Mother (enters). What is all this noise?
Gretel. 'Twas Hänsel. He wanted 
Hänsel. 'Twas Gretel. She said I 
Mother. Hush, you noisy children! What work have you done? Gretel, your stocking is not done yet; and where are your brooms, you lazy Hans?
You have knocked over the milk too! What shall we have for supper? Lazy folks can't stay in my house. Take the basket and go to the woods for strawberries. And don't dare to come back without them! Off with you!
and be quick too!
[The children go out. Mother sits weeping.]
Oh! I am so tired and hungry. Nothing in the house to eat. What shall I do for the poor hungry children Oh, dear, what can I do!
[Goes to sleep, crying.]
Father (enters, singing).
   Hillo, hilloo, hillo, hilloo,    Little mother, where are you?
Mother (looking up). Who is singing and making so much noise?
Father. I called you, for I am hungry and want my supper.
Mother. Your supper! with nothing in the house to eat and nothing to drink.
Father. Let us see. Open your eyes and look in my basket. Cheer up, mother!
Mother. What do I see? Ham and butter and flour and sausage! Where did you get all these good things, father?
Father. Hurrah, won't we have a merry time, won't we have a happy time? I sold so many brooms at the fair that I could buy you all these good things and some tea besides.
Mother. Tea! how good it smells and how glad I am! Now I will cook the supper.
Father. But where are the children? Hänsel! Gretel! Where are they?
Mother. Oh, the bad children! They did no work and they were singing and dancing and spilled the milk, so I sent them to the woods to pick some strawberries for supper.
Father. Laughing and dancing! Why should you be angry? Where have they gone?
Mother. To the mountain.
Father. To the mountain! the home of the witch!
Mother. What do you mean? The witch?
Father. Yes, the old witch of the mountain turns all children to gingerbread and then she eats them.
Mother. Eats them! Oh, my children, my pretty little children! Come, we must find them! Hänsel, Gretel, where are you?
[Runs out.]
Father. I will go with you, mother. Don't cry! we will surely find them.
[Goes out.]
SCENE II. In the Forest 
HÄNSEL, GRETEL 
Gretel. See, my wreath is nearly done.
Hänsel. And the basket is filled with strawberries. Won't mother be pleased? We will have them for supper.
Gretel. Let me put the wreath on you!
Hänsel. No, no! boys don't wear wreaths. Put it on your own head. You shall be queen of the woods.
Gretel. Then I must have a nosegay, too.
Hänsel. Now you have a scepter and a crown. You shall have some strawberries, too. Don't they taste good?
Gretel. Let me feed you.
Hänsel. And I'll feed you. Don't be greedy!
Gretel. Oh, Hänsel, the berries are all gone. What naughty children we are! We must pick some more now for mother.
Hänsel. I don't care, I was so hungry. But it is too late to pick strawberries now. Let us go home.
Gretel. Let us hurry; it is dark and I'm afraid.
Hänsel. Pooh, I'm not afraid. But I can't see the way. Gretel, we're lost!
Gretel. What was that?
Hänsel. What?
Gretel. That shining there in the dark!
Hänsel. Pshaw, don't be afraid! That is a birch tree in its silver dress.
Gretel. There, see! a lantern is coming this way.
Hänsel. That is a will-of-the-wisp with its little candle.
Gretel. I'm frightened, I'm frightened! I wish I were home!
Hänsel. Gretelkin, stick close to me! I'll take care of you.
Gretel. See! what is that little man in gray?
Hänsel. I see him, too. I wonder who he is!
Sandman (comes).
   With my little bag of sand    By every child's bedside I stand.
   Then little tired eyelids close,    And little limbs have sweet repose.
   Then from the starry sphere above    The angels come with peace and love.
   Then slumber, children, slumber,    For happy dreams are sent you    Through the hours you sleep.
[Goes away.]
Hänsel. I'm sleepy. Let us go to sleep.
Gretel. Let us say our prayers first.
Both. 
   When at night I go to sleep    Fourteen angels watch do keep:
   Two my head are guarding,    Two my feet are guiding,    Two are on my right hand,    Two are on my left hand,    Two who warmly cover,    Two who o'er me hover,    Two to whom 'tis given    To guide my steps to Heaven.
Gretel. Good night, dear brother.
Hänsel. Good night, dear sister. Don't be afraid. I'll take care of you.
[They sleep.]
SCENE III. In the Wood Morning 
Hänsel. Wake up, dear little sister! The birds are singing and it is time to get up!
Gretel. I'm awake, dear brother. Come, let us hurry home.
Hänsel. Here is a path! Oh, Gretel, look at the pretty house!
Gretel. A cottage all made of chocolate creams!
Hänsel. The house seems to smile!
Gretel. It looks good enough to eat.
Hänsel. Let's nibble it!
[A voice within the house.]
   Nibble, nibble, manikin!
   Who's nibbling at my housekin?
Hänsel. Oh, did you hear?
Gretel. It's the wind!
Hänsel. Never mind, let us eat the cake. I'm hungry. Take a bite!
Isn't it good?
Gretel. Yes, and look at the candy! What a funny fence this is! It looks like little boys and girls made of gingerbread with sugar trimmings. I wonder who lives in this house?
[The Gingerbread Woman comes out of the house and speaks.]