'll arrange the whole 
 ^^' ^' affair without delay. 
 
 [Points Mayor of. Music. People Jiock off with 
 Mayor. Conrad and Liza remain. The 
 Piper looks at them one moment.^ while Conrad 
 makes an appealing gesture^ then^ with a laugh^ 
 vanishes into cavern. 
 Con. Liza, my darling, refle6l ! Think of the love I 
 bear you ! do not break my heart. 
 
 [Faint chorus ^Children, repeated off^ through her 
 
 answer. 
 
 Liza. Think of them ! Think of the little ones 
 
 whom he has taken away. Listen, they are crying j 
 
 and / can save them ! Yes, I will give my life for 
 
 theirs ! 
 
 Con. And I — what shall I do ? 
 
 Liza. Comfort yourself witli the thought that I 
 died for them. 
 
 Con. No, no ! I cannot bear it I Liza, stay with me ! 
 
 Duet. Conrad and Liza. 
 I. 
 He. I cannot part from thee, my darling, 
 Till life's last breath hath pass'd away. 
 She. Too late — our dream of joy is over — 
 
 He calls me hence — I cannot stay. 
 He. A silken thread of Love's own twining 
 
 Links us together, heart to heart — 
 My heart will break if that is broken ! 
 Light of my life, we must not part. 
 56
 
 ciA 
 
 
 '% a pol^^ix I'c'io^ 
 
 "1 bathed my feet in the waters sweet."
 
 He. I cannot part from thee, my darling, \ 
 
 Till life's last breath hath pass'd away. 
 Heed not the voice which calls thee from 
 
 me. 
 
 Hark to the voice which whispers " stay ! " 
 She. Yes, I must part from thee, my 
 darling. 
 
 My bridegroom beckons me away — 
 Our Summer dream of joy is over — 
 
 He calls me hence ! I cannot stay ! 
 
 Aft II. 
 
 SC. 2. 
 
 . Together. 
 
 II. 
 
 She. He calls me hence — I have sworn go — 
 
 Though I shrink and cry in pain j 
 Forget not, dear, that I loved thee so. 
 
 Though I never return again ! 
 He. By the vows we plighted so long ago, 
 
 By the dream we dream'd in vain. 
 By the heart that breaks to lose thee so, 
 Light of my life, remain ! 
 Oh! 
 He. I cannot part from thee, my darling, ' 
 
 etc. 
 She. Yes, I must part from thee, my 
 darhng, etc. 
 
 \_Jt the end of song Liza sinks half kneeling.^ half 
 fainting^at the mouth ofcavern^ while Conrad 
 stands despairing, R. The Piper appears. 
 
 Togethe 
 
 57 
 
 H
 
 A6tII. 
 
 Sc. 2. 
 
 Recitative. 
 
 Piper. Well, is my bride prepared ? 
 
 Liza. [Sobbing.) Yes, I am ready. 
 
 Piper. One kiss, then, on the lips, to seal the 
 
 bargain. 
 Con. (^Drawing sword.) Forbear to touch her, or this 
 
 sword shall slay thee. 
 Piper. {Uplifting hands.) Do thou forbear, young 
 man, to cross thy master. 
 [Conrad's sword falls from his grasp. The Piper 
 lifts Liza gently^ and leads her down^ singing 
 softly. 
 
 Here are lips as red as roses, 
 
 Eyes of tender violet blue ; 
 Where this pretty head reposes 
 
 Youth should shine in brightest hue ! 
 Tell me, child, if I should wed thee, 
 
 Wouldst thou tremble and repine ? 
 
 Liza. Yes, I shrink from thee and dread thee, 
 
 Yet, for their sakes, I'll be thine. {Repeat. 
 
 Con. Yes, her very soul doth dread n 
 thee. 
 Though, for their sakes, she'll 
 be thine. 
 Piper. Yes, her very soul doth dread 
 me. 
 Though, for duty's sake, she's 
 mine. 
 
 58 
 
 Together.
 
 Piper. Then you do not hesitate, though misery A61 II. 
 may be your lot ? ^^' ^' 
 
 Liza. No, no ! Restore the little children, and I 
 consent. 
 
 Piper. (^Patting her head.) Courage, my child ! 
 Perhaps the Pied Piper is not so black as he is painted. 
 [To Conrad.) As for you, young man, I owe you an 
 obligation. When the rogue of a Mayor cheated me 
 of my due, you alone offered to a6t like an honest man. 
 What can I do for you in return ? 
 
 Con. Kill me ! Put me out of my misery for 
 ever ! 
 
 Piper. {Laughs.) Ha, ha, ha ! Wait a little, and we 
 shall see. First, let me inspe61: my bride's dowry, 
 which they are^bringing me from the city. 
 
 Enter Girls and Men, Mayor and Citizens, 
 with Men carrying bags of money. 
 
 Chatter-Chorus. 
 
 Sight of pity ! from the city 
 
 Come they with their golden dower, 
 While the maiden, terror laden. 
 
 Mourns her bitter bridal hour. 
 See ! he smiles with fiendish pleasure 
 
 On both money-bags and bride, 
 Yet he keeps a richer treasure 
 
 In the gloomy mountain side. 
 ^During Chorus the Men lay money-bags at the 
 
 ViPEViS feet. 
 
 59
 
 Aa II. Piper. Is the gold all there ? 
 
 Sc. 2. Mayor. It is, most worshipful sir. 
 
 Piper. A thousand guilders. 
 Mayor. (Bows.) 
 
 Piper. If there be but the weight of one single 
 groschen missing, look to yourself. 
 Mayor. On my honour. 
 
 Piper. Tour honour! Then the bargain is com- 
 plete ? 
 
 Mayor. Excuse me, on our side, not on yours. 
 
 Piper. Ha ! you doubt me ? 
 
 Mayor. {Recoiling.) By no means — only in matters 
 
 of business 
 
 Piper. Enough ! I'll keep my word. Attend ! 
 \^Music. He plays on pipe. The Children's voices 
 are heard coming nearer and nearer.^ growing 
 more and more joyful. 
 
 Children, 
 
 Father, mother, we are waking ! 
 
 Brightly shine the morning beams, 
 Overhead the clouds are breaking, 
 And we rise from happy dreams. 
 Fast through flowery garden closes 
 
 Sparkling bright with golden dew, 
 Up glad pathways strewn with roses, 
 
 We are hastening back to you ! 
 Running after, with sweet laughter. 
 
 Pretty fays sing loud and clear ; 
 60
 
 Merry cries and rippling laughter 
 Greet him as he dances round ! "
 
 Homeward straying, gladly playing, Aft II. 
 
 Bright and happy, we are here ! ^^' *• 
 
 \_Jt end of Chorus the Cavern opens in a flood of 
 light ^ and the Children, carrying flowers and 
 garlands, trip on to the stage^ and run to their 
 kinsfolk. General happiness and embracing. 
 
 Recitative. 
 Hans. [Lame boy of Act /., but without crutches.) 
 
 Look, Liza, look I [^Shows flowers. 
 
 By a golden brook 
 I found them growing, in the summer sun, 
 
 And I bathed my feet 
 
 In the waters sweet, 
 And was lame no more, but could leap and run ! 
 
 [Leaps into her arms. 
 
 Chorus of Children. 
 
 Father, mother, we are waking ! 
 
 Brightly shine the morning beams, 
 Overhead the clouds are breaking. 
 
 And we wake from happy dreams. 
 
 Recitative, 
 
 Liza. Alas ! alas ! [Sinks on bank^ hiding her face, 
 Hans. O Liza, you are weeping ! 
 
 And we are all so glad ; what is it, dear ? 
 
 Liza. 'Tis like the hand of Death upon me 
 creeping. 
 Look, look, he beckons, and I shrink in fear ! 
 6i
 
 Aft II. Piper. Is the bride ready ? 
 
 Sc. 2. j^ii^ T\\Q bride is ready ! 
 
 Piper. (To Mayor.) And is this her marriage por- 
 tion ? [Points to money-bags. 
 Mayor. {Trembling.) This is her marriage portion ! 
 
 Piper. [Taking Liza's hand.) Upon your head, 
 
 child, may all blessings shower. {To Conrad.) 
 
 Embrace the bride ! she's yours — and there's her 
 
 Dower ! 
 I only tried your hearts with sore afflidlion, 
 To prove them true, and bring them benediction ! 
 
 \_With a cry of joy Conrad and hiz a spring into 
 each other's arms. 
 Piper. {Smiling and beckoning to Children.) Laugh, 
 little ones, in merry acclamation ! 
 And ring, ye bells, to swell the jubilation ! 
 
 \Q\v\Ax&n surround him joyfully. General Chorus 
 
 and valediction of Piper up to finale and 
 
 general picture. 
 
 Piper. So now you know that I'm not so low and 
 
 spiteful as other pipers ! 
 
 Though the tunes I play bring much dismay to wicked 
 
 people and vipers ! 
 I tune my mirth to the joy of Earth and love the little 
 
 ones rarely — 
 The Piper, in short, is a decent sort of a fellow when 
 treated fairly ! 
 
 Chorus. The Piper, in short, etc. 
 
 [Children laugh and clap hands. 
 62
 
 Con. May a thousand blessings be Aft II. 
 
 On thy music and on thee ! ^'^^ ^• 
 
 Liza. May our children's children bless 
 
 All thy love and gentleness ! 
 
 Chorus. May our children's children, etc. 
 
 Conrad J Liza^ and Chorus. 
 
 Happy maidens and true lovers 
 
 Faery music ne'er makes sad j 
 Where the magic Piper hovers 
 Little children shall be glad. 
 [^During above the Piper dances round stage while 
 the Children foUoiv^ laughing and clapping 
 hands. Bells ring in distance to final Chorus. 
 
 Children. Children, children, follow after. 
 
 Where he flies with leap and bound ; 
 Merry cries and rippling laughter 
 Greet him as he dances round ! 
 
 Piper. Ha, ha, ha ! 
 
 Children. {Clapping hands.) Ha, ha, ha! 
 Piper. ( Going up stage.) Good luck ! good-bye ! 
 All. Good luck ! good-bye ! 
 
 Piper. Though afar I now must wander. 
 
 Up the hills and o'er the streams, 
 From the Faery Land up yonder 
 Still I'll send you happy dreams ! 
 63
 
 Aft II. Children. Think of us where'er you wander, 
 
 ^^- ^- Up the hills and o'er the streams, 
 
 From the Faery Land up yonder 
 Send us more such happy dreams ! 
 
 [Piper waves hand and vanishes to chord. Chil- 
 dren wave hands^ embraced by their friends. 
 Conrad and Liza embrace^ c. To the 
 sound of laughter and merriment and ringing 
 bells the curtain falls. 
 
 Curtain. 
 
 CHISWICK PRESS: — C. WHITTINGHAM AND CO., TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE. 
 
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