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!

HÄNSEL (_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 Hänsel seizes the juniper-branch._)

HÄNSEL.

Hocus pocus, elder-bush! Rigid body loosen, hush!

SOME OF THE CHILDREN

(_jump up and hurry towards Hänsel 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!

HÄNSEL.

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 Hänsel 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 round Hänsel 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!

Last Scene.

HÄNSEL (_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.

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Weber Pianos

HEINRICH CONRIED, Director of the Conried Metropolitan Opera Company, writes as follows:

NEW YORK, May 12, 1904.

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Transcriber's notes:

The title on the cover image shows "Hansel und Gretel"; this has been changed to "Hänsel und Gretel" in the transcribed text. A missing speaker's name in the German version following "Herrjemine, den möcht' ich ganz verschlecken!" has been added. An additional header for "Dritte Scene" in the third act has been removed.

The following is a list of other changes made to the original. The first line is the original line, the second the corrected one.

Rühr dich, und dich deisst der Fluss! Rühr dich, und dich beisst der Fluss!

In the background is the Ilsensein. In the background is the Ilsenstein.

For weaks I've eaten nought but bread For weeks I've eaten nought but bread

As through 'twere fair time, hopping and springing! As though 'twere fair time, hopping and springing!

Gracious! there's goes the jug all to pieces! Gracious! there goes the jug all to pieces!

he wears a little black cup upon his head. he wears a little black cap upon his head.

A thick mist rises and competely hides the background. A thick mist rises and completely hides the background.