THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN. 19

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!”

XII.

Once more he stept into the street,
And to his lips again
Laid his long pipe of smooth straight cane ;
And ere he blew three notes (such sweet
Soft notes as yet musician’s cunning
Never gave the enraptured air)
There was a rustling that seemed like a
bustling
Of merry crowds justling at pitching and
hustling ;
Small feet were pattering, wooden shoes clat-
tering,
Little hands clapping and little tongues chat-
tering,
And, like fowls in a farmyard when barley
is scattering,
Out came the children running.
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.