Well the day it shone quite nice to me, And my heart it fluttered quite happily Amid the colors and cobblestone streets, I searched for a song. Well he shone himself some time ago In the form of a boy moving to and fro, A flute in his hand and a dance in his step. He ran along, and I chased the song Across the golden fields and all through the day. He said, "Take my hand, now don't be shy, Across the lake and by the by, We'll sing with the mice and laugh in the morning sun." The birds sat silent in their branches, While the wind hummed a mournful dirge. The lake, the lake is frozen solid. Winter has come. O Piper, what have you done? For a price I rid you of the pest that lingers In the corner of the alley, your basement, in the valley. With a price unpaid, here's the price you'll pay So, Willy, let you and me be wipers Of scores out with all men--especially pipers; And, whether they pipe us free from rats or from mice, If we've promised them aught, let us keep our promise. Excerpt from Robert Browning's Poem "The Pied Piper of Hamelin"