ave sent
for you because I understand that you earth-people think more and see
farther than we do.

GER. Yes?

ALB. I wish to ask you to help me... to use your strength of mind and
body to direct this boy.

GER. But what can I do?

ALB. I wish you to stay here and be Prince Hagen's tutor.

GER. What?

ALB. [Anxiously.] If you will do it, sir, you will carry hence a
treasure such as the world has never seen before. And it is a noble
work... a great work, sir. He is the grandson of a king! Tell me. ..
will you help me?

[Gazes imploringly.]

GER. Let me think. [A pause.] Your majesty, I have things of importance
to do, and I have no time to stay here...

ALB. But think of the treasures!

GER. My father is a rich man, and I have no need of treasures. And
besides, I am a poet. I have work of my own...

ALB. Oh! don't refuse me, sir!

GER. Listen! There is, perhaps, something else we can do. How would it
do to take Prince Hagen up to the world?

ALB. [Starting.] Oh!

GER. This world is a small one. There he might have a wide field for his
energies. He might be sent to a good school, and taught the ideals of
our Christian civilization.

ALB. [Pondering anxiously.] You mean that you yourself would see to it
that proper care was given to him?

GER. If I took him with me it would mean that I was 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 t