Prince Hagen | Page 5

it?
MIMI. [Puts it on his head.] You wear it . . . so. And you play Nibelung
music, and you vanish from sight . . . nobody finds you. Or I sell you
the magic ring . . . you wear that . . . [Hands it to GERALD.] Put it on
your finger . . . so. Now you play, and the Nibelungs come . . . they
dance about in the woods . . . they bring you gold treasures . . . ha, ha,
ha! [Amused at GERALD's perplexity.] What you think they look like,
hey? . . . those Nibelungs!
GERALD. Why . . . I don't know . . .
MIMI. What do your poets tell you? ha?
GERALD. Why . . . they're little men . . . with long hair and funny
clothes . . . and humpbacked.
MIMI. Look like me, hey?
GERALD. [Embarrassed.] Why . . . yes . . . in a way.
MIMI. What are their names?
GERALD. Their names?
MIMI. Yes . . . what ones do you know about?
GERALD. Well, there was Alberich, the king.
MIMI. Alberich!
GERALD. He was the one who found the Rheingold. And then there
was Hagen, his son.
MIMI. Hagen!
GERALD. He killed the hero, Siegfried.
MIMI. Yes, yes!
GERALD. And then there was Mimi.
MIMI. Ah! Mimi!
GERALD. He was a very famous smith.
MIMI. [Eagerly.] You know all about them! Somebody has been there!
GERALD. What do you mean?
MIMI. Would you like to see those Nibelungs?
GERALD. [Laughing.] Why . . . I wouldn't mind.

MIMI. You would like to see them dancing in the moonlight, and hear
the clatter of their trinkets and shields? You would like to meet old
King Alberich, and Mimi the smith? You would like to see that cavern
yawn open . . . [points to right] and fire and steam break forth, and all
the Nibelungs come running out? Would you like that? ha?
GERALD. Indeed I would!
MIMI. You wouldn't be afraid?
GERALD. No, I don't think so.
MIMI. But are you sure?
GERALD. Yes . . . sure!
MIMI. All right! You wear my magic ring! You wait till night comes!
Then you play! [Puts away trinkets.] I must go now.
GERALD. [Perplexed.] What do you want for your ring?
MIMI. It is not for sale. I give it.
GERALD. What!
MIMI. Money could not buy it. [Takes up pack.] I came to you because
you play that music.
GERALD. But I can't . . . it . . .
MIMI. It is yours . . . you are a poet! [Starts left.] Is this the way?
GERALD. Yes. But I don't like to . . .
MIMI. Keep it! You will see! Good-bye!
GERALD. But wait!
MIMI. It is late. I must go. Good-night.
[Exit left.]
GERALD. Good-night. [Stands staring.] Well, I'll be switched! If that
wasn't a queer old customer! [Looks at ring.] It feels like real gold!
[Peers after MIMI.] What in the world did he mean, anyhow? The
magic ring! I hope he doesn't get lost in those woods to-night. [Turns to
fire.] Confound that fire! It's out for good now! Let it go. [Sits, and
takes music score.] Nibelungs! They are realer than anybody guesses.
People who spend their lives in digging for gold, and know and care
about nothing else. How many of them I've met at mother's dinner
parties! Well, I must get to my work now. [Makes a few notes; then
looks up and stretches.] Ah, me! I don't know what makes me so lazy
this evening. This strange heaviness! There seems to be a spell on me.
[Gazes about.] How beautiful these woods are at sunset! If I were a
Nibelung, I'd come here for certain! [Settles himself, reclining;

shadows begin to fall; music from orchestra.] I'm good for nothing but
dreaming . . . I wish Estelle were here to sing to me! How magical the
twilight is! Estelle! Estelle!
[He lies motionless; music dies away, and there is a long silence. The
forest is dark, with gleams of moonlight. Suddenly there is a faint note
of music . . . the Nibelung theme. After a silence it is repeated; then
again. Several instruments take it up. It swells louder. Vague forms are
seen flitting here and there. Shadows move.]
GERALD. [Starting up suddenly.] What's that? [Silence; then the note
is heard again, very faint. He starts. It is heard again, and he springs to
his feet.] What's that? [Again and again. He runs to his violin, picks it
up, and stares at it. Still the notes are heard, and he puts down the violin,
and runs down stage, listening.] Why, what can it mean? [As the music
grows louder his