aught 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 litt