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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[Illustration]
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Weber
Pianos
HEINRICH CONRIED, Director of the
Conried Metropolitan Opera Company,
writes as follows:
NEW YORK, May 12, 1904.
"From time to time during the past
operatic season I have been impressed
with the wonderful resources of the
Weber Pianos which we have been using
at the Metropolitan.
"Subjected to immense usage by
reason of our numerous rehearsals,
these instruments nevertheless retain
their exquisite tone-quality.
"I know of no piano that would
give us better satisfaction, and it is my desire that the Weber
Piano shall continue to be used at the Metropolitan Opera
House." HEINRICH CONRIED.
[Illustration: COPYRIGHT BY AMIE DUPONT
HEINRICH CONRIED]
"Mr. Conried's letter, following as it does the tribute of Maurice
Grau to the Weber Piano when he was at the head of the Metropolitan
Opera House organization, shows the great place long ago won and always
retained by the Weber among the greatest people in the musical world,
and demonstrates that this artistic instrument has in that atmosphere
the proper setting for its merits."--_The Music Trades._
The Weber Piano Company
Aeolian Hall, 362 Fifth Ave., near 34th St., New York
Catalog upon request, Agents in all principal cities
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.