Part 14 (1/2)

Thine, thine!--And thou hast piped her wits away.

Thine!

PIPER [holding her off]

No, not mine!

BARBARA [to him]

Why did you steal me hence?

When did you love me?--Was it on first sight?

PIPER [confounded]

I, love thee?

MICHAEL --Knave! thief! liar!

PIPER --Give me breath.

[Holds off BARBARA gently.]

BARBARA Where are you taking me?

PIPER I? Taking thee?

MICHAEL [to her]

He shall not steal thee!

BARBARA [in a daze]

I must follow him.

PIPER No! 'T is too much. You shall not follow me!

I'll not be followed.--Damsel, sit you down.

Here is too much! I love you not.

BARBARA [wonderingly]

You do not?

Why did you pipe to me?

MICHAEL --And steal her wits, Stealer of all the children!

BARBARA [vaguely]

Are they safe?

PIPER [to MICHAEL]

Oh, your good faith!-- [To her]

They're safe.

BARBARA I knew--I knew it!

PIPER And so art thou. But never shall they go To Hamelin more; and never shale thou go To be a nun.

BARBARA To be a nun,--no, no! Ah me, I'm spent.

Sir, take me with you.

MICHAEL [still enraged to the PIPES]