Scene I.

(_The curtain rises. Scene the same as the end of Act II. The background is still hidden in mist, which gradually rises during the following. The angels have vanished. Morning is breaking. The Dawn Fairy steps forward and shakes dewdrops from a bluebell over the sleeping children._)

DEWMAN (_Dawn Fairy_).

I'm up with early dawning, and know who loves the morning, who'll rise fresh as a daisy, who'll sink in slumber lazy! Ding! dong! ding! dong! And with the golden light of day I chase the fading night away, fresh dew around me shaking, and hill and dale awaking. Then up, with all your powers enjoy the morning hours, the scent of trees and flowers-- then up, ye sleepers, awaken! The rosy dawn is smiling, then up, ye sleepers, awake, awake!

(_Hurries off singing. The children begin to stir. Gretel rubs her eyes, looks around her, and raises herself a little, whilst Hänsel turns over on the other side to go to sleep again._)

GRETEL.

Where am I? Waking? Or do I dream? How come I in the wood to lie? High in the branches I hear a gentle twittering, birds are beginning to sing so sweetly; from early dawn they are all awake, and warble their morning hymn of praise. Dear little singers, little singers, good morning! (_Turns to Hänsel._) See there, the sleepy lazybones? Wait now, I'll wake him! Tirelireli, it's getting late! Tirelireli, it's getting late! The lark his flight is winging, on high his matin singing, Tirelireli! tirelireli!

HÄNSEL

(_suddenly jumps up with a start_).

Kikeriki! it's early yet! Kikeriki! it's early yet! Yes, the day is dawning; awake, for it is morning! Kikeriki! kikeriki! I feel so well, I know not why! I never slept so well, no, not I!

GRETEL.

But listen, Hans; here 'neath the tree a wondrous dream was sent to me!

HÄNSEL (_meditatively_).

Really! I, too, had a dream!

GRETEL.

I fancied I heard a murmuring and rushing, as though the angels in Heav'n were singing; rosy clouds above me were floating-- hovering and floating in the distance away, Sudden--all around a light was streaming, rays of glory from Heaven beaming, and a golden ladder saw I descending, angels adown it gliding, such lovely angels with shining golden wings.

HÄNSEL (_interrupting her quickly_).

Fourteen angels there must have been!

GRETEL (_astonished_).

And did you also behold all this?

HÄNSEL.

Truly, 'twas wondrous fair! And upward I saw them float.

(_He turns towards the background; at this moment the last remains of the mist clear away. In place of the fir-trees is seen the "Witch's house at the Ilsenstein," shining in the rays of the rising sun. A little distance off, to the left, is an oven; opposite this, on the right, a large cage, both joined to the Witch's house by a fence of gingerbread figures._)