18
IX.
“Beside,”
quoth
the
Mayor
with
a
knowing
wink,
“Our
business
was
done
at
the
river’s
brink;
We
saw
with
our
eyes
the
vermin
sink,
And
what’s
dead
can’t
come
to
life,
I
think.
So,
friend,
we’re
not
the
folks
to
shrink
From
the
duty
of
giving
you
something
to
drink,
And
a
matter
of
money
to
put
in
your
poke;
But
as
for
the
guilders,
what
we
spoke
Of
them,
as
you
very
well
know,
was
in
joke.
Beside,
our
losses
have
made
us
thrifty.
A
thousand
guilders!
Come,
take
fifty!”
X.
The
Piper’s
face
fell,
and
he
cried,
“No
trifling!
I
can’t
wait,
beside!
I’ve
promised
to
visit
by
dinner-time
Bagdad,
and
accept
the
prime
Of
the
Head-Cook’s
pottage,
all
he’s
rich
in,
For
having
left,
in
the
Caliph’s
kitchen,
Of
a
nest
of
scorpions
no
survivor:
With
him
I
proved
no
bargain-driver,
With
you,
don’t
think
I’ll
bate
a
stiver!
And
folks
who
put
me
in
a
passion
May
find
me
pipe
after
another
fashion.”
XI.
“How?”
cried
the
Mayor,
“d’ye
think
I
brook
Being
worse
treated
than
a
Cook?
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!”