Scene II.

SANDMAN (_the Sleep Fairy_).

(_The little man approaches the children with friendly gestures, and the children gradually calm down. He is strewing sand in the children's eyes._)

I shut the children's peepers, sh! and guard the little sleepers, sh! for dearly do I love them, sh! and gladly watch above them, sh! And with my little bag of sand, By every child's bedside I stand; then little tired eyelids close, and little limbs have sweet repose. And if they're good and quickly go to sleep, then from the starry sphere above the angels come with peace and love, and send the children happy dreams, while watch they keep! Then slumber, children, slumber, for happy dreams are sent you through the hours you sleep.

(_Disappears. Darkness._)

HÄNSEL (_half asleep_).

Sandman was there!

GRETEL (_ditto_).

Let us first say our evening prayer.

(_They cower down and fold their hands._)

BOTH.

When at night I go to sleep, fourteen angels watch do keep: two my head are guarding, two my feet are guiding, two are on my right hand, two are on my left hand, two who warmly cover, two who o'er me hover, two to whom 'tis given to guide my steps to Heaven.

(_They sink down on to the moss, and go to sleep with their arms twined round each other. Complete darkness._)