Part 4
_Wednesday._ I should be the best of days, for I am named for Woden, or Odin, the king of the gods. The hardest work of the week is finished when I come, and there is time for a rest. Perhaps mother will bake a special cake for dinner. To-day the children take their music lessons, and the boys go for a lesson in swimming or gymnastic exercise. This is the day young people choose for their wedding day, and you don't know how glad I am to be a part of their happiness. I believe I have more sunshine than the other days, for Woden likes to have clear skies and health-giving breezes. I would not change with any of my sister days.
[Illustration]
_Thursday._ I bring the thunder and the lightning, and I cleave the dark clouds with my rapid flashes. I glory in a storm, for Thor, the god of thunder, has chosen me for his day, and I bear his name. A life of ease and quiet has no charms for me. I like the din and crash of war, the noise and hurry of business. The fury of the heavens, the crash of falling trees, the roaring of waters,--what can give greater pleasure? Business thrives on Thursday. Men rush to and fro, buying and selling, building great houses, digging in the mines, and sailing the seas. Life and action are my delight. Hurrah for Thor's day!
[Illustration]
_Friday._ After the bustle and work of the week I come to clean and settle all disturbances. Now dirt and dust must disappear under the broom and brush. How the windows shine and how spotless is the hearth! Children rake up the leaves and burn them; all rubbish must be cleared away. Order and neatness I love; and so does Freya, for whom I am named. She is the goddess of beauty, and there is no beauty where neatness and order are absent. Some say that I am an unlucky day, but that is a mistake. See what wonderful things have happened on my day, what great men have been born on Friday! I am the last school day of the week, and to-day the children may forget lessons and play outdoors a little longer. To-day the family gather for a story at the twilight hour, and all is rest and happiness.
[Illustration]
_Saturday._ I am the jolly day of the week. "School is out!" the children cry, and all day long they sing and call to each other in their games. To-day I smell the cakes and pies cooking in the range, for Saturday is baking day. How the little children love to watch mother stirring the cake and frosting, and how they beg to clean the sweet stuff out of the bowl. Father comes home earlier to-day, and all go for a walk in the woods or park. All men need a holiday, for "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." The boys play ball and run and shout in their joy. The girls have little parties, and cook gives them some fresh cakes. I am named for Saetere, god of the harvest, and he is always merry. So I wish all people to be happy on Saturday, the play day of the week.
[Illustration]
_Sunday._ You have all spoken well, my sisters, and each one has some claim to be the best day of the week. How fine it is that every day holds some special joy in work or play! But you all know the highest joy is mine. I am named for the golden sun that gives light to the world. On Sunday men think of the inner light that makes them love the good and the true and persuades them to do right. To-day the family is united, and in the morning with fresh garments and happy faces they seek the knowledge of a higher life. Around the dinner table they talk happily together of their work and play, and they plan how they may do better work during the next week. Love and peace are in all hearts. A desire to help the weak and poor and sad is in every soul. I am happy and blest to be Sunday.
HAeNSEL AND GRETEL
PERSONS IN THE PLAY--HAeNSEL, GRETEL, MOTHER, FATHER, THE GINGERBREAD WITCH, SANDMAN, CHILDREN
SCENE I.--_In the Cottage_
_Haensel._ I wish mother would come home! I'm cold and hungry. I'm tired of bread. I want some milk and sugar.
_Gretel._ Hush, Haensel; don't be cross!
_Haensel._ If we only had something good to eat: eggs, and butter and meat. Oh, dear!
_Gretel._ Dear Haensel, if you will stop crying, I'll tell you a secret.
_Haensel._ Oh, what is it? Something nice?
_Gretel._ Yes, indeed. Look in this jug! It is full of milk. Mother will make us a pudding for supper.
_Haensel._ Goody, goody! How thick the cream is! Let me taste it.
_Gretel._ Aren't you ashamed, you naughty boy! Take your finger out of the cream. We must go back to work. When mother comes she will be cross if you have not finished the broom.
_Haensel._ I'll not work any more. I want to dance.
_Gretel._ So do I. I like to dance better than to work. Come, let us dance and sing.
Brother, come and dance with me, Both my hands I offer thee; Right foot first, Left foot then, Round about and back again.
_Haensel._ I can't dance. Show me what I ought to do.
_Gretel._ Look at me. Do this.
With your foot you tap, tap, tap! With your hands you clap, clap, clap! Right foot first, Left foot then, Round about and back again.
_Haensel_ (_dancing_).
With your hands you clap, clap, clap! With your foot you tap, tap, tap! Right foot first, Left foot then, Round about and back again.
_Gretel._ That is fine, brotherkin! Soon you will dance as well as I. Come, try again.
With your head you nick, nick, nick! With your fingers click, click, click! Right foot first, Left foot then, Round about and back again.
_Haensel._
O Gretel dear, O sister dear, Come dance and sing with me.
_Gretel._
O Haensel dear, O brother dear, Come dance and sing with me. Tra, la, la, tra, la, la, La, la, la, la, tra, la, la.
[_Knocks down the milk._]
[Illustration]
_Mother_ (_enters_). What is all this noise?
_Gretel._ 'Twas Haensel. He wanted--
_Haensel._ '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? Haensel! 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! Haensel, 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_
HAeNSEL, GRETEL
_Gretel._ See, my wreath is nearly done.
_Haensel._ 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!
_Haensel._ 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.
_Haensel._ Now you have a scepter and a crown. You shall have some strawberries, too. Don't they taste good?
_Gretel._ Let me feed you.
_Haensel._ And I'll feed you. Don't be greedy!
_Gretel._ Oh, Haensel, the berries are all gone. What naughty children we are! We must pick some more now for mother.
_Haensel._ 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.
_Haensel._ Pooh, _I'm_ not afraid. But I can't see the way. Gretel, we're lost!
_Gretel._ What was that?
_Haensel._ What?
_Gretel._ That shining there in the dark!
_Haensel._ Pshaw, don't be afraid! That is a birch tree in its silver dress.
_Gretel._ There, see! a lantern is coming this way.
_Haensel._ That is a will-of-the-wisp with its little candle.
_Gretel._ I'm frightened, I'm frightened! I wish I were home!
_Haensel._ Gretelkin, stick close to me! I'll take care of you.
_Gretel._ See! what is that little man in gray?
_Haensel._ 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._]
_Haensel._ 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.
_Haensel._ Good night, dear sister. Don't be afraid. I'll take care of you.
[_They sleep._]
SCENE III.--_In the Wood--Morning_
_Haensel._ 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.
_Haensel._ Here is a path! Oh, Gretel, look at the pretty house!
_Gretel._ A cottage all made of chocolate creams!
_Haensel._ The house seems to smile!
_Gretel._ It looks good enough to eat.
_Haensel._ Let's nibble it!
[_A voice within the house._]
Nibble, nibble, manikin! Who's nibbling at my housekin?
_Haensel._ Oh, did you hear?
_Gretel._ It's the wind!
_Haensel._ 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._]
[Illustration]
You've come to visit me, that is sweet, You charming children, so good to eat!
_Haensel._ Who are you, ugly one? Let me go!
_Gretel._ Take your arms away from me!
_The Gingerbread Witch._ Come into my house, little children! You may have sugarplums and peaches and cherries and candies and everything nice that little folks like!
_Haensel._ No, I won't! I don't want to go into your house. I want to go home!
_Gretel._ I don't like you, Mrs. Gingerbread! You aren't nice like my mother. I want to go home to my own mother!
_The Gingerbread Witch._ Come, dear little Gretel. You must go in with me. We'll leave Haensel in this little house outside. He must get fatter, so we will give him many good things to eat. Get in, Haensel. I must lock you in!
_Haensel._ What are you going to do with me?
_The Gingerbread Witch._ I'll fatten you up nicely and then you will see! Now I'll go inside for some sugarplums. You wait here, Gretel, until I come back. Hocus, pocus, malus locus! now you can't move!
[_Goes in._]
_Haensel._ Listen, Gretel! Watch the old witch and see everything she does to me. Hush, she's coming back!
_The Gingerbread Witch._ Now, Hans, eat this raisin. It will make you fat! Now, Gretel, you have stood still long enough.
Hocus, pocus, elder bush! Rigid body loosen, hush!
Then, Gretel, you must come with me, but Hans cannot move until he gets nice and fat like you. Run in, little daughter, and get some more nuts and raisins for him. I like plump little bodies like yours!
[_Gretel goes in._]
_Haensel._ Please let me out, Mrs. Gingerbread.
_The Gingerbread Witch._ When you are fatter. Now I must look to my fire. It is burning well, and the oven will soon be hot enough to bake my dinner. When I change my gingerbread I'll pop little Gretel in and shut the door.
[_Gretel comes in very quietly and goes to Hans._]
_Gretel._
Hocus, pocus, elder bush! Rigid body loosen, hush!
_The Gingerbread Witch._ What are you saying?
_Gretel._ Oh, nothing,--only,--
_The Gingerbread Witch._ Only what?
_Gretel._ Only, much good may it do to Hans!
_The Gingerbread Witch._ Poor Hans is too thin, but I hope the raisins and nuts will be good for him. But, you, my plump little Gretel, are just fat enough--come, peep in the oven and see if the gingerbread is ready!
_Haensel_ (_softly_).
Sister dear, have a care; She means to hurt you, so beware!
_Gretel_ (_shyly_). I don't understand what I am to do!
_The Gingerbread Witch._ Do? Why, open the oven door!
_Haensel._ Sister dear, now take care!
_Gretel._ I'm such a goose, I don't understand.
_The Gingerbread Witch._ Do as I say, it's only play! This is the way.
[_Opens the door and looks in oven. Hans and Gretel run and push her in._]
_Children sing._ One little push, bang goes the door, clang! Now, let us be happy, dancing so merrily. Hurrah! Hurrah!
_Haensel._ Why, see the children, Gretel. The fence is moving! The gingerbread children are _real_ children, but their eyes are shut!
_The Children._ We are saved! We are saved!
_Gretel._ Who are you? Why do you keep your eyes shut? You're 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 the velvet and gold of the binding give the joy which is greatest.
_Alfred._ What do you mean, dear lady mother?
_Queen._ This is a book I greatly enjoy, for it is full of the tales of the mighty King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. You will like to hear me read these brave stories when you are tired with your day's work, or on rainy days when you can neither hunt nor ride. Then you know not how to amuse yourselves and time is heavy on your hands, since you can neither read nor play upon the musical instruments that give us so much pleasure.
_Ethelred._ The book is so lovely. Let me take it, lady mother!
_Queen._ I would that the children of my royal husband could read the book.
_Ethelbald._ Our father does not think much of books and music. He likes to hunt and fight, and so do I.
_Ethelred._ And I love to hunt, but I love to hear the stories of great kings and warriors, too.
_Alfred._ To which of us wilt thou give the book, lady mother?
_Queen._ I will bestow it on him who shall first learn how to read it.
_Alfred._ Will you really, dear mother?
_Queen._ Yes, upon the faith of a queen, I will. I will not give it to one who cannot read it. Books are meant for the learned and not for the ignorant. The sons of a king should cease to play with toys.
_Alfred._ May I take the book a little while?
_Queen._ Yes, you may take the precious volume, Alfred, for I know you will not injure it, and I hope you will soon learn how to make its wisdom your own.
_Alfred._ Thank you, lady mother. I shall study the book and learn to read, for I wish to know all about the brave knights of Arthur's court.
SCENE II.--_Years later, when Alfred is King_
KING ALFRED, OSCAR THE EARL, ODULPH, THE EARL'S SON
_Alfred._ All the others have gone back to their homes. In no other way can ye serve me. Wherefore do ye go about to weep and break my heart?
_Oscar._ We weep, royal Alfred, because thou hast forbidden us to share thy fortunes; as if we were the swarm of summer flies, who follow only while the sun shineth.
_Alfred._ My valiant Oscar, and you my faithful Odulph, listen to me. I do not despair. The time is not ripe now for further war. Our foes the Danes have conquered us for a time. I trust that the time will come when we shall drive them from our land. But we must do that which seems best for the present and seek to be more successful in the future. We must not sit down and weep; no, this rather shall you do. Go back to your own people and keep me in their memory. When the Dane rules most cruelly, then rise up and cry aloud in the ears of the people, "Alfred the king yet liveth!" Then gather the soldiers and I shall come to lead them to victory.
_Oscar._ Thou shalt be obeyed, my royal lord. I will return to my men and do as thou hast said. But let my son Odulph stay with thee, if only as thy servant.
_Odulph._ Well will I serve thee, my royal lord. It is not well for the king to fare alone.
_Alfred._ I am well content to serve myself, or even to be servant to others, until a happier time shall come. If Odulph desires to serve me, it shall be by bringing good tidings of your success with my people. When the time comes that we may again fight for our country, let him bring me the welcome message. Then we will free our country from the Danish yoke.
_Oscar._ Farewell, my royal master, since thou wilt have it so.
_Odulph._ And may the time soon come when I shall bring the message to thee!
_Alfred._ Farewell, my loyal friends. All will be well.
SCENE III.--_In the Peasant's Home_
KING ALFRED, PEASANT CUDRED, WIFE SWITHA
_Alfred._ Save you, good father! May a Saxon stranger, whom the Danish robbers have made homeless, share a lodging with thy master's cattle for the night?
_Cudred._ Wilt thou swear to me that thou art not a Dane in disguise?
_Alfred._ I say to thee, my friend, I am no Dane, but a true Saxon.
_Cudred._ Then thou shalt share the calf's crib to-night. Perchance thou art hungry, too?
_Alfred._ To say truth, father, I have not broken my fast to-day; neither have I had aught to drink save from these marshy streams. I shall be right thankful for some food, even a crust of coarsest rye bread.
_Cudred._ Rye bread, forsooth! Thou talkest of dainties indeed! Thou wilt get nothing better than flat oaten cakes here.
_Alfred._ I have always wished to taste an oaten cake.
_Cudred._ Follow me, then, and thou shalt have thy desire. Switha, Switha!
_Switha._ Well, I hear thee!
_Cudred._ Switha, I have brought thee home a guest who will be glad to partake of our supper.
_Switha._ A guest! And thinkest thou I've naught better to do than broil fish and bake cakes for all the vagabonds who roam the land?
_Cudred._ Patience, good Switha. I have not asked thee to cook for a vagabond. This is an honest Saxon whom it will be charity to feed and shelter for the night.
_Switha._ Let me hold the torch and see this Saxon guest. Thou lookest like a guest of fashion, sorry fellow!
_Cudred._ Cease thy scolding talk, woman! I see by this light that our guest hath not been used to beg for charity from such as thou. Why be so hard of heart and by thy rude taunts make bitter the food he must receive from our hands?
_Switha._ I have heard that charity begins at home, and I am sure we are poor enough.
_Cudred._ Not poor enough to refuse food to the hungry, such as it is. Here is fish, and here an oaten cake which you wish to taste.