DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

Peter, Broom-maker.

Gertrude, his wife.

Hansel, their son.

Gretel, their daughter.

The Witch who eats children.

Sandman, the Sleep Fairy.

Dewman, the Dawn Fairy.

Children.

The Fourteen Angels.



ACT III SCENE IV.

THE GINGERBREAD CHILDREN (motionless and with closed eyes, as the cake figures were before).

We're saved, we're freed

for evermore!



GRETEL.

Your eyes are shut—pray who are you?

You're sleeping, and yet you're singing too!



THE GINGERBREAD CHILDREN (always very softly).

O touch us, we pray,

that we may all awake!



HANSEL (to Gretel, embarrassed).

O touch them for me,

I dare not try!



GRETEL.

Yes, let me stroke this innocent face!

(She caresses the nearest child, who opens its eyes and smiles.)



OTHER GINGERBREAD CHILDREN (softly).

O touch me too, O touch me too,

that I also may awake!

(Gretel goes and caresses all the rest of the children, who open their eyes and smile, without moving. Meanwhile Hansel seizes the juniper-branch.)



HANSEL.

Hocus pocus, elder-bush!

Rigid body loosen, hush!



SOME OF THE CHILDREN (jump up and hurry towards Hansel and Gretel from all sides).

We thank, we thank you both!



THE CHILDREN.

The spell is broke and we are free,

we'll sing and we'll dance and we'll shout for glee!

Come, children all, and form a ring,

join hands together while we sing.

Then sing and spring,

then dance and sing,

for cakes and all good things we bring.

Then sing and spring,

then dance and sing,

that through the wood

our song of praise may sound,

and echo repeat it all around!

We thank, we thank, we thank!



HANSEL.

The angels whispered in dreams to us in silent night

what this happy, happy day has brought tonight.



(Four Gingerbread Children at a time surround Hansel and Gretel, and bow gracefully to them.)



GRETEL.

Ye angels, who have watched o'er our steps and led them right,

we thank for all our joy and wondrous delight.



THE GINGERBREAD CHILDREN (who all press around Hansel and Gretel to shake hands with them).

We'll thank you both all our life!



FATHER (behind the scene).

Tralala, tralalala!

Were our children only here!

Tralala, tralalala!

(The Father appears in the background with the Mother, and stops when he sees the children.)

Ha! Why, they're really there!



ACT III SCENE V.

Hansel (running towards them).

Father! mother!



Gretel (the same).

Father! mother!



Mother.

Children dear!



Father.

O welcome,

poor children innocent!



(Joyfully embracing. Meanwhile two of the boys have dragged the Witch, in the form of a big gingerbread cake, out of the ruins of the magic oven. At the sight of her they all burst into a shout of joy. The boys place the Witch in the middle of the stage.)



Father.

Children, see the wonder wrought,

how the Witch herself was caught

unaware

in the snare

laid for you with cunning rare!



All the Rest.

See, O see the wonder wrought,

how the Witch herself was caught

unaware

in the snare

laid for us with cunning rare!

(The two boys drag the Witch in the cottage.)



Father.

Such is Heaven's chastisement.

evil works will have an end.

"When past bearing is our grief,

Then 'tis Heaven will send us sure relief!"



All.

"When past bearing is our grief,

Then 'tis Heaven will send relief!"

THE END.