sleeping
and yet you are talking!

_The Children._ O touch us, we pray, that we may awake!

_Haensel._ The witch has changed them into gingerbread children. I know
what to do. Let us say what the witch said to you, and what you said to
me!

_Haensel and Gretel._

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

_The Children._ (_Opening their eyes and running toward Haensel and
Gretel._) We thank you, we thank you both!

_Gretel._ Oh, I am so glad!

_The Children._ The spell is broken and we are free. The witch can do us
no more harm. Come, let us shout for glee!

_Haensel._

Come, children all, and form a ring,
Join hands together, while we sing.

_Gretel._ Oh, Haensel dear, I wish father and mother were here!

_Haensel._ Look, Gretel! There they are!

[_Father and Mother enter._]

_Father._ Why, mother, the children are here! Come, my dear Haensel and
Gretel! How glad I am we have found you safe and well!

_Haensel._ Oh, father, we must tell you all about the Gingerbread Witch!

_Mother._ My dear children, were you frightened?

_Gretel._ Yes, mother, I was. But, mother, Haensel comforted me, and we
said our prayers and went to sleep.

_Mother._ The good angels watched over you and brought you back! Come,
let us go to the village and take all these dear children to their
mothers. Won't they be surprised and happy to see their dear children
again?

_Father._ Come, children!

[Illustration]

KING ALFRED

PERSONS IN THE PLAY--QUEEN JUDITH, ETHELBALD, ETHELBERT, ETHELRED,
ALFRED, PEASANTS, KING'S OFFICERS

SCENE I.--_In the Castle_

_Ethelbald._ Tell us a story, lady mother.

_Ethelbert._ Yes, tell us a story.

_Ethelred._ I wish it would stop raining, so that we might take our
hawks for a hunt!

_Queen._ I have something to show you, my princes. Is not this a
beautiful book?

_Alfred._ How lovely the red velvet, and see, the clasp is of gold!

_Ethelred._ And there are jewels in the clasp!

_Queen._ It is well bound, as so precious a volume should be; but the
binding is the least valuable part of the book. Shall we look within?

_Ethelbald._ Pray show us, lady mother!

_Queen._ Observe the forms of mighty warriors, fair ladies, and royal
chiefs of the olden times in bright and glowing colors.

_Ethelbert._ How brave they look! Who are they? Tell us of them, dear
mother.

_Queen._ These pictures are beautiful and appeal to the eye, but neither
they nor