Hänsel.
Gretel.
Hänsel.
HÄNSEL AND GRETEL.
ACT I.
AT HOME.
Scene I.
(Small, poorly furnished room. In the background a door, a small window near it with a view into the forest. On the left a fireplace, with chimney above it. On the walls many brooms of various sizes. Hänsel sits near the door, making brooms, and Gretel opposite him by the fireplace, knitting a stocking.)
Gretel.
Susy, little Susy, pray what is the news?
The geese are running barefoot, because they've no shoes!
The cobbler has leather, and plenty to spare,
why can't he make the poor goose a new pair?
Hänsel.
Then they'll have to go barefoot!
Eia-popeia, pray what's to be done?
Who'll give me milk and sugar, for bread I have none?
I'll go back to bed and I'll lie there all day;
where there's nought to eat, then there's nothing to pay!
Gretel.
Then we'll have to go hungry!
Hänsel.
If mother would only come home again!
Yes, I am so hungry,
I don't know what to do!
For weeks I've eaten nought but bread—
It's very hard, it is indeed!
Gretel.
Hush, Hänsel, don't forget what father said,
when mother, too, wished she were dead:
"When past bearing is our grief,
Then 'tis Heaven will send relief!"
Hänsel.
Yes, yes, that sounds all very fine,
but you know off maxims we cannot dine!
O Gret, it would be such a treat
if we had something nice to eat!
Eggs and butter and suet paste,
I've almost forgotten how they taste.
(Nearly crying.)
O Gretel, I wish—
Gretel.
Hush, don't give way to grumps;
have patience awhile, no doleful dumps!
This woful face, whew! what a sight!
Looks like a horrid old crosspatch fright!
Crosspatch, away!
Leave me, I pray!
Just let me reach you,
quickly I'll teach you
how to make trouble,
soon mount to double!
Crosspatch, crosspatch,
what is the use,
growling and grumbling,
full of abuse?
Off with you, out with you,
shame on you, goose!
Hänsel.
Crosspatch, away!
Hard lines, I say.
Hänsel.
When I am hungry,
surely I can say so,
cannot allay so,
can't chase away so!
Gretel.
If I am hungry,
I'll never say so,
will not give way so,
chase it away so!
Gretel.
That's right. Now, if you leave off complaining,
I'll tell you a most delightful secret!
Hänsel.
O delightful! it must be something nice!
Gretel.
Well, listen, brotherkin—won't you be glad!
Look here in the jug, here is fresh milk,
'twas given to-day by our neighbour,
and mother, when she comes back home,
will certainly make us a rice-blancmange.
Hänsel (joyfully dances round the room).
Rice-blancmange!
When blancmange is anywhere near,
then Hänsel, Hänsel, Hänsel, is there!
How thick is the cream on the milk;
let's taste it! O Gemini!
wouldn't I like to drink it!
(Tasting it.)
Gretel.
What, Hänsel, tasting? Aren't you ashamed?
Out with your fingers quick, greedy boy!
(Gives him a rap on the fingers.)
Get back to your work again, be quick,
that we may both have done in time!
If mother comes and we haven't done right,
then badly it will fare with us to-night!
Hänsel.
Work again? No, not for me!
That's not my idea at all;
it doesn't suit me! It's such a bore!
Dancing is jollier far, I'm sure!
Gretel (delighted).
Dancing, dancing! O yes, that's better far;
and sing a song to keep us in time!
One that our grandmother used to sing us:
sing then, and dance in time to the singing!
(Claps her hands.)
Brother, come and dance with me,
both my hands I offer thee;
right foot first,
left foot then,
round about and back again!
Hänsel (tries to do it, but awkwardly).
I would dance, but don't know how,
