leading.] Hagen, you are my grandson. You are my sole heir...
the only representative of my line. You are all that I have in the
world!

HAGEN. Well?

ALB. You place me in such a trying position! Have you no shame... no
conscience? Why, some day you will be king... and one cannot keep a king
in chains!

HAGEN. I do not want to be in chains!

ALB. But, Hagen, your conduct is such... what can I do? You have
robbed... you have threatened murder! And you... my grandson and my
heir...

HAGEN. Have you sent for me to preach at me again?

ALB. Hagen, this stranger... he has come to visit us from the world
above. These earth-men know more than we... they have greater powers...

[He hesitates.]

HAGEN. What is all that to me?

ALB. You know that you yourself are three-quarters an earth-man...

HAGEN. I know it. [With a passionate gesture.] But I am in chains!

ALB. There may be a way of your having another chance. Perhaps this
stranger will teach you. If you will promise to obey him, he will
stay with you... he will be your tutor, and show you the ways of the
earth-men.

HAGEN. No!

ALB. What?

HAGEN. I will not have it!

ALB. Hagen!

HAGEN. I will not have it, I say! Why did you not consult me?

ALB. But what is your objection...

HAGEN. I will not obey an earth-man! I will not obey anyone!

ALB. But he will teach you...

HAGEN. I do not want to be taught. I want to be let alone! Take off
these chains!

ALB. [Half rising.] Hagen! I insist...

HAGEN. Take them off, I say! You cannot conquer me... you cannot trick
me!

ALB. [Angrily.] Take him away!

[The Nibelungs seize hold of him to hustle him off.]

HAGEN. I will not obey him! Mark what I say... I will kill him. Yes! I
will kill him!

[He is dragged off protesting.]

ALB. [Sits, his head bowed with grief, until the uproar dies away; then,
looking up.] Mimi!

MIMI. Yes, your majesty.

ALB. Let the earth-man be brought.

MIMI. Yes, your majesty!

ALL. The earth-man! The earth-man!

[The call is heard as before. GERALD is brought on; the orchestra plays
a beautiful melody, violins and horns. MIMI moves left to meet him.]

GERALD. [Enters left with attendants; hesitating, gazing about in
wonder. He sees MIMI, and stops; a pause.] The pack peddler!

MIMI. The pack peddler!

GER. And these are Nibelungs?

MIMI. You call us that.

GER. [Laughing nervously.] You... er... it's a little disconcerting, you
know. I had no idea you exi