Once more he stept into the street;    And to his lips again Laid his long pipe of smooth straight cane; ... There was a rustling, that seem'd like a bustling Of merry crowds justling at pitching and hustling, Small feet were pattering, wooden shoes clattering, ...
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Little hands clapping, and little tongues chattering, And, like fowls in a farm-yard 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, ...
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Tripping and skipping, ran merrily after The wonderful music with shouting and laughter. ... And after him the children pressed; Great was the joy in every breast. .. When, lo, as they reached the mountain's side, A wondrous portal opened wide, ...
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As if a cavern was suddenly hollowed; And the Piper advanced and the children follow'd, 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...
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“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 every thing was strange and new...”

Oct 30, 2020 · 5:03 PM UTC

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From Robert Browning, The Pied Piper of Hamelin. (Woodcut by Fritz Eichenberg)
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