_Third Councilman._ I've wondered and thought, till I've no thoughts left.

_Mayor._ Oh! if I only had a great big trap! Yes, a thousand big traps!

Bless us, what noise is that? Is it a rat?--Come in!

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[_Enter Piper._]

_First Councilman._ Who is this who dares to come into the Mayor's office without an introduction?

_Second Councilman._ Hasn't he a funny coat?

_Third Councilman._ But what a pleasant face! He smiles all the time.

_Mayor._ He looks like the picture of my grandsire. What is your name, and your business, my man?

_Pied Piper._ Please your honors, my name is Pied Piper. My business is to play upon my pipe. I can charm with the magic of my notes all things to do my will. But I use my charm on creatures that do people harm, the toad, the mole, and the viper, and rats--rats!

_Mayor._ Rats! Well, then, you're the man we want. We'll pay you a thousand guilders if you'll free our town of rats.

_Piper._ A thousand guilders! Done! It's a bargain!

SCENE II.--_Same as Scene I. The Mayor and Councilmen looking out of window_

_Mayor._ There he goes down the street.

_First Councilman._ What a strange looking pipe he plays!

_Second Councilman._ I believe it must be a magic one.

_Third Councilman._ Do you hear the music? What is that other noise?

_Mayor._ Look, look at the rats! Did you ever see such a sight!

_First Councilman._ The streets are crowded with them! Big and little, brown, black, and gray, they are tumbling over each other in their hurry!

_Second Councilman._ Sir! he is going toward the bridge.

_Third Councilman._ They must think he is playing a tune of apples and cheese!

_Mayor._ There they are at the river. They are plunging in! they will be drowned!

_First Councilman._ Good for the piper!

_Mayor._ Ring the bells for the people. Tell them to get long poles, poke out the nests and block up the holes!

_Second Councilman._ Here comes the Piper.

_Third Councilman._ That was well done, Mr. Piper.

_Pied Piper._ Yes, all the rats are drowned and now I've come for my pay.

_Mayor._ Pay! why what have you done? Just played a tune on your pipe.

You must be joking.

_Piper._ You promised--

_First Councilman._ You impudent fellow! You certainly don't think a tune on your pipe is worth one thousand guilders? There is no work in that.

_Second Councilman._ The rats are dead and can't come to life again, I think!

_Mayor._ My friend, we are much obliged, of course. We are much obliged and will gladly give you fifty guilders. You know your time is not worth more.

_Piper._ No trifling, pray. I'll have what you promised, or you may find that I'll play a tune you do not like!

_Mayor._ What! do you threaten us, fellow? Do what you please. Do you think we care? Play on your old pipe whatever tune you wish.

_Piper._ Listen, then, and look from your window when I play again in the street below.

[_Goes out._]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_Mayor._ What does the lazy fellow mean by his threats?

_First Councilman._ Hear his wonderful music! Listen.

_Second Councilman._ Oh! what is he doing! See the children!

_Third Councilman._ They are following him. There is my son. Where are you going, my boy? Come back!

_Mayor._ Let me see! O woe! there are my own three lovely children. Run, some one, and stop them!

_Third Councilman._ I'll go; I'll go.

[_Runs out._]

_Mayor._ It is useless. Every child in our city is following the magic sound.

_Second Councilman._ The music seems to say: "Come, children, to the wonderful land of play. There flowers and fruits will welcome you. The birds and beasts will play with you, and you will never be sad or sorry in the wonderful land of play." No wonder the children follow the Piper.

_Third Councilman_ (_enters_). The children and the Piper have all disappeared! A mountain opened and let them in!

_First Councilman._ The children, the blessed children, have gone! What shall we do without the children?

_Mayor._ Oh, wicked man that I am! Why did I break my promise? Why did I not give him the thousand guilders?

_Second Councilman._ Yes, we are all wicked men, and we are punished for not keeping our word.