Scene III.

A VOICE FROM THE HOUSE.

Nibble, nibble, mousekin, who's nibbling at my housekin? who's nibbling at my housekin?

(_Hänsel starts, and in his fright lets the piece of cake fall._)

HÄNSEL.

O, did you hear?

GRETEL (_somewhat timidly_).

The wind--

HÄNSEL.

The wind!

BOTH.

The heavenly wind!

GRETEL

(_picks up the piece of cake and tastes it_).

H'm!

HÄNSEL (_looking longingly at Gretel_).

D'you like it?

GRETEL (_lets Hänsel bite it_).

Just taste and try it!

HÄNSEL

(_lays his hand on his breast in rapture_).

Hi!

GRETEL (_ditto_).

Hi!

BOTH.

Hi, hi! O cake most delicious, some more I must take! It's really like Heaven to eat such plum-cake!

HÄNSEL.

O how good, how sweet, how tasty!

GRETEL.

How tasty, how sweet! It's p'r'aps the house of a sweety-maker!

HÄNSEL.

Hi, sweety-maker! Have a care! A little mouse your sweeties would share!

(_He breaks a big piece of cake off the wall._)

A VOICE FROM THE HOUSE.

Nibble, nibble, mousekin, who's nibbling at my housekin?

HÄNSEL AND GRETEL.

The wind, the wind, the heavenly wind!

(_The upper part of the house-door opens gently, and the Witch's head is seen at it. The children at first do not see her, and go on feasting merrily._)

GRETEL.

Wait, you gobbling mousekin, here comes the cat from the housekin!

HÄNSEL (_taking another bite_).

Eat what you please, and leave me in peace!

GRETEL

(_snatches the piece from his hand_).

Don't be unkind, Sir wind, Sir wind!

HÄNSEL (_takes it back from her_).

Heavenly wind, I take what I find!

BOTH (_laughing_).

Ha, ha, ha!

THE WITCH

(_who had meanwhile opened the whole door, and had been warily stealing up to the children, throws a rope round the neck of Hänsel, who, without any misgivings, turns his back to her_).

Hi, hi! hi, hi!

HÄNSEL (_horror-struck_).

Let go! Who are you? Let me go!

THE WITCH

(_drawing the children towards her_).

Angels both! (And goosey-ganders!) (_Caresses the children._) You've come to visit me, that is sweet! You charming children, so nice to eat!

HÄNSEL

(_makes despairing efforts to free himself_).

Who are you, ugly one? Let me go!

THE WITCH.

Now, darling, don't you give yourself airs! Dear heart, what makes you say such things? I am Rosina Dainty-mouth, and dearly love my fellow-men. I'm artless as a new born child! That's why the children to me are so dear, so dear, so dear, ah, so che-arming to eat! (_Caresses Hänsel._)

HÄNSEL (_turning roughly away_).

Go, get you gone from my sight! I hate, I loathe you quite!

THE WITCH.

Hi hi! hi hi! These dainty morsels I'm really gloating on, and you, my little maiden, I'm doting on! Come, little mousey, come into my housey! Come with me, my precious, I'll give you sweetmeats delicious! Of chocolate, tarts, and marzipan you shall both eat all you can, and wedding-cake and strawberry ices, blancmange, and everything else that nice is, and raisins and almonds, and peaches and citrons are waiting-- you'll both find it quite captivating, yes, quite captivating!

HÄNSEL.

I won't come with you, hideous fright! You are quite too friendly!

THE WITCH.

See, see, see how sly! Dear children, you really may trust me in this, and living with me will be perfect bliss! Come, little mousey, come into my housey! Come with me, my precious, I'll give you sweetmeats delicious!

GRETEL.

But say, what will you with my brother do?

THE WITCH.

Well, well! I'll feed and fatten him up well, with every sort of dainty delicious, to make him tender and tasty. And if he's brave and patient too, and docile and obedient like a lamb, then, Hänsel, I'll whisper it you, I have a great treat in store for you!

HÄNSEL.

Then speak out loud and whisper not. What is the great treat in store for me?

THE WITCH.

Yes, my dear children, hearing and sight in this great pleasure will disappear quite!

HÄNSEL.

Eh? both my hearing and seeing are good! You'd better take care you do me no harm!

(_Resolutely._)

Gretel, trust not her flattering words, come, sister, come, let's run away!

(_He has in the meantime got out of the rope, and runs with Gretel to the foreground. Here they are stopped by the Witch, who imperiously raises against them both a stick which hangs at her girdle, with repeated gestures of spellbinding._)

THE WITCH.

Hold!

(_The stage becomes gradually darker._)

Hocus pocus, witches' charm! Move not, as you fear my arm! Back or forward do not try, fixed you are by the evil eye! Head on shoulders fixed awry! Hocus, pocus, now comes jocus, children, watch the magic head, eyes are staring, dull as lead! Now, you atom, off to bed!

(_Fresh gestures; then she leads Hänsel, who is gazing fixedly at the illuminated head, into the stable, and shuts the lattice door upon him._)

Hocus pocus, bonus jocus, malus locus, hocus pocus, bonus jocus, malus locus!

(_The stage gradually becomes lighter, whilst the light of the magic head diminishes. The Witch, contentedly to Gretel, who still stands there motionless._)

Now Gretel, be obedient and wise, while Hänsel's growing fat and nice. We'll feed him up, you'll see my reason, and with sweet almonds and raisins season. I'll go indoors, the things to prepare, and you remain here where you are!

(_She grins as she holds up her finger warningly, and goes into the house._)

GRETEL (_stiff and motionless_).

O, what a horrid witch she is!

HÄNSEL (_whispering hastily_).

Gretel, sh! don't speak so loud! Be very sharp, watch well and see whatever she may do to me! Pretend to do all she commands-- O, there she's coming back, sh! hush!

(_The Witch comes out, satisfies herself that Gretel is still standing motionless, and then spreads before Hänsel almonds and raisins from a basket._)

THE WITCH.

Now, little man, come prithee enjoy yourself!

(_Sticking a raisin into Hänsel's mouth._)

Eat, minion, eat or die! Here are cakes, O so nice! (_Turns to Gretel and disenchants her with a juniper-branch._) Hocus pocus, elder-bush! Rigid body loosen, hush! (_Gretel moves again._) Now up and move again, bright and blithesome, limbs are become again supple and lithesome. Go, my poppet, go my pet, you the table now shall set, little knife, little fork, little dish, little plate, little serviette for my little mate! Now get everything ready and nice, or else I shall lock you up too in a trice!

(_She threatens and titters. Gretel hurries off. The Witch, to Hänsel, who pretends to be asleep._)

The fool is slumb'ring, it does seem queer how youth can sleep and have no fear! Well, sleep away, you simple sheep, soon you will sleep your last long sleep! But first with Gretel I'll begin-- off you, dear maiden, I will dine; you are so tender, plump, and good, just the thing for witches' food!

(_She opens the oven door and sniffs in it, her face lighted up by the deep red glare of the fire._)

The dough has risen, so we'll go on preparing. Hark, how the sticks in the fire are crackling!

(_She pushes a couple more faggots under, the fire flames up and then dies down again. The Witch rubbing her hands with glee._)

Yes, Gretel mine, how well off you I'll dine! See, see, O how sly! When in the oven she's peeping, quickly behind her I'm creeping! One little push, bang goes the door, clang! Then soon will Gretel be just done to a T! and when from the oven I take her she'll look like a cake from the baker, by magic fire red changed into gingerbread! See, see how sly! Hi hi! hi hi!

(_In her wild delight she seizes a broomstick and begins to ride upon it._)

So hop, hop, hop, gallop, lop, lop! My broomstick nag, come do not lag!

(_She rides excitedly round on the broomstick._)

At dawn of day I ride away, am here and there and everywhere!

(_She rides again; Gretel meanwhile is watching at the window._)

At midnight hour, when none can know, to join the witches' dance I go! And three and four are witches' lore, and five and six are witches' tricks, and nine is one, and ten is none, and seven is nil, or what she will! And thus they ride till dawn of day!

(_Hopping madly along, she rides to the back of the stage and vanishes for a time behind the cottage. Here the Witch becomes visible again; she comes to the foreground, where she suddenly pulls up and dismounts._)

Prr, broomstick, hi!

(_She hobbles back to the stable and tickles Hänsel with a birch twig till he awakes._)

Up, awake, my mankin young; come show to me your tongue!

(_Hänsel puts his tongue out. The Witch smacks with her tongue._)

Dainty morsel! dainty morsel! Little toothsome mankin come, now let me see your thumb!

(_Hänsel pokes out a small bone._)

Gemini! Oho! O how scraggy, how lean! Urchin, you're a scraggy one, as bad as a skeleton!

(_Calls._)

Maiden, Gretel!

(_Gretel appears at the door._)

Bring some raisins and almonds sweet, Hänsel wants some more to eat.

(_Gretel runs into the house, and returns immediately with a basket full of almonds and raisins._)

GRETEL.

Here are the almonds.

(_Whilst the Witch is feeding Hänsel, Gretel gets behind her and makes the gestures of disenchantment with the juniper-branch._)

GRETEL (_softly_).

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

THE WITCH (_turning suddenly round_).

What were you saying, little goose?

GRETEL (_confusedly_).

Only--much good may it do to Hans!

THE WITCH.

Eh?

GRETEL (_louder_).

Much good may it do to Hans!

THE WITCH.

He he he, my little miss, I'll stop your mouth with this!

(_Sticks a raisin into Gretel's mouth._)

Eat, minion, eat or die! Here are cakes, O so nice!

(_She opens the oven door; the heat has apparently diminished. Meanwhile Hänsel makes violent signs to Gretel._)

HÄNSEL

(_softly opening the stable door_).

Sister dear, O beware!

THE WITCH (_looking greedily at Gretel_).

She makes my mouth water, this pretty little daughter! Come, Gretel mine, sugar-maiden mine!

(_Gretel comes towards her._)

Peep in the oven, be steady, see if the gingerbread's ready! Carefully look, pet, whether it's cooked yet, but if it wants more, shut quick the door!

(_Gretel hesitates._)

HÄNSEL

(_slipping out of the stable)_.

Sister dear, have a care!

GRETEL

(_making herself out very awkward_).

I don't understand what I have to do!

THE WITCH.

Just stand on tip-toe, head bending forward; try it, I pray, it's merely play!

HÄNSEL

(_pulling Gretel back by her frock_).

Sister dear, now take care!

GRETEL (_shyly_).

I'm such a goose, don't understand! You'll have to show me how to stand on tip-toe!

THE WITCH

(_makes a movement of impatience_).

Do as I say, it's merely play!

(_She begins creeping up to the oven, muttering all the time, and just as she is bending over it, Hänsel and Gretel give her a good push, which sends her toppling over into it, upon which they quickly shut the door._)

HÄNSEL AND GRETEL (_mocking her_).

Then "One little push, bang goes the door, clang!" You, not Gretel, then will be just done to a T!

(_Hänsel and Gretel fall into one another's arms._)

BOTH.

Hurrah! now sing the witch is dead, really dead! No more to dread!

Hurrah! now sing the witch is still, deathly still! We can eat our fill!

Now all the spell is o'er, really o'er! We fear no more!

(_They seize each other's hands._)

Yes, let us happy be, dancing so merrily; now the old witch is gone, we'll have no end of fun! Hey! hurrah, hurrah! Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah! Hurrah!

(_They take each other round the waist and waltz together, first in the front of the stage, and then gradually in the direction of the Witch's house. When they get there Hänsel breaks loose from Gretel and rushes into the house, shutting the door after him. Then from the upper window he throws down apples, pears, oranges, gilded nuts, and all kinds of sweetmeats into Gretel's outstretched apron. Meanwhile the oven begins crackling loudly, and the flames burn high. Then there is a loud crash, and the oven falls thundering into bits. Hänsel and Gretel, who in their terror let their sweetmeats all fall down, hurry towards the oven startled, and stand there motionless. Their astonishment increases when they become aware of a troop of children around them, whose disguise of cakes has fallen from them._)

HÄNSEL AND GRETEL (_spoken_).

There, see those little children dear, I wonder how they all came here!