Act 3 — Scene IV.
Reading edition
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!
Letzte Scene.
(Aus dem Hintergrund ertönt die Stimme des Vaters.)
Vater.
Rallalala, rallalala,
wären doch unsre Kinder da!
Rallalala, rallalala.—
(Er erblickt Hänsel und Gretel.)
Juch—! Ei, da sind sie ja!
Hänsel und Gretel (den Eltern entgegen eilend).
Vater! Mutter!
Mutter.
Kinderchen!
Vater.
Da sind ja die armen Sünderchen!
(Frohe Umarmung; unterdes haben zwei Knaben die Hexe als grossen Lebkuchen aus den Trümmern des Zauberofens gezogen. Der Vater stellt dieselbe vor sich hin.)
Vater.
Kinder, schaut das Wunder an,
wie solch Hexlein hexen kann,
Wie sie hart,
knusperhart
selber nun zum Kuchen ward!
Merkt des Himmels Strafgericht:
böse Werke dauern nicht!
Wenn die Not aufs höchste steigt,
Gott der Herr die Hand uns reicht!
Alle.
Wenn die Not aufs höchste steigt,
Gott der Herr die Hand uns reicht!
(Indem die Kinder einen lustigen Reigen um die Gruppe tanzen, fällt der Vorhang.)
ENDE.
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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