Prince Hagen | Page 9

interested in his
future.
ALB. It is a startling proposition. What opportunity can you offer him?
GER. I am only a student myself. But my father is a man of importance
in the world.
ALB. What does he do?
GER. He is John Isman. They call him the railroad king.
ALB. You have kings in your world, also!
GER. [Smiling.] After a fashion . . . yes.
ALB. I had not thought of this. I hardly know what to reply. [He starts.]
What is that?
[An uproar is heard of left. Shouts and cries; music rises to deafening
climax. Nibelungs flee on in terror.]
HAGEN. [Rushes on, struggling wildly, and dragging several

Nibelungs.] Let me go, I say! Take off these chains!
ALB. [Rising in seat.] Hagen!
HAGEN. I will not stand it, I tell you!
ALB. Hagen! Listen to me!
HAGEN. No!
ALB. I have something new to tell you. The earth-man has suggested
taking you up with him to the world.
HAGEN. [A sudden wild expression flashes across his features.] No!
[He gazes from one to the other, half beside himself.] You can't mean
it!
ALB. It is true, Hagen.
HAGEN. What . . . why . . .
ALB. You would be sent to school and taught the ways of the
earth-men. Do you think that you would like to go?
HAGEN. [Wildly.] By the gods! I would!
ALB. [Nervously.] You will promise to obey . . .
HAGEN. I'll promise anything! I'll do anything!
ALB. Hagen, this is a very grave decision for me. It is such an unusual
step! You would have to submit yourself to this gentleman, who is kind
enough to take charge of you . . .
HAGEN. I Will! I will! Quick! [Holding out his chains.] Take them
off!
ALB. [Doubtfully.] We can trust you?
HAGEN. You can trust me! You'll have no trouble. Take them off!
ALB. Off with them!
MIMI. [Advances and proceeds to work at chains with a file.] Yes,
your majesty.
HAGEN. [TO GERALD.] Tell me! What am I to do?
GER. You are to have an education . . .
HAGEN. Yes? What's it like? Tell me more about the earth-people.
GER. It's too much to try to tell. You will be there soon.
HAGEN. Ah! Be quick there! [Tears one hand free and waves it.] By
the gods!
ALB. [To GERALD.] You had best spend the night with us and consult
with me . . .
HAGEN. No, no! No delay! What's there to consult about?
ALB. We have so much to settle . . . your clothes . . . your money . . .

HAGEN. Give me some gold . . . that will be all. Let us be off!
GER. I will attend to everything. There is no need of delay.
HAGEN. Come on! [Tears other hand free.] Aha! [Roams about the
stage, clenching his hands and gesticulating, while the music rises to a
tremendous climax.] Free! Free forever! Aha ! Aha ! [Turning to
GERALD.] Let us be off.
GER. All right. [To ALBERICH.] Good-bye, your majesty.
ALB. [Anxiously.] Good-bye.
HAGEN. Come on!
ALB. [As Nibelungs gather about, waving farewell.] Take care of
yourself! Come back to me!
HAGEN. Free! Free! Ha, ha, ha!
MIMI. [With Nibelungs.] Good-bye!
ALB. Good-bye!
GER. Good-bye!
HAGEN. Free!
[Exit, with GERALD, amid chorus of farewells, and wild uproar of
music.]
[CURTAIN]

ACT II
[Scene shows the library in a Fifth Avenue mansion; spacious and
magnificent. There are folding doors right centre. There is a centre
table with a reading lamp and books, and soft leather chairs. The walls
are covered with bookcases. An entrance right to drawing-room. Also
an entrance left.]
[At rise: GERALD, in evening clothes, reading in front of fire.]
GER. [Stretching, and sighing.] Ah, me! I wish I'd stayed at the club.
Bother their dinner parties!
MRS. IS. [Enters right, a nervous, fussy little woman, in evening
costume.] Well, Gerald . . .
GER. Yes, mother?
MRS. IS. You're not coming to dinner?
GER. You don't need me, mother. You've men enough, you said.
MRS. IS. I like to see something of my son now and then.
GER. I had my lunch very late, and I'm honestly not hungry. I'd rather
sit and read.

MRS. IS. I declare, Gerald, you run this reading business into the
ground. You cut yourself off from everyone.
GER. They don't miss me, mother.
MRS. IS. To-night Renaud is going to give us some crabflake a la
Dewey! I told Mrs. Bagley-Willis I'd show her what crabflake could be.
She is simply green with envy of our chef.
GER. I fancy that's the reason you invite her, isn't it?
MRS. IS. [Laughs.] Perhaps.
[Exit right. He settles himself to read.]
HICKS. [Enters centre.] Mr. Gerald.
GER. Well?
HICKS. There